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Stanbic, KCCA, Coca-Cola and Nice House of Plastics partner to promote recycling of plastics and waste management in Uganda

By
Our Reporter
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MOU Event

Stanbic Bank, Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda and Nice House of Plastics have memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote responsible use and recycling of plastic waste and sustainable environmental protection.

The three companies together with KCCA agreed to support various waste management initiatives in communities and help plastic waste collection centers increase their capacity to collect, safely dispose and recycle plastic waste.

Studies estimate that in Uganda, an average of 1,500 tonnes of plastic waste are generated daily, with only 500 tonnes properly managed. This indicates a collection efficiency of 30%, implying that most of the waste generated is not safely recycled and goes into the environment.

Stanbic Bank’s Executive Director and Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, Emma Mugisha said the collaboration would bring together various private sector players to promote sustainable recycling of plastics through an eco-system underpinned by value addition to create end products and ultimately protect the environment.

“As part of the collaboration, Stanbic Bank will be providing financial support and advisory services needed to achieve sustainable waste management. We are proud to be part of this initiative as it’s aligned to SEE priorities that seek to address the Social, Economic and Environmental needs of the people we serve,” Emma said.

She added; “Being great advocates of the UN Sustainable Development Goal, the Bank aims at doing business the right way which means being aware of the indirect impact of our actions onto the societies we operate and future generation. If we want to preserve our environment we operate in, the time to act is now.”

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Public Affairs and Communications Director, Simon Kaheru, said the beverages firm was a committed leader in developing sustainable ways to manufacture, distribute and sell soft drinks while protecting the environment through pro-active recycling.

“We believe in doing business the right way – and insist on this throughout our value chain. Plastic Recycling Industries is an initiative under which we fund the collection and delivery of plastic waste from the environment and recycle it into raw materials that can be put to end use manufacture. This collaboration is an important step in the journey we are on to achieve 100% collection and recycling of the products our consumers buy,” Kaheru said.

Kaheru added that Coca-Cola globally pledged that by 2030 the company would redesign packaging to make it more recyclable, and help collect and recycle 100% of the plastic waste generated through its business.

“Forming collaborations such as this landmark partnership we have signed on today is an integral part of that pledge. Bringing people together to actually do the work or encourage more individuals and companies out there to also do business the right way is a big step in changing our world. First, we change ourselves, then we change other people,” he said.

In the collaboration, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s Plastic Recycling Industries will collect PET bottles from the environment through a system of collection partners countrywide, recycle them into PET Flakes and then supply them as raw materials for Nice House of Plastics to create finished products.

Barbara Mulwana, Executive Director of Nice House of Plastics, said the plastics manufacturer will use the PET flakes to make final products such Yarn-Fibre, Wood Plastic Composite and PET.

“Recycled PET is one of the major raw materials that we use in our work. We have previously imported some of it and this collaboration will go a long way in solving our raw material problem and promoting a safe environment,” she said.

The Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka, thanked the companies for technically and financially supporting KCCA in its effort to safely dispose of plastic waste.

“We are grateful that you have officially joined hands with us once again, in another form, to supplement our efforts to clean up the city and make our environment better. Kampala City and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area are supposed to be green – providing a sustainable plastic waste recycling infrastructure is an essential qualification of that ‘green-ness’,” she said.

“Waste management is a key component for achieving a sustainable safe environment. Together, we shall be able to create an ecosystem that guarantees the continued survival of nature as well as provide a market for valued added recycled plastics that can be locally consumed,” Kisaka added.

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Nubian Li, Eddie Mutwe denied bail as court releases 12 NUP supporters

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Nubian Li and Eddie Mutwe.

Makindye General Court Martial has further remanded the head of National Unity Platform Presidential (NUP) candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine’s Private security team, Edward Ssebuufu aka Edie Mutwe, singer Buken Ali aka Nubian Li and 33 other supporters.

Edie Mutwe and Nubian Li are part of the 124 people who were arrested in Kalangala District last year in December where Bobi Wine had gone to converse for support ahead of the concluded January presidential elections. The group had been granted bail by the Masaka and Kalangala magistrate court however only 75 were released.

This year they were arraigned before General Court Martial and leveled with charges of illegal possession of four rounds of ammunition. Through their lawyers led by Mr Benjamin Katana and Joseph Turyamusiima, the group applied for bail.

Appearing before the court chairman Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti, 12 people were granted Shs 20 million each as their sureties who included NUP vice president for Northern Uganda Anna Zedriga Walu, Party Secretary General Lewis Lubongoya, were bonded Shs 50 million.

“According to the matter before this court, the suspects have a right to be bailed out. Each of you is supposed to pay Shs 20 million non-cash and each of your sureties to pay Shs 50 million non-cash. Breach of any of the above terms will lead to automatic cancellation of the bail,” he ruled adding that the released suspects have however ordered to oscillate between Kampala and Wakiso.

The release include; Saphina Nansove, Jamira Namwanje Kalyango, Shakira Namboozo, Joy Namuyimba, Monica Twashemerirwe, Rachel Akiki Tusime, Oliver Lutaya and Benedicto Musisi.

Prosecution avers that all the 49 suspects and others still at large on January 3, at Makerere Kavule Kigundu zone, were found in possession of four rounds of ammunition which is a monopoly of the Defense Forces. However, at the time of the said offence, most of the suspects were in Kitalya Prison where they had been remanded by Masaka Court in December last year.

Since the kick off of presidential campaigns earlier in November, scores of NUP supporters and Mr Kyagulanyi have been arrested, charged and remanded for inciting violence, acts likely to spread #Covid-19 and other charges.

The cussed supporters include; Rachel Akiki Tusime, Saphina Nansove, Jamira Namwanje Kalyango, Hassan Ssemakula aka Abdu Soldier, Muhamad Nsubuga, Shakira Namboozo, Muzafalu Mwanga, Ismail Nyanzi Kaddu, Stanley Kafuko, Kivumbi Achile and Geoffrey Onzima.

Others are Anthony Agaba aka Bobi Young, Robert Kivumbi aka Mighty Family, Bonny Obicho, Samson Ssekiranda, Sharif Najja, Brian Ssemanda, Robert Katumba, Fatumah Namubiru, Joy Namuyimba, Monica Twashemerirwe, Oliver Lutaya, Charles Mpanga, Georffrey Mutalya, Geserwa Kyabagu, Benedicto Musisi, Baker Kalyango, Faisal Kigongo, Musa Mulimba, Nelson Ndyasiima, Alex Karamagi, Daniel Oyerwot, Hussein Mukasa, Sunday John Bosco, Isma Muganga.

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Business activity declines for the first time in seven months – Stanbic Bank report

By
Our Reporter
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Traders-go-about-their-businesses-in-Kampala

Business conditions deteriorated for the Ugandan private sector during January due to a reduction in new orders which caused a fall in employment as the country went through the General Elections period.

For the first time during the past seven months, the headline Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dipped below the 50.0, posting a reading of 49.8 from 51.2 in December 2020.

The PMI is a composite index, calculated as a weighted average of five individual sub-components: New Orders (30 percent); Output (25 percent); Employment (20 percent); Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15 percent) and Stocks of Purchases (10 percent). Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show deterioration.

However, in spite of some signs of weakness at the start of the year, firms remained confident that output will rise over the next 12 months. For Instance, in the agriculture and industry sectors, outputs rose whereas construction, services and wholesale and retail saw a decrease.

Ferishka Bharuth, Economist – Africa Regions at Stanbic Bank said, “New orders dropped in January, thereby ending a six-month sequence of expansion. According to respondents, a lack of client activity around the election period was one factor acting to reduce new business.”

“The election period also dampened activity at some monitored companies, but overall output continued to increase. Growth was recorded in the agriculture and industry categories, but falls were seen in construction, services and wholesale and retail,” she said.

Using findings from about 400 respondents, the report contains the latest analysis of data collected from the monthly survey of business conditions in the Ugandan private sector. The survey is sponsored by Stanbic Bank and produced by IHS Markit. It has been conducted since June 2016 and covers the agriculture, industry, construction, services, wholesale and retail sectors.

According to the January report, with new orders down, companies scaled back their staffing levels and purchasing activity.  Uncertainty and a lack of customer activity around the elections reportedly led to the reduction in new orders. On the other hand, some panelists saw their customer numbers increase. The industry, services and wholesale and retail categories all saw new orders decline.

In line with lower employment, firms also noted a drop in staff costs. Purchase prices continued to rise, meanwhile, driving an eighth successive monthly increase in overall input costs.

As has been the case in each of the past eight months, purchase costs rose in the Ugandan private sector at the start of 2021. A range of raw materials reportedly cost more in January, including cement, paper, stationery, sugar and other food products.

Efforts to pass on higher cost burdens to customers resulted in a rise in selling prices, following a fall in the previous month. Stocks of purchases rose, increasing for the sixth time in the past seven months. The latest increase in part reflected the fall in new orders, which meant that fewer inputs were used to support output.

According to the report, confidence around new order inflows, particularly following the elections period, supported optimism that business activity will increase over the coming year and close to 84 percent of respondents expressed a positive outlook at the start of the year.

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Gabula Royal Foundation launches community wellness and anti-teenage pregnancy projects

By
Our Reporter
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Gabula Royal Foundation launches community wellness and anti-teenage pregnancy projects

The Gabula Royal Foundation has this weekend held a double launch of the first of their kind in the region.

Ebisaizi, a Community Wellness and Mental Health Project and Cricket is Life Project, launched with pilot activities in Butembe Chiefdom, are to address non-communicable diseases, fitness and mental health issues in community and to prevent teenage pregnancies in communities by giving youngsters a chance at life through cricket.

The two projects running concurrently started in Budondo Sub-county in the villages of Kivubuka and Buwagi

Speaking at the inaugural activities, Gabula Royal Foundation Executive Director, Isaac Imaka, said the projects are to spread across Busoga and expects the different Chiefdoms to embrace them when approached the way Butembe Chiefdom leadership did.

“Prevention is better than cure. We need to keep our peace healthy both mentally and physically otherwise we will keep spending so much on them when they are in hospitals. Some of the ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes back pain and others can be addressed simply by living a life of exercising.

“We also choose to address teenage Pregnancies in a different way because we think trying to address it by giving capital and other material help to a girl when she has already been impregnated is somehow akin to making the problem lucrative. So we want to arrest it before it happens hence the introduction of Cricket in communities and as they play they will be taught about the dangers of teenage pregnancies. Both girls and boys,” Mr Imaka said.

The Ebisaizi activities attracted over 300 participants on the first weekend. The activities include measuring the participants’ pressure and sugar levels. Each participant was given a health records book which will be used to monitor their performance (pressure and glucose wise) throughout the project.

The projects are projected to run for four months in every sub-county after which time it is anticipated that local volunteers will have been trained to carry on with the activities as the projects move to other areas in Busoga with the foundation leadership only inspecting to ensure continuity.

Speaking on the sidelines of the activities, Butembe Prime Minister, Owek Edward Munaaba thanked the patron of the Gabula Royal Foundation, HRH the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Nadiope IV for choosing to give the County the first priority.

“This means we have to work hard and ensure that it’s a success so that our brothers and sisters in the other Chiefdoms can have something to benchmark on.

“Non-communicable diseases and teenage pregnancies are one of the biggest problems Busoga is facing among it’s people and these projects touch on the nerve centre. It’s also important that it’s being implemented by directly engaging the people,” he said.

For now, the activities will take place from Friday to Sunday every week as the project managers monitor performance and get the much required funding.

“What mattered to us was to start. We shall look for funding along the way. Waiting for money to come would have met postponement and that would mean another teenage pregnancy case and or another mental health case or death due to high blood pressure,” Mr Imaka said adding that anyone who would like to contribute to the success of the projects in any way, shape or form is welcome

Bugabula BB Chiefdom deputy Premier, Owek Ronald Watongola said he can’t wait for the projects to crossover to his Chiefdom.

“It’s such initiatives that will contribute to improving the health of our people.

“They are not only benefiting through sweating. They are now socializing. They have something to look up to every weekend instead of remaining lonely in their homes,” he said.

Gabula Royal Foundation is a legacy Foundation started by the HRH William Nadiope IV to contribute to the development of Busoga by focusing on four pillars: Education, Health, Youth Development, and Girls and Women.

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Journalist found dead on roadside

By
Our Reporter
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Hadad Mubiru

Former Red Pepper and BTM TV journalist Hadad Mubiru aka Rasta Hadad has been found dead.

According to the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), Hadad’s body was found lying by the roadside on Sunday evening in Kanyanya, Kampala.

However the cause of his death is yet to be established.

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Supreme Court sets date for pre-hearing of Bobi Wine’s petition challenging Museveni’s victory

By
Our Reporter
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Museveni, Bobi Wine

The Supreme Court has set the pre-hearing date for the election petition filed by National Unity Platform’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine challenging Yoweri Museveni’s victory in the just-concluded presidential elections.

The pre-hearing conference has been set for Thursday, February 11, 2021. This is one where parties involved in a case meet with judges to determine a number of issues before the case hearing begins.

According to the Supreme Court registrar Harriet Ssali Nalukwago, the petitioners and the respondents’ lawyers will meet with the panel of nine justices to iron out some issues before the hearing date is set.

“We shall have the prehearing before the nine justices led by the Chief Justice on February, 11, 2021 to iron out a number of issues. Within that pre-hearing, they will be given timelines within which to give their written submissions and by the time the hearing starts, the submissions are with the justices,” Nalukwago said on Saturday as President Museveni’s lawyers filed their response.

A panel of nine justices of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo will hear the petition.

The other justices on the panel include Faith Mwondha, Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, Paul Mugamba, Esther Kisaakye, Stella Arach Amoko, Rubby Opio Aweri, Percy Tuhaise, Mike Chibita and Ezekiel Muhanguzi.

On Thursday 14th January, 2021, the Electoral Commission conducted presidential elections where Ugandans exercised their constitutional rights of choosing a president who will lead them through a five year term. Uganda has a total 18,103,603 registered voters and 34,684 polling stations however only 10,350,819 people turned up to vote.

The presidential election which comprised 11 candidates was won by President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa Kaguta who got 6,042,898 (58.38%). His closest opponent Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu got 3,631,437 votes (35.08%).

Since 1996, the National Residence Movement (NRM) and president Museveni have won all electoral petitions filed against them in 1996, 2011, 2006 and 2016. He respectively won the matter against Paul Kawanga Semwogerere, Col. Kizza Besigye, a bush war comrade and former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi.

Through his lawyers led by Medard Segona, the MP said that the election was not free and fair. He contends that throughout the campaign period the People of Uganda generally, and more particularly his supporters endured untold suffering, torture, degrading and inhuman treatment on the orders of Gen Museveni. He cited the dark days of 18th and 19th November 2020 which saw over 50 innocent, unarmed citizens murdered in cold blood by the police and military.

Bobi Wine wonders how a candidate would get 100% at over 200 polling stations with all registered voters turned up- no one died, was sick, travelled or just didn’t vote. “That no ballot was invalid at polling stations in rural areas of Isingiro and Kazo, yet there were invalid votes at polling stations in urban places including Kampala,” he said.

“The election was marred with massive irregularities including state inspired violence, intimidation and harassment of my supporters, myself and other opposition candidates, ballot stuffing with pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of Museveni, alteration of Declaration of Results Forms,  Confiscation of Declaration Forms  from our agents by Security Personnel and  flawed tallying processes,” he said.

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Four injured as UPDF helicopter crashes in Somalia

By
Geoffery Serugo
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UPDF-helicopter-crash

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) helicopter on a mission to support African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) troops has crashed in Somalia injuring four.

The helicopter crashed soon after take-off in Balidogle in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia on Friday, 5 February 2020.

According to a statement released by AMISOM, all the four soldiers aboard the helicopter were rescued and are in a stable medical condition.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. However, preliminary reports indicate that it was due to a mechanical failure,” AMISOM said.

The deputy UPDF spokesperson Lt Col Deo Akiiki has told Eagle Online that the crashed jet will affect their activities. ‘Such eventualities are bound to happen and we always have the second course of action to avoid any stoppage in planned operations. We have more than one set and they hardly operate at ago,” he said.

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MPs call for restoration of Democratic Governance Facility

By
Our Reporter
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DGF logo

Members of Parliament are concerned about the suspension of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) over claims of subverting government activities.

In a communication last week, the President Yoweri Museveni said that the Ministry of Finance irregularly authorized DGF to be operated exclusively by a foreign mission without any representation from Uganda to oversee the function of its activities.

The President then directed that the activities of DGF be suspended and investigations be held.

However, while presenting a matter of national importance on Thursday, 04 February 2020, Kawempe North MP, Hon. Latif Sebaggala said that the move would deal a heavy blow to the efforts of DGF in fighting corruption and empowering communities around the country.

Sebaggala added that the President should do some due diligence and find out what DGF has been doing to support the communities and livelihoods of people instead of focusing on allegations of the Fund sabotaging the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“There are a number of non-governmental organisations that are being funded by DGF and so many Ugandans have been employed by these NGOs to execute their activities,” he added.

Sebaggala also said that the President should not blame DGF for NRM’s loss in the central region following claims that the Fund has been supporting activities located in the region.

Bugiri Municipality MP, Hon Asuman Basalirwa said that political parties including the NRM have been beneficiaries of funding from DGF through the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue; adding that, “the President’s move stifles his own party.”

Kumi Municipality MP, Hon Silas Aogon said that government institutions like Parliament will be affected by the presidential directive which halts some of its activities.

“We have the Government Assurances Committee whose activities in the community are directly funded by the DGF; this puts the Committee’s activities in jeopardy,” he said.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga directed the Prime Minister to present a statement to Parliament.

DGF is funded by seven of Uganda’s international development partners namely Austria, the Netherlands, Ireland, United Kingdom, European Union and Sweden.

DGF funds activities of several non-governmental and governmental organisations centered on democracy and governance.

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Morocco defeat Mali to win second CHAN title

By
Our Reporter
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Morocco win CHAN 2021

Morocco won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the second time by overcoming Mali’s bold challenge 2-0 in a thrilling final at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon on Sunday night.

Two second-half headers by Abdelmouna Boutouil and captain Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the victory for the Atlas Lions in the tournament in Cameroon to hand them the title.

The Atlas Lions repeated the success on home soil three years ago by a margin that hardly looked possible as the Eagles stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for over an hour.

Houcine Ammouta’s side became the first country to win a second successive title in the tournament designed exclusively for home-based players.

Mali also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately Morocco ran out victorious to revive the memories of the 4-0 victory over Nigeria in the CHAN 2018 final in Casablanca.

Morocco star midfielder Soufiane Rahimi swept the top awards at the championship after winning the best player and top scorers awards.

The 24-year-old, who plays for Raja Casablanca, was handed the award on Sunday night at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde after inspiring his side to win the tournament.

Rahimi was the star player of the tournament thanks to his goal scoring prowess from his midfield position and impressive contribution to his team.

He received the top scorer award from the legendary Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o after helping his side win the tournament.

He topped the scoring charts in the competition with five goals and also received three Man of the Match awards during the three-week tournament held in the Central African country.

He scored two goals in Morocco’s 5-2 victory over Uganda, netted the first goal in the Atlas Lions 3-1 win in the quarter-finals before scoring another brace against Cameroon in their 4-0 semi-final victory.

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Museveni appoints Gen. Sabiiti Muzeeyi as General Manager Luwero Industries

By
Our Reporter
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Maj Gen Muzeeyi Sabiiti

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi as the General Manager of Luwero Industries, a subsidiary of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC).

He replaces Brig Octavius Butuuro who has been appointed Deputy Commandant Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka.

Luwero Industries is a UPDF firm involved in the production of ammunitions and repair of rifles. The firm also manufactures spare parts of military equipment, portable water and carpentry products, among others.

Maj. Gen Sabiiti was the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) of the Uganda Police Force since March 2018 until December 2020 when he handed over office to Maj. Gen Paul Lokech.

 

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