20% decline in supply at Mombasa auction in first 10 weeks of 2017 pushes prices up Prices of tea at the Mombasa Auction, the world’s second largest selling centre have been high this selling season – at US$3 per kg in the first 10 weeks of 2017 compared to US$2 …
Read More »Oil and gas development to boost hotel industry
Jean – Philippe Bittencourt, is the general manager for Sheraton Kampala Hotel. He spoke to The Independent’s Julius Businge on the prospects of Uganda’s hotel industry. How would you describe the 50 years journey of Sheraton Kampala Hotel? It is a landmark in our lives and we will continue to …
Read More »BUSINESS: Declining interest rates
Bank managers explain recent cuts to 20% average Effective this month most commercial banks started charging lower interest rates on flexible existing and new loans with analysis indicating about 20% is the new average industry rate compared to around 23% a period before. The move is expected to boost uptake …
Read More »ANALYSIS: After Park Yard evictions
Can Hamis Kiggundu deliver on his promise? Ham Shopping Grounds is a tiny concrete cream building, often called a mall, about half the size of standard football pitch with four floors and flat concrete roof-top right at the edge of Uganda’s oldest sports arena; the Nakivubo Memorial Stadium. The stadium …
Read More »BUSINESS: Refinery offers golden opportunity
New $20mn firm welcomed but analysts say government must strengthen legal and monitoring framework of minerals sector President Yoweri Museveni’s launch of a $20 million African Gold Refinery Ltd (AGR) – the first in East and Central Africa – in Entebbe on Feb.20 was a bold step welcomed by …
Read More »Agency banking: Stanbic to hire 1000 agents
Other banks say the government needs to urgently pass regulatory framework Stanbic has identified about 1000 agents to deal with as soon as the proposed new agency banking is legalised, according to the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda’s largest bank, Patrick Mweheire. In an interview with The Independent, Mweheire said …
Read More »Digital banking: Why it is good for business and jobs
When The Independent recently spoke to William Sekabembe, the chief of business and executive director at dfcu about the bank’s strategy on digital banking, his comments reflected the popular view. “We are investing heavily in technology so we can serve our customers without necessarily opening new branches in all parts …
Read More »USE: Promising market for long term investors
Analysts predict a rebound in the market activities this year and so is the surge in prices Trading activities on the Uganda Securities Exchange showed a high decrease in market turnover on Jan.06, registering a 97.2% decline to Shs51million compared with the previous day. The All Share Index modestly increased …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Mao’s DP test
Members say leader of oldest party in country must either quit or wind it up The leadership of President Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party is increasingly coming under major scrutiny. Mao is being accused of weakening Uganda’s oldest party with some critics saying he has ‘sold’ the party to …
Read More »IMF on spot over liberalization policy
Christine Lagarde says government need to focus on reducing inequality The International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Jan. 27 found herself on the defensive as the audience sought for the global fund’s roles on Uganda’s development. This was during a public lecture held at the Kampala Serena Conference …
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