Red Cross Aids Expectant Mothers
June 30, 2008
30 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Monitor Reporter
Expectant mothers in northern and eastern Uganda will be able to undergo safe delivery, thanks to UK based Department for International Development for supporting the Uganda Red Cross Society to reach out to this vulnerable group.
The Department for International Development (DIFD) through its HIV programme recently contributed 2,500 mama bag kits toward the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Mama Bag project which were distributed to expectant mothers in Katakwi, Amuria and Pader districts on June 18.
Each kit contains cotton wool, gauze rolls, plastic sheets, receiving sheets, a packet of razor blades, code ligatures, nappies, two pairs of plastic baby pants, baby dress, basin, mosquito nets, vaseline, powder, disinfectant dettol soap, safety pins and glove.
URCS started the Mama Bag project in 2004 to give hope to expectant mothers mainly in IDP camps, many of which have no resources to help them have proper births. URCS gives Mama Bag kits to over 2,000 expectant mothers each year.
According to the DFID HIV/Aids project officer, Ms Betty Arayo, the project aims at facilitating safe delivery among mothers.
"Most of the mothers fear going to health centres because they do not have these necessities," Ms Arayo explained.
Speaking during a function to distribute the kits in Magoro Sub-county, Katakwi District, the URCS Vice Chairman, Mr Robert Ssebunya, said the society is concerned about the welfare of IDPs.
"We are here because we are concerned about promoting safe delivery so that our children do not die. At that critical moment, you can easily die if you don’t have safe delivery kits. We are also here to promote general hygiene in your homes and places of work," he said.
The expectant mothers who are returning to their homes were also given return kits.The Return Kit, which is an addition to the Mama Bag kit, contains a seed kit (beans, maize, egg plants, dodo, onions, okra, sukuma wiki), hoes, sickles, axe and pangas. It seeks to improve food security in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
Big Wins in the Ring And Netball for UPDF
June 30, 2008
29 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Swalley Kenyi
Kampala
WITH three days of action remaining, Uganda looks set to win the overall trophy at the East Africa Defence Forces Culture and Sports competitions after dominating in boxing.
The UPDF boxing team regained its status as champions of the East Africa Defence Forces Culture and Sports boxing competitions after gathered five gold medals, two silver and three bronze medals at Lugogo Saturday night.
Kenya was second with four gold medals, three silver and five bronze.
In soccer, Kenya trounced Rwanda 5-0 in their second match to move top of the table with four points above Uganda on goal difference.
Both Uganda and Kenya drew 1-1 while Uganda defeated Tanzania 1-0 in their second soccer game.
Kenya face Tanzania tomorrow, while Uganda plays Rwanda on Wednesday.
Earlier, Kenya kept their cross country title with Tanzania and Uganda coming second and third.
The games resume today with Kenya and Uganda clashing in handball after winning their first games against Tanzania earlier.
Boxing Medals table
Gold Silver Bronze
Uganda 5 2 3
Kenya 4 3 5
Tanzania 3 5 3
Light fly
R.Serugo(Ug) bt S.Pume(Tz)
Flyweight
O.Rajab(Tz) bt N.Atenyi(Ug)
Bantam
E.Kakembo(Ug)bt Magima(K)
Feather weight
N.Okoth(K) bt A.Muzei(Ug)
Light weight
H.Abdu(Ug) bt F.Fabian(Tz)
L/welter
B.Mathenge(K)bt B.Tabu(Ug)
Welterweight
J.Martin(Tz) bt N.Abaka (K)
Middleweight
L.Machichi(Tz)bt V.Otieno(K)
Light heavyweight
J.Ndere(K) bt G.Mbunda(Tz)
Heavyweight
T.Sekabira(Ug) bt Kimaro(Tz)
Super heavy
M.Sekabembe(Ug) bt P.Maxmilian(Tz)
Today
Handball
Kenya v Uganda
Netball
Uganda v Tanzania
Judge Calls for Tough Law On HIV/Aids
June 30, 2008
29 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Vision Reporter
Kampala
A spouse who knowingly conceals his or her HIV/AIDS status and infects the partner should be prosecuted, a High Court judge has suggested.
During a workshop for judges and magistrates at Pauline Hotel in Lira recently, Justice David Wangutusi said the sentence for such people should be harsh to deter other likely offenders.
"Magistrates should be responsive to the plight of women living with HIV/AIDS. You should also be gender sensitive when handling cases in which women seek judicial redress," Wangutusi, who is also the director of the Judicial Studies Institute, told the participants.
The two-day workshop drew judicial officers from the north and Masindi district.
It was organised by the National Association of Women Judges of Uganda and the International Association of Women Judges, with support from Irish Aid.
Wangutusi called upon the participants to approach gender issues with critical minds to effect quality and equal justice to all.
"A closer examination reveals that inspite of the existence of equality principle in Constitution, there still exists beliefs, traditions, customs and attitudes that prevent the translation of abstract rights in the law into substantive rights in reality," Wangutusi said.
He castigated the custom of widow inheritance saying it does not recognize the widow as a human being with a mind and conscience.
"It is in conflict with the equality principle. The tradition that only males may become heirs discriminates against females," Wangutusi observed.
Under the theme Jurisprudence of equality in a time of HIV/AIDS, judicial officers were sensitised on issues of promoting awareness within the legal fraternity and the public to the passive effects of gender discrimination and violence, the pervasive effects of gender discrimination and violence.
They were also trained in skills needed to decide cases involving discrimination against women in accordance with International Human Rights norms among other issues.
Ignorance Costs Money, Says PSFU
June 30, 2008
27 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Edris Kisambira
Mr. John Ssempebwa, the director trade at Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) makes numerous trade-related journeys in and out of Uganda for conferences and meetings. On one such journey, he met a lady at Entebbe International Airport. She was on her way to Dubai, taking art and crafts products valued at Ush2.5 million (about US$1,602).
Considering that the lady had bought an air ticket and was yet to spend on accommodation and food while in Dubai, you can say of the Ush2.5 million, she was bound to spend Ush1 million. But the lady in question according to Ssempebwa could have avoided those costs by going to one of the courier companies to have the crafts shipped to her contact in Dubai. The lady in question is not alone; there are a lot others like her. It is the reason importers/exporters need to attend the trade facilitation exhibition that will be held at the Lugogo show grounds in Kampala this Friday. EABW’s Edris Kisambira talked to Ssempebwa about the issues that affect traders today and what the fair will be like and below are excerpts:
Tell us, how big an issue (trade facilitation) is this that you are trying to address really?
Uganda’s trade deficit is US$1.5 billion (check budget speech) and it is rising. This means people are finding it easier to export to Uganda and the reverse is true. Many Ugandans have been frustrated trying to export elsewhere. For starters, international trade is not the same as internal trade because distances are longer, languages are different (some export markets don’t speak English), some markets don’t use the US dollar as a medium of exchange, communication is not easy and Uganda is a landlocked country.
Also a big number of business people involved in especially import trade are not banked. Those that are banked don’t know the full array of services the banks offer and as it is, they use the banks for keeping their money. Many of these traders don’t for instance know what a TT (an electronic money transfer) is? Many people don’t know that a lot of items in the East African Community Customs Union Common External Tariff are zero-rated. People don’t know that they don’t have to pay duty on goods entering the European Union as long as you have a certificate of origin. People don’t know that there are source markets where you will pay less tax for your goods. People will not be able to assess their tax yet Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is pushing in that direction.
URA has not come out as a trade facilitator. It’s a tax collecting body yet we need it to be a trade facilitator also. Ugandans do business but get cheated because they fear to pay insurance yet it is 1% of total revenue. People don’t know what they need to do to supply government and that is why we want the PPDA to educate them on the rules.
Politicians tell farmers to grow maize but when it comes to marketing this maize, the politician is on holiday in London. But now there is good news for the farmers because Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB) is working on an information called the Private Sector Trade and Business Information Systems. This information system is supposed to revolutionize information dissemination to farmers.
Traders don’t know that banks can issue a letter of credit to the supplier of their goods so that the bank can effect payment the minute the goods arrive in Kampala - these are the things we are going to be talking about and sharing at the fair. Some of these problems are policy problems. Some are because of lack of knowledge and information.
The trade facilitation exhibition is in its 3rd year running now, what can you point out as the big successes since its first edition?
What this fair does is to address procedural issues in import/export trade and to also address the information gaps. This is what we have been able to do over the last three years and will continue sensitising traders because the fair is now annual. You know we engaged URA last year on issues traders pointed out at last year’s fair and they have since changed. URA is disseminating information; people are no longer scared of URA.
We also pick up policy problems whenever we do this. That has enabled us to push the ministry of trade, tourism and industry to set up a committee to address the non-tariff barriers. So there have been successes.
How different is a trade facilitation exhibition from business exhibitions, as we know them?
It is free because there is nothing to be sold. It is about information exchange. The objective is to make it easier for importers and exporters to trade. It is different because you will find ambassadors of the country’s missions abroad explaining to traders some of the issues they want answers to and sharing with them other vital information.
Who will the exhibiting and what will be on show?
Over 50 organisations have expressed to attend the show and the number is increasing day by day. We will have knowledge on show - information on how to package, get a VISA, get a certificate of origin, branding and a lot other critical areas that traders need information on.
Expose Arsonists - School Head
June 30, 2008
29 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Ali Mambule
Kampala
FIRST expose the people responsible for burning schools before teaching pupils how to fight fire, the Government has been told.
The head teacher of Uganda Martyrs Primary School Katwe in Masaka municipality, Edward Wandera, made the appeal last week at the end of a fire-fighting lesson for pupils and teachers. It was conducted by the district Police fire master, Richard Mudungu.
"It is surprising that since the burning of schools escalated, no arsonist has been arrested and shown to the public.
"It is a pity. The Government should arrest these people. We want to see them," said Wandera.
He added that the Police’s efforts to give pupils fire-fighting skills would come to naught if nobody was punished for causing the fires.
In the worst school fire incident in recent months, 20 pupils of Budo Junior School died on April 14 when their dormitory went up in smoke.
Many other schools have since then been torched under mysterious circumstances.
But Mudungu said whereas fire outbreaks in schools were sometimes accidental, the students needed the skills to control fire anywhere, including their homes.
He noted that candles, lanterns, poor power connections and electric short circuits were the major causes of fire oubreaks in schools and homes.
$75 Million Organic Fertiliser Investment
June 30, 2008
28 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Edris Kisambira
Kampala
Prathista Industries Limited (PIL), one of India’s research and Technology Company has revealed it plans to set up a US$75 million organic fertilizer plant and other organic agri-inputs in Uganda to serve the African market for fertilizers.
Setting up the plant, whose plans are at formative stages will however be based on the level of demand for the organic fertilizers that have been certified by Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
"We are planning to set up a US$75 million facility here in Uganda," Dr. Rajesh K. Sharma, the joint managing director PIL said in an interview during the Organic Exchange Africa Regional Conference that was held here.
"It will be a big plant to serve the entire continent of Africa and we are also planning to export from Uganda to the US, Canada and Latin America."
Sharma said the company is doing a lot of market research, "and depending on the reaction from the market, we will decide on what to do next but we are confident we will go ahead with our plans."
Organic Exchange is a charitable organisation committed to expanding organic agriculture, with a specific focus on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton. The Texas-based charity helps create solutions, which improve environmental quality, enhance the livelihoods of farmers, increase profitability for innovative brands and their business partners and expand consumer choice.
The organic fertilisers according to Sharma help in control of physical, chemical and life processes, resulting in improved soil health, soil becomes porous resulting in better aeration and improvement in water holding capacity of the soil.
The fertiliser PIL manufactures are applicable on all crops but that everything depends on seed’s potential. "If the seed is good, then definitely production would double or even more than double," Sharma said.
PIL, Asia’s largest industrial fermentation plant manufactures organic manure in powder form and it does this by converting naturally available seaweeds into powder through spray drying technology.
The company also manufactures organic and herbal manure, which is made up of natural and inactivated bacterial cells fortified with seaweed extracts, bio zinc and other organic micro nutrients and other growth promoting substances like humic acid and hydrolised proteins.
Sharma said the product is highly effective for top borer & stem borer white grub, root weevil sucking insects, leaf minor mites, stem fly, girdle & blue beetle & nematodes and can be used for soil born diseases in various crops.
Organic manure also helps for rapid and better growth promotion for all crops and is for basal application. Sharma said PIL, through its local partner JN Agritech International Ltd, will make large demonstration farms throughout Uganda to show farmers how the fertilizers work and the results they give at the end of the farming season.
"We want to do this by joining hands with corporate businesses interested in taking farming to the next level," Sharma said.
The technology, which was developed by PIL with help from the Indian government through the Council for Scientific Research of India, has been around for two years. Organic fertilizers will compete against in-organic/chemical fertilizers like DAP (phosphate fertilisers), MoP (potassic fertilisers) CAN (calcium based fertilisers) and others for improving farm productivity.
PIL manufactures and markets biotech products like bulk drugs, food preservatives and additives, organic plant growth promoters, bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides and bio-control agents, animal health care (cattle/poultry feed supplements) and other value added products based on carbohydrates, through fermentation.
Pensions Sector Warms Up to Private Players
June 30, 2008
28 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
David Mugabe
Kampala
Continued and persistent advocacy from the financial sector may see the expedited opening of the pensions sector before the end of 2008, officials have indicated.
"There has been a vigorous debate over the reform of the pensions sector. In February 2008, a Pensions Regulatory Framework was approved by Cabinet and the Bill to be presented to parliament is being drafted," said Dr. Ezra Suruma, Uganda’s finance minister recently.
It is expected that the Pensions Regulatory Authority (PRA) will be established by December 2008, and shall supervise all pensions and retirement benefits schemes in the country.
Suruma says once the establishment of the PRA has been accomplished and the savings for pensioners fully protected, the sector will be gradually opened up.
One of the biggest debates in the industry has always been whether the private fund managers can be "trusted" with the citizen’s life savings.
Uganda’s pension fund, estimated in excess of US$100 million, is still solely managed by the state’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Industry experts believe the unlocking of the pension sector and fund will be a stimulant to job creation when these monies are invested locally and offshore and will spur economic growth.
"If we want to employ 14 year-olds who will be 24 in 10 years, we need to unlock the wealth that is tied up in long term savings and put it in action," said an industry source.
Experts front the argument that the simple reality in reducing donor dependence is not only a matter of increasing taxation revenue but reinvesting the huge stashes of cash in the pension sector.
"The fastest and most efficient manner in which to do that is to do everything to encourage domestic savings. And then invest those savings in the local economy," said an analyst.
The medium to long term objective of the reforms in the pensions sector is to protect funds of pensioners and retirees while at the same time utilize these resources for mobilizing domestic investment capital.
Retired workers have also bitterly complained about the slow pay of their retirement benefits by the Fund.
Uganda’s 2007/2008 budget availed financing of arrears to the tune of $173 million of which $124 million was for pensions. Suruma said about $186 million was provided for arrears in 2008/09 of which $75.7million will cover pension arrears.
New Stars Wow City Beat Readers
June 30, 2008
29 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Emmanuel Ssejjengo
Kampala
WHAT happens when you meet a collection of new-ly recognised music stars? City Beat readers, who had a chance to party with the stars, had varying reactions. Mausein Kambere was awed, while Geoffrey Okurut was impatient when the artistes turned up late.
Stella Seera simply looked on. They were among the lucky few who partied with Toolman, Dr. Hilderman, Clever J, Henry Tigan and Desire Luzinda at the City Beat/ Club beer fans party at Sport After Club in Ntinda last Friday.
Dr. Hilderman was patient with his first hit, Mazongoto that he wrote in 2004 and promoted it for three years. One Jacinta asked Toolman whether he was single and he replied in the affirmative.
Clever J said his father, used to call him a clever boy. The "J" stands for his real name, Jalamba. He is Jose Chameleone’s cousin but bad blood between the two started when he was told that Chameleone performed his song, Manzi wa Nani, at Lido Beach, Entebbe.
In retribution, he wrote Ensi ya leeta, to tell Chameleone off. "I am still using music to fight that battle," he said.
Peter Bazira’s description of Desire Luzinda was lyrical. "You are phenomenally gifted and vastly driven," he said.
Like Tigan, Luzinda uses her real name because it makes her feel comfortable. When the fans felt they had got the inner circles of their favourite artistes, they had picture moments.
The gap between the stage and audience was cut out during the performances. An engaging moment it was. Henry Tigan announced his party with Chaka Demus and Pliers on September 5.
Shem Semambo of Nile Breweries promised to support all the artists. Fans took home Luzinda’s autographed CDs and posters.
Car And General Ups Presence in Countryside
June 30, 2008
27 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Car and General has strengthened its presence in Uganda with the opening of a branch on Masaka Road in the western district of Mbarara. The new outlet will serve the town of Mbarara and the surrounding agricultural area of the Western Uganda with an extensive product range including lawn mowers, generators, engines, water pumps, TVS motorcycles and Piaggio three wheeler vehicles.
Mr. Jawahar Kant has been appointed the Car and General Mbarara Branch Manager.
He said, "The opening of the Mbarara Branch is part of the Company’s objective of building a solid regional organization and bringing our products closer to the people. This outlet will handle the sales, spares and service of all the Car and General lines."
Mr. Vijay Gidoomal, the Managing Director of Car and General, added, "The Company wants to support the country’s economic growth and development through products like the Piaggio three wheeler passenger, delivery and pick-up vehicles. These are ideal for farmers and businesses because they are powered by diesel engines with a fuel consumption of 36 kilometres per litre. This appeals to cost conscious owners as the price of fuel is on an upward trend."
"Car and General represents TVS motorcycles in East Africa. These bikes are designed to provide fuel efficient and reliable services for individuals and organizations requiring low cost transport. Our motorcycles are ideal for boda boda operators, courier and security work."
"Car and General is the appointed distributor of Cummins generators in Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Seychelles, Tanzania and Uganda. These are in high demand in the region because of their fuel economy, low emission and noise levels and consistent power density."
com
Two Killed On Lake Victoria Mishap
June 30, 2008
29 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Eddie Ssejjoba
Kampala
A family get-together turned tragic when their speedboat capsized in Lake Victoria, killing two people. The incident occurred on Saturday between Ggaba and Munyonyo in Kampala, one kilometre from the shores.
Kampala Extra police spokesman Simeo Nsubuga identified the dead as Phillip Tendo, 23, son of Eng. Peter Ssebanakitta of the Uganda National Roads Authority and Mark Baaliwo, 35, a boat mechanic. Tendo, a student of UNISA University in the USA, had returned to Uganda for holiday.
Nsubuga noted that the deceased did not have life jackets. The survivors included Erick Ssebanakitta, a student of the University of Massachusetts in the US and Robison Kironde, 12, son of Baaliwo.
Others were Lesla Pinto, Joan Zzimwe, Senencia Ibali, Michael Kakooza, Imelda Ambeyirwe, Dawn Gonzi and Goa Genze.
The commandant of the Marine Police from Kigo, Simon Okoshi, who led a team of five divers, said strong winds blew the boat.
The Police, he noted, recovered bottles of beers from the boat.
"We always instruct people to be sober before they take such risks."
Erick said the boat’s engine stopped running when strong waves blew it. "Our engine became faulty and stopped running. Water poured into the boat and it started to sink."
By press time, the Police was still searching for the two bodies.