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Uganda may incur extra costs for In oil refinery construction

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 08:02:25 +0000

How the Uganda Oil refinery is expected to look like after construction

The Uganda oil sector is likely to spend quite more money than the anticipated $4 billion for the construction of the Hoima-based oil refinery following the failure of the East African Community to buy the whole part of the share it was allocated.

Although Total SA has taken up a total share of 10 per cent stake, Uganda has been forced to take up an additional 11.5 per cent mounting its shares to 19.5 per cent.

A share of 40% had been given to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi which is 8% each with the remaining 60% share reserved for private investors.

However, only Tanzania took up its full share of eight per cent ; Kenya took up 2.5 per cent while Rwanda and Burundi had not expressed interest in the facility by the expiry of the period set aside for the partner states to take up the shareholding.( The East African)

According to Irene Muloni, Uganda’s Energy Minister, Uganda had to take up the shares that were not claimed.

“Total is taking 10 per cent, Tanzania eight per cent and Kenya 2.5 per cent. Uganda will take the remaining 19.5 per cent shares if no other country expresses interest,” she said.

Uganda is constructing a 60,000 barrels- a -day oil refinery in Hoima district which was contracted to a consortium led by American multinational General Electric.

The refinery is expected to commence oil production in 2020.

Over 70% of the project will bet funded through debt and share holders to take-up the remaining 30% share.

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Uganda is not quitting ICC –Kadaga

Agnes Tumuheire — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:10:50 +0000

While at the commemoration of the 20 years of the Rome Statute in Netherlands, the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga reassured that Uganda had no intentions of leaving the International Criminal Court.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga in the Netherlands: PHOTO FROM PARLIAMENT WEBSITE

“I want to begin by reassuring the President [of the ICC] that Uganda will not withdraw from the Rome Statute but we will continue working together,” said Kadaga

In the Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa February 2017, Uganda voted in favour of the African Union decision to withdraw from the ICC after a motion was instated by Kenya was debated by heads of state.

“Of course, we are part of the African Union and there have sometimes been difficult situations between the ICC and the African Union. There are areas of reservation,” said Kadaga said.

President Museveni meets President of Gabon Ali Bongo on arrival in Addis – 28th AU Ordinary Summit PHOTO FROM MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WEBSITE

Uganda has received heavy criticism from the ICC for collaborating with Sudanese President Omar Bashir, who has cases to answer in the court on allegations of stirring the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.

However, Kadaga defended Uganda’s actions describing Bashir as “an important actor” in the region, stressing his efforts and centrality in prospects for peace in the war torn and volatile South Sudan.

Khartoum and Kampala, previously at diplomatic crossroads, are now working to facilitate the recent shaky peace deal between former Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir led forces.
Kadaga said Uganda stands for a position where “justice is not sacrificed at the altar of peace, and peace is not sacrificed at the altar of justice”.

ICC has become unpopular over its actions of targeting only African states the claim the court persistently deny. It therefore appointed Fatou Bom Bensouda of Gambia as International Criminal Court‘s chief prosecutor so as to give it an African face.

Burundi and South Africa have formally petitioned to withdraw from the ICC although they have not yet officially left.

Speaker has urged the Court to consider the citizenship of children born during conflicts which cut across regions saying that women abducted by rebels and moved to areas away from their home have children with no identity.

“There is a fundamental problem; for instance a rebel grabs a woman in Congo, takes her to the Central African Republic, and has a child there. Neither of the parents is a citizen of CAR; there are no birth certificates then they move to a third country. Where does that child belong?” Kadaga pondered.

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Fifa World Rankings: Uganda tops East Africa,Kenya drop and Cote D’Ivoire best in Africa

Paul Kisembo — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:31:27 +0000

Uganda is the best ranked country in the East African region with neighbours Kenya dropping in the latest Fifa world rankings released on 15^th September 2016.

This comes after Uganda ended a 38-year wait by qualifying to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon as one of two best placed runners-up.

Uganda cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is a proud man at the moment having led Uganda to its first Afcon finals appearance in 39 years but also move the nation from 97th in the rankings up to 65^th.

This is in line with the goals set up by the Serb on his arrival in Uganda in May 2013 to take over the reins from the sacked Bobby Williamson.

“One of my aims is to develop the youth systems, and I want us to move from 97th in the rankings up to 70, and stay there to give our players a chance to play in top European leagues.”

Uganda will better their world ranking if they perform well in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifiers group in which they were drawn with Egypt, Ghana and Congo Brazzaville.

Mean while,Kenya have dropped 3 places to 91st,Ethiopia follows closely at 125th moving four places up, Burundi are 129 while Tanzania are ranked 132.

Cote D’Ivoire is the best ranked country in Africa at 34th followed by Algeria (35th), Senegal (39th), Ghana (43rd) and Cameroon at 59th globally.

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Buganda minister wants investors to tap into agric technology

Isaac Senabulya — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 10:23:45 +0000

Nsibirwa with Buganda’s budget 2016/17.

Buganda minister for finance and investment, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa has called on investors to tap into more agricultural technology that encourages youth involvement so that they can realise high production of crops like coffee for exports.

Nsibirwa made the remarks while briefing journalists on the upcoming coffee technology expo organized by Braz –Afric group ,scheduled for 1st to 3rd September this year at UMA conference hall in Kampala.

The expo he said will attract exhibitors from Brazil,Turkey ,Kenya,Burundi ,Rwanda and Uganda.

Nsibirwa who is also the Chief Executive officer, Africa coffee Academy says that youths are not patient to use a hoe for farming, adding that they can only appreciate agriculture through use of technology.

He also says that small holder farmers especially coffee farmers can only earn much from farming through cooperatives societies which put them in groups and afford to have quality seeds and technological machines at low cost.
He also calls for intervention to avail water for production using cheaper technology to avoid farmers losing their animals and crops to drought, adding that the coffee industry is affected by drought and disease.

Uganda is still the biggest coffee exporter in Africa with 3.5 million bags per year and second biggest producers.

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CSOs concerned about slow pace of dialogue over Burundi

Gerald Businge — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:12:40 +0000

Photo: Telegraph

Civil society organizations under the Great Lakes region are concerned about the slow pace at which negotiations/ dialogue to bring back peace to Burundi are being handled with no signs of these to kick off despite the worrying situation in the country. Burundi went in turmoil early this year when president Pierre Nkurunziza announced he was coming for a third term which the opposition opposed even when he was re-elected into power. The disagreements sparked off fighting and violence that has left a number of citizens in Burundi dead and over 200,000 displaced and fled to the neighboring countries mostly children, women and the old being the victims.

Now CSOs are calling on president Museveni (despite his buzy campaign schedule) who was appointed as the head of these dialogues and the different stakeholders like the AU, EAC, UN among others to act immediately before the situation deteriorates.

In a joint press conference held at Akina Mama wa Afrika, its Executive Director Eunice Musiime explains. She says its unfortunate that Nkurunziza who claims to have put Burundi to peace is the one antagonizing it hence a call to look into the drivers of these conflicts and differences and be solves amicably.

Belgium last week said those “whose presence is not essential” should leave because of increasing insecurity.

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EALA deferred debate on East Africa Community Electronic Transactions Bill 2014

Isaac Senabulya — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:26:33 +0000

EALA has deferred debate on the East Africa Community Electronic Transactions Bill 2014 to pave way for stakeholders to make additional input. The adjournment came after a request for deferment of the debate by the Chairperson of Council of Ministers, Dr. Abdallah Saadaala was approved. In his ruling, the Speaker, Daniel F Kidega directed that the Bill be brought back to the Order paper during the next Plenary in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Chairperson of Council of Ministers reiterated total support of the Bill but added there was need for more time for the consolidation of further inputs and comments by stakeholders. At the same time, consultations are been called to allow for enrichment of the Report of the Committee of Communication, Trade and Investment. According to the Chairperson of Council of Ministers, the Bill has been shared with the East African Communications Organization (EACO) headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) for comments.

The EACO brings together a number of consumers of e-transactions. At the same time, the Minister affirms that EAC is also developing and implementing the electronic payments and settlements systems under the leadership of the Monetary Affairs Committee to enhance financial infrastructure in the region.

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Dr. Richard Sezibera similarly wrote to the Assembly requesting for more time to consult stakeholders.

The Electronic Transaction Bill, 2014 seeks to meet the need of exploiting electronic transactions in the modern day business transactions. The Bill further wants to promote technology neutrality in applying legislation to electronic communications and transactions and to develop a safe, secure and effective environment for the consumer, business and the Governments of the Partner States to conduct and use electronic transactions.

EALA has already undertaken a series of public hearings to source for views from stakeholders on this particular Bill. The bill was moved as a Private Members Bill by Dr. James Ndahayo.

Today’s debate was preceded by tabling of a report by the Committee on Communications and Trade Investment which undertook public hearings on the Bill.

The Members of the Committee were divided into two groups to undertake the public hearings. One group covered the Republics of Burundi and Rwanda while another one covered the United Republic of Tanzania and Kenya and both groups then converged in Uganda. The stakeholders consulted included. among others: Ministries responsible for ICT, including ICT regulators and the e-government agencies, Ministries of Trade and Commerce and the Finance Ministries. Others were Offices of the Attorneys General, including the Law Reform Commissions; Law Societies and Law Enforcement agencies as well as the East African Business Council and Private Sector Federation.

Hon Judy Pareno said the mobile telephony exchanges and pay systems were necessary in the region, adding that it should be anchored by a relevant piece of legislation. Isabelle Ndahayo said businesses continued to face pressure to transact business electronically, calling for speedy and efficient systems while cutting down costs is key.

The Bill will facilitate regional traders by offering practical solutions and provide security to those who use electronic modes of transaction.

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Museveni calls on Burundians to build their country on unity for prosperity

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:53:08 +0000

President Yoweri Museveni has called on the people of Burundi to build their country on unity for prosperity and condemned sectarianism which he said was bankrupt and dangerous to the people and killed interdependence among communities.

The President was opening a two-day Burundi High Level Political Dialogue between the Government of Burundi, opposition Political Party leaders both in Parliament and outside Parliament, eminent persons who included two past Presidents of Burundi, religious leaders, civil society organizations, chamber of commerce and industry and a cross section of other stakeholders, who converged at Hotel Belair residence last evening.

This was a follow up of the mandate given to President Museveni by the 3rd Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community in Dar-es-Salaam on the 6th of July 2015; to lead and facilitate dialogue at the highest level in a bid to find a lasting solution to the current political situation in Burundi. The EAC leaders also decided to postpone the Presidential election in the country up to30th of July to allow for this process.

Museveni advised the people of Burundi that for them to be prosperous, they must settle down, talk less about power and term limits but become producers for the market. He asked them to support the integration of East Africa which offers them bigger opportunities and markets for their products and through which they will become prosperous. He further asked them to create conducive environment for private sector growth and attract investments. Mr. Museveni told them that he was happy to hear from Burundi Vice President, H.E Prosper Mbazombaza that the Government had disarmed the youth groups who had been disturbing people with illegally acquired guns.

“Guns must be a monopoly of the State which is accountable to the people and must only be used purposefully like a surgeon’s knife,” he said.

H.E Prosper Mbazombaza welcomed the dialogue and hoped it will generate consensus on major outstanding issues leading to the desired peace and stability in the country. He thanked President Museveni for his commitment to stability in the region and in Burundi in particular. The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Richard Sezibera thanked President Museveni for acting as requested by the EAC Summit. He told the Barundi leaders that it will be unfortunate if democracy in their country should continue to be associated with mourning shuttered hopes and suffering of the people.

President Museveni is accompanied to the Burundi Dialogue by the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Hon. Philemon Mateke and Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj. Gen. Matia Kyaligonza.

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Burundi elects amid controversy

Emma Laura N. Kisa — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 06:10:50 +0000

As election day dawns in Burundi conflict still rages with the head of Burundi’s parliament, Pie Ntavyohanyuma, fleeing the country on the eve of the key elections denouncing the president’s “illegal” third term bid.

After months of conflict and over 70 deaths – the latest being three people killed in gunfire and grenade blast on Saturday 28^th June, the elections are happening amidst international and local critism. Pie Ntavyohanyuma spoke to France 24 “For the moment, I am forced to stay in Brussels… I stayed here given the difficulties in my country, difficulties which are due to the illegal third mandate of the president,” He told the agency “I would like to say to him [Nkurunziza] that the mandate he wants to have is illegal. I would like to say to him that forcing through the election is senseless.” “I personally advised President Nkurunziza to drop his plan for a third term, but his answer was to threaten me, to humiliate me,” he added.

The African Union announced Sunday it would not act as an observer in the parliamentary polls, “Noting that the necessary conditions are not met for the organisation of free, fair, transparent and credible elections… the AU Commission will not observe the local and parliamentary elections,” commission chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed concerns about the Government’s insistence on going ahead with elections on 29 June despite the prevailing political and security environment in the country and he had previously called for the elections to be delayed. A statement issued on Sunday read “The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal to all Burundian political leaders to consider the wider interest of the people of their country and to resolve political issues through dialogue in order to preserve peace and strengthen national reconciliation. Condemning recent attacks reported in the country, he appeals to all Burundians to refrain from violent acts, in line with the Charter of Non-Violence agreed by all parties.”

As opposition declared a boycott of the elections, the election commission chief Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye told reporters “Everything is ready in the country,” Sunday, saying all voting material had been delivered to the polling centres across the country.

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Uganda has not deployed troops in Burundi – Dr Crispus Kiyonga

Isaac Senabulya — Thu, 28 May 2015 11:58:23 +0000

The Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, told parliament that Uganda has not deployed its troops in Burundi to restore peace and order following the attempted coup that left the Country unstable. Kiyonga said Uganda in conjunction with other East African member Countries are carrying out consultations in a bid to cause dialogue and reconciliation to end the conflict in Burundi and Uganda will abide with the outcome of the negotiations.

Havoc on a street in Burundi

Uganda will not act individually as far as the conflict in Burundi is concerned but will follow the set procedures of the East African Community which will have been agreed on, he said. Kiyonga further noted that government, like it has done in the past, cannot deploy its troops in a foreign Country unless it’s authorized by the Parliament of Uganda at the request of the affected Country.

He dismissed reports that Uganda sent a contingent in Burundi to keep peace saying it’s not true.

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Thousands continue to flee Burundi

Emma Laura N. Kisa — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:59:18 +0000

Photo Credit: UN Refugee Agency

Thousands have fled Burundi due to insecurity fears in the run-up leading to the 26^th June elections; most noteworthy of these being Judge Sylvere Nimpagaritse, the vice-president of Burundi’s constitutional court who noted that most of the judges had faced “enormous pressure and even death threats”.

At least 18 people have died and 100s injured in clashes resulting in the President’s announcement of a third term bid. In the latest news from Burundi, an “immediate and unconditional” government order to end protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term bid has met resistance. 2,000 people marched through one of the suburbs of the capital Bujumbura today.

The UN Refugee Agency noted 50,000 Burundians fled the country. UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told journalists in Geneva that pre-election violence sent tens of thousands fleeing to neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) “Many of these have crossed into Rwanda (25,004), but over the last week we have also seen a sharp increase in people seeking asylum in Tanzania (17,696) after entry restrictions there were lifted. In addition, almost 8,000 people have crossed into South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In all these cases women and children, including a large number of unaccompanied children, are in the majority,” Edwards said.

East African leaders are set to hold a summit in Tanzania to discuss the Burundi situation. Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who chairs the EAC, said in a statement late on Saturday “We have agreed to meet … to discuss how to help our brothers and sisters in Burundi to hold successful elections and ensure that their nation is united, peaceful and secure without any unnecessary conflicts”.

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