By Patrick Kagenda Two months after the ministry of Health recommended a ban on production, sell, and consumption of alcohol packed in sachets allegedly because it had killed 18 people, the measure remains controversial in parliament, Cabinet, and the public. The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda talked to the Uganda National Bureau …
Read More »Juba: Building market not way out for Uganda
By Amon B. Mbekiza Parliament is in a tag-of war with the Foreign Affairs Ministry over Shs 17 billion the ministry needs to build a market for Uganda traders in Juba, Southern Sudan. Whatever reasons parliament has, this money should not be passed. For starters, this is the wrong ministry …
Read More »Shilling could end year at 1,700 to the dollar
By Patrick Kagenda Buoyed by returning off-shore investors especially in the oil sector, increased remittances from Ugandans working abroad, and inflows from exports, the shilling has appreciated 25% against the dollar over a six months ending October 31. Globally the dollar has seen some depreciation lately, against other currencies. It …
Read More »Roads ministry seeks regional harmony on weighbridges
By Patrick Kagenda Works and Transport minister John Nasasira’s decision to suspend weighbridges across the country might finally put Uganda in harmony with its regional neighbours. Nasasira allegedly suspended the operation of weighbridges after it was discovered that the weigh bridge attendants were extorting money from truck owners, operators …
Read More »MTN’s Shs 200bn loan sparks comparison with bond offer
By Patrick Kagenda MTN has set a precident in acquiring quick money from Uganda’s financial market. It is the first to raise money through a syndicated loan in the country’s history. Will other corporations also follow? Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusime Mutebile says MTN’s Shs 200 billion syndicated bank loan …
Read More »120 million-strong EAC Common Market agreed
By Joseph Were Tension over jobs, residence and land The signing of the East African Common Market protocols in Kampala last month could not have come at a better time for the region. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is predicting that East Africa may this year record the continent’s best …
Read More »Oil will enrich or ruin Uganda; and this is how
By The Independent Team On October 16th 2009, University of Oxford’s Prof. Paul Collier gave a talk at Serena Conference Centre in Kampala on the prospects of an oil windfall for Uganda. Below we produce a slightly edited version of his speech. Prof. Paul CollierA country’s competitiveness rest on two …
Read More »Tullow sells Uganda oil, expecting Shs 3 trillion
By Independent Team Amount is about half of Uganda’s national budget Tullow Oil Plc, the U.K. explorer with the most licences in Africa has appointed Standard Chartered Plc to sell up to half its stakes in two Ugandan oil fields, the Sunday Times of London has reported. Aidan Heavey, the …
Read More »‘Common Market was not rushed’
By Patrick Kagenda The East African Common Market is scheduled to come into effect January 10, 2010. The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda talked to Abubaker Muhammad K. Moki, the assistant commissioner economic affairs at the Uganda ministry of East African Community Affairs. Last month there were a series of documents signed …
Read More »Why Kenya rules EA Superbrands
By Independent Team Its not what you look at; its what you look for It is a telecom company. Customers choose it automatically over competing brands. It is on every phone service customers purchase list. It is well, Zain. Zain, just a year after launching itself in Africa after taking …
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