Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
27.6 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 932

Ugandan diplomat elected to the administrative and budgetary committee of UN General Assembly

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Caroline Nalwanga Magambo.

The UN General Assembly has elected Ugandan diplomat Caroline Nalwanga Magambo as a member of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) by acclamation together with Algeria and Chad.

Mrs. Magambo, who becomes the second African woman and first Ugandan to serve on this influential Committee of the United Nations, was earlier on approved by the Africa Union Group Candidature Committee.

Mrs. Magambo, a Counsellor serving at Uganda’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York has previously served as Chair of the Africa Group in the UN Fifth Committee during the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly and Head of Division, Europe Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working closely with the Permanent Mission in New York has been instrumental in securing placements for Ugandans in International and Regional Organisations.

The ACABQ is responsible for expert examination of the program budget of the United Nations, reviewing on behalf of the General Assembly, the administrative budgets of the Specialized Agencies, and proposals for financial arrangements with such agencies, among other duties.

The Advisory Committee is elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years, on the basis of a broad geographical representation. The ACABQ was recently enlarged by a UN resolution from 16 to 21 members, beginning January 2021.

Uganda’s historical appointment to the UN Administrative and Budget Committee comes at a time when the country is highly credited for its Refugee Response framework and support to UN operations in the region by hosting the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe (RSCE). The ACABQ was proposed by the Preparatory Commission and established by the General Assembly resolution 14 (I) of February 13, 1946.

Stories Continues after ad

URA petitioned over Shs55b tax embezzlement by ComFoam

By
Our Reporter
-
com foam

Global Network for Community Mindset Uganda Limited has petitioned the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) John Musinguzi over ComFoam’s tax embezzlement of Shs55 billion.

The Director of Global Network for Mindset Uganda Ltd, Ms. Jaria Namusoke averred that the Chinese company which imports and manufactures mattresses, has cheated URA since 2014 in importation of raw materials called isocyanate 80/20 (TDI). The polyethylene is rejected by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) as per shipping however it is still smuggled into the country and still in use.

She contends that tax evasion has been going on with the knowledge of top URA officials by under declaration of the quality of the products. The petitioners noted that they revisited URA website from Iganga branch on October 27,2017 and on November 3, 2017 after following the trailers from Malaba customs yard where they found that the chemical is rejected for shipping into the country. The polyethylene chemical importation has since not been investigated.

“I visited Zhorhlian Chemicals Limited the leading producer of TDI 80/20 in China. The file was handed over to Kibuli Crime investigation, GEF 428/18 for further action to her dismay they were stopped by Minister Jeje Odong until evidence surfaced,” she said.

“If the country is to lose such a figure in the next five years, then our GDP will be affected. The law protects the investor but are they protecting our economy or terrorizing it,” she wrote.

She said ComFoam and URA have failed, and violated section 342, 269, 319, 324, 326 and 87 of the Penal Code Act.

The Operations manager of ComFoam only identified as Owen revealed that this is baseless because URA cleared them.

However, Eagle Online has learnt that despite Owen stating that they were cleared by URA, ComFoam was still under investigations by police. Reports further indicate that some elements within the investigating team were reportedly compromised with a view of having the investigations closed.

Stories Continues after ad

UNICEF and WHO call for emergency action to avert major measles and polio epidemics

By
Our Reporter
-
POLIO

UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) today issued an urgent call to action to avert major measles and polio epidemics as COVID-19 continues to disrupt immunization services worldwide, leaving millions of vulnerable children at heightened risk of preventable childhood diseases.

The two organizations estimate that US$655 million (US$400 million for polio and US$255 million for measles) are needed to address dangerous immunity gaps in non-Gavi eligible countries and target age groups.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on health services and in particular immunization services, worldwide,” commented Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“But unlike with COVID, we have the tools and knowledge to stop diseases such as polio and measles. What we need are the resources and commitments to put these tools and knowledge into action. If we do that, children’s lives will be saved.”

“We cannot allow the fight against one deadly disease to cause us to lose ground in the fight against other diseases,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.

“Addressing the global COVID-19 pandemic is critical. However, other deadly diseases also threaten the lives of millions of children in some of the poorest areas of the world. That is why today we are urgently calling for global action from country leaders, donors and partners. We need additional financial resources to safely resume vaccination campaigns and prioritize immunization systems that are critical to protect children and avert other epidemics besides COVID-19.”

In recent years, there has been a global resurgence of measles with ongoing outbreaks in all parts of the world.  Vaccination coverage gaps have been further exacerbated in 2020 by COVID-19. In 2019, measles climbed to the highest number of new infections in more than two decades. Annual measles mortality data for 2019 to be released next week will show the continued negative toll that sustained outbreaks are having in many countries around the world.

At the same time, poliovirus transmission is expected to increase in Pakistan and  Afghanistan and in many under-immunized areas of Africa. Failure to eradicate polio now would lead to global resurgence of the disease, resulting in as many as 200,000 new cases annually, within 10 years.

New tools, including a next-generation novel oral polio vaccine and the forthcoming Measles Outbreak Strategic Response Plan are expected to be deployed over the coming months to help tackle these growing threats in a more effective and sustainable manner, and ultimately save lives. The Plan is a worldwide strategy to quickly and effectively prevent, detect and respond to measles outbreaks.

Stories Continues after ad

Absa Bank donates PPEs worth Shs18.6 million to Baylor Uganda

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Dr. Adeodata Kekitiinwa, Executive Director of Baylor Uganda, receives some of the personal protective equipment donated by Absa Bank Uganda from the bank's ED & CFO - Mr. Michael Segwaya.

Absa Bank has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Baylor Uganda. The PPE is peddling at protecting frontline health workers from contracting Covid-19.

The PPEs worth Shs18.6 million were handed over by the bank’s Chief Finance Officer and Executive Director, Michael Segwaya at the Baylor College of Medicine complex in Mulago Hospital. The PPEs included Gloves, face shields, Masks and suit.

Speaking at the health facility, Michael Segwaya said; “I think Covid-19 is more concentrated in hospitals. We want to make a difference not only among frontline workers but the entire community. We want to see people’s lives changing.”

Segwaya reasserted the bank’s commitment to continue working with Baylor Uganda in the campaign to fight Covid-19.

The executive director of Baylor Uganda Dr. Adeodata R. Kekitiinwa said; “Following the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, they have faced a challenge of saving lives.”

“We appreciate being selected among the many and we shall be asking for more. Covid-19 is here we just need to learn how to live with it in this long journey till the discovery of the vaccine,” she said.

Being a not for profit organisation, Dr. Adeodata said they are committed to delivering high quality, high impact and highly ethical paediatrics and family HIV&AIDS prevention, care and treatment services, health professional training and clinical research in Uganda.

As of June 2019 Baylor is mainly supported by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) with a total contribution of 72% as at June 2019.

The organisation is also into partnership with UNICEF to support and strengthen technical capacity for Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, child, and adolescent health, HIV/AIDS/TB, and Nutrition services in 18 districts in Eastern, Central, Midwestern and South western Uganda.

Stories Continues after ad

No admission fees for new entrants at Kampala Parents School

By
Our Reporter
-
kampala parents school

Kampala Parents’ School has confirmed that there will be free admission for all new entrants for term one for the 2021 academic year.

However, the pupils will undergo a mandatory interview process to test them.

“The Principal of Kampala Parents’ School informs all interested parents that there will be interviews for pupils from pre-primary to primary seven for the first term of 2021 intake from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm,” reads the statement released by the school administration.

For parents who wish to have their children study at Kampala Parents’ School, interviews for primary one pupils are scheduled on Saturday 7th November, primary two to primary four are set for Saturday 14th November, primary five to primary seven are taking place on Saturday 21 November.

There will another opportunity for primary one on Wednesday 24th November. For Baby, Middle and Top class, the interviews are scheduled for Saturday 28 November.

kampala parents

Parents have been advised to call the school and book an appointment so that they can adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures set by the Ministry of Health for safety from Covid-19.

Kampala parents’ school is on international level but follows a local curriculum. It’s situated along lugogo by-pass and has an enrollment of over 2500 pupils with 118 well trained teachers and over 150 non-teaching staff members. The pupils come from all over the world.

The school has been and will continue to be an academic hub of Uganda because of the balanced curriculum offered. The school mission is “To facilitate first-class education and civilization to children with and from outside Uganda with the hope that there will be a better world community tomorrow.”

Stories Continues after ad

NUP Parliamentary candidate dies in an accident

By
Our Reporter
-
katongole

A National Unity Platform (NUP) parliamentary contestant for Bukoto Central Constituency, Katongole Badru Muhammad has died in a road accident.

Katongole was on his way to attend the burial of Islamic Scholar Sheikh Abdul Anas Kaliisa when he was involved in a nasty accident along Masaka-Mbarara road.

The party president, Hon Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has eulogized the deceased and revealed that the NUP fraternity has pledged to take care of his burial arrangements.

“With shock and grief, I have learnt of the death of comrade Katongole Badru Muhammad, who participated in the NUP candidate selection for MP Bukoto Central. He perished in a terrible accident this morning.” Bobi Wine posted on his Facebook page.

“On behalf of the NUP fraternity and on my own behalf, I send deep sympathies to his family, friends and all of us who knew him. What a loss to the forces of change! We shall coordinate with the family regarding burial arrangements. Kitalo nnyo!” he added.

Several other passengers, who were traveling with the deceased in the saloon vehicle, were rushed to Masaka Hospital with severe injuries.

Stories Continues after ad

Michael Spiegel appointed Global Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered

By
Our Reporter
-
Standard Chartered logo

Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of Michael Spiegel as the Global Head, Transaction Banking, effective January 1, 2021 and subject to regulatory approval. The appointment follows Lisa Robins’ decision to retire from banking after a distinguished four-decade career.

The Bank also announced that, effective January 7, 2021, Kai Fehr joins the Bank as Global Head of Trade.

Spiegel joined the bank at the beginning of the year, bringing more than three decades of experience working across Europe, the US and Asia in roles ranging from trade finance and cash management to client coverage.

He previously worked at Deutsche Bank where he shaped the global trade finance and cash management offering in various roles, including Global Head for Trade Finance and Corporate Cash Management. He has also held senior roles in client coverage and had regional management responsibilities at the Executive Management Committee level.

Fehr joins from Wells Fargo, where he was Global Head of International Trade Services. He previously led trade finance and working capital teams in Asia Pacific for Barclays and UniCredit.

Simon Cooper, CEO of Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered, said: “Transaction Banking is in our DNA, from navigating global trade winds for more than 100 years to collaborating with new technology companies in the payments space. Michael will take the baton from Lisa at a time when we’re transforming our business on behalf of our corporate and financial institution clients and to continue playing a leading role in enabling sustainable trade flows around the world.”

He added: “We’re delighted that Kai, with his extensive experience, is joining us to lead our vital Trade team. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa for her contribution to Standard Chartered’s Transaction Banking franchise, as well as her leadership of this core business during a very challenging period.”

Robins joined the Bank in January 2018, having worked in Asia, Europe and the US with firms including JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank.

Stories Continues after ad

Mandatory solar standards in the offing to ensure safety, quality and performance

By
Our Reporter
-
solar panels

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is in the final stages of developing a standard for solar products in the Solar Home System (SHS) and Pico solar products category largely plug and play products.

The development of standard follows a public outcry of poor quality solar products flooding the market.

A public review of the Draft Solar Plug and Play standard was held yesterday, by UNBS in partnership with the Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA), Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and RENCON Uganda, ahead of the standards approval by the National Standards Council.

The draft standard, IEC 62257-9-8:2020 provides baseline requirements for quality, durability and truth in advertising to protect consumers of off-grid renewable energy products in general.

The draft standard’s minimum requirements include; Truth in advertising where all advertised features must be clear, true and accurate. All numerical aspects shall not deviate by more than 15% from advertised values like Light output, run time, PV Power, charging time and others.

The recommended that electronic appliances and power supplies must carry recognised and valid consumer safety certification and batteries shall not contain hazardous substances like mercury or Cadmium

According to the developed standards, Lumen maintenance must not fall below 90% of initial values after 2000 hours of operation and the battery capacity loss shall not exceed 25% during testing

Components, connectors, switches and accessories must be strong enough to meet various stresses and strains and operation cycles of at least 1000

During the public review, UNBS Standards Development Manager, Mr. Andrew Othieno revealed that the Draft Standard, once approved, will be made Mandatory for solar products dealers, importers, users etc.

The UNBS Deputy Executive Director in charge of standards, Ms Patricia Bageine Ejalu also revealed that there will be a lot of imports inspections and market surveillance activities to ensure that all poor quality solar products are taken off the market.

A Public review session is part of the final stages of developing a standard. After the review, the draft standard is open to the public for comments until the end of this month, after which it will be submitted to the National Standards Council for approval.

Stories Continues after ad

Museveni donates bus to new UPL entrants Kitara FC

By
Our Reporter
-
museveni donates bus

President Museveni has donated a brand new 40-seater bus to newly promoted Uganda Premier League side Kitara Football Club.

The Hoima-based side sealed promotion to the 2020/21 StarTimes Uganda Premier League following a narrow 1-0 victory over Kiboga Young (formerly Mbale Heroes) in the 2020 FUFA Big League playoffs final played at the Technical centre in Njeru last month.

Ms. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the state house financial controller on behalf of the President handed over the bus with number plate UBH 526T to the club president Godfrey Bamwenda and CEO Joshua Atugonza.

The bus is a fulfillment of a pledge made by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last year on his visit to Bunyoro where the issue was highlighted by NRM candidate Harriet Businge Mugenyi in Kigorobya and Buseruka at Booma grounds.

Kitara is one of the three sides to have been promoted from the Fufa Big League last season. The other two are; Malaba Youth Development Association (MYDA) FC and army side Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) FC.

The 2020/21 Uganda Premier League season is anticipated to kick off on December 3rd 2020 with fixtures to be released in due course.

Stories Continues after ad

Col Bagyenda snubs Appointments Committee for his ambassadorial role

By
Our Reporter
-
Col. Kaka Bagyenda

Former Internal Security Organization (ISO) Director-General Rtd. Col Kaka Bagyenda on Thursday 4 November failed to appear before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee for the vetting process for his new role as Ugandan Ambassador to Angola.

Last month, President Museveni appointed Col Bagyenda Uganda’s Ambassador to Angola after he relieved him of his duties as the internal spy chief and replaced him with Lt Col Charles Oluka, the former director-in-charge of technical services.

By law, Col Bagyenda is supposed to appear before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee to be approved but he failed to show up without any official communication.

On the 28th of October 2020, the Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige wrote to two presidential appointees Dr. Hassan Galiwango and Col Kaka Bagyenda to appear before the Parliamentary Appointments committee on Thursday this week for approval as required by law.

Sources close to Col. Kaka say the former spy master isn’t interested in heading to Luanda as a diplomat.

Dr Galiwango was appointed Uganda’s ambassador to Kenya after being dropped as the director of Finance at NRM Secretariat. Galiwango appeared before the committee at 10.00 am.

Stories Continues after ad
1...931932933...2,400Page 932 of 2,400

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks