September 2020 – Page 2

Sep302020 by Our ReporterNo Comments

Uganda to Help Build Roads Inside Congo, Citing Trade Goals

Uganda's government said Tuesday it would help finance projects to surface over 200 kilometers (124 miles) of road inside neighbouring Congo as part of plans to boost trade between the countries. Uganda will contribute about 20% of the project value while the rest will be met by Congo's government in an envisaged public-private partnership, Ugandan Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala told reporters. Such an arrangement is unheard of in a region where governments struggle to expand road networks within their borders. Despite its vast size and wealth of natural resources, Congo remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Eastern Congo is particularly plagued by rebel violence. "There is always a first time for everything," Wamala said. "This is a joint project b...

Sep302020 by Our ReporterNo Comments

German Insurer Buys into Jubilee Holdings

Business, FEATURED, NEWS

The deal is worth Sh10.8 billion Allianz to acquire a controlling stake of between 51 and 66 per cent in Jubilee’s General Insurance businesses. Jubilee Holdings chairman Nizar Juma (L) Allianz Africa CEO Coenraad Vroliik (R) The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in five countries including Kenya and Uganda. The African subsidiary of the global insurer and asset manager Allianz plans to buy an eight per cent stake in Kenya’s Jubilee Holding Plc (JHL). The offer, subject to regulatory approvals, will see the Germany based firm acquire a controlling stake of between 51 and 66 per cent in Jubilee’s General Insurance business Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Mauritius, forming Jubilee-Allianz General Insurance Limited. JHL will retain ownership of its Life...

Sep302020 by Our ReporterNo Comments

France to Rule on Fate of Alleged Rwanda Genocide Financier

FEATURED, NEWS, Politics, Rwanda

A top French appeals court is to rule Wednesday on whether alleged Rwandan genocide financier Felicien Kabuga will stand trial in France or face a UN tribunal in Tanzania. Kabuga, who is 84 according to officials but claims to be 87, was arrested in May at his home outside Paris after 25 years on the run. The 1994 Rwanda genocide of some 800,000 people by Hutu extremists targeted rival Tutsis as well as also moderate Hutus. Once one of Rwanda’s richest men, Kabuga is alleged to have funnelled money to militia groups as chairman of the national defence fund. He is also accused of setting up the Interahamwe militia that carried out massacres as well as the Radio-Television Libre des Mille Collines whose broadcasts incited people to murder. A French court ruled in June that Ka...

Sep302020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

Tax Evasion and Theft ‘rob Africa’ of $89bn A year; UN study

FEATURED, NEWS, Politics

Nearly half of the total annual figure of $88.6bn is accounted for by the export of commodities such as gold, diamonds and platinum, the report found. Africa is losing nearly $89bn a year in illicit financial flows such as tax evasion and theft, amounting to more than it receives in development aid, a new UN study shows. The estimate, published on Monday in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) 248-page report, is the UN’s most comprehensive to date for Africa. It shows an increasing trend over time and is higher than most previous estimates. Nearly half of the total annual figure of $88.6bn is accounted for by the export of commodities such as gold, diamonds and platinum, the report said. For example, gold accounted for 77 percent of total under-invoi...

Sep302020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

At UN, Uganda Highlights COVID-19 Response, Commitment to Sustainable Development

FEATURED, Health, NEWS

Through deliberate and targeted actions, Uganda has been able to contain the spread of COVID-19, the country’s representative to the UN told the General Assembly, adding that the Government also prioritized sustainable recovery from the pandemic in its national plans. Philip Ochen Odida, Deputy Permanent Representative, speaking in person to the UN Assembly. To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda followed strong guidelines, standard operating procedures and systematic testing, tracing, quarantining and treatment regimen, explained Philip Ochen Odida, Deputy Permanent Representative, speaking in person to the UN Assembly. The COVID-19 crisis, however, “has given lessons and areas for re...

Sep282020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

UNRA Unveils New Ferry To Improve Water Transport On L. Victoria

FEATURED, NEWS

By Keefa Nuwahereza The Uganda National Roads Authority has unveiled a new modernized ferry which has been purchased by the government through the Ministry of Works and Transport in a bid to improve water transport in Eastern Uganda. According to officials from UNRA, the new ferry called MV Sigulu, which is a 300-seater, will connect the islands of Lolwe and Sigulu to Namayingo District mainland. The ferry, which is set to be commissioned soon, will be prying the following route as part the UNRA schedule; Watega landing site (Namayingo mainland), Bumalenge landing site (Sigulu island), and Kandege landing site which connect Lolwe Island. MV Sigulu when it was still under construction The ferry was built on site in JGH mobile shipbuilding site in Jinja and complet...

Sep282020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

Smartmatic Wins Uganda Biometric Voter Registration kit Contract with $22.4M bid

FEATURED

Uganda Electoral Commission picks Smartmatic for biometric voter verification kits Smartmatic has been evaluated as the best bidder for providing biometric voter verification equipment for the 2021 election with its bid of Sh82.8 billion (US$22.4 million). It beat Genkey, Idemia and Technology Associates according to the article. The same company was awarded a Sh66 billion contract supply equipment for the 2016 election. President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and accused by critics of electoral manipulation, stated last month that he wants to ensure there is no vote rigging in next year’s poll.

Sep282020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

Ugandan Players in Diaspora: Ritah Kivumbi Nets 6th League Goal, Aucho Shines in Misr Lel Makasa’s Victory

FEATURED

Another very interesting and entertaining weekend it was for a number of Ugandan players in the diaspora but do you know how they performed? As usual Ronald Lusulire who also hosts Tugukyangira Bunayira on 102.1 FUFA fm every Tuesday from 10pm-12MidNight along Sinan Rajub Ssenoga and Senior Journalist Abu Zikusooka brings you a detailed report of how our boys and girls fared. In the Swedish Elitettan, forward Ritah Kivumbi netted her 6th season as Mallbackens W defeated Sunnana W 1-2 on the road. He strike came in the 20th minute. In the Allsvenskun Women, Viola Nambi wasn’t in the match day squad as her Vaxjo DFF W beat Kristianstad W 2-1 at home. In the Swedish Allsvenskun, lanky defender Ronald Mukiibi wasn’t in the match day squad while Isak Sewankambo played full time...

Sep282020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

Cavendish University Uganda to Honour President Benjamin Mkapa

FEATURED

Cavendish University Uganda is set to celebrate the life and achievements of its former Chancellor and ex-Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa “We were saddened by the demise of our vice chancellor especially in a period where we couldn’t reach out to pay our last respect to him,” said Mr David Mutabanura, the executive director Cavendish University Uganda (CUU). Speaking at a function where the university was awarding scholarships to its students at their campus in Nsambya yesterday, Mr Mutabanura said Mkapa will be celebrated in a mass at Nsambya Parish on September 30, 2020. President Museveni is expected to preside over the function as the guest of honour. “He is remembered for his education, Pan Africanism, diplomacy, conflict resolution, zeal for economic emancipation, his e...

Sep282020 by Abel kawereNo Comments

US President Donald Trump In Trouble For Tax Evasion

FEATURED, NEWS

By Our Reporter The President of the United States of America Donald Trump has landed in hot soup after long-hidden records emerged indicating that he has been evading taxes worth millions of dollars for several years. The scandal came to light after The Times obtained Donald Trump’s tax information extending over more than two decades, revealing struggling properties, vast write-offs, an audit battle and hundreds of millions in debt coming due. The leaks indicate that Donald J. Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes the year he won the presidency. In his first year in the White House, he paid another $750. He had paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years — largely because he reported losing much more money than he made. As the president w...