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RwandAir unveils inflight duty free services
Following the arrival of ‘Kalisimbi‘, RwandAir’s third Boeing B737-800NG and first – also in Africa – with inflight WiFi connectivity on Nov 16, has the airline’s CEO John Mirenge announced the launch of inflight duty free sales over the coming days.
Once in place will this added service measure catapult RwandAir into the top tier of African airlines. Another service set to be introduced is an online check in facility for passengers who prefer to have their check in procedure completed before driving to the airport where they will then only need to drop off their baggage after receiving their boarding pass either on their phone or else have printed it out.
Mirenge also confirmed that the airline is looking at unveiling seven new destinations in 2017, starting with Harare in January.
Other African destinations will be Lilongwe, Conakry and Bamako in West Africa while long haul flights planned include Mumbai, London and New York.
Next to arrive in Kigali will be ‘Umurage‘, an Airbus A330-300, which will join her sistership ‘Ubumwe‘ to allow RwandAir launch long haul flights, due for delivery in Kigali end of this month.
Apis Partners acquires DPO
Apis Partners, a private equity asset management firm has acquired Direct Pay Online Group (DPO), an online payments processing solution in East Africa.
DPO serves thousands of online merchants in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, including leading travel and tourism-related businesses in the region.
While the company did not disclose the amount of the deal, sources said Apis is estimated to have paid between $10-20million.
Apis Partners will be using the funds to further service expansion across Africa, making DPO one of the biggest payment service providers in Africa.
Airtel Uganda enhances Kyabise20 product to include free services
With the increasing number of internet users, Airtel Uganda has come up with an affordable way to keep its customers online and with access to better call rates all over the country with the advanced Kyabise20 combo.
The Kyabise20 is the ultimate go-to bundle for the average Ugandan who needs to stay connected. With this upgraded service, customers not only have access to affordable calls – but a 3-in- 1 opportunity to call, SMS and surf the internet.
This new product is inclusive of, 20 Minutes, 20SMS, 20MBS and an additional sweetener of free 50MBS for WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook for 24hours all at only Shs 1,500.
Nellie Mwandha, the head of Usage and Retention, Consumer Understanding at Airtel Uganda said the firm is not only providing the best telecommunications services but also continuously provide solutions that facilitates their customer’s full access to affordable and diverse services.
Knight Frank unveils Imperial Mall
Property management firm, Knight Frank has unveiled Imperial Mall as it seeks tenants for the highly anticipated facility in Entebbe.
The mall set in a Tuscan inspired architectural masterpiece and designed to offer a vibrant and exiting mix of shopping, food, service, home, fitness, fashion and entertainment, will have a direct frontage to the Entebbe Express Highway upon its completion.
Judy Kyanda, the managing director for Knight Frank Uganda said Entebbe has for a long time been offering locals and tourists a perfect rest from the busy Kampala City and is a major gateway to the rest of the world.
“With the opening of the mall, we are sure that this will complement the current retail and entertainment options with an added touch of class of style,” she said.
She said the expansion and upgrading of Entebbe International Airport will also increase the flow of potential customers in and out of Entebbe and so is the projected growth in retail in the vicinity.
Ecobank boosts Uganda Cranes with Shs450million
Ecobank has offered Shs450 million to Crane Bank as a 3-year sponsorship package. The bank has also unveiled a campaign dubbed “Cranes Nalo Na Kaja” to raise funds for the team to comfortably participate in the African Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon next year.
Ecobank’s Managing Director Clement Dodoo said Uganda has waited a long time to qualify and now that it has qualified, it is time to ensure that the team excel.
During the campaign, Ecobank will give away 50 all expenses paid tickets to 50 participants. To enter the draw, one has to support the cranes with Shs10, 000 and above, and the more one makes deposits, the higher the chances of winning the ticket to Gabon.
Uganda qualified for the African Cup of Nations together with Burkina Faso in the same group. The East African nation last qualified for the African Cup of Nations in 1978.
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editor@independent.co.ug
