Energy - Uganda Multimedia News & Information

Masses protest in Zimbabwe Cities following the increase in diesel and petrol prices

Brian Kisembo — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:47:48 +0000

Zimbabwe has seen protests in various cities on Monday following the more than double increase in the prices of petrol and diesel in the country.

Protesters began by burning tyres and boulders in the cities of Harare and Bulawayo showing their anger over President Mnangagwa.

Minibuses heading to Bulawayo were attacked by protestors by burning tyres and some schools got closed for fear of loss of lives.

Mugabe’s successor came to say that the increase in the price of diesel and petrol is aimed at removing gaps that came as a result of illegal trading and increase in use of fuel.

The country is also producing less than it’s importing from outside which has caused loss in the value of a dollar.

The increase in the price of diesel and petrol has led to the opposition and trade union call for a three day strike in the country.

However heavy riot police deployments are in the towns of Harare and Bulawayo to stop the protests.

The hike means petrol prices rose from $1.24 (£0.97) a litre to $3.31, with diesel up from $1.36 a litre to $3.11.

Minibuses heading to Bulawayo were attacked by protestors by burning tyres and some schools got closed for fear of loss of lives, AFP reports.

“We want Mnangagwa to know our displeasure in his failure,” an angry Mthandazo Moyo told AFP.

“[Former President] Mugabe was evil but he listened,” he added.

Nelson Chamisa who is the leading opposition figure in the country said the state is in a national crisis.

“We have a national crisis which is descending into a humanitarian crisis.”Chamisa hinted.

Mnangagwa came into power in November 2017 after long term serving president Robert Mugabe was forced to resign after massive demonstrations.

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UK Investors struggle to get Shares in Uganda oil sector

Agnes Tumuheire — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 10:27:12 +0000

The businessmen from 11 UK companies, that deal in petrochemical, pipeline, power and renewable industries, met up with senior Ugandan delegates on Monday on a trip organised by the director of the non-profit Energy Industries Council,Mr Terry Willis.

The discussions centered at how the firms can scoop some deals for contractor, supplier or operator businesses.

They also shared information on investment environment, and potential partnership prospects.

The UK Prime Minister’s Trade envoy for Uganda and Rwanda, Lord Dolar Popat, while at the British High Commissioner’s residence yesterday, confirmed that they were to meet President Yoweri Museveni Monday evening.

“I want to see the UK revive and restore its trading relationship with Africa, which not so long ago accounted for 25 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product, but which has lamentably fallen to barely 3 per cent,” Lord Popat said.

“As we (UK) prepare to leave the European Union, we have no choice but to be bold, enterprising, forward-looking and outward-reaching. The oil and gas sectors offer some of the most exciting possibilities for the UK, and my job is to connect British businesses to those possibilities.” He added.

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Total alerts public of fake jobs adverts in relation to Tanzania-Uganda oil pipeline project

Agnes Tumuheire — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 17:00:24 +0000

Total East Africa Midstream has warned the general public to be cautious while accepting jobs advertised in relation to the Tanzania-Uganda crude oil pipeline project, saying most are fakes.

Total has learnt that various companies have started assuring people that they can help them secure jobs from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.

Unknown individuals have allegedly posted on various social platforms calling for job applications from the public.

The company in charge has distanced itself from the claims and commended individuals to report the matters to police or company when faced with such a case.

“Our recruitment policy is clear and transparent,

“For skilled jobs, whenever a vacancy is available, it’s advertised in newspapers in Tanzania and Uganda and uploaded on the EACOP project website,

“Positions are taken through a rigorous, competitive and transparent recruitment exercise as mandated by Tanzanian and Ugandan labour laws and are selected on merit. Any form of canvassing is strictly prohibited,”” it said in a statement published in The Citizen newspaper on Thursday October 25, 2018.

The EACOP is a 1,443km crude oil export pipeline that will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale – Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga port in Tanzania.

Total is the company in charge of the project on behalf of the joint venture partners and the construction estimitaed to provide 10,000 and 15,000 direct jobs and 30,000 temporary jobs at peak.

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Insurance companies form body to cover risks in Uganda oil and gas sector

Agnes Tumuheire — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 09:50:20 +0000

The coordinator of Oil and Gas Uganda Insures Association, Ms Margie Lokowe, in an interview with Daily Monitor, said Uganda insurance companies have already formed a consortium in preparations of providing insurance services to players in Uganda’s oil and gas industry.

The group comprises of 14 insurance companies with members contribution reaching $2 million.

Ms Lokowe added that two more insurance companies will be joining the consortium, which will bring its membership to 16 companies ready to provide insurance services to oil companies operating in Uganda.

“We have been engaging international oil companies to provide insurance services to them. Some of the areas which we are going to provide insurance services is the East African Crude Oil Pipeline internally under the guideline of local content policy before the oil or gas can get reinsured outside Uganda,

“We are gradually increasing capacity to bring in more members and write bigger risks in the Oil and gas industry in Uganda.”

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MakaPad inventor Dr Moses Musaazi dies

Agnes Tumuheire — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 10:05:23 +0000

A lady stamping expiration dates on Maka pads a Dr. Kiiza Musaazi innovation: COURTESY PHOTO

Makerere University scientist, Dr. Moses Kiiza Musaazi, who invented the first enviromental friendly pads, Maka pads has died.

Musaazi is also the inventor of the MakaStove, a pocket friendly stove that can save up to 50% of fuel compared to others in the market.

Makerere vice-chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe describes the fallen don as one of the “most illustrious academics” the university ever had.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Nawangwe described the deceased as the “most illustrious academics” that the mighty institute has ever had.

The greatest Practical Engineer of our generation. Great Mind but humble. Proud to have been taught and supervised by the this genius. RIP Dr.@KizzaMusaazi pic.twitter.com/IMZM5oNjU6

— Steven Alaali (@StevenAlaali) September 18, 2018

I am very saddened by the death of Dr. Moses Musaazi.

I have not met an academician as practical as he was! His research impacted many Ugandans and people world over.

May his soul Rest In Peace @KCCAED @IreneMuloni @MakerereU @cpmayiga @MakCEDAT @UMich @BugandaOfficial

— Andrew Muyanja (@AndrewMuyanja) September 18, 2018

In 2013, Musaazi received the Empowering People Global Innovations Award in neighbouring Kenya for his innovation that had gained popularity for championing efforts to have the girl child remain in school.

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PPDA wants a share of 30 per cent oil contracts given to Ugandans

Agnes Tumuheire — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 07:39:42 +0000

According to Mr Benson Turamye, the acting PPDA executive director, the guidelines of 30 per cent of contract value works being subcontracted to local companies already apply to procurements by government ministries, departments and agencies, but procurement tenders in the oil industry are not necessarily subjected to the same.

Turamye, while at an oil and gas workshop co-convened by the Office of the Auditor General, Inspectorate of Government, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and German development agency (GIZ), said that even under such circumstances when international contractors are given the contracts, there should be a deliberate attempt to enforce them to sub-contract or pair up with local contractors to boost their capacity in the otherwise complex fields.

“Even when you go international, there should be endeavour to enforce or ensure national involvement to the extent of 30 per cent.”

READ ALSO:

Tanzania – Uganda gas pipeline deal finally signed

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Uganda sends a delegation to the Africa Oil Week 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa

mugisa geofrey — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 14:01:38 +0000

Uganda is committed to developing its petroleum sector across the entire value chain, and clear strides to move the country’s key assets from the exploration phase into the development phase have been made.

The country offers opportunities for companies looking to explore, develop and utilise its petroleum assets.

Hon Irene Muloni, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, in the Republic of Uganda will lead a delegation of private and public-sector players from Uganda’s oil and gas sector to the Africa Oil Week 2018,which will be held between 5 – 9 November, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Consortium has proposed to Government a financing approach and a path to establish, develop and operate a commercially viable refinery company with a strategic benefit to the country and the region

Muloni said, “Uganda is open for business and we will be looking forward to promoting the country`s highly progressive and lucrative hydrocarbon sector during the Africa Oil Week. Over the course of the week, we will announce a roadmap for Uganda’s next licensing round and offer insights into our country’s potential and operating environment.”

“During the Africa Oil Week, we will host private meetings with the global private sector with a view to successfully attract capital in every stage of our oil and gas value chain.” The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Robert Kasande said.

Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda went on to say, “As the regulator of Uganda’s oil and gas sector, Africa Oil Week offers the Authority an exciting platform to provide insight into the regulatory environment in the country and how this has been structured to position the country as a sound investment destination.

We encourage operators, investors and service companies to attend the Oil Week and meet with officials from the Government of Uganda and the private sector. Uganda welcomes you to partner in what we believe is one of the most commercially viable and prospective oil and gas environments in the world.”

The Africa Oil Week is an important event which continues to drive new business opportunities for E&P companies in Africa. It presents an exclusive and dynamic network of Oil and Gas operators in Africa. Former UK Foreign & Commonwealth office Minister with responsibilities for Africa, the Caribbean, UK Overseas Territories, International Energy and Conflict Prevention Rt. Hon. Mark Simmonds added, “The commitment of the Ugandan Government to Oil Week reflects a country on the move in the petroleum sector. Africa Oil Week will focus on the country’s oil and gas sector during the week.”

Oil activities in Bunyoro

Dr Josephine Wapakabulo, Chief Executive Officer for Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) also added that, “UNOC is responsible for the State’s commercial interests in Uganda’s oil and gas sector and we see the country’s participation at Africa Oil Week as a clear opportunity to engage with the most prestigious global operators. UNOC will arrive at Africa Oil Week looking for strategic partners who have the appetite, financing, technology and capabilities to deliver equitable and profitable projects in Uganda’s oil and gas sector.” These projects have been identified and will be on display during the week.

Conference Director Paul Sinclair said, “On top of the 13 confirmed ministers who will lead delegations to Africa Oil Week, we now have a partnership with the Government of Uganda to host a huge opportunity for the global private sector to exclusively engage and hold private meetings regarding oil and gas opportunities at Africa Oil Week.” This comes fast on the back of the governments of Ghana and Congo announcing their own bidding rounds at Africa Oil Week in November 2018. Africa Oil Week remains the only true industry event for the Africa’s upstream Oil and Gas sector.

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Uganda gets over $10.8 millions loan for rural electrification

mugisa geofrey — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:40:26 +0000

Electrical Workers installing electricity cables in one of the recent rural electrification projects in uganda

In the fight to wrap up rural electrification problems by the the Ugandan government, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has approved a Dh40 million ($10.8 million) concessionary loan for the development of a rural electrification project in Kalongo, Uganda, a media reported.

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD, and Ajedra Gabriel Gadison Aridru, Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance Planning and Economic Development, signed the loan agreement at the ADFD headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE, reported Emirates news agency.

Aimed at electrifying homes, schools, healthcare centres, government offices and commercial, industrial and agricultural establishments, the project seeks to help the government achieve its objective of meeting the rural electricity demand that currently stands at less than seven percent to 26 per cent by 2022.

Set to benefit 20,634 consumers over the next 10 years, the rural electrification project is anticipated to improve the living standards of the rural population and minimise migration to cities around the country.

Al Suwaidi said: “The United Arab Emirates, through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, pursues an active policy of supporting sectors that can accelerate economic development across emerging countries. Among these sectors, energy is of great significance, given its crucial role in poverty eradication and inclusive development. At ADFD, we are committed to supporting the government of Uganda in fulfilling its development objectives through ensuring timely and adequate funding for strategically important projects.”

The 33kV rural electrification project involves civil and electrical works for the installation of a 139-kilometre transmission line, as well as 88 distribution stations and 415 volts’ distribution lines on a 167-kilometre stretch that will bring electricity to about 2,000 consumers. The project supports the development of small industries, workshops and agricultural units in rural Uganda, while curbing the over-exploitation of vegetation as a source of energy.

In turn, Aridru praised the UAE for its leading development efforts, and acknowledged the important role ADFD has played in advancing sustainable growth in key sectors in Uganda. He explained that this electrification project will go a long way in supporting the Ugandan government in achieving its development priorities.

ADFD’s engagement in the development of Uganda dates back to 1977. Since then, the fund has extended Dh79 million in loans and government grants towards the development of a number of projects that have positively transformed the livelihood of a sizable rural population and the local economy.

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