But focus on export poses unexpected challenges Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGGWA | Uganda’s organic farming scene could change dramatically if a new model introduced by the government catches on. To see the model first hand, one must travel 56 kilometres west from the capital, Kampala, to Kampiringisa in Mpigi …
Read More »Fish maw wars
Ugandan traders battle Chinese, Indians, over lucrative business Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGGWA | A row has developed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and fish exporters on one side and fish traders on the other over the sale of fish maws. Siraje Walusimbi, an executive …
Read More »Sembuya’s chocolate dreams
Young entrepreneur exploits well-kept secret Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGGWA | That Uganda has the largest single owned cocoa farm in Africa is perhaps one of the best kept secrets – and Stephen Sembuya, the co-owner of the cocoa trading and processing firm Pink Foods Industries, was born into it. …
Read More »Tears and cheers over new GMO law
Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGGWA | Days after parliament quietly passed the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, widely known as the ‘GMO Bill’, in early October, Meg Hilbert Jaquay, the Managing Director of Jakana Foods Limited, remains sad. Her company exports 30 metric tonnes of organic dried fruits to U.S., Europe, …
Read More »Riding to riches on bamboo
Kasoma’s beautiful, environmental friendly alternative to metallic bicycles Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGGWA | Jesus Christ on a wooden bicycle! That is an expression often used to show surprise, shock and disbelief. It could easily come to mind, for example, once someone tells you that there are bicycles made …
Read More »OBITUARY: Ssebaana Kizito (1934-2017)
Ssebaana Kizito: Born at right time, dead at wrong time Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGGWA | THE political will he left for the country may have been contained in one of the last interviews he gave to a local TV station a few weeks before his death. “Leaders should …
Read More »Samuel Mugarura: In love with teargas
How admiration for army life drove a young man’s inventive mind Samuel Mugarura, 24, a final year student of chemistry and botany attracted attention in 2016 when he unveiled teargas he says he made from a tiny store in his mother’s house using common items like onions, red pepper, and …
Read More »ANALYSIS: After armyworm
Is Uganda ready for the next big attack? Uganda is under attack. It is under attack from the Fall Armyworm in what experts call a “biological invasion”. Unfortunately, it appears, the government was caught unprepared. It has reacted with a mixture of indecision, panic, bluff, and deployment of ineffective intervention. …
Read More »COVER: Buganda land wrangles
Next fight between Kabaka, Museveni? Did President Yoweri Museveni recently summon Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II to a hurried meeting over the rampant land evictions in Buganda? Possibly he did or possibly he did not. What is known is that a meeting took place between them on April 07. …
Read More »Tech entrepreneur reflects on challenges of cashless economy
By: Andrew S. Kaggwa Financial technology experts from 40 African countries are converging this month in, Lagos, the commercial city of Nigeria, to share their innovations, rethink their current models and gain valuable market insight of the African digital financial services market. Stone Atwine, the Ugandan CEO and founder of …
Read More »