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To the women’s rescue: Saving Ugandan island

Miiro Allan — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 12:12:34 +0000

By Namutebi Patricia

It is 6 pm and I am sailing on the mighty Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

The huge waves keep flapping against the local man-made boat, I arrive ashore on Myende Island at 8 pm. I brave the last-minute moments of being carried off the boat. Uganda’s water industry is a developing one, the piers here are not yet developed so you can only swim or be carried by some energetic people to the shore.

Dawn broke and, and I couldn’t wait to get off the floor where I slept. I am now relaxed after my 4-kilometre jog. Ahead are some makeshift houses. Strolling through the few makeshift wooden houses that seem like the island trading centre, I see a group of women seated having a meal. The air here is different, filled with cigarette fumes mixed with marijuana fumes. Most of the youth I see seem to be intoxicated.

It is midday now and I enter a makeshift restaurant. On sitting I pick a conversation with one Nakachwa who then tells me that most women in the Myende-Ngaga fishing village struggle and face sexual exploitation as the lake gets depleted of fish due to improper disposal of waste particularly plastic.

Islands in Uganda are silently facing similar environmental degradation.

Myende is an island in Koome, this is a group of Islands in Uganda surrounded by Lake Victoria. It is located off the coast of Entebbe City.

The Island with its beautiful rocky scenery is just a few minutes away from Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It is home to quite a several species of birds.

Sexual exploitation

“We are facing sexual exploitation as we do not know our rights. We have not undergone any formal education and neither can we speak out for ourselves or speak back to these men to fight sexual exploitation, a man will abuse you in whichever way he wants without any support until you manage to escape,” says Nakachwa

This includes rape, early marriage, forceful childbearing after child marriage and prostitution.

“Because we have to fend for ourselves and the children as the men are involved in alcoholism and drugs, we don’t deny that we are greatly contributing to the endangering of the freshwater lake. The dumping of plastic bottles in which the alcohol, energy-giving beverages and sodas are packed is such a challenge. These are dropped by everyone. Women enjoy alcohol too. It kills our stress and for now, it is the only solution we have. The other alternative is to escape and go to Kimi or Ngamba island,” says Nakachwa.

The plastic bottles then end up in Lake Victoria and interfere with fish reproduction cycle of fish as fish like tilapia lay their eggs close to the shores.

Tilapia which is a common delicacy on the island is getting rare. This has contributed greatly to the lack of employment of both men and women as fishing is the main source of income on the island.

This has therefore resulted in unwanted pregnancies and thus making Myende Island inhabitable. They then move from island to island and the circle continues. But clearly, it is not a safe haven for women as their peace and security are compromised.

As I look across the island it is so clear, the indigenous tree species on the island are disappearing, this is due to illegal logging for charcoal burning and firewood . She goes on further to explain to me that this is contributing to the general erosion of the island and the soil is getting infertile.

The island is littered with waste. Photo/Patricia Namutebi/AWiM

Sustainable Solutions

Different projects are coming up to improve habitat conditions and enhance its population using the establishment of community tree nursery beds, training and deployment of tree conservation volunteers.

Conservation education and the establishment of village environment conservation committees enforced by peacebuilders, voluntary organisations like the Rotary International that plan on planting trees, proper waste management, and maternal and child care, safe water and basic education for all. One of the main focus areas of Rotary is peace-building all over the world.

There is an urgent call for a sustainable solution to waste management. How to transport the plastic bottles and transport them ashore is still a puzzle. The Uganda Government is still researching to find a sustainable solution by setting up a recycling plant for plastic bottles so that the lake is not endangered by plastic pollution from the used plastic bottles.

Other projects under Africa Institute for Energy Governance are also developing Uganda’s political strategy for combatting pollution in lake Victoria.

AFIEGO’s Communication officer Diana Nabiruma affirms that they together with other organisations like Global Water Partnership are strategizing on how to finance projects and distribute knowledge and advice across islands to save the lake from pollution and encourage livelihood.

The local village council on Myende Island is setting up alternative incomes, through private investors for the islanders such as beekeeping as a contribution to species survival both on land and the lake. Beekeeping is such a sustainable project as the bees help in the pollination of flowers and thus continuing the tree cycle of multiplication.

On speaking to the headmaster of the only school on the Island Omeriket Alonso says that education should be a solution to the environmental degradation and female sexual exploitation on the island.

However, since the outbreak of Covid-19, 13 of the girl from his school got pregnant, 3 were married off by their guardians and 30 boys left school for fishing.

“I realised I was headed for a crisis when only seven pupils reported to the school,” he says.

“The pupils whose parents live on the island are as nomadic as their parents. They keep moving from island to island looking for fish. When Myende gets depleted they go to the next island. In this way, I fail to retain them in class. They are looking for money along with their parents.”

The Islanders need sensitisation on the benefits of education and also exposure to different UNESCO programmes education and the environment.

UNESCO calls for attention to gender equality throughout the education system in relation to access to teaching and learning contexts as guided by the UNESCO strategy for gender equality.

In addition to this, apiary lessons being introduced as beekeeping could be an alternative source of income. These are being encouraged at a child’s lower level of learning as children learn from their parents.

The call for girl child education enhancement is crucial as when you educate a girl you are educating nations.

UNESCO content with the environment curriculum should be emphasised along with education for sustainable development in response to the urgent dramatic challenges the island faces. This is to enable quality environment change education.

Another option is enforcing family planning methods. This will control young girls from getting early pregnancies and as well prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Furthermore, the rules by the UNESCO health and education sector on a minimum age in marriage for girls which is eighteen years should be taught and enforced.

Other sources of fuel such as solar and electricity should be introduced on the island. This would reduce deforestation, overfishing and nomadism thus enhancing industrialisation.

With the situation on the island, different organisations need to come up to sensitise residents on vocational skills development and also educate them on environmental laws if they are to make Myende a habitable place and a haven for women and girls.

This story is part of African Women in Media ( AWiM)/UNESCO Peace and Security Journalism Programme

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Ugandans advised to stock food as locusts advance from Kenyan side

Samuel Wamuttu — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 17:22:13 +0000

Ugandans have been advised to stock food as a precautionary measure to counter the effects of desert locusts that are a mere 166 kilometers from the Uganda-Kenya border in the north eastern region of Karamoja according to Uganda’s Ministry of Information and National Guidance.

Turkana is about 166km from Karamoja, meaning the locusts can reach Uganda in less than two days.

Locusts can cover as much as 150km a day and a swarm can destroy crops sufficient to feed 2,500 people for a year, according to the United Nations.

Experts estimate that the insects are capable of destroying at least 200 tonnes of vegetation per day.

Since the invasion in Kenya late last month, districts in Karamoja and eastern Uganda have been put on higher alert and the public asked to report to the nearest extension staff any ‘strange grasshoppers’ detected.

A desert locust on a tree

However, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has assured the country that government has made preparations to ensure the imminent locust invasion is prevented.

He described it as an emergency that requires immediate intervention during an Inter-Ministerial meeting comprising Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Internal Affairs, Defence, Security, Environment, Local Government, East Africa Community Affairs, Presidency and Disaster Preparedness and Uganda Wild Life Authority.

He urged the public to stock food reserves as a precautionary measure.

“With an imminent threat of locusts invading our country from our neighbors in Kenya, I would like to assure the public that the Government is taking this matter seriously and consequently, different agencies of Government have been instructed to work together and collectively heighten our preparedness to prevent and handle the invasion,” the Prime Minister said in a statement on January 21.

He said the Ugandan government is in contact with authorities in Kenya to explore ways of jointly addressing the challenge.

Locusts invasion

What experts in the region say

According to The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the severe Desert Locust outbreak in the region is threatening rural food security across East Africa.

IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu while calling on member states, the East African Community and partners to pull resources together to prevent, control and possibly eradicate the Desert Locust, said the desert locusts is a threat to livelihood in the Horn of Africa.

“IGAD calls on Member States, the East African Community and partners to pull resources together to prevent, control and possible eradicate the Desert Locust threat to the food security of the region,”said Dr.Workneh Gebeyehu,IGAD’s Executive Secretary and added, “Prevention and control measures must be scaled up to contain further spread of the Desert Locust”.

Locals take to chasing locusts from the fields

In a statement, Dr. Gebeyehu said the invasion is a threat to food security of the region. He called for scaling up of prevention and control measures to contain further spread of the Desert Locust.He urged member states to act urgently to avoid a food security crisis in the region.

The Executive Secretary urged for increased ground surveillance for early detection. He called for use of wind forecasts, to help pre-empt trajectory of desert locust bands and swarms as well as immediate regional mapping of current invasion and forecast trajectory.

Dr. Gebeyehu urged countries to act urgently to avoid food security crisis in the region through aggressive targeted aerial and ground spraying and immediate up scaling of aerial control operations.

IGAD is appealing to governments to make use of the mass media especially Radio to disseminate and educate the public in order to aid early detection and reporting.

Map showing the spread of the desert locusts that started from the Greater Horn of Africa

“Encourage citizens to report any incidences of desert locusts,” said Dr. Gebeyehu in the statement.

Dr. David Phiri, FAO Sub regional Coordinator for the Eastern Africa and Representative of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa warned that the locust invasion is worsening the food security situation in the region.

“The locust is making a bad food security situation worse in the sub-region, exacerbating the existing dire food insecurity and malnutrition in the sub-region,” said Dr. David Phiri, FAO Sub regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa.

Dr. Phiri further warned that the weather seems favorable for the locust breeding in high probability that the locust will continue to breed until March-April 2020.

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that the large immature swarms are spreading from the initial invasion areas of Mandera County, south of Wajir and Garissa, west along the Ethiopian border in Marsabit county and southwest into central areas of Isiolo, Samburu, Meru and Laikipia counties.

The UN body says one immature swarm is 60 kilometers wide. FAO further warns that the swarms are expected to move into the Rift valley’s Baringo County and move northwest into Turkana County.

Other swarms are expected to move to Tana River County, while others will move to the northeast Uganda and southeast South Sudan. When the swarms mature, they will begin to lay eggs in the sandy moist soils giving rise to numerous hopper bands in February.

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Will Uganda attain a middle income economy by 2020

Zuurah Karungi — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 11:14:19 +0000

By Zuurah Karungi

Presenting at Kampala Serena Hotel in February this year, the senior economist at the WB country office, Ms Rachael K. Sebudde, said: “For Uganda to achieve middle income status by 2020 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) must grow by 10 per cent,” To attain this, every Ugandan including children should be able to earn Shs 309,600 every month. With just two weeks left to reach the proposed year, experts think a lot more needs to done as the economy is still lagging behind. Whether Uganda will be a middle income country by 2020 remains a matter of debate.

According to Chris Asiimwe a financial expert, a country attains a middle income status when its per capita income is $1370.

“As we speak, Uganda’s per capita income has been $ 700 for the last two years and has never exceeded that. There is no magic that will be done to turn around the income in the next two weeks, to me that dream will not be realized,” he adds.

He adds that Uganda’s economy has ups and downs where the county has a fast growing population with a static eco system, no improvement in the infrastructure, land and less room for investment which to him is caused by the political insecurity in the country that threatens investors.

According to a government report given by Uganda Bureau of Statistics named Uganda National Household Survey 2016/17, the poverty line has increased from 19 per cent to 27 per cent. This to Asiimwe affects the economic growth since growth comes along with demand. The poverty line being 27 per cent means there will be less demand and growth.

“The worst thing is that 70 per cent of the Ugandan population is below the age of 35 and the majority unemployed. To be a middle income county, we need to increase on the output which is impossible with a population full of unemployed people,” he notes.

Economic dynamics

He further notes that Uganda’s economy was growing steadily in the early years when the population was low. This has not been the case when people are increasing in numbers with the majority below the poverty line.

“Right now, the GDP has fallen from 5.5 per cent to 3.9 per cent and to be a middle income economy, the GDP must grow by 10 per cent,”.

Ms Sebudde added that in the first quarter of FY 2016/17, the country registered a negative growth of 0.6 per cent. She said that private investments had pulled up the economy in early years but have gradually gone down and to increase GDP, there needs to be improvement in public investments as well as bringing private investors on board.

Challenges

Asiimwe points out political unrest as the sole hindrance of economic growth in the country. To him the government should aim at providing a good political environment which will entice potential investors and realize its dream. He adds that for a country to have a sustainable economy there should be increased investment to create employment.

If the country doesn’t invest in its people. People are supposed to be trained and given skills on how to operate to increase quality output and employment. This has not been the case since most industries here hire labour from other countries.

“The high interest rates in financial institutions makes it hard for the economic growth since most companies operate on loans,” he adds.

Analysis

“For 2015, the estimated GDP was at $24.69 billion or per capital of $705.What will it take Uganda to reach the minimum level of $1,045? Assuming a conservative population growth of 1.15 million people per year, from 34.9 million in 2014, Uganda will be close to 42 million people in 2020. To realize middle income status, Uganda will need a GDP of $43.89 billion or an increase of 78 per cent over the next five years,”

Asiimwe adds that Kenya has a GDP of USD 1370 making it a lower middle income country but Uganda has never reached USD 1000. This year, Uganda targets a per capita growth of 5.5% and reaching 10 per cent could be hard unless projects like oil and gas and public investments are improved.

According the National Development Programme 2016, Poverty was to be reduced from 19.7 per cent to 14.2 per cent, this has not been attained as the UBOS report indicates an increase to 27 per cent in 2017, the report further indicates that people living in poverty now are 10 million up from 6.6 million in the previous years.

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The growth of the Uganda Manufacturing Sector

Zuurah Karungi — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 10:24:30 +0000

By Zuurah Karungi

According to the PWC report dubbed Uganda Economic Outlook, the government is projecting the economy to grow by 5% this year.

It indicates that this growth will be determined by investment in public infrastructure projects which will boost manufacturing, as well as services, notably tourism; a rebound in private sector credit and consumption.

“New investments in the oil and gas sector, an increase in productivity of both the agriculture and industry sectors, as well as the expected recovery in the global and regional economies should also help to grow the economy over the medium term,” notes Francis Kamulegeya the Country Senior Partner at PwC Uganda and a member of the PwC Africa governance board.

The report indicates that Uganda’s economy lags behind compared to other East African countries because of the political and economic uncertainties.

Research released by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ (ICAEW) named Economic insight in 2016 revealed that Africa is the most commodity-dependent continent.

Challenges

Joan Magezi a business woman points political unrest as the sole hindrance of economic growth in the country. To her the government should aim at providing a good political environment which will entice potential investors. She adds that for a country to have a sustainable economy there should be increased investment to create employment.

Oxford Scholarship Online says that while the level of GDP growth has been impressive over the last two decades, the economy still relies on agriculture and low value-added industrial output for job creation, public finance, and exports.

“Uganda appears to have failed to industrialize, contrary to the promises of pro-market policies and macroeconomic stabilization. The industrial sector is populated by small-scale firms with limited manufacturing value addition,” the report notes.

The Oxford Scholarship Online report notes that the manufacturing sector in Uganda remains relatively small and is dominated by subsidiaries of multinational corporations. The sector faces high costs of electricity, strong competition from imported products, and poor purchasing power in the domestic market. Contribution to total value added is small, averaging about 7.5 per cent over the period 1988–2009.

“This can be attributed to increased import competition following the premature adoption of economic liberalism in the 1980s and 1990s, the signing of the East African Community (EAC) treaty, as well as excess capacity at plant level owing to infrastructural constraints,” the report says.

Chris Asiimwe a financial expert notes that that high taxes are a great challenge in Uganda today since entrepreneurs spend most of their profits on taxes.

“The small companies here are over taxed and the big ones are given tax holidays something that makes it hard to stand in business,” he adds

He adds that unprofessionalism and providing fake products and services has eaten up Ugandan businesses sector.

“Ugandans are after making money and will boldly feed people on fake products to earn. This in the long run brings loss of trust which will lead to down fall due to lack of support,” he adds.

What should be done

The PWC report indicates that growth will be driven mainly by accelerated public infrastructure projects which will boost manufacturing, as well as services, notably tourism; a rebound in private sector credit and consumption, new investments in the oil and gas sector, increase in productivity of both the agriculture and industry sectors, and a recovery in the global and regional economies which will in turn support Uganda’s export growth over the medium term.

“We expect the Government to continue with its ambitious infrastructure investment plan which is aimed at addressing some of the country’s major structural bottlenecks,” it says.

What has been done

Though there are still a couple of challenges in the sector, the country has laid certain strategies to boost the manufacturing sector.

The government has introduced buy Uganda, build Uganda notion which helps promote and encourage people to buy Ugandan commodities.

To entice potential investors, the country provides tax holidays to big investor compqanies.

Producer Price

A report produced by Uganda Bureau of Statistic named Key Economic Factors, Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the general change in prices received by domestic producers for their output. It is categorized into PPI for export market, PPI for local market and a combined PPI for both markets.

“The PPI for both local and export markets of manufactured goods (combined PPI) increased by 1.6 percent in Q1 2016/17 following a decline of 0.4 percent (revised) registered in Q3 & Q4 2015/16. The main drivers were; food processing which increased by 0.4 percent following a decline of 0.8 percent registered in Q4 2015/16 and chemicals, paint, soap and foam products which increased by 1.6 percent in the first quarter 2016/17,” says that report.

Growth of the Manufacturing industry will create more jobs

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Over 30,000 beneficiaries, big stride for skilling Uganda fund

Agnes Tumuheire — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 15:11:39 +0000

The 120 billion shilling skilling Uganda fund has already registered 30,000 beneficiaries seven years of existence after its launch in 2012.

The projects targets 60,000 beneficiaries by 2020 and is aimed at facilitating competitiveness, productivity and employment for self reliance among the
Ugandan youth.

The Assistant Commissioner for Vocational Education, Mr. James Mugerwa during the launch of the National skills fair on Tuesday in Kampala revealed that the Ministry of Education and sports has worked closely with Enabel and PSFU to skill Ugandans through the Skills development Fund and the skills development facility.

Janet Museveni and other Officials at Skilling Uganda consultative meeting at Hotel Africana in Kampala(Photo by PMPU)

Mr. Mugerwa further revealed that the fair will offer a platform to exhibit skills among Ugandans.

“The national skills fair is an opportunity for us to showcase the achievements of both funds.” Mugerwa said.

The three-days fair will take place from 7th to 9th May 2019 at the UMA multipurpose hall.

According to the SDF manager Christine Karungi, the fair will connect producers and manufacturers , employers and training institutions for more training and work opportunities.

“The innovative approaches employed in training have enabled several SDF beneficiaries to get employed while others have started their own businesses,” Ruth Byinzika Musoke, the Head SDF at PSFU said.

The skilling Uganda fund develops skills for the youths in the fields of manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, ICT and agriculture.

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KCCA Hands Over Shs6.9Bn Infrastructure Project to Makerere University

Agnes Tumuheire — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 08:54:55 +0000

KCCA Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi hands over an administrative block: COURTESY PHOTO

Kampala Capital City Authority(KCCA) has officially handed over a UGX 7billion project to Makerere University main branch.

The hand over was officiated by the Outgoing KCCA Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi on Wednesday October 31, 2018 at a function held near Makerere main gate.

The project was a package that included a well renovated Makerere main gate, tarmac and traffic light on University roads as well as the perimeter wall.

Musisi also commissioned a three-storied administrative and classroom block at Makerere College School(MACOS).

Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Makerere university Vice Chancellor, expressed his gratitude towards KCCA and confirmed that the project is the biggest infrastructural development at the University since its start in 1922.

“We are proud of what we have achieved through our partnership with KCCA and we shall try to maintain the infrastructure put in place. This is one of the best main gates I have seen all over the world; it is a symbol of our pride,” Prof. Nawangwe said.

Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi and Makerere Vice Chancellor commissioning the main gate: COURTESY PHOTO

The funding

The project was jointly sponsored by Makerere University and KCCA through the Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP 2) which was funded by the World Bank.

Makerere had surrendered part of its Makerere hill road to KCCA for road expansion. This was reciprocated by renovating the University main gate.

The executive Director challenged the Makerere management to use resources from Uganda instead of running after donors.

“We have capacity as Ugandans to develop our own country, it is divisions that set us back,” said Musisi.

Musisi revealed that the project took less fund than the planned 7 billion sum.

“So far, we have spent about 6.9billion, there are a few things we haven’t done like paving the parking lot at the university mosque and constructing toilets,” ED Musisi confirmed.

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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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Transaction Advisor needed at Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC)

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 13:36:50 +0000

Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is looking for a transaction advisor to guide the development of a multi-user storage terminal in Kampala.

The state-owned company acquired land on the outskirts of Kampala for a $70-million terminal that will serve as a distribution centre for imported petroleum products.

The terminal will have an initial capacity of 60 million litres, and will be expanded, based on demand, to 138 million litres.

Uganda’s strategic reserves are expected to increase to 90 million litres.

The country currently has just one storage facility in Jinja, with a capacity of 30 million litres.

The new facility will also be a distribution centre for products from the country’s proposed refinery to consumers in Uganda, western Kenya, northern Tanzania and Rwanda.

It will be a delivery point for the planned Hoima–Kampala pipeline and the planned Eldoret–Kampala pipeline, as well as serve as the starting point for the planned Kampala-Kigali pipeline.

UNOC wants the transaction advisor to bring on board a strategic partner who will control 49 per cent shareholding in the joint venture project.

“The firm will provide advice on the development of business models, financing framework, ownership structure and bankability of the project, including the ability to source funds for the project,” said UNOC in a statement.

Private investment
In Tanzania, the government is seeking private investors to construct storage facilities, specifically in Mtwara, after opening the port for handling petroleum products last month.

The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has invested $52 million in four oil storage tanks in its Nairobi depot, with a total capacity of 133 million litres of fuel, which have more than doubled the storage capacity of diesel and super petrol from 100 million litres to 233 million litres.

The facilities will increase KPC’s total storage capacity to 745 million litres from 612.3 million litres.

“Besides guaranteeing security of supply of petroleum products, the new tanks will also increase tank turnaround at Kipevu resulting in more ullage [the air space between the oil surface and the top of the tank] at Kipevu Oil Storage Facility and reduction of demurrage charges,” said KPC managing director Joe Sang.
The Kenya Ports Authority has contracted China Communications Construction Company to build a new terminal at a cost of $393.6 million to supplement Kipevu and Shimanzi.(Source: The eastafrican)

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Uganda, Kenya hold talks on oil and gas sharing

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 12:49:56 +0000

Uganda National Oil Company has held talks with Kenya National Oil Company and Kenya Pipeline Company on how the two countries can benefit from oil and gas discoveries.

In the talk session hosted by the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOC) , the companies shared experiences and ways of maximizing the benefits that come with oil and gas discovery.

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