Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Standard Bank has been ranked as the most valuable banking brand in Africa in 2024. This is the third consecutive year that Standard Bank has been ranked first in Africa Brand Finance’s annual ranking of the world’s Top 500 Banking Brands. The bank also …
Read More »Centenary Bank, HFB secures a combined Shs 640bn credit to finance SMEs
At least 50% of the financing shall support women-run or women-owned businesses Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s Centenary Rural Development Bank and Housing Finance Bank have secured a combined Shs 640bn credit from the European Investment Bank for onward lending to private sector enterprises, with a focus on female …
Read More »Kenyans use humour to counter unpopular state policies
President William Ruto is now referred to as Zakayo, named after the infamous Zaccheaus, the much-hated chief tax collector in biblical Jericho ANALYSIS | GEORGE OGOLA | Seemingly disillusioned with the country’s leadership, Kenyans have taken to new ways of expressing their anger and frustration with their government. On social …
Read More »MTN Uganda plans to further sell-down 7% shareholdings to broaden local ownership
The telecom firm reported a 16.1% increase in service revenue, reaching UShs 2.63 trillion for the year ending December 2023, with after-tax profits surging 21.4% to UShs 493 billion Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s largest telecom firm, MTN Uganda, plans to further sell-down the remaining 7% shareholdings to the …
Read More »Why U.S Govt is investing in the health and wealth of Africa’s livestock
US$ 57 million ultramodern AU-PANVAC laboratory complex to tackle rising livestock disease burden Bishoftu, Ethiopia | RONALD MUSOKE | The United States government through its Defence Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) biological threat reduction programme (BTRP) has boosted the capacity of the African Union-Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC) to respond better to …
Read More »Ukraine launches African charm effort as Zelensky prepares for first visit
This month, a bakery in Nairobi became a ‘Grain from Ukraine’ pop-up in a bid to showcase a “humanitarian ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Amid a debilitating war and dwindling resources, Ukraine’s embattled government is embarking on an ambitious African charm offensive. It promises more grain and investment for Africa, the opening …
Read More »NSSF assets hit a record Shs 20 trillion
The scheme’s MD Patrick Ayota says he is confident the Fund will achieve its strategic objectives as scheduled Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s national savings scheme, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), has hit Shs 20 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM), one and a half years ahead of schedule, …
Read More »EAC Secretary General appointed Kenya’s ambassador to Russia
Dr. Peter Mathuki is facing impeachment over the alleged misappropriation of funds at the secretariat Nairobi, Kenya | AGENCIES | The East African Community (EAC) Secretary-General Dr. Peter Mathuki has been nominated by Kenya’s President Wiliam Ruto as the country’s ambassador to Russia. The nomination comes at a time when Dr …
Read More »Uganda’s private sector shows resilience
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s private sector experienced a modest deceleration in growth in Feb, as indicated by the Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) which adjusted to 51.7 from a previous 54.0 in January. Despite this slight easing, the sector continued to demonstrate robust performance with sustained improvements across …
Read More »End of an era: IGP Okoth Ochola’s legacy and the road ahead
The tenure of the long serving police officer reveals the complexities of reform, power dynamics, and the ongoing struggle for security in a rapidly changing nation COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | When Martin Okoth Ochola was appointed Inspector General of Police six years ago, there was some relief from the …
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