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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Never borrow money that accrues interest to start a business. That is to say, never borrow money to start a business expecting that the business will generate income to pay back the borrowed money plus the interest. Businesses have their own short comings so when it comes to starting a business Patience is key, yet when you borrow money, this money accumulates interest over time. You don’t need this especially when the business is new and has not yet realized returns.
2. Spending promised cash

Never spend money you haven’t received. Don’t even promise someone money based on a promise you have from someone else. If someone tells you: “Geofrey, come to my office tomorrow at 9am and pick 30K”don’t go out to buy items on credit based on this promise, with the hope that you will pay off your creditor when the promised money comes; it may not come as promised and this will leave you in trouble with your creditors. Ask your self what if this person encounters a bigger problem remember this is just a promise!! Its not a guarantee.
3. Spending Aimlessly

If you want to save, whenever you receive money, don’t start spending hoping that you’ll save what remains. Courtsey photo

If you want to save, whenever you receive money, don’t start spending hoping that you’ll save what remains. Normally what remains is zero because as long as money to spend is available, the numerous things you can spend it on are also available. And things to spend on even incite their ‘relatives, inlaws and friends’ so that you spend even more than you had planned. When money to spend is not available, we naturally find a way of doing without it. That’s why I’ve learnt to save with an INVESTMENT CLUB. Once I send money there I assume I no longer have it. Before you spend any money, put your savings aside then spend what is left after saving.
4. Asking Ideas on how to make money

When you get an opportunity to meet a very wealthy person, never ask for money. Ask for ideas on how to make money. They may even choose to give you money on their own after seeing that your ideas are great, but let getting money from them never be your objective. Share your ideas but DON’T expose all.
5. Sow the seed

Keeping your seed instead of planting it. Many people stop at saving. It’s very, very difficult to save and have all you need to maintain your lifestyle especially in the due course of your retirement. When you save, your savings are seed; plant it. When you just keep the seed (saving money) some seeds begin to die (eaten by inflation and the like, dollar fluctuation and the sort). That’s why I recommend that you read about the different types of investment vehicles you can use to grow your savings. I am not necessarily talking about putting the money in a business, because you can easily lose money in business. I am talking about putting it in an investment.
6. Lending money for prestige

Money lent is Friendship lost. Never lend someone money you are not willing to loose. By the time you lend someone money, be contented in your heart that should the person fail to pay, you will not die. You should not even lose that person’s friendship if they fail to repay the money you lent them. If you feel the person might fail to pay you and this will not affect your relationship with them, then lend them money. If their failure to pay would make you hate this person’s entire clan, please advise the person to go to the bank.

7. Guarantee mishap

Never append your signature to guarantee someone on a financial matter if you are not willing or able to pay the money on their behalf. Do I have to explain that one? No, it’s self-explanatory.
8. Never move around with bulk cash

Avoid keeping money you don’t intend to use in the short-term within easy reach. For instance, don’t walk with 100K in your pocket when all you plan to do in a day costs 20K. Like I mentioned in Money Mistake 3, there are always expenses available to gobble any money that is within reach, so if you don’t want to lose it, put it away in a safe place.

When you save, your savings are seed; plant it. When you just keep the seed (saving money) some seeds begin to die (eaten by inflation and the like, dollar fluctuation and the sort). Courtsey Photo

9. Reckless money keeping

Avoid keeping money in inappropriate places e.g. in socks, under the pillow, in a pit, in the sitting room, in the bra, in a travel bag that you will place somewhere in a taxi … impulse buying is a devil that will keep you busy!
10. Self control

Spending money on an item that you can do without (at least for the time being). These days when I pick money from my pocket or wallet, before paying for something I ask myself: What would happen if I didn’t buy this? If I find I can live with the consequences of not having that thing, I smile and walk away.
11. Spending extravagantly

Paying an amount for something that’s not the minimum you can get that same value for. In other words, if you are along Luwum Street and you pay 5K for a Handkerchief that you can get at 1K in downtown yet the distance is not alarming, that’s a money mistake except for those who have achieved financial freedom.

12. Spending more than what you Earn

Consistently spending all you earn or more than you earn. It’s like having a drum where you have an inlet that’s smaller than the outlet. It will never get full. And should the inlet ever reduce significantly the drum will run dry. If you do it the other way round and the inlet is bigger, it will get full and even overflow. Hence, we have to always ensure we are widening the inlet while narrowing the outlet – all the time. Your side hustle comes in handy!
13. Look beyond your nose

Thinking about short-term only and forgetting about long-term or thinking about the long-term and forgetting about the short-term. For instance, Lydia was told that there’s money in land. She saved money over a long period of time and bought 30 acres of land. Now she has the land but she is always broke. She is always complaining. She’s disgruntled and she doesn’t seem to see herself earning from the land in the near future. Now, let’s ask ourselves: Having 30 acres of land and no money to feed your family or take a child to hospital, is that wealth or poverty? I think Lydia only looked at long-term needs and forgot that she has short-term needs that require money. What of those who find they are one paycheck away from salary? Are they thinking about the long-term needs?

Let’s take stock of our finances. How many mistakes are you guilty of? Do you now feel better-equipped to do better with these tips? Good luck, savers! Share this knowledge with your friends because it will not benefit you if you are selfish with it.

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President Museveni.

President Museveni has today appointed and reshuffled new Permanent Secretaries which has seen long serving Permanent Secretaries Kaliisa Kabagambe (energy ministry), Paul Steven Kagoda (ministry of internal affairs) and James Mugume (ministry foreign affairs)  being  dropped.

According to a State House statement released today November 4^th, 2016, “President Museveni has appointed and deployed Permanent Secretaries under article 174 (2) of the constitution.”

Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet  John Mitaala, Head of Public Service Vicent Opio Lukone, State House Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, President’s office Deobroah Katuramu, Office of the Prime Minister Christine Guwatudde Kintu, Public Service Catherine Musingwire, Lands Housing and Urban Development Dorcas Okalany, Works and Transport Bageya Waisswa.

Water and Environment Alfred Okot Okidi, Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Stephen Isabaliija, Gender,  Labour and Social Development Pius Bigirimana, Foreign Affairs Patrick Mugoya, Ethics Alex Okello, Justice/Solicitor General Francis Atoke and Agriculture Pius Wakabi.

Public Service Commission Dr. Geoffrey Mbabazi, Inspectot General Government Rose N. Kafeero, Principal Private Secretary to the President Nawe Molly Kamukama, Education Service Commission Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Internal Affairs Dr. Benon Mutambi Mugisha, East African Affairs Edith Mwanje, Judiciary Kagole Kivumbi, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Amb Julius Onen, Judicial Service Dr. Rose Nasali Lukwago and Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Doreen Katusiime.

James Mugume (ministry foreign affairs) who was also among those dropped.

Local Government Benjamin Kumumanya, Finance, Planning and Economic Development Keith Muhakanizi, Science and Technology David O.O Ebong, Health Dr. Diana Atwiine, ICT and Information Vicent Bagiire Waisswa, Education and Sports Alex Kakooza, Health Service Commission Teopista Mary Wenene.

The President last week appointed Dr. Diana Atwiine as the new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health to replace Dr. Asuman Lukwago who heads to the Education Service Commission following a standoff with the Health Ministry officials including the Health Minister Ruth Aceng over management issues.

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Guaranteed Scholarships in Finance: Students studying full-time toward a PhD in Finance at the University of Melbourne, Australia are guaranteed a minimum living stipend of A$18,660 per year.

For international students, the Department of Finance also guarantees the payment of their University of Melbourne PhD tuition fees.

The guarantee is for the normal three year period of the PhD degree but may be extended for an additional year.

Terms and conditions apply: The guarantee means that, if accepted as PhD student, your finances are secure.

Admission and Scholarship Deadlines: The PhD program in Finance begins in March. International applicants deadlines: October.

For more information and application, see: Guaranteed Scholarships in Finance – Melbourne

Apply for PHD Scholarships in Finance and Australian Universities

Guaranteed Scholarships in Finance: Students studying full-time toward a PhD in Finance at the University of Melbourne, Australia are guaranteed a minimum living stipend of A$18,660 per year.

For international students, the Department of Finance also guarantees the payment of their University of Melbourne PhD tuition fees.

The guarantee is for the normal three year period of the PhD degree but may be extended for an additional year.

Terms and conditions apply: The guarantee means that, if accepted as PhD student, your finances are secure.

Admission and Scholarship Deadlines: The PhD program in Finance begins in March. International applicants deadlines: October.

For more information and application, see: Guaranteed Scholarships in Finance – Melbourne

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The minister ofUgandafor Finance Minister, Maria Kiwanuka says that the banks will charge 15% for a period of six months.

Some of the banks the government has agreed with include Stanbic Bank, DFCU Bank and Centenary Bank.

Ms Kiwanuka says that the government has put aside 25 billion shillings in the 2011/2012 national budget for the unemployed youths.

Ms Kiwanuka signed the Memorandum of understanding with Centenary Bank, DFCU Bank and Stanbic bank managers inKampalatoday.

Ultimate Media

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Spies have learnt that yesterday the minister of finance, Miria Kiwanuka went into hiding when she noticed that a team from the ministry of foreign affairs had visited her office over the quarterly releases. It is said that the foreign affairs ministry officials have been on the neck of Kiwanuka over the money.

 Realizing that  the foreign affairs ministry officials had gone to get an answer why their ministry had not got the money for the last three months, Kiwanuka reportedly asked the receptionist to tell her visitors that she was out of office yet she was around.

A source in the finance ministry told this snoop that currently there is no money for the ministry of foreign affairs. It explained that the ministry was given money in the last three months but it was not enough to run all the foreign affairs ministry activities.

Ultimate Media

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