Author: Johnson Thembo
Cities play a very important role in shaping the livelihoods of many people as more than half of the global population lives in urban centres. Every city needs stable and reliable electricity to feed its ever-growing industrial, commercial and domestic needs. Mbale City, a home to 5 million people, is not any different. Mbale and Elgon subregion’s electricity demand averages 20MW, but given the recent elevation to City status, the Government’s push for industrialization and the establishment of the Mbale Industrial Park, demand for power is expected to surge. For this reason, power distributor Umeme has invested $15.2m (about Ugx55.7b)…
Ugandan Financial Technology (FinTech) companies have been advised to involve more women in the conceptualization, designing and development of Fintech products and solutions that can tap into the underserved market segment of Ugandan women entrepreneurs. Damali Ssali, a Chartered Accountant, Business and Trade Development Expert, says that in a country where 48 per cent of all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are owned by women, it is paramount to develop financial inclusion solutions spearheaded by women. “Over 70 per cent of informal cross border trader women need access to affordable fintech solutions. That segment is a ready market for innovative…
Within a space of one month, more people have continued to desert the National Unity Platform (NUP) party and make U-turns back to their mother parties. Today the latest person to pack this belongings is former Makindye East Lawmaker Hon. Michael Mabikke. In a communication made via his social media platform the outspoken lawyer stated that he has left the Kamwokya based party to contest on the Democratic Party ticket over lack of democracy in NUP. “Amidst everything, he regret leaving DP my mother party to SDP and the new party NUP. However I’ve later discovered that DP is more…
Uganda’s main electricity distribution company Umeme Limited has won a landmark case in the Tax Appeals Tribunal, which ruled that Umeme was entitled to claim depreciation allowance in respect of assets acquired by Umeme and initial allowance for assets placed in use by Umeme 50km outside Kampala. Commenting on the ruling, Umeme Limited Senior Legal Manager Allan Rwakakooko said this ruling represents a victory for the electricity customers since the initial and depreciation allowances are used to reduce the tariffs payable. “This is a step towards helping to reduce the end user tariffs for our customers and therefore reducing the…
He said that schools and institutions of higher learning have been closed since the outbreak of the coronavirus in March, to protect the students against the disease and that there was unclear communication on the re-opening of schools which had made parents, students and proprietors anxious. “Ever since the outbreak of Covid-19, there has been mixed communication from the Ministry of Education. In June, there was an announcement on the resumption of schools for candidate classes. Recently, there was another announcement that schools will reopen for candidate classes. If we open for only candidate classes, what will happen to the…
The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah has asked youth to focus on building their character and credibility which will come in handy in their efforts to transform society. Credibility, said Oulanyah, is a product of consistent exemplary behavior which will anchor youngsters into leadership. Oulanyah was in Gulu to prepare youth leaders subscribing to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the elections. “Your character must be beyond reproach; starting with where you come from because people can only listen to you if you are credible; people want politics of reason and of value,” he said. Whereas the future is pegged on…
The Aga Khan University (AKU) Media Innovation Center this morning announced a Ksh 6 million grant for three media start-ups in East Africa, as part of its Innovators-In-Residence program. The project, funded by KfW as part of the Futures Project, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship to enhance media viability through a combination of research, training, mentorship, coaching, incubation/acceleration services and knowledge sharing. Speaking at the innovation centre, The Director of the Innovation Center Ms Njoki Chege, noted that the project has come right in time when disruptions are threatening the normal life of media. “We are happy to announce…
The Commandant Military Police Colonel Keith Katungi has passed out 68 trainees who have undergone four weeks of Very Important Person Protection (VIPP) course in Garuga. The course had facilitators from Special Force Command and Police counter terrorism trainers who equipped the trainees with knowledge in various disciplines. The commander of Military Police thanked Internal Security Organization (ISO), Special Forces Command (SFC) and Police for the synergies in training and skilling the trainees. He said, “four weeks and the demonstrations exhibited were relevant and objective of the course was achieved. The situation outside is waiting for you and the training…
Uganda Tourism Board has today launched a domestic tourism campaign dubbed ‘Take On The Pearl’. The 8-week long campaign is aimed at jump starting the country’s tourism; with focus on the domestic market, in addition to putting a spotlight on some of the country’s prized tourist attractions. Addressing the audience at the Virtual launch of the campaign, the Uganda Tourism Board CEO, Lilly Ajarova noted the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic; saying that because of the pandemic, destinations have been inclined to look inwards. “The pandemic has created an opportunity for us to look inwards and therefore travel our…
The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party presidential candidate Mugisha Muntu has welcomed Hon Kassiano Wadri into the party. Wadri is the elected MP of Arua Municipality. “In a special, we wish to OFFICIALY welcome Hon.Kassiano Ezati Wadri (MP Arua Municipality) who at the same time played a crucial role in founding this Party.” Wadri participated in most of the consultation meetings that culminated into ANT. The party said it was extremely delighted to welcome Eng.Frank Ndyamureeba Mukunz hei and Mr.Chris Charles Oyua. Oyua is also the ANT MP flag bearer in Madi-Okolo constituency. “What a way to conclude the…