Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
18.2 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 620

Gov’t to fund athletes with Shs7.1bn to 2022 Commonwealth Games

By
Our Reporter
-
Sports Minister Hamson Obua

Government will provide Shs7.1 billion to support Ugandan athletes who will participate in the 2022 Commonwealth games due to take place between 28th July and 8th August 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The State Minister for Sports, Hon. Hamson Obua made this revelation while responding to matter of national importance raised by Bukomansimbi South Member of Parliament, Hon. Kayemba Geoffrey Ssolo on the funding of the team.

Kayemba Solo said that the athletes have not commenced preparations for the games.

“We want results and good performance but we are not participating in the preparations for better results. We request Government to expedite funds for the sports people who are to participate at the Commonwealth games in two months’ time,” Kayemba said.

The Minister said Uganda will be represented in 13 sporting disciplines adding that the country qualified for athletics, netball, rugby, table tennis and badminton. He added that thepending qualifications are in weightlifting and basketball among others.

Obua added that meetings have been held and letters written to ensure that funding for Uganda’s athletes at the games is made available.

“The last letter is dated 25 April 2022, and a meeting has been called tomorrow [04 May 2022] between by the Minister for Education and Sports and Minister for Finance, to find a solution for Team Uganda to participate,” he said.

Obua said the qualified teams are training under the circumstances, and expressed optimism that Uganda will field the highest number of athletes, given that the disciplines at the games are ‘team sports’.

“We hope and pray that within the remaining time, Government will be able to find money to support our sportsmen and women,” he added.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among tasked the minister to brief the House on what shall accrue from the meeting.

So far, 58 out of 72 Commonwealth Games Associations have confirmed that they will send athletes to the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Stories Continues after ad

Towards the demystification of Ugandan Politics

By
Guest Writer
-
Ivan Munguongeyo

Fellow Ugandans, let me say without any equivocation, or fear of contradiction, that these are perilous times in our great country.

In the midst of the monumental calamities staring us in the face, Ugandan politicians don’t seem to have eyes to see, noses to smell, ears to listen, and mouths to say the right things. They all appear to have buried their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich.

One would think that our politicians would have learned some didactic lessons from our recent history, but no way! No matter how heinous, dangerous, or dire our situation becomes, Ugandan political leaders are too self-conceited, egocentric, and incapable of remaining sober.

A couple of examples should suffice. One of the reasons many people initially supported President Museveni’s 1986 bush war was the uproar caused by the breakdown of law and order in several parts of the country during the Amin and later Obote regimes.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the devastating breakdown to rule of law and lawlessness which drew worldwide attention, condemnation and reprobation. This singular incident probably sent the government of Amin packing.

No government could have survived the plethora of attacks that came flying from every direction. And Museveni profited from Amin’s and Obote’s abject failure to deal with what had become a real menace to the people.

Decades later, the situation is far worse and pathetic, but our politicians, most of whom have crossed from opposition into NRM for selfish personal reasons rather than principle, are still carrying on gaily and blithely as if every day is Christmas.

I watch with pain and anguish a number of unacceptable issues befalling this country; hyperinflation, increasing prices of fuel and basic commodities, Karamoja at war and all sorts of mal-development taking place and my heart bleeds every time. It would appear that our government has abdicated their responsibilities and, as the saying goes, it is now a case of everyone is for himself, while only God is for us all. The pain, the anguish, the gnashing of teeth cannot be described, imagined or contemplated. He who feels it knows it.

And worse still, there is no sign of sympathy and empathy on the side of our political leaders. Any demonstration of concern is one laced with selfish motivations, a chance for photo opportunities and pre-politicking.

Our political leaders are too myopic to see the dangers, landmines and boobytraps ahead. It is reasonably obvious to discerning minds that someone is already setting up Uganda for a cataclysmic fall and a fatal collapse. But the dog that must get lost will never hear the hunter’s whistle.

The warning signs are dangling over our country like the sword of Damocles. We’ve passed this way and route before, and we should be familiar with its undulating landscapes, but due to our selective amnesia and somnambulism, we appear to be in a state of noctambulation and sleepwalking our way to perdition.

Ivan Munguongeyo

Email: ivanmungu12@gmail.com

Stories Continues after ad

Press Freedom day: East African citizens’ views on media freedom

By
Our Reporter
-
Camera men

As the world marks the International Press Freedom day 2022, Twaweza in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda shares from a citizens’ perspective the press freedom in East Africa.

Twaweza highlights citizens’ attitudes to the role and importance of the media in society. The data was collected between 2019 and 2021 by Afrobarometer and by Twaweza through its Sauti za Wananchi initiative.

Across East Africa, more citizens generally support media freedom than government control of media. In Uganda, according to the survey 57% of the citizens said the media should have freedom to work without government interference in 2020. This is up from 54% in 2019.

Similarly, in Tanzania, most support media freedom and limits on government powers to intervene. 81% agreed that criticism of leaders is a good thing saying it helps stop them from making big mistakes. 54% according to the survey said that if a newspaper prints something factually incorrect, they should apologize and publish a correction.

But citizens believe strongly that media reporting on government mistakes and corruption is a good thing. In 2019, 80% of the Kenyans agreed that the media should constantly investigate and report gov’t mistakes and corruption. 78% in Tanzania agreed while 79% of the citizens in Uganda also agreed. A few percentage of the citizens according to the survey said too much reporting on mistakes and corruption only harms the country.

East Africans also strongly believe the media is currently free to report and comment on the news. Tanzanians more likely agreed that media is free to report and comment on news without gov’t interference. (78% supported this view compared to 78% in Kenya and 57% in Uganda).

Radio is still citizens’ main source of information, but TV and social media are growing (especially in Tz). Radio and TV are also the dominant sources of information in Kenya. Radio is used by all, but TV, internet, social media are dominated by the young, wealthy, urban and educated.

Citizens see social media overall as a good thing that helps people have more impact on politics. However, citizens also have concerns about the effect of social media on fake news and intolerance.

Full Survey: Press-Freedom-in-East-Africa-2022_v2-3-1Download

Most citizens think unrestricted access to the internet and social media should be protected, less so in Kenya. 44% said that unrestricted access to the internet and social media should be protected or regulated compared to the 54% and 55% in Tanzania and Uganda respectively.

Trust remains much higher in information from radio and TV than from social media. TV and radio have consistently been the most trusted across recent years, while trust in people has fallen

In Uganda, when the Coronavirus pandemic struck, people looked mainly to TV and radio for information. Similarly, in Tanzania, citizens seek information about Covid-19 vaccines mainly from radio and TV news.

And in Kenya, citizens still primarily use turn to TV and radio for news on election-related matters.

According to Twaweza’s Sauti za Wananchi data, both Kenyans and Tanzanians see media freedom and access to information as very important components of democracy. Independent media, freedom of expression and access to info are all seen as vital to democracy.

Stories Continues after ad

23 people perished in Labour Day and Eid accidents

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
ASP Faridah Nampiima

The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nampiima Faridah has revealed that 23 people perished in road accidents during the Labour Day and Eid holidays.

Police recorded a total of 119 accidents in these two days and out of these 21 accidents were fatal, 62 were serious and 36 were minor.

“There were 111 accident victims during these two days and out of these 23 people died and 88 sustained injuries,” she said.

She said a total of 387 accidents occurred from 24th April to 30th April 2022 and out of these, 60 accidents were fatal, 213 were serious and 114 were minor. There were 341 accident victims during this period and out of these 67 people died and 274 sustained injuries.

A total number of 9,679 traffic offenders have been arrested and issued with EPS tickets on various traffic offences at various checkpoints in the whole country from 24th April to 2nd May 2022 among these Reckless driving 1,709, DMCs 2,089, invalid driving license 837, speeding 446, Not wearing seat belts 760, Riding without wearing a crash helmet 606, carrying more than one passenger on the motorcycle 144 among others.

“We continue to appeal to all drivers and road users on the roads to do your best to keep it safe and arrive alive by taking care of ourselves and other road users. Drive with discipline on the road and respect road signs,” she said.

Stories Continues after ad

World Press Freedom Day: UJA calls for stern punishments against errant officers violating journalists’ rights

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
BBS-TV journalist William Tamale being roughed up by police officers while on duty.

The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), an umbrella body that brings together all journalists in Uganda, has urged Security agencies of police and the army to investigate and discipline errant officers who violate journalists’ rights.

UJA said this during the commemoration of the 30th World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) anniversary. WPFD was proclaimed during the United Nations General Assembly in Windhoek Namibia 1993. The call for an international calendar to observe the importance of media freedom was originally made at a meeting in Namibia when African journalists convened in partnership with UNESCO in 1991.

The international celebrations are being held in Punta Del Este, Uruguay under the theme; “Journalism under Digital Siege”, assessing the digital era’s impact on freedom of expression, safety of journalists, access to information and privacy.

May 3rd acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives while in the line of duty.

“Persistent attacks on journalists in form of torture, intimidation of license withdraws, clobbering, unwarranted arrests, detentions, damage of work tools, etc., by individual security personnel from the Police, Army, RDC’s and press regulators, have significantly had a bearing to the enjoyment of press freedom and journalism activities in this free and democratic society. Such acts by the men in uniform have left several journalists with physical impairment,” UJA said in a statement.

UJA said Journalists’ rights have time and again been violated by some of their gate keepers and proprietors of media houses. Though the law sets contractual requirements, a number of media practitioners continue to be employed without appointment letters and formal contracts. Journalists are being retrenched and sacked at will, they are paid poorly, some are not facilitated to work effectively, and they are denied insurance covers to address health risks arising from occupational hazards.

The Journalist’s body decried the Communications Commission’s (UCC) arbitrary directives which  have compromised the independence of journalism practices and this has resulted in loss of jobs and denying the public access to right information.

They urged the government to waive taxes on the internet to foster information access by the public.

Stories Continues after ad

Activist urges Ngok Dinka, Misseriya to prioritize talks in Uganda

By
Our Reporter
-
Edmund Yakani

A renowned South Sudanese activist has urged the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities to prioritize peace and stability in Abyei, an oil-producing region contested by both Sudan and South Sudan.

The call comes in the wake of a peace conference earmarked for Entebbe, Uganda between the Ngok Dinka of the contested border region of Abyei and Misseriya communities of Sudan’s Western Kordofan State in May.

Traditional leaders, women and youth representatives are expected to attend the peace conference organized by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) from 16-19 May.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the move, saying a non-violent approach involving dialogue is key in resolving existing political differences.

“Violent politicking is not beneficial and may constitute acts of attempting to wage efforts for committing crime against humanity,” he remarked.

Barely a month ago, over 40 people were reportedly killed in Abyei by suspected armed Misseriya tribesmen in separate attacks. The violence displaced thousands of people into bushes and neighbouring communities.

Yakani said UNISFA is mandated to ensure that human lives as well as properties and societal growth in Abyei is devoid from all forms of violence.

“The expected Ngok Dinka and Misseriya peace talks in Uganda should be within the legal framework of the Abyei protocol as enshrined in the Chapter IV date 26th May, 2004 in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement [CPA] signed in 2005. Any attempt to undermine this legal framework will be an attempt of undemocratic resolution on status of Abyei,” he stressed.

Under the CPA provisions, Abyei was to be governed by its own elected executive council. Moreover, its inhabitants were considered to be citizens of both the western Kordofan state in the north and of Bahr al-Ghazal state in the South and were represented in the legislatures of both states.

According to Yakani, factors detrimental to the implementation of the Abyei Protocol by both Juba and Khartoum should be included in the agenda of the talks in Uganda between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya.

He further UNISFA to ensure the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) take part in the forthcoming peace talks.

The oil-rich border region of Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained its independence from neighbouring Sudan in July 2011.

In December last year, the Chief Administrator of the Abyei Administrative Area called on the presidency to expedite the process of determining the final status of the area.

Stories Continues after ad

UN Agencies seek Shs169 billion to support refugees in Uganda

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Refugees

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, and 44 humanitarian partners are urgently appealing for Shs 169 billion (US$47.8 million)  to respond to the critical needs of thousands of refugees who arrived in Uganda this year, fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and sporadic clashes in South Sudan.

Since January, Uganda has generously welcomed over 35,000 refugees. A third of those have arrived in just the past three weeks from the DRC, fleeing intense fighting in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

As reports of violence in eastern DRC and South Sudan continue, this appeal will also strengthen Uganda’s capacity to receive more refugees in case of further displacement.

“UNHCR is coordinating with the Government of Uganda and humanitarian partners to provide emergency assistance and protection to refugees in border areas, and we are making efforts to relocate them to refugee settlements as soon as possible.” UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov said.

He said the needs are surging for protection, food, shelter and essential household items. Funding will also support urgently needed health-care supplies, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services required to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.

Uganda already hosts over 1.5 million refugees, the largest refugee population on the African continent and is now receiving thousands of new arrivals from South Sudan, in West Nile State to the north, and the DRC, arriving in southwestern Uganda. While this influx may not be dominating the headlines, the challenges are significant and mounting.

The Uganda Emergency Appeal is intended to support coordinated efforts for an initial emergency response to the influx of up to 60,000 refugees in Uganda in the first half of 2022, with 45,000 new arrivals from April to June 2022.

Stories Continues after ad

MTN Uganda, Busoga Kingdom launch 2022 Masaza Football Tournament

By
Our Reporter
-
MTN's Joseph Bogera hands over a sample of the Jerseys to be used during the tournament to the Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister, Joseph Muvawala at the tournament unveiling

MTN Uganda and the Kingdom of Busoga have launched the 2022 Busoga Kingdom County football tournament popularly called ‘Empaka z’omupiira gw’amasaza’.

At a press conference held at the Kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, it was announced that the tournament will kick-off on Saturday 14th May 2022 at St. Gonzaga field, Kagoma – Buwenge town council, with Butembe County taking on Buzaya. The games will be played in a home and away format for 2 months, leading up to the finals to be held at Kakindu Stadium on Friday 13th August 2022.

The Kyabazinga of Busoga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope the IV, will grace both the opening games and the finals that are expected to attract record crowds, following the easing of restrictions to gatherings.

While launching the tournament, Joseph Bogera, the MTN Uganda General Manager – Sales & Distribution said that MTN has built strong partnerships with kingdoms because they are a strong community establishment that foster a unity of purpose, in the communities where MTN operates.

“MTN partnered with Busoga kingdom to foster the socio-economic and cultural wellbeing of its people through supporting health, education, and sports initiatives. We are happy to be launching an activity that brings so much joy to many people, particularly at this time when that privilege has been taken away by the pandemic restrictions,” Bogera said.

Rt. Hon Dr. Muvawala Joseph, the Prime Minister of Busoga thanked MTN Uganda for loving and supporting the people of Busoga over the years.

“I am happy to note that after 2 years of no social activity, this tournament will bring the people of Busoga Kingdom together through football. We are very excited and look forward to these matches,” Muvawala said.

The 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Owekitiibwa Hajji Osman Noor, who also oversees the Kingdom’s Sports Ministry activities, commended MTN for the support they continue to extend to the Obwa Kyabazinga’s community programs. “I thank MTN for supporting us yet again with the sponsorship of our Masaza football tournament. We commit to mobilize the community to support their counties and bring back that excitement we’ve missed the last two years”, he said.

Details of the Masaza football games schedule will be communicated daily on radio stations across the kingdom and on Baba TV.

Apart from Busoga Kingdom, MTN Uganda has partnered with other cultural institutions namely, Tooro, Bunyoro, Ker Alur, and Ker Kwaro (Acholi).

These partnerships seek to uplift the socio-economic, and cultural wellbeing of the communities in these kingdoms through supporting health, education, and sports initiatives. This is based on the premise that cultural institutions play a pivotal role in the maintenance, revitalization, and documentation of peoples’ cultural heritage as well as facilitating the social-economic wellbeing of communities.

Stories Continues after ad

Minister Kitutu applauds Stanbic Bank for backing women-led enterprises

By
Our Reporter
-

Minister for Karamoja Affairs and the Woman Member of Parliament for Manafwa District has applauded Stanbic Bank Uganda for its financial and non-financial services package aimed at supporting women-led enterprises to sharpen their competitiveness in the marketplace. 

The Minister was Chief Guest at a financial literacy and access to finance training, attended by women in business at the Manafwa District Headquarters, on Saturday.

“I want to commend Stanbic Bank for not just focusing on big businesses but also finding time and creating financial support packages to support small businesses such as women-led enterprises—indeed, this is the best way to drive Uganda’s growth,” she said.

Recently, the Bank, in partnership with IFC and other partners, launched ‘Stanbic For Her’ a financial and non-financial package designed for women in business offering education, information, networking, and market linkages support in addition to access to affordable business loans.

Speaking at the same event, Stanbic Bank’s Sarah Nansikombi said, “We understand the challenges faced by our customers in the different market segments that is why through Stanbic for Her, we are keen on supporting women-led enterprises to succeed.”

Close to 600 women attended the engagement that involved a financial fitness boot camp for several leaders for SACCOs, Village Saving and Loan Associations and business owners from Manafwa and neighboring districts.

Ugandan women own about 39% of businesses with registered premises, yet they receive only 9% of commercial credit, according to IFC. This intervention by Stanbic Bank aims to support efforts geared towards reversing this situation. 

Stanbic is also facilitating market access through online spaces and providing linkages to value chains and ecosystems associated with the bank’s corporate clients.

Stanbic For Her Financial benefits

Through Stanbic for Her, the bank is offering four different financial benefits including savings, investments; transactional and borrowing linked to products tailored to common profiles of women in business and aimed at addressing access to credit related bottlenecks they face.

For instance, women in business are borrowing loans at 12.5% through their SACCOs and at 15.5% interest on direct business loans but are exempted from any charges in the event of early settlement.

Stanbic Bank is also offering Educare, an insurance and savings product for children, medical and home insurance aimed at securing women in the event of loss of income or natural disasters such as death.

Non-financial benefits for participating women include financial literacy training, cash flow and management of working capital, loan management, managing savings and debt, mentorship, and advisory services extended by the bank with support from IFC and Stanbic Business Incubator. 

Stories Continues after ad

Ukraine invasion: UEFA announces further sanctions on Russian national teams and clubs

By
Agencies
-

Russia have been barred from competing in this summer’s women’s Euro 2022, while Russian clubs will also be banned from Uefa competitions next season, says Europe’s football governing body.

Uefa has announced that Russia’s bid to host the men’s Euro 2028 or Euro 2032 tournaments is now ineligible too.

The sanctions come amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.

In February, Russian clubs and national teams were suspended by Fifa and Uefa “until further notice”.

On Monday, Uefa announced that Portugal – who lost to Russia in the play-offs – will replace them at Euro 2022, which takes place in July.

Russia’s women’s national team will also no longer compete in European qualification for the 2023 World Cup, while the men’s side is barred from the 2022-23 Nations League.

They will automatically be ranked fourth in group two of League B, meaning they will be relegated at the end of the group phase.

The ban imposed on clubs means there will be no Russian teams in the men’s and women’s Champions League, Europa League, or Europa Conference League during the 2022-23 campaign.

In March, Uefa confirmed Russia had declared an interest in hosting Euro 2028 – as well as the UK and Ireland, and Turkey – and the 2032 edition.

Uefa said the bid was ineligible in accordance with article 16.02 of the Bid Regulations, which states that “each bidder shall ensure that it does not act in a manner that could bring Uefa, any other bidder, the bidding procedure or European football into disrepute”.

Uefa’s latest sanctions also ban Russia from the 2021-23 European Under-21 Championship, as well as youth and futsal competitions.

An updated qualifying process for the Champions League has been published, which shows benefits for Scottish teams.

The Premiership champions will go directly into the competition’s group stages, while the second-placed side will now go into the third round of qualifying rather than the second.

Stories Continues after ad
1...619620621...2,400Page 620 of 2,400

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks