By Patrick Kagenda Government says 2 new companies coming The Uganda National Bureau of Standards and ministry of Works Laboratories find no quality problems with it but imported cement from Pakistan has local producers worried. A combination of rising costs of production, low supply and growing demand pushed the price …
Read More »Improved Uganda Fitch Ratings favour oil sector
By Kayvan Farzaneh Growing interest in the oil sector has helped boost general confidence in Uganda’s wider economic prospects. The improved outlook rating could help Uganda access funds from international financial markets more cheaply. Last week, the international credit-ratings firm Fitch Ratings, for the first time, upgraded its opinion on …
Read More »DStv’s future is in satellite not cable
By Patrick Kagenda MultiChoice Uganda General Manager Charles Hamya tells The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda why the Ugandan housing set-up and bench-marking the best internationally favours satellite against cable TV locally. How do you intend to use the fiber optic cable to ease access of your services to the Ugandans? The …
Read More »MTN’s AA Fitch rating affirmed
By The Independent Team FITCH ratings have affirmed MTN Group Limited’s National Long-term ratings at AA, with Stable Outlook. The rating agency said the affirmation reflects strong subscriber growth in MTN’s markets that have relatively low mobile penetration. The Stable Outlook reflects Fitch’s view that MTN’s business profile remains well …
Read More »Stanbic Bank bond gets low subscription amid tight liquidity
By Joseph Were Stanbic Bank Uganda is learning the hard way that this is not a good time to attempt to raise funds on the equity market thanks to lingering after shocks of the global financial crisis. Its 7-year Shs 30 billion bond that was privately placed among institutions and …
Read More »Stanbic Bank Africa unit gets new boss
By Mmegi Online Stanbic Bank Botswana’s Head of Corporate Banking, Jessica Gadimang, has been appointed the new Non-Bank Financial Institutions Sector Head for Stanbic Africa concentrating on franchises outside South Africa. The appointment is effective July 1. According to a statement, the move is in line with Stanbic Bank’s active …
Read More »Kampala city’s first modern market ready
By Patrick Kagenda Construction of Ovino Market is over and the market is ready for occupancy. The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda talked to Miraj Barot the head of marketing at the Tirupati Group which is behind the Ovino dream. Now that construction of the market is complete what is next? …
Read More »Air Uganda flies high on code sharing deals
By Patrick Kagenda Passenger sharing agreements allow it to fly EU destined travellers through Entebbe Air Uganda seems determined to end the jinx that has afflicted Entebbe based national flag carriers since Uganda Airlines collapsed in 2001. Its successor, East African Airways, was launched in December 2002 but collapsed soon …
Read More »Kagame is Rwanda’s Gramci
By The Independent Team What better way to appreciate President Kagame for his new role as Rwanda’s Antonio Gramci. Antonio coined the term organic intellectual to refer to a people who realise they have a problem and fight to overcome them. He further argued that solutions to problems lie within …
Read More »Otafiire’s delegation fires up Nairobi AGOA forum
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati But Ugandan exporters dismiss the US trade partnership The 8th forum for the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) held in Nairobi last week attracted a mammoth delegation that comprised the minister of trade, tourism and industry, Kahinda Otafiire, ministry officials and a group from the AGOA …
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