News analysis Health Business

Musevenis gold Kutesa in Cheaper drugs Internet costs lebrating

dealer in trouble Paradise for cancer drop Ce

Issue No. 495 Nov 10 - 16, 2017 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8
Years

Togikwatako
Why opposition
say Museveni
is panicking

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INSIDE: BUSINESS
Economic
POLITICS: Godber SUDAN: Matthew Musevenis vision
GOVERNANCE: FEATURE NEWS A NALYSIS NEWS A NALYSIS Why do experts, World Bank
anxieties

Charles Onyango- Tumushabe on Stein on the want shift in strategy?

Poverty looms as
gambling booms
Obbo on the new lessons from Ivory Souths walk to Foreign big-money Police PRO reappointed Experts divided NEWS ANALYSIS NEWS ANALYSIS BUSINESS

look of corruption Coast crisis freedom investment frenzy in again as major changes over HIV Teachers on Museveni can Shs 68 trillion
Tullows backyard rock force strategy new transfer save Zziwa but economy
policy what after?
Emirates Airlines in control

INDEPENDENT
Issue No. 239 November 09 - 15 , 2012 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8
THE

You Buy the Truth, We Pay the Price Issue 144 January 07 - 13, 2011 Ushs 4000, Kshs 180, RwF 1200, SDP 6

Issue No. 230 September 07 - 13, 2012 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8
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Obama II Win excites world Papal Visit

The Besigye, Museveni

How Museveni killed Amamas vision Exercise, diet against IMF cuts Ugandas 16-page
anti-Lukwago Bill for Uganda cancer of prostate growth prospects Special
Edition

problem

Secret
As seen from the
delegates conference
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oil deals
New rules to force www.independent.co.ug

CNOOC, Total, Tullow

to reveal money paid
By Haggai Matsiko

Welcome
Inside the hunt
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Issue 347.indd 1 12/9/14 8:21 PM

Pope
for Al Shabaab
INTERVIEW NEWS ANALYSIS BUSINESS
Land grabbers
50 years of Joy & tears
All Makerere money Crane Bank

A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION
should be put in
one basket for
better staff pay
hit Entebbe






















opens Malaba
Branch
Shs 234 Bn brewery opens
INSIDE: Prof. Frederick Jjuko, Prof.Daniel Schydlowsky, Prof. John Ssali, Lawrence Kagwa, Mayanja Nkangi, Prof.
Mwambutsya Ndeebesa, Godber Tumushabe, Maj. John Kazoora, Yoga Adhola, Eliya Kisembo, Andrew Mwenda, Abbey
Francis
Ssemuwemba, Naomi Wolf, Simon Mayende, Moses Byaruhanga, Moses Matovu, Diplock Ssegawa, Ronald Kerajo 27: 11: 2015
By Andrew M. Mwenda THE ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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INTERVIEW INSIGHT BUSINESS NEWS ANALYSIS TRIBUTE: BUSINESS
Economy on Why
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Issue No. 234 October 05 - 11, 2012 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8 Museveni Call rates stay up Independence Ali Alamin NSSFs
speech was thin but UCC says new
track- IMF on substance law will compel
Day in
pictures
Mazrui
Feb.24 1933 to
Shs 366
billion

Musevenis war within NRM

RWANDA: 37 men SUDAN: What are the COMMENT Prof. SPECIAL REPORT: SUDAN:INew BUSINESS: With RWANDA: SUDAN:Recent violence BUSINESS: Oct.13, 2014
accused of grenade implications for the Ian Buruma on Killed by the state currency still govt broke, oil Rwanda becomes in Abyei has potential Mobile money:
attacks are alleged ongoing stalemate in why Obama has at Kololo army base, shrouded in firms gain upper a Nyakatsiless to spark a wider north- So far so good,
FDLR agents Darfur? gotten it right buried in secret grave secrecy hand country south conflict but





 








INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT
THE
THE

THE

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You Buy the Truth, We Pay the Price
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Ushs 4000, Kshs 180, RwF 1200, SDP 6 You Buy the Truth, We Pay the Price Issue No. 157, April 08 - 14, 2011 Ushs 4000, Kshs 180, RwF 1200, SDP 6 You Buy the Truth, We Pay the Price Issue No. 158, April 15 - 21, 2011 Ushs 4000, Kshs 180, RwF 1200, SDP 6
Supplement
Uganda Health system
strengthening project
scholarships

Tight budget
scheme

The challenge behind the 2012/13 numbers What next

Banks make for Afande
Lord Mayor huge profits Kaweesi?
Lukwago 


  
Police boss Kayihuras
The Field Commander 


 

brings common mans Crane Bank


 
approach to the city billion

Besigye pays the price

FDC leader unleashes powerful strategy against Museveni

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RWANDA: SUDAN:IDanger of NEWS: Budget reading Economic turbulence War looms large in
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Can its economy NGOs providing basic Whistleblower is ritual of same wont shake the South Kordofan,
services to almost Abyei and Darfur
accommodate its exposes smuggling old promises countrys optimism COMMENT
Q&A BUSINESS
Avalanche of banks
ROAD TO 2016 NEWS ANALYSIS BUSINESS
Richard Byarugaba Dont BoU committed
spiraling birth rate? 90% of the country ring inside tax body on reducing NSSF politicise `The country Foreign
suspense account fight against
corruption
EU to lead new UN
energy initiative World Paul Kagame, Yoweri Museveni, Barack Obama, Uhuru Kenyatta, Goodluck is about to be
plunged
TV wins
to ensuring
economic

INDEPENDENT
Jonathan, Bill Clinton, Augustine Ruzindana, Olara Otunnu, Ssebaana Kizito,
mourns Gerald Ssendaula, Pope Francis, Andrew Mwenda, Yusuf Sserunkuma,
Rebecca Kadaga, Kintu Musoke, Norbert Mao, Paul Kawanga Ssemwogerere,
into chaos stability
THE

Mandela
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Issue No. 212, May 04 - 10, 2012

Amama Mbabazi, Ruhakana Rugunda, Prince William...
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SUPPLEMENT:

Kayihura sacks
BUJAGALI LINE

Land grabbing,
You Buy the Truth, We Pay the Price Issue No. 159, April 22 - 28, 2011 Ushs 4000, Kshs 180, RwF 1200, SDP 6
COMMISSIONED
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top police officers investors exposed

Museveni reacts, Oxfam, Uganda
Is it punishment or a purge? Land Alliance in trouble Issue No. 295 December 13 - 19, 2013 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8

2016
Election

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or war?
Security experts

Walk www.independent.co.ug
NEWS ANALYSIS
Corruption in
RWANDA
Rwandas
BUSINESS
NEWS ANALYSIS
Unwanted
INTERVIEW
Politics should
BUSINESS
In-flight catering
raise alarm over






to war
High costs threaten comes of age
low cost housing investors be a sacrifice -
F
C igh
Uganda business capital sector
Making resource
rich regions Dr Ian Clarke Wining but not winning, yet
orr ti
INTERVIEW:
Besigye wants to
RWANDA:
Is corruption on
SUDAN:
South Kordofans up ng
in Uga
nda 
 






American companies make?
inflows firm Rwanda targets medical tourism become food poor
ti
topple the govt - the rise in the EACs volatile governor on
Public anger greets Kabushenga cleanest country? vote
Museveni even
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before he is swornin
INDEPENDENT Nelson
THE

NEWS A NALYSIS INTERVIEW BUSINESS

Mandela
You Buy the Truth, We Pay the Price Issue No. 162, May 13 -19, 2011 Ushs 4000, Kshs 180, RwF 1200, SDP 6 Issue No. 261 April 19 - 25 , 2013 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8
Issue No. 268 June 07 - 13 , 2013 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8 Why Ugandan We want a world Big dairy
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learn Police Force
1918-2013
Uganda, Sudan How Monitor was






SUDAN:
South Sudans
COMMENT: Onyango-
Obbo: Museveni won
BUSINESS:
Ugandan business SPECIAL REPORT: RWANDA: INTERVIEW:
Cut down on
ICC trial looms over Special Commemorative Issue

closed, re-opened
From bitter rivals

enter arms race

How Musevenis

Kayihura, Kivejinja
free or fearful because he is bad, not women coming teargas and
good president into their own success is creating to friends - how
press? conditions for Kagame and increase teachers
his downfall Sarkozy reconciled pay- Prof. Kajubi

INDEPENDENT
THE

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Museveni doubles military expenditure, The Inside Story www.independent.co.ug





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Makerere
Issue 295 copy peter new.indd 1 12/10/13 4:04 PM
Central Bank Ministers Bank profit

Inside Umeme




to investigate have become delight
Was it under fire MTN too lazy
Big regional trade boost
News analysis
Besigye gains in the east, 


 

Interview
WFP launches
Business
Low tea price EAC Top donor

bought Museveni sweeps the north related violence 
 

worries aid recipients

shares deal
Universitys problems go beyond












or stolen? pay and strikes



 


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Issue No. 362 April 03 - 09 , 2015 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8
Issue No. 404 Feb. 05 - 11, 2016 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8

















Electricity sector


 






Politicians battle over  


Shs800 billion








Sejusas money, investor

 
 
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arrest
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www.independent.co.ug What Museveni

camp feared
By Haggai Matsiko

NEWS ANALYSIS: Are government INTERVIEW NEWS ANALYSIS BUSINESS

HEALTH NEWS ANALYSIS BUSINESS

INTERVIEW: officials are lying on oil? Telecom fees to drop Health Spying Imperial Banks
Grounds exist for Museveni financial woes
Museveni is in REGIONAL: UNHCRs direction affirms Rwandas a rebellion - Col. insurance's on wrong
the midst of a stability, yet some refugees remain sceptical losing support, Online fraudsters empty promises `enemy Large consumers task Umeme
Tsunami Felix Kulayigye Besigye gaining threaten car market
BUSINESS: Greasy path for Ugandas oil industry

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Fight over
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Why is Museveni
Fina M
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building regions nc inis

strongest army? oil pipeline STOP PRESS
World shocked as
government shuts
BUSINESS

Bad debts
relee qu try of
asesarte
r IV
NEWS ANALYSIS FOREIGN PRESS
UNEB In Uganda,
BUSINESS
Unhoused
News analysis
Musevenis bread and bullets
Health
Unease as only cancer treatment
Business

 

ERA announces
Uganda outspends Kenya on military 
 


 
down Daily Monitor
choking banks experiment its bust generation 


 machine breaks down investor quits 


Besigye predicts: 




 Chinese plans for Uganda oil and Red Pepper
Experts warn banks
on poor due diligence goes wrong before boom
Tenant versus landlord
Musevenis
regime is Issue No. 414 April 15- 21, 2016 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8

collapsing Issue No. 266 May 24 - 30 , 2013 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8
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Uganda: Defense Kenya: Defense

Tinyefuza Fallout Jennifer
Musisi
expenditure 2011 expenditure 2011
US$1.02 billion. US$735 million.

Museveni intervenes in
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Israel arms dealer case under siege
INTERVIEW NEWS ANALYSIS BUSINESS Concern over private
BUSINESS: PERSPECTIVE: Oil-bribes scandal agencies using security After Museveni, Kampala
Behind the
in historical perspective Lukwago Kyambogo EACs monetary
union minister, MPs, Lukwago spell
scenes at
By Andrew Mwenda
on Museveni
Universitys Mr. Fix it
Prof. Ndiege seeks to reconcile an of the unequal in turf wars out terms of engagement
Muhairwes exit and Musisi 





Time to eat, travel less

Issue No. 189, November 18 -24, 2011 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8
News analysis Health Business
Issue No. 294 December 06 - 12, 2013 Ushs 5000, Kshs 200, RwF 1500, SDP 8 Massacre on IGG Mulyagonja launches 
 


 
 





Masaka road 







 





 
  



Museveni, Besigye Museveni Vs Mbabazi www.independent.co.ug

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Issue No. 431 Aug 12- 18, 2016 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8

need to talk 














Experts warn of explosion if they dont 





 

  
 News analysis

 


  
Eastern DR Congo
erupts again
Health
 


 

skin bleaches
Business
Stanbic Banks
  
 
Social
 
 



pounce
Issue No. 432 Aug 19 - 25, 2016 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8
Top lawyers reveal details
of land grab plot

 






 



 
over Karuma, Isimba






 

Muloni, Kabagambe

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Issue 294.indd 1 12/3/13 3:09 PM

AmAzing
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Years of telling a story

INBOX

Issue No. 495 Nov 10 - 16, 2017

The Week The Last Word Analysis Business Arts &

Culture
4|NRM in new Africas 13|Kutesa in Paradise: 22|Internet
strategy for age-limit Foreign Minister costs drop:
bill consultations highway to fingered in dodgy deal Why cost per
43|All the
light we can
nowhere: in Seychelles Mbps has
see: An art
Why our dropped by
exhibition for
73% in last three
4|Kadaga writes continents 14|Musevenis gold years
the blind
to Museveni faith in dealer in trouble:
over attack on Belgian in alleged
parliament foreign direct US$1bn scam
investment 24|Uganda
54|Modern
backslides in
as a solution 19|Fair trade in coffee: Doing Business
car parks:
4|KIU students in
nasty accident to our How coffee marketing ranking:
Bold designs,
technology rule
poverty is a arrangement is Hike in trade
the high rises
putting more money licence fees and
pipedream in farmers pockets, tedious property
5|Munyagwa
improving quality transfer blamed
pulls out of FDC
presidential race

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2 Nov 10 - 16, 2017

 Offline

Rebecca Kadaga
(L), the speaker
of Parliament,
commissioning a
septic ward at CoRSU
hospital in Kisubi
along Entebbe road
on October 27. This
ward will provide
special environment I am therefore seeking an
and isolation services explanation to the identity, mission
for septic patients.
Looking on is the and purpose of the unsolicited forces. I
Italian Ambassador am also seeking an explanation about
to Uganda H.E. why they assaulted MPs and why
Domenico Fornana, they were arrested, transported and
(R). INDEPENDENT/
JIMMY SIYA confined at police stations.Speaker
Rebecca Kadagas letter to President
Museveni on raid of parliament
A mother stranded
with an unimmunized
newly born baby at
Naguru Hospital on
Nov.7. Doctors under
their Uganda Medical
Workers Association
on Nov. 06 embarked
on industrial action
calling for closure
of all outpatient
departments I have no problem with Gen Muntu as
until their human a leader but I believe the NRM people
resource grievances
are settled.
need to be challenged with someone
INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA who can handle them well. Roland
Mugume, FDC MP for Rukungiri Municipality

Students of Mbarara
University of Science and
Technology Kuhumuru
campus jubilating during
the 24th graduation
ceremony. Over
1000 students were
awarded degrees and
certificates. INDEPENDENT/
JIMMY SIYA
I am a scoring player in the NRM super
league and reports suggesting that I
am about to be sacked by President
Museveni are mere speculation by
opponents wishing to portray me
negatively.Ronald Kibuule, Minister of
State for Water

41 More police
officers CMI is 84 Schools to be built
under a new Ministry of Shs215bn Money UK has
donated to Uganda
investigating Education project to fight malaria

Nov 10 - 16, 2017 3

Week
NRM in new strategy for age-limit Bill consultations
In a statement released on Nov.05, the ruling
National Resistance Movement (NRM) party
unleashed a new strategy to involve senior cadres
in rallying more people to support the amend-
ment of article 102(b) such that presidential age
limits can be changed from the current 35 to 75
years. In consultations that kicked off Nov.06,
each cadre was assigned a region where they will
among others hold meetings with local leaders.
According to the list said to have been drafted
by party chairman Yoweri Museveni, Prime
Minister Ruhakana Rugunda is to comb Kigezi
region, Hajji Abdul Nadduli greater Luweero and
NRM delegates at a conference in Namboole
Kirunda Kivejinja Busoga region. Others assigned
are Hajji Moses Kigongo for Greater Masaka
region, Richard Todwong (Acholi region), Rose
Namayanja and Godfrey Nyakaana (Kampala),
Ruth Nankabirwa (Mubende), Sam Engola and
Lydia Wanyoto (Lango region), Mike Mukula
(Bukedi), Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza (Rwenzori
region), Kahinda Otafire (Bunyoro) and Maj.
Jim Muhwezi for Ankole region among others.
However, this comes to supplement on
efforts by members of parliament who have
already bagged Shs29million each to facilitate
their consultations.
South Sudans former
chief of staff refuses
to surrender arms
Troops have been surround-
ing the home of South Sudans
Former Chief of Staff Gen. Paul
Malong since Nov.04 on orders
of President Salva Kiir that the
general surrenders his arms
and body guards. He was also
barred from receiving any
visitors.
By Nov.06 however Malong
had not yet given in to Kiirs
demands even with warning
that they would use reasonable
force if he fails to abide, a thing
that intensified fears of another
shoot out in the country.
Malong who is a former
Governor of Northern Bahr el
Ghazal has been under house
arrest since May when he was
fired for commanding fight-
ing in Juba that left hundreds
dead. The United States have
also imposed sanctions on him
for undermining the countrys
stability, peace and security.

Kadaga writes to Museveni over attack on parliament

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga
(Pictured) has asked president Museveni
to explain the identity and the mission of
unknown people who attacked parliament
on Sept.27 beating up members of parlia-
ment who had converged for plenary to
among others deliberate on an anticipated
motion to introduce a constitutional amend-
ment bill to change presidential age limits.
In the letter copied to the Prime Minister,
Inspector General of Police and Minister
for Internal Affairs, Kadaga who says she
hadnt asked for any support asks the presi-
dent to explain why members of parliament
were arrested, transported in police vans
and confined at various police stations. responses especially on social media with
Explaining her letter to the press, Kadaga some accusing her of being dishonest for
said its only the sergeant at she had initially said she was unapologetic
arms or parliamentary about what transpired. To date, some MPs
police supposed to still battle the effects of the September 27
handle security issues fracas that ensued after members opposing
within parliament removal of presidential age limit were
and that external suspended by the speaker but refused
forces can only be to leave the house. Mukono MP Betty
called in to help in Nambooze has been referred abroad
case the situation cant after she suffered a severe spine
be handled by internal injury yet Mityana legislator
security. Francis Zaake is still
However, Kadagas battling a head injury
letter has gathered mixed

*terms and conditions apply

Dial *133 * 8#
4 Nov 10 - 16, 2017

DR Congo to go to polls next year
The Independent National
Electoral Commission of the
Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) has set December 23,
2018 as the date when citizens
will choose their next presi-
dent. In a statement released
on Nov.05, the electoral com-
mission noted that legislative,
regional and local elections will
also be held on that day.
According to the tentative
programme, results of these
elections will be published a
week after polls on Decem-
ber30, 2018. Final results will
be released on January 09, 2019
and the president elect will take
office on January19, 2019.
Joseph Kabila
KIU students in
nasty accident
Six students of Kam-
pala International University
(KIU) on Nov.04 perished
in a road accident along
Kampala Gulu highway in
Nakasongola. Other students
who all belonged to Banyar-
wanda students association
sustained serious injuries
when a commuter taxi they
were travelling in crushed
into an Isuzu Tipper.
According to the police,
the dead include Fred Muta-
bazi, Frank Ngalabi, Sam-
son Makwenjere, Vincent
Kwizera, Fred Kassasi and
Emmanuel Shema.
Fire was lit up at the
university compound
to mourn the departed
colleagues who were mostly
pursuing marketing and
accounting courses.
These elections that seek to
replace long serving president
Joseph Kabila were scheduled
to take place this year but have
suffered several delays with
the opposition pushing that the
president steps down to allow
for peaceful transition. Even
with the new date, the opposi-
tion still insists that the presi-
dent leaves at the end of this
year since his final term expired
in December 2016. The opposi-
tion say the current delays in
holding polls is a trick by gov-
ernment to buy time and moot
for a constitutional amendment
to remove term limits allowing
Kabila to stand again.
Parliament in sombre mood as DP boss, MP die
Parliament was recalled for
a special sitting on Nov.06
to pay tribute to Ruhaama
county legislator Beijukye
William Zinkuratiire who
took over the constituency
after first lady Janet Museveni
A casket bearing the remains of Issa Kikungwe
Mubarak Munyagwa
Munyagwa pulls out of FDC presidential race
Kawempe South Member
of Parliament Mubarak Mun-
yagwa on Nov.02 pulled out
of the race for president of the
opposition Forum for Demo-
cratic Change (FDC) party less
than two weeks to polls. Mun-
yagwa who attended a rally
of his competitor and former
Kumi Municipality legislator
Patrick Oboi Amuriat in Eastern
Uganda said he had stopped
campaigning and resorted to
garnering support for his col-
league.
I am going to write to the
party electoral commission to
retired from parliamentary
politics. He had succumbed to
the deadly hepatitis B virus on
Nov.03 at Nsambya hospital
in Kampala. Two days later,
a former Kyaddondo South
MP Issa Kikungwe died of
Nov 10 - 16, 2017
Week
inform them of my stand. Ive
realized that Amuriat is more
senior and can take the party
forward, Munyagwa who
has never held any rally since
July when campaigns officially
started said.
Now, when delegates con-
verge at Namboole stadium
in Kampala for the Delegates
Conference on Nov.24, they will
be choosing either incumbent
Mugisha Muntu, his close com-
petitor Patrick Amuriat or the
two other less popular candi-
dates Dan Matsiko and Moses
Byamugisha.
an equally complicated brain
tumor.
Kikungwe who was the
Democratic Partys National
Treasurer at the time of his
death is said to have failed to
regain consciousness after a
surgery done on October 27 at
Mengo hospital.
His party chairman Norbert
Mao said the deceased will
be remembered for standing
firm for truth and justice. He
said, in 2005 he was a member
of the Legal Committee he
presented a minority report
opposing the removal of
presidential term limits from
the constitution.
Kikungwe was also the
chairman of the Parliamentary
Committee on Government
Assurances and used this
platform to highlight many of
the governments unfulfilled
promises.
5
Week
Rugunda
fails to
convince
doctors
Doctors under their
umbrella body the Uganda
Medical Association met
at Mulago National refer-
ral hospital on Nov.06 to
brainstorm on a way forward
after government ignored
their demands. The doctors
had a month ago warned
that they will lay down their
tools if their salaries are
not enhanced and working
conditions improved. This
Monday, Prime Minister
Ruhakana Rugunda attended
the meeting to sweet talk the
medics into continuing with
work as government comes
up with plan to settle their
grievances but he was only
booed forcing him to leave
with no conclusion reached.
Then, Dr. Obuku Ekwaro
the association president
announced that the industrial
action started at midnight
and will only be called when
their grievances are settled.
One of the issues they high-
light in addition to salaries
and allowances is the lack of
work tools and supplies to
make to enable them do their
work.
With the industrial action,
the associations General
Secretary announced that
outpatient department will
be closed as they will exclu-
sively be attending to emer-
gencies.
6 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
Gashumba brothers charged with forgery
Frank Gashumba (in white) at CMI offices after his arrest
City socialite Frank Gashum-
ba and his brother Innocent
Kasumba on Nov.06 appeared
before court and charged with
forgery, impersonation, con-
spiracy to commit a felony and
possession of narcotic drugs.
Journalist charged with offensive communication granted bail
Stanley Ndawula, a jour-
nalist and proprietor of an
on-line publication The
Investigator together with his
brother Robert Ndawula are
set to appear in court again
on Nov.22 to answer charges
of offensive communication
arising from an article they
published on October 28 alleg-
ing that the Inspector General
of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura
had resorted to killing his
own police officers as a way of
covering up for his crimes. The
two were arrested last week
Reading out the charges,
Buganda road chief magistrate
James Eremye Mawanda said
the two committed an offense
of impersonation when they
presented themselves as Col.
Francis Okello Director Logis-
the story was not only false but
Stanley Ndawula
tics and Dr. John Mwine,
Director Procurement in the
Ministry of Defense and Vet-
eran affairs while trying to
defraud two Dutch nationals.
They promised the duo con-
tracts to supply the country
with trucks, water tanks and
heavy machines before they
took money from them.
They are also accused of
contravening section 342 and
347 of the penal code act for
forging among others stamps
of the Ministry of Finance of
South Sudan and Ministry of
Defense Identification cards.
The duo that had been in
custody at the Special Inves-
tigations Unit in Kirekka for
more than the 48 mandatory
hours, the magistrate said is to
take plea when prosecutors get
back to office after their strike.
He released them on a non-
cash bond of Shs20million.
and detained at Kira road
police station on grounds that
damaged the reputation of the
general and that it has caused
hatred. According to the
charge sheet by the Director of
Public Prosecutions, Ndawula
is accused of libel contrary to
sections 179,180,181 and 182 of
the Penal Code Act.
City Hall Magistrates court
presided over by magistrate
Beatrice Khainza on Nov.06
granted the duo a non-cash
bail of Shs700, 000.
 Week

China offers $30million to support Uganda customs modernisation

The Government of China has agreed
to support a customs modernization proj-
ect in Uganda with a grant worth RMB
200,000,000 (US$30m). The grant agree-
ment was signed in the Chinese capital,
Beijing on Nov.03 by Matia Kasaija, Min-
ister of Finance, Planning and Economic
Development and Dr. Qian Keming, Vice
Minister of China. The signing ceremony
was witnessed by Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga,
Ambassador of Uganda, Mr. Dickson
Kateshumbwa, Commissioner Customs
(URA) and other senior government offi-
cials. The grant will support the capacity
of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to
acquire latest technologies in the form of
non-intrusive scanners, modernized cus-
toms risk management, supervision and
communication systems, customs service
and enforcement support, border infra-
structure improvement among others.

Kenyas Supreme Court receives petitions to overturn repeat poll
On Nov.06, Kenyas Supreme
Court received two petitions chal-
lenging the legality of the October
26 re-run presidential poll with
petitioners calling for overturning
the results and charging opposi-
tion leader Raila Odinga for boy-
cotting a repeat election that he
had initially called for.
The first petitioner, a former
parliamentarian John Harun
Mwau argues that before conduct-
ing the election the Independent
Electoral and Boundaries Com-
mission (IEBC) should have con-
ducted fresh nominations. The
second petitioner Khelef Khalifa,
the chairman of the Kenyan chap-
ter of the International commis-
sion of Jurists (ICJ) and director of
Muslims for Human Rights raised
Airtel resumes Cranes sponsorship
Airtel Uganda has resumed
sponsorship of the National
Football team the Cranes spon-
sorship with Shs10billion. This
meant that the Telecom Com-
pany has renewed its ongoing
partnership with the Federation
of Uganda Football Association
(FUFA) as the official sponsor of
the team for another four years.
In addition to the national
Justices of Kenya Supreme Court
the same points. The petition-
ers argue that the repeat election
which gave Kenyatta a 98% win
and saw only 38% of voters cast-
ing their votes was mismanaged
by the electoral body. Khalifa
cites among others the failure of
team that the company started
sponsoring in 2013, it also spon-
sors the Uganda Cup and the
FUFA Big League. Charles Bakk-
abulindi, the minister of state for
sports commended Airtel. We
are grateful to see an interna-
tional brand like Airtel sharing
the passion and love that we
have for this team by sponsor-
ing them, Bakabulindi said.
elections to take place in some
constituencies and a statement
made by IEBCs chairman Wafula
Chebukati on Election Day that he
couldnt guarantee a free and fair
poll. The organization also asked
that Court declares Odinga and
other leaders of his National Super
Alliance (NASA) coalition guilty
of electoral offences for interfer-
ing with the fresh polls after the
August.08 initial elections.
However, there were attempts
to block the October 26 poll before
it happened but this didnt take
place as Supreme Court didnt
have the required quorum to hear
the petition. Now, Its feared that
a third poll being mooted by the
petitioners would plunge the
country into more chaos.
Airtels Managing Director, V.G.
Somasekhar said that since Air-
tel signed the partnership agree-
ment with the Uganda Cranes
national team, it has enjoyed a
long list of successes both for
the team and for the individual
players. To us, this is an indica-
tion that a strong partner that
believes in you is a key compo-
nent of success, he said.
Mugabe fires
vice president
93 year old president
Robert Mugabe of
Zimbabwe on Nov.06
fired his vice president
Emmerson Mnan-
gagwa. According to
the countrys Minister
of Information Simon
Khaya Moyo, Mnan-
gagwa was removed
from office with imme-
diate effect because of
consistently exhibiting
traits of disloyalty, dis-
honesty and disrespect.
But, to some critics,
since the vice president
has been found to have
presidential ambitions,
he had to be removed
from the post to give
way for first lady Grace
Mugabe who has
nursed similar ambi-
tions.
This is the second
time in three years that
Mugabe is unceremoni-
ously firing one of his
top officials over simi-
lar allegations of being
disloyal after he in 2014
fired Vice President
Joice Mujuru.

Nov 10 - 16, 2017 7

Humour
Uhuru
Kenyatta,
the leader of
the Jubilee
party was
on Oct.30
declared
winner of
the Kenya's
deeply
decisive
elections,
taking 98%
of the ballots
cast in a poll
boycotted
by this
rival Raila
Odinga, the
leader of the
opposition.

Frank Gashumba, a suspected conman was on Oct .31 detained by the Col. Kiiza Besigye, on Nov. 02 rallied JInja residents against the
military intelligence for allegedly holding fake passports.He was charged Age Limit and Land bills, as he resumed his campaign dubbed
with fraud and granted bail. "My Land, My Life".

8 Nov 10 - 16, 2017


Africas highway to nowhere
By Andrew M. Mwenda
Why our continents faith in foreign direct investment
as a solution to our poverty is a pipedream
M
any presidents in Africa believe
the development of our nations
will come from Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI). If a foreign
investor most especially a white man
(and today increasingly an Arab, Indian or
Chinese) showed up in the capital of an
African country, he would easily get audi-
ence with the president even where local
investors take months or even years to be
listened to.
And it is not just leaders. African elites
professionals, civil servants, journalists,
academics, etc. believe this gospel as well.
Our leaders are products of our societies
and their thinking reflects our attitudes,
beliefs, sentiments, and shared mentali-
ties. FDI is part of the wider belief that to
develop, Africa needs to adopt the ways of
the developed (Western) world. So even an
intellectual kamikaze like me can only criti-
cise FDI with a lot of trepidation.
The argument goes like this: Poor coun-
tries lack sufficient savings to finance neces-
sary investments. FDI fills this gap. It also
brings skills technical and organisational.
It creates jobs by employing locals and pays
taxes thereby increasing the fiscal resources
available to the state to serve its citizens.
And it helps integrate the local economy
into the global system of investment and
trade. Who can question this?
These benefits are real but misleading.
They are short-term achievements with
long-term high costs. Foreign firms, given
their experience and resources, tend to
displace or stifle the development of indige-
nous/domestic/national firms. And as a rule,
they do not export to their subsidiaries the
most transformative activities of their busi-
ness; such as research, design, and develop-
ment. So a host country can assemble cars
or mobile phones but cannot manufacture
them. Yet most value is produced from
these activities.
Building local firms is costly, both
financially and politically. For example,
assuming Uganda wanted to manufacture
cars, like our famed Kiira Ev, which no one
believes in, the government would have to
protect it from international competition
through high tariffs and subsidies. In the
short term (20 to 40 years), Ugandan tax-
payer would be subsidising the manufac-
turer and consumers would endure a poor
quality product whose future is very hard
to predict at a high price.
The Last Word
Yet the long term value of developing
your own products such as Toyota or
Sam Sung are extremely high if you suc-
ceed. This becomes a difficult undertaking
because the failure rate of such companies/
products is very high; on average about two
out of ten will succeed. This is what makes
industrial policy difficult and FDI seem
a welcome relief. Yet every country that
has transformed from a poor agricultural
society to an advanced industrial economy
has had to pay this short-term cost. If Africa
fails to industrialise, it is because we are not
willing and/or are unable to accept to suffer
this cost.
Notice that I have ignored other problems
associated with FDI such as smuggling,
profit repatriation, reliance on expatriates,
transfer pricing, tax evasion or even offi-
cially granted tax relief etc. The later three
issues are vital because for FDI to make
money, it relies on public investments in
education, health, roads, airports, railways,
water systems etc. If it does not pay its
fair share of taxes, it means that it is really
cheating the host country that uses public
funds to pay for the aforementioned invest-
ments.
Africa needs to serious think of cultivating
domestic capital in large part because no
country has transformed from poverty to
riches through FDI. Each time I say this,
some informed people point to Singapore,
which had a higher ratio of FDI to GDP
during its development process. The fact
that they cite only one example only con-
firms my point i.e. that it is an exception
that proves the rule. Besides Singapore is a
city-state without a hinterland with a large
rural peasantry to transform into an urban
industrial working class.
The only nations outside of Europe and
her offshoots in North America, Oceania
(Australia and New Zealand), Latin
America (Chile) and Israel to transform
from poor agricultural societies to rich
industrial nations Japan, South Korea
and Taiwan had a very low ratio of FDI
to GDP. They transformed by developing
a domestic/national capitalist class. Sadly,
Africa seems to be waiting for foreign capi-
talists to come and develop her.
Any good student of history would con-
clude that for capitalist development to
occur, there must be a national, preferably
indigenous, capitalist class. The experience
of advanced countries shows that their capi-
Opinion
talists took control of the state and trans-
formed its institutional and policy agenda to
serve their interests. The process of capitalist
development is harsh and involves cruel
labour practices, exploitation, corruption,
brutality etc.
Yet African elites believe our continent
will develop capitalism along the teach-
ings of Jesus Christ. Capitalists differ from
country to country in terms of the amount
of capital they command, their cohesiveness
as a group, the technical and organisational
skills they possess, the political power they
wield, the sources of their money and most
critically, the ideological influence they have
over the society in which they emerge.
Africa has failed to cultivate her own
capitalists partly because of the ideas of
development we have internalised. One
such idea is that we need FDI. Secondly, our
ethnic heterogeneity limits its cohesiveness
of our capitalist class, thereby weakening
its ability to unite and promote her interests
politically. The third factor is our misunder-
standing of the factors that build capitalist
accumulation in developing countries.
The process of developing a local capitalist
class inevitably involves a lot of cronyism.
Industrial policy means that the state picks
winners i.e. favours certain sectors and com-
panies over others in allocating subsidies,
tax holidays and cheap credit. These inter-
ventions create artificial profits for those
sectors and companies.
It should be obvious that who gets such
benefits cannot be determined technocrati-
cally but politically hence the inevitability
of corruption and cronyism. The gospel that
such cronyism leads to poor economic per-
formance is deeply entrenched in the mind
of the African. Yet all historical and even
contemporary experience shows that every
developed country adopted such industrial
policy and in all of them cronyism was
rampant.
Today, China is the worlds fastest
growing and rapidly industrialising
economy. It is bedeviled by the same cro-
nyism just like South Korea or USA before
it. But the African elite believe contempo-
rary Western claims that capitalist develop-
ment is a moral process guided by virtuous
leaders even when this claim stands in
complete disregard of all historical and con-
temporary evidence.
amwenda@independent.co.ug
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 9
Cover story

Togikwatako: Why
opposition MPs say
Museveni is panicking
MPs say desperation forced Museveni
to send army into parliament
By Ian Katusiime and Flavia Nassaka

With opposition politicians currently traversing the country chanting

Togikwatako- the brand of the resistance to the constitutional amendment
aimed at removing the presidential age cap of 75, the campaign appears to
have engulfed the nation.

10
I
brahim Semujju Nganda, the Opposi-
tion Chief Whip in parliament and
MP for Kiira Municipality, is excited
about crowds in NRM strongholds
that are turning out in support of the
red ribbon campaign of the anti-
constitution amendment camp. He says it
helps to highlight the campaign as it is not
just opposition MPs against Musevenis
overstay in power.
He has since branded himself in Togik-
watako colours donning a red jacket, cap,
or suit whenever he is in parliament or
addressing crowds in his constituency.
I have never seen Museveni in panic
mode like he is now, he told The Indepen-
dent, There is nothing that has ever divided
the NRM like this.
He says panic is the reason the president
is picking fights with Kyaddondo East legis-
lator Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
He is the face of the new wave of youth-
ful politicians who appeal more to the
majority youthful electorate, Ssemujju says,
the Museveni camp is panicking because
he has realised that his message of fighting
in Luweero to bring peace has since become
obsolete and a new generation of politicians
the youth have taken over.
Even the elderly are realising that the
1986 agent of stability is now becoming a
threat to that stability, Ssemujju says.
He adds: Togikwatako is a campaign
about the future; it teaches Museveni one
lesson: that if he doesnt allow a peaceful
transition we will all be victims, but most
importantly he will still leave power.
Semujju who also took part in Walk-to-
Work protests says Togikwatako has a les-
son for the opposition too- that ideology is
bigger than presenting individual faces. He
says this is the first unpartisan demonstra-
tion and has achieved results even at the
basic level of seeing religious leaders and
non-governmental organisations joining in
the struggle.
The opposition appears to have won the
battle of the campaign stump, but it may
amount to nothing. In the end, the winner
of the Togikwatako versus the Tugikwateko
battle will be decided by MPs in parliament
where Museveni has the numbers. But can
the opposition wring something out of the
national consciousness that Togikwatako
has aroused in the 2021 campaign?
If the opposition was serious, we would
go to the 2021 polls under the Togikwatako
umbrella DP Vice President Fred Mukasa
Mbidde told The Independent on Nov.03.
He said even if the constitution is eventu-
ally amended, the protests have already
achieved 90% of its impact in exposing
what the peoples view is on Musevenis
overstay in power.
Mbidde who boasts of being the brain
behind the campaign says unlike Walk-to-
Work that was cadre-based, this idea was
conceived on achieving a national objective
A crowd of Togikwatako supporters at a rally in Kireka, Kampala
and was sold to everyone right from the
grassroots. He says he benchmarked the
idea of this campaign on Rwandas cam-
paign to remove presidential term limits
where they involved almost everyone.
The Walk-to-Work approach was medio-
cre and simple. Security operatives knew
who to arrest and where they are. If you
look for the face of Togikwatako, you will
not point out anyone, he says.
Enter Togikwatako
Mbiddes opposition Democratic Party
(DP) coined the slogan, `Kogikwatako liter-
ally meaning If you dare touch it. It didnt
really make sense for many in August when
it was launched as a campaign phrase by DP
as they protested against the move to amend
article 102(b) of the constitution to remove
presidential age limits.
But on Sept.21 when some MPs turned up
for plenary with their heads wrapped in red
bandanas, caps and ribbons as an initiative
of a small party of only 15 flag bearers in a
426 member-strong parliament, they gained
instant attention.
Then Kogikwatako changed to Togik-
watako Dont touch it and has since
Ibrahim Semujju Fred Mukasa Mbidde
Cover story
taken every one by storm including Presi-
dent Museveni who seemed cagey at first.
Mbidde says what he describes as unity
of purpose is what has overwhelmed the
President.
Mbidde appears to be referring to inci-
dents like when Masaka Municipality MP
Mathias Mpuuga formed Activists for
Change (A4C) to coordinate the Walk-to-
Work protests and police swooped on it
with force. Even though Kizza Besigye was
the face of the riots as he walked from his
home every Monday and Thursday, his
actions inspired only pockets of resistance in
and around Kampala.
This time, Mbidde says, Togikwatako
has forced Museveni, out of desperation, to
order police and the army to storm parlia-
ment, something that many see as a political
mistake for a person who postures as being
respectful to the principles of democracy.
To Mbidde this desperation rages on as
the NRM party was never prepared for this
kind of response given that the opposition
has hitherto been struggling to find support-
ers for their protests. Now, even as the rul-
ing party is trying to patch up the holes, it is
meeting not just resistance but intimidation
as voters threaten to end political careers of
some.
Like Mbidde, observers say because
NRM was caught unawares, it is now divid-
ed on how exactly to counter Togikwatako.
Their counter-campaign (Tugikwateko) has
left some NRM MPs and ministers in awk-
ward situations.
They started by calling rallies to consult
voters. But when crowds started insisting on
an impromptu hand poll on the issue and
the Togikwato side often won, the NRM
MPs ditched rallies. Instead, they started
preaching to their already converted sup-
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 11
Cover story
Francis Mwijukye( L) with Kizza Besigye (M) during the Walk-to-Work protests, right is Gilbert
Bwana who brutally arrested Besigye
porters in small town hall-style meetings.
Even then, some NRM MPs say they
remain torn between risking their political
careers by backing Museveni and saving
them by doing what their constituencies
want.
Mbidde, who is also a member of the East
African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and
is often charitable in dealing with the rul-
ing party, says the opposition should learn
that it is not their business to cause change
in this country because that is the business
of the whole Uganda because the regimes
incompetence affects everyone irrespective
of their political affiliations.
Togikwatako versus Walk-to-Work
As Togikwatako gains steam, pundits are
assessing its significance. Many are drawing
parallels with past anti-Museveni protests;
especially Walk-to-Work.
In an interesting paradox in Uganda, the
image of President Museveni as a strong-
man seems to have grown in tandem with
the strength of opposition to his rule in the
last decade. In the first twenty years after
Museveni captured power with his Nation-
al Resistance Army (NRA) from 1986-2006,
there seems to have been no resistance
towards Musevenis rule manifested in
street protests.
In spite of scandals that caused national
outrage then like the junk helicopters
purchase in the late 1990s, UPDF Ghost
soldiers, Global Fund embezzlement, and
Temangalo land sale to NSSF, the anger
never really crystallised into protests.
2006-2011 saw the first manifestation of
public anger in protests when riots broke
out in Kampala against the proposed give
away of Mabira Forest to investors by
12 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
Museveni in 2007 and the riots in Kampala
by angry Baganda youths when the police
and army barred Kabaka Ronald Mutebi
from going to Kayunga in 2009.
But all these protests did not last beyond
three days. The Kayunga riots which
seemed more potent ended immediately
after the army deployed on the streets.
Only the Walk-to-Work protests, which
started in March 2011 after the general elec-
tions, tested the mettle of the NRM regime
when they turned out to be the most organ-
ised wave of protests the regime has faced.
Whereas many protests against Museveni
have been driven by other issues; anger
over rising cost of food and fuel as inflation
hit 30%, in the case of Walk-to-Work, the
Togikwatako appears to be purely pointed
against Museveni. Its supporters dont
want the proposed amendment because it
extends the 73-year-old leaders presidency.
Togikwatako also seems to be spread more
nationally and has united the opposition.
Francis Mwijukye, the opposition FDC MP
for Buhweju County says Togikwatako
should not be analysed separately from
Walk-to-Work.
He has been a lynchpin of both and in
October posted a photo of himself on Face-
book wearing the famous red ribbon while
attending an Inter Parliamentary Union
(IPU) assembly in St Petersburg, Russia.
He says the popularity of Togikwatako has
forced many ruling party MPs who initially
supported the amendment to switch sides.
We forced Museveni to come out and
address the Age Limit Bill which he was
pretending not to care about; he reached the
point of sending his army into Parliament.
Togikwatako has been embraced by
people from all walks of life; academia,
farmers, the rich, poor, musicians, they are
all speaking with the same voice, he says,
When you see all these people speaking up
it is because of the spirit of Walk-to-Work.
Walk-to-Work festered for about two
years but since then Kampala appears to
have become a cauldron of anger, frustra-
tion and anxiety as police battles opposition
and any semblance of protests in the central
business district. To that effect, the govern-
ment passed a controversial law, the Public
Order Management Act (POMA) to contain
opposition.
Although Walk-to-Work was largely seen
as a Kampala affair, Mwijukye says towns
tend to be a springboard for protests. He
says Walk-to-Work laid the groundwork for
defiance. People are using the spirit of defi-
ance started by Walk-to-Work to challenge
the government. It is why they can afford
to tell off the police and boldly say that the
police serves them, he told The Independent.
A former aide to Kizza Besigye, Mwi-
jukye endured beatings and some of the
most vicious Police crackdowns on the
opposition at the height of the Walk-to-
Work protests in 2011. In many of the
scenes when Besigye was arrested, Mwi-
jukye could be seen physically trying to
defend Besigye.
To merely list the successes of Togik-
watako is not to appreciate the earlier set-
ting up of structures of defiance. When you
see people wearing red ribbons everywhere,
it is because they have been empowered
by defiance. Togikwatako seems to be the
more successful campaign with symbols
like the red ribbon and the crowds it gathers
across the country and Mwijukye acknowl-
edges this.
It is not opposition versus NRM. This
is about those against the amendment
versus those who are for it. He says
people have turned out en masse because
they realise that since the two-five year
presidential term limit was scrapped from
the constitution in 2005, the age limit is
the only safeguard for a transition from
Museveni to another leader.
The Walk-to-Work campaign led to
unprecedented police operations in the
city and there has been an attempt at simi-
lar deployment to quell Togikwatako.
Our deployment is based on the threat
levels anticipated, says Kampala Met-
ropolitan Police Commander Nicholas
Mwesigwa. He told The Independent on
Nov 3 that since police banned the joint
consultations among various MPs, there
has not been any disturbance. In reality,
police might have been caught flat-footed,
with no clear target to clobber this time.
Meanwhile, the Togikwatako campaign is
already being mooted as a pressure group
to take on Museveni if he stands in the
2021 presidential elections.

Kutesa in Paradise
Foreign Minister fingered in dodgy deal in Seychelles
By Haggai Matsiko
D
ays after it emerged that Foreign
Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa set
up a company in a tax haven, the
move continues to be scrutinised.
Apparently, in 2012 Kutesa hired Apple-
by, a company renowned for creating off-
shore account for the rich and powerful, to
form a company for him in the Seychelles.
Kutesa created two companies; one was
named `Obuyonza Discretionary Trust and
it held shares in the second company called
Katonga Investments Ltd.
They were to handle dealings of Entebbe
Handling Services (Enhas), the Entebbe
ground handling business that he acquired
controversially in the 1990s.
Kutesa watched over the administration
over Obuyonza Discretionary Trust and
was one of its beneficiaries. His daughter,
Ishta, is listed as a beneficial owner and
future recipient of money from the Trust.
The deal was recently exposed in the
so-called `Paradise Papers, as a result of
a global investigation into the offshore
activities of some of the most powerful
people and companies in the world. The
International Consortium of Investigative
Journalists (ICIJ) did it.
Kutesa is one of just four Africans
named, including outgoing Liberian presi-
dent Sirleaf Johnson, former Kenyan min-
ister Sally Kosgei, and Zambian opposition
leader Hakainde Hichilema.
According to the BBC, in Appleby lingo,
Kutesa would be listed as a Politically
Exposed Person or PEP, a label for some-
one with a prominent profile - a celebrity
of the political, diplomatic, military or judi-
cial worlds - who, through their prominent
position or influence, is more susceptible
to being involved in bribery or corrup-
tion.
By extension, any close family member
of a PEP, is also a PEP, according to the
BBC.
Kutesa is not just Ugandas Foreign
Affairs Minister, he is a former President of
the United Nations General Assembly and
one of the richest members of President
Yoweri Musevenis inner circle.
His former wife, the late Jennifer Kutesa
was also a cousin to the presidents wife,
Janet Museveni and his daughter, Char-
lotte Nankunda, is married to the presi-
dents son Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
While his official roles and blood ties
with the first family are significant, it is his
past that raises a lot of interest in Kutesas
offshore business dealings.
Sam Kutesa
Kutesa reacts
As part of a periodic review in 2015,
Appleby labeled Kutesas companies a
high risk, given his political role and
media reports of alleged corruption and
bribery involving him.
But Kutesa told Appleby that the pur-
pose of the trust was to separate his govern-
ment income from his personal assets and
belongings.
Since being exposed, he has said he
sought to avoid taxes, which is not illegal.
I thought you could avoid, not evade,
taxes, he told the ICIJ affiliate in Uganda,
the Daily Monitor, I dont have anything
to hide.
But the timing of the move is intriguing
none the less, even without suggesting any
criminality.
Around the time he set up an offshore
facility, Kutesa had just been reinstated as
Foreign Affairs Minister after being forced
to resign in October 2011 under pressure
from parliament for his alleged role in
corruption scandals around the 2007 Com-
monwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(Chogm) held in Kampala. Over Shs 200
billion was allegedly stolen. It was also the
year when Kutesas name was forwarded
for consideration as UN President to the
African Union and UN.
He had also just been cleared by a parlia-
mentary investigation of allegations he had
taken oil bribes from Tullow oil.
news analysis
While tax havens are legal, many compa-
nies and individuals that operate there tend
to be shrouded in secrecy and engage in
opaque business dealings.
ICIJ reports that an internal Appleby
document from 2015 reported that Kutesas
companys intended activities were con-
sultancy, investments, trading and airport
services in Uganda.
In 2015, however, Appleby noted that the
companies connected to the trust were dor-
mant and that it seems that nothing much
is being done.
Enhas dealings
The money to the trust was supposed to
come from Enhas, a major ground handling
service at Entebbe International Airport
which has existed since 1995 with Kutesa as
a major shareholder.
Kutesa gained ownership of Enhas in a
controversial and complex process that also
got him into trouble.
It started in 1993, when civil Aviation
Authority liberalised ground handling
operations at Entebbe Airport. It terminated
Uganda Airlines Corporation (UAC) and
a consortium called Enhas was formed in
1995 and granted exclusive ground han-
dling rights.
The UAC took 50% shares in Enhas,
Sabena Airlines 5 percent and workers of
CAA and UAC also got 5%. The remain-
ing 40% went to two companiesEffortes,
a subsidiary of Caleb international owned
by President Musevenis brother, Caleb
Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh and Global
Airlink owned by Kutesa.
Then two years later when UAC was
obliged to sell its shares in Enhas to pay its
debts, Effortes and Enhas; meaning Saleh
and Kutesa, acquired them.
It emerged that Kutesa, who at the time
was the head of Global Airlinks and also the
board chairman of Enhas, used an account-
ing firm he was close to undervalue the
shares, which he later acquired with Saleh.
A clear indication that UACs shares were
undervalued emerged when a year later
Saleh, who had acquired 45 percent shares
of UAC for $3.75 million was looking to sell
at $9.45 million.
A 1998 parliamentary committee inves-
tigation concluded the process had been
manipulated and taken advantage of by
a few politically powerful people who
sacrifice the peoples interests. Parliament
censored Kutesa in 1999. But Museveni re-
appointed him after the 2001 elections.
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 13
news analysis

Musevenis gold
dealer in trouble
Belgian in alleged US$1bn scam
By Haggai Matsiko

Museveni with other officals during the launchof the AGR in February

President Yoweri Museveni commissioned it on Feb.20 amidst pomp and celebration, but just
nine months later African Gold Refinery (AGR) has run into big trouble. Its Belgian owner, Alain
Goetz, has been uncovered as a dealer in so-called conflict or blood gold and is being sued by
the governments top financial anti-corruption agency and one of the company directors.
As the saga unveils, Goetz remains adamant, denies all accusations, and refuses to answer
requests for information by powerful offices; including that of the Inspector General of
Government (IGG), and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA). The companys refusal to
register with the FIA and disclose its operations has raised red flags over its secret deals.
The IGG had earlier in a July 15 letter titled Alleged aiding and abetting by government officials
of fraudulent issue of mining concessions to African Gold Refinery limited, written to AGR
demanding access to documents to facilitate its investigation.
In desperation, the FIA has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mike Chibita, to
prosecute AGR for alleged money laundering. Details remain sketchy but Goetz allegedly has
laundered about US$1 billion.
14 Nov 10 - 16, 2017

W
e hereby refer this matter to
the Office of the Director of
Public Prosecutions to pros-
ecute African Gold Refinery
Ltd for committing an offence under the
Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2013, reads
an Oct.11 letter from Sydney Asubo, the
executive director, FIA.
FIA issued these letters while working
hard to make sure the company complied
with international anti-money laundering
laws. Non-compliance, in 2014, landed
Uganda on the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) watch list of risky countries.
FATF is an inter-governmental body
established to set standards and promote
effective implementation of legal, regula-
tory and operational measures for combat-
ing money laundering, terrorist financing
and other related threats to the integrity of
the international financial system.
To be on the FATFs list of risky coun-
tries makes a country unattractive to inter-
national investors and lenders.
The FATF only removed Uganda from
the list early this November but cases like
AGRs alleged crimes could reverse this
gain. It is possibly why Asubo and other
government agencies are cracking the
whip.
According to correspondences seen
by The Independent, Asubo was forced
to take the matter to the DPP after AGR
refused to comply with the law by ignor-
ing repeated requests from the FIA for
disclosure.
FIA first wrote to AGR on Aug. 24
requesting AGR to provide a copy of their
operating licence and to register with them
as an accountable person. The Anti-Money
Laundering Act conditions dealers in pre-
cious metals and gems to register with the
FIA as accountable persons.
When AGR did not respond, FIA wrote
again making the same demands on Sept.
25. AGR ignored this request too.
Correspondences show that on both
occasions AGR received these letters as
they bear signatures of AGR staff and a
stamp showing that they were received.
It is unclear whether or how Asubos
case will proceed because up to this point
Goetz has allegedly refused to comply
with orders and demands from govern-
ment agencies and prompted allegations
that his impunity results from his belief
that he is protected because they are politi-
cally connected.
But that influence peddling could end
soon according to information The Inde-
pendent is privy to. For example, although
Goetzs company board is chaired by
Richard Kaijuka, the former minister of
Energy who is now an advisor to President
Museveni on Mineral Value Addition and
Musevenis brother-in-law, one Barnabas
Taremwa, was involved in setting up AGR,
rifts have since emerged.
news analysis
May to end of August. What surprised me
was the unpleasant communication from
AGR I received while I was sick.
Apparently, AGR informed him through
an email that African Gold Refinery Lim-
ited will no longer require you as a Board
Chairman as of 1st August 2017.
Interestingly, Kaijuka had been caution-
ing Goetz about malpractices.
You will also recall that as AGR chair
I have been urging you to hold regular
Board meetings but in vain to ensure
that AGR conforms to good corporate
governance practices of accountability,
transparency and responsible sourcing of
gold from the region, reads part of Kai-
jukas response, Are you dismissing me
so that you can keep a blind eye to all these
Richard Kaijuka issues?
Apart from the fall out with Kaijuka,
AGR is being sued for reneging on agree-
ments by Taremwa who is connected to the
You will also recall Museveni because his sister, Jovia Saleh
is married to the Presidents brother, Gen
that as AGR chair I Salim Saleh.
In October 2016, shortly after AGR ran
have been urging into troubles with the IGG, Taremwa filed
you to hold regular a court case against AGR because he had
been cut out of the deal after negotiating a
Board meetings but major tax break and supply for the refin-
ery.
in vain to ensure Taremwa also told Global Witness that
that AGR conforms some of the gold processed in the refinery
comes from the neighboring DRC and
to good corporate South Sudan. Activists say there is a real
risk that it could be funding conflict and
governance human rights violations.
practices of In yet another twist , the Commissioner
of the Directorate of Geological Survey
accountability, and Mining (DGSM); Edwards Katto, in a
letter dated January 2017, told the global
transparency transparency body, Global Witness, that
and responsible the DGSM has not issued any export
permits to AGR. The means any gold
sourcing of gold exports by AGR are illegal.
But while DGSM recorded gold produc-
from the region. Are tion and export of only 93kgs in 2015/16,
you dismissing me reports from the Uganda Revenue Author-
ity indicate that during the same period
so that you can keep 5,316Kgs of gold was exported with a total
value of US$195 million the majority of
a blind eye to all which was recorded by AGR.
these issues? This discrepancy in official government
figures suggests import and production
under-reporting on an epic scale leading to
lost revenues, and suspected smuggling,
Global Witness noted, Put simply while
we can now see how much gold is leaving
If it is true, I am extremely shocked the country its origin and the conditions
and surprised because as chairman, I have under which it was mined and traded are
always insisted on strict compliance, trans- still unclear.
parency and accountability, said Kaijuka Global Witness also revealed that AGR
when contacted about the latest charges had processed and exported over US$200
against AGR. million worth of gold from Uganda, pay-
I need to point out, however, that I am ing only half a million dollars in tax and
not up to date with current and immediate failing to publish information about where
past operations of AGR since I was sick it came from
and admitted in hospital in the U.S. from
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 15
news analysis
Goetzs tainted past
Other sources say, however, that Goetz
is really not bothered by the circus around
him because he has been dealing in murky
gold trade for a long time and knows its
twists and turns better than his pursuers.
The FIA has existed only since 2013 to
fight money laundering and terrorism
financing and its boss, Sydney Asubo is a
law and banking professional who is new
in fighting financial crime.
Goetz, meanwhile, is the son of Tony
Goetz who was a famous Belgian dealer
in Congolese gold as far back as the 1990s
when Ugandan troops invaded the DR
Congo and allegedly plundered its mineral
resources. Together, the Goetzs reportedly
dominated gold exports from the Congo
through their networks in Belgium and
later Dubai.
Based on this background, it is not clear
why Museveni is schmoozing with a per-
son with a tainted past that he probably
knows about.
AGR, which is owned 100% by Goetz
has operated a $ 20 million gold refining
complex located in Entebbe since 2014 but
was officially launched by Museveni in
February this year.
Questions about AGRs gold were
raised almost immediately when it was
announced that it had exported US$ 200
million worth of gold. Given that Ugandas
gold exports for the last year were just US$
40 million, activists warned that the facility
could be using raw gold from conflict-
ridden South Sudan and Eastern Congo.
In that case AGR could be seen as directly
fueling violence in the region. But AGRs
directors dismissed these concerns.
Just four months after its commis-
sioning, however, global transparency
campaigner, Global Witness, published a
report raising concerns about Ugandas
mining industry and specifically about
AGR. According to the report, it appears
that in order to hide its dealings from the
authorities, Goetz has operated several
secret companies.
Global Witness analysis of the URA
export figures shows that for the vast
majority of its official exports, the exporter
name recorded is Goetz Gold LLC and
AGOR DMCC and not the official com-
pany name which is African Gold Refinery
Limited.
Goetz has also allegedly exported as
Belgian Precious Metals Indust and Alain
Goetz. Global Witness concludes that it
appears all these companies are related
and are trading in gold.
The report, titled, `Undermined: How
corruption, mismanagement and political
influence is undermining investment in
Ugandas mining sector and threatening
people and environment, was released in
June. It caused a stir in the mining sector
because of the names it put at the centre of
16 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
Sydney Asubo
Mike Chibita
corruption in Ugandas mining sector.
Kaijuka, Saleh, his wife Jovia Saleh and
sister-in-law, Kellen Kayonga, brother-in-
law, Taremwa, former Energy PS, Kaba-
gambe Kaliisa, international investors, pol-
iticians and technocrats at the Directorate
of Geological Survey and Mining (DGSM)
were all named in the report.
The report also raised concerns about
how President Museveni, without follow-
ing due process, directly influences the
award of deals to investors, who some-
times turn out fake. Others evade taxes,
abuse human rights, and harm the envi-
ronment.
and AGOR DMCC, as government
Dodging taxes
On AGR, the report noted how Musev-
eni had while launching the refinery in
Entebbe ordered a tax waiver on gold to be
processed by AGR that is either produced
in or transits through Uganda. The Presi-
dent said that would prevent smuggling
of unprocessed gold and promote the
refinery.
This will provide a strong incentive
for regional gold to be channeled through
African Gold Refinery before making its
way into international markets, Museveni
said.
But Global Witness warned that it was
not clear that Musevenis tax waiver would
lead to an improvement in the recording of
production and imports.
It will certainly undermine potential tax
revenues for the government, Global Wit-
ness warned and it now appears to have
been right.
Global Witness says while the refinery
AGR owners are shipping hundreds of
millions of dollars worth of gold out of
Uganda without disclosing its origin and
paying very little tax in the process.
The company reportedly processed
nine tons of gold during 2016 and official
estimates of the tax exemption and unpaid
taxes over that period are over Shs80 bil-
lion; which is bigger than the annual bud-
gets of many government ministries and
departments.
An AGR press release from February
2017 showed that the company had paid
a total of US$515,000 in taxes since they
started their operations. AGR said that all
duties are correctly paid by AGR as per
our formal agreement with the govern-
ment of Uganda.
But when asked to provide detailed
information on the origin of the gold the
refinery processes, AGR did not provide it.
Instead, the company said it is not a
trading company but a service company
providing industrial services such as assay-
ing, melting, refining, and the shipment
and delivery of precious metals. AGR does
not trade in any precious metals.
It added that the company is therefore
exempted from certain taxes and royalties
that only apply to mineral exporters.
Global Witness wants further investiga-
tions into AGRs dealings and asks that
the company publishes information on the
volume and country of origin of its annual
gold purchases.
AGR should also conduct supply chain
due diligence on the gold it purchases or
processes and report publicly and on an
annual basis on its efforts, in line with the
OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the cam-
paigner notes.
It adds: This should include informa-
tion on risks identified and how these
have been addressed. Goetz Gold LLC
recorded exporters of gold from Uganda,
should also meet these standards.
But its past behavior shows that AGR
is not likely to comply. What is not clear
is whether Museveni will allow the
IGG, FIA, the DGSM and other govern-
ment agencies to either reign in AGR or
prosecute it for flouting disclosure laws
under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, to
uncover the truth.

President Paul Kagame at the 2017 Global Business Forum Africa on Nov.01 in Dubai
Kagame addresses Dubai
global business forum
By Independent Team
P
resident Paul of Rwanda has told
business and political leaders and
entrepreneurs that African can
make great progress in getting rid
of all barriers to free trade within on the
continent in the next five years to 10 years.
The President was on Nov.01 addressing
the 2017 Global Business Forum, Africa,
held in the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
To go beyond the current level of intra-
Africa trade which is estimated at around
15%, the President said requires building
knowledge and information to tackle exist-
ing bottlenecks. He said he believes the
nations of Africa are already working on
that.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
attended the forum together with the Presi-
dent of Seychelles Danny Faure, Ameenah
Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius, Mahamudu
Bawumia, Vice president of Ghana, and
Festus G. Mogae, former President of
Botswana and several cabinet ministers and
leading CEOs of African and international
companies.
Kagame told them that the building
blocks for a barrier-free Africa, the trading
blocks are already in place and are imple-
menting the right measures to allow inte-
gration of the continent for free trade. He
was speaking under the theme of Acceler-
ating African Integration.
If you look at different regions, like the
ECOWAS, they have made progress espe-
cially in the area of free movement of the
people, he said, Very significantly, if you
also look at the east African region even
more progress has been made in the area of
Customs union and integration in the area
of infrastructure.
We can get to non-tariff trade across the
borders of the continent, because if we are
seeing it work in the east African region and
other things are working in other regions,
then its possible because its already a big
step for us as a union, he added.
He mentioned that removal of tariffs in
the areas of power and telecommunications,
including railway networks.
So, you can see everything coming
together with more trade, investments
across countries of different regions, he
said, In fact, the southern African block is
even more ahead with intra-regional trade
which means that we are coming together,
no matter the bloc that you are referring to
on the continent.
The Global Business Forum on Africa
brings together over 1,000 top-level gov-
ernment and corporate decision-makers,
including African heads of state, ministers
and dignitaries, and prominent CEOs oper-
ating globally. It also has prominent entre-
preneurs, heads of private banks, sovereign
wealth funds, private equity firms, the UAE
rwanda
government and business elite, Heads of
African Investment Promotion Agencies,
Chief Executives representing African &
multinational organisations, and world-
class leaders.
This year the Global Business Forum on
Africa explored the next phase of growth
and development with the founders of
Africas most innovative businesses.
The forum examined the potential for
leveraging technology to accelerate growth
across Africa, discuss the power of the
emerging private sector and identify the
opportunities for financing and partnering
with Africas most dynamic businesses.
In 2000 intra-continental trade accounted
for 10% of Africas total trade, and increased
marginally to 11% in 2015.
Trading among members of the Euro-
pean Union, for example, amounted to 70%
in 2015. Intra-African trade is still estimated
at less than two percent (2%) of global trade.
But Heads of State in Africa recently
signed an agreement to implement the
Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
which is expected to foster more free-trade.
The CFTA, when implemented, will
also reduce the continents vulnerability to
external shocks and is expected to enhance
the participation of Africa in global trade as
a respectable partner, thereby reducing the
continents dependence on foreign aid and
external borrowing.
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 17
rwanda

Rwanda mourns 6 students killed

in road accident in Uganda
By Independent Team

T
he Rwandan government on Nov.06
mourned six of its students study-
ing in Uganda who were killed in
a Nov.04 road accident along the
Kampala-Gulu highway in the central dis-
trict of Nakasongola.
Frank Mugambage, the Rwanda High
Commissioner to Uganda, described the
death of students who were studying at
Kampala In1t02ernational University as
unfortunate and tragic.
The fatal accident occurred after the driv-
er of the commuter taxi the students were
traveling in avoided a head on collision
with another commuter taxi, but rammed
into a broken parked truck at Kakooge
along the Gulu-Kampala highway.
The commuter taxi was carrying 13 stu-
dents who belong to the Banyarwanda Stu-
dents Association at Kampala International
University.
They were returning from attending a
friends wedding party in the western town
of Masindi.
We are saddened and mourn the loss of
these young lives who perished in a tragic
road accident. Arrangements are being
made for their burials, Mugambage said.
Five students died on spot, while the
sixth passed away on the way to the hospi-
tal and five others were critically injured.
News reports quoted the Savana Region
Police spokesperson, Paul Kangave, saying
five students died on spot. He said the taxi
Reg. No. UAZ 179T in which they were
travelling, a tipper truck Reg. No. UAK
812L, and another taxi Reg. No. UAY 756Z,
were involved in the accident.
The taxi lost control and knocked the
parked tipper truck at the road side, rolling
on the road and hitting another which was
coming from Kampala City.
He said the students were coming from The accident scene (above) and the mourning (below)
a party at Walusi in Nakasogola District
at about 8:00pm when the fatal accident fic police investigations in Nakasongola fated Rwanda-based Trinity Coaches bus,
occurred. indicate that the driver of the taxi which had and passengers Eteline Uwamahoro, and
Police identified the dead as Fred Muta- 13 University students on board was speed- one Kubwimana.
baazi, Frank Ngalambe, Samson Makwen- ing and could have lost control, leading to They died on the spot in the gruesome
gere, Vincent Kwizere, Fred Kasasi and the accident. accident. The police at the time attributed
Emmanuel Shema who died on his way to This is the second major accident involv- the accident to recklessness driving.
hospital. ing Rwandans in Uganda in two years. It was a clear case of reckless driving.
According to a report in the Daily Moni- In February 2015, three Rwandan died The bus driver was speeding and he lost
tor, the injured students were first rushed and 10 were injured when a bus they were control when he attempted to overtake the
to St Francis Health Centre IV Kakooge in travelling in rammed into a stationary truck trailer, the police reportedly said. The bus,
Nakasongola District but were later relo- along the same route at Buwama, near registration number RAC 403P, hit the back
cated to Nsambya Hospital in Kampala. Mpigi town. The dead were identified as of the heavily loaded trailer, UAN 691F, that
According to the paper, preliminary Traf- Jacques Habiyambere, the driver of the ill- was carrying electricity poles.

18 Nov 10 - 16, 2017


Fair trade in coffee
How coffee marketing arrangement is
putting more money in farmers pockets
By Andrew S. Kaggwa
8
0-year old widow Anna Kyamu-
labi grows coffee on her half acre
farm in Bulwanyi village, near
Kyengera in Wakiso District. She
is a Fairtrade producer, although it un-
clear if she knows and understands what
that is. All she knows is that under that
arrangement, an association she belongs
to called Central Coffee Farmers Associa-
tion (CECOFA) gives cheaper and better
inputs, free farming advice and help on
crop management, and processes her cof-
fee before paying her a better price for her
harvest.
feature
Before that middlemen would come
into our village and buy coffee from us at
a very cheap price because we couldnt
afford to transport it to the distant hullers
at Kakiri, she says.
CECOFA is, in fact, an exporter of
coffee directly to Europe under Fairtrade
International (https://www.fairtrade.net/);
a global movement that aims to ensure
that small-scale vulnerable farmers and
workers get better prices, decent working
conditions, and fair terms of trade. It
covers coffee, cotton, cocoa, tea, bananas,
pineapples, mangoes and nontraditional
crops like fruits and vegetables and more.
Fairtrade has enabled Kyamulabi to
save money from her coffee sales and start
keeping a few chicken, goats, and pigs
that she says she was able to buy because
of the better prices.
If we are offseason like now I can sell
a chicken, pig, or goat to get money for
salt, sugar, paraffin and medical bills,
she says. The medical bills are critical
because she cares for her sister, Fiina, who
has bedridden for years after suffering a
stroke.
Both of us lost our children to AIDS
and they left us with orphans to look
after, Kyamulabi explains. She tends the
garden with two of the orphans and three
are too young to help.
Joseph Sematiko Kasule, a 70-year old
who farms coffee on two acres in the
same village also does not know much
about Fairtrade. But he knows that being
a member of CECOFA guarantees him a
better deal than before.
This association is better because they
pay you cash when you deliver your
coffee unlike the co-operatives of old
where you would take your coffee and
they give you chits promising to pay you
later, he says. When he has financial
problems which could prevent him from
maintaining the quality of coffee, the
association provides materials or money
to be recovered when the harvest is sold.
He has also put some of the money he
earns into piggery and built himself a
decent brick and iron-roof house in place
of the mud-and-wattle one he lived in
before. Kasule says CECOFA processes his
coffee into `kase (Fair Average Quality)
and also gives him back the coffee husks
which he uses to fertilise his garden and
ensure good harvests every season.
Apparently CECOFA does that for all
members. It also helps them get quality
chemicals when pests and diseases strike
and trains them in good plant husbandry
practices like weeding and pruning.
Kasule says before he joined CECOFA,
he could hardly get a 60 kg bag from his
patch per harvest, but now he gets three
to four bags.
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 19
feature
Drying coffee beans. COURTESY/PHOTO
Enter Fairtrade
Ronald Buwuule is the man behind
Kasule and Kyamulabis changed
fortunes. He is the one who first heard
of Fairtrade International, was impressed
by its mission of fairness, and contacted
officials at its headquarters in Bonn,
Germany.
He says as a coffee farmer since 2000,
he was unhappy that middlemen were
cheating farmers and offering very low
prices and founded a group called Nsangi
Coffee Farmers Association to fight for
better terms. The groups name reflected
its membership; mainly from Nsangi
sub-county of Wakiso District. It changed
name to CECOFA when members from
Masaka and Mubende districts joined.
Buwuules 30-acre coffee plantation
in the nearby Negambidde village about
5km off the Kampala Masaka in the same
Wakiso district is the epitome of Fairtrade
in practice.
Its coffee is abundantly inter-planted
with different species of trees and several
workers, mainly women, pick berries and
weed. The men mainly prune the coffee
trees. Buwuule employs about 10 workers
every day to mainly weed because, he
says, he uses herbicides sparingly. He
explains that as part of a soil science
course he took in Peru, which has similar
soils like Uganda and grows coffee, he
learnt that overuse of pesticides kill useful
microorganisms in the soil. He also rears
20,000 layer chickens for income and the
chicken droppings he uses as fertilisers.
Fairtrade International sent officials to
this farm in 2014. Although they listed
several stringent conditions that farmers
must meet to be allowed membership,
20 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
UCDAs target for
this financial year
is to export
6.2 million
bags whereas
they target up to
20 million coffee
bags by 2025-
2030 bringing in
between US$ 1.5-
2.2 billion
Buwuule was met them all.
The conditions included requiring
every farmer to show proof of fairness
in the way they pay labourers, conserve
the environment by interplanting their
coffee with trees, and give back to the
community from the profits they get.
Others requirements include not using
prisoners or underage children as labour
on their farms. Audited accounts and
other evidence are required in all cases.
Buwuule explains that they prefer to
admit farmers who have a minimum of an
acre of coffee and anyone with big chunks
of land who has potential and interest
to grow coffee. Members pay a nominal
subscription fee (equivalent to the price of
2kgs of processed coffee) per annum.
If someone has land and does not
have the capital to invest in coffee
growing we can extend credit facilities to
them under an agreement for them to pay
back in installments, Buwuule says.
The elderly who can no longer care for
their coffee trees are assisted with labour
and the cost is deducted from the sale
proceeds.
After a farmer has been certified,
CECOFA supervises the farmers to make
sure they abide by the conditions and
whoever fails to comply is dropped from
this preferential arrangement.
Buwuule is today the Chief Executive
Officer of CECOFA. He is also the
Director for Youth in the National Union
of Coffee Agribusiness and Farming
Enterprises (NUCAFE), an umbrella
organisation of coffee farmers in the
country.
CECOFA now has 3,162 member
farmers, 1,200 of whom have been
certified under Fairtrade. They export
through the association to companies in
Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium. Buwuule
says Germany will join that cohort soon.
The companies include Sucafina of
Geneva Switzerland, Caf River of Italy,
and 32 Cups of Belgium.
Buwuule explains that unlike
conventional sales of coffee, the price
under Fairtrade does not fluctuate wildly
and is always above market price. At the
time of writing this article, the Fairtrade
companies were buying at US$2,450 per
metric ton when the conventional price
was US$2,000 per metric ton. At the time,
the association was buying processed
coffee at Shs6,300 per kg instead of the

going market price of between Shs5,900-
6,000 or less. Fairtrade buys only
processed coffee.
Its the difference of the US$450 we
get from the export of one container that
we are able to run the association, do
the supervision and also give back to the
community. For the farmers they are also
able to use the difference of 300shs or
more from their kg of coffee to pay their
workers fairly and maintain their coffee
garden, Buwuule explains.
The association has used some of
the proceeds from the sale of coffee to
purchase land and set up their own coffee
huller and offices in Bulwanyi village.
Other associations in other parts of
Uganda that have been granted an coffee
export license under Fairtrade include
Gumutindo and Coffee A Cup which
operate in the Bugisu area of eastern
Uganda. They export Arabica Coffee
while CECOFA exports Robusta.
Promoting quality
The Fairtrade arrangement comes
at a time when Uganda has prioritised
improving coffee quality right from the
farm to the market.
Coffee is already a leading export
earner for the country, but the Uganda
Coffee Development Authority (UCDA);
a government agency that oversees the
coffee industry, wants output to match the
rising consumption of coffee worldwide.
UCDAs Director Development
Services, Kamugisha Apollo Tugume,
says because the coffee trade is liberised,
some players come in with a focus on
profits and dont care about quality.
In response, UCDA is carrying out a
coffee farmers census throughout the
country to ease monitoring, especially
on quality issues. It plans to award best
farmers but it has also been closing any
coffee processing plants found to be
producing poor quality coffee and arrest
individuals implicated in undermining
quality of coffee.
At the marketing stage Kamugisha says
that Ugandan coffee is not branded on the
world market and UCDAs Strategy 2020
aims to change that.
Its a shame that countries like Egypt
dont have a single coffee tree have
brands of coffee called Egyptian on the
world market whereas a big exporter like
Uganda doesnt have, he said.
Uganda is ranked number two as
Africas leading coffee exporter next to
Ethiopia and number eight in the world. It
produced 5.4 million bags in 2016/17, up
from 4.5million bags in 2015/16 bringing
in US$450m (Shs 1.6 trillion) which is 20%
of the total foreign exchange earnings for
the period.
UCDAs target for this financial year is
to export 6.2 million bags whereas they
target up to 20 million coffee bags by
2025-2030 bringing in between US$ 1.5-2.2
billion in foreign exchange earnings under
the so-called coffee road map. Buwuule explains.
Kamugisha says they distribute
millions of seedlings to farmers through
Operation Wealth Creation; a government
poverty alleviation programme. Of
course not all of them are handled well
at farm level but good farm management
practices like watering, weeding, and
mulching are raising productivity.
Changing weather patterns which cause
water stress in some part of the coffee
growing regions and pests and diseases
like coffee wilt and the Black Coffee Twig
Borer also are a challenge.
With a good climate and fertile land
compared to our competitors Uganda
even has an opportunity to be the leading
world exporter, Kamugisha said in an
interview at the UCDA head office on
Hulling coffee. COURTESY/PHOTO
Coffee House, Jinja Road, in Kampala.
He added that UCDA has plans to
tackle the low consumption of coffee on
the local market through so-called coffee
bars - over 100 all over the country.
There is also close to 10 companies
which are adding value to coffee for local
consumption and export, he says.
Besides Fairtrade, there are other
arrangements similar to Fairtrade in the
different coffee growing regions on the
country where associations of farmers
have been awarded export licenses with
conditions set by the different consumers
where the coffee is exported. These
include Organic Coffee, Common Code
for Coffee Commodity (4C), UTZ and
Bird Friendly. For Organic Coffee for
instance, the key condition is that farmers
are only supposed to use organic methods
of farming.
The similarity between these
associations is providing a good
feature
price to coffee farmers and ability to
export directly without going through
middlemen who usually cheat farmers,
Giving back to community
CECOFA contributes to the community
by providing jobs in the areas where they
operate both at the coffee huller and on
the coffee farms. The CECOFA huller and
office employs 17 regular workers, nine of
them permanent. The temporary workers
shoot up to about 60 at harvest time,
around November.
CECOFA also contributes to social
services. It has so far constructed three
boreholes for residents to get clean
water, maintains sections of the feeder
roads, and organise coffee youth clubs.
They now have about 200 youths who,
apart from farming coffee, do sports and
support each other to avoid bad habits
like gambling and use of drugs. CECOFA
has also constructed church for the Born
Again Christians. Among the future plans
CECOFA has, Buwuule says they want
buy an ambulance and to build health
facilities in the areas where they operate
as the nearest government hospital is at
Mpigi about 20 kilometres away.
We also want to establish a nursery
where our farmers can get quality coffee
seedlings at a subsidised price, Buwuule
said. As a parting word, Buwuule wants
the government to invest more in training
of coffee farmers through exchange visits
with other coffee growing countries to do
benchmarking, provide affordable credit,
and farm inputs like irrigation equipment.
He wants more of the improved Seven
Line variety of coffee being developed
by the National Agricultural Research
Organisation (NARO) in Mukono District
because it is resistant to many diseases.
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 21
Internet costs drop
Why cost per Mbps has dropped by 73% in last three years
T
By Julius Businge
he cost of internet in Uganda
has dropped by 73% to US$70
per Mbps over the past three
years, signaling a reduction in
the cost of doing business.
In an exclusive interview
with The Independent, the Executive Director
of Uganda Communications Commission
(UCC), Godfrey Mutabazi said, the drop in
cost is as a result of the implementation of
the fourth generation licensing regime that
recently earned the commission an award
from the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU).
The current policy demands that we
maintain an open technology neutral licens-
ing regime that only distinguishes between
service and infrastructure provision; that is
why we have been able to attract all these
global brands in the last 10 years, Muta-
bazi said.
Mutabazi said as at the end of last June,
UCC had licensed 23 Public Infrastructure
Providers (PIP) firms that distribute optic
fibre to boost internet penetration. It had
also licensed over 30 Public Service Provid-
ers (PSPs) which provide data and voice
services. He said that the entry of the big
fibre firms has meant that small players
like telecom companies maintain some of
their own fibre but not invest in new ones
because they can be supplied by the big
ones. This, according to Mutabazi, makes
small players like telecom firms record cap-
ital expenditure savings which ultimately
translates into reduced retail prices for
internet and more uptake of the service.
Available data from the UCC indicates
that the sector registered an estimated
14.5% growth in mobile internet subscrip-
22 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
tion (1,698,215 new subscribers) and a 3.2%
growth in fixed internet subscription (4,850
new subscribers) in the period April June,
2017. In the same period, the estimated
internet users increased by 3.7% from
16,484,312 to 17,102, 456. Internet penetra-
tion increased from 43.8% to 45.4% (1.6%
increase) in the same period.
Going forward, Mutabazi said that the
UCC has procured a quality of service
equipment to enhance its monitoring and
provision of billing and metering assurance
so as to deal with complaints related to data
losses by some telecom customers.
The reduction in internet price is not only
benefiting private sector players.
On Oct. 30, the National Information
Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U)
announced a reduction in the price of inter-
net bandwidth for government offices from
US$190 per Mbps to U$70.
This meant all Government Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would
get connectivity through the National Back-
bone Infrastructure (NBI) at the new price
in the market. Through its NBI, NITA-U coming to the market much faster than it is
has over 2,400km of fiber laid across Ugan-
da and in a number of towns and plans
to extend to more towns. The IT authority
plans to have connected 730 MDAs by the
end of FY 2017/18 up from 321 MDAs con-
nected presently.
this effort has been deliberate and
we are happy to have led the industry in
reducing the cost of connectivity to govern-
ment offices by over 84% since 2010, when
1Mbps cost a government office US$1200
compared to the current cost of US$70 for
1Mbps, James Saaka, the executive direc-
tor of NITA-U explained in a notice.
NITAs new move was in response to the
governments recent decision to buy inter-
net services from the struggling Uganda
Telecom arguing that it was offering them a
better deal at US$100 per Mbps compared
with NITAs US$300 per Mbps.
Data service providers have welcomed
the reduction in price. Ali Balunywa, the
sales and distribution director at Airtel
Uganda told The Independent that the reduc-
tion would benefit businesses and a very
big youth population in Uganda spending
most of their time on social media trying
out many things.
.for us the drop in price of internet
means the customer gets better experience
and affordability, he said.
In terms of policy, he said, there is need
for collaboration between the private sector
and the government in line with provision
of services like electricity and other infra-
structure related services in hard to reach
areas so as to lower cost of investment in
the communication sector.
Balunywa said that the licensing regime
has allowed many players to join the mar-
ket and will see more affordable services
at the moment.
Michael Niyitegeka, an ICT consultant
told The Independent that the downward
movement of price of internet is good at the
moment because it would support business
growth and ease usage of the service.
He urged government to give incentives
to importers of internet using devices so as
to deepen penetration and use of internet
on the market. He however, said that as the
price goes down, and more service provid-
ers join the market, the UCC must enhance
its monitoring mechanisms to ensure that
the consumer gets value for the service.

Uganda backslides in
Doing Business ranking
Hike in trade licence fees and
tedious property transfer blamed
By Isaac Khisa
U
ganda has slid back in the World
Banks Ease of Doing Business
ranking dropping seven places to
122 out of 190 economies.
It is the sixth time in seven years that the
East African nation is recording a drop in
the World Bank index which rates countries
on how easy a business can be set up and
how it is protected once it is established.
The drop in performance, according to
the latest report released on Oct.31 in Wash-
ington D.C, is attributed to the increase in
trade licence fees and the added time to
process business licenses leading to a slow-
down in business start-ups.
Uganda also made transferring property
more difficult by introducing a requirement
for property purchasers to obtain an income
tax certificate before registration, resulting
in delays at the Uganda Revenue Author-
ity and the Ministry of Finance, the report
noted. However, the government made
it easier by digitising records at the title
registry, increasing efficiency at the asses-
sors office and making it possible for more
banks to accept the stamp duty payment.
The government also made trading
across borders easier by extending the
ASYCUDA++ electronic data interchange
system to four additional customs stations,
introducing a system linking banks to cus-
toms (for payment of duties) and enhancing
cooperation at the KenyaUganda border
crossing at Malaba through joint inspec-
tions.
This is in addition to the reduced time
required for trading across borders through
expanded operating hours at the port of
Mombasa and improvements in customs
processes and in border cooperation.
The 2018 release is the 15th edition in
a series of the banks annual reports that
examine the regulations and conditions that
enhance business conduciveness around the
world.
The World Bank Ease of Doing Business
survey focuses on several aspects that facili-
tate business including; the ease of starting
a business, obtaining construction permits,
access to electricity, registering property,
access to credit, protecting minority inves-
tors, paying taxes, trading across borders,
business
enforcing contracts, and resolving insol- This is in line with promoting regulatory
vency. reform that strengthens the ability of the
private sector to create jobs, lift people out
UIA reaction of poverty and create more opportunities
Commenting on the new ranking, Jolly for the economy to prosper.
Kaguhangire, the executive director of the The notion that the private sector has
Uganda Investment Authority said the substantial economic, social and develop-
countrys poor performance in the new ment impact is now universally recog-
ranking is attributed to the fact that the nized, She said.
survey did not put into consideration the Responsible for an estimated 90% of
One-Stop Centre that has eased business employment in developing economies, the
licensing. private sector is ideally placed to alleviate
My honest observation in this report is poverty by providing the opportunities to
that the integration of government services secure a good and sustainable standard of
onto one online portal the One Stop Cen- living.
tre is not mentioned and included in the She said promoting a well-functioning
procedures of starting a business, she said, private sector is a major undertaking for any
I think ignoring this important aspect has government, and that it requires long-term
resulted into Ugandas poor performance. policies of removing administrative barriers
She, however, said the Authority plans and strengthening laws that promote entre-
to carry out publicity in the next two weeks preneurship.
to popularize initiatives currently in place
aimed at easing doing business in the coun- Country rankings elsewhere
try. Globally, the report ranks New Zealand,
Kristalina Georgieva, the chief executive Singapore and Denmark in first, second
officer at the World Bank said whereas and third spots, respectively, followed by
there has been growing improvement in South Korea; Hong Kong, China, the United
starting and operating business in various States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Geor-
economies over the years, one aspect of gia and Sweden.
Doing Business has remained unchanged. Mauritius, ranked 25 in the world is the
highest ranked economy in Sub-Saharan
Africa, with Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia
being among this years top 10 improvers.
Rwanda is ranked the best in the Ease of
Doing Business in the East African Com-
munity, a position it has held in the past
six years while Burundi still lags behind in
implementing business reforms.
Kenya, the second best performer in the
region, was ranked 80 compared with 92
Jolly Kaguhangire Kristalina Georgieva last year while Tanzania saw its ranking
drop five positions to 137 during the same
period under review.
Ranking of EAC Countries in the World Since its inception, the World Banks
Banks Ease of Doing Business report Doing Business has recorded business
reforms in 186 of the 190 economies it now
Country/ 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 monitors, with Rwanda having imple-
Year /12 /13 /14 /15 /16 /17
mented the highest number of business
Rwanda 45 50 52 62 56 41
reforms over the past 15 years, with a total
Kenya 106 109 121 108 92 80
of 52 reforms, followed by Georgia, which
Uganda 119 123 120 122 115 122 advanced this year into the top 10 ranked
Tanzania 125 127 134 139 132 137 economies (47 reforms) and Kazakhstan
Burundi 117 169 159 152 157 164 and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Mace-
donia (41 reforms each).
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 23
Executive Style
business
SMEs are Ugandas
engine for growth
Why does Deloitte venture
W
into matters SMEs?
e are a professional
services firm
offering advice
to businesses
regarding financial
performance and tax advisory.
We believe SMEs are Ugandas
engine of growth. We are
helping SMEs to comply with
laws and regulations right
from their formation. We are
also aware that the Ministry of
Trade is also having discussions
with a credit rating agency that
will be looking at the ability of
SMEs to access finance from
banks to be able to invest and
expand their operations.
What strikes you most when
you look at this segment
and its contribution to the
economy?
Going by the guidance of the
Ministry of Trade, SMEs have
been categorized according
to the number of people they
employ. However, in some
instances, this may change
especially where companies
with very few people record
high turnover because
they have embraced good
technology. When you look at
the Ugandan concept, SMEs
are those largely categorised
to have between one to four
people with a turnover of Shs
0-Shs 10 million also known
as micro, then those with 549
people with a turnover of Shs
10-100 million categorised
as small, and then 50-100
people with a turnover of Shs
100-360 million categorised
as medium. SMEs in Uganda
make up over 70% of our
economy and contribute above
20% of our GDP which is really
sizable. Their work spans from
service provision, selling of
goods, information technology,
agriculture and furniture
making among others.
Some people have described
President Yoweri Musevenis
24 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
addition to formalising or
creating groups or investment
clubs similar to Uganda
Manufacturers Association
are important. Forming
groups would help them
open up their businesses to
professionals who can advise
them on the challenges they
might be having. Up skilling
their operations in terms
of management, financial
reporting would help
them attract support from
government and survive in
bad economic times.
What rebates are suitable
for Uganda to apply to lure
SMEs to formalise?
Deloitte, an international Audit firm operating in URA has already
Uganda is working on a plan with the Ministry of set a platform for SME
formalisation and they have
Trade Industry and Cooperatives to aid small and structures of paying tax
medium enterprises (SMEs) grow their enterprises depending on size of the
and boost economic growth. Its Partner, Norbert enterprise. There is need for
making SMEs meet their
Kagoro, spoke to The Independents Julius tax obligations at the local
Businge about their involvement in SMEs. government level without
them necessarily dealing with
URA directly. This is because
local government knows
giving of youth groups save and form partnerships where everybody operates
equipment and cash as purely that can attract cheap capital. and can easily follow-up. I
political and not something There is an option of going to think that is an area that we
that would boost SME micro-finance institutions or might need to explore to bring
enterprises. What is your commercial banks or listing SMEs into the tax regime. SMEs
opinion on that? on the stock market. But for should also benefit from the tax
I dont want to sound all these avenues to work, that they pay in form of services
political because that is a good corporate governance of rendered by government.
political decision. But I want to SMEs is critical because there
believe that the President has is no lender or partner who is What would you say are better
got his background as to why going to offer credit to a poorly sector options for SMEs to
he uses that approach. But I managed business. They need focus their resources to grow at
know some support of SMEs to be open and transparent the moment?
[under the Ministry of Gender with good financial discipline. One of the hot items today
working with Centenary Bank] They need proper structures a is agriculture. I know African
which is really very good. There Board of Directors, professional Development Bank has set
is also a program called Youth managers and more. Lenders aside money for supporting
Livelihood Program which will deal with those they think large scale agriculture
is also good. In government, are less or not risky at all. industrialisation in Africa.
you have a political and policy So how can we tap into that
side which must move hand in How best should SMEs money? When starting a
hand. survive in a volatile economy? business, you start one that you
Good governance practice is clearly know. Most Ugandans
So how best can SMEs attract the key. They need to search for have attained what they have
financing opportunities? good markets for their output. out of agriculture. We need
They need to start from their Getting the right financing to emphasise value addition;
families. Starters also need to mix from credible sources in SMEs in agriculture need to
 business
know weather patterns properly to
benefit from the sector. In the next 2-3
years, services are going to be key and Airtel Uganda to
invest Shs72.5bn in
it is one area that SMEs need to look
at. Oil and gas and minerals are the
other key areas SMEs should prepare
to tap into. The good thing is that

network upgrade
we are seeing financing institutions,
telecom firms increasing channels
for delivery of financing without
necessarily investing in brick and
motor areas.

What do you envisage as SME

contribution to the economy once
opportunities available are exploited
in the coming years?
They will contribute more to
the economy. Actually the 20%
contribution to GDP could be small.
You may find there is a lot of data
that is not captured. Many of our
parents are out there producing
for consumption and may not be
captured in our data. That needs to
change. We can capture most of this
data at local government level and see
what SMEs can do for us. We need
to create innovation villages for all
sectors to be able to organise SMEs
and grow them. For all this to happen, Airtel MD V.G Somasekhar 2R and Nyombi Thembo, the director for the Rural Communication Development
it means there has to be favorable Fund at UCC during the launch of the new 3G site in Nakasongola District. INDEPENDENT /ISAAC KHISA
government policies.
By Isaac Khisa extend a wide range of development oppor-

You recently unveiled SMEs value
proposition service in Uganda. How
does it benefit the economy?
The recently unveiled Deloitte
Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) Value Proposition is consistent
with our 2020 strategy. This is an
affordable subscription based value
proposition designed to meet the
unique service needs of Ugandas
SMEs including bookkeeping and
accounting, tax compliance, business
performance insights and corporate
governance. These services are
offered on a monthly subscription
fee of US$490 (Approx. Shs1.8
million). The service targets SMEs
of all sizes and across all sectors
of the economy from ambitious
start-ups to SMEs who want to grow
and achieve more in Uganda, East
Africa and beyond. We aspire to
serve organizations that reflect the
economic make-up of Uganda from
multinational corporations, large local
corporations and SMEs. We believe
that growing SMEs in accounting and
other professional areas is important
for job creation, formalisation of
the economy, more tax collection
by government and ultimately, it
is good for improving the general
performance of the economy.
A
irtel Uganda is investing Shs72.5bn
in network expansion and upgrade
for the year ending March next year
to boost its products and services
countrywide, according to its Managing Di-
rector, V.G Somasekhar.
Somasekhar, who was speaking during the
launch of a new network site in Lwampanga,
Nakasongola District on Nov. 03, said the
telecom firm will also roll out 154 3G network
sites in 154 days to tap into the growing
demand for voice, data and Airtel Money.
We are currently investing towards
expanding and upgrading the network. This
year, we have taken 3G network sites across
the country to enable our customers to make
telephone calls, use our internet among other
services, he said.
He said Airtel Ugandas goal is to foster
empowerment of individuals and communi-
ties by providing the infrastructure for basic
communication, entrepreneurship and even
financial inclusion through its financial ser-
vices platform. This new development comes
barely a month since Airtel Uganda unveiled
the 4G LTE technology in the central region to
offer subscribers fastest available speeds and
improved experience in internet-based activi-
ties. Nyombi Thembo, the director for the
Rural Communication Development Fund at
the Uganda Communications Commission,
said Airtels network expansion especially
in rural areas will bridge the service gap and
tunities that were previously not available.
..We can now start to see an economy
boost resulting from automation of services
and a reduction in rural-urban migration as
the population will have access to the neces-
sary tools to better their lives and communi-
ties, he said. He said the network expansion
will also boost mobile penetration which cur-
rently stands at 63.7%.
Airtel Uganda is looking at increasing its
network sites from the current 1, 200 3G net-
work sites to 1,500 countrywide including 4G
networks sites compared with its main rival
MTN Uganda that has more than 75 4G net-
work sites, in addition to 1,492 2G sites and
591 3G network sites.
Latest data from the Airtel Uganda shows
that the telecom firm recorded 85.6% growth
in net profit to Shs 160.45bn last year on the
back of improved uptake of internet, mobile
money, valued added services.
The firms revenue from internet and
added services such as voice mail, phone
back-up and postpaid bill more than doubled
from Shs169.6bn in 2015 to Shs306.28bn in
2016 while mobile money services witnessed
an increase in revenue from Shs69bn to
Shs128.42bn during the same period under
review.
The companys earnings from voice ser-
vices, however, remained nearly flat from Shs
500.75bn in 2015 to Shs503.06bn in 2016 even
as it recorded a 22% growth in total revenue
to Shs1.03 trillion.

Nov 10 - 16, 2017 25

business
partnership CSR

Africell, Uber signs new partnership deal NSSF supports KCCA schools
Nov. 02 will see new users get free first with Shs 131 million

time rides up to Shs 10,000 redeemable
using promo Code TRIPLEDATA on
downloading the Uber App on Google
Play Store or the Apple Store.
Africell Commercial Director,Milad
Khairallah, said the new campaign is
meant to demonstrate Africells domi-
nance in the data market which has over
time been tested and appreciated by the
population.
(L-R) Africell Marketing Manager, Mohammed For us, this is an opportunity to
Yahfoufi, Uber Country Manager, Aaron share. We are conveying our generos-
Tindiseega and Africell Public Relations Manager, ity with which we triple our subscrib-
Edgar Karamagi, during the launch of promotion ers daily data to show both our cus-
on Nov. 02. COURTESY/PHOTO
T
he National Social Security Fund
Managing Director, Richard Bya-
rugaba, on Nov. 06 handed over
Shs 131 million to Kampala Capital
City Authority Executive Director, Jenifer
Musisi to use in renovating and improving
standards of government schools under
the city authority. The amount in question
was raised during the March 2017 NSSF
Kampala Hash 7 Hills Run, in which Kam-
pala Hash House Harriers is a partner.
Musisi said the money would be used to
renovate some of the 90% of the 79 govern-

T
elecom firm, Africell Uganda and
Uber have signed the Uber With
Africell partnership campaign
agreement designed to enhance
convenience with free rides for first time
users. The campaign, which started on
tomers and other people yet to switch
to Africell that we have a heart for
them, he said.Uber Country Manager,
Aaron Tindiseega, said they are excited
with the new partnership as new rid-
ers will have an opportunity to feel the
Uber experience.
ment schools that require refurbishment in
Kampala. Byarugaba, who handed over the
money to KCCA at Nakivubo Settlement
Primary School, said the money is being
spent in areas that cater for the betterment
of the lives of the future generation.

RETAIL TELECOM

Jumia widens payment Airtels Yoola Amajja promo is back

A
options for its customers

O
irtel Uganda has re-launched its ing transaction. Mobile phone numbers
nline Yoola Amajja cash promotion in a of customers that would take part in the
shopping bid to reward customers using its above transactions will be placed in a ran-
platform, mobile money platform. domizer from which five lucky winners
Jumia, The campaign was first launched in 2016. would be allowed into the cash box to grab
has widened pay- The new promotion will last 90 days. For up to Shs 2million each.
ment options for its one to take part in the campaign, they have V.G. Somasekhar, the companys
customers through to dial *185# on their phones and carryout managing director said the promotion
partnership with a minimum of three transactions weekly. serves to attract more people to use mobile
Barclays Bank. Transactions may take the form of sending money as a way of deepening financial
said the partnership money, paying utility bills, buying data or inclusion in the country.
This is to enable
demonstrates its voice bundles, wewole or making a bank-
online shoppers
commitment to driv-
pay for their goods
ing financial inclu-
and services using
sion and empow- REAL ESTATE
Barclays Bank credit
ering businesses
cards at the point of
delivery to enhance
across Africa.
Our custom-
KCCA to process construction permits online

R
convenience. Initial-
ers needs are ever
ly, customers were eal estate developers will have to Physical Planning at KCCA said online
changing and as
limited to paying for apply for construction permits permit processing has been tested in
they change, we will
goods through cash from Kampala Capital City other sectors such as transport and it is
strive to adopt smart
on delivery or MTN Authority on online effective 2018. time to integrate it in construction.
technology solutions
Mobile Money. Moses Kanuniira, theDirector of Applying on online is the way to
that deliver out-
Jumias Market- go if the Authority is to offer quality
standing services.
ing Manager, Stacey
Our partnership services, he said. We have tested it in
Mwesezi, (Pictured)
with Jumia is evi- the transport sector where taxi operators
said the new pay-
dence of our ambi- now pay the Authority monthly dues
ment option will
tion to deploy safe on online using their mobile phones. Its
also ensure custom-
electronic solutions working very well. The next phase is to
er safety especially
to the benefit of the integrate it now into other sectors like
those involved in
entire country, he construction.
dealing with huge
said. Jumia entered Theshift to onlineis also meant to save
sums of money.
the Ugandan market KCCA clients time and money while also
Gunilla Ouko, the
in 2014 to tap into minimizing the loopholes for corruption.
head of customer
the online shopping
network at Barclays
platforms.

26
 business

Coca-Cola shakes Ugandas

energy drink market
By Julius Businge companys innovation

C
entury Bottling
Company Limited,
a franchise bottler
and distributor
of Coca Cola Products in
Uganda, has taken on Hariss
International Limiteds
Rock Boom and Pepsi Colas
Sting with a low-cost energy
drink in a move likely to stir
(L-R) Vincent Agaba, the CEO Real Estate Agents Uganda, Edwin
competition in the energy
Musiime CEO Crest Group, Samuel Mabala, the Commissioner for
Urban Development (2R) and Jackson Emanzi, the Head Home Loans drinks segment.
Stanbic Bank(R) during the official launch of the Homes & Property The new energy drink
Expo recently at Lugogo .NDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA dubbed Power Play, is
being marketed under the
taglineCharginga Ne Power
Playwith a 400ml pack
retailing at Shs2, 000.
The Namanve-based firm
appears to be pegging its
product sales growth to high
volumes compared with that
of its rivals. Rock Boom and
Sting are packaged in 320ml
and 330ml, respectively.
Conrad Van Niekerk,
the managing director at
Century Bottling Company,
said the new energy brand
is coming on the market to
meet the growing customer
needs and fits well in the
Musa Mayanja Lwanga, a research analyst, Trade and Regional Integration
Department at EPRC Makerere University, presenting his findings on widening
Ugandas tax base on Nov 2. He said Uganda has the least tax effort in the
region due to poor and weak administration . INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA
strategy.
We are very convinced
that this brand will do well
in the country, he said. We
(know that) we are entering
a market with many energy
drinks but our decision as
a company was meant to
launch the right drink in the
market at the right time.
He said the firm is looking
at becoming a market leader
in the Ugandas energy drink
market in future.
The companys
Commercial Director, Patrick
Oyuru, said Power Play will
meet the growing demand
for the product at alow cost.
We are looking at a 25%
market share in the energy
drink segment in the coming
years, he said.
In 2015, Century Bottling
Company, introduced a
foreign manufactured high
end energy drink monster
to compete with other foreign
bottled energy drinks Red
Bull and Power Horse
retailing at more than Shs5,
000 depending on the seller.

Weekly share price movement (Nov. 03)

Security Nov. 03 Oct. 27 Movement
BATU 30000 30000 00
BOBU 107 107 00
CENT 1,389 1,389 00
DFCU 700 700 00
EABL 8,696 8,689 0.1
EBL 1,285 1,284 0.1
JHL 17,393 17,378 0.1
KA 172 172 00
KCB 1,346 1,345 0.1
NIC 11 11 00
NMG 3,837 3,834 0.1
NVL 526 526 00
SBU 27 27 00
Vivo Energys MD Gilbert Assisi conducting a draw for winners of UCHM 112 113 0.9
the Shell V-Power Club members to go and watch the Abu Dhabi F1 UCL 24 24 00
Grand Prix. INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA UMEME 443 435 1.8
ALSI -- -- --

Nov 10 - 16, 2017 27

COMMENT
By Christine Auclair and Mahmoud Al Burai ms
Planning better cities
Planning buzzwords like `smart citiesmean little
if the theories behind them benefit only a few
C
ities, the American-Canadian au-
thor Jane Jacobs once observed, are
engines for national prosperity and
economic growth. But in their cur-
rent form, modern cities are also catalysts of
inequality and environmental degradation.
Today, the share of city dwellers in poverty
is growing; 33% live in slums; and 75% of
global carbon dioxide emissions originate
in metropolitan areas. Statistics like these
should give us pause: Are cities really the
best way to organise human life?
They can be, but only with significant
adjustments to how they are planned,
built, and managed. For city-led growth to
empower a sustainable, prosperous future,
governments and developers must reintro-
duce a user-centered approach to urbanisa-
tion.
Today, most cities fail to include key
stakeholders in the planning process,
leading to exclusionary development.
Consider the ubiquitous housing project on
the edge of town, a characteristic of many
poorly planned cities. Built in the middle of
nowhere, these multi-unit eyesores are often
cut off from public transportation and other
services, compounding residents isolation
from the urban core.
But design flaws like these, which have
both economic and social implications, are
just the beginning. Even more worrying to
urban planning professionals like us is that
in many places, the entire planning process
the way we think about cities, how they
are used, and by whom is flawed.
Even the worlds best-intentioned plan-
ning departments do not always put the
public first. Part of this reflects uncertainty
about who owns a city. Residents might
call a city theirs, but government leaders
often act in ways that suggest otherwise. For
example, a government seeking to attract
investment might equate economic inter-
ests with residents needs, and thus lower
environmental standards or tax burdens for
businesses. Such decisions might, however,
lead to deurbanisation, with people leaving
cities as they become less livable.
The gap between economic viability and
environmental responsibility can be espe-
cially wide. Consider the production of tra-
ditional, gasoline-powered cars. Although
this type of industry might power some
cities growth today, the publics growing
28 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
concern about CO2 emissions from these
vehicles is spurring changes in consumer
demand. Businesses that can capitalise on
such shifts will be better positioned for
long-term growth.
Unfortunately, for-profit entities typically
fail to see future generations as tomorrows
customers. Their short-term vision not only
hurts their bottom line; it also affects cities,
by trading immediate gain for quality of
life.
So, what can be done to ensure that urban
planning is conducted with the interests of
cities actual users particularly their resi-
dents in mind?
Most cities lack a democratic planning
process, and in many large metropolitan
areas, inequality is sewn into the social
fabric. So institutionalising participatory
planning must be the starting point. Pro-
grams that safeguard local democracy by
encouraging transparency and account-
ability are critical. Residents who are
equipped with the knowledge and means to
express their views on issues affecting their
communities make better neighbours. And
planning discussions that take their views
into account produce better design. Because
leaders everywhere, under any type of
political system, are judged by the livability
Many urban
areas are
being designed
as cities
for the rich,
rather than
population
centers for all
of the places they oversee, an inclusive plan-
ning process should be every citys goal.
With participatory planning as a starting
point, governments and residents can move
toward building cities that are more strate-
gically linked to their surrounding regions
and areas beyond. This type of growth is
not only about transportation links, but
also about coordinating policies and actions
across sectors, including housing, social
services, and banking. In this way, regional
roles and responsibilities become more
clearly defined, with finite resources allo-
cated strategically, equitably, and according
to a common agenda.
Too often, cities manage resources in
bureaucratic silos, which can increase com-
petition among precisely those who must
work in concert if the urban areas they
regulate are to invest wisely and implement
policies effectively. Local autonomy can
be achieved only through strong regional
cooperation and coordination.
Urban sprawl is a good example of why
a regional approach to planning is critical.
Limiting sprawl requires a coordinated ter-
ritorial strategy, so that cities can address
common concerns, like the transportation of
goods, clustering of housing and services,
and management and placement of indus-
trial corridors. Inter-municipal cooperation
can also achieve economies of scale by dis-
couraging unnecessary competition.
Many urban areas are being designed as
cities for the rich, rather than population
centers for all. This is gradually encour-
aging social segregation and threatening the
security and safety of residents. Planning
buzzwords like smart cities and sustain-
able urban development mean little if the
theories behind them benefit only a few.
As Jacobs predicted, the city will remain
the worlds engine of economic growth and
prosperity for many decades to come. But
if that engine is to run most efficiently, the
mechanism powering it the urban plan-
ning process itself will need a tune-up.
Christine Auclair is project leader of the World
Urban Campaign at the United Nation Human
Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
Mahmoud Al Burai is CEO of the Dubai
Real Estate Institute, an arm of the Dubai
government.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017.

By Henning Melber
Being middle-class
Why the private sectors hype about the consumer
habits of the African middle class isnt helpful
T
he African middle class is of
huge interest to business. This
was confirmed again recently by
well attended seminars in South
Africas big cities to discuss African
Lions: groundbreaking study on the
middle class in sub-Saharan Africa.
The study was motivated by the
African Development Banks diagnosis
that (the African middle class) has
grown by over 240% in just over a
decade, and the bank defines 15 million
households as now being middle class.
The narrow focus of the study is
guided by a particular interest and
echoes a poorly informed narrative
about the structure of societies in
Africa. It is void of any class related
analysis and offers little bearing
on reality. People are seen only as
consumers with no political relevance.
The study was done by the University
of Cape Towns Unilever Institute of
Strategic Marketing and the global
market research company IPSOS over
18 months in ten cities Abidjan, Accra,
Addis Ababa, Douala, Dar es Salaam,
Kano, Lagos, Nairobi, Luanda and
Lusaka.
It defines as middle class someone
who has a daily income of between
USD$4 and USD$70. He or she also
has a disposable income; is employed
or is running a business or studying at
college; and has some secondary school
education. According to this criteria, a
whopping 60% of the urban population
surveyed fall into this definition of
middle class.
The researchers conclude that those
who qualify as middle class have an
average income of USD$12 a day and an
average household income of USD$17
a day. Of these, a third had a full time
job, while many ran mainly informal
businesses.
According to the study, an estimated
100 million people outside South Africa
have an aggregated spending power of
more than USD$400 million a day.
Its clear that the research is motivated
by economic interests, targeting
the so-called middle class as the
object of desire for retailers. As the
head of the institute explained, the
core of the interest in the estimated
ZAR1.3 trillion-a-month market
was a better understanding of the
consumer landscape on the continent,
(by exploring) aspirations, media
consumption, buying patterns, brand
relationships and much more (of such
middle class).
Similar interests by the private
sector exist in business circles beyond
the continent. Large companies paid
US$1160 and small ones US$510 to
gain insights into the investment
opportunities at a recent Middle East
and Africa Summit in Stockholm.
The second day was devoted to sub-
Saharan Africa, which was described as
having a bulging middle class hungry
for inclusion and more sophisticated
consumer demands.
Such approaches perpetuate the
original hype over the discovery of
the emerging middle classes in the
global South, defined in terms of higher
living standards. They are measured
on consumption and lifestyle related to
Western products and status symbols.
But no insights are offered into how
being middle class could be understood
in a social context. This would include
status and awareness as well as the
political choices people make.
This would require a different,
analytically much more ambitious
grasp of the economic and political
realities in African cities and indeed
wider societies.
The fight back
In the meantime, scholars in a
variety of academic disciplines
have started to critically explore the
middle class notion. They properly
investigate its meaning and definition.
This is important because a middle
class debate reduced purely to the
exploration of consumer habits can only
be used for self-serving purposes.
In contrast, the new scholarly efforts
put an African middle class debate
into more meaningful perspectives.
They offer a deeper analysis of cultural
factors and identities, consciousness,
social positioning and relations to other
groups as well as institutions and the
COMMENT
state. They are on their way to a proper
class analysis and the policy options
and implications by the social group or
groups in formation.
The challenge is to look beyond the
superficial number crunching that
defines a middle class in purely income
and expenditure figures, void of any
further analysis of other relevant
factors.
Such apolitical perspectives tend to
put an ideological smokescreen around
socio-economic processes. They rest
on the assumption that relatively
high economic growth rates suggest
progress and development. Little
changes in the daily lives of most
people, meanwhile. Crumbs from the
table of the haves dont lift them out
of a fragile socio-economic habitat
bordering on poverty. Many urban and
rural people continue to exist in utter
destitution.
Social change
Engaging with such challenges,
exploring how being middle class
could be understood and mobilised for
social change, would require a different
analytical grasp of the socio-economic
and political realities in African
societies.
Presumably, such different research
findings would most likely not be
of interest to the business. But, the
more socio-politically motivated
analyses might contribute towards
raising awareness of the class
structures perpetuated. These are not
fundamentally changed by a growing
number of consumers, who are able to
buy goods in the shopping malls and
enjoy a Western lifestyle.
Rather, the advocacy and promotion
of social justice and equality based on
truly transformative social policies with
deeper redistributive effects could in
the long run create a much larger and
more sustainable market.
Henning Melber is Extraordinary
Professor, Department of Political Sciences,
University of Pretoria
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 29
COMMENT
By Leon Willems
The plight of journalists
Publicising violence against journalists will end an
era of historically keeping it behind the headlines
E
very five days, on average, some-
where in the world, a journalist is
murdered for being a journalist.
Nine out of ten times, no one is
prosecuted, creating an atmosphere of im-
punity that extends beyond death threats
or violence. Imprisonment of journalists
is at an all-time high, and members of the
press routinely suffer harassment and
intimidation while on assignment. Today,
journalism is one of the most dangerous
professions anywhere.
One way to address this state of affairs
is by talking about it. Three recent
examples highlight the risks journalists
take to report the news, and underscore
why publicising their plight is the only
way to bring about change.
Consider Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler.
com, an online news network based in
the Philippines. Since founding Rappler
in 2012, Ressas website has become
an invaluable source of information
about the extrajudicial killings linked
to President Rodrigo Dutertes war on
drugs. For her enterprising reporting,
Ressa has received more than 80 death
threats in the last month alone. Many
of these warnings have come from
anonymous bloggers, with IP addresses
traceable to the presidents associates.
Then there is the case of William Ntege,
a journalist who reported on recent
protests against Ugandan President
Yoweri Musevenis decision to run in
the next presidential election, despite
constitutional prohibitions preventing
him from doing so. Ntege was severely
beaten by police for his coverage, and
held in jail for more than ten days.
Finally, there is the erosion of press
freedoms in Myanmar. A new clause
written into the countrys media law
allows citizens to file a lawsuit if
they have a complaint with an article
or news item, even if the reporting
does not directly mention them. This
legal provision in sharp contrast to
international norms has led to 61 cases
filed against journalists since February
2016, when Aung San Suu Kyis National
League for Democracy came to power.
Infringements of press freedom like
these have become common tactics
30 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
for autocratic regimes, from Turkey to
Russia and beyond. But it is not only
despots and strongmen who have
declared war on the press. In Colombia
and Mexico, hundreds of journalists
have been placed under armed guard to
protect them from criminal syndicates.
Yet this hasnt stopped journalists
across Latin America from leaving the
profession in droves. A favorite strategy
of Mexican drug gangs seeking to
stay out of the headlines is to threaten
investigative journalists children. No
wonder the medias ranks are shrinking.
Part of the reason most consumers
of news do not know these stories is
that organisations like mine have long
worked to ensure that journalists never
become the story. Press freedom groups
have typically operated under the
assumption that the best way to protect
fact-based, investigative journalism is
to shield the storyteller from violence.
And, like most journalists, we have
opted to do our jobs quietly, rather than
burdening readers and viewers with how
dangerous the profession has become.
But it is time to change our approach,
and make a point of highlighting the
Journalists
will need
brave
prosecutors
and judges
to hold
attackers
accountable
if impunity is
to end
hazards.
For example, Ntege was released only
after considerable effort by a team of
lawyers retained by Reporters Respond,
the Free Press Unlimited emergency fund
for journalist safety. Since the funds
inception in 2011, it has helped dozens of
journalists around the world, including,
most recently, a group of reporters
fleeing mob violence in Burundi. And
a huge number of organisations aid
journalists in distress in the Middle East,
in Eastern Europe, and elsewhere. These
stories behind the news must be told.
Of course, telling these tales is just the
beginning. Press freedom advocates
must also deliver journalists a stronger,
more coordinated framework for their
protection and safety. To that end, my
organisation is engaging with other
global entities to strengthen the UN Plan
of Action on the Safety of Journalists
and the Issue of Impunity. We have also
begun holding regular meetings with
other media freedom groups to devise
a path forward. And, we have started
working to ensure that media protections
are backed up by legislation and
enforcement. Journalists will need brave
prosecutors and judges to hold attackers
accountable if impunity is to end.
But the most important changes must
come from within the media industry
itself. Because journalists safety directly
affects news organisations employees,
freelancers, and audiences, these
organisations should report on the topic.
With attacks on the press increasing,
the old approach prideful silence no
longer makes sense. If the journalists use
their platforms to inform the world of the
dangers they and their colleagues face,
the world will have to listen.
Violence against journalists has
historically been an issue that has
remained behind the headlines. On
November 2, as the world recognised the
International Day to End Impunity for
Crimes Against Journalists, lets commit to
making these stories front-page news.
Leon Willems is Director of Free Press
Unlimited.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017.
 COMMENT
By Morris Komakech
Togikwatako campaign
Best bet for Museveni to set new record as president who
served for long and retired peacefully inside Uganda

T
he intent to remove Article 102b
from the 1995 Constitution to pave
way for life-long presidency should
be halted for the good of Uganda.
There is no excuse for President Yoweri
Museveni to prolong his rule. After 35 years,
if Mr. Museveni has not accomplished his
aspirations as a leader, then he will never.
In the last couple of decades of Musev-
enis rule, Uganda has experienced
declines in social service delivery, social
investments and in public institutions.
Corruption, nepotism/sectarianism
and deceptions rose exponentially. The
Presidency has concentrated all the
powers, prestige and privileges, leaving
the masses and those at the periphery
deprived of fundamental rights, and
excluded from the mainstream where
national development agenda is dis-
cussed.
Musevenis adherents are blinded to
the glaring social inequities deliberately.
Individualism and the personalisation
of the state have superseded the call for
collective commons. People think in silos Residents of Kira Wakiso District Division during the Age limit consultation meeting in
and everyone dies to grab for personal Kireka. INDEPENDENT/ JIMMY SIYA
aggrandisement what should be shared
nationally. As such, the spirit of nation- indication that the Police, far from being challenge to Museveni and yet his truest
alism and patriotism has faded. Ugan- a civil force that should have exercised of friends. A new pattern has emerged
dans are bitter, exhausted and frustrated its mandate of maintaining peace and where traditional opposition leaders are
with this regime. tranquil, protecting the law and reigning surpassed by the Togikwatako wave.
I have observed that indigenous Ugan- in on criminals, itself, became culpable to This movement has set a clear divide
dans have ceded their birth rights, and syndicated crime. between the state (read, Museveni) and
the various incontrovertible rights to The presence of Military Police symbol- the masses. Many NRM adherents rec-
the state. A continued Musevenis rule ises a vote of no confidence in the Police. ognise that this removal of Article 102b
will do all of us in, worse such that our The crooked Police force needs urgent is the most unpopular political move
citizenship will depend on loyalty to the cleaning and rehabilitating. that could end in a revolution to topple
cult leader that Museveni has become; Nonetheless, we must read the political this government. However, they are too
our rights to property, land; and basic pulse right. The socialising of Military deformed by dishonest to advise the dic-
services, quality health care and educa- police with a civilian institution is an tator to retire.
tion are already inaccessible. The last indication of how our society has become The people on the Togikwatako side
thing we all need as Ugandans is another militarised. Kayihura militarised the are people who mean well for Museveni.
year of a Musevenis rule past 2021. Police but also politicised it way too They are asking him to retire at the end
Recently, the military Police arrested much to align it as an instrument of of his zenith term in 2021 so that his
criminal suspects, a job that the Police NRM power brokerage. legacy and lifelong work benefits those
should perform. This phenomenon was Ugandans should worry of the take- who value it. This is a noble request
unheard of until now. The arrest of Frank over of policing work by the men with because Museveni has a chance of set-
Gashumba and his brother, Innocent red tops. It is clear that in an event of ting a new record, as the President who
Kasumba over suspicion of extortion defeat of the Presidents agenda to rule served for so long, retired and found
and fraud demonstrate a total collapse for life by the Togikwatako campaign solace inside Uganda
of the Uganda Police, under Gen Kale tide, we are likely to experience a repeat .
Kayihura. Concurrently, the onslaught of the February 19, 2016 scenarios in Morris Komakech coordinates Togikwatako
on Inspector General of Police Kale Kayi- Kampala a military takeover. Campaign in Canada. Can contact via
huras Generals within the Police is an The Togikwatako movement is indeed a mordust_26@yahoo.ca

Nov 10 - 16, 2017 31

COMMENT
By Sekou Toure Otondi
Contextualising Odingas struggle
Why Kenyas opposition resistance movement
could be important for democracy
I
n his last address at Uhuru Park on
the eve of Kenyas October 26 election
re-run, Raila Odinga announced the
creation of what he called a National
Resistance Movement. In a later interview
with CNN, he clarified that the movement
was a new wing of the opposition coalition,
the National Super Alliance (NASA) which
he led into the presidential elections in early
August.He said the resistance movement
would complement the other arms of the
opposition coalition and would pursue a
peaceful, non-violent struggle. Its main ob-
jective would be to advance electoral justice
in Kenya and across Africa as well.His latest
public address was expected to provide
a radical way forward. But it fell short of
expectations among his supporters who
expected a more radical announcement.
In addition to the resistance movement,
Odinga also created a Peoples Parlia-
ment to protect election integrity, con-
stitutionalism, democracy and the rule
of law.
Odingas immediate aim remains to
force a credible election in the next 90
days. To achieve this, the opposition alli-
ance is seeking a total overhaul of the
Independent Electoral and Boundaries
Commission.
These moves come at a time when
opposition leaders feel that the inter-
national community, led by the US and
European Union, are either reluctant to
push for reforms. Many believe that they
are conspiring with the Jubliee regime to
protect their own business, security, and
diplomatic interests in the region.
The developments spearheaded by
Odinga are, in my opinion, good for
Kenyas democracy. By constituting a
Peoples Assembly, NASA is seeking to
put citizens at the centre of the struggle
for electoral reforms, constitutionalism,
and the expansion of democratisation.
Undemocratic behaviour
The Jubilee administration, buoyed
by an overwhelming majority in both
houses of parliament, appears to be
trying to roll back Kenyas democratic
gains. The fact that the party is also in
control of the executive makes matters
worse.
This is exemplified by its forceful
32 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
passage of the controversial bill to amend
the electoral process in the middle of
the election cycle. Parliamentarians
pressed ahead with the bill despite
being cautioned against doing so by
a wide section of Kenyan society and
the international community. Some
parts of the bill seem well-intentioned.
But others, such as the provisions that
prioritise manual voting mechanisms
over the current electronic system, dont
augur well for the country.
The Jubilee regime has also embarked
on a crackdown of civil society organisa-
tions deemed to be sympathetic to the
opposition coalition. These include the
Kenya Human Rights commission and
Africog, a governance and public ethics
non-governmental organisation.
In addition, members of the party
are openly calling for a benevolent
dictatorship in Kenya. This call was first
made by the Jubilee Party vice-chairman
David Murathe.
Benevolent dictatorships which
operate on the basis that certain demo-
cratic rights need to be ceded for eco-
nomic gain are cited as the reason for
the economic rise of countries such as
China and Singapore. But the same may
not necessarily be true for Kenya. Under
the one party dictatorships of former
presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel
arap Moi, Kenyas economy was stunted.
In Africa the countries that have made
economic progress such as Botswana,
Namibia, and Mauritius are some of the
most democratic.
Odingas options
Odinga has three options to make sure
Kenyas democracy is strengthened, and
not weakened.
The first is to file another petition to the
Supreme Court. He can bring the case in
his own capacity or sponsor like-minded
civil society organisations to petition the
court. The petition would challenge the
credibility of the repeat electoral process
and the legitimacy of Kenyattas presi-
dency.
The other option is to sustain a civil dis-
obedience campaign. This would involve
peaceful protests and other forms of
opposition such as an economic boycott
of goods and service providers associ-
ated with Kenyattas regime.
The opposition could also call for street
protests. The danger with this is that they
could turn violent. Since the August 8th
election demonstrators have repeatedly
clashed with police. And in certain parts
of the country NASA and Jubilee sup-
porters have clashed in confrontations
that could escalate into ethnic violence.
A final and extreme option would be
for the regions that support the alliance
to secede. The secession debate, which
was triggered by NASA technical advisor
David Ndii, has excited the oppositions
support base. Odinga himself, though
cautious, seems to be sympathetic if what
he calls electoral authoritarianism per-
sists.
In reality NASA should be pushing
for Kenyas devolved system of gover-
nance to be strengthened with a view
to redrawing boundaries and creating a
federal system. This approach is likely
to be well received in alliance strong-
holds, particularly in regions where
communities have felt marginalised and
disenfranchised by successive Kenyan
governments.
Where does this all leave Odinga?
Regardless of his future political tra-
jectory, he has left a positive mark on
Kenyas political landscape. He has been
at the forefront of the struggle for democ-
racy, good governance, and upholding
the rule of law. The Supreme Court has
vindicated him. This is in addition to
his campaign for Kenyans to boycott the
repeat election that resulted in low voter
turnout, leaving Kenyatta reeling with
legitimacy question.
Odingas struggle for electoral
integrity as a key cornerstone for
democracy and rule of law should be
supported by progressive forces across
the continent. Retrogressive regimes
have an uncanny way of entrenching
themselves. Hence Odinga, and his
alliances push should be contextual-
ised in the wider struggle towards a
functioning democracy for Africa.
Sekou Toure Otondi is PhD Candidate,
Department of Political Science and Public
Administration, University of Nairobi
By Flavia Nassaka

T
ackling cancer requires high invest-
ment in training and infrastructure
says Meg OBrien, the Managing
Director Global Cancer Treatment at
the American Cancer Society.
She told The Independent on Oct.25 that
her organisation has brokered a deal with
two pharmaceutical companies to provide
Uganda and five other countries with inex-
pensive drugs for common cancers.
It is also setting up software to forecast
drug shortages such that healthcare plan-
ners will no longer be caught off guard.
Dubbed ChemoQuant forecast, the software
to be built over the next six months is part
of a package to ensure more people have
access to cancer treatments.
Under the agreement, US-based Pfizer Pharmaceuticals offer
cheaper cancer drugs
and Indias Cipla agreed to sell sixteen spec-
ified medicines at half the market price to
Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda,
and Tanzania.
In Uganda, Cipla Ugandas Executive
Director, Nevin Bradford, says the company
will supply eight medicines for breast can-
But is there a catch?
cer, lung and intestinal cancer in addition to
leukemia. Initially the drugs will come from are being raised about why there is this sud-
their mother company in India but plans are den interest by pharmaceuticals to sell to a
underway to manufacture them locally at country like Uganda where most depend
their plant in Luzira near Kampala. Feasibil- on donation for their medical needs and yet
ity studies are currently being done. drug development is an expensive venture?
In an email to the Independent on For humanitarian organisations like
Nov.01, Bradford who was not yet sure of OBriens Cancer Society, the reason could
the exact quantities that Uganda will be be to ensure that more people have access to
procuring said there is a huge unmet need affordable quality medicines. She says the
for cancer diagnosis and treatment includ- countries chosen carry the biggest burden
ing medicines. on the continent with over 40% of all cancer
The Head of Pharmacy at the UCI, Dr. cases in Sub-Saharan Africa happening
Benjamin Mwesige, says the increasing there.
number of people presenting with various OBrien says the Society decided to work
cancers demands innovation in ensuring with these Pfizer and Cipla because the list
a steady supply of drugs or else many of products they offer overlaps the list of
patients will die. In 2016, for example, of products that African countries are buying
the 4000 cases recorded at the Institute, Benjamin Mwesige and they have products that are approved
79% died due to either diagnosing the by a stringent regulatory authority.
disease late or lack of access to necessary day, Mwesige says. But for people like Bradford, the secret is
treatment. Mwesige says although the Before the Pfizer - Cipla deal was signed, in the number of potential customers. When
Institute budgeted Shs12 billion for drugs, the government in June reached an agree- asked why they picked interest in the deal,
the government offered only Shs6.9 billion. ment with Novartis; a healthcare company he said over 40% of Ugandans will undergo
He says, unfortunately, such budget cuts based in Switzerland, to supply the country a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. He,
are nothing unusual at UCI. At the same with 15 drugs for Non-Communicable Dis- however, maintained that Cipla will charge
time, only about 3% of patients can afford to eases including breast cancer at a cost of one just enough to cover its manufacturing and
pay for their drugs because of cost. That is dollar per treatment per month. packaging costs.
why getting more affordable drug suppliers At the Ministry of Health, Dr. Gerald Our aim is to increase access to quality
appears to be the way to go. Mutungi, the Programme Manager for medicines, he said.
Mwesige says, however, the Pfizer-Cipla Non-Communicable Diseases, says the When the same question was put to
offer is one of many companies that con- government is now connecting their partner Novartis Dr. Nathan Mulure, he put it
tinue to flock the Ministry and the Institute pharmaceuticals to faith- based health facili- more bluntly.
with offers of cheaper medicines. ties for even cheaper drugs. We might see the demand for these
We get such proposals almost every As the number of offers grows, questions drugs increasing in Africa with NCDs being

Nov 10 - 16, 2017 33

health
on an increase, he said, With our approach
of Novartis Access we are targeting num-
bers. The idea is to provide cheap drugs for Malaria breath
test promising
many people.
Thats why you find we are supplying
a drug at one dollar whereas on a market
it costs up to 100 and 140 dollars. In the
five years duration of the Memorandum of
By Michelle Roberts some with and some without malaria.

Understanding, Mulure is positive that they
should have made money out of the deal.
Mwesige also speaks of the economies of
scale. According to him, many companies
are testing new pricing models with growth
in spending on drugs. His argument fits
into predictions as far back as 2014 by IMS
institute for HealthCare informatics that
spending on drugs in emerging markets like
Uganda would grow by 10 to 13% by 2018.
They are interested in emerging countries
so they can make money, Mwesige says.
Mwesige, however, has reservations on
the proposed model.
I dont know how feasible it is, he says,
There are only 16 items which is a very
small range of the medicines. To ensure
impact of drugs, he says, doctors often use
a combination to treat patients and that the
modality of cancer treatment is that theres
no single drug that will provide effective-
ness.
He says the kind of drugs to give a patient
depends on what one intends to achieve
whether its to cure, to prevent symptoms, or
to palliate. He adds that the drugs adminis-
tered depend on ones age. He says offering
discounts for specific drugs and not others
is one of the reasons the National Medical
Stores, the governments drugs procuring
entity, often faces challenges with cancer
drugs.
For the same reasons he says, cancer has
not received as much funding from donors
as HIV yet cancer is dynamic today one
is treating cancer of the stomach, tomorrow
it will be cancer of the colon for the same
individual.
OBrien is, however, positive that drug
price cuts can grow cancer treatment pro-
grams effectively. She says this initiative is
modeled on the campaign used earlier to
improve access to HIV medicines in Africa
where drug companies initially cut their
prices before donors eventually came on
board.
P
eople with malaria give off a dis-
tinctive breath-print that could
be used as a test for the disease,
according to American scientists.
They had already tried out a crude
prototype breathalyser in Africa, a tropical
medicine conference heard.
The test was reasonably good at detect-
ing cases in children, but needs developing
to become a routine device.
One of the odours it sniffs out is identi-
cal to a natural smell that attracts insects
that spread malaria.
Pine trees and conifers emit these ter-
penes to summon mosquitoes and other
pollinating insects, say the researchers,
from Washington University in St Louis.
They believe people with malaria who
have this odour in their breath may also
attract mosquitoes and infect more of the
biting insects, which can then spread the
disease to other people that they bite.
Although the test needs perfecting, it
could offer a new cheap and easy way to
help diagnose malaria, Prof Audrey Odom
John and colleagues say.
The prototype breath test detects six
different odours or volatile organic com-
pounds to spot cases of malaria.
The researchers tried it on breath sam-
ples from 35 feverish children in Malawi,
It gave an accurate result in 29 of the
children, meaning it had a success rate of
83%.
This is still too low for the test to be used
routinely, but the researchers hope they
can improve its reliability and develop it
into an off-the-shelf product.
Simple, rapid blood tests for malaria are
already available, but they have limits, say
the Washington University researchers.
Testing blood can be expensive and
technically challenging in rural settings.
A non-invasive method of detection that
does not require blood samples or techni-
cal expertise could be of great benefit.
Prof James Logan from the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
said: The rapid detection of asymptomat-
ic malaria is a challenge for malaria control
and will be essential as we move towards
achieving the goal of malaria elimination.
A new diagnostic tool, based on the detec-
tion of volatiles associated with malaria
infection is exciting. He said more work
was now needed to see if it could be made
into a reliable test. The findings are being
presented at this years annual meeting of
the American Society of Tropical Medicine
and Hygiene.
Source: BBC

The drugs to be supplied:

 Pfizer
 Carboplatin , Cisplatin, Docetaxel,
Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, Fluorouracil,
Gemcitabine, Leucovorin, Methotrexate,
Oxaliplatin and Paclitaxel
 Cipla
 Anastrozole, Bleomycin, Capecitabine,
Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Cytarabine,
Oxaliplatin and Vinblastine
 Novartis all for breast cancer

 Anastrozole, Letrozole and Tamoxifen

34 Nov 10 - 16, 2017

 ART | BOOKS | SOCIETY | TRAVEL | CULTURE
P
By Dominic Muwanguzi
ublic monuments
in Kampala are
only accessible to
the privileged. This
statement gains even
more power when
you visit the exhibit of artworks
that are designed for the blind at
the Makerere Art Gallery.
The art on show is of public
monuments illustrated on braille-
a non-visual form of writing spe-
cific to the blind- and other tactile
materials, to enable the blind have
access to these sculptures.
It is a form of inclusion of
PWDs (people with Disability)
into art thereby departing from
the norm that art is visual or is
only a preserve for the physically
abled.
It is a campaign that engages
on the subject of human rights as
prescribed in the United Nations
Human Rights Charter and the
Convention on Rights of Persons
with Disability that was ratified in
Uganda in September 2008.
The unique initiative is made
possible by the creative ingenuity
of artists like Dr. Angello Kakan-
de; whose brainchild it is, Simon
Banga illustrator of the artwork,
Mukwaya Ernest and Ssentamu
Ludovic both students from the
Department of Architecture and
Urban Planning, Makerere Uni-
versity.
The group collaborates to pro-
vide the public with a collection
of text (in braille), illustrations
in mixed media (braille, thread,
stylofoam and egg shells) and
sketchy maps illustrating artistic
impressions of monumental sites
being made accessible to the blind.
The technique of employing
tactile material like stylofoam and
Perkins Brailler on Braille Paper
suggests the artists intent to make
his drawings open to PWDs.
Nevertheless, the artist is con-
scious to include regular illustra-
tions in ink and acrylics in his
display for purpose of not render-
ing the physically abled public
disabled.
On the other hand, Bangas
All the light we can see
An art exhibition for the blind
approach to produce art
in different media sug-
gests the various stages of
blindness. This diversity is
crucial since loss of sight
sometimes does not occur
all at once but happens
in phases. Such critical
showcase is evident of the
research processes under-
taken by the artists to pres-
ent sincere artworks that
do not only objectively deal
with the subject of disabil-
ity, but create awareness on
the intricate details of this
disorder.
Nonetheless the void in
art appreciation is demon-
strated in public monument
sites like the Independence
Monument, Centenary Mon-
ument, The Stride and The
Journey Monuments that are
sculpted with a bias to the
normal bodied individual.
For the physically handi-
capped, such venues are
inaccessible and this inad-
vertently leads to issues of
isolation.
Not-withstanding the
evident absence of ramps at
the Makerere art gallery for
some PWDs to access the
Nov 10 - 16, 2017
space; the exhibit provides
unprecedented resolve
and awareness to cement
the relationship between
PWDs and art. As we wait
for the Makerere art school
to graduate its first PWD in
the art discipline; a venture
that may take some time to
realize, the recent research,
workshops and exhibits at
the school will provide the
necessary dialogue on inclu-
sion of the blind and deaf in
various academic disciplines.
Additionally such initiative
contributes to the erosion of
the stereotypes that influence
the isolation of physically
dis-abled persons from top
to bottom, and vice-versa.
The exhibition under the
theme of All the Light We
Can: An exhibition of art-
works in which public mon-
uments in Kampala have
been rendered accessible for
persons with Disability,
opened on Oct. 27 and
ends Nov.15 at Makerere
Art gallery. It is curated
by Dr. Angello Kakande;
artist, art historian, and
human rights lawyer.
35
14-year-old model dies after
working 13-hour fashion show
A 14-year-old Russian
model has collapsed and
died after suffering from
utter exhaustion. Vlada
Dzyuba was on a three-
month modeling assign-
ment in China and had
just done a 13-hour fash-
ion show in Shanghai.
She went into a coma,
never regained conscious-
ness, and died two days
later. She was suffering
from chronic meningitis
Worlds most expensive pair of high-
heels costs a whopping Shs55 billion
UK Designer Debbie
Wingham has unveiled
the worlds most
expensive pair of shoes.
The stiletto heels are
encrusted with precious
metals and rare stones
and feature a whop-
ping US$15.1 million
(Approx.Shs55 billion)
price tag.
Wingham is famous
for her opulent creations
exacerbated by exhaus-
tion, according to reports.
By law, the teen was
only allowed to work Education (KCPE) papers at a police
three hours a week.
She was calling me,
saying Mama, I am so
tired. I so much want
to sleep, her mother, papers. She then later went to a mans
Oksana, told journal-
ists. Dzyubas death has
sparked concern over
working conditions for
young models.
and has worked for
many celebrities, roy-
als, and wealthy elite
over the course of her
career. She is known
for crafting the worlds
most expensive dress,
a Red Diamond Abaya
gown, which was
encrusted with over
2000 diamonds, includ-
ing the worlds most the small southeast African nation of
expensive red diamond,
and priced at US$15.45
million. Wingham
also owns a baking
company, Couture to
Cakes, and is known
for having also crafted a
US$64 million diamond-
encrusted cake for a
UAE client.
Girl who eloped with man arrested, forced to sit exams
A standard eight girl who had have threatened them. The girl failed
run away and eloped with her lover to report to school the next day and
has been found and forced to sit for her parents contacted the police who
her Kenya Certificate of Primary launched a man hunt. They found her
at the house belonging to a relative
station. The girl ran away from home of the man and arrested her lover.
in Homa Bay County a day after The girl was then made to sit for
she sat her Mathematics, English her exam at a police station despite
language and English composition having missed some papers. The man
was due to be charged in court with
house and when her parents went to defilement if the girl is a minor.
get her, the 30-year old man is said to
Malawi vampire crisis out of control
Mass hysteria has broken out in individuals accused of being vam-
pires and sucking the blood of the
Malawi, where rumours of real-life innocents.
blood-sucking vampires have become The vampire rumours reportedly
so widespread that groups of vigilante originated in neighboring Mozam-
vampire hunters resort to murder to bique, where the fear of real-life vam-
protect their communities. At least 9 pires has led to violence in the past.
suspected vampires have been brutally Dctors and other healthcare workers
murdered by mobs since mid-Sep- have been targeted by vampire hunters
tember. Police have arrested over 140 for their use of stethoscopes, which the
members of a vigilante group that has vigilantes apparently consider a tool
been targeting used to suck blood.

Why Obama hates selfies

Barack Obama is a good shaking hands. It may seem
sport, so naturally hes spent trivial, but its not, Obama
years putting up with fans who said.
wanted to take selfies with In addition to being
him. He smiled that gorgeous extremely impersonal, the sheer
smile and stared into the many act of taking a selfie can look
phone screens held up in the extraordinarily dumb. He also
air by strangers arms ... but he cautioned against sharing self-
doesnt really like selfies, okay? ies online. If we had pictures
At The Obama Foundation of everything Ive done when I
Summit in Chicago recently, he was in high school, I probably
said he instead prefers people wouldnt have been President
looking him in the eye and of the United States, he said.

36
 Modern car parks
Bold designs, technology rule the high rises
A
pair of 30-metre spiraling ramps
provide access to the multi-func-
tional car park in Amsterdam.
RAI Amsterdams car park
is the most recent in a spate of boldly
designed car parks. Others include a Bel-
gian hospital car park with a perforated
facade and a Pompidou-inspired parking
area in Copenhagen.
Designed by by Dutch studio Benthem
Crouwel Architects, it takes up to 1,000 cars
on seven floors.
Located at an intersection between
Amsterdams business district and one of
the citys busiest motorways, the construc-
tion serves as the new main parking area
for the RAI Convention Centre.
Connecting the giant car park to the
roads below are two helix-shaped access
ramps one for entering, and another for
exiting.
This creation of two separate ramps was
crucial for the architects in establishing the
quickest and most efficient flow of traffic.
To draw attention to the pair of 30-metre-
tall structures the architects strategically
placed lighting along their curving edges.
The iconic concrete helix-shaped towers
are highly visible from the ring road A10,
even more so at night when blue LED lights
emphasise the elegant structure, says the
architect.
The ramps sit at the south side of the
building and are constructed from pre-
fabricated concrete sections.
The spiral towers are designed to inter-
rupt the rectilinear car parking block at each
of its eight storeys.
While the new structure has been built
primarily as a car park, its first floor is
designed to double up as a hall for conven-
tions and exhibitions. The seven upper
floors function purely as a car park for up to
1,000 cars.
The extension hall can be used inde-
pendently for various events, but can also
be connected using sliding doors to the
main exhibition halls of the RAI, explained
the architects.
The car park is Benthem Crouwels
third commission for RAI Amsterdam,
which was originally founded in 1893 as a
society for bicycle manufacturers but now
represents members from the automotive
industry.
The Dutch firm has been working with
the convention centre since 1989 after taking
over from Alexander Bodon who was the
supervising architect of the RAI from 1961
to 1989.
On the African continent, the Ethiopian
capital Addis Ababa boasts the biggest
number of modern parking facilities. Some
of them hold up to 1000 cars.
The latest facility is the Smart Megenagna
Parking which uses electronic lifts to pick
cars and embed them within an all steel
structure and can hold 90 cars in a space
which could originally hold nine cars.
Nov 10 - 16, 2017 37
Profile
Maxima Nsimenta: The natural,
organic entrepreneur
By Agnes E Nantaba eight aggregates in the best eight subjects at O

W
Level. She and her parents, Cissy Bagamuhunda
hat could get a young electrical en- Nyamarere and Paul Nyamarere, agreed on a
gineer in the top rungs of an interna- career in sciences and she studied physics, chem-
tional oil and gas corporation to quit istry, mathematics and economics at HSC before
and instead venture into her private joining Makerere University in Kampala to study
start-up with an unclear future? For Maxima electrical engineering.
Nsimenta, founder and CEO of Livara Natural At the university, she was placed among a
and Organic Cosmetics, it was passion and talented team that worked on the famous Kira
the wisdom she picked from her grandmother, EV, an electrical hybrid car made in Uganda by
Teresa Mbire, who is one of the top female entre- the university engineering students and faculty.
preneurs in Uganda. Later, under the Presidential Initiative on Sci-
Nsimenta says she has always loved cosmet- ence and Technology, she developed software
ics and make-up even as a teenager studying at for managing academic records that was picked
Mt. St. Marys College Namagunga, in Mukono up by Makerere university Ndejje University in
district.I would smuggle in eye pencil and lip- Uganda and some universities in Kenya.
stick to pursue my passion during school parties Mother encouraged me to take electrical
and other social gatherings, she says. She soon engineering because it rhymed well
became the go-to girl for cosmetics and makeup with my abilities, she says. They
at the school.But her curiosity around cosmetics are so close. But Nsimentas deci-
peaked when, as a top student of chemistry, she sion to quit her top job tested
started analysing the compositions of cosmetics. that. In the end, she bent to her
I realised that the most expensive cosmetics mothers desires and continued
were those with ingredients from Africa, she with her work as a field engi-
recalls. At the time, just a year after graduation, neer. But she got a technical
Nsimenta had landed a job as a Field Engineer team to do the product devel-
at one of the worlds largest oil and gas service opment of her Shea butter
companies; Schlumberger Limited of Houston, cosmetics. After a year, they
Texas, USA. She was based in Congo, central had three workable products
Africa, earning an average between US$7000 and and Nsimenta was ready
US$10,000, and just four positions away from to concentrate on business
that of managing director. Her job as field officer under the Livara Natural
was very hands-on and technical but she still and Organic Cosmetics
found time to nurse her passion for cosmetics. brand.
She discovered that one of the key ingredients in By the close of 2015,
many cosmetics is Shea butter is extracted from Livara products were
the fat of nuts of the African Shea tree (vitellaria on market. Today,
paradoxa) which is grown in northern Uganda. the company has
So during one of her holidays, she headed north three operational
to see the Shea trees and learn more about Shea stores with
butter. turnover of
She was hooked and decided to drop the Shs1.5 billion
corporate job and pursue her passion for Shea (Approx.
butter as a business. Her grandmother, Mbire, US$400,000)
encouraged her. She told her that as long as she and getting
had the passion and was willing to work hard, bigger.
they would carry her through. She introduced Nsimenta
her to officials at the Uganda Industrial Research prides in
Institute (UIRI) and since Nsimenta already had Livara being
her business and market plans, she convinced the first
them easily and her business got incubated. But company
her mother was not impressed. in East and
Part of the reason is that Nsimentas job at Central Africa
Schlumberger was the typical white-collar to make natu-
destination for a smart person like her. In 1999 ral and organic
she had been in the news for her exceptional lipstick.
performance in the national Primary Leaving
Examinations (PLE). She was the best girl per-
former in Mukono district. Four years later, she
maintained her excellent performance scoring

38 Nov 10 - 16, 2017


Maxima Nsimentas Liteside
Any three things we dont
I
know about you?
cant do anything with-
out my God because
He comes first. There
are so many things that
have happened to me and I
cant give reasons to them
save for having prayed for
them before. I still have a
conservative nature about
certain things in life being a
staunch catholic and going
through traditional schools.
I like seeing people happy
and I may not tell them but
seeing them happy makes
me smile.
What is your idea of per-
fect happiness?
Seeing others happy
makes me re-believe in
humanity, satisfied and
content.
What is your greatest fear?
I dont mind failure
but I fear it. I wouldnt
mind failing at something
because I can pickup
myself but I fear failing
the people that raised me;
especially my mother. She
really drives me.
What is the trait you most
deplore in yourself?
I procrastinate a lot.
What is the trait you most
deplore in others?
I hate liars because they
are the root of every evil.
Which living person do
you most admire?
Amancio Ortega Gaona
is so calm even when he
is very rich. He also helps
others a lot.
What is your greatest ex-
travagance?
My watches
What is the greatest thing
you have ever done?
Quitting my $28million
job for just a dream
What is your current state
of mind?
I am happy
What do you consider the
most overrated virtue?
Many times, we think
that we have made it yet we
lack the basics of making
it. Many Ugandans want
to arrive and live a good
life yet they dont want to
work for it. It doesnt make
sense.
What does being powerful
mean to you?
Power is relative but I
take power to be the ability
to add positive impact to
the world. For instance Bill
Gates is a powerful per-
son. It is also using what
you have to make a better
world.
What do you most dislike
about your appearance?
I used to over complain
about weight gain but one
thing I have learnt is to
love myself the way I am.
Which living person do
you most despise?
I dont despise people
but their actions; I despise
selfish acts.
What is the quality you
most like in a man?
Being a genuine believer
in God.
What is the quality you
most like in a woman?
Being a believer in God
because He is the root of all
goodness
What or who is the great-
est love of your life?
My mother would gladly
put her leg and arm for me
without thinking twice so
there is no one else I can
love more than her.
When and where were you
happiest?
When I receive messages
from clients appreciating
my service, it makes me
live happily. Seeing my
mother happy with what I
am doing or even seeing a
human being do something
good for a fellow human
being without expecting
in return also makes me
happy.
Which talent would you
most like to have?
I pray that God grants
me more wisdom to be bet-
ter at business.
What do you consider your
greatest achievement?
Livara is a result of the
greatest thing I have ever
done.
If you were to die and
come back as a person or a
thing, what would it be?
As an eagle for its clear
sight.
Where would you most
like to live?
In my three years of
employment, I travelled a
lot but there was no where
I felt as comfortable as I
feel at home.
What is your most trea-
sured possession?
My phone; it has my
bible and I run my business
on it.
What do you regard as the
lowest depth of misery?
Being burnt alive.
What is your favorite oc-
Nov 10 - 16, 2017
Q&A
cupation?
I have never wanted
to toil so much for some-
thing like I enjoy doing for
Livara. I can do it over and
over again.
What do you most value in
your friends?
I have a few loyal friends.
Who are your favorite
writers?
I am not particular on
literature but I like reading
about people and business
like Amancio Ortega. I like
reading the bible because
there is a lot of wisdom in
it. I also like reading Afri-
can stories so Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie is one of my
favourite writers. I also like
reading about science and
technology because innova-
tion inspires me.
Who is your hero of fic-
tion?
Andy Dufresne from
`Shawshank Redemption
Which historical figure do
you most identify with?
Steve Jobs and Mother
Theresa; I want to leave a
legacy when I die.
Who are your heroes in
real life?
My mother Cissy
Bagamuhunda Nyamarere
What is your greatest re-
gret?
None so far.
How would you like to
die?
I want to die at 100 years
with my husband to-be in
our bed so that no one suf-
fers missing the other.
What is your motto?
Why not
39
Global comment
By Ibrahim Assane Mayaki
African infrastructure
The continents pension funds could lead institutional
investors in committing funds to local infrastructure
A
s the US Federal Reserve embarks
on the great unwinding of the
stimulus program it began nearly
a decade ago, emerging econo-
mies are growing anxious that a stronger
dollar will adversely affect their ability to
service dollar-denominated debt. This is a
particular concern for Africa, where, since
the Seychelles issued its debut Eurobond in
2006, the total value of outstanding Euro-
bonds has grown to nearly $35 billion.
But if the Feds ongoing withdrawal
of stimulus has frayed African nerves, it
has also spurred recognition that there
are smarter ways to finance development
than borrowing in dollars. Of the available
options, one specific asset class stands out:
infrastructure.
Africa, which by 2050 will be home to
an estimated 2.6 billion people, is in dire
need of funds to build and maintain roads,
ports, power grids, and so on. According
to the World Bank, Africa must spend a
staggering $93 billion annually to upgrade
its current infrastructure; the vast majority
of these funds some 87% are needed for
improvements to basic services like energy,
water, sanitation, and transportation.
Yet, if the recent past is any guide, the
capital needed will be difficult to secure.
Between 2004 and 2013, African states
closed just 158 financing deals for infra-
structure or industrial projects, valued at
$59 billion just 5% of the total needed.
Given this track record, how will Africa
fund even a fraction of the World Banks
projected requirements?
The obvious source is institutional and
foreign investment. But, to date, many fac-
tors, including poor profit projections and
political uncertainty, have limited such
financing for infrastructure projects on the
continent. Investment in African infrastruc-
ture is perceived as simply being too risky.
Fortunately, with work, this perception
can be overcome, as some investors such
as the African Development Bank, the
Development Bank of Southern Africa, and
the Trade & Development Bank have
already demonstrated. Companies from the
private sector are also profitably financing
projects on the continent. For example,
Black Rhino, a fund set up by Blackstone,
one of the worlds largest multinational
private equity firms, focuses on the devel-
opment and acquisition of energy projects,
40 Nov 10 - 16, 2017
such as fuel storage, pipelines, and trans-
mission networks.
But these are the exceptions, not the rule.
Fully funding Africas infrastructure short-
fall will require attracting many more inves-
tors and swiftly.
To succeed, Africa must develop a more
coherent and coordinated approach to
courting capital, while at the same time
working to mitigate investors risk expo-
sure. Public-private sector collaborations are
one possibility. For example, in the energy
sector, independent power producers are
working with governments to provide
electricity to 620 million Africans living off
the grid. Privately funded but government
regulated, these producers operate through
power purchase agreements, whereby
public utilities and regulators agree to
purchase electricity at a predetermined
price. There are approximately 130 such
producers in Sub-Saharan Africa, valued at
more than $8 billion. In South Africa alone,
47 projects are underway, accounting for
7,000 megawatts of additional power pro-
duction.
Similar private-public partnerships are
emerging in other sectors, too, such as trans-
portation. Among the most promising are
toll roads built with private money, a model
that began in South Africa. Not only are
these projects, which are slowly appearing
elsewhere on the continent, more profitable
Africa must
spend a
staggering
$93 billion
annually
to upgrade
its current
infrastructure
than most financial market investments;
they are also literally paving the way for
future growth.
Clearly, Africa needs more of these
ventures to overcome its infrastructure
challenges. That is why I, along with other
African business leaders and policymakers,
have called on Africas institutional inves-
tors to commit 5% of their funds to local
infrastructure. We believe that with the right
incentives, infrastructure can be an innova-
tive and attractive asset class for those with
long-term liabilities. One sector that could
lead the way on this commitment is the
continents pension funds, which, together,
possess a balance sheet of about $3 trillion.
The 5% Agenda campaign, launched in
New York last month, underscores the belief
that only a collaborative public-private
approach can redress Africas infrastruc-
ture shortfall. For years, a lack of bankable
projects deterred international financing.
But in 2012, the African Union adopted the
Program for Infrastructure Development
in Africa, which kick-started more than 400
energy, transportation, water, and commu-
nications projects. It was a solid start one
that the 5% Agenda seeks to build upon.
But some key reforms will be needed. A
high priority of the 5% Agenda is to assist in
updating the national and regional regula-
tory frameworks that guide institutional
investment in Africa. Similarly, new finan-
cial products must be developed to give
asset owners the ability to allocate capital
directly to infrastructure projects.
Unlocking new pools of capital will help
create jobs, encourage regional integration,
and ensure that Africa has the facilities to
accommodate the needs of future genera-
tions. But all of this depends on persuading
investors to put their money into African
projects. As business leaders and policy-
makers, we must ensure that the conditions
for profitability and social impact are not
mutually exclusive. When development
goals and profits align, everyone wins.
Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, a former Prime Minis-
ter of Niger, is CEO of the New Partnership for
Africas Development (NEPAD) Planning and
Coordinating Agency.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017.
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