AFRICA – KMAUPDATES

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Two NRM MPs Defect to Bobi Wine’s NUP

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda --- Five Members of Parliament have officially joined Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party. The MPs include Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe (NRM, Manjiya County), Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (NRM, Kassanda County North), Hon. Abdulatif Sebaggala (Ind, Kawempe Division North), Hon. David Kalwanga (Ind, Busujju County) and Hon. Francis Zaake (Ind, Mityana Municipality). The legislators were unveiled on Monday, 03 August 2020 at the NUP party headquarters in Kamwokya. Hon. Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) recently took over leadership of the NUP party as president, replacing Moses Nkonge Kibalama who said this was a merger between NUP and the People Power movement; at the party’s delegates’ conference on 14 July 2020. The National Unity Recon...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Govt to reopen airport despite rising Covid-19 deaths

AFRICA

ENTEBBE – The government is considering reopening Entebbe International Airport to commercial and other flights even as the country continues to battle rising Covid-19 community infections. The Covid-19 taskforce is currently discussing a number of draft standard operating procedures developed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) that will be followed by travellers. Some of the measures require all travellers to arrive early, wear face coverings at all times, maintain social distancing, handwashing or use of sanitisers and must go through a protracted slow check-in process. Others include installation of automated sanitiser at strategic points, marks at the airport to ensure social distancing, acquire temperature guns, three ultra-modern scans, which detect temperature...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Traders Appeal to Museveni, Kabaka Over Closed Arcades

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda --- Arcade traders under their umbrella ‘Kampala New Traders Association have asked the Kabaka of Buganda and President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in their woes, accusing arcade owners of refusing to open the arcades over rent arrears. They also demand the immediate release of their Chairperson John Kabanda who was arrested and remanded to Kitalya Prison on allegations of stoning a police officer during their demonstration last week. Mr Moses Agaba, the chief mobiliser of the New Generation Traders Association, said it is unfair for the landlords to deny them access to their goods and yet they have not been working. “They should be understanding and reduce the rent that they are demanding us to pay. Truthfully speaking they are very sure that we haven’t been wor...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

“You are either for NUP or not,” Bobi Wine clears air

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda --- The National Unity Platform principal, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has today urged all aspiring candidates seeking People Power endorsement to either make a conclusive decision to join the party or stay where they feel contented. Bobi seeks to answer the lingering question over candidates who are already labelling themselves affiliates of the People Power movement and yet they are reluctant to vacating the political formations to which they subscribe. Speaking at the press conference held at the NUP/PP headquarters in Kamwokya today, the presidential hopeful remarked that, “We don’t want to be confused by politicians, you are either for National Unity Platform or not.” He added that Ugandan laws have never accommodated double political subscriptio...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Makerere University announces 20 new dropped courses

AFRICA

Kampala: Makerere University Council has approved the restructuring of 20 undergraduate programmes, a move that will see 82 courses reduced to 62 in a new curriculum that will take effect in the next academic year, which starts in August 2021. Dr Vincent Ssembatya, the director of quality assurance, said the aim was to enhance quality at the university and spur research since the university wanted to increase the percentage of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students from 35% to at least 40% of the total enrollment. University also wanted to increase the proportion of graduate students from 10% to 30%, support curriculum that leverages research in the university and reduce duplication. “We are going to be research-led and focus more on graduate traini...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Crime: Man chops his wife to death

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda --- A nurse working with International Hospital Kampala (IHK) has died after her husband chopped her to pieces in the presence of their children. IHK management today, Tuesday, confirmed the death of Violet Kakai which occured on Saturday.Kakai had worked with the hospital for ten years. In a message shared, the hospital described Kakai’s death as untimely. Our sources tell us Kakai had a bitter row with her husband, who out of rage got cut her into tiny pieces using a sharp knife. All this time, their young children were looking on. It’s not clear what caused the fight between the couple.

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Bobi Wine insists to continue using Red Colour despite being denied by the EC

AFRICA

Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party has said it will not stay off the red colour as recommended by the Electoral Commission. The EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama on Monday said that the politician cum singer’s party applied for a change of its colours to make red dominant but the request was not accepted because red is already in use by the UPC. Justice Byabakama said that the NUP, formerly registered as National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party, had white and blue as its primary colours and although the request to change its name was allowed, the one pertaining to colours was not approved. Speaking to NBS Television however, the NUP spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi said that they will not back off the red colour...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

New Regulatory Affairs Committee: Putting Regulatory Frameworks at the Heart of the Continent’s Global Investment Competitiveness

AFRICA

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 4, 2020/ -- The African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) is delighted to announce the nomination of its Regulatory Affairs Committee, which will serve on its Advisory Board for 2020 and 2021. The Committee will be central to the Chamber’s policy advocacy and advisory efforts across the continent to provide an enabling business environment for investors and entrepreneurs. Its members include: Nicolas Bonnefoy, Managing Director, Africa Oil & Gas LTDBill Drennen, President and CEO, WTD Resources LLCChijioke Akwukwuma, MD/CEO, Ocean Deep Drilling ESV Nigeria Limited (ODENL)Bruce Falkenstein P.G., Upstream Advisory and ConsultingOneyka Ojobgo, Associate Attorney, Centurion Law GroupJovita Nsoh, Regional CTO, Strategy & Innovation, Micro...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Tension as Uganda records more Coronavirus deaths

AFRICA

KAMPALA, Uganda, August 4, 2020/ -- The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that Uganda has registered one COVID-19 death today. This brings the total COVID-19 deaths to five (5). The deceased, is a 46-year-old female of Indian origin and resident of Kibuli in Kampala. On 1st August 2020, she presented at Kibuli Muslim Hospital with signs and symptoms consistent with COVM-19 which include: mild fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Upon suspecting COVID-19, the Kibuli Muslim Hospital team referred her to Mulago National Referral hospital for further management on the same day. Unfortunately, she passed away on her way to Mulago hospital. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Further investigations revealed that she was diabetic and off medication and had a history o...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

German Energy Investors Have a Bright Future in a Post-Covid 19 Africa

AFRICA

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 4, 2020/ -- On Thursday, the Germany-Africa Business Forum (GABF) is organizing an exclusive webinar to encourage new deals between German and African public and private energy stakeholders. This is an extremely timely initiative. Covid-19 has accelerated several major trends and dynamics within Africa’s energy sector which are set to significantly increase the demand for German capital and technology on the continent. Energy has been identified by most African governments and financial institutions as a key sector able to support Africa’s economic recovery post-Covid-19. In parallel, global trends toward a cleaner energy transition are now accelerating and Africa is no stranger to the game. The reshaping of the continent from 2021 onwards provides a ...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: World Trade Organization (WTO) members stress role of intellectual property (IP) system in fighting COVID-19

AFRICA

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 4, 2020/ -- IP measures in the context of COVID-19 At the request of South Africa, WTO members engaged in a discussion on the important role the WTO - and the TRIPS Council in particular - play in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing and least-developed country members highlighted the challenges COVID-19 has presented in terms of access to medicines, vaccines and associated technologies. They called for the TRIPS provisions to be applied with a focus on the rights to protect public health and promote access to medicines for all. These delegations said the TRIPS Council must ensure that vaccines and new medical technologies are made accessible and available regardless of the level of economic development and that intellectual property rights (IPRs)...

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Somalia: Cross Border Movements

AFRICA

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 4, 2020/ -- In Week 31, from 26 July to 1 August 2020, a total of 2,595 movements were observed at various flow monitoring points (FMP) across Somalia, of which 70 per cent were incoming flows and 30 per cent were outgoing flows. DTM has also collected information to monitor the specific vulnerabilities related to coronavirus among migrants. A total of 3,212 COVID-19 cases were identified, of which 34 were new cases. No new deaths were reported. Additionally, 1,562 total documented recoveries were reported. Forty-eight per cent of migrants reported not being aware of COVID-19. Migrants who reported not being aware about COVID-19 received a short awareness session from the DTM team. Download Infographic:https://bit.ly/39VRUCi

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Sudan: Floods Flash Update

AFRICA

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 4, 2020/ -- HIGHLIGHTS Heavy rains over the past week have led to flash and riverine flooding in different parts of Sudan, with Khartoum, Blue Nile and River Nile states amongst the hardest-hit.The storms have destroyed houses and displaced people, especially in the Blue Nile, where several hectares of crops have been flooded in the middle of the planting season. Other key infrastructure, including water points, latrines and schools have been damaged, increasing the need for humanitarian assistance.Government and aid organizations area already assisting people affected, and the Flood Task Force, led by the Humanitarian Aid Commission, has been activated at the Federal level to coordinate the operation. Partners are facing some challenges, especially in the B...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: Tanzania bans Kenya Airways due to Virus Pandemic

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA, TANZANIA

Tanzania banned Kenya’s national airline from entering the country effective Saturday, in the latest move in a deepening row triggered by Tanzania’s controversial handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Tanzania said Kenya Airways flights were being banned “on a reciprocal basis” after Kenya decided against including Tanzania in a list of countries whose passengers would be permitted to enter Kenya when commercial flights resumed on 1 August. “Tanzania has noted… its exclusion in the list of countries whose people will be allowed to travel into Kenya,” Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority director general Hamza Johari said in a letter sent to Kenya Airways on Friday. “The Tanzanian government has decided to nullify its approval for Kenya Airways (KQ) flights between Nairobi and Dar/Ki...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

CORONAVIRUS: Uganda registers fifth Covid-19 death

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, UGANDA

A 46-year-old female of Indian origin has become the fifth person to die of Coronavirus in Uganda, the Ministry of Health has said. “On August,1, 2020, she presented at Kibuli Muslim hospital with signs and symptoms consistent with Covid-19 which include mild fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Upon suspecting Covid-19, the Kibuli Muslim hospital team referred her to Mulago national referral hospital for further management on the same day, “the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Monday afternoon. “Unfortunately, she passed away on her way to Mulago hospital.” According to the ministry, the deceased was diabetic and off medication but also had a history of asthma for over 10 years. “Both diabetes and asthma are risk factors for Covid-19. Samples were analysed at th...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: DPP sanctions charges against top BoU officials

AFRICA, UGANDA

KAMPALA – The Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned charges against top central bank officials as findings of the Parliamentary inquiry into the sale of seven commercial banks start to bite.Mr Bernard Ssekabira, the Director of Financial Markets at Bank of Uganda, is first official to be summoned by the police Criminal Investigations Directorate to face trial in relation to the disposal of assets of some of the 7 banks whose sale was investigated by Parliament.“This is to inform you that the Director public Prosecutions sanctioned the matter for the suspect to appear in Court and the purpose of this communication is to request you release Mr. Benedict Sekabira to report at CID headquarters on July 30, 2020, such that he can be produced in court for th...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: MP Nsereko Tasks government to provide tax waivers for arcade landlords

AFRICA, UGANDA

Kampala Central Member of Parliament, Muhammad Nsereko has asked government to give landlords a waiver on rental tax to allow them waiver rent on their tenants who are on the verge of losing their businesses. On Monday, a number of landlords in the city centre locked traders shops over rent arrears that accumulated during the period of the Coronavirus-induced lockdown. While appearing on NBS Television’s Morning Breeze, Nsereko urged the landlords to instead “fight for a loan waiver” from government because if the tenants leave, the landlords will also be left with no money. The legislator argued, “We have to be realistic, the landlords have loans. The government should give them a waiver on rental tax; they will automatically waive rent.” “If this government wishes, it can bu...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

BUSINESS: Uganda’s debt to stretches to $1billion a year

AFRICA, TECHNOLOGY, UGANDA

Uganda’s debt stock is likely to increase by more than $1b per year even without taking on new loans due to failure by government to utilise borrowed funds, Parliament’s committee on the national economy has warned. The warning is contained in a report on the state of indebtedness, grants and guarantees, issued by the committee earlier this week. The report indicates that whereas loan disbursements against the Budget stood at 81 per cent in the financial year 2017/2018, it dropped to 77 per cent in the financial year 2018/2019 with Shs4,878.47b disbursed against a budget of Shs6,336.19b. The report attributes the decline to failure to utilise $5.08b in borrowed funds.“As at June 2020, Uganda had $5.08b of undisbursed debt. This debt will increase Uganda’s stock in the medium term...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Minister Magyezi drops out of race for Igara West MP seat

AFRICA, UGANDA

KAMPALA – Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi has confirmed that he will not seek re-election as Igara West MP in the 2021 elections. Magyezi became popular when he sponsored the Private Member’s Bill that was passed to remove the presidential age limit in 2017. But the minister, while appearing on a radio station in Bushenyi District at the weekend, said he will not stand in 2021 but will consider coming again in the future. Magyezi hailed the people of Igara West for supporting him and promised to pass onto someone who is willing to take over because he has completed what he promised them. “We don’t want enmity in our constituency. If you find someone that segregates in religion, kindly do not vote for him. I am a catholic but I built churches and mosques,” he said. ...

Aug32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: 5 hotels in Mbarara closed over Coronavirus

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, UGANDA

Authorities in Mbarara District have closed five hotels in Mbarara City after reportedly accommodating two Covid-19 positive guests.The hotels were closed during an operation led by the district deputy resident commissioner, Mr Emmy Turyabagyenyi, who also ordered for police deployment to seal off the premises. “Mbarara District Covid-19 taskforce on Friday closed four hotels that include Rwampara Suites, Leisure Park International, African Guest House, Golden Monkey Guest House and Acacia Hotel, all found in Kakoba division for hosting Covid-19 positive guests and their contacts,’’ Mr Turyabagyenyi said.He explained that on July 29, a Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) official from Bunagana border point who was travelling to Kampala slept in Mbarara before the test results of his driver ...