Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
20 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 681

Mutebile’s death doesn’t affect legal status of the banknotes he signed – BoU

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Ugandan currency

The death of Bank of Uganda (BoU) Governor, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile doesn’t affect the legal status of the banknotes he signed.

Mutebile died on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Aga Khan Hospital where he was admitted over diabetes-related complications. He was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Omuruhiti, Kabale Town on Sunday, 30th January 2022.

Following his death, there were reports claiming that the banknotes bearing the signature of the Late Prof. Mutebile expired or shall soon expire and cease to be legal tender.

According to BoU, the change of the office bearer or the demise of the person who signed on banknotes as Governor does not in any way affect the validity or legal status of the banknotes that he or she signed.

“The design, features, and characteristics of the currency banknotes include, among other things, the signature of the Governor. The current banknotes remain legal tender until they are determined otherwise by the BoU, which is the only lawful authority entrusted with the mandate to issue currency banknotes,” BoU said.

The Bank said all the denominations of the banknotes issued by the BoU and bearing the signature of the former Governor remain legal tender and can be used to carry out cash transactions, settle financial obligations, and give monetary value.

Stories Continues after ad

Uganda gets the first Aflatoxin Removal Machine

By
Our Reporter
-
A professional system incorporating a Toxiscrub.

PELA Commodities in Soroti is set to install Uganda’s first Aflatoxin removal machine (TOXI SCRUB).

The machine which was recently shipped into the country, was designed and supplied by Perry Engineering.

The machine will remove aflatoxins from high levels to 10ppb or less. It has different treatment programs and can be adjusted to make the necessary treatment to bring the contamination well below allowed levels. The machine can also eliminate not only Mycotoxins, but other biologic activity as well eg. Bacteria, mites and insects.

The TOXISCRUB processing line can be tailored to any product in the Agro, Feed, and Cereal supply chain. Including all types of grain, nuts, beans and cakes from the oilseed industry.

Aflatoxins is a type of mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus species of fungi, such as A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The umbrella term aflatoxin refers to four different types of mycotoxins produced, which are B1, B2, G1, and G2. Aflatoxin B1, the most toxic, is a potent carcinogen and has been directly correlated to adverse health effects, such as liver cancer in many animal species. Aflatoxins are largely associated with commodities produced in the tropics and subtropics, such as cotton, peanuts, spices, pistachios, and maize.

Uganda has lost over $38 million as a result of its inability to sell maize owing to aflatoxins (Shs140 billion). The Ugandan government is facing a significant budgetary load. Post-harvest grain handling activities are of poor quality, and many grain handlers are unaware of aflatoxins.

Maize is Uganda’s most important cereal crop, which is grown on both small and large scales and traded locally and globally by farmers. Because it provides opportunities for Ugandans across the value chain, the grain sub-sector is recognized as one of the most essential sectors for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

Commenting on the latest development, the PELA Commodities General Manager, Isaiah Langa said; “Uganda’s grain handlers have had a long-standing aflatoxin problem, but this is a step in the right direction to help enhance our yields and output.It will turn harmful maize or grain that cannot be exported or sold to reputable processors into a high-value product. We have already trained our team members on aflatoxin testing and they’re ready to start operating the machine.”

Perry Engineering are the designers and manufacturers of grain handling, cleaning, drying, and storage equipment and systems, small-scale flour mills, feed mills, and associated products. The company supports key industries such as agriculture, feed mills, flour mills, flaking mills, waste and recycling, pelleting plants, aggregates, and biomass.

It has a wide range of products which include; continuous mixed flow dryers, belt driers, moisture sensor systems, chain & flight conveyors, belt conveyors, belt & bucket elevators, screw conveyors & augers, aspirator pre-cleaners, twin trace conveyors, grain samplers and bins/silos.

Perry Engineering also offers key services such as plant layout and design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning, and a comprehensive after-sales service package for its customers.

Stories Continues after ad

Toyota Uganda becomes CFAO Motors, Who is CFAO?

By
Our Reporter
-
Thomas Pelletier, MD

Present in Uganda since 2005, Toyota Uganda Limited announced a name change to CFAO Motors Uganda. CFAO Motors Uganda is a subsidiary of CFAO Automotive, a division of CFAO Group, which is owned by Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

CFAO Motors Uganda is the exclusive manufacturer and authorized distributor of brand new Toyota vehicles and genuine parts in Uganda with a network of 4 branches and 3 authorized service centres across the country.

In effect the name change is more representative of the full range of mobility solutions offered by CFAO Motors Uganda in addition to the exclusive distribution of new Toyota vehicles in Uganda.

CFAO Group has a presence in 39 countries in Africa with a diversified business portfolio covering mobility, healthcare, infrastructure and consumer goods.

Boasting a revenue of over €5.8 billion, 87 per cent of which is in Africa, CFAO Group has over 21,000 employees, 170 years of hands-on knowledge and local expertise and 158 operating subsidiaries.

CFAO Group is the exclusive authorized distributor of Toyota in Africa.

The Group partners with leading international brands and covers the entire value chain – imports, production and distribution in line with the best international standards, drawing on close to.

CFAO pursues a twofold strategy, focusing on manufacturing to promote local production, and distribution through its distribution network, Africa’s largest, to offer tailored, affordable products and services to people across the continent.

The Group has a partnership with strong mobility brands in Africa including Toyota, Suzuki, Hino, Yamaha, Fuso, Mitsubishi, Citroen, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes Benz.

CFAO sees great potential in Africa and has the largest automotive distribution network on the continent evidenced by a total of 164 dealerships and a total of 77,600 new vehicles sold.

Stories Continues after ad

11 injured in Vivo Energy Depot explosion

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

Vivo Energy Uganda has confirmed that 11 people were injured in fire incident which occurred at its depot on 7th Street Industrial Area.

According to Valery Oketcho, the Spokesperson of Vivo Energy Uganda, stringent emergency procedures were activated immediately after the outbreak, the fire was contained within the location and fully extinguished.

“We can confirm that 11 people from the depot and a nearby street vendor unfortunately sustained injuries as a result of the incident and were immediately rushed to International Hospital Kampala (IHK), where they are currently receiving treatment,” he said.

Three of these are currently in intensive care, a further one is in the high dependency unit, and the remaining eight people are being treated for minor injuries.

“We have contacted all these individuals’ families and will be remaining in close contact with all the admitted to monitor their condition and ensure they are receiving the very best treatment and medical attention. In the meantime, we are working closely with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident,” he said.

Stories Continues after ad

AIGP Grace Akullo to handover CID office to Maj. Tom Magambo

By
Our Reporter
-
AIGP Grace Akullo

AIGP Grace Akullo will on Friday, February 4, 2022 hand over office of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to Maj. Tom Magambo.

President Yoweri Museveni on January 25, appointed Dr. Tom Magambo (private) a director at Internal Security Organisations as a new Director for the CID. He was also promoted to the rank of Major.

“President Museveni has promoted Private Tom Magambo to the rank of Major and appointed him Director Criminal Investigations of the Uganda Police Force,” the acting UPDF spokesperson, Lt Col Ronald Kakurungu said in a statement.

Maj. Tom Magambo Rwabudongo was born in 1978 and hails from Masindi District in Bunyoro Sub-Region. Dr. Magambo attended Masindi Public school for his primary education before proceeding to Duhaga Secondary School in Hoima for both Ordinary and Advanced Levels from where he progressed to Makerere University.

He joined Internal Security Organisation in 2002.

Prior to his appointment, he was the Coordinator of the Eastern Africa Fusion and Liaison Unit that brings together Intelligence Liaison Officers from the ten countries in the region: Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Djibouti, Burundi, and Rwanda.

Before he was appointed to head the Regional Unit, he had served for twenty years in ISO where he rose to the highest rank of Chief Intelligence Officer (C.I.O) and was a Director of Analysis.Other responsibilities held in his career in ISO include heading Region Affairs where he was involved in EAC, IGAD, ICGLR, and AU Peace and Security Initiatives.

He also served in the dockets of Internal Counter intelligence, and Policy Analysis. In terms of specialized training, he has done several Intelligence courses both within and abroad including with the US, Israel, UK, and Canada.

The Director Welfare, Production and Sports in the Uganda Police Force, AIGP Andrew Sorowen and AIGP Asan Kasingye, the Chief Political Commissar will also handover their offices at the same event.

Stories Continues after ad

Saudi Airlines commences direct flights from Riyadh to Entebbe

By
Simon Kabayo
-

Saudi Airlines on Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 commenced direct scheduled flights from Riyadh to Entebbe International Airport.

The maiden flight landed at Entebbe on Wednesday, and was welcomed with a traditional water salute.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Isaac Biruma Sebulime and Embassy officials attended the inaugural ceremony of flights between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Entebbe, Uganda at King Khalid International Airport Riyadh on 1/02/2022.

Mr Vianney Luggya, the spokesperson of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, said Saudi Airlines becomes one of the 17 international airlines to operate in Entebbe.

“Whenever a new operator comes, it is a vote of confidence in the country’s aviation systems. We expect that their coming on board will help us increase the passenger traffic that has been steadily grown through the years,” Mr Luggya said.

This marks the beginning of two shifts per week between Entebbe International Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

Saudi Arabian airlines is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah. The airline’s main operational base is at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The airline is the third largest in the Middle East in terms of revenue, behind Emirates and Qatar Airways.

It operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Domestic and international charter flights are operated, mostly during the Ramadan and the Hajj season.

It joined the Sky team airline alliance on 29 May 2012 becoming the first Persian Gulf carrier to join one of the three major airline alliance.

Stories Continues after ad

Seyani Brothers named in fraudulent Shs256bn contract for construction of JLOS premises

By
Our Reporter
-
Proposed JLOS head quaters building

The Contracts Committee at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has cited illegalities and gross fraud in the process employed in awarding the contract for the building of premises intended to house the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS).

The committee unearthed an inflated and unjustifiable increment of Shs14,830,088,354 by Seyani Brothers and Company Uganda Ltd, a local construction firm who were awarded the bid – but it’s not clear how the quotation changed from Shs 241,608,637,720 to Shs 256,438,726,074.

A top source, who did not want to be identified said the said contract, the committee unearthed irregularities in the bid evaluation process, that suggested error and omission that could have been intended to favour a particular contractor, and in the process unfairly awarding the contract Seyani Brothers who had emerged the lowest bidders.

According to a report of the Evaluation Committee chaired by Mr. Sam Wairagala, ten companies submitted bids to the committee, including M/S Zhongjiao third highway engineering (EA) Company Ltd (Shs329,085,479,040), M/S China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Shs224,561,455,452), M/S Consortium of China Communications Construction company Ltd and China First Highway Engineering Ltd (Shs522,281,795,283) and M/S Zongyang Construction Group Company Ltd (Shs270,533,009,992) all Chinese companies.

Others are M/S Seyani Brothers and Company Uganda Ltd, an Indian firm, (Shs241,698,637,254), M/S China National Aero-technology international engineering Corporation (Shs280,093,511,526), M/ S SMS Construction Limited and Farrin Joint Venture (Ugandan) (Shs212,263,924,272) and China Railway Construction Engineering Group (Shs274,874,281,734.21). M/S Sino-hydro Corporation Limited (Shs 496,414,290,527) and M/S Sadeem Al Kuwait General Trading and Contracting Company (Shs243,143,599,032) had also applied.

However, M/S Zhongjiao Third highway engineering (EA) Company Ltd, M/S China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and M/S Zongyang Construction Group Company Ltd were eliminated at initial stage. The rest of the companies were subjected to rigorous technical evaluations according to the source.

The source said three of the remaining seven, were eliminated on technicalities including SMS Construction Ltd and Farrin Joint Venture, who was the lowest bidder.

These are; M/S Consortium of China Communications Construction company Ltd and China First Highway Engineering Ltd, SMS Construction M/ S SMS Construction Limited and Farrin Joint Venture and M/S Sadeem Al Kuwait General Trading and Contracting Company.

The lowest bidder of the four, was M/S Seyani Brothers and Company Uganda Ltd at UGX256, 438, 726, 074 followed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group at Shs294,263,358,382, China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation came third at Shs299,654,081,010 and the fourth was China Sino-hydro Corporation Limited at Shs531,163,290,863.

The source said the Contracts Committee found that the Evaluation Committee flouted the bidding law particularly Regulation 17(2 and 6) of SI No.7 of 2014, which empowers the contracts committee to invite a technical person to clarify on the submissions.

In this case the evaluation committee blindsided some of the bidders. For example, whereas clarification was sought from Sadeen and Kuwait General Trading and Contracting company, M/S Seyani Brothers concerning their bid documents the other two companies Consortium of China Communication Company Ltd and China First-Highway Engineering Ltd were never contacted. This is in contravention of Section 43 A and B of the PPDA Act.

The Contracts Committee according to the PPDA Act holds power to approve an Evaluation Committee for each submitted procurement. It also has power to approve negotiation teams, to ensure that before it is approved, a procurement is in accordance with the procurement plan.

The Contracts Committee also approves bidding and contract documents. According to the Contracts committee report, the process was marred by “incurable irregularities” and the contract could not be passed.

Stories Continues after ad

Church of Uganda, UNICEF partner to increase integrated Early Childhood Development in Uganda

By
Our Reporter
-
Church of Uganda, UNICEF partner to increase integrated Early Childhood Development in Uganda

The Church of Uganda and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have partnered to increase access to quality integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) services by boys and girls through community based early childhood education (ECE) centers in 12 districts.

The 12 districts include; Koboko, Lamwo, Madi-Okollo, Terego, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kasese, Mubende, Abim, Kaabong, Karenga and Wakiso District.

This partnership will also help to increase knowledge, skills and practices in caring, raising and stimulating children by targeted adolescents, caregivers and leaders at targeted ECD centers, communities and households.

Speaking at the implementation entry meeting today at the Provincial Secretariat of Church of Uganda in Namirembe, Peter Ssenkumba the National Program Coordinator for this Partnership noted that 121 ECD centres will be established and 363 caregivers will undergo thorough training to deliver excellent results.

“We will establish 121 community based ECD centres targeting 9,075 children aged 3 – 5 years (50% girls), 2%(182) children with disabilities and 10% (907) refugee children. Noting that ECD centres remain closed as a countrywide strategy to combat the spread of Covid-19, beneficiary children will be sought from homes and villages based on the mapped 121 ECD centres.” Ssenkumba said.

He added, “Church of Uganda community-based groups will include two parents’ groups and youths at each of the 121 ECD centers. Each group will reach a minimum of 9,075 adolescents and 9,075 parents a year.”

Rev Canon William Ongeng, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda applauded UNICEF for the longtime partnership which has helped to transform communities.
“We have a historic partnership with UNICEF which we are very proud of. We may seem to be targeting children but in actual sense, we are building a strong foundation for the future. The way we look after the children and equip them today will determine the future parents and leaders we have.” Canon William.

Stories Continues after ad

Judicial Officers demand for disciplinary action against Lawyers Mabirizi, Ssemakadde

By
Simon Kabayo
-
Lawyer Male Mabirizi

Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA), an umbrella for Judges, Registrars and Magistrates has asked the Uganda Law Society (ULS) to punish Lawyers Hassan Male Mabirizi and Isaac Ssemakadde for their unethical conduct, particularly attacking Judicial officers on social media.

UJOA President Justice Tadeo Asiimwe, in a letter dated 1st February 2022, noted that continuous attacks against the Judicial Officers affect their performance and stains their image.

“The Uganda Judicial Officers Association has learnt of the unbecoming utterances attributed to Mr. Isaac Ssemakadde, an advocate, through his Twitter handle @lsaacSsemakadde directed to some Judicial officers,” the letter reads in part.

It adds, “The same call for action arose out of a decision that found Mr. Male Mabirizi in contempt of Court and recommended sanctions against him. Mr. Male made similar insults via his Twitter handle @MalemabiriziHKK on various dates.”

Asiimwe said it’s unfortunate that derogatory statements as seen on twitter, came from lawyers who are aware that there are well established mechanisms for addressing their dissatisfaction from any court decision.

“We urge the Uganda Law Society and the Law Council to take it necessary action to tame this irrelevant behaviour which severely impacts on judicial officers in the same performance of their official duties,” the letter concluded.

However, Lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi has petitioned the same body, (ULS) seeking disciplinary action against, and compensation from Justice Musa Ssekaana who fined him Shs 300 million for attacking a High Court judge.

“It’s unfortunate that the cowardly Judge, Musa Ssekaana, who is facing multiple disciplinary actions in Judicial Service Commission, has resorted to using your office to solve his personal unethical challenges,” Mabirizi wrote in his petition.

He added that it’s not true that he has ever insulted any Judge or Judicial Officer, being a renowned ‘rule of law champion’ that he is.

Stories Continues after ad

New UNICEF Executive Director assumes office

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Catherine Russell

Catherine Russell took office today as UNICEF’s new Executive Director, becoming the fourth woman to lead the organization in its 75-year history.

“It is an honor and a privilege to join UNICEF and help lead its remarkable work for children at such a crucial moment,” said Russell. “At a time when millions of children globally are still reeling from the impact of the COVID pandemic and other crises, UNICEF is leading the call to protect their rights and their futures. I look forward to the work ahead.”

From 2020 to 2022, Ms. Russell served in the US government as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. She previously served from 2013 to 2017 as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues in the U.S. Department of State. In that post, she integrated women’s issues across all elements of U.S. foreign policy, represented the United States in more than 45 countries, and worked with foreign governments, multilateral organizations and civil society. She was the principal architect of the ground-breaking “U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls.”

Previously, Ms. Russell served as Deputy Assistant to the President at the White House under President Barack Obama, Senior Advisor on International Women’s Issues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Associate Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice, and Staff Director of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Before re-entering government service in 2020, she taught at the Harvard Kennedy School as an Institute of Politics Fellow. She also served as the board co-chair of the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, as a board member of Women for Women International, as a member of the Sesame Street Advisory Board, as a member of the non-profit organization, KIVA Advisory Council, and as a member of the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s Trust Women initiative.

Ms. Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, magna cum laude, from Boston College and a Juris Doctor degree from the George Washington University Law School.

She is the eighth Executive Director to lead the 20,000-person-strong agency.

Stories Continues after ad
1...680681682...2,399Page 681 of 2,399

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks