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Over 100 Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers to benefit from 2022 Training and Licensing Program

At least 110 drivers are set to be trained, Licensed and certified to drive Heavy Goods trucks and trailers (class CH License) or rigid trucks (class CM license).

The training will be executed by Uganda Driving Standards Agency (UDSA) on behalf of CNOOC to meet the skills gaps in the logistics and transportation competencies especially in the oil and gas sector in Uganda. 

Earlier this year, the government and the JV Partners took a significant milestone for the people of Uganda which shall unlock billions of dollars of investment in Uganda’s oil and gas sector.  This decision paved the way for progress on contract awards as all major engineering, procurement and construction contracts have been awarded and are currently on-going or under mobilization to start execution. Our longer term strategic pillars are quality and enhancement for sustainable development of the oil and gas resource. 

Transportation is also among the goods and services to be provided by Ugandan companies, Ugandan citizens and Registered entities as detailed in the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) (National Content) Regulations, 2016.

This training will enable the trained drivers to explore and acquire more expertise in Heavy Goods Vehicles Driving and Road Safety which is well in line with the national content promotion guidelines.

The selection of trainees in this particular cohort was undertaken in partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom that supported the identification and selection of trainees from 8 districts of Kikuube, Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kakumiro, Kibaale and Kagadi together with the implementing service provider Uganda Driving Standards Agency (UDSA).

The partnership with the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom was aimed at Host Community content enhancement for potential beneficiaries from the Bunyoro Sub-Region that hosts the Kingfisher Project.

Mr. Mathew Kyaligonza, the National Content Manager CNOOC Uganda Limited said the key objectives of this training include; Train Ugandan HGV drivers and support them to obtain required driving licenses (class CH license for truck and trailer or class CM license for rigid trucks); so that they are eligible for transportation and logistics related jobs in the oil & gas and other sectors.

It is also aimed at enhancing the knowledge and practice of professional driving among Ugandan HGV drivers by training them according to the East African Community standardized curriculum for drivers of large commercial vehicles and/or international standards for HGV drivers.

 In the interest of ensuring that the training maintains national social distancing and the Training Standard Operating Procedures to prevent COVID-9, the program shall maintain 4 trainees per instructor per day and only 1 trainee in a truck during practical sessions. This arrangement shall enable the Trainee to have ample time with their respective instructors during the training.

Andrew Byakutuga Ateenyi, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom stated that “We are grateful for the partnership between CNOOC Uganda Limited and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and we look forward to more opportunities of working together. We want our people to be skilled enough so that we can gain from the oil and gas resource”.

Mr. Ronald Nkata, the Chief instructor of the trained students stated that “This three  months program shall provide an interactive forum for us to share, explore and discuss concepts and issues of HGV driving and Road Safety with our trainees.”

The oil exploration company is sponsoring the training and Certification of 160 Welders in 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and 6G Coded welding to AWS international standards, 84 Teachers in the Train the Trainer program that included five certified programs for teachers from different Ugandan Vocational Training institutions (VTIs), 150 -200 SMEs in the Enterprise development program, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) training and certification of 60 participants that shall provide the engineering construction industry workforce the skills it needs to meet the challenges of the future enabling development and qualification in a wide range of craft, technical and professional disciplines.

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Vietnamese envoy meets Deputy Speaker over coffee processing

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has called for cooperation with Vietnam to develop the country’s coffee value chain for the benefit of farmers.

In a meeting with Vietnam’s Ambassador-Designate to Uganda, H.E. Nguyen Nam Tien, on Monday, 22 August 2022, the Deputy Speaker said mutual cooperation in coffee will unlock the two countries’ potential in the trade.

“We expect Vietnam’s support in areas of agricultural value addition, especially on coffee. Vietnam is very good in coffee processing and Uganda is Africa’s leading coffee producer,” said Tayebwa.

He added: “…we would like to learn from you, especially the development of varieties that are resistant to drought, varieties that are resistant to disease but also give farmers very high yields,” Tayebwa said.

The meeting was also attended by the Honorary Consul of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Uganda, King Caesar Mulenga.

Tien praised Uganda’s weather and said he seeks stronger cooperation between the governments of the two countries.

He said the two countries will soon be celebrating 50 years of cooperation and it will be a great opportunity to revitalise the relations between two nations.

Tayebwa said the international coffee industry needs an overhaul to ensure farmers and coffee producing countries benefit the most from the product.

“Records show that the coffee producing countries do not share more than 25 per cent of the income that comes from the coffee industry. The countries which do not produce coffee are the ones benefiting most; we need to work and strengthen our relations as producers of coffee so that we can demand for more for the sake of our farmers and also developing our economies,” he said.

The renewed cooperation between Uganda and Vietnam will focus on areas of investment, finance and institutional reforms, according to Tien.

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COSASE summons Jenifer Bamuturaki over Auditor General’s report on Uganda Airlines

Jennifer Bamuturaki

The Committee of Commissions Statutory and State Enterprises (COSASE) has summoned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jenifer Bamuturaki, to appear in person tomorrow without fail.

“Where as your attendance is required to give evidence as a witness before the committee to discuss the report of Auditor General on Uganda National Airline Company for Financial year 2021/22,” part of the summon reads.

The summon follows Bamuturaki’s failures to attend committee proceedings earlier today. Bamuturaki asked COSASE to postpone their meetings to a later date in September.

According to a letter to MPs, Bamuturaki requested that the probe into the airlines operations by COSASE be done without the media. “The current publications about the Airline are ruining its reputation,” she claimed.

Bamuturaki is hosting Mr. Abderahmane Berthé, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary General. The two are paving a way for strategic cooperation in areas that accelerate African Air transport growth to play bigger roles on a global scene.

Bamuturaki is under scrutiny over lack of academic documents. According to COSASE, Bamuturaki has no academic transcript and the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) result slip despite all claims that she graduated in 1994.

The MPs claim that the CEO of Uganda Airlines has to have among others a Bachelor’s degree and a post graduate-diploma. However the Airline CEO Jennifer didn’t meet the minimum academic requirements at the time of appointment. She only had a B.A SWASA and lacked post graduate training.

In 2018, Uganda mooted an idea to revive its airline and hence ordered four Bombardier CRJ900 regional Aircrafts. In 2020, the government of Uganda received four Bombardier CRJ900 regional Aircrafts that were ordered by Uganda National Airlines Company in July 2018 and two airbuses which were delivered in 2020 and 2021.

Following the arrival of airbuses, the country launched its long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Established in May 1976, Uganda Airlines, started operations in 1977 and was liquidated in May 2001 after efforts to privatize the company failed due to massive debts it had incurred.

Uganda Airlines is competing with Africa’s best such as South Africa Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways, Rwandair and others on the continent, not forgetting International ones such as Emirates Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airways among others that land at Entebbe International Airport.

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Dr. Senfuka secures an injunction restraining Bukomansimbi District leadership from inciting squatters

During the court session

The High Court in Masaka has an injunction, restraining Fred Kalema Pax the Bukomansimbi Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and Fred Nyenje the Chairperson of LCV, from speaking about the case between Dr. David Senfuka and a section of locals.

Last year, Dr. Senfuka filed a Suit, accusing Kalema and Nyenje of rallying residents never to pay a single annual subscription fee (Busulu) to him. The said two square kilometers land with 600 squatters are located in Budda village, Kisojjo Sub County, Bukomansimbi district.

On April 27, Dr. Senfuka through his lawyers M/s Katutsi & Lamunu Advocates dragged the trio in Court accusing them of telling residents (Bibanja holders) never to pay him his annual subscription (Busulu).

The two suits sought the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Masaka to harmonize between Dr. Senfuka and the residents, seeking to let some of the occupants of his land seek, among others, declarations that they occupied it illegally since they are neither bona fide nor lawful occupants.

Julius Bulora, the Deputy Court Registrar restrained the two from commenting on the issue of the said land until the final matters have been concluded in courts of law.

“The persons against whom the Plaintiff filed the said suit, which is still pending hearing and disposal, sought the political intervention of the second and third Defendants and indeed the second and third Defendants, while well knowing that the matter was still pending in Court and therefore subjudice, convened a rally of all the residents of Budda on the 8th day of March, 2022 and at the said rally made very damning accusations against the Plaintiff and incited the said residents of Budda against the Plaintiff,” the judge ruled.

According to the Suit, Nyenge and Kalema, while addressing the residents reportedly said that Dr. Senfuka has no rights over the contested land and incited the residents not to allow the Plaintiff step foot thereon.

“As a result of the incitement of and by the second and third Defendants of the residents of Budda against the Plaintiff, the Plaintiff for fear of his life cannot step foot on his land and more portions of his land are being taken by persons who are unknown to him,” states in part of the injunction.

 Reactions to court ruling

Speaking after the Court ruling, Dr. Senfuka welcomed the ruling, saying that Justice has been served on his side.

“My issue is not about evicting people, I don’t want animals on that land but people but politicians have no moral authority to show me how to manage my land. I don’t need the help of an RDC because the president did not appoint him to come and check under our beds,” Dr. Ssenfuka said.

He said this should be a lesson to the dual and they know that they had exceeded their limits. “They should go and tell locals to pay Busulu and if they fail, it’s them that will have evicted the locals, not me. I am ready for talks and have left that window open, they should do their jobs legally not rallying Bibanja holders against us because this is our land, we shall own it in this government and after,” he said.  

Peter Paul Katusi, Dr. Senfuka’s lead lawyer, welcomed the ruling saying that Justice has been served.

“Politicians have been using their offices and platforms to malign my client, in a way prejudicing his Case, they were commenting on matters that affect his case. Now that Court has pronounced itself on the injunction, I expect them to comply until the matter is sorted out by the Court,” he said.

Joseph Ndawula, the lead lawyer of Kalema and Nyenje, however contested the ruling saying that the Deputy Registrar did not look at the evidence.

“The Deputy Registrar ruled on a Big Case which is not allowed by law. He did not look at the evidence but what people said, and for that we shall Appeal but I am first seeking my Client’s consent,” he said.

Differing from his lawyer, Nyenje welcomed the ruling, saying that it is not harsh and no need for alarm. 

“Court has left us with our powers of patrolling the area, our main issue was eviction but as far as paying him the annual subscription we don’t have any contestation on it,” he said.

 “We are concerned about the security of our people and I want to sound a warning that no one will come from Kampala with his security operatives and evict people from land in this area. Dr. Senfuka’s words are not harsh to us and I think we don’t have any problem with him,” he added.

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Uganda to host 2023 African Netball championship

2017 CHAMPIONS: The Uganda Netball team, the She Cranes

Uganda has been named host for the 2023 Africa Netball Cup, following a decision at the Netball Africa General sitting held in South Africa.

The meeting was attended by Netball Federation presidents from Africa including Uganda’s Sarah Babirye Kityo.

The last time the event was held in Kampala was in 2017 when the She Cranes emerged champions for the first time. They then went on to defend the chanpiosnhip in 2018 in Lusaka, Zambia.

Dates for the championship are yet to be confirmed but it is expected to be held after the 2023 World Cup in South Africa due July and August.

The tournament is expected to attract countries like; South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Kenya among others.

Uganda claimed bronze behind champions South Africa and runners Malawi in 2019 (Cape Town) and in 2021 in Windhoek Namibia, they finished second as South Africa defended their title.

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DRC declares Ebola resurgence in North Kivu

Health workers

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a resurgence of Ebola late last night, following confirmation of one case in the country’s eastern province of North Kivu. 

A 46-year-old woman died on 15 August 2022 in Beni, a town located in North Kivu. She received care at the Beni Referral Hospital, initially for other ailments, but subsequently, exhibited symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease. 

Both the Beni and Goma branches of the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) confirmed Ebola virus in samples taken from the patient. Analyses showed that the case was genetically linked to the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces the country’s longest and largest.  

 “Ebola resurgences are occurring with greater frequency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is concerning. However, health authorities in North Kivu have successfully stopped several Ebola flare-ups and building on this expertise will no doubt bring this one under control quickly,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.  

WHO staff and health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are working to stem the spread of the disease, having identified 160 contacts whose health is being closely monitored. Investigations are ongoing to determine the vaccination status of the confirmed case.  

There are 1000 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccines available in the country’s stockpile, 200 of which will be sent to Beni this week. Ring-vaccination where contacts and contacts of contacts are vaccinated to curb the spread of the virus and protect lives is expected to begin shortly.  

The last flare-up in North Kivu’s Beni health zone was brought under control in about two months, ending on 16 December 2021. There were 11 cases (eight confirmed, three probable), including six deaths.

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26 women remanded to Luzira for using children to beg

26 women remanded to Luzira for using children to beg

City Hall Magistrate’s Court has remanded 26 women for using children to beg on streets which is a crime under the Kampala Capital City Child Protection Ordinance 2022.

The 26 appeared before Magistrate Edwin Kakaire who remanded them to Luzira Prison until Friday August 26, 2022.

Those who have been remanded include; Ruth Aboka 25, Lojari Arorins 20, Agnes Acheing 23, Maria Echoru 20, Angelina Lochoro 27 and Agnes Nakut 30,

Others are Veronica Ilukol 28, Maria Royitye 23, Anna Lakwera 22, and Ruth Aboka 25, Lucy Lokita 18, Jennifer Lokol 20, Agnes Ate 25, Esther Olele 20, Anna Ongole 18.

Also, Pauline Lochoro 23 Angelina Lemukol 22, Anna Oroben 27, Anna Anyalo 18, Esther Lukwa 23 and Elizabeth Sagal 21, Sarah Naduk 23, Brenda Nakiru 22, Anna Nalukuden 29, Sarah Anyango 60, and Maria Longol 22.

The women were arrested on August 20, following a child rescue operation on Thursday August 18 where 221 children were rescued from the streets and taken to Masulita Children’s home for rehabilitation.

According to the Kampala Capital City Child Protection Ordinance 2022, it is a crime to send a child to beg or solicit for alms in a public place, street, building, office or any business or commercial establishment and no person should live off the proceeds of a child engaged in begging or soliciting for alms.

It is required by law that every parent or guardian shall ensure that every child under his or her care is protected from harmful or hazardous employment.

Anybody who contravenes with the law will be imprisoned for six months or pay a fine of two currency points (about Shs 40,000). A currency point is equivalent to Shs 20,000.

The law empowers KCCA to rescue any child found begging or soliciting on the streets. A person shall not use a child to propel them in a wheel chair with the aim of soliciting or begging for alms.

The ordinance also prohibits acts that encourage children to remain on the street and any acts designed to encourage the continued stay of children on the street such as handing a child on a street items including food, money or clothing; and luring a child from the street for group activity with an intention of returning them to the street.

Any child or infant used for or child found begging or soliciting for alms, is supposed to be rescued and committed to the custody and the care of the probation and social welfare officer.

The ordinance criminalizes children loitering in public places, begging or soliciting, vending or hawking and bans the sale of alcohol and drugs to children.

Beyond the street children, the law also prohibits employment of children as a domestic servant; working in a kitchen of a restaurant and any work that prohibits a child from attending basic educational programs.

An owner, manager, person in charge or employee of a bar, video hall, gaming hall, disco or other public place where films with any kind of viewer restrictions are shown shall not host a child on his or her premises.

Renting out, leasing or giving a room, make-shift accommodation, house, tent, car, vessel or hut to a child for illegal and immoral activities including prostitution and drug consumption is also banned.

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Miss Tourism Uganda picks Busoga Queens

Busoga Miss Tourism queens

Busoga crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2022 queens who will battle it out against the other different queens from different parts of the country.

Queen Ishany Siriman Mwonda (middle) was the overall winner, Shakira Kadhanah (left was the first runner up) and Namwende Joan Florence (Right) was the second Runner-up.

It was a historical week for Busoga as the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among urged the Citizens in Busoga to promote tourism.

“Words can’t describe how proud we are to have the opportunity to show the rich cultural heritage and untouched natural beauty of Busoga on an international platform through our very own tourism ambassadors,” the Speaker said.

“We believe that the queens have the capacity to positively impact the image of the region and improve the livelihoods of our people through tourism.”

Busoga will be looking forward to shine during the grand finale on 23rd September at Kampala Serena Hotel. Tickets are on sale at Kampala Serena and easy ticket/quicket.

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12 dead, 20 injured after drinking toxic pineapple wine in West Nile region

City 5 Gin that killed people in West Nile

Police in West Nile Region has launched investigations into a deadly local gin that is alleged to have caused the death of 12 people (6 people from Zambia cell, Mvara road in Arua city and 6 others from Geria village, Yachi Parish, Ogoko sub-county in Madi Okollo district).

Spokesperson Fred Enanga said a total of 20 other victims are being treated for suspected methanol poisoning, after they developed symptoms of poisoning such as stomach ache, dizziness and vomiting after drinking the deadly G5 local gin.

The deceased persons who consumed the drink from Zambia cell, in Arua city include: Amuzu Nelson, a 50 year old male peasant, Alioni Isaac, a 47 year old, Edamara Dick, a 34 year old, Tito Gordon, a 51 year old, Titus Awudele, a 51 year old male peasant, and Karibu Cosmas alias Toko, aged 53.

The other deceased persons who died as a result of drinking the same deadly gin in Geria village, Yachi parish, Ogoko sub county in Madi Okolllo district include; Ofuti Charles, Augutoko Gilbert, Anguzu Michael, Bolo Eliaza John, Toko Joel and Lemiya Valentino.

Enanga said out of the 20 survivors, two have been discharged, leaving a balance of 18 victims. The discharged patients include; Andeku.O.Alija a 53 year old, primary teacher of Oduloba and resident of Zambia cell Mvara ward, who was discharged from Arua Regional Referral Hospital on the 21.08.2022 and Yoda Adriko, both from Arua City.

The District Security Committee immediately banned the sale of the deadly G5 local gin in West Nile and closed the factory, for further investigation.

“To make matters worse, the local distillery was not yet fully registered by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), which implies that Luluwiri fruit wine factory had not yet obtained clearance for production, making their sale of City 5 local gin illegal,” Enanga said.

So far 4 suspects have been arrested to help with investigations. These include; Norman Godfrey, a 32 year old dealer, at Zambia cell, Mvara ward, central division in Arua city. He was released on bond to go for treatment, Ezikuru Rose, a 40 year old, business dealer, arrested from Luluwiri wine factory, resident of Pokea cell, Ayivu West division, Andule Gordon, a 54 year business dealer, arrested from Luluwiri fruit wine factory and resident of Pasua cell, Pokea ward, Ayivu west division and Chandribo Philem, a 28 year old, factory worker and resident of Kasua cell, Pokea ward Ayivu west division.

Further efforts are in place to trace and arrest the owner of the local distillery and other staff, who could face multiple charges of homicide and physical injuries, after clearly establishing the levels of the deadly poisonous substance, used in the fermentation of the local gin.

Enanga called upon all proprietors of local distilleries in all Regions, to ensure they work with UNBS for registration, proper fermentation and production of the local wines, to prevent poisoning.

In the West Nile Region alone, there are over 35 different brands of local gin made from sugar cane, cassava, pineapple, apple, Kibaako, industrial ethanol among others which can be risky for consumers.

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Stanbic Bank records Shs162 billion profit in six months

Stanbic bank

In spite of an unpredictable operating environment characterized by global price instability and a tightening of monetary policy by Bank of Uganda to curb imported inflationary pressures, Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL)reported a half year profit-after-tax of Shs 162billion ending June 30, 2022.

This is up from Shs 158 billion recorded during the same period last year, indicating a 4.7% improvement.

Speaking during the presentation of the SUHL 2022 half-year results, the Chief Executive, Andrew Mashanda, said, “our performance was driven largely by our anchor subsidiary, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited. Our new subsidiaries are continuing to deliver green shoots of hope for our strategic direction, in spite of the challenging operating environment.”

Besides Stanbic Bank, the other SUHL subsidiaries are Stanbic Properties, SBG Securities, FlyHub and Stanbic Business Incubator. Mashanda said, “SBG Securities remains a market leader in volumes and recently acquired clients of Equity Stockbrokers (Uganda) Limited following the closure of its operations in the country on June 30, 2022, while our real estate arm, Stanbic Properties continues to grow and has become a thought leader in the real estate industry.”

He said the subsidiaries had achieved operational synergy which is a very significant step towards the strategic intent of making SUHL a digital platform services business delivering superior value to both shareholders and customers.

Anne Juuko, the Stanbic Bank Chief Executive said, the first six months of 2022 presented a complex combination of ‘Head’ and ‘Tail’ winds that substantially affected both the global and the local economy. She said, effectively navigating these unprecedented times had been a challenge for various sectors in the economy, including the banking sector.

“We resolved to focus on delivering products and solutions that are attuned to these extraordinary times, keeping the customer at the center of all we do, and being relevant in the community in which we serve,” she said, adding, “this focused mission has allowed us to genuinely partner with our customers in accelerating the recovery of the economy.”

Juuko explained that Stanbic managed to deliver acceptable value for both customers and shareholders, recording 4.7% growth in Profit-After-Tax from Shs 158 billion to Shs 165 billion an 8.8% growth in Customer Deposits, from Shs 5.7trillion to Shs 6.2trillionand an increase from Shs 3.7trillion to Shs 3.8trillion in Loans and Advances to customers.

“Our performance reflects targeted positioning for the progressive recovery of the economy, balanced credit risk appetite, prudent cost management and substantive investment in technology for innovation, notably Flexipay,” she said.

The introduction of Flexipay was also the basis on which Stanbic recently gained recognition from the widely respected International Banker publication for ‘Best Innovation in Retail Banking Award’.

Flexipay currently boasts over 275, 000 active wallets and 30, 000 merchants across the country. Juuko said the Bank’s relentless focus on being relevant to its customers in the first half of the year provided a robust platform for sustained and accelerated growth in the second half of 2022.

Stanbic Bank operates on the mandate that ‘Uganda is our home, we drive her growth’ and the Bank plays a key role in supporting the country’s national development agenda.

Highlights from the latest results indicate lending to manufacturing reached Shs 857 billion; agriculture, Shs 323 billion and trade, Shs 604 billion. Some 413 individuals and companies benefited from training provided by the Stanbic Business Incubator and its regional hubs.

Responsible Corporate citizenship

The Bank’s Back to School Boost Campaign launched at the start of the year was a timely intervention that helped over 2 000, 000 students to return to class thanks to the multifaceted support extended to “our private school customers, parents and suppliers.”

“For instance, we wrote off nearly Shs 2billion in unpaid accrued interest rate income owed to us by schools for the period up to December 2021, this on account that they had been out of work for two years. This was a major relief as it allowed schools to start the year on a new slate,” said the Bank in its corporate citizenship report.

Through its Corporate Social Investment activities, Stanbic also directly supported 3000 pregnant mothers with Mama Kits donated through its “Every Mother Counts Maternal Health Campaign” in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

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