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Museveni to meet Salva Kiir and Riek Machar over security related matters

By
Our Reporter
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President Yoweri Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has invited South Sudan President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar over security related matters.

South Sudanese Presidential Affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the meeting slated for February in Kampala will discuss ways through which stalemates over formation of South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces, screening, graduation from the training centers, unification, and deployment of the unified forces envisaged to form a nuclear of the national army will be resolved.

“His Excellency President Museveni sent an invitation to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The First Vice President has also received an invitation. The invitations are for a retreat which will be in Uganda. Arrangements are being made”, Marial Benjamin said, without giving further details.

It remains unclear if the other four vice presidents will also attend the retreat.

Uganda and Sudan are the guarantors of the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement and are constantly seen as the countries with direct knowledge and close contacts with South Sudanese rival leaders to influence talks and persuade them to break deadlocks over critical issues.

Last year, the Ugandan leader and the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Gen.  Abdel Fattah al-Burhan convened a high-level meeting at which Kiir and Machar agreed to extend the timeframe earmarked for activities scheduled to have been carried in the pre-transitional period.

The South Sudanese parties have failed to agree over differences arising from power sharing percentage in the formation of the unified command structure. For instance while President Kiir and members of his group are pushing for a 60 per cent share in the overall unified command structure, his deputy is advocating for a 50%-50% split of the military command structure.

The parties have also been unable to organize their forces in a way reflective of a conventional military structure in which a ranking is determined by size of military force under command of a particular officer.

Military experts have, however, advised the South Sudanese parties to organize their forces and ranking along conventional structures of the military.

President Kiir has, in the past, assured the public that the country’s general elections would be held as stipulated in the revitalized peace agreement, despite the fact that the security arrangements are yet to be implemented.

According to Article 1.20.5 of the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the National Elections Commission (NEC) shall, 60 days prior to end of the transitional period, organize elections in accordance with provisions of the permanent constitution.

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Toyota Uganda rebrands, changes name to CFAO Motors

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Thomas Pelletier, Managing Director of CFAO

Toyota Uganda Limited has announced that it has changed its name to CFAO Motors Uganda. The transformation is aimed at paving the way for the progressive expansion and provision of a range of solutions to their customers.

Since 2005, Toyota Uganda has over 200 employees who offer complete mobility solutions.

According to Thomas Pelletier, Managing Director of CFAO, the new name CFAO Motors Uganda provides  full range of services the company offers in addition to the exclusive distribution of new Toyota vehicles in Uganda.

Speaking earlier today, Pelletier said CFAO Motors Uganda is the official distributor of brand-new Suzuki vehicles, Yamaha motorcycles, Hino Trucks, and Toyota forklifts. The company also proposes a range of short and long-term lease and car rental solutions for businesses through the LOXEA brand and its partner Avis Fleet. It also provides a raft of other services to expand the offering, including fleet management, geolocation, telematics and more.

CFAO Motors Uganda will continue to remain the exclusive manufacturer-authorised distributor of brand-new Toyota Vehicles and genuine parts in Uganda, as well as exclusively offering Toyota Manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, the shareholding and team remains the same. CFAO Motors Uganda is a subsidiary of CFAO Automotive, a division of the CFAO Group, which is part of Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

“We have been known as Toyota Uganda since 2005. However, increasingly, we have felt the name does not encompass the full breadth of mobility solutions that we offer, over and above the Toyota brand. The rebrand to CFAO Motors Uganda allows us to align with our CFAO Group philosophy that seeks to strengthen our investment in Toyota whilst at the same time offering additional mobility solutions. More than a name change, this is also a milestone that brings us closer to our ambition: sustainable growth, value chain integration, partnership with strong brands and innovation, consolidating our position as a leading automotive brand,” stated Mr. Thomas Pelletier, Managing Director of CFAO Motors Uganda.

As part of its rebrand to CFAO Motors Uganda, the company will soon launch new products and services and more innovative mobility solutions. These new models and products will include connected services, affordable new vehicle financing solutions, and a whole new range of competitively priced automotive parts from international manufacturers, tailored for a broader range of consumers.

In tandem with the name change, the company has also adopted a new corporate visual identity.

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Guinea-Bissau: Many dead after coup attempt, president says

By
Agencies
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Guinea bissau coup attempt

The president of Guinea-Bissau has said he survived a coup attempt after being under heavy gunfire for five hours.

Umaro Cissoko Embaló said the attackers tried to kill him and his entire cabinet at the government palace.

He said many others had been killed in the fighting on both sides, but that he did not know exact numbers as he had been trapped “between fire and iron”.

The attackers were linked to drug trafficking in the country, he said, without providing further details.

Gunfire erupted near government buildings on Tuesday in the capital of the West African nation, where the president was attending a cabinet meeting.

A security source, who did not want to be identified, told the BBC that gunmen in civilian clothes had opened fire and a police officer had been killed. Some initial reports also said that the cabinet had been captured.

Mr Embaló, however, said the attackers failed to break into the cabinet meeting.

“What I can guarantee is that the situation is under control,” he said.

One of the poorest countries in the world, the former Portuguese colony has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.

Struggling with a massive foreign debt and an economy that relies heavily on foreign aid, the country has also become a transit point for Latin American drugs, leading it to be dubbed by some as Africa’s first narco-state.

Mr Embaló said the attackers were an isolated group, and that they were linked to drugs in the country.

“When I was elected president of the republic, I promised to [fight] two things: corruption and drug trafficking. And this is also linked to that, and I knew what the price was, but the fight continues,” he said.

West African regional leaders described the incident as a coup attempt and urged troops to return to barracks.

Mr Embaló, a former army chief, won the December 2019 presidential election – but he faced a last-minute stand-off with parliament before taking office the following February.

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Police FC unveil 5 January transfer signings

By
Our Reporter
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Frank Kalanda joins Police FC

Uganda Police Football Club has officially unveiled five players lured on brief and long spells from the just-concluded January transfer window.

A trio of striker Oshaba Marvin (Tooro United), John Lincoln Mukisa (SC Villa), and Frank Kalanda “Machete” (Express FC) have all joined The Cops on a short term basis of 6 months while Bernard Katerega (Buwambo) and John Kitanda (Najja 2 FC) join on three-year terms each.

Unveiling the players at Police headquarters in Naguru on Tuesday, club chairman AIGP Asan Kasingye welcomed the new signings and emphasized discipline since they have joined a club that nurtures talent.

“We not only nurture talent but also support our players to go and practice their talent elsewhere. We take you like our children and we shall support you,” Kasingye echoed to the mid-season recruits on the official unveiling ceremony.

He thanked them for choosing Police FC and urged them to settle and help the team get back to its glorious days.

Police sit in 10th place on the 16-table log with 16 points following the end of the first round. They start the second round with a trip to Arua Hill SC on Saturday February 5.

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German bank KFW unveils $250m capital for emerging mid-market businesses in Uganda

By
Simon Kabayo
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KFW, a German development bank, in partnership with Aavishkaar Capital, an Indian-based company, are to offer capital of $250m (Shs875.5b) to emerging mid-market businesses in Uganda.

KFW and Indian based venture capitalists, Aavishkaar Capital have partnered to help Ugandan emerging mid-market businesses to excel in the global market, with a $250m (sh875.5b) fund. 

Aavishkaar Group Chairman Vineet Rai said the fund will mainly offer capital to businesses by strengthening their environmental, social and governance (ESG) practice.

“The fund will seek to provide transformational capital which can be invested across the capital structure, helping businesses improve their ESG standards so that they can capitalize on the increasing consumer preference for ecologically-conscious, gender-equal and purpose-driven businesses and meet increasing demands on corporate due diligence in the course of regulatory measures in the European market,” he said.

He added that businesses, especially exporters in the agriculture, apparel and sustainable supply value chain in Uganda should apply for the funds.

“With agriculture being the backbone of Uganda’s economy, this initiative will also help boost the country’s economic growth,” he added.

“We believe in the ability of purpose-driven, responsible capital to be transformative while creating attractive investment returns. This fund aligns with our focus on ecologically-conscious sustainable businesses that bring in financial inclusion and economic development, and will help us reach businesses that are impactful,” Dr. Jan Martin Witte, Director, KFW said.

He said presently, KFW is focused on improvement of the environmental, social and working conditions as well as the gender equality in Ugandan SMEs along the supply chain.

He explained that the ESG first fund is primarily focused on investing in Africa and Asia with the mandate of generating superior ESG outcomes and commercially viable financial returns alongside positive social impact.

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Parliament to push for education of pregnant girls

By
Our Reporter
-
Parliament of Uganda

Parliament is to debate a motion advocating for pregnant girls to resume their studies following the long lockdown period.

The Chairperson of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) Hon Sarah Opendi told a House sitting on Tuesday, 01 February 2022 that a number of church founded schools have barred pregnant girls from attending classes.

She said this followed a directive from Bishop John Ssebaggala to the church founded schools not to allow pregnant girls back in school.

“Our prayer is that these girls should be allowed to be in school. We have a motion that we would like to table to the House in the presence of the Minister for Education,” said Opendi.

The Deputy Speaker, Anita Among said that President Yoweri Museveni recently made a pronouncement that pregnant girls should be allowed to access school.

She reiterated the need to have a motion on the matter.

“We cannot make a ruling now on whether the church should allow these students or not. It is a known fact that we have schools in every sub-county,” Among said.

Minister for Gender, Labor and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi said that the ministry is coordinating a multi-sectoral approach that is targeting civil society, UN agencies and Government in addressing the matter.

“The Vice President, the Minister for Education and the Prime Minister are heading a national campaign on this matter. This approach has drawn a strategy that will cater not only for those girls who want to go back to school but also those who want to take on other optional skills,” Amongi said.

Hon Aisha Kabanda (NUP, Butambala District) said a tour conducted around some schools in the country indicated that pregnant girls who had returned to school were not studying comfortably in the class setting.

“On a desk of four students, these girls cannot fit because of their size. The congestion and sitting environment in the classes is not fitting for the pregnant girls to continue studying,” said Kabanda.

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UAE again relaxes #Covid-19 test rules for travellers from Uganda

By
Simon Kabayo
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UG Airlines

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has again relaxed its Covid-19 restrictions for travellers from Uganda.

According to the new rules, passengers from Uganda to UAE will now require one PCR test prior to departure from Entebbe to the country.

“Passengers from Uganda are no longer required to undertake a second COVID19 PCR test within 6 hours prior to departure. UAE Authorities have updated their travel protocols and now require only one PCR test undertaken within 48hrs from a Ministry of Health approved lab,” Vianney Luggya, the UCCA spokesperson, said.

The decision means that travellers from Uganda to the UAE, especially Dubai, will be saving between Shs200,000 to Shs350,000, the average cost of a PCR test.

The arrival of Omicron variant in the country and the subsequent rapid spread prompted the UAE to suspend flights from Uganda into the country to curb the spread of the virus creating bleak prospects for migrant workers and exporting companies.

In December, authorities in the UAE indefinitely suspended all inbound flights from Uganda over COVID-19 concerns. Uganda, however, did not reciprocate the ban with UCCA allowing passengers and cargo from the UAE into the country.

The UAE move threw the country’s more than 200 labour ‘externalization’ companies in crisis again. The companies whose clients are mostly destined to the UAE and neigbouring countries rely on the airport in Dubai as a final destination or to connect to other airports.

Hours after the announcement of the ban, several travellers bound for the UAE including migrant workers were stranded at Entebbe international Airport following the announcement.  Dubai is a top route from Entebbe International Airport, with an average of 16 flights a week. Uganda’s national carrier, the Uganda Airlines recently launched flights to the Emirati joining Ethiopian Airlines, FlyDubai and the Emirates Airline are among others on the route.

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Victoria University appoints new Deputy VC

By
Our Reporter
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Prof. Augustine Osamor (left) with Lawrence Muganga the Vice Chancellor

Victoria University have announced Prof. Augustine Osamor IFE as their new Deputy Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Augustine joins Victoria University as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA) effective February 1, 2022.

Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the Victoria University Vice Chancellor said; “Augustine brings a bold new vision and vigour to Victoria University and we are delighted that he has agreed to make a long-term commitment to the transformation process outlined in our strategic plan.”

Prof. Augustine Ifelebuegu is a modern-day enterprising education leader who continues a tradition of outstanding leadership that focuses every day on embracing society’s transformation and demonstrating Victoria University’s relevance in educating first-class professionals and in connecting with communities and industries through our university’s unique Experiential Learning Education model.

Prof. Augustine Ifelebuegu’s prolific experience, richly exhibits his unrivalled determination to challenge the status quo and forge new relationships and his impeccable leadership quality is highly respected and admired by all universities he has served and the wider community in UK and beyond. Prof. Augustine joins a university that is ready for new challenges and Victoria University is delighted to have him on board to further the journey of making good and great for our students and our partners.

“Victoria University is an exciting example of how a modern and enterprising university should be – how it should be forever young in spirit – and am sure Prof. Augustine will gladly look forward to the coming years and concede that he made the most marvellous and fulfilling decision to join Victoria University,” Dr. Muganga said.

Prof. Augustine Osamor Ifelebuegu is a thorough breed academic and a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. He is a highly innovative, exceptionally talented and extremely versatile professional with over 24 years of post-graduation experience that spans the petroleum industry. 

He pioneered and led the development of Coventry University suites of energy programmes which grew to become a School of Energy, Construction and Environment in the Faculty of Engineering. 

He has many years of experience in international collaborations. He served as a Link Tutor to Ghana Technology University and a Visiting Professor to Kadir Has University Turkey, Saveetha University India, Cranfield University UK, University of Leeds UK, etc. He has severed as an external examiner for several UK Universities including, Newcastle University, Heriot-Watt University, DMU Leicester, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Plymouth.

Before joining Coventry University, he was a Process Design Engineer at Severn Trent Water where he was involved in several multimillion Pounds projects.

He also worked for Fugro Consultants as a QHSE Consultant. He consulted for various multinational companies operating in the upstream and downstream Oil and Gas sector in West Africa, UK, and the Middle East. He was involved in several projects for Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Shell Petroleum, Shell Nigerian Gas, ExxonMobil, Addax Petroleum, ChevronTexaco, Total, Eni, Schlumberger, Oildata Wireline, Air Liquide, ConocoPhillips, etc. Augustine has consulted for several Governments and parastatals in Nigeria, Uganda, South Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, Cameroon, and Brazil.

His teaching and research are in the areas of sustainable energy, environment, water, safety, and project management. 

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UPDF opens up second axis for offensive action against ADF

By
Our Reporter
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UPDF attacks ADF camps in Congo

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has opened the second axis for offensive action against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Yesterday, UPDF 222 Brigade was led by Col Christopher Columbus Tumwine through Lubiriya-Kasindi border point ahead of their operations against the rebel outfit. UPDF was received by Col Endubu Madawa Danny, the joint operation Shujja Coordinator.

Speaking to the gathering at Lubiriha, Col Christopher Columbus Tumwine, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and urged the people of Congo to maintain the support to the joint forces through reporting ADF locations and disassociate from anti peace elements.

“The days of ADF terrorists are near. Am advising them to surrender or wait for our wrath. We are going to hunt them from every corner be it along this road or deep in the villages. We shall do this with our brothers FARDC and you, the people of Congo,” Said Col Columbus Tumwine.

Meanwhile Col Endubu Madawa Danny informed the gathering that the second front operation Shujja task is to secure the road construction project as well as fighting ADF remnants in that sector.

“From the meeting of the two Generals at Kasindi hotel, the joint forces agreed to open up this front in order to flush out ADF remnants as well as protect the Kasindi-Beni-Butembo road construction project,” explained Col Madawa.

It should be recalled that on 15th January 2022, Maj Gen Bombelle Camille Ehola and Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga while in a meeting at Hotel Kasindi designed a mechanism of opening the second axis to enable the joint forces continue offensive action against ADF as well as securing the Kasindi-Beni- Butembo road construction; the tasks to be executed concurrently.

Muhammed Wulimwengo, 37 years a resident of Kasindi town expressed a sigh of relief that the coming of Ugandan forces to join Congo army was a positive gesture for lasting peace. “We are tired of running up and down for fear of NALU (ADF). They abduct or kill people at night. Please we are tired. We want peace.”

Paskal Shalikula 42yrs, a cultivator at Kalembo village, was excited on seeing UPDF finally coming to Congo territory. He said his family these days takes only one meal since he abandoned tilling his land because of the scare of rebel attacks. 

“Last time I went to harvest my cassava, a neighbor came running telling me NALU was coming. I even had to leave my hoe in the garden. Thank you for coming. We want peace. We are poor and dying of hunger because of ADF,” Noted Paskal Shalikula.

Jesline Kolongo 24yrs appealed to joint forces to first deploy deep in villages where ADF/NALU are terrorizing people before deploying along Kasindi-Beni road.

Silver Kahindo 29 years noted that now Ugandan soldiers have come to Congo, letting the border also be opened for the public to freely move to Uganda and collect food from their relatives in Uganda. She was referring to the COVID-19 lock down restricting movement of people across borders.

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CNOOC Uganda announces Final Investment Decision for the Kingfisher Project

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

CNOOC Uganda Limited has announced Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development of the Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA) and the LA 2 South. The decision was made following accomplishment of the Host Government Agreements (HGA) agreement signed between Government of Uganda and Tanzania for the EACOP project in 2021, ESIA certificate award for the Kingfisher Project in 2020 and passing of East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP, Special Provisions) Bill into Act of Parliament in 2021, which all paved way for commercialization of the oil and gas resource in a sustainable manner.

“Achieving FID for the Kingfisher Project is a great milestone to advance the development of the oil and gas resource in Uganda. This brings us a step closer to FID expected in 2025. The diligence, leadership and support with key stakeholders have largely contributed to the attainment of this breakthrough,” stated Mr. Chen. Zhuobiao, President, CNOOC Uganda Limited.

The KFDA Project shall produce 40,000 barrels of oil per day during peak production and a Central Processing Facility shall be constructed at Buhuka Flats. Other facilities include 31 wells on four wellpads; access roads; water intake point; safety check station; 46km feeder pipeline; camps and laydown areas among others.

All the land needed for the project facilities has been acquired in line with International Best Practices. To date over 99 per cent of affected persons have been compensated and currently construction of 56 resettlement homes as in kind compensation for affected primary residents is ongoing.

CNOOC Uganda Limited has undertaken various initiatives to enhance the livelihoods of Ugandans through direct and indirect employment of the locals, stimulating local demand for goods and services by the company, its contractors and sub-contractors.

Initiatives include training of Heavy Good Vehicle drivers and welders. Livelihood restoration and impact management programs like Livestock and Agricultural Training, Financial Management Training and Business Development Support, Vocational Skills Training and Employment Program, HIV/AIDS awareness training, Road Safety Awareness Campaigns, Sanitation and Hygiene Campaigns, Cultural heritage management, support to social infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, water sources, construction of fish landing site, upgrade of the gravity water flow scheme, Sensitization on communicable and non-communicable diseases and Fisheries Development Program as well as Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in the areas of environment, health, education and sports have also been undertaken.

CNOOC Uganda reaffirms its commitment to the efficient and effective development of the Kingfisher Development Area in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

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