COMMENT: By Andrew Rugasira The Chamber can begin my providing reliable empirical data that can better inform government policy and execution U.S. President Harry Truman famously asked to be sent a “one-armed economist” when exasperated by economists constantly proclaiming “on the one hand” and “on the other hand”. Fortunately, such …
Read More »National Chamber of Commerce in dire straits
The Uganda National Chamber of Commerce (UNCCI), the umbrella body for the business community in the country, is grappling with several issues that have made it unable to fulfill its mandate. Ahead of the next elections, businessman Andrew Rugasira, the proprietor of Good African Coffee, talked to The Independent about …
Read More »After oil pipeline, Tanzania pushes for rail link project to Rwanda
After formally bagging the new oil pipeline from the Ugandan oilfields through Tanzania to the port of Tanga, yet more good news emerged for Tanzania today. The proposed railway extension from the inland dry port of Isaka to Kigali and Bujumbura will after all be built, providing a safe, …
Read More »Magufuli, Kiir sign as South Sudan officially joins EAC
History was made today when the treaty of accession of the republic of South Sudan into the East African Community was signed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. @RepSouthSudan now Officially in EAC? pic.twitter.com/0wpAmf169t — EastAfricanCommunity (@jumuiya) April 15, 2016 Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, president Tanzania and chairperson of the …
Read More »Uganda-South Sudan trade
Ugandans’ hopes of a resurgence of trade links rise as civil war comes to an end There is one very busy triangular area in down town Kampala along Ben Kiwanuka Street that got to be known as Arua Park. The triangle is where three streets namely Johnson, William and Ben …
Read More »Facilitating regional trade for development
By Agnes E. Nantaba Allen S. Asiimwe is the Country Director (Uganda) for Trademark East Africa (TMEA). She spoke to Agnes E. Nantaba about competitiveness and trade in the East African region. What are the key elements in your management style as a manager? My door is always open to …
Read More »Taxing used-car importers
By Ronald Musoke In April, this year, Leonard Okema ordered for a Toyota Harrier model 2001 from one of the used car dealers in Japan. Unlike many Ugandans who were on June 11 taken by surprise by the Finance Minister Matia Kasaija’s raising of the environmental levy on used cars, …
Read More »Should Parliament ratify trade agreements?
By Joan Akello This is the debate The Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) sparked off in a consultative meeting it held today. Uganda has signed a number of treaties and is still negotiating some which include the European Union –East Africa Community(EAC) Economic Partnership Agreements(EPAS), …
Read More »CSOs urge trade ministry to consider food security, climate change
By Joan Akello Following the expiry of the first five year phased National Trade Sector Development plan last year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) is developing a new one. The ministry has hired consultants to engage different stakeholders to input into the next five year NTSDP- 2015/16-2020/21. …
Read More »Inside the fair trade movement
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why Africa should fight for free trade, not fair trade; for competitiveness in global markets and not kindness in consumers Everyday there is an effort mainly in the West to save Africa from something – tyranny, impunity, poverty, disease, ignorance – whatever. Always, the savior is …
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