News analysis Health Business

Pallisa: When is a candidate by New drug to stop Behind UIA boss Uganda: The sleeping
another name not the same? bleeding after birth sacking saga giant of COMESA

Issue No. 528 July 06 - 12, 2018 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8

Why can't Uganda

build Standard Rail?
Latest on why Chinese
contractor faces boot as
Kenya,Tanzania,Rwanda,go ahead

www.independent.co.ug
Kwibohora24
TOGETHER WE PROSPER

Happy Liberation Day

“Our achievements are founded on our unity; all Rwandans
are equal irrespective of where they are from or who they are.
Our history has taught us the lesson that our past should not
be our future. We are writing a new destiny for our nation, one
based on unity, hard work, truth and self-reliance.”
— H.E Paul Kagame —
INBOX

Issue No. 528 July 06 - 12, 2018

News analysis Business Health Arts Motoring

Cover story
Uganda railway project runs into more trouble
Chinese contractor faces boot

4 The Week
29 Comments
Social media tax starts to bite,
some run to VPN Tanzania’s illiberal tilt:
Magufuli came to office with
a reform-oriented agenda,
9 The Last Word
but today he is just another
In defence of social media tax: African strongman
Why taxing mobile money and social
media is a politically revolutionary act 33 Health
that may help improve our democracy
New drug for bleeding after
birth: Study done in Uganda
16 Analysis offers hope
The Pallisa Woman MP candidate case:
When is a candidate by another name
not the same candidate?
35 Arts & Culture
23 Business Indulgence at Close exhibition:
An exploration and challenge on
Behind UIA saga: Selfish interests threaten stereotypes of sexuality
the country’s investment agency

STRATEGY & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Andrew M. Mwenda
MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Were
INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR: Haggai Matsiko
BUSINESS EDITOR: Isaac Khisa
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jimmy Siya
WRITERS:Ronald Musoke, Flavia Nassaka, Ian Katusiime,
Agnes Nantaba, Julius Businge.
DESIGN/LAYOUT: Sarah Ngororano
CARTOONIST: Harriet Jamwa

PUBLISHER: Independent Publications Limited, Plot 82/84, Kanjokya Street, P. O. Box 3304, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256-312-637-391/ 2/ 3/ 4 | Fax: +256-312-637-396 E-mail: editor@independent.co.ug | advertising@independent.co.ug
circulation@independent.co.ug | Website: www.independent.co.ug

2 July 06 - 12, 2018

 Offline

President Museveni
receives a special
recognition from
Haji Basajabalaba,
(R) and Prof
Ssebuwufu, (2L) as
Woman member
of parliament for
Bukedea district, “A police officer will not affect an arrest
Among Anita unless a formal complaint has been
Annet (2R) looks
on during the
made. All arrests must be done with the
18th graduation full authorisation of the unit supervisors
ceremony or commanders.”IGP Okoth Ochola on new
at Kampala arresting guidelines
International
University on June
23.

Julius Mukunda, CSBAG

national Coordinator
with Agong John
Mark the budget policy
specialist speaking to
the press about public
financing for refugees
in Uganda on June “I campaigned for Mr Museveni on
26 in Ntinda. They Uganda Patriotic Movement in 1980
urged government when he had nothing. I funded some of
not to treat refugee
management in Uganda his campaigns, but I am opposing him
as a humanitarian because he deviated from what took us
disaster rather a to the bush.” Dr Kizza Besigye during the
development issue with
public financing model. 
Sheema Municipality by-election
INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA

Minister of Finance
Matia Kasaija, (R)
and the Ambassador
of China to Uganda
Zheng Zhuqiang at
the signing of Uganda
Customs Systems
modernization project “This work is going to be mainly
and Uganda roads and done by the UPDF. Police guards
Railway Polytechnic that were guarding MPs were
Project at Ministry of
Finance in on June running away because they
27.  INDEPENDENT/ consider guarding MPs to be a risky
JIMMY SIYA business. That the circumstances
under which they work endanger
their lives.”MP Kaps Fungaroo

10 58 100
Years Uganda Years of Families facing eviction
National Roads independence from the banks of
Authority is marking Somalia is marking River Nile in Kayunga

July 06 - 12, 2018 3

week
Social media tax starts to bite, some run to VPN
Social media users in Uganda have to pay a daily tax of Shs200
On July 01, Uganda
Revenue Authority (URA)
started collecting a Shs200
daily excise duty charge from
social media users. Dubbed
OTT or Over – The – Top
services is popularly known
as social media tax whereby
one can choose to pay a daily
charge or Shs1400 per week
and Shs6000 per month.
This tax has been
contentious since it was
mooted by president
Museveni earlier in the
year as a way of cutting
down on what he referred
Tension in South Sudan despite ceasefire deal
Despite President Kiir and
Dr Machar declaring a perma-
nent ceasefire countrywide last
week, there was fresh fighting
in different parts of the country
soon after a peace agreement
was signed in Khartoum,
Sudan. The military offensive
by both sides cast doubt about
the seriousness of the two lead-
ers to bring lasting peace to
South Sudan. The Khartoum
4 July 06 - 12, 2018
to as ‘Lugambo’ or rumor
mongering as well as earning
the country more revenue.
Its implementation has also
caused uproar with activists
calling for abandoning of
SIM cards and some telecom
companies scrapping
subsidized social bundles that
have been providing access
to platforms like WhatsApp,
twitter, snapchat, Facebook
and Instagram.
As a result some social
media users against the new
tax have resorted to VPN
(Virtual Private Networks, an
Declaration Agreement has five
critical areas that will form the
foundation of a comprehensive
peace agreement to be realised
by July 10: A permanent cease-
fire; reforms in the security
sector; rehabilitation of the
oil wells; improvement of the
South Sudan infrastructure con-
nected with the livelihood of
the citizens; and regional coun-
tries invited to deploy necessary
application that can protect a
person’s identity or location
to stay anonymous on the
internet to bypass it.
However, Payment for
social media, according to a
joint statement by telecom
companies – MTN, Airtel
and Africell can be made via
mobile money. This can be
done by dialing *185*2*5# for
Airtel, and *165*2*5# for MTN.
Government expects to
collect up to 120 billion
annually from the social media
users who are estimated to be
about two million.
forces to supervise the ceasefire.
“I am committed and respect all
the documents that have been
signed and will abide by all the
agreements that will follow,”
President Kiir pledged in a
forum presided over by Presi-
dent Omar al-Bashir of Sudan
on behalf of the Inter-Govern-
mental Authority on Develop-
ment (IGAD) mediators.
Health Ministry
puts rotavirus on
vaccination schedule
Until June26, you had to part
with not less than Shs70,000
to have your child vaccinated
against rotavirus, a leading
cause of diarrhea among infants
and children because it was
not yet on the schedule critical
childhood killer diseases that
the government was looking at
eliminating.
Now the vaccine has become
the 11th on the schedule of
critical vaccinations and children
will receive the two oral doses
at 6 and 10 weeks of age, with
an interval of at least 4 weeks
between doses at no charge.
“An estimated 10,637 children
below five years of age die in
Uganda each year due to rotavi-
rus diarrhea,” Health Minister
Jane Ruth Aceng said adding
that the disease is among the
top ten causes of morbidity in
Uganda, with rotavirus being
responsible for about 40% of all
diarrheal cases.
Experts say even as improved
access to clean water and better
sanitation and hygiene practices
are vital to preventing most
diarrheal diseases, they have
done little to disrupt rotavirus
infection.
*terms and conditions apply

Africa must integrate politically
for survival-Museveni
Africa must renew its view of
political integration where pos-
sible because to guarantee stra-
tegic security for the survival
for its future. “Being devel-
oped alone does not make you
immune from external threats.
Integration will guarantee Afri-
ca for our own future survival
and security. Where possible,
economic integration must take
place alongside political inte-
gration,” President Museveni
said while speaking at a joint
press conference with President
Alpha Conde at the Sheraton
Hotel in Conakry, Guinea. The
two leaders who had prior held
Week
a bilateral meeting between
their respective delegations had
just witnessed the signing of a
WE ARE
HIRING!
Memorandum of Understand-
ing for holding political and
diplomatic entry between the
two countries. Uganda was rep-
resented by Uganda State Min-
ister for Foreign Affairs Okello
Oryema, while Guinea, Cona-
Are you a Graphics designer?
kry was represented by Defence
Minister Mohamed Diane. We are looking for someone creative and up to date
Among other things, the two with the latest trends in design tools.
countries agreed to coorporate
in the areas of agriculture, agro
processing, livestock, energy, Send CV to:
defence and security. E-mail: jwere@independent.co.ug
Tel: +256-312-637-391/ 2/ 3/ 4

Social media death threats worry Lord Mayor Lukwago

Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias
Lukwago’s security has been boasted
following threats against his life. He said
he had received threats on his social media
from unknown individuals.
“As the country continues to witness
assassinations, we have received threats
via social media particularly from
Facebook,”Lukwago wrote in a letter to the
Inspector General of Police Martin Ochola.
Lukwago’s complaints come after
a post by a one Titas Seruga that
assassins were in the country to kill
another popular politician and said
he predicted an opposition politician
cautioning the likes of Lukwago,
Forum for Democratic Change’s
Kizza Besigye and Robert Ssentamu
Kyagulanyi to be careful.
However, on July02, the police said
they had launched an investigation to
establish the true identity of Seruga who
has of recent been posting security related
information. Seruga like the popular TVO
whose true identity has remained a mystery
even as suspects have been arrested and
released for failure of getting information to
link them to the posts is found of releasing
information that makes people panic.

July 06 - 12, 2018 5

 Week

Hundreds march in protest against women murders US Supreme Court upholds

Women and men in black
T-shirts carrying placards
reading ‘all women lives
matter’, ‘Justice for women’,
‘her body her future’ and
other messages marched
through the streets of Kam-
pala on June30 protesting
against the unexplained
spate of kidnaps and mur-
der of women. The demon-
strators who included the
US ambassador Deborah
Malac and French ambas-
sador Stephanie Rivoal
demanded to know how
Women marching in Kampala on June 30.
far the police had reached
with investigations into the
killings.
One of the organiz-
ers Researcher Dr. Stella
Nyanzi said as part of the
activities, they plan to visit
areas and families of the
murdered women and talk
to members of the commu-
nity and meet members of
parliament as they highlight
the plight of women in the
country.
The march came at the
time when the security
organs have been put on
spot over assassinations,
assassination threats and
murder in the country. Just
last week, the president
was for the second time
invited to parliament to
answer questions relating
to the same. His first state
of security address which
was broadcast live was
criticized for not answering
critical questions and calls
for another security meet-
ing with the legislators
were made.
Trump’s travel ban
The American Supreme Court on
June 26 upheld President Donald
Trump’s travel ban on countries
mostly Muslim. The ban had been
challenged in court on grounds that
it was discriminatory and that Trump
exceeded his authority.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote
in the ruling that presidents have
substantial power to regulate
immigration.
International reports show that
after the 5-4 decision which is also the
court’s first substantive ruling on the
Trump administration policy, he said it
was a moment of profound vindication
following months of hysterical
commentary from the media and
Democratic politicians who refuse to
do what it takes to secure the country’s
border.
The travel ban issued in September
last year bans travellers from Syria,
Somalia, North Korea, Libya, Iran,
Venezuela and Yemen from entering
the US.
However, even with the ruling
in place, several people protested
the ban outside the court calling it
unconstitutional and an attack on
freedom and equality by the president.

Ex-police intelligence chief jailed

Col Atwooki Ndahura, former director
of police crime intelligence is currently in
detention at Makindye military prison over
charges of interfering with the process of
the law. He was charged before the Unit
Disciplinary Committee of the Chieftaincy
of Military Intelligence (CMI) at Mbuya
weeks after his arrest in a swoop of police
officers who worked closely with former
Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale
Kayihura. The former police boss is also
in detention at the same prison with 26
other officers as investigations into criminal
activities in the police during his era
continue. Col Ndahura was charged with
interfering with the process of law contrary
to Section 166 of the UPDF Act, 2005. A
person convicted of the offence is liable
to imprisonment not exceeding seven
years. The Mbuya-based disciplinary unit,
chaired by Col Tom Kabuye, remanded
Col Ndahura to Makindye Military Prison
until July 13.

6 July 06 - 12, 2018

Humour Did you know?
Winners have a
‘quiet eye’

Want to know who will win a World

Cup game or Wimbledon match? Look
closely at the athletes’ eyes — including
when it seems they’re about to lose.
Tennis star Serena Williams has done it
Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze has said she many times. In each case, the extreme
is unapologetic in regard to the Facebook post that landed her in trouble. pressure, rather than causing her to
crumble, only seems to sharpen her
concentration.
Psychologists and neuroscientists
have now identified some of the
common mental processes that mark
out elite athletes such as Williams.
And one of the most intriguing aspects
appears to be a phenomenon known
as the “quiet eye” – a kind of enhanced
visual perception that allows the athlete
to eliminate any distractions as they
plan their next move. Intriguingly, quiet
eye may even lead to the mysterious
‘flow state’ or ‘being in the zone’ – the
sensation of effortless concentration, in
which your mind is clear of everything
except the task at hand.
The quiet eye also seems to coincide to
other physiological changes throughout
the body. The heart rate temporarily
decelerates, for instance, and the
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Kahinda Otafiire has praised former movement of the limbs themselves
Buyende DPC Muhammad Kirumira for tipping the Government on the rot in police becomes smoother. All of this might
seem to support the idea that the
quiet eye filters distraction and calms
the mind and the body at the critical
moment, even under stress.
The same laser-sharp focus can help
doctors maintain their focus as they
perform keyhole surgery, and it is of
increasing interest to the military.
Williams herself is under no illusions
about what is most important.
“I’ve won most of my matches
– probably all of my grand slams –
because of what’s upstairs, not anything
else,” she told Sports Illustrated in 2015.
A large part of that may be the kind of
calm focus that comes from the quiet
eye. “If you are behind in a game, it’s
so important to relax, and that’s what
I do – when I’m behind in a game,
that’s when I become most relaxed,”
she added. “Just focus on one point at a
The Finance Minister Matia Kasaija has blocked a high level government delegation from traveling to New time… just that sole point, and then the
York (USA) for the upcoming World Political Forum meeting scheduled to take place from July 9-18. next one, and the next one.”

July 06 - 12, 2018 7

World Cup 2018

Brazilian star Neymar is fouled by

Mexican defender Edson Alvarez
during their round-of-16 match on
Monday. Brazil won 2-0.EMMANUEL
DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo receives

a yellow card from referee Cesar
Ramos.Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty
Images

A Japan supporter cries after the

match. Petr David Josek/AP

Chadli slides the ball past Japan

goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to finish
off Belgium’s 3-2 comeback victory.
Hassan Ammar/AP

8 July 06 - 12, 2018


In defence of social media tax
By Andrew M. Mwenda
Why taxing mobile money and social media is a politically
revolutionary act that may help improve our democracy
S
ince government introduced a tax
on mobile money and social media,
there has been deafening opposition
to it from every quarter of Ugandan
public opinion. Yet for economic and po-
litical reasons this is the most revolutionary
tax decision this government has ever
made. What is even more intriguing is that
those making the loudest noise against it
are equally that section of our society which
actually pays the least taxes.
Ugandan elites are always demanding
that the state delivers a large basket of
public goods and services – healthcare, edu-
cation, clean water, electricity, good roads,
railways, security, etc. to all citizens for free
or very cheaply. Whence does the state get
revenues to perform these functions other
than by taxation? Even if/when it borrows
to pay for these services, it has to generate
revenue from taxes to pay back its creditors.
The ratio of tax revenues to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) in Uganda is
very low, at 14%. Why? First because the
state’s tax administration infrastructure
is very thin on the ground. Secondly, the
state has a very limited economic map
of the population to collect taxes from it.
Thirdly a huge part of economic activity is
informal, making it difficult to tax. Fourthly,
many economic activities in this country
are tax-exempt. Fifth, the government has
always been afraid of the political backlash
from taxing its people and this explains its
predilection to borrowing. Indeed given
the hullabaloo over this tax, I am afraid our
government may panic and withdraw it.
It is true our government lacks a plan
for broadening the tax base. This has led
tax policy to always seek to extract the last
penny out of a few existing and compliant
taxpayers instead of bringing more people
and activities under the tax bracket. The
better strategy should be to increase pro-
ductivity so that more taxes are collected
from increased output. And quite impor-
tantly, government has no strategy for cre-
ating incentives to attract people from the
informal to the formal economy so that it
can tax them.
But be that as it may, the tax on receiving
and sending mobile money and on social
media is good because it makes very many
people pay direct taxes. The new tax is
The Last Word
impossible to evade and expensive to avoid.
It is collected electronically, making it easy
and cheap to administer. Mobile phone
companies become collection agents for the
state, which can easily monitor the activi-
ties on their network. There is, therefore,
no need to hire more staff and build more
elaborate infrastructure for tax collection.
Secondly you can only avoid this tax by
not consuming the service. Its demand is
inelastic because alternatives cost many
times more. If you decline to use mobile
money to send money to your mother in
Katakwi in order avoid this tax, the cost
of taking it in person is much higher. The
inconvenience of looking for a person who
lives near your mother, to take it there for
you is too much, not to mention the risk of it
being stolen.
The use of social media for texting and
voice calls has reduced government rev-
enues from Short Message Services (SMS)
and voice calls. This tax is, therefore, one
way to compensate for this. If anyone uses
social media to earn money, surely they
should pay a tax on their income. And I
don’t see a problem with government using
this tax to penalise those who use social
media for lugambo and to hurl insults at
others.
The great advantage of this tax is that is
spreads the net widely thereby bringing
many more Ugandans into the tax ambit.
About 236,000 individuals with businesses
are registered to pay taxes in Uganda. Yet
only 24,600 actually pay taxes and a min-
iscule 4,150 pay 80% of it. The people who
do not want to pay taxes are also the same
people who vehemently oppose govern-
ment borrowing and yet always demand
more and better public goods and services
from the state.
For far too long, the government of
Uganda has been reluctant to tax the vast
majority of its citizens for fear of a political
backlash, like the one we are seeing today.
Hence for many years it relied heavily
on the generosity of its Western benefac-
tors through foreign aid. However, when
Uganda passed the Anti-homosexuality Act
in 2012, most aid was cut. Rather than cut
spending and/or increase taxes, government
went borrowing on the domestic market
and also turned to China on the interna-
Opinion
tional credit market.
Before 2012, government used domestic
borrowing for monetary policy i.e. to
control money supply. After the aid cuts,
government began borrowing from the
domestic market for fiscal purposes i.e. to
finance the budget. This has led domestic
debt to rise to Shs12.5 trillion in 2018 with
interest payments costing Shs1.9 trillion
this financial year. Yet the very Ugandans
denouncing government for imposing this
tax have been the same people denouncing
it for increasing debt.
Secondly, domestic borrowing crowded
the private sector out of the financial mar-
kets. This discouraged private investment
leading to the sluggish growth of the last
five years – from an average of 7.2% in the
20 years between 1993 and 2012 to 4.1% in
the last five years. Indeed by increasing the
return on treasury bonds, interest rates for
private firms skyrocketed causing many
companies to default on their loans and
some to go under.
There are many problems – both eco-
nomic and administrative – with the new
tax. But regardless of the weaknesses, I
think it is good. Its biggest inefficiency
(charging senders and recipients of mobile
money and asking people on social media
to pay the tax directly instead of deducting
it from their airtime) is actually its greatest
advantage – from a political point of view.
Because many Ugandans are being taxed
directly, they are now feeling the pinch. It is
very likely that (holding many factors con-
stant) they will now become more vigilant
in holding government to account to serve
them than they have ever done.
For far too long, the government of
Uganda had avoided making citizens pay
for the public goods and services they
demand and get by relying on aid. This dis-
articulated the state from citizens and made
donors the most important influence on
public policy. Now that the state is seeking
to rely on citizens for revenue, the oppor-
tunity for engaging them in public policy
making and implementation has a chance
to improve. This may contribute to consoli-
dating our democracy.
amwenda@independent.co.ug
July 06 - 12, 2018 9
cover story

Why can't Uganda

build Standard Rail?
Latest on why Chinese
contractor faces boot as
Kenya,Tanzania,Rwanda,go ahead
By Haggai Matsiko
President Yoweri Museveni is renegotiating the Standard Gauge Railway
(SGR) contract – again. And the negotiations are not going his way,
meaning that once again the project is likely to be delayed even more.

10 July 06 - 12, 2018


East African leaders at the ground-breaking ceremony for the SGR at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo in Kampala in 2014.
T
he Independent has learnt
that Museveni is once again
negotiating directly with the
contractor; China Harbour
Engineering Company
(CHEC), after he fired the
previous head of the SGR project, Kasingye
Kyamugambi.
Kyamugambi’s crime, according to
sources, is that he defended the $ 1.95
billion price CHEC has quoted for the
273km line between Kampala and Malaba
that Museveni does not like.
Some insiders claim that Kyamugambi’s
firing is the climax of intense lobbying by a
competing firm—Yapi Merkezi Insaat VE
Sanayi—which secured a similar contract
in Tanzania and has managed to win the
support of some within the walls of his
office, aides at State House and officials at
the Works Ministry.
The main objective appears to get
CHEC’s contract cancelled. Given that
Kyamugambi was opposed to this,
he became a target of the anti-CHEC
campaign.
Trouble for Kyamugambi is that some of
his staff who appeared to support CHEC’s
competitor are more influential at State
House. One of these is Miriam Kankunda,
a former Senior Private Secretary, who was
now working as Kyamugambi’s assistant in
charge of Finance.
This is the same Kankunda whom,
when Joy Kabatsi, the former Head of
Legal department at State House was fired
in 2012, said “was busy moving around
with papers reporting to the President,
mentioning my name”. Kabatsi said
Kankunda is the one who got her in trouble.
“She has always wanted me out and I
can assure you this brings in the Sembabule
politics. She is a Hon. Sam Kutesa lady.
He has people he has sponsored to really
harass me in State House and my work here
has not been easy,” Kabatsi was quoted in
Daily Monitor interview in 2012.
Kutesa’s close associates are once again
being mentioned among those who want
CHEC out and the Turkish Yapi in.
It will be recalled that Kutesa’s son-in-
law, Albert Muganga was behind another
company; China Civil Engineering Con-
struction Corporation (CCECC), which lost
the SGR deal to CHEC. The losers even took
the government to court but later apolo-
gised to President Museveni.
Some insiders are basing on this to con-
clude that powerful forces were against
Kyamugambi. They say powerful forces
have blocked documents supporting the
CHEC case from reaching Museveni and
created fake emails in Kyamugambi’s name
and sent them out to potential suppliers
showing that he was soliciting bribes. The
SGR office was forced to run adverts noting
that this was a fake email.
But their main plot has been a campaign
mounted to show that the CHEC contract
was inflated. All this while, some officials
at the Works Ministry, aides at State House
and even some staff at SGR have been
reporting to Museveni that Kyamugambi is
a stumbling block to the SGR.
cover story
Inflated costs?
The Independent has learnt that in an
attempt to get on top of the situation,
Museveni on February 15 wrote to the
Minister of Works and Transport, Monica
Azuba, noting that after enquiring from
multiple technical sources, he had found
several possible weaknesses in the current
SGR plan and concept.
He directed her to form a committee
to investigate it and involve Dr. Badru
Kiggundu; the engineer who previously
headed the Electoral Commission, and
later investigated construction anomalies
at Karuma and Isimba dams, to investigate
the deal.
The Kiggundu’s committee issued a
damning report in May, which appears to
have sealed Kyamugambi’s fate. According
to Kigundu, CHEC tender is inflated by
over $600 million.
Following this report, Museveni at a State
House meeting ordered that Kyamugambi
is fired and replaced with Perez Wamburu,
who has been the chief civil engineer in the
Ministry of works.
Interestingly, Wamburu was part of
another team, which Azuba had set up ear-
lier on Museveni’s orders on the same issue.
Wamburu and team had travelled to Kenya
investigated and concluded that the CHEC
contract was okay.
The team was led by Prof Edward Rugu-
mayo and included former Uganda Rail-
ways Corporation managing director Daudi
Murungi, Makerere University’s engineer-
ing don, Umar Bagambadde.
July 06 - 12, 2018 11
cover story
The committee noted that it
would be technically errone-
ous to compare Uganda and
Tanzania’s SGR because while
Uganda’s railway is based on
Chinese specifications, Tanza-
nia’s is based on Arema stan-
dards, which is American.
“We note that the total costs
given by CHEC are within the
cost estimates provided by JB
Gaulf for the Kampala-Malaba
line,” the experts noted, “These
costs also include provisions for
locomotives, rolling stocks and
the Kampala URC station com-
plex and the Tororo railway
training school.”
Kyamugambi’s camp says it
is not clear whether President
Museveni saw this report.
Apart from the report, Prof.
Rugumayo’s team had also
prepared a memo for cabinet
but every time it was to be
presented it would allegedly
not appear on the agenda. The
Rugumayo report that was
availed was also allegedly heav-
ily edited.
According to Kyamugambi’s
camp, the clearest sign that
Museveni had not been pre-
sented with the original paper
is that he set up another com-
mittee to do the same job. But
others say it is not unusual for
Museveni to do that.
Kyamugambi’s defence
The SGR project recently
appeared to be gathering
speed when Museveni met his
Kenyan counterpart in Nairobi
at the end of June during the
14th Summit on the Northern
Corridor Integration Project
on June 27 and the two leaders
made the right noises.
But like most big infrastruc-
ture projects in Uganda that
inevitably end up on Museveni
desk, the SGR remains a cen-
tre of jostling by competing
companies, their commission
agents, presidential aides, mem-
bers of parliament and even
technocrats who are all looking
at a slice of the bounty.
These bombard Museveni
with a steady stream of new
information all the time and,
since he is not an expert in rail-
way construction, the President
tends to delay decision making.
The result is endless postpone-
ment of project milestones,
12 July 06 - 12, 2018
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on the country's completed SGR route.
confusion, and uncertainty over
when implementation of the
project which has been 20 years
at the planning stage will start.
Kyamugambi, the now
booted former head of SGR,
appears to be the latest victim
of the jostling.
A civil engineer, who previ-
ously worked with the Nation-
al Planning Authority (NPA),
Kyamugambi combined
national planning experience
and engineering expertise and
was handed the job in January
2016.
Knowing the complexity of
interests around such projects,
Kyamugambi had reportedly
refused to take the job when
Museveni first gave it to him.
Finally, he accepted the offer.
At the time, Kyamugambi
also happened to be one of the
most knowledgeable techno-
crats, having been part of the
initial processes on the project
even before the project was
handed to CHEC.
Kyamugambi was handed
the job when the govern-
ment had already agreed the
US$1.95 billion contract price
with CHEC.
At that rate, the Ugandan
SGR would cost $7.3 million
per km.
That is comparable to what
Kenya paid for it recently
completed Nairobi- Mombasa
stretch.
Kyamugambi was con-
vinced that Uganda is getting a
good deal despite a December
2016 report by members of a
Parliamentary Infrastructure
Committee, which concluded
Uganda’s cost was inflated
when compared to Ethiopia
and even Kenya’s.
Kyamugambi’s team reacted
by defending their figures.
They argued that in railway
construction terminology,
there is a difference between
“route km” and “track km”
which the MPs missed. Track
km includes the tracks on sta-
tions and passing loops. Route
km is only the distance from
point A to B.
Kyamugambi’s team said
the MPs distorted figures
when they divided the cost by
route km for Uganda and by
track km for Kenya.
The MPs also reportedly
included the cost of rolling
stock and locomotives in the
Uganda cost and excluded it in
Kenya.
Kyamugambi’s team argued
that the cost should also factor
in speed of trains, safety, qual-
ity of works, and construction
peculiarities including gradient
and curve radius.
Apparently, while Uganda
has 24km of bridges, the Dar
es Salam to Morogoro stretch
in Tanzani is semi-arid flat ter-
rain, with two bridges and no
swamps. Uganda has 53km of
swamps with a hilly terrain.
On safety, for instance,
CHEC offered to construct a
line that would limit accidents.
This, officials noted, required
that there are no level crossing
where the train meets any road
at the same level or where a
vehicle can possibly roll off a
bridge and land on the train.
Apart from this, the CHEC
design has automatic signaling
which removes human error.
The train is computerised with
one control room, with train
drivers handling only emer-
gencies.
In the Uganda-Kenya com-
parison, Kyamugambi’s team
argued that Uganda’s cost is
cheaper because the Uganda
railway will use electricity
while Kenya’s will use diesel,
which is more expensive. With-
out the electric component,
Uganda would be $6.9m.
As always, there were also
reports of personal conflicts
between individuals. Dennis
Sabiti, the chairman of Parlia-
ment’s Infrastructure Commit-
tee which wrote the report was
said to have an axe to grind
with the Works Permanent
Secretary, Alex Bwangamoi.
Sabiti, who had been work-
ing as a commissioner in the
Works Ministry and did the
due diligence of CHEC.
Apparently, he had asked
the Works ministry to spon-
sor a group of MPs for a two
weeks trip to Ethiopia, Kenya
and China and did not get it.

None of this could be proved and was easily
dismissed.
Chinese, Whitaker in trouble
So far, however, Museveni has not
ordered CHEC out – yet.
In the latest meeting between him
and CHEC on June 21 at State House,
The Independent has learnt that he
only managed to squeeze a 3% cut or
over US$$ 50 million off the cost price.
Insiders say the Chinese insist the
price they quoted was the best and
they only allowed the tiny reduction
in order to look inflexible before the
President.
The recent developments have put
Museveni at odds with his main advi-
sor on the deal, the former US trade
representative for Africa, Rosa Whita-
ker.
Whitaker is a major broker for CHEC
and was very instrumental in convinc-
ing Museveni to kick out other Chinese
companies in favour of CHEC.
But she appears to have rubbed
Museveni the wrong way when she
reportedly pleaded for Kyamugambi to
be retained on the job and failed. With
Kyamugambi out and Whitaker side-
lined, CHEC is walking on a thin wire.
In 2017, Museveni also threatened to
kick out the Chinese. That was after his
counterpart, Tanzania President John
Pombe Magufuli told him that Tanzania
is getting a better deal of $5 million per
km from the Turkish firm Yapi.
Yapi officials even secured a meet-
ing with President Museveni and con-
firmed to him that they could construct
the railway at a much cheaper cost.
Indeed, the anti-CHEC camp
appeared to be winning when the
Works Minister, Monica Azuba wrote
to Attorney General William Byaru-
hanga on September, 14, 2017, seeking
guidance on termination of CHEC’s
contract.
Byaruhanga wrote back on Sep-
tember 27, 2017 cautioning that the
decision required to be grounded on a
solid basis, which the minister had not
provided in her letter. In the end the
contract was not terminated.
Two factors appear to have swayed
Museveni to retain the Chinese; one
was because they could support Ugan-
da with a loan from their EXIM bank
and two, they had Whitaker’s backing.
Museveni has tried to borrow money
for the SGR project from other finan-
ciers and failed. It is only China, which
was willing to give Uganda money but
on condition that the deal goes to a
Chinese company.
The trouble is that the SGR is not a
Uganda only project. It is part of the
greater East Africa region infrastruc-
cover story
ture project designed to be implement-
ed almost simultaneously by Uganda,
Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
The East African leaders held a
ground-breaking ceremony for the SGR
at the Commonwealth Resort Munyo-
nyo in Kampala in 2014.
Kenya hit the ground running, three
years later in 2017, had completed construc-
tion of its Mombasa-Nairobi section of the
SGR.
Kenya is now constructing a 120km line
from Nairobi to Naivasha at a cost of $1.7
billion, to be followed by the 266km line
from Naivasha to Kisumu Port at a cost of
$3.6 billion. Depending on when Uganda
finally takes off, Kenya appears ready to
do the 107km line connecting Nairobi to
Malaba at a cost $1.7, billion.
Even Tanzania, which previous consid-
ered a laggard and locked out of the short-
Badru Kiggundu lived so-called “coalition of the willing, is
now chugging ahead of Uganda.
It is constructing the second phase of
its 1,219km SGR which seeks to connect
Dar es Salaam to the port city of Mwanza
on the shores of Lake Victoria in northern
Tanzania.
Phase two involves construction of a
426-km line from Morogoro to Makutuporo
region in Dodoma.
Phase One whose ground-breaking was
held in May last year, involves replacement
of the old Dar es Salaam to Morogoro nar-
row gauge line with a new standard-gauge
railway line.
The line is being constructed for $ 1.2 bil-
lion by Yapi Merkezi and Portugal’s Mota-
Engil Africa.
In January, Tanzania and Rwanda also
launched the Isaka-Kigali standard gauge
railway (SGR) line that will accommodate
electricity-driven locomotives.
Initially, it was the Uganda SGR—the
Monica Azuba western route—that was supposed to
connect to Rwanda first. However, with
Uganda dragging its feet, Rwanda opted to
connect to the Tanzania SGR.
When he gave the State of the Nation
Address recently, President Museveni only
hinted about the SGR without any firm
dates or financial outlays beyond Shs50
billion.
Uganda’s fumbling affects mainly
Kenya’s plans to construct an SGR loop
from Nairobi to Malaba.
That line, experts say, only makes eco-
nomic sense if it comes to Uganda and
connects to a similar SGR from Malaba to
Kampala. It is a condition that the Chinese
financiers, EXIM bank are insisting on to
give both Kenya and Uganda a loan.
Under the arrangement, each member state
is supposed to do its bit. However, while
the other countries make decision quickly
and implement, Museveni’s camp appears
stuck in contract signing bickering.
Kasingye Kyamugambi
July 06 - 12, 2018 13
news analysis
FDC-party-President-Oboi-Patrick-Amuriat-addresses-FDC-supporters in Pallisa District.
By Ronald Musoke
T
he people of Pallisa District were
scheduled to go to the polls on June
28 to elect their Woman MP. But
the Electoral Commission quashed
it when it annulled the FDC candidate,
Catherine Achola Osupelem’s nomination
and declared Faith Alupo of the NRM un-
opposed.
Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the
EC chairperson said in a statement that
the EC had disqualified Achola from the
race because the names on her nomination
papers did not match those on her academic
papers.
While Achola’s academic documents bear
the name “Achola Catherine,” she appears
as “Achola Catherine Osupelem” on the
voter’s register, the EC said.
The events moved swiftly. Charles
Rebero, the Pallisa District Returing Officer,
declared Alupo winner on Tuesday June 19
and three days later, on Friday June 22, she
was sworn in as the new Pallisa Woman MP
in the Speaker’s Chambers in Parliament. To
compare, Paul Mwiru of FDC won the Jinja
Municipality East MP seat on March 15, he
was sworn-in two weeks later, on March 27.
The Pallisa District Woman MP seat fell
vacant following the former Woman MP,
Agnes Ameede’s decision to shift to the
newly created Butebo District which has
been carved out of Pallisa. The nullification
of Achola and the abrupt end to the Pallisa
by-election has left many questions.
The EC had on June 05 declared Achola
duly nominated after she, supposedly met
all requirements; including that she must be
a registered voter in the constituency. Ini-
tially the race had attracted five contestants
14 July 06 - 12, 2018
The Pallisa Woman
MP candidate case
When is a candidate by another
name not the same candidate?
but three pulled out. The question is why
the EC waited two weeks after the nomi-
nations, with just nine days to the polls to
annul Achola’s candidature?
Crispin Kaheru, the Coordinator of the
Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy
in Uganda (CCEDU), an alliance which
brings together over 800 civil society organi-
zations that monitor elections in the country
says he is not sure the EC has ever quashed
the candidature of a nominee as it has done
in Pallisa to nullify Achola.
“If you look at the technical grounds
upon which the EC used to nullify the FDC
candidate’s nomination, they seem very
weak and not backed up by precedent,” he
told The Independent on July 02.
Kaheru said in late 2017, a similar case
was brought before Court by the contes-
tants in the Buikwe election, but the Court
of Appeal ruled that a change or tweak in
name cannot cause someone’s nullification
from an electoral process for as long as they
can show that they followed formal proce-
dures to either remove or add a name.
Another case was in the Kibanda North

petition between Sam Otada Amooti and
Taban Amin where Otada petitioned High
Court in Masindi to cancel Taban’s win, on
ground that he used two different names on
two separate legal documents.
Kaheru says the EC has either been mis-
led or acted in a way that does not conform
to past court rulings on such issues. He
says, moreover, the electoral body has a
judge as its head.
On June 21, Achola filed a suit at the High
Court in Kampala saying she was duly
nominated by the EC on June 05. She says
she was, therefore, shocked when the EC
later cancelled her candidature following a
complaint by the National Resistance Move-
ment (NRM) party.
That complaint was filed on June 11 by
the NRM’s directorate legal services saying
Achola was illegally nominated yet she does
not possess the required qualification to
contest for the seat.
The NRM says by the time of register-
ing for her National Identification card,
the FDC candidate adopted the name
Osupelem on her other name of Catherine
Achola that appears on all academic tran-
scripts and certificates.
NRM’s “cowardly” act
Achola told The Independent on June 29
that she adopted her father’s name in 2015
at the time of registration for the national
ID.
“They just feared to lose,” she told The
Independent, “They still believe Pallisa is
NRM which is not the case.”
“And the people who think it is their
duty that NRM remains dominant in Pallisa
could not afford to take the shame. People
are not happy with what is happening in
NRM.”
Dan Mugarura, the FDC electoral com-
mission chairman also told The Independent
on July 02 that what happened in Pallisa is
“daylight robbery.”
“Achola just added her father’s name on
her document and she swore affidavits for
it,” he said, “So she is still the same person
in everything except the additional name
and it had already been judged (in Court)
that adding a name does not change a per-
son.”
He explained that the candidate provided
the EC with all evidence indicating that
there was compliance with the law when
she adopted the said names during the
enrollment for the national ID card in 2015
as she stated before the commission.
“They saw the energy in Pallisa and the
only way to deny FDC and Achola a win
was to look for a flimsy excuse to get her
out,” Mugarura said.
Dr. Patrick Wakida, the executive director
of Research World International, a Kampa-
la-based polling firm says the NRM party
just panicked because all conditions on the
ground showed that they were not going to
win that election.
Wakida says that Achola commissioned
Research World International to carry out
a survey to gauge her support and help her
re-orient her campaign strategy.
Wakida told The Independent that the
survey which The Independent has seen was,
however, halted after three days by the Pal-
lisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC)
owing to a lack of permission to carry out
such an exercise. That survey showed Acho-
la in the lead in six of the seven sub-counties
where the polling firm had already gath-
ered data. It was only in one sub-county
where the two candidates tied.
Wakida told The Independent that it was
after the campaigns had started and the
NRM had gauged their support base that
the NRM wrote to the EC to nullify Achola’s
candidature on condition that she did not
Rebecca Kadaga hands copy of the Constitution and a copy of the rules of procedure to Alupo.
have the required S.4 certificate.
Wakida told The Independent that Achola
got advice from her father to add his name
(Osupelem) since it would attract a lot of
mileage for her.
Wakida says Achola went about that pro-
cess efficiently. She was registered as a voter
under those three names and she registered
as a candidate under those three names in
2015. She did a statutory declaration and
she presented to the Electoral Commission
and then the EC duly nominated her.
But in 2015, the requirement of the law
was to do a statutory declaration and go
ahead to gazette it if you are adding a name.
After 2016, if you wanted to add a name on
your original names, you did not have to
gazette those names.
“This time around she comes to contest,
she is advised to take away all possible
maneuvers of the NRM party; she goes
on to the gazette to declare all the three
names.”
news analysis
In early June, she confirmed that in the
gazette before nominations then she gets
duly nominated by the EC and the cam-
paigns began in earnest.
Wakida says the NRM has “shot itself in
the foot” because whichever way the Court
decides, NRM is going to suffer a beating in
Pallisa.
“If the Court decides to reinstate Achola,
NRM is going to suffer a beating. If they
don’t, still the people of Pallisa who are
already crying with the proceedings will
revenge.”
Putting the issue into perspective, Kaheru
wonders whether President Museveni who
has changed the order of his names on the
ballot, has sworn an affidavit on each of
those occasions.
Kaheru says since 1996, President Musev-
eni sometimes loses a name or changes the
order of the names on the ballot paper to
gain a favourable position on the ballot.
“Ideally if the EC is taking on the Pal-
lisa case that way, then we should see the
president swear an affidavit each time he
changes the order of his name,” he said,
“But let alone that, President Museveni
has been called Yoseri, then Yoeri and then
Yoweri. I am not sure all those changes have
been backed by an affidavit.”
“And even if they were, there is suspi-
cion bound to be created by such frequent
changes in just a single name. For what rea-
son and to what end?” Kaheru wondered,
“The question is how come we have not
seen the EC take such a stern position?”
“The reason would be that nobody has
ever petitioned the president for the name
change but if it is standard procedure then
the EC should come out and pronounce
itself on that anomaly even without anyone
coming out to challenge that irregularity.”
July 06 - 12, 2018 15
FEATURE
Cuban doctors in Kenya
Why they don’t deserve the treatment they’re getting
By Rich Warner
C
uban medical missions abroad
are perhaps one of the most
significant legacies of the
1959 Cuban Revolution. The
programme involves Cuban doctors
offering health care services in host
countries, often in impoverished rural
16 July 06 - 12, 2018
communities where there’s little access.
The programme stemmed from
Cuba’s foreign policy objectives of anti-
colonialism and humanitarianism in the
1960s. It became one way in which Cuba
could avoid the isolation intended by the
trade embargo imposed by the U.S. and
its expulsion from the Organisation of
American States (OAS).
Well over 131,993 Cuban doctors have
taken part in international missions in
107 countries. Kenya is the latest. The
first 50 specialists arrived in the country
recently, with 50 more to follow. All are
expected to work in underserved rural
areas.
But their arrival has been met with a
storm of protest. Some Kenyan health

professionals have strongly opposed
their arrival on the grounds that they will
be taking away local jobs.
My understanding of the work
of Cuban doctors has been greatly
influenced by the fact that I spent
seven years studying medicine in
Cuba, one of thousands of students
from all over the globe who have had
the opportunity to study medicine on
the island. The experience gave me a
keen understanding of how the Cuban
health system works. It also helped me
understand what lies behind the medical
missions programme.
I accept that the way the programme
is implemented in countries like
Well over
131,993
Cuban doctors
have taken part
in international
missions in
107
countries
Kenya leaves a lot to be desired. But
I would also argue that the services
being provided by Cuban doctors are
invaluable and the reasons for not
wanting them in Kenya are not justified.
The national benefit is paramount
The current fears of the Kenyan
medical fraternity are understandable.
But their fears may be based on
misinformation. Prior consultations
between Kenyan government officials
and the medical fraternity would have
gone a long way to allaying these.
Nevertheless, I believe that Kenyan
doctors should focus on the national
benefits of the programme. Cuban
doctors are sent to rural, under-served
areas – areas that local doctors often
refuse to work in. In these communities,
the mere presence of a doctor can make
a tremendous difference in health
outcomes.
In addition, the Cuban doctors being
sent to Kenya are highly specialised in
areas such as oncology and nephrology;
areas of medicine which are in demand
the world over. Their presence can only
improve access to specialised medical
care while reducing congestion in
referral hospitals.
Cuba’s healthcare missions
Despite a level of economic stagnation,
Cuba has managed to maintain a
universal health care system viewed
as a model for other countries. Current
data shows the doctor to patient ratio in
Cuba is well above the United Nation’s
target of 1:1000, at 7.5:1000 in 2014. By
comparison, Kenya has a ratio of 0.204
doctors per 1000 patients.
Cuban trained doctors have been
praised the world over for the level
of service and compassion they offer.
There are numerous examples of work
that they’ve done. For example, Cuban
doctors were sent to South Africa during
a brain-drain in the post-apartheid era as
white medical doctors left that country
in droves.
FEATURE
They also helped develop medical
faculties in Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, The
Gambia and Haiti between 1963 and
2004. And they showed tremendous
humanitarian spirit during the Haitian
Earthquake in 2010, the Ebola outbreak
of 2014, and even offered the U.S.
assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina. The offer was rejected.
The argument that Kenya should
invest in its own citizens rather than
sign a multi-million dollar deal with
the Cuban government is a fair one and
should be addressed. But I do not believe
that it is simply a question of one or the
other.
Studying medicine is costly and
requires training for between six to
seven years. This excludes specialisation.
But what happens in the interim to
sick, impoverished individuals in rural
communities while doctors are being
trained? Cuban doctors should be seen
as a temporary reinforcement offering
a level of service every Kenyan should
demand.
Why Cuban doctors?
Is a Cuban doctor better than a Kenyan
one? No. But Cuban doctors have
specific expertise in dealing with tropical
diseases such as malaria. This remains a
major problem in Kenya even though it
was eradicated in Cuba more than three
decades ago.
It’s also important to keep some
perspective when it comes to the numbers.
Foreign physicians make up below 10% of
all doctors in Kenya. There are 939 foreign
doctors in the country’s register – but the
majority (358) is from the U.S. Only 100 are
from Cuba. This is a tiny number.
The presence of these foreign doctors
should be seen as a benefit to the country’s
health care service. It offers the opportunity
for Kenyan physicians to learn from the
Cubans’ experiences working in a universal
health care system with emphasis on
preventative medicine. They could also
learn from their integrated community
medicine approach, how they have
managed to eradicate various diseases as
well as policies and guidelines in place in
Cuba that could be implemented in Kenya.
Cuban physicians will also be able to
learn from their Kenyan counterparts how
their system operates, difficulties and
challenges of working as a physician in
Kenya as well as the cultural norms that
Cuban physicians would have to consider
when offering services to Kenyans.
Ultimately, the Kenyan health care
system and its people will reap the rewards
of the presence of Cuban doctors.
Rich Warner is a PhD Candidate, Anglia
Ruskin University
July 06 - 12, 2018 17
advertorial

How ‘The Solar Revolution’ is

transforming lives in rural Rwanda
I
n Gakenke district, Ruli sector, Northern provision to ensure that the national electri- climate change, BBOXX has opened the
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to account for about 48% of national energy

18 July 06 - 12, 2018


How BDF enables
disadvantaged groups to
access investment funds
CEO BDF Innocent bulindi
A
few years ago, COMEKA, a coop-
erative of furniture makers, want-
ed to buy modern equipment to
expand their business, but no bank
was willing to fund them because they did
not have collateral, according to Daniel Du-
shimimana, who heads the cooperative. The
cooperative, which is made up of former
unemployed youth, had almost hit a dead
end when they were advised to approach
Business Development Fund (BDF) for sup-
port. The advice proved to be vital and was
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BDF agreed to buy six modern machines
worth Rwf43 million for the group’s carpen-
try workshop, Dushimimana adds.
He explains that they had formed the
cooperative following government pro-
grammes, urging Rwandans to work in
groups to access support, including funding
and training. Later, government set up a
workshop for the group; and it is this facil-
ity that they wanted to equip with modern
machinery to improve operations and the
quality of their furniture. The official says
BDF intervention has facilitated the coop-
erative to make quality furniture, which has
improved their earnings.
“As we celebrate 24th anniversary of
our country’s liberation, we are proud
to say that we have been liberated
from demanding, but unproductive jobs.
Presently, our furniture is highly-sought
after in Rusizi and beyond,” he notes.
He adds that members of the cooperative
have also acquired news skills, enabling
them to produce furniture that is very com-
petitive on the market.
advertorial
BDF funding helps 1,000s to bring
ideas to life 
According to BDF Chief Executive Offi-
cer, Innocent Bulindi, over Rwf72.5 billion
has been invested in more than 25,340 entre-
preneurship groups and start-ups. Rwf59
billion of this money was used as guarantee
for enterprising Rwandans, especially youth
with bankable and scalable businesses, to
secure loans from banks or SACCOs to
expand or kick-start the ventures. Bulindi
says ventures supported by the Fund have
created over 112,000 jobs across different
sectors of the economy. “The Fund has
helped to close the financial gap between
rich and poor, and has empowered young
entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.” Some of
the beneficiaries include former drug users,
street vendors, unemployed graduates and
people with disabilities and other disadvan-
taged groups, says Bulindi.
He attributes the success of the Fund is
to good leadership and collaboration with
supportive partners, including ministries
of trade and industry; finance, and that of
labour, and other financial institutions. “The
government gave us over Rwf30 billion to
invest in people’s projects; that trust is the
foundation of our activities,” says Bulindi.
People-centric
The CEO says that the Fund is peo-
ple-centered, with a vision of extend
services to majority of Rwandans,
mainly youth, women and people with
disabilities. To achive this goal, it has
set up branches in all the 30 districts of
Rwanda, and also partners with SAC-
COs to reach business operators and
innovative people at the grassroots in
both urban areas and villages. BDF also
offers beneficiaries advisory services
and trains others in new skills like use
of ICT.
Currently, BDF provides collateral and
funds through 508 financial institutions
including SACCOs.
Broadly, BDF is disadvantaged Rwan-
dans a lifeline, which has enabled thou-
sands to turn ideas into successful busi-
nesses that benefit founders, communities
and contribute to the development of the
country and its goal to become a self-reliant
middle-income economy.
July 06 - 12, 2018 19
advertorial

How BDF funding is

creating a new generation
of young entrepreneurs
By The Independent Reporter

W
hen Noelina
Dusabe
graduated from
college about
three years ago, looking for a
job was not part of her plans.
The enterprising young
woman instead partnered
with a friend, Juliet Ingabire,
and they pooled funds and
started an agro-processing
venture making biscuits
and dough nuts from sweet
potatoes. The firm, Dusabe
Enterprises Limited based
in Rutarake Nyagatare
district, also vends roasted
groundnuts. The agro-
processing venture sells most
of the biscuits in Kigali and
Nyagatare supermarkets and
retail shops. However, the
initial stages of the business
were not a walk in the park
as Dusabe and Ingabire
struggled to raise funds
to stay afloat. Dusabe says
they used to hire processing
equipment, which always
ate into their earnings and
threatened the start-up’s
survival. During that time,
the start-up used to make
about 300 packets weekly
worth Rwf150,000. Today,
the firm produces over 700
packets of biscuits and dough
nuts, raking in more than
Rwf300,000 per week.
“The increase in
production capacity and
earnings was only possible
after we secured funding
worth Rwf11 million from
Business Development Fund
(BDF) to inject into the start-
up. The money enabled us
to buy our own processing
equipment that boosted
output,” says Dusabe. “We
Niyongira, from Work Company exhibiting the firm’s products at the 13th Kigali Agrishow. BDF funding
enabled the firm to increase its range of products. By Stephen Nuwagira.

20 July 06 - 12, 2018

 advertorial
also bought more raw materials like
sweet potato flour, milk and eggs; as
well as packaging materials. We also
leased a bigger piece of land (for a year)
to expand our potato gardens so that
we reduce on the cost of operations,”
Dusabe adds. She was speaking during
the 13th Kigali Agriculture Show at
Mulindi Agriculture showground in
Gasabo District, where she exhibited her
products.
BDF supports entrepreneurs,
providing funding and loan guarantees
for promising start-ups operated
by youth, and other businesses,
cooperatives, and also refinances
SACCO, among other interventions.
It also provides support services,
including training, sensitization, and
guidance.
The agro-processor says the firm will
now be able to satisfy growing demand,
thanks to improved production
capacity. “We are working to see how
we can expand and grow the business
so as to meet customer demand. This
also means that we will be able to A customer enjoys bezella juice during the 13th Kigali Agrishow on June 27. By Stephen Nuwagira.
employ more youth in the near future.”

Advice
Dusabe urges young people
particularly graduate not to sit back
waiting for white collar jobs when they
complete their studies. “It is important
that young graduates and other youth
use the skills and knowledge they
acquired from school to create their own
jobs and employ other youth. Besides,
it’s more rewarding to be your own
boss; you earn your own money and
you don’t have to depend on anyone,”
she explains. She, however, advises
young entrepreneurs especially women
to embrace best business practices, like
bookkeeping, planning and proper
money management if they are to thrive
and grow.
“We have been able to stay afloat
and expand our business because of
money disciple and BDF support that
enabled us to buy our own processing
equipment,” she says. Dusabe is one of the beneficiaries of BDF funding. By Stephen Nuwagira

Other beneficiaries
Work Company Limited, a beverages
maker in Nyakabuye, Rusizi district,
was able to expand product range
and improve production processes
after acquiring a Rwf10 million loan
from BDF. The start-up now produces
whisky, wine and two brands of
juice; one from passion fruits and
another from bezella flowers. Barisme
Niyongira, a marketing officer Work
Company, says the firm used the money
to expand and increase their product
offerings. “We also bought better
equipment to process juice and acquired
more land to grow bezella and passion
fruits, which will help us to become 700
self-sustaining in the long-run in packets
terms of raw materials.” “Generally, of biscuits
the loan has helped us to improve and dough
our production capacity and, will nuts 300
support our growth going forward,” packets weekly
explains Niyongira. The start-up now worth
makes over 40 crates of the two brands Rwf
of juice compared to about seven Rwf
300,000
150,000
previously. Work Company Limited
was one of the agro-businesses that per week
participated in this year’s agrishow
that run from June 26-July 03.

July 06 - 12, 2018 21

rwanda
Rwanda to host
African agric forum
By Independent Reporters
A
frica’s agricultural sec-
tor and food systems
must rapidly and sus-
tainable transform to
deliver incomes, food security,
nutrition, and wider economic
opportunities if the continent is
to achieve middle income status
by 2050.
Experience and evidence
shows that achieving food secu-
rity targets and huge returns on
agribusiness requires leaders
that are visionary, accountable
and that integrate efforts by
diverse stakeholders including
farmers, local and global private
sector, civil society, investors,
and development partners. The
leadership must also be pre-
pared for regular and rigorous
progress assessments.
This call was made on
May 07, 2018 at the official
announcement of Rwanda as
this year’s host of the annual
2018 African Green Revolution
Forum (AGRF 2018) to be held
later in the year, 3-7 September.
The unveiling event was held
at the state-of-the art Kigali
Convention Centre where the
September Forum will be con-
vened.
Rwanda was selected to host
the Forum due, in large part,
to its leadership role in agricul-
ture, both at home and across
the continent. For example, in
January 2018, at the AU Sum-
mit, the country was recognized
by the African Union Com-
mission as the top performing
nation on the continent in the
pursuit of agricultural goals
and targets.
Organized under the
leadership of H.E. President
Paul Kagame and the theme
of “Lead. Measure. Grow:
Enabling new pathways to turn
smallholders into sustainable
agribusinesses”, the AGRF 2018
will build on the momentum in
Africa’s agricultural transfor-
mation in recent years. It will
also ensure that this is a mar-
22 July 06 - 12, 2018
Farmers occupy a place of honor for Silverback Coffee of
Rwanda. Silverback Coffee of Rwanda
quee moment for both Rwanda
and the continent to further
advance inclusive agricultural
transformation at the heart of
the continent’s broader eco-
nomic transformation agenda
and Agenda 2063.
“Agriculture is the economic
mainstay of the majority of
households in Rwanda and
makes a significant contribution
to our country’s economy. The
sector accounts for approxi-
mately 30 per cent of the GDP
and employs about 69 per cent
of the labor force. It will be
key in propelling our country
to middle income status by
2030 and high-income status
by 2050,” said H.E. President
Kagame.
“We are delighted to host
this year’s AGRF to learn from
compelling evidence across the
continent for further action.
Rwanda is ready to share les-
sons with other countries as
well as gain new insights from
its neighbors. We must continue
to do even better at under-
standing new advances and
deploying new solutions that
will enable us all to tap into the
full potential of our continent,
increase value addition, create
employment for our youth and
nurture viable agribusinesses,”
added President Kagame.
Now in its 7th edition, the
AGRF is considered the world’s
most important and impactful
forum for African agriculture.
It pulls together stakeholders
in the agricultural landscape to
take practical actions and share
lessons that will move African
agriculture forward.
In just the past two years,
the Forum has seen major
continental commitments on
agriculture. The AGRF 2016 in
Kenya, for example, resulted in
commitments of more than US
$30 billion dollars to support
the continent with investments
to increase production, income,
and employment for small-
holder farmers and local Afri-
can agriculture businesses over
the next ten years. The 2017
edition in Cote d’Ivoire, on the
other hand, saw close to US $6.5
billion worth of business deals
in palm oil, pulses, potato, and
rice by the private sector.
The 2018 Forum will look at
how Africa can meet its devel-
opment goals by tapping into
the full potential of its small-
holder farmers and the agri-
business sector. This is because
for all the signs of progress in
recent years, the continent still
needs to move from food short-
age to surplus, drive beneficial
continental trade, and create
millions of jobs and opportuni-
ties, particularly for women
and youth.
The Forum will advance this
agenda with several concrete
outcomes in terms of knowl-
edge sharing, the announce-
ment of new political commit-
ments to agriculture by several
governments, new programs
and investments, and progress
in unlocking billions of dol-
lars in private investment and
finance from the private sector.
Speaking at the launch event
in Kigali, Mr. Strive Masiy-
iwa, the Chairman and CEO
of Econet Wireless, as well as
Chair of the AGRF Partners’
Group, reinforced the com-
ments by President Kagame,
noting that, “Business and
progress as usual is not enough
for our aspirations as a conti-
nent; we must do more and do
it more successfully. By scaling
the right policies, programs,
and investments, governments
and partners in the African
agricultural landscape can now
transform the lives of millions
of smallholder farmers and put
a good number of countries on
the path to a sustainable agri-
cultural transformation, with
significant impacts on farmers’
food security, nutrition and
improving their bottom line
and incomes.”
“Given our theme and focus
on the importance of evidence-
based leadership in driving
progress, we could not ask for
a better host for the AGRF 2018
than the Government of Rwan-
da. With inspirational leader-
ship that measures and tracks
the progress we all want to see,
we can chart and advance the
journey to Africa’s future and
prosperity. We look forward to
working together to ensure this
is a transformative moment for
Rwanda and the continent,”
said Mr. Masiyiwa.
The 2018 Forum will attract
close to 2,000 delegates from
across the continent and the
world. These will include high-
level dignitaries, including cur-
rent and former Heads of State
and Government; Agriculture
and Finance Ministers; eminent
leaders of global develop-
ment institutions; top industry
captains from the national,
regional, and global private
sector; and lead representatives
of farmer organizations and key
non-governmental implement-
ing partners.
 GROWING AFRICA
The New Forests Company congratulates His Excellency,
the President Paul Kagame, the Government and the
People of Rwanda on this auspicious occasion of the 24th
edition of Rwanda’s Liberation Celebrations.
The New Forests Company (NFC) is one of the largest
forestry companies in East Africa, growing trees and
supplying sustainable value-added timber products to
the EAC. Following a recent audit by an accredited third-
party auditor, New Forests Rwanda is the first company
in the country to be recommended for certification by
a globally prestigious, sustainable forestry management
assessment scheme.
We are proud to be contributing to Rwanda’s Vision 2020
through social and economic development. Inspired by
the country’s clear vision and progress, we are striving
to become the most successful vertically-integrated,
sustainable forestry and value added timber-processing
business in East Africa by 2020. Our workers and partners
are the foundation upon which we can build this vision, so
we continuously invest in them and build capacity.

NFC has been operating in Rwanda since 2011, proudly

contributing to Rwanda’s growth and development:

Over 1 500
100,000 jobs
electrification created
poles permanent, casual
contributed to the and indirect
national grid employees

1.6 million
high quality
seedlings
were provided to
2000 outgrower-farmers
to plant over
Projects implemented in our community 1200 hectares
development programs in Nyanza, of new forests
Nyamagabe and Nyamasheke districts
include:

• Establishment of a tree nursery cooperative

• Supporting 4 x bee keeping cooperatives with
equipment, facilities and training
• 16 x clean water point projects
• Construction of 4 double classroom blocks
• Provision of 12 pit ablutions
• Donation of transmission poles for 2 x village
electrification projects
• Road rehabilitation works near our facilities

We are committed to providing our clients with the Email: info@newforestscompany.com

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RWANDA
Rwandan car plant opens
VW launches locally assembling cars
By John Mbaraga    cements another pillar for Volkswagen sub-
A
fter months of waiting, the first
batch of Volkswagen cars as-
sembled in Kigali, rolled off the
assembly line, opening a new
chapter in Rwanda’s automotive industry
and economy.
The Volkswagen Mobility Solutions plant
based in Kigali Special Economic Zone
in Gasabo district unveiled its first cars at
an event presided over by President Paul
Kagame, and local automobile industry
dealers touted the development as a great
move that will help cut costs importing new
cars.
“It takes us long periods to import cars
from Japan or Europe; shipping costs and
import taxes are also many. So, we are opti-
mistic that the new plant will bring tangible
benefits for the car business in Rwanda,”
said Jean Luc Mugabo, the commercial
director of RwandaMotor, the official dealer
for Suzuki and Sinotruk in Rwanda.
The $20 million plant is projected to
assemble 1,000 cars per year during the
first phase, and according to Volkswagen’s
South Africa chief executive officer, Thomas
Schäfer, the launch of the plant in Rwanda
24 July 06 - 12, 2018
Saharan Africa expansion strategy.
“Our goal is to play a leading role in the
emerging automotive industry in Africa as
we pursue a rapid and flexible expansion
strategy over the coming years,” he said at
the launch on June 27.
Schäfer said that the plant will
locally assemble models, like VW
Polo, VW Passat, VW Tiguan, VW Ama-
rok and VW Teramont.
“As demand increases, we will move
to phase two, where we will increase the
capacity up to 10,000 cars, with the of man-
ufacturing stage coming later on,” he said.
There are about 300,000 cars in Rwanda
as of last year, serving a population of 12
million people, according to RDB, but most
of the vehicles on the roads are second-hand
imports from Japan and Europe.
Boosting economy
Speaking at the launch, Kagame said the
plant strengthens Rwanda’s economic trans-
formation journey. “This facility undoubt-
edly represents a new chapter, in Rwanda’s
journey of economic transformation. There
are also positive implications for Africa gen-
erally. Not only can global brands assemble
high-quality products in Africa, they can
also find customers here,” he said.
Kagame used the opportunity and chal-
lenged Africans to change mindsets towards
embracing use of new products.
“Africa does not need to be a dumping
ground for second-hand cars or second-
hand anything. In the long run, you
end up paying a higher price anyway.
If you pay a high price for second hand,
why not pay for something new. Africa
and Rwanda deserve better and this is
one way of showing we can afford it,”
Kagame noted.
More taxes, jobs expected
Commenting about the launch, Vinay
Gorajia, the Akagera Business Group
general manager, said more people will
now access new vehicles.
“I don’t think that it will impact mar-
ket growth, but it will promote a shift
from buying used cars to new vehicles,”
he said. Akagera is the distributor of
Toyota vehicles in Rwanda.
For the taxman, starting of operations at
the plant means more taxes will come into
the national coffers.
“One, it will boost employment and

when employment is in place,
taxes will come up, that is the
impact I see with the estab-
lishment of Volkswagen in
Rwanda,” said Rwanda Revenue
Authority Commissioner Gener-
al, Richard Tusabe, adding that it
will also create new employment
opportunities. Up to 1,000 jobs
will be created in the first phase
of the project.
Residents
According to Jean Claude
Nzabonimpa, a Kigali resident,
it may take longer for most
Rwandans to afford the locally-
assembled cars. But he is opti-
mistic that people will support
the plant. He requested the gov-
ernment and Volkswagen to sell
the vehicles at prices affordable
to Rwandans, adding that this
will encourage more residents
to buy the vehicles. “This is a big
milestone that every Rwandan
should be proud of, own, and
support,” he added.
Car sharing services
Rwanda Volkswagen Inte-
grated Mobility Solutions chief
executive officer, Michaella
Rugwizangoga said the firm
will start car sharing services,
initially with a corporate car
sharing scheme, targeting
institutions, corporates and
non-government organisa-
tions. “We will start with
40 vehicles for the car shar-
ing service, and we look to
increase this to 140 cars in
future. Later, this will be fol-
lowed by ride-hailing with
initial fleet of 150 vehicles,”
she said. Next year, the firm
will roll out the car sharing
service to general public, with
vehicles at different stations
for self-drive. This will be fol-
lowed by hire services and
peer-to-peer car sharing ser-
vice, the official added.
Price per brand
The Volkswagen’s cheaper
local assembled car model
is VW Polo which is $23,881
(over Rwf20.7 million). For
VW Passat is $37,674 (about
Rwf32.7 million), VW Tiguan
is $37,719 or equivalent of
Rwf32.8 million); VW Amarok
costs $44,559 or about Rwf38.7
million, and the VW Teramont
model is at $48,156 (about
Rwf41.8 million).
School cellphones ban
Move to protect students draws mixed reactions
By John Mbaraga
T
he ban on possession of cellphones by
primary and secondary school students
announced by the Ministry of Education
in mid-June has provoked mixed reaction
with some teachers and parents saying it was long
overdue.
Others, however, argue that mobile phones
support studies as research tools and their use
should be regulated but not outlawed.
Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Dr Eugène
Mutimura said no student from nursery to high
school would be allowed to possess a cellphone at
school as a way to avoid disturbance in studies.
He says school inspections indicated that use
of cellphones had been causing disruptions dur-
ing classes and affecting student concentration on
studies.
Lycée de Kigali head
teacher, Martin Masabo, is a
strong supporter of the ban
on phones in schools. He says
there is no reason why stu-
dents should take phones to
schools seemingly to use them
for research because govern-
ment has provided computers
to schools.
“Therefore, such claims
are baseless since students
can access computers, right
from primary school level to
secondary schools, to do their
research,” he says. He adds
that in a case a student wants
to communicate with their
family, the school management facilitate them,
noting that some schools also have public cell-
phones installed at their premises.
Masabo wants even more sustainable interven-
tions to improve students’ concentration on stud-
ies, adding that it needs strong collaboration by all
the stakeholders - government, schools, parents
and the general public – to ensure students are not
disrupted to focus on their studies.
Some supporters of the ban argue that posses-
sion of cellphones has given rise to undesirable
habits in schools, leading some children to be
lured into drug abuse or premarital sex, which
affects their studies and lives.
The Education ministry had announced the ban
over two years back but it was not fully enforced
by some schools, which allowed students to use
the gadgets for research purposes, according to
the State Minister for Primary and Secondary
Education, Dr Isaac Munyakazi.
He says that it is necessary to ban the devices
in schools, adding that students can access them
at home.
“However, parents and guardians should also
always ensure that the children are using mobile
phones only for research purposes. If such mea-
RWANDA
sures are not taken, it will have negative impacts
on the kids and their studies,” he said in an inter-
view with The Independent .
Some school head teachers back the move
Groupe Scholaire Kagugu Catholique head
teacher, Jean Baptiste Habanabashaka, supports
the decision but notes that if use of cellphones is
well-controlled but not outlawed, it could support
students in their studies.
“A cellphone is like a computer, it should be
used at school only when conducting research.
Before the ban, we used to keep mobile tele-
phones of our students because the school has
internet, but we would allow the learners to use
the devices for research purposes,” he suggests.
“So, it is not fair for the ministry to completely
ban phones in schools; they should consider
allowing students to use them
for research purpose. There is no
problem with that, particularly
in cases where schools have no
computers,” says Habanab-
ashaka.
No research constraints
However, Minister Mutimura
is confident that the ban will not
affect such efforts, saying pri-
mary and secondary schools are
equipped with computers.
“Currently, a total of 950 or
three quarters of the primary
schools in the country, have com-
puters. In fact, each school has
over 100 computers. About 670
secondary schools have comput-
ers. In total, 67,000 computers were distributed to
schools for students, while ICT teachers have their
own computers,” he explains. Munyakazi notes
that schools with no computers have “other ICT
materials” they use to teach the subject.
Parents speak out
Esperance Kabanyana, a parent from Kicukiro
District, says students do not need ‘luxuries’ to
study.
“This is a good decision because, currently,
students are spending most of their time in unpro-
ductive discussions on social media networks like
WhatsApp and Facebook. Imagine a student chat-
ting during lessons.This affects their concentration
and performance,” she argues.
For Jean Bosco Nsanzamahoro, as internet has
not reached all corners of the country; phones
could be permitted but with stringent measures to
regulate their use at school.
“My son uses the phone to research on his
classwork, and it has helped him to learn many
things, which has improved his performance,”
he says. He says for cases where students misuse
phones, schools should regulate them.
July 06 - 12, 2018 25
rwanda
By Stephen Nuwagira

F
ootprint Africa Business Solutions,
a South African-based mineral
processing company, has
expressed interest in working
with artisanal and small scale miners in
Rwanda.
This could be a game changer in a
mining sector that has managed on
40% mineral recovery so far due to
dependence on artisanal, small operators
who lack skills and use of rudimentary
tools.
The Rwanda Miners Association (RMA)
Executive Secretary, Frank Butera, says
Footprint is looking to develop some
of the abandoned mines that were left
behind during colonial times.
Until now, these mines have been
the target of individuals who work
them illegally and with risk of collapse,
according to Butera.
“So, we are hopeful that the South
Africans will develop these mining sites
when they finally start operations in
Rwanda,” he said in an interview with
The Independent.
Rwanda has many abandoned mines
scattered across the country; some of
which could be profitably redeveloped.
Officials from Footprint Africa,
including a mining engineer and
Top SA miner
eyes Rwanda
processing expert, were recently in the
country, held discussions with RMA and
also visited some of the abandoned mines
in Gakenke district.
Butera says they took samples from the
abandoned sites to SA for testing to help Footprint Africa Business Solutions
them to determine the type of minerals
and equipment that would be required.
Butera says the South Africans were
to support artisanal operators
looking to work with artisans on how
they can improve the current low
recovery rate by providing the small employs a lot of people. expand their operations.
miners with equipment, like rigs and The mining sector brought in US$373 “Modern mining equipment requires a
washing tables, which can help reduce million (Rwf324.5 billion) in export lot of money that artisanal miners cannot
losses. revenue last fiscal year, according to afford, so we continue using rudimentary
They also want to improve the grade of figures from Rwanda Mines, Petroleum tools which hurts recovery rates and
mineral ore and add value to the minerals. and Gas Board. They show that Rwanda output,” he said, “The government
They propose to form a consortium shipped out 7,000 tonnes of minerals should find ways to equip and train us to
to work with end users, like tech firms, during 2017. improve their operations.”
that buy the minerals and process them The Rwanda Mining Board is looking to Nzambonimpa says the group and
further. increase export revenues to over US$600 other cooperatives of artisanal miners sell
“If the deal finally pushes through, it million this financial year. their minerals to big firm that can process
will be good news for artisanal miners Rwanda, which is the world’s leading and export them.
who make up 80% of the sector,” Butera producer of tantalum, also exports tin, Butera said bankers are reluctant to
says. tungsten, and gold, among others. lend to the sector and do not accept
He added that the challenge of small concessions as collateral, arguing that
vanes (columns containing minerals in the Small miners call for support miners do not know how much reserves
earth crust) in Rwanda discourages big Issa Nzambonimpa, the president of they have in their exploration areas.
investors, leaving the field open for small Dusuzume Imirimo, a cooperative of “Conducting exploration activities
scale operators and artisans. artisanal miners in Gakenke district, is too expensive, so the government
He said the association is hopeful that if says if Footprint Africa sets up offices should undertake geological studies,
artisanal miners are supported and given in Rwanda and provides them support; and then give out contracts depending
the right equipment, this would greatly it will help improve their earnings and on the size and estimated amount of the
spur the sector’s production. The sector livelihoods. He says that small players do resources,” he said.
is important to the economy because it not access working capital to develop or

26 July 06 - 12, 2018


The Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Flying Club on June 25 unveiled paramotoring expeditions in Rwanda.   Courtesy photo.
By Stephen Nuwagira
D
iversifying product offerings is
crucial to attract more visitors,
drive growth of the tourism sector
and boost earnings, says Ariella
Kageruka, the director general of the Rwan-
da Chamber of Tourism. She was comment-
ing on the new paramotoring adventure
for tourists that the Rwanda Development
Board (RDB) introduced last week.
Kageruka said the new product will
expand what Rwanda has to offer as a desti-
nation. “It will complement other products
and mechanisms put in place by the gov-
ernment and stakeholders to increase the
length of stay by tourists in Rwanda,” she
said. Paramotoring is the second product
that RDB is launching this June. Earlier it
launched the mountain biking and cycle
tourism which includes 11 different trails
across the country with a combined dis-
tance of 760km. She thanked RDB and its
partners for introducing the new product
and said interest in adventure tourism was
growing steadily across the Africa and
around the world, generally.
RDB in partnership with the Rwanda
Flying Club and the Rwanda Civil Aviation
Authority introduced paramotoring, also
known as powered paragliding, on June 25
in the Southern Province city of Huye.
It will be officially launched in six months
and visitors will be able to enjoy paramotor-
ing in four sites - Huye, Rubavu, Karongi
and Nyungwe National Park, according to
the Chief Tourism Officer at RBD, Belise
Kariza. Kariza said the activity targets
“adventurers seeking memorable and sus-
tainable tourism experiences in Africa”.
“We are happy to be soon introducing
paramotoring, our new tourism experience.
We will be the only country in East Africa
offering such an experience, which will
enable visitors to enjoy the vibrancy and
beauty of our country in a fresh way. Visit
Rwanda and discover just why our country
is the new adventure tourism mecca of
Paramotoring
comes to Rwanda
Rwanda Development Board once
again expands offer to tourists
Africa,” the official said at the launch.
Paramotoring explained
Paramotoring is a form of paragliding
where the pilot wears a motor on their back
(a paramotor) which provides enough
thrust to take off using an adapted paraglid-
er or paramotor wing. It can be launched
in still air and on level ground, without
assistance.
Exploring untapped opportunities
Meanwhile, Kageruka said the pri-
vate sector, RDB and other partners
were exploring the untapped opportuni-
ties in various tourism destinations in
Rwanda, such as in the Kivu Belt region
and heritage corridor (for cultural and
nature tourism, among others), which
can be developed and exploited further
through public-private partnerships.  roads were built, and the reintroduction of
This way, the country can be able to
increase average length of stay in the coun-
try by international tourists and, hence
boost earnings and create new jobs besides
attracting more local tourists. The Kivu
Belt connects Rwanda’s Western Province
to regional countries such as DR Congo,
Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.
Rwanda targeted to generate US$444 mil-
lion from tourism in 2017, up from US$404
million in 2016. Kageruka said domestic
tourism was growing steadily, adding
that the private sector continues to pack-
rwanda
age activities targeting the local tourists;
Rwandans or expats, with the aim to further
increase the revenues from the domestic
market. She added; “The private sector
will continue to take advantage of various
reforms by the government aimed at further
fostering the growth of the tourism industry
to increase revenues generated from leisure
or business tourist arrivals.” This will enable
tourism and related businesses to flourish
and in the end contribute the socio-econom-
ic growth of the country, according to tour-
ism chamber chief.
Kageruka urged Rwandans and other
residents to visit the country’s various tour-
ist sites, saying that efforts are place to cater
for all market segments, noting that there
is “easy and affordable access to tourism
attractions countrywide”. Tourism infra-
structure has been rehabilitated, while new
various animal species in Akagera National
Park gives the local tourists the opportunity
to do a day-trip for game drive to see the
“Big Five” without having to travel out of
the country, she added. “Our members are
continuously designing packages for group
travels to visit the country and it is bearing
fruit,” according to Kageruka.
Therefore, the introduction of paramotor-
ing will further support efforts geared at
attracting more visitors both local and for-
eigners and hence spur sector growth and
revenues, she added.
July 06 - 12, 2018 27
rwanda
Silverback Coffee of Rwanda’s cafe fuels a fashion hub.   Joshua Lurie
Coffee entrepreneur beats
odds to give back to Rwanda
Jack Karuletwa survived genocide, and now he donates
the proceeds of his coffee to benefit his homeland
By Joshua Lurie
J
ack Karuletwa opened Silverback Cof-
fee of Rwanda about a year ago with a
distinct mission: to enable the poorest
Rwandan coffee farmers to become
participants in the global economy. Built
on the eastern edge of Downtown LA’s in-
dustrial district — in a complex best known
for fashion designers, garment makers, and
models — Karuletwa’s coffee bar keeps the
pretty people caffeinated while its proceeds
proudly benefit his birthplace. Given his
harrowing family history, it seems like a
miracle that the company exists.
Talking to Karuletwa, 40, today, it’s hard
to envision what his family’s been through:
to picture the genocide they survived. At a
towering seven-feet-tall, the former basket-
ball player has a shaved head and a large
smile. His friendly demeanor shines out-
ward, seeming to touch all paths he crosses.
When he starts to tell the story of his
past, another side emerges. Karuletwa was
16 years old when the massive Rwandan
genocide of 1994 occurred. He remembers
the period leading up to it when his father
was “always either coming or going in the
28 July 06 - 12, 2018
night.” Karuletwa’s parents told him and
his siblings that these travels were “business
trips,” but the reality was that members of
the Hutu tribe were hunting his father, who
could have quickly been captured or killed
at any point, even after the family fled to
gain distance from danger.
In hindsight, Karuletwa pieced together
the truth: “They thought my dad had a
successful business. They thought he must
be supporting the rebel movement. If you
were successful and doing business outside
your own country, they were suspicious.
The suspicion then led to him always on the
run.” His father ran a small trucking com-
pany called Transit Cargo Masters — ship-
ping produce and anything else he could
carry — and then started a farming business
in Uganda in 1986.
Thanks to valuable connections, his father
became aware of Rwanda’s growing danger
early, while the menace was still building
momentum. In the late 1970s, he moved
the family from Rwanda, toggling between
Uganda and Kenya. Jack’s father found the
family safe places to live, but he personally
remained a moving target, adopting aliases
and staying underground for weeks and
months at a time. Unfortunately for the
Karuletwas, many extended family mem-
bers weren’t so lucky. He lost many of his
aunts, uncles, and cousins to the genocide.
Karuletwa somberly recalls, “Some refused
to leave, and some didn’t have the ability to
leave.”
When the turmoil and destruction ended
after 100 days, the estimated death toll
reached 800,000 people. Survivors found
bodies and skeletons amid the mayhem.
“My mom and dad went back [to Rwanda]
literally the day that President Kagame took
over,” Karuletwa recalls. “They were there
for two or three days to help [with the clean
up]. Even then, there were still pockets of
gunfire and shooting and fighting.”
“Today I have a cousin who lives with
my mom (in Rwanda),” Karuletwa says.
“Once in a while, she’ll just burst out
screaming, ‘They’re coming!’ She’ll just start
running and telling everybody, ‘You’ve got
to hide, you’ve got to hide! They’re here.
They’re here! They’re knocking on the door!’
She breaks out in sweats and just loses it.”
Tragically, PTSD persists for far too many

Rwandans, according to Karuletwa, who
says: “It’s pretty sad because there’s a lot of
youth like that. They were very young at
the time (of the genocide) and now they’re
in their late 30s, but it’s affected them, and
that’s the group that’s supposed to be lead-
ing the country and growing the country
now.”
Karuletwa moved to LA in December
1993 as a teenager from Uganda, living with
a family friend who worked at U.S. Embas-
sies in Uganda and Kenya. Initially, basket-
ball felt like his natural calling: Rwandans
are known to be some of the world’s tallest
people.
Karuletwa attended Grand Canyon Uni-
versity in Phoenix, where he studied phys-
ics and joined the basketball team. Upon
graduation, he traveled with the Harlem
Globetrotters and auditioned for the NBA’s
Clippers and Nuggets. He injured his legs,
however, which prevented a professional
career.
Then another calling rose to the surface.
He acted on the television show Sparks and
in the basketball comedy The 6th Man, but
eventually found true purpose in coffee.
“I always wanted to give back not only
to my country, but also here in the country
that took me in,” he says.
Karuletwa’s father would visit LA and
say, “We should get into coffee. Look at
how much coffee Ethiopia ships, and we
have even better coffee.”
At that point, Rwandan coffee was largely
unknown in America since the government
was keener on keeping control than export-
ing and promoting its goods.
“I’ve always believed that coffee brought
people together and I wanted to help do
that,” Karuletwa says.
He pitched Peet’s Coffee after noticing the
company didn’t carry Rwandan coffee and
he and his brother Arthur supplied beans
to them for a while. But the big break came
when he and Arthur sold several containers
of Rwandan coffee to Starbucks. The com-
pany was so pleased that they hired Arthur
to work in Seattle, where he now serves as
the company’s Director of Traceability.
Jack remained set on a different purpose.
“I wanted to create my own brand. I
didn’t want to just give them the coffee,”
Karuletwa says. “I have my own story, and
the reason I wanted to open my own place
was to connect with the farmers and con-
nect with why I started.”
He credits his mother with instilling his
charitable leanings. She opened a sandwich
shop within months of returning to Rwanda
in 1994, but ended up giving away so many
sandwiches to homeless children that the
business became more of a food bank.
Silverback Coffee is following suit, also ben-
efiting Rwandas, but from abroad.
Karuletwa named his business for Rwan-
da’s endangered silverback gorillas, gentle
giants that are to Rwanda what pandas
are to China. He sources coffee from farms
Natural light complements a clean, stylish cafe in eastern Downtown LA
Jack Karuletwa in his Downtown cafe
in Musanze on the doorstep of Volcanoes
National Park, where the mountain gorillas
roam, and where his family is from.
He raises money and serves on the board
for Gorilla Doctors, an organisation based
at University of California at Davis that
provides life-saving veterinary care for
silverbacks. Thankfully, these gorillas are
not poaching targets, but do face dangers
in the form of snares meant for other ani-
mals, infectious diseases, and other health
issues. The charity extends to organisations
that build schools in Rwanda and provide
services to widows and orphans from the
genocide.
At first glance, his café fits in with the
trendy Los Angeles coffee house set: all
brick arches, glass windows, and a silver
eco-friendly Loring coffee roaster visible
behind glass. An aqua, white, and silver
Synchro T2 espresso machine anchors a
wood bar with blue façade. Baristas crank
out recognisable espresso drinks and
brewed coffee, peppered with three drinks
Karuletwa dedicated to the loves of his life.
Jen’s latte is a white chocolate coffee drink
named for his wife. Baby Wyatt, named for
their son, features steamed milk, banana
syrup, banana slices, and whipped cream.
Gorilla’s eye is his take on a red eye: a drip
rwanda
coffee enhanced with a double shot of
espresso.
Karuletwa’s commitment starts at ori-
gin. “Respect the farmers, take care of the
farmers, and let them see that they’re being
appreciated,” he says. He regularly sends
pictures and video to farmers of people at
Silverback enjoying their coffee, since most
farmers can’t see what happens to their
beans beyond processing. “They would ask
me, ‘Do they like the coffee? I don’t know.”
Those questions are a big part of what
prompted Karuletwa to go beyond whole-
saling, so that he could roast beans and add
the café to his repertoire.
Roasting in-house also makes sense
financially, allowing for higher profit mar-
gins because he can eliminate middlemen
and practice direct trade with Rwandan
farmers. This means better pay to farmers
and more charitable donations.
“There’s no wrong or right way to roast,”
Karuletwa says. “You can be dancing salsa.
You can be dancing rumba. You’re still
dancing.” He offers medium, medium
dark, and extra dark French-style roasts. He
doesn’t produce a light roast because that
profile doesn’t work particularly well with
his beans.
He sources two different types of high-
altitude coffee from a women’s group in
Musanze, favoring varietals and processing
that yields two results: “Hints of lemon and
orange and sweet citrus” and “bourbon
coffee that offers caramelized cane sugar
with cinnamon chocolaty notes.” His coffee
roasting acumen accentuates these natural
qualities in the beans.
In the next year, Karuletwa plans to add
beans from other countries in the mountain
gorilla migration zone: Uganda, Burundi,
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As for Rwanda, support for its revival will
remain core to Silverback’s values. Its peo-
ple still need to heal. It will take generations.
But hope and support from Karuletwa will
speed them on their way.
Source: LA Eater
July 06 - 12, 2018 29
UIA Chairman Emely Kugonza (M) and the interdicted executive director Jolly Kaguhangire (R) at a press conference. Left is a UIA board member.   Courtesy photo
Behind UIA boss boot saga
Selfish interests threaten the country’s investment agency
O
By Ian Katusiime
n the afternoon of Friday
June 29, a rare scene visited
the head office of the Ugan-
da Investment Authority
(UIA) at Twed Plaza in Na-
kasero, Kampala.
What started as a planned handover
of the interdicted Executive Director
Jolly Kaguhangire, to a new administra-
tor turned into an ugly scene and a public
relations disaster for the country’s invest-
ment agency. By close of business that day,
images of a handyman prying open the
office of the executive director were making
rounds on social media after Kaguhangire
failed to turn up for the handover, in an
office battle that is likely to last longer than
earlier anticipated.
This was the direct opposite of what
Emely Kugonza, the Board Chairman of
UIA had told The Independent on June 29
about the impending smooth handover.
“I spoke to her (Kaguhangire) and she
committed that she will hand over today at
3pm,” Kugonza said with an assured tone.
At 3pm, board members were walking
in one by one into the UIA offices and they
could be seen huddled in deliberations in
the glass-walled boardroom as they waited
for Kaguhangire to make her way.
However this never happened, and
Kaguhangire is now considering a court
injunction to stop her interdiction by the
board.
30 July 06 - 12, 2018
The board accused her of abuse of office,
insubordination, corruption and closure of
a UIA office at Namanve without autho-
rization. At the time of her suspension,
Kaguhangire had kicked off a restructuring
exercise in April where every employee of
UIA from the directors to the least ranking
staff like receptionists would re-apply for
their jobs.
This restructuring was approved by the
board and the line ministry- of Finance.
However it caused disgruntlement among
UIA staff, majority of whom had already
expressed their dissatisfaction with her
management style since she came to office
slightly a year ago.
Kaguhangire was accused of hiring a
Personal Assistant, a cleaner, and a tea girl,
outside the scope of her mandate. Accord-
ing to sources at UIA, these positions were
previously non-existent but she personally
hired them and paid them over and above
what they should be earning. She was also
accused of hiring a lead vehicle and spend-
ing excessively on travel.
Botched restructuring
When Kugonza, Kaguhangire and anoth-
er board member, Fred opolot, addressed
the press at the UIA offices on Aril 10, they
were trying to quell a media storm that
had erupted over the restructuring a week
before.
At the time, the board chairman and
the executive director cut a perfect picture
of executives working in sync when they
talked about a new organogram at UIA that
would even nearly double its staff numbers
to boost the country’s investment potential.
However, the restructuring has now been
reversed and every employee told to go
about their work normally.
Basir Ejir, formerly director Small and
Medium Enterprises, was installed as the
acting executive director.
However, tension remains within the
agency, according to sources. Insiders say
Kaguhangire came up with a restructuring
plan to shove out directors she did not want
to work with.
She had a troubled working relationship
with Hamza Galiwango, the director Land
Division, and Joseph Kiggundu, director
One Stop Centre. The latter directorate was
to be brought under the complete manage-
ment of UIA after years of liaising with
Ministry of Finance and Uganda Registra-
tion Services Bureau.
The two directors Galiwango and Kig-
gundu, however, passed the interviews
after they re-applied for their jobs, as per
the restructuring, to the dismay of Kagu-
hangire, sources say. When this happened,
sources told The Independent, she accused
the Board of corruption.
Kaguhangire’s relationship with Gali-
wango is said to have been so bitter that at
one point, she caused the arrest of Galiwan-
go by operatives of Chieftaincy of Military
Intelligence (CMI), spending three days in
police custody.
When The Independent talked to Galiwan-

go, he confirmed his arrest and detention
but said he had moved on from UIA affairs.
Meanwhile, the UIA board is now under
scrutiny given it had previously approved
of the restructuring plan and its dramatic
U-turn on the restructuring after the sack-
ing of Kaguhangire means that it will be
watched for the decisions it makes in the
next few months.
To this effect, Evelyn Anite, the Minister
of State for Privatisation and Investment, at
the ministry of Finance had written a letter
to the Board chairman of UIA, Kugonza on
May 28 asking him to respond to the allega-
tions of corruption raised against the board
by the former executive director.
Lobbying
The fights at UIA are not new and similar
ones have played out at government organ-
isations where lobbying tends to decide
who gets to seat on which board or who
gets the top job at any government agency.
The most recent case is the one at Public
By Julius Businge
O
ne of the key objectives of
competition policy is to promote
consumer welfare by encouraging
healthy competition among
businesses in the Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
This is through establishing a legal
framework that aims to prevent restrictive
business practices and other restrictions
that deter the efficient operation of the
market, thereby enhancing the welfare of
consumers in that relevant market.
But Uganda alongside Eritrea and Libya
of the 19 COMESA member states is yet to
enact one or come up with a competition
law despite the increasing mergers and
acquisitions. Based on this, top executives
at the COMESA Secretariat have labeled
Uganda as a ‘sleeping giant.’
George Lipimile, the director general
and chief executive officer of the Lusaka
based COMESA Competition Commission
(CCC) told business journalists at the
5th regional sensitisation workshop held
in Nairobi, Kenya from June 25-26 that
without a competitive market, economies
cannot produce positive results that would
yield the popular talk about economic
growth and social transformation.
“These are issues we can’t avoid,” he
said, “they are here with us. Uganda is a
sleeping giant in that area,” he said.
Francis Mangeni, a Ugandan working
as the director for trade customs and
monetary affairs at the COMESA
secretariat, told The Independent on the
sidelines of the workshop that Uganda
has to speed up the process of forming the
competition law and have an authority in
place to be able to promote efficiency, fair
Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets
Authority (PPDA), which has not had a
substantive executive director for more than
a year.
The appointment of the executive direc-
tor, Anania Mbabazi was revoked by the
board in February 2017 on the orders of the
line minister after he discovered intense
lobbying efforts for Mbabazi’s appointment.
The search is still on.
For a number of parastatal bodies in
Uganda, the jostling of such plum jobs has
become a mainstay as politicians seek to
control organisations as part of the patron-
age network. Often the supervising min-
isters play a crucial role in these appoint-
ments.
Back to UIA, on whether Galiwango
would take back his job since the restructur-
ing was reversed, he stated: “I was inter-
dicted, ask the Board chairman.”
Sources say the UIA saga is not about to
end because the board was also constituted
by the same lobbying efforts that allegedly
Uganda a sleeping
giant in COMESA
Country faulted for delaying to formulate
competition law to facilitate fair trade
George-Lipimile
business
got Kaguhangire the job.
Reliable sources say the board chairman
Kugonza was appointed by Matia Kasaija,
the Minister of Finance as a token of appre-
ciation since the two have worked closely
over the years.
Kaguhangire, however, could not be
reached for a comment as she wasn’t able to
respond to our repeated calls.
Observers also say it is inevitable for
such fights to occur as appointees do their
political godfathers’ bidding and others get
caught up right in the middle. Kaguhangire,
it is also said, got the top job through the
intervention of a powerful female politician
who has pushed through similar appoint-
ments after some of the shortlisted candi-
dates like Edgar Agaba, Morrison Rwaka-
kamba were snubbed.
For now, anxious local and foreign inves-
tors will watch keenly as they wait for UIA
to put its house in order.
competition, protecting consumers and
small scale enterprises.
“The competition law and authority are
very essential for the development of any
country,”Mangeni said.
For instance, he said when Uganda had
Celtel as the only telecom service provider;
mobile phones, airtime, service fee and
calling rates were very high.
But when the market received South
African-based MTN and later on other
private players, prices fell by more than
half, he argued.
Mangeni said the quality of service and
innovations improves when competition is
monitored by an authority and law like it
is done in most COMESA member states.
Uganda started working on the
Competition Bill in 2004 but it is yet to be
passed into law.
But in a rejoinder, Julius Onen, the
permanent secretary of the Ministry of
Trade told The Independent on July 02 that
they had made amendments to the bill and
sent it back to Cabinet for approval.
One key amendment in the bill, he said,
was about creation of a unit in the ministry
to manage competition related matters
instead of creating an authority.
July 06 - 12, 2018 31
business
“It is still work in progress but there is a Rwanda and Kenya – in addition to the European Quick facts about COMESA
bit of a challenge because it would require Union market.
creating an authority,” he said adding, “yet Mergers and Acquisitions
government has put a stop on creation of new One core role of CCC is to manage transactions  Intra-trade within COME-
agencies.”  related to acquisitions and mergers. SA is now standing at
Onen said that hopefully in the next two Mwemba said that since 2013, when CCC was around US$10bn in terms
months, the bill would be in Parliament for established, it has successfully concluded a total of of formal exports; this is
legislation.   175 with total turnover growing from US$5.3bn to up from US$1.5bn in 2000
Asked to respond to comments about US$17.6bn in the same period.  This figure is formal
Uganda being a sleeping giant in COMESA, The maximum amount of US$200,000 is the fee trade in goods; it does not
Onen said: “Each country is different. We are charged by the CCC to handle the transactions include small scale infor-
currently using the COMESA Competition depending on the turnover that these companies mal trade which is also a
Commission to go about competition matters derive in COMESA. significant figure estimat-
and to me the many individual bodies do not The fee is shared by CCC and member states ed at 40% of trade
make sense.” where transactions take place.  This figure does not also
He suggested that if it were possible COMESA Comparatively, from 1990 to 2018, the include trade in services
would have a single competition authority to European Commission, which is one of the which is much more than
avoid duplication of roles and hiring people who largest handlers of acquisitions and mergers has trade in goods. More than
would not have a lot of work to do.  handled more than 6,950 merger transactions and 50% of the COMESA
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda only prohibited 27, according to CCC data. This economies are made up of
Executive Director, Gideon Badagawa has in picture is almost the same with the US anti-trust services
several interviews with The Independent hinted on authorities.  COMESA has a popula-
the need for this law to support business growth For COMESA, five out of eleven sectors are tion of over 450 million
and grow the private sector base. But it appears leading in terms of total transactions. people
lawmakers and the executive are yet to give it the The energy sector has attracted the highest
attention they have given to others. volume of merger activity in the common market, About CCC and facts
Learning from the neighboring countries like followed by banking and financial services,  CCC’s mandate is to
Kenya that already set up a competition Authority insurance, construction, and agriculture. promote and encourage
and the law, the ease of doing business has been a In terms of member countries, Kenya, Zambia, competition by preventing
major marketing point for the country because of Mauritius and Zimbabwe form the top four and prohibiting anti-com-
the authority, according to Barnabas Andiva, an member states receiving the highest number of petitive conduct by market
executive from the Kenya Competition Authority merger activity since inception. players which deter the
(KCA). Mwemba explained that the main reasons efficient operations of mar-
“The last study for the World Bank ranked behind these transactions are that many kets partition and erode
us favorably because of the high levels of companies prefer to enter new territory where consumer welfare
competitiveness,” he told The Independent. they do not have presence through acquisitions  CCC officials believe that
Commenting on the same matter, Willard and mergers. access to and dissemina-
Mwemba, the manager for mergers and He also said that some companies merge so that tion of information on
acquisitions at CCC first praised Uganda as a big they can expand and become more efficient. competition matters is
economy within East Africa and COMESA. “They know that united we are stronger,” he essential to enhance the
However, he said, the bigger the economy, said, adding that CCC is yet to reject any merger compliance to the regula-
the more the transactions involving corporate since 2013. tions and detection of
companies which require tight monitoring and Mwemba defended this saying; a competition infringements
supervision by an independent authority. authority that prides itself in rejecting mergers  Since inception, the Com-
He added that without that supervisory is not a good authority. And that CCC as an mission has handled
infrastructure, companies would easily hide authority supports new investments, commerce more than 175 merger
transaction details in the case of mergers and the integration process. And that a merger in transactions, worth at least
and acquisitions, hence causing losses to the most cases does not raise competition concerns. US$92billion in transaction
government. value
“At the moment we are working with the Beyond Uganda  This corresponds to a turn-
ministry of trade in Uganda to get information Competition experts say that mergers over of over US$73.7billion
about mergers and acquisitions but they are not and acquisitions are now the most common derived by the under-
experts and that is why we are insisting that we form of investment as opposed to green field takings in the Common
need the competition authority,”Mwemba said. investments world over. Market
In addition, he said having a competition law Worldwide, mergers and acquisitions  The Commission
and an authority would build confidence for more activity exceeded US$3 trillion for the fourth has received close to
foreign investors to invest in the country. consecutive year in 2017, with announced US$27.9million in merger
“They (companies) want that when there is transaction volumes reaching US$3.7trillion. notification fees, of which
an infringement of competition laws by another Cross-border mergers and acquisitions 50% is shared with the
company there is a law to address that,” he said. remained strong, accounting for 30% of total affected member states
In Uganda, he said, they have supported the volume as companies looked for opportunities  In 15 transactions, the
government on formulating the competition bill to innovate and mitigate technology Commission attached
“but we can only do what we can and leave the disruption. conditions to the merger
rest to Parliament and the Executive.” However, the volume of withdrawn deals approval in order to
Officials said that strengthening competition in 2017 was US$658 billion, partly reflecting remedy competition
in Uganda amongst companies is one key market continued pressure from regulators. concerns which were likely
for Uganda because COMESA is the number to arise after
one export market for a few countries – Uganda,

32 July 06 - 12, 2018

 Executive Style
RELOAD boosts agricultural
value addition
What is your management
style as the Manager Product
I
Development in Uganda?
have a policy that all of us
have equal size of brains
and therefore when one
comes up with a product,
he or she is empowered to
follow up that product all
through with or without our
support. Also expect the
developer of the product to
walk the talk. I prefer people
to perform most of the duties
freely. Above all, I encourage
my team to communicate
on how they are progressing
with their projects so that we
are all in the know.   Khisa about
Briefly describe the Reduc-
tion of Post-harvest and
Value Addition (RELOAD)
project?
RELOAD is an inter and
trans-disciplinary African- Ger-
man Research Network in
Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia
to address reduction of Post-
Harvest Losses and enhancing
value addition. The selected
East African countries are each
characterized by specific domi-
nating commodity: Uganda
(fruits and vegetable, Kenya
(meat and milk), and Ethiopia
(cereals and tubers).  It involves
working with universities – the
generators of knowledge and
skills – and Small and Medium
Enterprises across the region.
In Uganda, we are working
with Makerere University and
the Mbarara University of Sci-
ence and Technology looking
at how to reduce post-harvest
losses. We are doing all this to
prolong product shelf-life and
therefore increased earnings to
farmers and SMEs.
What are some of the tangible
results of this project?
The project has sponsored
a number of students to pur-
sue PhD and Masters degrees
related to value addition in
agricultural products and agri-
cultural engineering. Working
with Makerere University
Departments namely: Forestry,
Environmental and Geographi-
cal Sciences, Food Science &
Technology, Agricultural Engi-
neering we have come up with
over 30 value-added agricul-
tural products from fruits and
vegetables.We have, among
others, pineapple: wine, dried
snacks, pumpkin soup, banana
yoghurt, moringa: tea, oil,
powder, amaranth nutritious
bar, Soups: spinach-gnut, buga-
mix, fruit-veg, sweet potato
porridge, Mushroom: wine,
cake, beverage and banana:
enhanced ketchup, porridge,
soup, Mango ketchup, beetroot
healthy drink. We are currently
working with SMEs in this
product development, certifica-
tion and eventual commercial-
ization.
What progress have you made
in commercializing these
products?
Now that we have devel-
oped products that we believe
are commercially viable, we are
carrying out a number of activi-
ties including community and
Milly Kevin
Spearheads
Product
Development
of the German
based
RELOAD
(Reduction of
Post-Harvest
Losses
& Value
Addition)
project in
Uganda. She
spoke to Isaac
the state of
agricultural
value addition.
university exhibitions seeking
opinions of the prospective
customers with regard to tastes
and preferences.  We are also
planning to go to primary and
secondary schools to ensure
that the products developed
suits all their preferences ahead
of certification.
Why did you choose fruits &
vegetables over other agricul-
tural products?
The choice of vegetables over
other agricultural products
was based on the fact that once
they are ready, they must be
harvested. The same applies
to fruits. Our aim was there-
fore to show that value can be
added to these products and
come up with new products
such as juice, wine, ketchup,
soups, whose value is high. We
also wanted to demonstrate
that vegetables can be dried
and packaged. We wanted to
demonstrate that there’s no
harm to dry vegetables using
the tunnel drier for concentra-
tion and preservation of the
products and its nutrients to be
cooked later. This is different
when you dry the products
July 06 - 12, 2018
directly under the sun.  This
will make the consumer and
the processor to even benefit
more.
How are the organisations
involved in all these initia-
tives going to benefit?
The organization’s main
goal is to empower young
graduates and SMEs.
Already, some of our gradu-
ates have their products that
they need to market so that
they continue producing
and selling them and thus
grow their businesses. What
else would these graduates
need if their products are
well branded, packaged and
sold in supermarkets? The
only thing left with us is to
replicate this to more youth,
farmers and SMEs. We have
so far nurtured 20 SMEs and
looking forward to nurturing
and empowering more in the
near future.
What is your assessment of
value addition for agricultural
products in East Africa?
Post-Harvest Losses (PHL)
destroy between 20-80% of
East Africa’s food production
thus heavily contributing to
the devastating nutritional
situation, wastage of resources
and rural poverty. PHL occur
during harvest, drying, stor-
age, transportation, processing,
retail and consumer level. For
milk, meat and a number of
vegetables and fruits, roots and
tubers, insufficient cooling and
unhygienic handling are the
main causes. However, there’s
now a slight reduction.
Where do you see these inno-
vations in the next few years?
Our plan is to produce and
market our products, with a
plan to open up a stall in Kam-
pala. We also plan to empower
people in developing various
products for local and interna-
tional markets.
33
business
banking Pharmaceuticals

Shs100m up for grabs in dfcu investment challenge Vivo Energy, GoodLife in

D
pharmacy partnership

FCU Bank in partnership with
NTV Uganda and Price Wa-
terhouse Coopers (PwC) has
launched the second season of
their savings and investment club challenge
dubbed ‘Battle for Cash’- a nationwide
campaign aimed at instilling an investment
culture in Uganda. In the second season,
Shs100m has been staked for the most inno-
vative investment clubs in Uganda. In 2017,
dfcu held a six-month long campaign where
its teams went around the country carrying
out financial literacy workshops. “Why and
how to save, where to invest” were part of
what was covered in the campaign. As a
result, 200 clubs applied but only 20 were
selected to take part in a competition where
Geneber Outspan Organic Farmers emerged
winners and bagged Shs25million. William
Sekabembe, Chief of Business and Execu-
tive Director officially launched season II of
csr
Airtel, Kwese offer
NTV Uganda MD Johnson Omolo, dfcu Bank Chief
of Business and ED William Sekabembe and Adam
Sengooba, Associate Director PwC at the launch.
Battle for Cash Season. “Financial inclusion
is a major agenda of dfcu Bank. We have
been taking the lead on this since 2007
when we introduced the savings and in-
vestment clubs.”
ict
Liquid telecom hosts ICT gurus
F
uel distributor, Vivo Energy has
partnered with GoodLife Pharmacy
to offer health related services across
the country. The partnership will
enable GoodLife Pharmacy to have its stores
set up within the existing Vivo Energy ser-
vice stations for easy access to the popula-
tion.
This comes at a time Vivo is refurbishing
some of its fuel stations so they not only sell
fuels and lubricants but also offer services
including shops, quick service restaurants
bank ATMs, tyre centres and car wash facili-
ties.
The first pharmacy outlet was opened
officially at Vivo fuel station in Namirembe,
Kampala on June 27. Gilbert Assi, Vivo’s
managing director, said the partnership is
part of their business strategy aimed at offer-
ing a one-stop centre for fuel and pharma-
ceutical services.

World Cup games  experts converged at Hotel Afri-
Airtel Managing Director, V.G Somasekhar.
O
ver 100 information technology
can, BMK building for a regular
networking session facilitated by
information and telecommunication firm,
Liquid telecom. The networking session,
which is held every after two months under
their umbrella association – the ICT Asso-
ciation of Uganda – give chance to partici-
pants to discuss contemporary issues in the
ICT sector that can be used in making poli-
cy by government. Liquid telecom’s Barbra
Nannono, who is the company’s sales and
marketing manager in Uganda urged play-
including cloud solutions to run business.
Nannono also said they are offering what
she called ‘sky for business’ which facilitates
hosting of online bigger meetings of over
2000 using high speed data network. “We
are sensitising our clients on this solution so
they can understand it and have as many
clients as possible using it,” she said. James
Saaka, the executive director for National
Information Technology Authority Uganda
(NITA-U), said they are looking forward
to having more partnerships with private
sector ICT players in ensuring that all Ugan-
dans get access to the internet so they go

E
ers to utilise the company’s internet services about their business faster and effectively.
xecutives at Kwesé iflix and acti-
Airtel Ugan- vate a Kwesé iflix
da have video data bundle, Aviation
described Airtel customers
their partnership need to dial *284*3# Fastjet is on the brink as cash runs out

L
with Kwesé iflix as and select the pack
one aimed at giv- of their choice. ow-cost African of not being able to con-
ing their customers The app offers airline Fastjet, tinue trading as a going
more services away users live coverage which operates concern”.
from main telecom of all the matches 13 routes in Mo- “Whilst initial dis-
services. playing in Russia, zambique, South Africa, cussions with certain
The two are part- according to the Tanzania and Zimbabwe, shareholders have been
nering and enabling Airtel Uganda Man- has warned it could go positive, discussions
customers to down- aging Director V.G. bust unless new funding are ongoing and there
load an app on Somasekhar. is secured. can be no guarantee of a
their mobile phones Kwesé iflix CEO, The airline, which successful outcome,” it
dubbed ‘Kweseiflix’ Mayur Patel, said began operating in 2012 and was once added. Fastjet now has merely $3.3million
so they are able to the Kwesé iflix app majority owned by easyJet founder Sir Ste- in cash, of which $1.75m is held in Zimba-
watch the World offers customers the lios Haji-Ioannou, said it remains “in active bwe and is not easily accessible. The carrier
Cup soccer games best in sports and discussions with its major shareholders carried 535,363 passengers last year at an
currently ongoing entertainment, any- regarding a potential equity fundraising”. average load factor of 71 percent, up from
in Russia.  time and anywhere. However, if the talks are unsuccessful 54 percent in 2016.
To subscribe for Fastjet admitted that “the group is at risk

34 July 06 - 12, 2018

 business

NSSF unveils its

Shs3.5bn Jinja property
By Julius Businge apart from Kampala,” he said.

U
ganda’s National
Social Security Fund
hopes to boost its
income following the
unveiling of its new property
in Jinja, Eastern Uganda.
The Shs3.5bn Jinja City
House located in the city
centre on plot 2-4 Lubas
Road, is a 4-storely mixed-use
complex with a total up space
of 1,500 square meters. It is
Sarah Kiyingi-Kaweesa,the founder of Bio jigsaw Ltd displays hair targeting corporate companies
braids produced from banana fiber at her home in Buziga on Mutesa seeking prime office space and
1 road. Sarah has choosen to produce organic hair that has no side retail shops.
effects to the users.   INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA NSSF’s Managing Director,
Richard Byarugaba, said on
June 28 that the building, first
of its kind to be constructed
outside of Kampala city is
under their real estate business
segment which accounts for
6% of its total assets.
Apart from real estate, the
Fund, which is worth about
Shs9.5trillion, has 77% of its
cash invested in fixed income
assets and the other, 17% in
equities.
“We think Jinja must take its
rightful place as the next city
Byarugaba said similar
projects are being put up
and planned for other towns
including Mbarara, Gulu and
Mbale.
“We are slowly moving out
of Kampala so that the whole
of Uganda can benefit from the
fund,” he said.
Patrick Byabakama
Kaberenge, the Fund’s board
chairman, commended the
contractors – Complant Trade
and Engineering Limited – and
the Architects, Dimensions
Architects Uganda Limited,
for delivering the high quality
facility within the 2 –year set
timeline.
Rebecca Kadaga, the
speaker of Parliament, who
presided over the official
opening of the building, said
Parliament would speed up
the process of amending the
1985 NSSF Act under the
pension reforms to cater for
among other things mid-term
access of funds by the sick and
disabled members.

Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Uganda, Olivier Prentout, listening to

StarTimes Vice President, Brand and Marketing Manager Aldrine Nsubuga
(M) during the launch of StarTimes MTN TV App. Looking on is David
Lugayavu (R) Digital Marketing Manager StarTimes, Uganda.
Weekly share price movement (June 25)
Security June 25 June 12 Movement
BATU 30,000 30000 00
BOBU 155 160 3.1
CENT 1,429 1,435 0.4
DFCU 870 895 2.8
EABL 8,211 8,387 2.0
EBL 1,870 1,860 0.5
JHL 19,300 18,890 2.2
KA 437 362 20.7
KCB 1,851 1,851 00
NIC 17 18 5.5
NMG 3,606 3,778 4.5
NVL 450 450 00
SBU 32 31 3.2
UCHM 55 62 11.3
Susan, (R) of Spice Africa attending to their guests during the Buganda UCL 21 25 16
expo on June 29. The expo attracted majorly SMes promoting buy UMEME 300 300 00
Uganda build Uganda.  INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA ALSI -- -- --

July 06 - 12, 2018 35

comment
By Teldah Mawarire
Tanzania’s illiberal tilt
Magufuli came to office with a reform-oriented agenda,
but today he is just another African strongman
D
uring a recent phone call with a
Tanzanian journalist and human
rights activist whom I know well,
many of my questions were met
with uncharacteristic silence. My friend is
bold, plucky, and usually talkative. But on
this occasion, politics was too dangerous
for her to discuss. With Tanzania’s jour-
nalists being threatened, assaulted, and
kidnapped, our conversation remained con-
fined to the mundane.
Tanzania, one of Africa’s most stable
democracies is sliding toward authori-
tarianism. For months, President John
Magufuli has been targeting his political
opponents, attacking journalists, and
closing news outlets. While his moves
have drawn international criticism,
Magufuli continues his assault on free
speech and political rights. Tanzanians
are being silenced like never before, and
the world should be very worried.
Until recently, Tanzanians believed
their country was headed in the opposite
direction. After taking office in late 2015,
Magufuli introduced a reform-oriented
agenda that earned him high praise.
Among his initiatives was a campaign to
redirect public spending to fight cholera,
and a payroll audit to identify “ghost
workers” – non-existent government
employees who drain some $2 million
from the budget every month. The pri-
vate sector was not spared with mining
companies being accused of under
paying their taxes. In fact, Magufuli’s
anti-corruption efforts were so popular
that many Tanzanians viewed their presi-
dent as the epitome of morality; on social
media, the hashtag #WhatWouldMagu-
fuliDo went viral.
But today, that hashtag has become
a parody. In banning protests, closing
media organisations, and cracking down
on his critics, Magufuli has shown Tanza-
nians, who have never had a strongman
leader, that he intends to follow in the
footsteps of the many the region has
known.
Magufuli’s assault on press freedom
has been particularly troubling. In June
2017, authorities ordered the popular
Swahili language newspaper Mawio to
cease publication for two years, after it
36 July 06 - 12, 2018
ran a story about tax evasion by local
mining companies. The article named
former Tanzanian presidents Benjamin
Mkapa and Jakaya Kikwete, which the
government claimed was a violation of
the Media Services Act of 2016.
Then, in January, five prominent televi-
sion stations were fined for airing a state-
ment by the Legal and Human Rights
Center regarding possible rights viola-
tions during local elections last year.
Having muzzled traditional news
organisations, the state then set its
sights on online media. In March, the
Tanzania Communications Regulatory
Authority began requiring bloggers and
digital publishers to register with the
government and pay a $920 license fee.
The Electronic and Postal Communica-
tions (Online Content) Regulations also
require Internet cafes to install surveil-
lance cameras, and bloggers to report
on-site visitors and other operational
details. Anyone who posts content that is
deemed to “cause annoyance, threatens
harm or evil, encourages or incites
crimes,” or jeopardises “national security
or public health and safety” can have
their costly license revoked.
Tanzania’s High Court has issued a
temporary injunction blocking the new
regulations; nonetheless, the govern-
ment is still getting its way. For example,
after the influential online whistleblower
site Jamii Forums stopped publishing in
mid-June because it was in violation of
the rules, other bloggers voluntarily fol-
lowed suit.
Media outlets are not the only victims
of Magufuli’s crackdown; civil-society
organisations are also being targeted. For
example, in late 2017, the government
began what it called an NGO “verifica-
tion” exercise, ostensibly to update the
federal database of non-governmental
organisations, but more likely aimed
at curtailing the number of groups
operating beyond government control.
Registration was so costly and time-
consuming that many organisations were
forced to choose between closing and
operating illegally.
African governments have joined
dozens of civil-society groups in calling
for Magufuli to reverse course. But at the
moment, an atmosphere of impunity is
emboldening those intent on silencing
human rights defenders, journalists, and
opposition leaders. In April, efforts to
organise anti-government protests were
met with official threats and intimida-
tion. One police official even warned that
anyone who ignored the government’s
ban on demonstrating would be “beaten
like stray dogs.”
Such threats come amid a surge in
political violence. In September 2017,
for example, Tundu Lissu, an outspoken
government critic, was shot during a
failed assassination attempt. Two months
later, Azory Gwanda, a freelance jour-
nalist who wrote several news stories
about the murders of local officials and
police officers, was abducted and is still
missing. And in February, machete-
wielding assailants murdered opposition
politician Godfrey Luena outside his
home.
Why are Magufuli and his supporters
so intent on stifling dissent? Some ana-
lysts believe the president is attempting
to cement power for the ruling Chama
Cha Mapinduzi party. Others argue
that Magufuli’s anti-corruption drive
pushed CCM elites into the arms of the
opposition, and that his political survival
depends on removing the threat they
now pose.
Whatever the reason, there is no excuse
for government-sanctioned attacks on
freedom of expression, association, and
assembly. Two years ago, Magufuli –
who is known as “The Bulldozer” – came
to office vowing to end graft and curb
wasteful government spending. As noble
as these goals are, they will be over-
shadowed if he continues his campaign
against those who entrusted him with
their hopes.
Teldah Mawarire is an advocacy and
campaigns officer with CIVICUS, a global
civil society alliance.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018.

By Alex Turihohabwe
Local capacity in construction industry
The claim that local constants and contractors lack funds,
equipment, and personnel for projects is a myth
T
he construction industry is
getting much attention by
the government of Uganda
and other governments in
East Africa; especially Tanzania and
Rwanda.
In the transport sector that comprises
of water, roads, rail, and air; roads are
the most pronounced.
Because of this, a lot of funds
are being allocated to this sector.
In Uganda more than 30% of the
national budget has been allotted to
the roads; signifying the importance
the government attaches to their
construction.
Roads are divided into majorly
four types; National, District, Urban
and Community Access roads. The
national roads are managed by
Uganda National Roads Authority
(UNRA), Districts roads by district
local governments, urban roads by
municipal or town councils, and
Community Access roads by Sub-
county local councils.
Of the four types of roads, 80% of
the axle load is on the National roads.
As such national roads take the lions
share on the allotted funds. Also most
of the attention in the transport sector
is given to them.
Various projects are on-going and are
being implemented at the same time.
Many more are planned and are at
different stages in project management
cycle, including feasibility study stage,
design, and so on.
During the process of project
management there three key players
that include client, consultants, and
contractors.
Out of these projects it is known that
at the pre and during implementation
stages, the consultants and contractors
are majorly foreign companies. They
currently take over 95% of the funds
allocated for these two stages of the
road construction projects.
So why are the consultants and
contractors at these two stages majorly
foreigners?
It is presumed and has now
been taken as gospel truth that
the indigenous consultants and
contractors do not have capacity.
This is the word that is being used by
responsible offices on each and every
fora to justify failure to award work to
the local consultants and contractors.
To the majority, the context in which
the famous word capacity is taken, it is
in terms of luck of sufficient resources;
funds, equipment and personnel. At
the surface of it; it sounds logical to
assume that local consultants and
contractors lack resources. But when
you think deeper about it; you realise
that it is illogical. Nobody is born with
capacity to do something; capacity is
built, nurtured, and protected.
In terms of work, how do you
therefore build, nurture and protect
the capacity of local consultants and
contractors? This is the question that
I believe should be occupying most
of our minds; especially some officers
who are so obsessed with the word
capacity.
Give the locals work constantly and
you will get a difference in terms of
operations and the word capacity will
be history.
To date, in terms of local technical
In Uganda more
than 30% of the
national budget
has been allotted
to the roads;
signifying the
importance the
government
attaches to their
construction
comment
personnel that are being prepared for
consultancy and contractual work;
we have many institutions involved.
These include Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda Christian University
Mukono, Kyambogo University
Kampala, Kampala International
University, and Ndejje University.
These award degrees in Engineering
and more than 1000 young engineers
are graduating locally every year.
Training institutions for technicians
include Bushenyi , Kicwamba, Elgon,
and Lira technical institutes to
mention a few. This, therefore, dispels
the myth that there is no capacity in
terms of personnel.
To ensure that any contractor
performs a project well, give them
the work and pay them promptly.
This will ensure that the contractor’s
bankers have trust in him/her. When
this happens, the issue of lack of
capacity in terms of equipment and
inadequate funds will be laid to rest.
Any kind of work; be it walking,
starts with taking the first step.
Similarly, for any kind of construction
works; there are preliminary
works that can be executed. For the
determined contractors, who actually
comprise the majority, payment of
the Interim Payment Certificates
promptly will improve their capacity
tremendously.
Let us, therefore, give our local
consultants and contractors work
constantly; pay them promptly and the
question of capacity shall remain a myth.
Alex Turihohabwe is the chairman of
the Uganda Association of Consulting
Engineers and Continental finalist
2017 CEO Global in the Business and
Professional Sector.
July 06 - 12, 2018 37
O
By Flavia Nassaka

ver-bleeding after child

birth is the leading cause
of mothers dying at the
Gynecology and Obstetrics
Department of Mulago
National Referral Hospital
in Kawempe, Kampala, according to the
department’s head, Dr. Annette Nakimuli.
She said most of these mothers could be
saved if Oxytocin; the lifesaving drug, is
administered to them in time. However,
there is a catch. The drug has restrictions
of being stored under the cold chain and
therefore is in accessible by some of the
women.
Oxytocin has guidelines to be strictly
stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius or else it
will increasingly become less effective with
increased exposure to heat. Trouble is that
most health facilities in the country lack
refrigeration systems.
As a result, Nakimuli said, most cases of
over-bleeding after birth end up at Mulago. Oxytocin injection should be given to a mother immediately after giving birth but it should be kept
They often arrive when it is too late to save under refridgeration. An equally effective drug carbetocin doesnt require that.
them, hence the high rate of mothers dying.

New drug to stop

The referrals also add a strain on
resources that should be available for only
critical patients who need care at the level
of Mulago. Now, a new formulation of

bleeding after birth

a drug called carbetocin could help sort
this problem. It has been cleared to be as
effective as oxytocin and yet it can be used
under hot and humid conditions. It does
not require refrigeration.
Experts say the drug comes at a time
when they are looking for solutions for
facilities that do not have constant supply
of power.
A study on the availability and
affordability of sexual and reproductive
health commodities, whose results were
released by an NGO HEPs Uganda in
March, showed that only 44% of the
facilities across the country had consistent
supply of Oxytocin.
Results confirming the effectiveness of
the heat stable carbetocin were released on
June 28 after a study dubbed ‘CHAMPION’
-- Carbetocin Haemorrhage Prevention trial
done by the World Health Organization
(WHO) showed that the formulation can
last up to three years and is as effective as
Oxytocin.
The clinical trial, which is the largest of
its kind, studied close to 30,000 women
who gave birth vaginally in ten countries
including 3,815 recruited from Uganda.
Others that participated are Kenya,
Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, Thailand,
Singapore, Egypt, India and the UK.
Each woman was randomly given a
Study done in Uganda offers hope
single injection of either Carbetocin or
Oxytocin immediately following the birth
of her baby. There were two primary
outcomes – the proportion of women
with blood loss of at least 500ml or the use
of additional uterotonic agents and the
proportion of women with blood loss of at
least 1000ml. The margin of whether the
Carbetocin is not as good as Oxytocin was
1.16 and 1.23 respectively.
Since both drugs in the study were kept
in at the temperatures required to ensure
maximum efficacy of Oxytocin, researchers
say the trial may under estimate the benefit
expected with heat stable Carbetocin use
in real life settings where Oxytocin may
have degraded due to exposure to higher
temperatures.
It’s not yet known when the drug will hit
the market as manufacturers are still in the
process of registering it and thereafter, with
approval from WHO, countries will come
up with guidelines for use.
Flavia Nambi, a midwife at Nankandulo
Health Center IV in Kamuli district says
once approved for general use, the drug
could become a life saver in facilities like
hers.
She says they have a refrigerator but are
often put on pressure when they have to
share such drugs as Oxytocin with other
health facilities in the area that do not have
a cold chain and cannot store the medicines
on their own. Even health center twos that
have gas refrigerators, she says, do not have
reliable refrigeration.
“They usually run around and when
we all don’t have. We ask them to go to the
main hospital in kamuli. Of course in the
process we lose some mothers”, she said.
However, as it is now, 336 women
still die from pregnancy and childbirth-
related causes per 100,000 live births in
Uganda. Though the number of those who
specifically die of bleeding is not clear,
globally its estimated 70,000 women die
every year of post partum hemorrhage
increasing the risk of their babies dying
within one month.

38 July 06 - 12, 2018

 ART | BOOKS | SOCIETY | TRAVEL | CULTURE
Indulgence at Close exhibition
An exploration and challenge on stereotypes of sexuality
T
By Dominic Muwanguzi
hat art opens up
conversations
on traditionally
forbidden topics
is nothing new.
It dates back
to the stone-age; which
had art that questioned the
social and political terrain
of the day. It did the same
in the authoritarian era
of monarchs. In recent
liberal years, this practice
has been further reignited
with the mounting of
exhibitions tackling critical
and sensitive topics like
sexuality and gender.
One was held recently
in Johannesburg, South
Africa under the theme
“Close”. Featured artists
from the continent were
asked to create artworks
that conveyed the message
of proximity. The artists,
including Uganda’s Henry
Mzili Mujunga and Abe
Stacey Gillian produced
paintings and installations,
respectively that are self-
reflective of indulgence
- which became the subject
matter to the multi-
disciplinary exhibit.
Indulgence weaved
multiple reflections on
sexualities, genders, and
desires. It explored their
fluidities, contestation and
evolutions. The artwork
on display sought to
deconstruct and raise
deeper questions about
femaleness, desire, and
pleasure; performance of
masculinities; shame and
sexuality.
Here, Indulgence plays
with and reflects upon the
dynamisms and fluidities in
our societies that are often
considered un-African,
un-natural, and against
culture. In this context of
reflection and questioning,
Mzili’s nude and sometimes
erotic series of painting
that portray the subjects
half- dressed in under-
wear or starkly nude and
Abe Stacey’s installation of
vagina sculptures served
to the audience as a staple
dietary (Enyasa) stimulated
conversation on the taboo
topic of sex and sexuality in
many African communities
while confronting the
traditional stereotypes on
the subject.
An installation of
underwear, woven together
into a long tapestry that
dangled from the ceiling
and provided a multi-
coloured canopy of fabrics
to the empty metallic bed
that lay beneath, aptly
added to the narrative of
indulgence. The underwear
in the artwork titled “SA
July 06 - 12, 2018
Dirty Laundry” by Jenny
Nijenhuis communicated a
message of eroticism and
more.
The exhibition according
to Violet Nantume, one
of three curators of the
event, was largely inspired
by previous activities,
including an exhibit on the
theme of `Eroticism and
Intimacy: Faces, Places and
Paths’ that was organised
in Kampala in 2016 by
herself and colleagues. The
exhibition’s prospect was
“to bring the taboo subject
of intimacy and sexual
desire to the forefront
as a means to highlight
the place of sexual rights
and personal liberties in
women’s day forum”.
Secondly, it borders on the
conversation of academics
and feminists like Dr. Sylvia
Tamale and Ife Amadiaume
who opened conversation
about bodies, gender,
and sexualities in Kenya,
Nairobi.
In tackling such subjects,
art continues to play a
crucial role in opening a lid
on conversations that many
think are restricted. It is an
undertaking that requires
knowledge, research, and
innovative as witnessed
in the `Close’ exhibit. It
is the only way to fully
engage audiences with an
authentic narrative. It also
provides an opportunity of
introspection for the artists,
curators, and public about
how humanity reacts to
cultural stereotypes in this
age of global culture?
The exhibition `Close’E
opened on May 24 to June
24 at the Johannesburg Art
Gallery and featured artists
from East and South Africa.
39
 Woman sends 65,000 texts to man after first date, arrested
Jacqueline Ades of Phoenix
allegedly sent more than 65,000
text messages to a man after
a first date, according to The
Washington Post. They had met
on an online dating site for veri-
fied millionaires. The 31-year
old woman says she sent her
date so many texts because
“loving him selflessly brought
Rat chews
Shs74m worth
of Rupees in ATM
Employees at a bank in Tin-
sukia, India, have a good reason
to be cheesed off after at least
one rat got into an ATM and
ate $19,000 (Approx. Shs 74
million) worth of rupees. The
incident was discovered when
technicians arrived to fix the
bank’s cash machine, according
to The Associated Press. Inside
the ATM was one dead rat amid
a bunch of Indian currency in
500-rupee and 2,000-rupee bills
that had been chewed to shreds.
Police Superintendent Mugdha
Jyoti Mahantato told reporters
the rat had entered the ATM
through a small hole for cables.
Apple to produce smash resistant phone
Most of us have experienced
the sinking feeling which
comes when a phone slips
out your hand and smashes
into the ground. Now Apple
has revealed the latest devel-
opment in its war to stop us
from wrecking our expensive
gadgets. It has just applied to
patent ‘drop countermeasures
for electronic devices’ which
40 July 06 - 12, 2018
me his information. I felt like I
met my soul mate”. But she has
been charged with threatening,
stalking, and harassment. Police
say many of the text messages
Ades “selflessly” sent included
anti-Semitic insults and threats
like, “Don’t ever try to leave me
... I’ll kill you ... I don’t wanna be
a murderer!...Oh, what I would
London gets very first vegan Oktoberfest
Vegans have traditionally
been a bit left out at your stan-
dard Oktoberfest – not being
able to partake in the bratwurst
and never really knowing if
their beer has fish guts in or
not. Luckily this year, Camden
is opening its edgy tatted arms
to a fully plant-based version,
called Vegtoberfest, which will
be the UK’s first ever fully veg-
an Oktoberfest on October 06 at
could protect smartphones
as they plummet towards the
merciless floor.
Apple plans to use motion
sensors to detect movement
and proximity detectors to spot
a ‘potential impact surface’.
The clever technology will then
rotate smartphones as they
plummet so tougher parts of
the gadget take the blow.
do w/your blood ... I’d wanna
bathe in it.” She also allegedly
broke into the man’s home
and took a bath in his tub and
showed up at his work pretend-
ing to be his wife. She said she
thought she had sent more than
65,000 text messages.
“Love is an excessive thing,”
she said.
Indian man worships
Fest Camden in London. Veg- Trump as God
ans will be able to take sweet
sips of plant-based Bavarian
An Indian man has been
beers and local vegan craft ales,
worshipping US President
as well as vegan wines, mulled
Donald Trump, the 45th
wines and hot and cold cock-
President of America, for
tails. They will also get vegan
over the past three years.
bratwurst (finally!) with all the
According to Indian
trimmings, as well as a whole
media, 31 years old
host of Bavarian-themed vegan
Bussa Krishna hails from
wood-fired pizza.
Telengana near the capital
of Hyderabad, was inspired
by Donald Trump’s ‘Make
America Great’ election
campaign. He prays to
Trump several times a
day. He has also started
a Facebook page to share
his love of Trump with
the world. Bussa regularly
posts pictures and videos
of himself worshiping at
Britain’s man with a shrine to the president.
Meanwhile, Krishna said
most crimes! people in his village called
Britain’s most convicted man him mad and suggested he
is back in prison after committing visit a psychologist.
his 668th offence in a criminal
career spanning 48 years. Patrick
Ryan, 62, has run up a staggering
469 convictions for a total of 668
offences, costing UK taxpayers a
staggering £3 million (Approx.
Shs15 billion) to take to court. His
criminal record runs to 100 pages
and is so long a police force once
put a note on it warning workers
not to print it out as it would waste
too much paper. In the latest case,
he exposed himself to a bus-load
of appalled passengers, groped
one and urinated. He was jailed
for another 18 months. He has
been in an out of custody since the
age of 14 and had spent 23 years
behind bars before the age of 50.
2018 Nissan X-Trail ST-L Review
R
evamped for 2018, the Nissan X-
Trail continues to grab a big slice of
the medium SUV pie. The X-Trail
ST-L is described as the model’s
mid-spec variant, but it’s packed with
enough comfort, convenience and safety
features to give some top-spec SUVs a run
for their money, comparable to the Mazda
CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and
Honda CR-V.
Many of the vehicles in the segment are
available in both 2WD and AWD variants,
and this is the case with the X-Trail. It comes
in five trim levels (ST, TS, ST-L, Ti and TL),
with the ST-L model right in the middle of
the range.
While there are 2.0L petrol and turbo-
diesel engines in the range, as well as a
manual or Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion (CVT), the ST-L is only available with
a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated
to the Xtronic CVT. The X-Trail is also avail-
able with seven seats, but this option can
only be mated to ST and ST-L models with
the 2.5L petrol engine and CVT.
Despite its mid-spec standing, the X-Trail
ST-L is loaded with equipment. Standard
comfort and convenience features include
seven-inch colour touchscreen, six-speaker
sound system with DAB+, Bluetooth phone
connectivity, sat-nav with traffic monitor-
ing, six-way power-adjustable driver seat
and four-way passenger seat, heated front
seats, leather accented seat trim, leather
accented steering wheel, heated and cooled
centre console cupholders, keyless entry
with push-button start, cruise control,
automatic headlights, two front 12V power
outlets and one in the cargo area, second-
row air vents, speed-sensitive electric power
steering, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails,
privacy glass and heated door mirrors.
Surrounded by lots of quality trim, soft
touch materials and pleasant design, sitting
in the X-trail ST-L’s driver’s seat is a pleas-
ant experience. The seat itself is covered
in nice leather accent trim and offers a
good range of adjustment including height
and lumbar. The steering is adjustable for
rake and reach and all of the controls and
switches are logically positioned and clearly
marked.
X-Trail’s seven-inch colour touchscreen
is nice and bright but navigating your way
through some of the functions takes a little
getting used to. The ‘Nissan Connect’ app
isn’t as intuitive as Apple CarPlay/Android
Auto, but it does allow you to access certain
phone apps via the X-Trail’s touchscreen.
What safety features does it get?
The X-Trail was awarded a five-star
ANCAP score in June 2017. In ST-L speci-
fication the X-Trail is loaded with safety
features including: ABS; EBD; BA; Intel-
ligent Trace Control; Intelligent Engine
Brake; Intelligent Ride Control Hill Start
Assist; Intelligent Emergency Braking;
Blind Spot Warning; Rear Cross Traffic
Alert; LED DRLs; LED taillights; door mir-
ror LED turn indicators; rearview camera
with predictive path technology; Intelligent
Around-View Monitor with Moving Object
Detection; front, front-side and side curtain
SRS airbags; Vehicle Dynamic Control with
Traction Control System; Forward Collision
Warning; three-point Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor front and rear seatbelts; and
outer ISOFIX and three top-tether child-seat
mounting points.
Packed with high-end equipment and
safety features at a competitive price,
it’s little wonder the X-Trail is proving
so popular.
Source: Internet
July 06 - 12, 2018 41
Profile
Edward Francis Babu: On why
piloting tops his many trades
By Agnes E Nantaba
E
dward Francis Babu, one of
Uganda’s leading politicians often
has the tag `captain’ mention with
his name but he is not a soldier. It
comes from his professional piloting days.
Although out of elective politics now, he
held several ministerial positions. He is also
an entrepreneur with several businesses to
his name. But from all his trades, Babu talks
most about his piloting days. “Being a pilot
provided an opportunity to travel the world
and work in different countries,” he says.
And that taught him something important;
that as most journey’s in life are; “no flight
is the same and learning is on the job not the
book”.
He started his flying journey in 1972 until
about 1989. Flying started with his receiv-
ing the British Commercial Flying license
and instrument rating from the Oxford Air
Training School in 1972.
But the journey started in Kiwumu vil-
lage Kammengo Sub County in present
day Mpigi district where Babu was born as
an only child. His father Joseph Duet Babu
passed on when he was in primary four and
his memories of childhood include being
segregated based on race.
“My mother was very possessive having
been born in a family of mixed heri-
tage,” he says, “There was some
sort of stigma but we even-
tually managed to live
with it.”
He went
to Aggrey
Memorial
School,
42 July 06 - 12, 2018
Nakivubo settlement primary school,
and Makerere College School, and later
moved to Nairobi to the East African
Engineering School under East African
Airways. Towards the end of the course, an
opportunity to recruit pilots came up and
Babu was among the five chosen to study
in Britain at Oxford Air Training School
in 1970 for two years. Upon return to East
Africa, Babu started work as a captain or
co-pilot. He later returned to Oxford for
a post-graduate qualification in flying
and upon completion, graduated as a full
captain. He then had to look for flying
hours and more training.
“I started flying within the region to
Entebbe, Dar es salaam, Lilongwe, Kinsha-
sa, Lusaka, Khartoum and Cairo,” he says.
But his day would soon turn to dusk
as, around the same time, the East African
community was being unbundled. But
Babu did not sink with the ship. He crossed
to Nigeria Airways until 1984 when he
switched to Saudi Arabian Airways. In 1984
he married Olive and together they had
three children; including a set of twins. He
says, “Unfortunately, marriage didn’t work
out well and we separated”. He returned to
Uganda in 1986 and worked with several
companies in what he calls “flying adhoc”.
He also managed to set up a home and raise
a family in the upmarket Nakasero area of
Kampala city.
In 1989, residents of Nakasero voted
him to be the chairman of their LC1. But
the same afternoon, he was moved up to
be chairman LC2. His political career was
sparked. He rose through the ranks to city
councilor and member of the Constituent
Assembly in 1993/4 where he was one of
those who made the 1995 Constitution.
In 1994 during a ministerial reshuffle,
Babu was appointed Minister of State for
Education in charge of General Duties. He
married Margret Zziwa Nantongo; who
would go on to be the speaker of the East
African Legislative Assembly and long-
time Woman MP for Kampala District.
They have two children. In 1998 he was
transferred to the Ministry of Energy and
later Ministry of Works. He also served
as regional NRM chairman for Kampala
Region. He has since retired from elective
politics. “I might not stand for elective office
but I am still a politician,” he says.
Babu is also an entrepreneur with a Mas-
ter’s degree in Entrepreneurship studies
from the University of Stirling which he
got in 2005.

Francis Babu’s Liteside
Any three things that we
S
don’t know about you?
ome people say that
I don’t give up on an
issue and usually stay
on the right side. They
also say that I am too honest,
like straight forward debate,
and respect other people’s
views.
What is your idea of perfect
happiness?
I have done a lot for myself
and my country. I came from
a humble background, went
to school, and came out as a
senior pilot. I have beautiful
children and grandchildren.
There is no better happiness.
What is the trait you most
deplore in yourself?
I think I am too honest and
some people don’t like it;
especially those in politics.
Sometimes I feel I should
keep quiet but my character
doesn’t allow it.
What is the trait you most
deplore in others?
Lying and stabbing others
in the back annoys me.
Which living person do you
most admire?
Patrick Loch Otieno
Lumumba is a professor
in Kenya who gives
interesting political analysis.
I also admire John Nagenda
because he is a very
interesting writer of reality.
What is your greatest
extravagance?
I read a lot.
What is the greatest thing
you have ever done?
Flying was one but also
my contribution towards
this country indicates that
I am not interested in just
the politics because my
patriotism is to this country.
What do you consider the
most overrated virtue?
We waste too much time
with foreigners. We are not
nationalistic, tend to get other
people to decide for us. The
way we do things including
the writing is western and
this is very unfortunate.
What does being powerful
mean to you?
Not having poverty of the
brain and this has nothing to
do with the riches or wealth.
Somebody should be able to
connect brain power with his
or her riches and successes.
On what occasion do you
lie?
People who tell lies want to
get a mileage but I run a strict
regime of my life.
What do you most dislike
about your appearance?
I am a very happy person
with who and what I am.
Which living person do you
most despise?
I despise people who
change horses in midstream.
What is the quality you most
like in a woman?
Ability to recognise that
she is a pillar of everything;
including marriage.
What is the quality you most
like in a man?
Patience and the
willingness to give and take.
Which words or phrases do
you most overuse?
I speak Standard English
and hate to use bombastic
words.
What or who is the greatest
love of your life?
I love my people equally.
When and where were you
happiest?
When I became a pilot in
Britain in 1972, I was very
happy. When I had my first
child, Cedric, the twins and
all my children, I was very
happy because children are
blessings; especially the fact
that I was born an only child.
I like the families that we
have.
Which talent would you
most like to have?
Some of my friends say
that I am a good orator.
Where would you most like
to live?
Uganda is one of the
most beautiful countries on
this continent. It has very
beautiful people who make
up the country and not the
politicians.
What is your most treasured
possession?
I treasure my village home
because the children know
where they come from. I also
treasure my children because
they will continue my lineage
regardless of their faults.
What do you regard as the
lowest depth of misery?
My father passed on when
I was very young in primary
four so my mother took on
the sole responsibility of
raising me. I wouldn’t want
any woman to go through
the same. Unfortunately
when I returned to Uganda,
she passed on but I wish she
had lived a little bit longer to
enjoy the fruits of her sweat.
What is your favorite
occupation?
I have leanrt something
from all my occupations. As
a pilot, no flight is the same,
learn from the job and not the
book.
What do you most value in
your friends?
Friendship in Africa is
slightly different and I think
it has a lot to do with culture.
It’s more of lukewarm
friendship which to me is
not friendship. A friend if
July 06 - 12, 2018
Q&A
advertorial
somebody is who is short
of being your blood brother
or sister, not somebody to
gossip with.
Who are your favorite
writers?
It doesn’t matter who
writes but the content. But
I like Andrew Mwenda
because over the years, he has
written very good opinions
and he does a lot of research.
Which historical figure do
you most identify with?
Nelson Mandela; I liked
his humility, acceptance and
conclusion. After being put in
jail for 27 years, he concluded
it with magnanimity. He
was a nationalist, wanted
everything for South Africa
and not for himself. After the
struggle, he chose to retire.
He was also a good time
keeper who would arrive for
an appointment five minutes
earlier.
Who are your heroes in real
life?
Chesley Sullenberger landed
the plane in the Hudson River
on January 15, 2009 and saved
all the 155 people aboard,
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was
very honest, saintly and loved
Tanzania not position, and
President Yoweri Museveni
because he has managed to
hold this country together for
32 years and he has become
responsible for its failures
and successes.
What is your greatest regret?
God has been very kind to
me.
How would you like to die?
Peaceful with my family
around; not a traumatic death.
What is your motto?
Think positively all the
time.
43
Global comment
By Chuka Onwumechili
Africa and World Cup money
It is about time to revisit the bang African teams get for
the bucks they spend on this quadrennial tournament
E
ach World Cup year, African football
teams arrive with renewed hopes
of making remarkable progress and
breaking the vise grip that Europe
and South America have had on this qua-
drennial tournament for nearly 100 years.
Each time that hope invariably implodes.
That surely has to leave African teams with
some critical questions.
The biggest is whether African teams
– at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia
they were Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia,
Nigeria and Senegal – are getting the
best bang for the bucks they invest in
their teams and coaches attending the
competition. Some football fans may
see football as recreational, while some
politicians use it as a tool for national
building. But football is without question
a business: the players are professionals,
the coaches are paid a king’s ransom,
and governments and umbrella body,
FIFA, dole out huge sums to support fed-
erations and their teams.
Taking part in the world cup involves
both spending money, as well as earning
money. Teams spend millions of dollars
preparing for the month-long tourna-
ment. The funds go to paying coaches,
many of whom are the highest paid
professionals in the countries they serve.
For example, a top government official in
Egypt earns an estimated annual salary
of US$ 28,294 while Egypt’s current
football manager Hector Cuper gets a
reported US$1.7 million annually. Egypt
didn’t make it past the group stage in
Russia.
Players also earn well. In some teams
foreign based players – for example a
Senegalese who plays for a European
club – can earn more. And they’re
camped in five star hotels and their pro-
gramme is supported by huge budgets.
In the case of Nigeria, the annual budget
is US$16.2 million. This is not a candy
budget by any means.
On top of this, FIFA pays countries that
qualify handsomely. And the longer they
stay in the tournament, the more they
get.
But is this money being managed
wisely? Are the funds being invested in
African teams worth it? And are there
44 July 06 - 12, 2018
wiser ways to manage the loot that
comes from the game?
Big bucks
There is seriously good money in the
World Cup – and we’re not even talking
rights and sponsorships.
FIFA pays each team that make it to the
World Cup US$9.5million – US$8million
for taking part in the group stage and
US$1.5 million for tournament costs.
FIFA’s distribution of funds is based
on how far each of the 32 teams is able
to go in the tournament. Thus, by going
further a team returns with more money.
Just by progressing to the second round
of 16 teams brings in an additional US$4
million from FIFA. Getting into the quar-
terfinals brings a further US$4 million to
each team, while the third placed team
gets US$24 million and the fourth US$22
million.
The winner of the 2018 World Cup final
gets US$38 million, with the runners-up
paid US$28 million. This is up from 2014
when winners Germany received US$35
million and beaten finalists, Argentina,
got USD$25 million.
On top of this teams can land seriously
A top government
official in
Egypt earns
an estimated
annual salary of
US$ 28,294 while
Egypt’s current
football manager
Hector Cuper
gets a reported
US$1.7 million
annually
lucrative sponsorships. Take U.S. soccer
for example - it qualified for the 2014
tournament and received US$49.7 mil-
lion in sponsorships, television, licensing
and royalties, according to their football
federation’s tax form filing for 2015.
Options
One of the ways in which teams can
make better use of the money that gets
invested in national teams is by spending
less. An easy way to cut costs would be
for countries to decide to hire local man-
agers and coaches since they cost quite a
bit less than expatriates.
There’s a strong case to be made for
this. Several local ones have done as well
as the expatriates. Take the example of
Nigeria. Four years ago at the World Cup
tournament in Brazil, Nigeria’s Stephen
Keshi was paid less than his expatriate
counterparts but took the Nigerian team
to the second phase. It was a feat only
a few expatriate Nigerian coaches have
been able to achieve with the country’s
team.
But there’s also a case to be made in
investing big, particularly if a country
decides that it wants to make it past
the first round of the tournament. If the
money that’s being spent on managers,
in particular, isn’t getting them through
to the second round, why keep them?
Why not go for the very best managers
and perhaps pay them a bit more. In
addition, extra money can be put into
creating a better working environment to
increase the probability of going beyond
the first phase.
Governments and football associations
should go back to their spreadsheets
and do some serious recalculating in
preparation for the next World Cup in
Qatar in 2022. Serious investment might
ultimately be the path to a better payout
and it may provide additional money to
spend on sport development.
The recent spate of early World Cup
exits might just signal that the best time
to reevaluate the investment is now.
Chuka Onwumechili is Professor of
Communications, Howard University
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