Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for refugees has called for greater international attention to the plight of South Sudanese refugees fleeing insecurity to South Sudan’s neighbours. As he concluded his two-day visit to Uganda which was intended to assess the situation on the ground, Grandi appealed Wednesday to the leaders …
Read More »Cabinet retreat: Parliament takes break until after Sept 9
Parliamentarians will have to wait until after September 9 to debate Nakifuma MP Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko’s private members bill to amend the constitution. The bill aims to extend the retirement age of judges and judicial officers by five years and open the restricted two term tenure of the Electoral Commissioners. Debate on the …
Read More »Trade minister Kyambadde explains hides and skins export ban
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Amelia Kyambadde has launched the Leather and Leather Products Policy that aims to improve quality of exports and processing of hides and skins in the country. The policy passed by Uganda’s cabinet recently, aims to maximize value addition in the leather sector and application of cleaner technologies. The …
Read More »Medical interns take protest to parliament
Medical interns Wednesday tried to take their protest about working conditions and study duration to Uganda’s parliament. The students who include medical doctors, pharmacists and nurses protested a government proposal to extend from one to three years the period they act as interns. They are also unhappy with the reduction in their …
Read More »EADB to offer fellowships to 600 cancer specialists
The East African Development Bank (EADB) in partnership with the British Council and the London based Royal College of Physicians has launched a Medical Training and Fellowships Programme to train 600 cancer specialists in the next four years in East Africa. According to the Director General of the East African …
Read More »Uganda-Kenya draw 0-0 in prep match for Comoros
International friendly Result Uganda 0 Kenya 0 Cranes and Harambee Stars played a cautious game for most part Tuesday, with both sides settling for a goalless draw at Mandela National Stadium Namboole. Kenya’s Harambee stars were led by England-based midfielder Victor Wanyama and had their best efforts in the second half. …
Read More »Policeman Baguma hands himself in, remanded to Kigo
Former Central Police Station DPC Aron Baguma has been charged and remanded to Kigo Prison. He faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery and kidnap. In company of his lawyer Abraham Mpumwire, ASP Baguma turned himself in at Buganda Road Court at 2.15pm on Tuesday and appeared before Grade One Magistrate Joan Aciro. …
Read More »Uganda issues oil production licences, targets 2020
Uganda on Tuesday issued oil production licences to the French group Total and British company Tullow. Energy Minister Irene Muloni said first oil production is now expected in 2020. Experts say the government hopes to earn $1.5 billion a year from oil exploitation, particularly from taxes, royalties and a 15% share of the benefits …
Read More »AGOA: Extension of access to US markets could be another lost opportunity
AGOA’s agony: Why 10-year extension of duty-free access to the US market could be another lost opportunity for Uganda When the US passed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) 15 years ago, there was a lot of promise. Many African countries, especially the oil exporters, have registered substantial progress under …
Read More »Experts still wary of Uganda’s high interest rates
When the Central bank reduced its key bank rate to 14% from 15% early this month, it was expected that commercial banks would respond by cutting their lending rates. This was the third time in a row the Central bank was reducing the CBR by 100 basis points the others …
Read More »