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#Covid-19: Umeme registers three positive cases

By
Our Reporter
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Umeme Limited logo

Uganda’s main electricity distribution company Umeme Limited has announced that it has registered three positive cases of #Covid-19 among their staff members.

A statement issued by Peter Kaujju, the Head of Communications indicates that the three cases have already been referred to a designated health facility for further observation, management and treatment.

“Umeme has been screening staff for #Covid-19 as part of the proactive measures in checking the spread of the virus. This week samples were picked from some of our staff at the Lugogo Technical Centre in Industrial Area, Kampala by Lancet Laboratories and three (3) have tested positive for #Covid-19 as per the results issued on Tuesday 15th September 2020.” Part of the statement reads.

“We have engaged the concerned staff and their families to offer our support and referred them to a designated health facility for further observation, management and treatment while their contacts are being traced as per Ministry of Health protocols.”

Kaujju reveals that the Lugogo Technical Centre area will be temporarily closed for two days to allow disinfection.

“The Lugogo Technical Centre in industrial area will be temporarily closed for two days effective today to allow disinfection,” the statement further reads.

To date, the cumulative confirmed cases in Uganda stands at 5,123. The recoveries so far are 2,333 and the total #Covid-19 deaths are 58.

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MP Sam Lyomoki pitches camp at parliament, carries mattress and mosquito net

By
Geoffery Serugo
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MP Sam Lyomoki's beddings at parliament

Workers’ MP Sam Lyomoki has pitched camp at parliament protesting speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s delay to pass the National social Security Fund (NSSF) bill.

The MP has since carried his mattress, mosquito net and other essential needs to parliament where he will stay until his plea is heard.

On 26th August 2020, Kadaga ruled that the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Amendment Bill, 2019 will be considered in the next two weeks. The two weeks elapsed this week and the bill has not been debated.

On 27th August, the MP was captured in a series of pictures sleeping in his suite, bags aside and without any beddings. He decided to sleep at parliament after Kadaga adjourned the plenary session abruptly after Lyomoki had staged a protest.

The Bill seeks to enhance the spectrum of benefits available to workers and to improve management of the NSSF. The current law was enacted in 1985 and does not adequately address emerging challenges in the management of social security in Uganda.

The movers of the bill claim that the Act in its current state does not make express provision for the representation of workers, employers and other stakeholders on the board of directors. The appointment of the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director by the Minister without the role of the board undermines the ability of the board to supervise them.

Further, although it is in the best interest of all employees to save for retirement, the Act currently gives the Minister discretion to determine the category of employees who are eligible to contribute for their retirement.

Currently, only workers in a company that employs five or more employees are eligible to contribute for their retirement which contradicts Paragraph VII of the National Objectives of Directive Principles of State Policy under the Constitution, the ILO Convention 102 on social security and the Social Protection Policy 2015 which all call for social security coverage of all persons regardless of the number of their employees.

“The Act provides for taxation of contributions and Schreyer income which does not promote the culture of domestic long term savings that is critical for sustained economic transformation,” the movers noted.

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Almost half of global consumers expect a cashless world by 2030 – Standard Chartered Bank

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Standard Chartered logo

COVID-19 has seen consumers across the world ditch cash and in-person shopping in favour of online spending, according to Standard Chartered’s latest global survey.

Almost two-thirds of survey respondents (64 per cent) agree that COVID-19 has made them more positive about online shopping, but they are also more careful with their spending and want new ways to track their money digitally.

The study of 12,000 adults across 12 markets of Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mainland China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, the UK and the US is the second in a three-part series, looking at how COVID-19 has transformed consumers’ way of life, and what changes could be here to stay. While the first survey focused on the pandemic’s impact on earnings, the second offers new insights into the way the global health crisis is changing consumer spending habits.

Before the pandemic, two-thirds of survey respondents said they preferred to shop in-person compared to only one-third online. This dynamic has shifted significantly with almost half (48 per cent) preferring online payments to in-person card or cash payments. This increase in preference for online payments is true across a range of purchases, from groceries and travel to digital devices. As a result, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) globally now expect their country to go fully cashless, with almost half (44 per cent) expecting this to happen by 2030.

Respondents in all 12 markets anticipate doing more of their shopping online from now on, with people in Kenya foreseeing a 30 per cent increase in their online spending, those in the UAE thinking it will increase by 18 per cent and those in Indonesia by 16 per cent. While still anticipating an overall increase, respondents in the UK, Mainland China, the US and Taiwan believe their online spending will only grow by less than 10 per cent in the future.

The survey results are supported by Standard Chartered’s ATM withdrawals data. Across the ten surveyed markets where Standard Chartered offers retail banking (all except the UK and US), COVID-19 has dramatically accelerated the decline in ATM usage. Cash withdrawals from ATMs are now half what they were two years ago.

Meanwhile, as spending begins to creep up with lockdowns easing globally  46 per cent reported increased spending in July three quarters of people say the pandemic has made them more careful with their expenditure. This point was more evident in the responses of Millennials and Generation Z (78 per cent of 18 to 44-year olds) than those over 45 (65 per cent).

Reflecting this increased caution, 62 per cent of survey respondents said that the economic impact of COVID-19 has made them more likely to track their spending, with over three-quarters either using or wanting to use budgeting tools or tools that block card-spend over specified limits.

Consumers are now spending more on basics – such as groceries and healthcare – and digital devices than they did prior to the pandemic, and they expect this increase to continue in the future. Meanwhile, 64 per cent of people say they have spent less on travel/holidays than they did before the pandemic, while 41 per cent have spent less on experiences and 55 per cent have spent less on clothes.

This trend is expected to continue with 38 per cent saying they anticipate spending less on travel/holidays, 24 per cent on experiences and 30 per cent on clothes in the future.

As well as being increasingly careful with their spending, consumers are becoming more conscientious. This is good news for small businesses and those producing locally made goods, particularly those making and selling sustainably sourced products. More than half of people say they are now more likely to shop locally (57 per cent), more sustainably (52 per cent) and with small businesses (50 per cent). This is particularly true of younger generations (18-44), suggesting this trend is likely to continue.

Aalishaan Zaidi, Global Head, Client Experience, Channels and Digital Banking at Standard Chartered, said: “In a world where people are being more cautious with their spending, being able to keep track of where your money goes has never been so important. One way to do that is to keep your payments digital and our own data supports this shift with cash withdrawals from ATMs declining to half the levels they were two years ago as online payments have increased.”

He added: “But there is more banks can do to help. With three-quarters of people either using or wanting to use budgeting of financial control tools, it’s imperative that banks continue to innovate digitally so that clients can easily transact, track and manage their spending in a safe and secure way.”

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Oulanyah calls for facts, tolerance in campaigns

By
Our Reporter
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Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has called on youth to use facts and tolerance as tools of persuasion in the forthcoming general elections.

Oulanyah said to convince voters, young people needed to have incontrovertible facts and tolerate dissent to win over skeptics.

Oulanyah was in Lira to commission mobilisers for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag-bearer, President Yoweri Museveni.

“Don’t be arrogant, be humble and you will draw more people to your cause; don’t be aggressive, abusive or insulting; instead deploy facts and debate calmly and politely because you are carrying the President’s message,” he said.

Since independence, Oulanyah said Uganda has been having governance problems until 1986 when political competition became the only method of ascension to government, a fact he said should motivate the youth as they make a case for their preferred candidate.

“From 1986, we have had one president, no military coups and we have moved from bullets to ballots. Government used to be changed by bullets which is no longer possible today,” he said.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Sports,  Hamson Obua, outgoing NRM Vice Chairman for Northern Uganda, Sam Engola and Ms Milly Babalanda, who is President Museveni’s Political Assistant.

Oulanyah lauded President Museveni for expanding the road network and improving Uganda’s infrastructure which he said are key in attracting investment.

Last week, President Museveni decried political intolerance especially among the youth, but said he engages them calmly, urging all political actors to follow suit.

The Independent Electoral Commission has set November 2-3 2020 as nomination dates for presidential candidates.

MPs will be nominated on October 12-13 2020, which will set the stage for elections to be conducted under the strict #Covid-19 guidelines.

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Sculptures of wildlife animals bring fresh look to Kampala roads

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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A sculpture of crested cranes erected at Kira Road between Uganda Museum and Mulago stage(Photo by Ronard Shabomwe)

The sculptures of different world life animals have brought beauty on some roads in the city especially Kira road.

Over ten of them were erected along the Kira Road stretch from Mulago, through Kamwokya to the traffic lights in Bukoto, bringing to the street’s images of the crested crane, Giraffes, Chimpanzees, Lions and Zebra’s, all of which tell the lushness of Uganda’s tourism. Others that have been set up are the Elephants, Monkeys, Leopards and the Cheetah’s.

The art work has been put in place by Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA, Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA, and part of the 800 million Shillings projects to beautify and promote tourism in Kampala. It started with the erection of the Impala monument at Jubilee Park and the Mountain Gorilla at Speke Road. The Impala forms part of Uganda’s heritage as the source of the name Kampala.

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the sculptures are designed to bring the images of what Uganda’s National Parks have to offer close to the people, and interest the public to visit the beauty in the parks, while those who cannot visit can also get a feel of the wildlife from within the capital, Kampala.

Each sculpture is designed with information about a specific National Park where it can be found. For instance, the Lion will have inscriptions about Queen Elizabeth National Park, where it is a signature animal and the Giraffes will tell the story of Murchison Falls National Park, among others.

The Buganda Kingdom previously erected sculptures of Buganda’s Totems along the Kabaka Anjagala Road also known as the Royal Mile that stretches from Masengere to the Palace.

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One Killed in Namboole flyover accident

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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A truck that overturned at Nambole flyover

One person has been confirmed dead and two others injured in a fatal accident that happened at Namboole Fly over in Bweyogerere in Kira Municipality.

Kira Division traffic officers who visited the scene said the accident came after an Engineering plant vehicle (concrete mixer) UBG 217X lost control on the fly over and overturned in the middle of the road.

According to eyewitnesses, two occupants ran away with minor injuries and left a colleague trapped inside the truck.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the fire and rescue services were introduced at the scene and the man was pulled out but he later died.

He identifies the deceased as one Segujja Mohammed, 29, a resident of Nasuti Zone Seeta Mukono District.  His body has been conveyed to city Mortuary Mulago for postmortem.

Currently the efforts are underway to have the Vehicle taken off in the middle of the road by Police break down for proper movement of traffic.

At least 3,880 people died in road accidents in 2019 while 9,635 survived with serious injuries and another 1,175 got minor injuries according to Traffic police records.

The Traffic Police Director, Commissioner of Police–CP Bazir Mugisha cited reckless driving, over speeding, drunk driving or vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition as major causes of accidents on Uganda roads.

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Sipapa attacks Bobi wine’s Political party, fires bullets at the gate

By
Our Reporter
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Sipapa

City socialite Sipapa real names Charles Otim has reportedly attacked the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters at Kamwokya.

According to eyewitnesses, he fired bullets at the gate of the Bobi Wine’s Political party and hence damaging it.

It is reported that he was flanked by police officers as he opened fire at the Party’s gate.

 Details to follow…

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NUP vets Chameleone, Sebaggala as Lord Mayor aspirants

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Hon Latif Sebaggala before the NUP vetting committee at NUP secretariat(photo by Ronard Shabomwe)

National Unity Platform (NUP) has vetted two Kampala city Lord Mayor aspirants.

The aspirants are Al Hajj Latif Sebaggala Sengendo, a Member of Parliament representing people of Kawempe Division North and a popular musician Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone.

The two contenders are both vying to stand on the National Unity Platform ticket and they are seeking for the party endorsement.

The NUP election committee headed by the chairperson Mercy Walukamba vetted Latif Sebaggala first in the morning hours then Joseph Mayanja in the afternoon.

During the vetting, the committee sought to know how knowledgeable the aspirants are about the positions they are vying for, what they intend to do for Kampala people, their leadership skills among others.

Hon Latif Sebaggala Sengendo who believes he is the right candidate to be endorsed by the party due to his loyalty to the party and leadership experience he has, promises to work hard for the betterment of the city.

Sebaggala notes that upon being given the party card, he will work hard so that the city mayor ship is under NUP.

He says that Kampala is facing challenges like poor drainage system which brings much flooding, the city sanitation, and unfair taxes levied on different traders among other challenges which will be his focus as a lord mayor.

“I have gone to the vetting committee and answered questions, so I know that my answers were enough, and am waiting to hear good news that I am the right candidate,” Sebaggala says.

Meanwhile Joseph Mayanja, aka Chameleon says that he sees himself as a right candidate to be endorsed by the party because he is prepared. Citing that he has already opened the sister NUP offices at Balintuma road in Kampala to help in party activities.

He says that upon being endorsed by the party, he will make sure that slum areas of Kampala need proper planning. He adds, “we can improve on ways of living of people in ghetto settings by bringing most of the affordable services close to them, like health facilities, ensuring proper drainage among others.”

“And being a popular celebrity will also be the advantage to win the Kampala city Mayor ship,” Mayanja noted.

According to Mercy Walukamba, the NUP election committee chairperson, they will announce who has been endorsed by the party for this position next week.

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NRM Primaries: Rukutana declared Rushenyi County winner

By
Our Reporter
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Rukutana

Minister Mwesigwa Rukutana fresh from prison has been declared the winner of Rushenyi county NRM Primary elections for the Parliamentary flag bearer in the forthcoming 2021 general elections.

In a two-day election running from Friday 4th September to Saturday 5th, Ms. Kabasharira was declared the winner with 24,006 votes while Mr. Rukutana garnered 23,966 votes leaving a difference of only 40 votes.

However, Mr. Rukutana reportedly rejected the out-come of an election citing that about eight (8) polling stations were not included, maintaining that he had won the election.

National Resistance Movement Party Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi cancelled results in which the NRM returning officer declared Kabasharira winner having defetaed Minister Mwesigwa Rukutana.

Rukutana’s team petitioned the NRM EC headquarters with overwhelming evidence to overturn the results announced in Ntungamo last week.

After tallying votes from over 12 polling stations that had not been counted, it has emerged that Rukutana defeated his closest opponent Naome Kabasharira.

Accordingly, Rubaare sub county, which is considered Rukutana’s stronghold didn’t vote after the register disappeared.

Voting was deferred to Saturday, the same day when chaos broke out in the area resulting into multiple shooting and injuring of Rukutana’s rival’s loyalists.

As a result, Rukutana was sent to prison battling several charges; attempted murder, theft of a gun, malicious damage and assault where today he was released on bail at Ntungamo magistrate court

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What happened to the Shs50b #Covid-19 kitty?

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Covid-19 Task-force receiving donations from Uganda Baati

 

On June 29, 2020, President Yoweri Museveni announced that the National Taskforce on #Covid-19 had collected a staggering Shs50 billion worth of cash contributions and pledges to aid the fight against the #Covid-19 pandemic in Uganda.

The National Taskforce on #Covid has a target of collecting Sh170 billion and the last time that a status report was made public, the committee had hit 30 per cent of that goal. The Committee had collected donations worth  Sh50 billion, with Sh17 billion in cash and Sh33 billion as donations in-kind.

With the Fund cash not yet established and the money being banked at a funds collection account in Stanbic Bank and a Treasury Account in Bank of Uganda, questions immediately arose on whether the much-needed contributions would not be put to the rightful need.

President Museveni had directed that the money mobilized by the National Taskforce on #Covid should be used to address the crisis triggered by the #Covid-19 pandemic in the medical world and not purchasing consumables like vehicles.

“The funds should be used to respond to the needs generated by the Coronavirus pandemic. Such investments should not be consumables. In addition to buying Motor Vehicles, some of the funds can be used for the construction of durable buildings to be used as service shelters/camps and support facilities at the country’s border points,” Mr Museveni said.

Aware of how money meant to help taxpayers is often spirited away, the Permanent Secretary-Ministry of Finance/Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi wrote a five-page letter to the chairperson of The National Response Fund to #Covid-19 team, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) directing on how the money should be used.

Muhakanizi directed that all cash donations be banked intact to the collection account under the OPM and all asset donations to government be “received and compiled by the OPM with a bi-monthly copy provided to The National Response Fund to #Covid-19 team and secretary to the Treasury.”

“The OPM shall operate commercial bank collection accounts in any currency as authorized by the Accountant General in accordance with Section 33 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 (PFMA 2015). The signatories to the commercial bank collection accounts shall be the authorized officers in the OPM.

In his letter, Muhakanizi said the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) shall issue: “Treasury receipts for all received cash and cheque donations on the collection accounts in a commercial bank before transfer to Bank of Uganda.”

Details of the collection accounts will be advised by the Accountant General, he said. “Any funds on the collection accounts shall be swept to the two CERF holding accounts (US Dollar and UGX) opened in Bank of Uganda on 15th and 30th of every month.”

However, despite the president’s directives that the the #Covid-19 donation funds should be invested in visible and durable items that have long term benefits for citizens and the country, instead of short-term consumables, no such investments have been made.

It is not clear whether Muhakanizi’s directives have been followed either. But Eagle Online has independent learnt that the money has since banked but banking of the money has reportedly triggered a fight between the #Covid-19 taskforce and the treasury.

Ironically, health facilities at the centre of the fight against #Covid-19 are operating on meagre budgets, and some have been left to shut down critical operations.

The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the only institute mandated to carry out #Covid-19 testing  in the country, at some point ran out of testing kits, saying they had no single testing kit left in their store and were only relying on borrowed kits from Makerere University hospital.

Workers in Gulu Hospital also intimated to Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, that medical workers had not received their risk allowances for treating #Covid-19 patients.

The 100 hospital workers including 70 frontline health workers. Each frontline worker earns between Shs40,000 and Shs80,000 per day while on duty.

Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the chairman of Gulu District, was quoted in the media saying there have been talks with the hospital administration to have the matter resolved without success.

“The hospital received Shs270 million ($72,589) from the Ministry of Health plus the guidelines on how the money should be used and when issues of laying down tools start to come up, it means the budget has been exhausted and it has been a while since they sent money to the hospitals,” Ojara was quoted as saying.

Anti-corruption activists say Parliament and the State House Anti-Corruption Monitoring Unit led by Lt. Col.. Edith Nakalema should pick interest in the matter and get to the bottom of what exactly has happened to the #Covid-19 donations.

However, reports now indicate Internal Security Organisation (ISO) under its economic monitoring department is now probing a possible misuse of #Covid-19 funds. However, it isn’t established whether the investigations include the contributions from the public.

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