News analysis Health Business

Bududa mudslide Tokophobia: extreme Electricity tariffs drop not Hima Cement looks to
victims of lies fear of pregnancy enough to grow industrial sector housing sector for growth

Issue No. 543 Oct 19 - 25, 2018 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8

Museveni’s
next cabinet
Which opposition politicians are
targets and what awaits them
www.independent.co.ug
 YOU BUY THE
TRUTH
WE PAY THE
PRICE

Independent Publications Limited, Plot 82/84, Kanjokya Street, P. O. Box 3304, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256-312-637-391/ 2/ 3/ 4 Fax: +256-312-637-396
E-mail: editorial@independent.co.ug, advertising@independent.co.ug, circulation@independent.co.ug Website: www.independent.co.ug
INBOX

Issue No. 543 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

News analysis Business Health Arts Motoring

Cover story
Museveni’s next cabinet
Which opposition politicians are in and what awaits them

4 The Week
29 Comments
Japheth Kato named Board
Chairman for UBL Technology and home
languages: Marrying them
in school boosts maths and
9 The Last Word
science learning
The triumph of colonialism:
How European claims to promote
`civilisation’ in Africa remain the
36 Health
supreme aim of all our governments
Tokophobia: extreme fear
of pregnancy: When some
14 Analysis women develop extreme
Bududa mudslide victims of lies: fear of childbirth
Why the weakest link for them are
unfulfilled government promises
39 Arts & Culture
27 Business It’s raining dollars
Electricity tariffs drop not for Ugandan artists:
enough to grow industrial sector Artist sells pieces worth
Shs289m in one night

STRATEGY & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Andrew M. Mwenda WRITERS:Ronald Musoke, Flavia Nassaka, Ian Katusiime,
MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Were Agnes Nantaba, Julius Businge.
INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR: Haggai Matsiko DESIGN/LAYOUT: Sarah Ngororano
BUSINESS EDITOR: Isaac Khisa CARTOONIST: Harriet Jamwa
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jimmy Siya

PUBLISHER: Independent Publications Limited, Plot 82/84, Kanjokya Street, P. O. Box 3304, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256-312-637-391/ 2/ 3/ 4 | Fax: +256-312-637-396 E-mail: editor@independent.co.ug | advertising@independent.co.ug
circulation@independent.co.ug | Website: www.independent.co.ug

2 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 Offline

President Museveni
inspects the CCTV
command centre at
Natete Police Division
Offices on Oct. 9.

“I do not fear death but that does not

mean we should not take precautions.
But let them give me reasons why they
are listing me on the death targets. If
there is something wrong that I am
doing or if I upset someone, I am ready to
correct it,”Beti Kamya, minister for Kampala

Cranes captain Dennis

Onyango (L) and
Cranes coach Sebastian
Desabre (R) pose with
President Museveni
after handing him a
Cranes jersey during
the team’s visit to State
House on Oct.9.
“It’s a shame seeing an MP voting
against paying taxes, yet people
need drugs in hospitals and good
roads. Where do you expect the
money to come from?” Kahinda
Otafiire, minister for justice

Staff at the new

UNHCR call centre for
refugees in Kampala
on Oct 12. The centre
will serve as an
information sharing
system and provide
safe and reliable
communication
channels to refugees
and asylum seekers. “We have a ministry for disaster
preparedness but when have we
ever actually been prepared for a
disaster?” Mukasa Mbidde, EALA MP on
government response to Bududa landslide

Students who graduated Residents of Kyangwali in Money gov’t is seeking

1648 from Bishop Stuart
University in Mbarara
11900 Hoima who will be relocated
away from a refugee camp
Shs390bn for expansion of national
CCTV network

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 3

week

Minister clarifies on
hepatitis vaccine
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, minister
of health, says the falsified
Hepatitis B vaccines are not
harmful. This was established
after the vaccines were subjected
to tests and the ministry has
now released its findings which
state the drugs pose no threat.
During routine surveillance
checks in Mbarara early
this year, the National Drug
Authority (NDA) sampled
about 50 vials of suspected
falsified Hepatitis B vaccines
L-R: Shonubi , new BOD member, Jimmy Mugerwa, incoming chairman Japheth from several health centres and
Katto and UBL MD Mark Ocitti make a toast at Serena Hotel on Oct.12 took them for tests. “Chemical
tests done on both samples
Japheth Kato named Board Chairman for UBL (authentic and false vaccines),
did not find any harmful active
With many years of served since 2009. Prior to his predecessor stopped. “The pharmaceutical ingredient
experience in leadership, his appointment, Kato was company is in good shape. that would be injurious to
corporate governance and a member of the UBL Board And we are ready to deliver the recipient. Additional field
sound accounting both in since 2014. Kato is also the the strategic and business plan monitoring confirmed no
private and public sector, current Board Chairman for of the company,” he said. Kato adverse drug reaction,” Aceng
Japheth Kato is now the new Stanbic Bank and former CEO said his leadership will focus told journalists. She added
Board Chairman for beer of Uganda’s Capital Markets on overseeing the governance that NDA has made efforts to
maker, Uganda Breweries Authority. Speaking to The of the company and the monitor side effects amongst
Limited. His appointment Independent at Shonubi’s challenges related to a volatile
those who received the falsified
was confirmed on Oct.12 by farewell event at Serena Hotel economic environment and
vaccines, but none had been
shareholders. He took over on Oct.12, Kato said that he changing tax regimes.
reported and identified.
from Alan Shonubi, who would continue from where

Opposition set conditions for them to participate in national dialogue

After government accepted to participate Government’s Col Dr. Kizza Besigye, Gen. demands to the opposition? Who did they
in the national dialogue that has for long Mugisha Muntu of the New Formation consult?” a poster asked on twitter.
been mooted by several individuals and and Olara Otunnu who signed as a con- Also, the Deputy Government
groups including the Uganda Elders Forum cerned citizen asked that the agenda of the Spokesperson Col Shaban Bantariza said
and the Inter Religious Council of Uganda dialogue should be to address what they the opposition leaders ought not to delay
, opposition political parties issued their referred to as a national crisis. the dialogue because they are ones that
conditions to be fulfilled by the organizers if But after the release of this tough have been demanding it.
they are to take part. statement that had seven demands to be According to the roadmap, the process
In a joint statement signed by Democratic fulfilled, sections of the public came out to leading to the dialogue is set to be
Party’s Norbert Mao, Forum for Democratic criticize the move saying that the dialogue launched on Nov.21 and the dialogue will
Change’s Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Uganda shouldn’t be about parties and politicians happen next year.
People’s Congress Joseph Bbosa, People’s but all Ugandans. “Who gave those

eye Care Centre

Opticians
VillaGe Mall luGoGo Mall Garden City Mall
Bugolobi (On the 1st Floor) (Next to Game) (Next to Stanbic Bank)
+256 (0)41-4505 566 +256 (0) 41-4220 780 Ground floor
+256 (0)393 888 833 +256 (0) 392 264 422 +256 (0) 41-4237 700
Also open on Sundays 10:00am -2:00pm
+256 (0)392 265 500
downtown ViCtoria Mall enteBBe
KaMpala BranCh
(Plot 3 Johnstone Street)
+256 (0)717 227 066 / +256 (0)392 203 023
Also open on Sundays 11:00am-4:00pm
Free
Eye examination
+256 (0)41-4257 759 / +256 (0)393 264 400

Call: 0701/0712/0752/0772-786 400 E-mail: sales@eyecareug.com Website: www.eyecareug.com

4 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 Week

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian visit Uganda Kasese leaders clash

could feature. In one of the over splitting district
pictures from their visit, Kanye
is seen draped in the Uganda There was drama and chaos
flag as Kim and their children in a district council meeting
and entourage enjoy the sights in Kasese District on Oct. 14
and sounds of the park. Uganda after a resolution was passed
Tourism Board hailed the visit to create three new districts.
of the American celebrity cou- The LC5 chairman Geoffrey
ple as a milestone for Uganda’s Sibendire Bigogo, opposed
tourism. Kanye is one of Amer- the move causing more
ica’s leading rappers with hits tension among the councilors
like Heartless, Homecoming, who have long agitated for
American power couple; rap- week at Chobe Safari Lodge in Goodlife while Kim Kardashian new districts. The chairman
per Kanye West and his wife, Murchison Falls National Park. has arguably the most popular stated that the Speaker
reality television star Kim Kar- Kanye was in Uganda to shoot reality television show Keeping Geoffrey Bwerere erred in
dashian West, caused a social a music video and rumour was Up With Kardashians. endorsing the resolution of
media buzz when they spent a rife that some Ugandan artistes the council that approved
the creation of Bwera, Hima
and Nyamugasani districts.
UNRA to create skills development hub in Luweero The move has divided
district leaders including
Uganda National Roads to UNRA on Oct. 5 and for plan of UNRA’s broad plan MPs. District councilors were
Authority (UNRA) has taken the few months UNRA had of cutting down on resources returning from a one-month
over a plant operators train- taken over, 28 operators from spent on outsourcing person- consultation exercise when
ing centre in Luweero which KCCA, ministry of works nel. The centre has simulators one of them, Richard Bomera,
it plans to turn into a skills among others have been where engineers learn how moved a motion that the
development hub for mechan- trained, said Joseph Otim, to operate excavators, wheel Speaker subjects the motion
ics and other kind of equip- UNRA Director for Road loaders, and motor graders. of creating new districts to
ment operators. DFID, UK’s Maintenance. Otim added Adrian Green, an official from a vote. This was the second
international development that UNRA will manage it on DFID thanked the government time the issue has come up in
arm handed over the centre behalf of the road sector. It is of Uganda for its cooperation. a council meeting.

Journalist’s alleged murder tests US-Saudi relations

The disappearance and Khashoggi who was last accusations and has started
possible murder of Saudi seen entering the Saudi a joint probe with Turkey
journalist Jamal Khashoggi consulate in Turkey on Oct. into the disappearance of
has tested the relations 2. Saudi Arabia vowed to the journalist meanwhile
of traditional allies U.S. retaliate if any action is Trump is under pressure to
and Saudi Arabia. US taken against it. Reports take action. Khashoggi was
President Donald Trump suggest Khashoggi was a prominent journalist in the
said there would be “severe allegedly killed by Saudi Middle East who was very
punishment” if the oil-rich hit men inside the Saudi critical of the Saudi monarchy.
Saudi Arabia has something consulate in Turkey. Saudi He also wrote a column for
to do with the missing Arabia has denied the The Washington Post.

eye Care Centre

Opticians
aCaCia Mall KiseMenti
Tel: +256 (0)41-4581 458 / +256 (0)392 267 700
Also open on Sundays 11:00 am -6:00 Pm
Free
Eye examination
For: Sun Glasses
Free Eye examination Eye Pressure Examination
Large selection of frames Frame Repairs
Contact lenses & Solutions All optical Accessories

Call: 071/0712/0752/0772-786 400 E-mail: sales@eyecareug.com Kampala - Uganda

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 5

Week
Rules committee Namboole calls off Bobi Wine Kyarenga concert Solicitor General
asks Namuganza to booked for two other events
awards Shs270m
apologize to Speaker – a wedding and a workshop against police
by the Uganda Athletic
Lands State Minister Persis Federation and asked the The Solicitor General has
Namuganza has rubbished a legislator to choose another ordered the Uganda Police
report released by the parlia- Force to pay Shs270million to
date. Earlier, the Police had
Jasper Natukunda, a resident
mentary Committee on Rules, indicated that they had
of Rukungiri District as com-
Discipline and privileges that not yet issued clearance
pensation for torture meted
recommended that she either for the launch of the song
out on him by police officers.
apologizes to the speaker that became a hit around
“The purpose of this letter
Rebecca Kadaga or face sus- the same time Bobiwine is to forward the copy of the
pension for her behavior that and colleague members of judgment, decree and a certif-
they say insulted the office of The management of parliament were arrested icate of order against govern-
the speaker. Mandela National Stadium after a fracas in Arua that ment for your office to make
Namuganza who says the at Namboole has asked involved an alleged attack of arrangements to effect pay-
committee sidelined her and Kyaddondo East legislator the presidential motorcade ments in line with the cov-
never summoned the speaker Robert Kyagulanyi aka by supporters of then enant of decentralisation of
for interrogations said this Bobiwine to choose another candidate and now MP for payments for court/tribunal
report is baseless can find her date for his hyped Kyarenga Arua Municipality Kasiano awards and compensation
guilty of the offenses including concert that was supposed Wadri. to line ministries,” Solicitor
making false and derogatory to take place on Oct.20. They Bobiwine announced that General Francis Atoke wrote
statements against the speaker say the stadium has already he would hold a concert to the Inspector General of
and inciting the public against been booked for other at Namboole as soon as he Police Okoth Ochola recently.
the Kyabazinga William Gab- events on that day. returned from the US where The police had earlier denied
ula Nadiope by calling upon Jamil Ssewanyana Mpagi, he had been for treatment torturing Natukunda but lost
her constituents to chase him the Managing Director of the of the injuries he sustained the case in court to Natuku-
and the speaker away from the stadium said the venue is while in custody. nda and ordered that he be
area with stones. compensated.

Ultimark (U) Ltd Urgent

Stamps &
Authorized Dealer: Trodat Stamps & Trotec Laser Machines

trodat
Seals within

Introducing in Uganda
30 min

Stamps & seals

Made in Europe
Simple Steady Clean

Plot No.17,Shop No.NS 13/2 Madhvani Bldg, Nkrumah Road, Opp.Post Bank Kampala-Uganda | Tel:0754-262707,0757-777400 | Email:sales@ultimark.co

6 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

Humour Did you know?

Climate change will cause

beer shortages
President Yoweri Museveni has directed Finance Minister Matia Kasaija to have the Sure, the ice caps might be melting,
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Pius Bigirimana appointed to the Board of hundreds of animals could go extinct in the
Umeme, despite being rejected by the company’s shareholders. coming decades, and coral reefs might soon
be a thing of the past, but at least we can
enjoy a nice cool beer while climate change
wreaks havoc on our planet, right? We
wouldn’t count on it.
A new study, published today in Nature
Plants, has estimated that extreme drought
and heatwaves sparked by climate change
could dramatically decrease barley yields
across the world. As a result, we will see
global beer shortages, sharp falls in beer
consumption, and surges in beer prices.
Researchers estimate unmitigated climate
change has the potential to slash global beer
consumption by up to 16 percent, leading
to beer prices doubling on average. Even in
less extreme scenarios, beer consumption
could fall by 4 percent and prices will rise
by 15 percent. It also looks like beer prices
will spike the most in “relatively affluent
and historically beer-loving countries”
Two assistant inspectors of Police working at Entebbe International airport have been missing such as Belgium, the Czech Republic, and
for more than a week after they were grabbed by armed men in civilian clothes.
Germany.
“Many foods will experience a decline
in yield, but luxury goods will be more
sensitive to climate change impacts,” lead
UK author Dabo Guan, professor of climate
change economics at the University of East
Anglia, told IFLScience.
“For example, barley,” he added. “Only a
small fraction of good quality barley is used
to make beer, about 17 percent. The rest is
grown to feed animals. It’s this good quality
stuff usually used for beer that will be much
more vulnerable when the effects of climate
change happen.”
Professor Guan explained: “When
climate change really takes effect, poorer
populations in developing countries will
suffer the most due to problems with food
security. In richer developed countries,
we may also experience some hunger,
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has backed the directive by the Kampala Minister but it’s our lifestyles that will be seriously
Beti Kamya to halt the demolition of at least 537 illegal city buildings compromised.

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 7

Kanye, Kim Kardashian at state house
 The Last Word Opinion

The triumph of colonialism

By Andrew M. Mwenda
How European claims to promote `civilisation’ in
Africa remain the supreme aim of all our governments

O
ne of the most successful ideo- tion – which he termed “the grave digger ways. Most of Europe adopted systems of
logical projects in contemporary problem.” For Marx, the more successful its Roman conquerors. That Africans should
history has been European colo- the bourgeoisie are in their project of accu- seek to emulate European is not unique to
nialism, or what Marxists used mulation, the more they would produce a Africa or to this age.
to call imperialism. Vladimir Lenin called class, the proletariat, whose interests would However, the conflict between African
imperialism the highest stage of capitalism. be at conflict with the interests of capital. and Western elites, or between African elites
The growth of capitalism imposed certain Marx then predicted that at it’s most suc- today over governance reflects the great
demands on the European bourgeoisie. cessful, capitalism would destroy itself i.e. success of the colonial project. When Afri-
They needed to find new sources of raw the proletariat would rise and overthrow cans complain that our continent lacks good
materials for their industries, areas to invest the capitalists and take control of the means governance, they are saying African leaders
surplus capital, new markets for their man- of production. have fallen far short of the governance ideal
ufactured products and cheap labour. Marx’s prediction on capitalism failed in that we find in Europe. When Africans com-
However, this imperial aim needed an the economic sphere but succeeded in the plain that their countries are poor, they are
ideological justification. It could not be colonial world. Colonialism would inevi- saying they have not attained the levels of
justified with the self-interested economic tably educate Africans with the formal edu- economic development of Europe.
reasons above. Hence the European bour- cation of Europe; thereby exposing Africans Marx had predicted that capitalism would
geoisie presented colonialism to itself and to European (capitalist) ideals of civil liber- spread to “backward” societies through
its audiences at home plus to its victims in ties, self-government, equality, etc. a continual process of destruction and
“backward” societies as an altruistic mission Yet for a small foreign minority to rule replacement of their social structural and
for the benefit of the colonised; bringing the over a large native population, it required create replicas of the Europe. When one
three Cs i.e. Christianity, Civilisation and an ideology of racial superiority. Therefore, looks at the developing world today, you
Commerce. the more successful colonialism would be can only marvel at the precision of this pre-
Christianity was the spiritual emancipa- in Europeanising natives, the more it would diction. Many poor nations may not have
tion of native souls from devil worship, produce a class of African elites who would been transformed by capitalism to look like
civilisation European administrative and seek its overthrow. Europe; but the desire to achieve this is the
cultural enlightenment, and commerce African nationalist leaders at indepen- defining political aim in all of them.
was liberation of natives from poverty and dence were equally the most exposed to Indeed, the quarrel between African
misery and deliver them to economic pros- Western ideas. For the most part they had leaders and their Western critics is not over
perity. Colonialism consolidated in large grown to admire modern European life the aim. Rather it is over the adjustments
part because the colonised were ideologi- and equally despise traditional African that African leaders have to do domestically
cally won over to the belief that it was for life. Their ambitions to modernise Africa to make this colonial project work. Colonial
their good. were only equalled by the claims of the institutions evolved organically out of a
Today, all poor nations are involved in a colonialist to “civilise” the natives. The post- very specific historic experience in Europe,
struggle to achieve these colonial aims using colonial state has been overzealous in trying were nourished by a nutrient culture, norms
different words. What colonialism called to take the colonial project of civilisation/ and values. These were then transplanted
“civilisation” is what is today called devel- development to its logical conclusion i.e. to to Africa through colonial conquest and in
opment, Christianity gave way to a secular entrench these colonial aims using African the postcolonial period through foreign aid
religion called democracy and commerce personnel and legitimating the colonial programs and copying and pasting as “best
represents our obsession with international project domestically. practice.”
trade and foreign direct investment. Practi- However, the pursuit of development, However, often times these institutions
cally every country in the developing world democracy and good governance always do not fit our specific circumstances. It is
is engaged in a titanic struggle to achieve seems elusive for many African elites. This attempts to make these institutions fit the
these colonial goals. is a cause of political tension. Because Africa local context that explains the disagreement
The nationalist struggle for independence continues to lag far behind in achieving between African ruling elites on one hand
was not a rejection of the colonial project these goals, it reinforces racial superiority and African opposition groups and their
but rather the agency for its implementa- in Europe and entrenches racial inferiority Western cheerleaders on the other. Listen
tion. They argued that white elites were among Africans. Many African elites talk in to the criticism African elites make of their
hypocritical. They were not helping Africa derogatory fashion against African leaders. leaders and governments. Implicit in these
become like Europe. Instead they were This is because our nations fall short of the criticisms is that African leaders are not as
exploiting the continent for themselves. colonial ideal. In other words, this pursuit good as European leaders because they
The nationalist leaders for Africa’s indepen- of an ever-elusive goal has returned with a have failed to turn our nations into imita-
dence, therefore, did not seek to dismantle vengeance – it continues to reinforce colo- tions of Europe – rich, secular, rational and
the colonial state or even change its aims. nial racism. liberal democratic! 
Rather they sought to inherit it and use it to I am aware that throughout history, con- This is a slightly edited version of a speech
exploit Africa’s resources to achieve what quered peoples have adopted the systems I gave at the Egmont Institute in Brussels on
colonialism claimed was its mission – to and goals of their conquerors. Ancient the relations between Africa and Europe in
civilise Africa. Greeks had conquered parts of the Italian September 2018
Karl Marx had argued that capitalism peninsula and established Greek colonies
inherently carried the forces of self-destruc- there. The local Italians adopted Greek amwenda@independent.co.ug

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 9

cover story

Museveni’s
next cabinet
Which opposition politicians
are in and what awaits them

Beatrice Anywar talks to President

Museveni at a function.  NET PHOTO
10 Oct 19 - 25, 2018
 cover story

P
By Haggai Matsiko

resident Yoweri Museveni

might soon announce a new
cabinet lineup. That is the
expectation. And it is driven
by both recent events and re-
cent actions by the President.
Museveni also plans to shuffle his staff at
State House and permanent secretaries,
according to informed observers close to
State House.
They say Museveni has an established a
pattern which has now reached the cabinet
level.
They say Museveni reshuffles cabinet
after being sworn-in following an election
and again in the second half of his term.
Sometimes, he starts with a reshuffle of
security chiefs or Resident District Com-
missioners (RDCs).
That is why when he shuffled the RDCs
in June this year, many expected a cabinet
reshuffle to follow immediately after. But it
is now three months later and nothing has President Museveni chats with former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza and Anita Among.   NET PHOTO
happened. Insiders are unfazed. They say
a reshuffle is imminent. Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
They point at how Museveni’s influen- Observers say that to recapture the
tial younger brother; Gen. Caleb Akand- momentum from these events which are
wanaho aka Salim Saleh, recently moved now the talk of the town, Museveni’s
to what is being described as “remote might seek to poach prominent personali-
location”. They say this means Saleh is ties from their camps.
working on a sensitive assignment for the This strategy is favoured because of a
President. general view that Museveni’s ruling NRM
It is not a secret, among informed circles, party has failed to create a new strategy
that Saleh has for months been vetting leadership since the departure of once
potential candidates for cabinet. powerful Museveni confidante turned
As usual he has been alternating challenger; former Prime Minister Amama
between the Mutundwe-based Serene Mbabazi.
Suites and his other home in Kapeka,
Nakaseke district. Recently, however, Fight over opposition leadership
insiders say he moved to a more remote Sensing a vacuum in strategy, once writ-
location. ten off politicians like Democratic Party
This has sparked even more specula- (DP) leader Norbert Mao are moving swift-
tion. Saleh, insiders say, usually comes up ly to fill it. Mao has recently taken leader-
with a working draft of a cabinet list and Beti Kamya ship in the call for revival of the Interparty
President Museveni tweaks it to make the Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD). His
final list. strategy is clear enough – possibly emerge
In the past, Museveni has used cabinet as joint opposition presidential candidate
reshuffles to signal his political direction in 2021.
ahead of a major political fight or election. It is unclear, however, whether Muntu
Often he has used reshuffles to court politi- who is equally intent on being on the
cal support from certain geographical, presidential ballot in 2021 will let him. Or
tribal, or religious constituencies. He also indeed, Bobi Wine, who has a penchant for
used it to reward hardworking officials springing surprises.
and loyalists, and punish poor political Mao must also be eyeing Robert Kyagu-
performers. lanyi aka Bobi Wine keenly.
This time, however, the focus appears He sees a young Catholic; Uganda’s big-
to be on breaking the momentum created gest religious grouping, and with a family
by the determination of retired Maj. Gen. legacy in DP where both his father and
Mugisha Muntu to create a so-called grandfather were major players.
`third force’, the reshaping after Muntu’s Mao knows Bobi Wine is being seen as
departure of Uganda’s erstwhile biggest the biggest boost to the opposition owing
party, the Forum for democratic Change to his mobilisation prowess as a music
(FDC) and the perceived decline in vis- superstar.
ibility of FDC stalwart Kizza Besigye That was on show recently when he flew
and the emergence of “people power” Betty Amongin into neighbouring Kenya and drew mam-
and Kyadondo East MP Robert Sentamu moth crowds to the rallies of his host; Babu

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 11

cover story
Owino. He was feted by many young MPs mer Lands Minister Omara Otubo, who
and senators and many youth thronged used to belong to DP before he joined the
his main rally at Jakaranda in Mbakasi East NRM and was later dropped.
Constituency. Mao also warned that both Beti Kamya
Bobi Wine is also a Muganda, Uganda’s and Betty Amongin to tread carefully lest
biggest tribe. The 36-year old it appears is they walk the same road that Omara Atubo
the person to watch in 2021. And other poli- walked. Mao was writing at a time when
ticians; including Lord Mayor Erias Luk- Amongin was in trouble with the Justice
wago who sought to ride on DP into State Catherine Bamugemereire—led land probe.
House must be wary of him. Stephen Hippo Twebaze, a political
Muntu’s new formation is also expected researcher who has also worked closely
to appeal to some Ugandans who want with the ruling party leadership, says that
change but neither support Museveni nor Museveni appoints such opposition leaders
his major opponents like Besigye. into cabinet as either a form of recruitment
Insiders say Museveni’s upcoming or co-option.
reshuffle is expected to address all these He explained that under co-option,
challenges and put him in a better position Museveni appoints such politicians in order
to stay in power. to get them to follow a certain line, a certain
But even politicians of lesser political minimum programme. This, he says, has
ambition, such as UPC stalwart Joseph Abdu Katuntu another “unintended consequence” which
Bossa, are making demands on Museveni. is that “it weakens the opposition.”
“If Museveni means well for the country; “That is how the Kawanga Ssemwoger-
let him say we are forming a government ere’s (former DP President) ended up in
of national unity and under certain condi- government until they left,” Twebaze told
tions,” Bossa told The Independent, “If he The Independent, “so, this has not started
needs ideas from the opposition, these can today.”
be taken on board without poaching oppo- Hippo said Museveni, under recruit-
sition politicians.” ment, has used cabinet appointments to
Bossa warns opposition politicians lure opposition politicians into joining his
against joining Museveni because, he says, government and eventually ending up as
Museveni appoints members of the opposi- members of the ruling party.
tion into cabinet in order to cause confusion That is how former Vice President Gilbert
amongst his opponents. Bukenya, who previously belonged to DP,
He points at his own party UPC, from Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, who belonged to
where Museveni poached Betty Amongin, UPC, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, who also
the wife of one of the party leaders Jimmy belonged to UPC, the late former Tourism
Akena, to make this point. Minister, Maria Mutagamba (Democratic
“What this sort of thing does is it Party), among others, joined Museveni.
increases suspicion, bickering and weakens Another way to get in is to be a Saleh
the opposition,” Bossa noted, “People start favourite. That is how former Security Min-
looking over their shoulders saying if so Aggrey Awori ister Lt.Gen. Henry Tumukunde and Demo-
and so could do this, who can we trust?” cratic Party (DP) Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi,
“When people talk about moles in politi- the Minister of State for Youth and Children
cal parties, sometimes it is not empty state- Affairs, got in.
ments,” Bossa adds, “Coming from Lango,
married to the son of Obote, you will find Unclear targets
it difficult to stand openly as NRM, so you Based on this, it remains unclear what
stand as UPC but when you are not.” Museveni hopes to gain from his targets
Bossa explained that neither the coun- this time based on names that are doing the
try nor the opposition benefits from these rounds.
appointments. Former FDC member Beatrice Any-
“The ultimate beneficiaries of these war and FDC’s Anita Among and Abdu
appointments are Museveni and for a short Katuntu are mentioned. All have recently
time, the individual appointees,” he says. worked closely with Museveni.
Museveni also poached former FDC stal- But Katuntu appears to be the big fish
wart, Christopher Kibazanga, who joined in the pan. The FDC stalwart and Bugweri
the NRM in 2015. County MP Abdul is the chair of the pow-
In typical style, DP’s Mao likens a minis- erful parliamentary Committee on Com-
terial appointment in Museveni’s govern- missions, Statutory Authorities and State
ment to fool’s gold—pieces of iron pyrites, Enterprises (COSASE) and is reported to
which look a little like gold but is worth- have impressed Museveni in meetings
less. Norbert Mao and delivery of assignments. Among is his
In an article the Daily Monitor newspa- deputy. Observers say Museveni is keen to
per, Mao noted that Museveni ensnares political grave. reward them and co-opt them into govern-
vibrant leaders opposed to him, takes “The script is very familiar but his vic- ment.
them to the mountain top, shows them the tims real potential seem not to learn,” Mao But appointing Katuntu might bury
splendor they would inherit if only they writes. FDC which is already said to be weakened
worship him and then hurls them to their Amongst these victims, Mao listed for- by Muntu and a sizeable chunk of support-

12 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 cover story

Arua Municipality legislator Kassiano Wadri with Kyadondo East's Robert Kyagulanyi at a rally early this year

ers. However, Katuntu will not strengthen He advised them to tell the President: the Uganda Federal Alliance, was brought
NRM politically. “I will provide constructive criticism from in to work closely with Jennifer Musisi
Significantly, Katuntu has signaled he outside. Instead of getting into the system (the KCCA executive director) in fighting
will not be seeking re-election as MP in and I cannot speak my mind.” opposition politicians in the city leader-
2021. If that happens, then Katuntu will be He said opposition politicians who ship, including Lord Mayor Erias Luk-
a politician without an office or a constitu- cross to Museveni’s side are eventually left wago.
ency. And Museveni likes that type. They ‘detoothed’ or short-changed. “None of this has happened,” Awori
tend to be loyal to him, as the appointing “Even when you come out, you cannot says, “unfortunately, when you are inside
authority, and true work horses without speak out,” he said, “if you attempt you and you attempt to speak out, you will be
fear of voter backlash. They are also easy to can be accused of disclosing cabinet secrets labeled anti-government and an opportun-
dump once usefulness is exhausted. and can be prosecuted. ist.”
Former Samia Bugwe North MP, Aggrey “If you are not, everyone will say, look, As debate rages about likely new
Awori is an often cited example. Awori sour grapes. So, you are done in.” entrants, stakes are equally high for those
had been an outspoken critic of govern- Awori, however, explained the signifi- inside. In the last reshuffle, Museveni
ment belonging to the opposition Uganda cance of appointing opposition politicians dropped 35 ministers and appointed
Peoples Congress (UPC) party until 2006 for Museveni. He said it starts with assess- almost 40 new ones.
when he lost an election. In 2007 he started ing where the main opposition threat is. If Newcomers like Evelyn Anite, the
running errands for Museveni and in 2009 you look at that parliament today, he said, Northern Uganda Youth MP, were reward-
he was appointed Minister for ICT. He the loudest are the youth. So, if you want ed for moving a motion to declare Musev-
was, however, dropped two years later to ‘detooth’ the youth, you just make 50 eni the sole candidate for the ruling party
in 2011 and the 79-year old appears to be percent of cabinet youths and get all the ahead of the 2016 elections. She became
either in retirement or political limbo. top opposition leaders. Minister for Investment. Ndorwa East MP
In an interview with The Independent “Get a person like Bobi Wine and David Bahat also ended up the State Min-
he cautioned any potential Museveni appoint him minister of education,” he ister of Finance for Planning on the same
recruits. said. reward ticket.
“If you are serious and a visionary, you Then, he explained, through the Internal This time, the winners will be those with
have to say no,” he said. Security Organisation (ISO), Museveni can something to offer Museveni in his effort to
He advised them to tell Museveni that instigate revolts against him and deny him get re-elected come 2021.
they would like to help him but from out- resources. NRM Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa,
side government and not inside. Alternatively, when Museveni offers the West Budama legislator and the chairper-
“It is better to stay and fight out of appointment and an opposition politician son, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Com-
government than to join and be bound by turns it down, Museveni can tell voters mittee, Jacob Oboth-Oboth and Igara West
collective responsibility,” Awori told The that the politician “is “afraid of responsibil- legislator, Raphael Magyezi, look set to be
Independent. “It is very difficult to join ity.” rewarded this time. They pushed through
cabinet as opposition and change anything; As an example, Awori cited Beti Kamya, the controversial lifting of the age limit so
you will either come out bleeding or weep- the current Minister for Kampala. Awori that Museveni could run in 2021.
ing.” says Kamya, a founder and president of

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 13

NEWS ANALYSIS

Caption: Workers of Tibet-Hima drill a copper rich section of Kilembe Mines in Kasese, western Uganda, in 2015. The
government cancelled the Chinese consortium’s concession last year for breach of contract.   FILE PHOTO

Rio Tinto’s return

boosts Uganda mining
It’s a great coup for Sipa, say partners as deal
dominates meeting of experts from 40 countries
By Ronald Musoke ran from Oct.2-3 in Kampala. for business.

T
Richard Kaijuka, the board chairman Details indicate that Rio Tinto’s
he British metal and mining of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and exploration arm, in August, entered a
corporation, Rio Tinto, has Petroleum (UCMP) excitedly told joint venture agreement with Kampala-
signaled an interest in Uganda hundreds of delegates that the return based exploration firm, Sipa Resources,
in a move that is being seen as a to Uganda of the Anglo-Australian which is emerging as one of the
return of confidence. The news of Rio global mining giant with an asset base significant players in the magmatic
Tinto’s imminent return dominated the of US$90bn is a signal to the world that nickel/copper area.
2018 mineral wealth conference which the country’s mining industry is ready “Getting Rio Tinto to invest in

14 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 NEWS ANALYSIS
Uganda has been such a great coup for
Sipa,” said Lynda Burnett, the managing
director of Sipa Resources Ltd, “It’s
been a big issue for us, trying to get
people here to invest because people
still see Uganda as a very big risk to
invest.”
“Getting them here for us validates all
the money and work we have so far put
in,” said Burnett who flew 9500km from
Perth, Australia to attend the conference,
“We did not have the financial resources
and they have the resources to follow
up on good results.”
Rio Tinto has eyes on Sipa’s
Akelikongo discovery found in the
Kitgum-Pader area in northern Uganda.
This discovery, Sipa Resources’ experts
say, is emerging as one of the most
significant magmatic nickel/copper
discoveries made within the last few
years in eastern Africa.
Under the agreement with Sipa,
Rio Tinto will have the option to
earn an initial 51% interest in the
project by spending US$ 12 million on
exploration within the first five years. Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
The company could also choose to
increase its shareholding in the Kitgum-
The company before we eventually settled on northern
Uganda,” she told The Independent.
Pader project to 65% by spending an
additional US$ 15 million within a
could also Burnett said that given the fact that
Uganda is a landlocked country, “there
further three year period.
Rio Tinto is expected to contribute
choose to is need for lots of things to fall into
place to make mining economically
expertise and funding to the JV, increase its viable.”

shareholding in
while Sipa will continue to manage
exploration activities in the initial stages Chinese firm excites
of the JV leveraging off its extensive
and logistical experience operating in the Kitgum-Pader News of Rio Tinto’s return was
matched at the conference by reports of
Uganda.
Burnett said more exploration project to 65% the imminent commissioning in Uganda
of eastern Africa’s largest phosphate
companies should be coming to Uganda
if it is to become a high ranking mining
by spending an plant by Chinese investor, Guangzhou
Dongsong Energy Group Company Ltd.
giant on the continent.
“Exploration as a business can be a
additional US$ The conference was organised by
the Uganda Chamber of Mines and
big income earner for Uganda, but that
will not just happen,” she said.
15 million within Petroleum under the theme, “Eastern
Africa: The continent’s next mining
According to her, the government a further three and investment haven,” and attracted

year period
needs to encourage more exploration delegates from over 40 countries.
companies into the country so that the Top executives from Guangzhou
odds of mineral discovery can be raised Dongsong Energy Group led by Jane
and revenue from the mineral sector Guo, the Chief Executive Officer,
sustained. announced that their long awaited
“The more investors come in here to phosphate fertiliser plant in the eastern
explore, the more chance there will be “This is your window to the world,” Ugandan town of Tororo is ready for
of finding deposits but in the meantime, she said. launch this October.
these companies would be spending “If you can download the mineral Estimated to cost US$ 620 million, the
money investing here.” policy and other things that you can fill polymetallic project is designed to start
“Everything is in place but a big part out in order to pick a licence, so that by producing phosphate fertilizers and
of it is a lack of connection of what is you don’t have to come here to do just later steel and other products. Guo said
already here and the outside world,” those sorts of things would be quite Dongsong is investing in an integrated
she said, “Having a website with handy. It makes it easier to take that mine with phosphates, iron ore and rare
information that people can buy or view extra step.” earth elements.
gives some knowledge of what is in the Burnett was speaking from The plan, she said, is to build a
country in terms of minerals.” experience. Way back in 2013 when separation plant, where raw ore will be
For starters, she said, the DGSM her company was looking for countries processed to get phosphate concentrate.
needs to be self-funded and have a in the region to explore, they did The phosphate concentrate will go to the
vibrant and attractive website for everything from scratch. fertiliser plant to manufacture organic
investors. “We basically collected data on fertiliser while the iron concentrate will

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 15

NEWS ANALYSIS
be sent to the steel mill to produce steel. will not be cancelled unjustly,” she said,
Should the phosphates factory be “The current legislation actually has
commissioned this month, it will mechanisms for that but I know that the
be added onto the US$ 30 million new one will be stronger and I find that
ceramics factory that was opened by exciting.”
President Yoweri Museveni in Luweero “The current legislation is clear
in September and the three cement procedurally but if I were to complain,
factories (grinding stations) that were it would have to be about import tax on
also launched early this year in eastern exploration equipment because when
Uganda. These feed the narrative that you are investing in exploration, you
Uganda’s mineral sector is ready for are not making any money really,” she
takeoff. This is exactly what Zachary said, “Until you find anything, you
Baguma, the interim head at the don’t make any money. We pay a lot in
Directorate of Geological Survey and bringing this equipment here.”
Mines told the delegates during the For Alain Goetz, the Chief Executive
opening of the conference on Oct. 2. Officer of African Gold Mining Refinery
Baguma said Uganda’s numerous Limited, eastern Africa’s only gold
metallic minerals including; copper, Richard Kaijuka refinery, one of the things that need to
cobalt, tungsten, beryllium, columbite- fall into place is probably the “negative
tantalite, gold, lead and zinc, lithium, press and civil society” which have
tin, iron ore, platinum, uranium and made his gold refining business in
rare earth metals alongside vast deposits Entebbe a bit hard at times.
of industrial minerals such as; marble, He also finds the certification of
limestone, phosphate, vermiculite, minerals like gold coming out of the
kaolin, bentonite, diatomite, glass sands, Great Lakes region of Africa more
salts, pozzolona, dimension stones “theoretical and quite cumbersome” for
and gemstones lying underground the hundreds of thousands of illiterate
in millions of tonnes could fetch the miners in the region.
country as much as US$ 20,437 billion as “We want to have a system which is
per the directorate’s total reserves value more practical, cheaper and is easy for
of the minerals. African miners to operate,” he told The
Baguma said the country has high Independent.
potential for economic minerals and For Nicolas George, the Chief
the recently concluded geological Executive Officer of Hima Cement, a
survey and airborne geological surveys subsidiary of Lafarge Holcim, a French
revealed more mineral resources and cement conglomerate, Uganda’s tax
targets for gold, iron ore, platinum, Irene Muloni environment is always not in favour
nickel, uranium and bentonite. of local manufacturing or mining
companies.
Positive results mine. George explained that, for instance,
Yet, judging by talk from some of the “Because of the risks involved in Hima’s unique large scale cement
executives of exploration companies exploration, you can get positive results integrated plant in western Uganda
already doing work in the field, it in say, 58 out of 60 steps and at step which uses local raw material is subject
appears Uganda should even be earning 59, you realise that the project is not to higher tax/royalties than simple
millions of dollars from exploration feasible,” she said, “But we are taking grinding plants which transform
activities alone. a risk on Uganda and as we continue imported semi-finished products.
Jennifer Hinton, the director East getting good results, we will continue By the end of the conference, Richard
Africa Operations M2Cobalt, an investing here.” Kaijuka had seen the challenges that the
exploration company that is exploring Hinton told The Independent that government needs to confront head on
cobalt in various parts of Uganda told the company’s challenge so far has to make Uganda’s mineral sector roar.
The Independent that her company is so been uncertainty in Uganda’s mining “We are convinced that once Uganda
far excited about the results they have industry. invests in thorough exploration, world
found. “You don’t want a royalty or tax class discoveries would be made,” he
M2Cobalt has exploration licenses provision that changes in three years said, “If we have value addition on
through Ugandan affiliated companies after you have built an economic the selected 10 minerals cluster, the
in Mityana, Mubende, Kasese, Kiboga, model,” she said, “When you think potential and income generated for
and Bunyagabo straddling over 16,000 of international investors, they will Uganda would exceed what we expect
sq km. take their money where there is from oil and gas.”
“We have had positive results to predictability and certainty in addition Meanwhile, Rio Tinto was last in
invest more money and continue to to geology.” Uganda in 2007 when it attempted
explore and identify more areas to But she quickly noted that the to invest in Uganda’s vermiculite in
quantify results,” she said. ongoing policy and legal reform eastern Uganda.
But she also tempered the Ugandans’ process is quite progressive in terms Half a century earlier, it had also
expectations noting the risks that of encouraging both local and foreign shown interest in Uganda’s copper in
usually come with mineral exploration. investors. western Uganda. On both occasions,
Hinton said on the international mining “Basically what we need is certainty, however, Rio Tinto exited the country
scene, only about one in 10,000 projects predictability and fairness. If you have quietly. This time, many hope it will
actually develops into a fully-fledged a license, you want to be sure that it stick around for some time.

16 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 news analysis

A man jumps across a

shallow part of the Sume
River in the eastern
village of Wanjenwa, in
Uganda’s Bududa district,
on Oct.13; a few days
after the river burst its
banks. At least 41 people
were killed after the
river burst its banks.

Residents look at the

damage after the Suume
River burst its banks in
the eastern village of
Wanjenwa, in Uganda’s
Bududa district, on
Oct.13/   AFP

Damaged housing is
seen after the landslide
triggered by heavy rains
in Bududa, Uganda

Museveni and PM
Rugunda walk to
the Bududa disaster
scene.   PHOTO PPU

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 17

NEWS ANALYSIS

An excavator removes debris from the banks of the Tsume River on Oct. 12 banks in the eastern village of Nanyinza,
Bududa district. The river burst its banks sparking mudslides that killed at least 40 people.   AFP photo

Bududa mudslide victims of lies

Why the weakest link for them are Justine Khainza, the Woman MP for
unfulfilled government promises Bududa district, who was involved in
rescue activities with the district disaster
management committee which was led
By Ian Katusiime was in his house with two children when he by the Chief Administrative Officer, said

J
saw it filling with water and realised it was residents in Bukalasi described it as a “huge
ust before death struck Bukalasi a mudslide. He and the children survived
village on Oct.11, there was a bomb”. Disaster and death followed within
by scampering to the roof of his rather minutes.
prolonged afternoon drizzle. It was robust house. Others were not so lucky.
the light type, and easily ignored by And unlike past landslides which were
Many died in the villages of Tsuume, blamed on human depletion of tree cover
residents who are used to heavier rain. Nnayinza, Namakira, Nyekhr,
Bududa is generally rain country with from the mountain slopes, this one started
Malanda, Shishambwa, Nanyenga, and deep in the forests.
up to eight out of twelve months of the Bunamwamba. According to Oct.15
year typically wet. But the south-eastern Wilson Wotira, the LC 5 Chairman of
estimates, about 40 people died. Bududa district, told The Independent that
tip, where Bukalasi is, gets the most rain – An MP from the neighbouring area,
sometimes 50% more than other areas of the seasonal River Tsuume whose source
Watenga Nabutanyi representing Lutseshe is in Mt. Elgon National Park flooded,
this already wet zone. County, said rescue efforts were hampered
And, although October is not one of the unleashing a torrent of rocks and mud that
because the landslide originated deep in the ravaged schools, homes, shops including
wettest months, any rain often finds the forest.
soil already soaked to breaking point by a trading centre called Malandu-Naposhi.
“We tried to reach there but in vain,” This is where the landslide found most of
the August and September heavy rains. But he said and described how trees that
residents know that the slow prolonged its victims.
were swept by the landslide increased Wotira says the landslide has puzzled
rain, as was falling that afternoon, is the its intensity and how some of the dead
most dangerous. Unfortunately, they can them.
perished in shanties they were sheltering in “We are yet to establish the real cause
never tell when it will turn fatal. because it was a market day.
That is what struck Paul Saleh, whose of this disaster. We have not yet had any
Many of the survivors say they first heard specialists to help us understand what
story has been one of the most reported. He a loud crack, like something exploding.

18 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 NEWS ANALYSIS
from the health centre was not safe. “It is to their homes in Bukalasi. Then the
too narrow and slippery; we may end up government released up to Shs8 billion to
injuring the patients more.” buy 2,828 acres of land in nearby Bulambuli
More landslides expected district for about 5,000 displaced families.
But ownership wrangles erupted and
According to experts, Mt. Elgon was people have never been relocated. Now
millions of years ago higher that Mt. the government says it has resolved the
Kilimanjaro which today is considered the wrangles and it is ready to relocate people
highest mountain in East Africa. However, soon.
Mt. Elgon’s height has been gradually but Khainza says apart from the
consistently been undercut by landslides – encumbrances on the land, it is water
and it is not about to stop soon. logged.
According to some reports, there have “No person has gone there,” she said.
been up to 67 landslides in Bududa so far Area leaders appear unhappy that the
this year – that is about six landslides per Office of the Prime minister which procured
month. People die in many of them and the land did not involve local leaders.
property, including farms of banana, coffee, Land is an emotive subject in Bududa
and vegetables are ruined. district which is generally an area of small
Apparently, when it rains, most of this habitable land teeming with a projected
rain is soaked in by the unstable mix of population of about 200,000 people. And
thick and sticky volcanic red soils and Bukalasi is the most densely populated area
brownish sandy soils in the area. The stage among the mountain edge sub-counties of
for tragedy is set because this area sits Bundesi, Bukulusi, and Bushiyi.
on parent rock which is very near to the MP Nabutanyi says he visited the land
surface. That is a bad combination. and it was clear the government had a
The slopes in Bukalasi are not the physical plan.
steepest but the area sits high up, at 4,600ft “People are willing to move but there is
above sea level in the Mt. Elgon area of no money from government.”
eastern Uganda’s border with Kenya while
most of Uganda is at 3,600ft and gravity Rescue effort hampered
easily applies – pulling everything down.
The injured who were rushed to
Bukalasi properly sits at the extreme
Bukalasa Health Centre III had to endure
south-east tip of the district, right at the
more pain because the centre lacks a
edge of the mountain. In reality, it is as if
scan. It was the same for those who were
people here park their lives down the slope
happened. Right now, we are using the recommended for an X-ray because they
of the mountain without any breaks on.
forces; the army and police to go into the had to be transferred to Bududa Hospital.
So it does not surprise experts that the clay
forest to help us with the search for bodies,” Unfortunately, roads were cut off causing
sometimes combines with masses of rock
he explained. more disarray.
and weathered debris as it rolls down in
By Oct. 13, Uganda Wildlife Authority Khainza says the situation is almost
a muddy porridge that spreads mayhem,
(UWA) rangers were among the search and helpless. “We need a helicopter, the hands
destruction, and death.
rescue teams in the Mt. Elgon National Park of the medical workers are tied. Each village
In 2010, Bukalasi sub-county witnessed
which is at the heart of the affected area. needs a water tank,” she said.
the worst landslide disaster on record in
Wotira told The Independent on Oct. 13 Khainza says sanitation is even direr.
Uganda. Up to 365 people perished when
that the teams helping with relief efforts “We need mobile toilets otherwise cholera
mud, rock boulders and debris rolled down
had allowed people to start burying the may emerge because we may not be able to
on Nametsi village in the same area.
dead as they waited for more emergency contain the open defecation. It could turn
Failed relocation out to be a health disaster.”
relief. They were also re-opening roads
leading to the scene in preparation for When President Yoweri Museveni visited She told The Independent that 144
evacuation efforts. the area on Oct.14 after the latest disaster, he households had been affected, 13 people
The landside washed away two reminded residents of the shadow of death admitted at Bukalasi Health Centre III, and
classrooms at Tsuume Junior Academy, a that hangs over them. 2 at Bududa Hospital on the second night
private school in the area and flattened a “In 2010 I told you to relocate but you after the landslide struck.
church, Wotira narrated. thought I was telling lies,” he said; “I She says relief from government was
The calamity has left Bukalasi sub- think you now know that I was telling the coming in slowly as those displaced waited
county, the epicenter of the affected area in truth.” He advised residents to agree to be for blankets, tarpaulins, saucepans and
ruins and in need of emergency help. relocated. But that is unlikely to happen. much more. The latest landslide has again
Wotira says it is difficult to ascertain the According to some analysts, this is mainly put government on the spot in terms of its
extent of the damage in terms of area but because of two interrelated reasons; first, planning and priorities.
says roughly 7km from both banks of River the government rarely fulfills pledges it As a high risk area, critics have pointed
Tsuume have been affected. makes whenever disaster strikes, and two, out that the government should budget
The landslide occurred a day before78 residents do not trust the government. and appoint expert committees who
students in Senior Four at Bukalasi S.S. were After the 2010 disaster, the government should have well laid contingency plans
set for a briefing for the national Uganda failed to relocate people immediately. It due to the recurrence of the landslide.
Certificate of Educations (UCE) exams. relocated the first 600 families who were Martin Owor, the Commissioner for relief
They have since been relocated to another relocated four years later in 2014 and and disaster preparedness in OPM said
centre to sit their exams. moreover in Kiryandongo, which is over it is time the ministry of finance set aside
As the rescue effort raged, Khainza was 300kms away. The project suffered further funds to cater to Bududa.
afraid a makeshift bridge which had been setbacks as most of those relocated returned
quickly put together to transfer patients

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 19

news analysis

Media censorship
under Museveni
How the Ugandan media has borne
the brunt of censorship for decades
By Geoffrey Ssenoga violence is an almost daily threat. of African democracy with all the

T
Uganda is now ranked 117th out of freedoms it entails.
he world watched in 180 countries in Reporters Without
outrage recently as Reuters Borders’ 2018 World Press Freedom The period of hope
photojournalist, James Akena, Index, five places lower than in 2017. In 1990 four years after Museveni
was clobbered by three soldiers Uganda has a long history of media came to power the country was still
on the streets of Uganda’s capital censorship. The country’s first post- experiencing a new political dawn. A
Kampala in full view of television independence head of government, Danish-produced documentary (still
cameras. Akena was covering the Milton Obote who became prime available in the archives of Uganda
demonstrations for the release of minister in 1962, banned the Broadcasting corporation television),
Robert Kyagulanyi, a member of intellectual Rajat Neogy’s Transition then investigating the depth of
parliament and pop singer also known magazine. Idi Amin overthrew Obote freedom of the press in Uganda, was
as Bobi Wine. in 1971 - during his regime, key clearly enthralled.
Yoweri Museveni, who has been journalists disappeared without trace. The narrator exclaimed that: A free
the East African country’s president The press was a central target press in Africa, a rare thing in Africa.
for the past 32 years, tried to explain during the second Obote government Until the mid-1980s Uganda had
away the attack. He said he had been between 1980-1985 and its military been a political basket case. Mere
informed that it was a case of mistaken successor. Museveni’s rise to power differences of political opinion and
identity – Akena had been mistaken in 1986 was met with relief. It’s free expression were deathly taboos.
for a camera thief. almost quaint to think back to a time But the new political class that toppled
But for many in the media this was when Uganda, under a newly elected the autocratic regimes of Obote and
nothing new, as intimidation and Museveni, was held as a paragon General Tito Okello announced the

20 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 news analysis
arrival of a new dawn.
As the then youthful Museveni was
sworn in as the head of state on the
steps of the parliamentary buildings
in early 1986, he declared: This is
not a mere change of the guard but a
fundamental change.
The Danish documentary featured
one of the rising stars in the media
firmament, then editor of the
respected (now defunct) Weekly Topic,
Charles Onyango Obbo. He spoke
on camera about the trustworthiness
of the new political class, because
“many of them come from liberal
backgrounds”.
In fact many of the new political
class were hardliners on the left.
Obbo’s editor-in-chief Wafula
Oguttu was just as effusive about
the future of a free press. He pointed
out that it was guaranteed under the
Ugandan constitution and it could not
be desecrated.

Reversal of freedoms
But things started changing for write favourable stories and to ignore
the worse in the mid-1990s. This the controversial issues. Kazibwe
included the government shutting says that there are incidences where
down media platforms, legal threats,
the infiltration of newsrooms by
Despite all the these powerful organisations have
arm-twisted media organisations to
security spies, thuggery, intimidation,
and withholding of advertising from threats and sack certain journalists because they
believe they are out to collapse their
institutions deemed to be critical of
the government. challenges, the companies.
Fast forward to 2018. Despite
As respected Ugandan radio host
and media scholar, Samuel Kazibwe media in Uganda Museveni’s flimsy excuse for the
assault on the Reuters’ photographer
said, in addition to political pressure,
economic pressure, an oppressive legal continues – the reason was clear: It is part of
an ongoing and systematic form of
regime and even cultural or religious
factors, the main censor has become to tackle censorship designed to stifle freedom
of the press in Uganda.
the political one because it even has
the capacity to close a media house controversial Tackling issues
without following any legally laid
down rules and procedures. issues and Despite all the threats and
challenges, the media in Uganda

break big stories

Some notable examples stand out. continues to tackle controversial issues
In 2009 four radio stations, including and break big stories of corruption

of corruption
Kazibwe’s CBS radio were closed down and abuse of power. Nation TV’s
for a year. Owned by the Buganda On the Spot, NBS TV’s Frontline,
monarchy, the largest of Uganda’s Capital Radio’s Capital Gang, and
four kingdoms, CBS radio had given Radio Simba’s Gasimbaganye ne
full coverage of riots in Kampala and Bannamawulire, as well as CBS
neighbouring towns following the Radio’s current Affairs programmes
central government’s restriction on continue to court politically
Buganda’s prime minister travelling occupied by police and closed down. controversial topics. They host
to a culturally contested part of the Government also regularly takes government critics and civil rights
kingdom. journalists to court. Obbo appeared activists who openly speak out.
The government closed the station, in court 45 times between 1997 and The president also allows press
alongside other stations, claiming that 1999. Commercial threats are also conferences where probing questions are
they were fanning insecurity in the used. Oguttu accused the government asked which continue to at least afford
country. of deliberately denying their paper a semblance of press freedom in the
In 2013 the independent Daily adverts right from its infancy in 1993. country in spite of the lurking iron fist.
Monitor was shut down for more than And then there are the bribes.
a week after publishing a letter alleging Research has highlighted censorship Geoffrey Ssenoga is a lecturer of Mass
that Museveni was grooming his son that takes the form of bribes – Communications, Uganda Christian
to succeed him. Its sister radio stations nicknamed “brown envelopes”. These University
KFM and Dembe Radio were also are often doled out to journalists to

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 21

interview

We’ll not change approach,

says new ActionAid boss
Xavier Ejoyi is the new Executive Director of ActionAid
Uganda. He talked to The Independent’s Ronald
Musoke about his expectations for the new role.

I
How has the settling in gone so far? India for two years. I, therefore, understand us as “non-political” because the work we
t’s gone on very well. I am still learning what it means to advocate for human rights do is political in nature. What is clear is that
different things but the people here have issues at an international level. Before I ActionAid is a non-partisan organisation
been very supportive.This is a 36-year came to ActionAid, I worked with the US but the issues that we deal with are political
old organisation and my induction into Agency for International Development in nature. Inequality and accountability are
it over the last few weeks is just a scratch on (USAID). Its systems are different so, I also political in nature. We are working with and
the surface. come with the experience of working in the standing with the poor, the marginalized
international development field. However, or those who are at the receiving end
You have come in at a time when govern- I also come here with the humility of know- of injustice and ours is just a process of
ment scrutiny of civil society agencies like ing that this organisation stands for certain facilitating these people.They should
ActionAid Uganda has increased. Why values. I am, therefore, here to learn how we not be passive
did you join an organisation that is con- can address issues of inequality, injustice recipients of
stantly confronting the government on its and poverty.
accountability and democratic governance
credentials? ActionAid describes itself as a
I don’t know what you mean by “con- non-political, non-religious
frontation” but I joined this organisation organisation but it also says
principally on account of the work and it takes keen interest in
values it stands for. ActionAid stands for government accountability
defeating poverty, injustice and inequality. to the public. How
These are values I identify with. But profes- do you go about this
sionally also, I know that as a development mandate without being
actor, that is something that is endearing to misinterpreted by the
me. I want to speak for the poor, the government?
marginalized and those at the I don’t think it is
receiving end of injustice. proper to
describe
With your 17 years’
experience work-
ing with both
local and
international
civil society,
what exactly
do you bring
to ActionAid
Uganda?
First, I have
worked with
fairly diverse
organizations. I
started my career
as a bare-foot class-
room teacher, if you
like, in war-ravaged
Bundibugyo District.
I know what conflict
and poverty do to
people. I also worked
with the Common-
wealth Human
Rights Initiative in

22 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 interview
development assistance. They are actors returns to the NGO Bureau and we are unfreezing of our accounts by the differ-
as citizens and they have a role to play in audited annually. Our books are open ent state organs shows that there was no
changing their destiny and that is what we and we share our returns and reports. But criminal intent found. It is more than a year
facilitate. Our work is clear; we engage in most importantly, we are very keen to be since the security operatives raided this
dialogue; we engage in public advocacy, accountable to the poor and marginalized place. Those authorities that were involved
we engage in anti-corruption campaigns, whom we speak for because it is on this owe Ugandans an explanation of how far
and we do so unapologetically because we basis that we get our mandate. they have gone with their investigations.
believe that corruption does not pull people You can imagine the staff who worked here
out of poverty, instead it sinks them deeper You say that everything you do is on be- back then, how distressful those allegations
into poverty. So our advocacy against half of the marginalized Ugandans but, were—that they were promoting this and
corruption is important and I don’t think when do you ever consult them? that—yet these people wake up every day
ActionAid or any other person should We do so in many ways. We have a driven by only one professional commit-
apologise for that. national board drawn from a distinct mem- ment: Changing lives of Ugandans.
bership from the Ugandan public. Every
So why do you think your role is misun- year, there is an Annual General Assembly, How do you intend to avoid such a sce-
derstood by some state actors? and the board reports to the AGM. That is nario from happening again?
I guess that should be answered by those not the end. In every community we work, ActionAid is not driven by scrutiny from
who misunderstand us. However, there that community has a voice. That is what anybody. We are driven by the develop-
are people who think that citizen-focused gives us the voice of the people. ment challenges that Ugandans face. So
organisations such as ActionAid and what can only change the way ActionAid
citizens by extension should not be asking does its work is the aspiration of Ugandan
questions about those who allocate resourc- citizens. But as long as poverty, injustice,
es, or misappropriate resources meant for We believe that we issues of accountability are at the centre of
the welfare and services to citizens—that is it, ActionAid will continue doing its work.
a misunderstanding. So, if ActionAid comes need to be accountable Your question presupposes that ActionAid
up and says Shs 400 million was allocated to Ugandan citizens who did something terribly wrong for the raid
to this primary school and it is not here; are at the receiving end to happen. But that is not how we read it.
what happened to this money? And who So we will not change any approach to our
is behind this misappropriation? These of poverty and injustice work.
hard questions inconvenience some people
who by the way have inconvenienced the What do you say to some of your detrac-
citizens. That is when they say ActionAid is ActionAid has over the last six years ral- tors who keep saying that some of your
now political. But I say, this is a misconcep- lied Ugandans to engage in the anti-cor- activities are supported by foreign inter-
tion. ruption campaign known as Black Mon- ests who don’t wish Uganda well?
day. What have you achieved so far? As I said, our values are very clear and
How are you going to ensure that you are It’s interesting that even before I came we, among others, are transparent. Yes,
accountable to Ugandans, to the govern- here, I was already part of the Black Mon- ActionAid gets support from different
ment and to your other partners you work day Movement. It is a call for Ugandans to organizations (abroad) but even Ugandans
with? say that we are tired of corruption and we contribute to our work financially. We
Throughout our work, ActionAid need to do something—even if it is sym- actually have an ongoing solidarity appeal
believes in transparency. We believe that bolic. So you do not need to be in ActionAid and anyone can enroll for it and contribute
we need to be accountable to Ugandan to identify with Black Monday. But I must whatever amount to the work of ActionAid,
citizens who are at the receiving end of quickly add that Black Monday is just one especially if you think that the issues that
poverty and injustice. People who work approach among many that ActionAid is we champion are the ideas you believe in.
here are deliberately and carefully drawn engaging Ugandans in the fight against cor- So you can contribute as little as Shs5000.
from different parts of this country and so is ruption. The achievement out of this is that Our work is defined by Ugandan citizens—
our governing board. Secondly, we are also many Ugandans are now able to say, “By the desire to ensure that our citizens get
accountable to our donors and many other the way, what is going to happen to our tax- a just and equal Uganda that is free from
partners in Uganda. These organisations are es?” “This school does not have a roof, what oppression. This is the country that Ugan-
championing issues of education, issues of happened?” We now hear many Ugandans dans believe in and that is what defines us.
gender equality and anti-corruption. We are asking those questions, instead of just keep-
accountable to these organizations because ing quiet and thinking it is the politicians Looking ahead, what do you reckon will
we have signed memoranda of understand- who have to talk about these things when be your biggest challenge working with
ing and we implement activities with them. they themselves are at the receiving end. ActionAid Uganda?
Three, as ActionAid, we also recognise that So broadly, Black Monday Movement was The biggest challenge in Uganda today,
the government is an impor- just one of the approaches that ActionAid not just for ActionAid but for many other
tant actor as a regulator Uganda used to address an issue that is so civil society organisations that stand for
in this country and dear to the organisation. citizen voices, is the continued shrinking
we are account- of political and civic space for citizens to
able to them. In September last year, police raided your engage. This is a challenge. It means that
We file offices and confiscated electronic equip- the challenges that we are trying to facilitate
annual ment and also froze your bank accounts, by working with Ugandans to address are
an act that ground your programmes going to continue. Gender based violence
around the country. What do you make of is on the increase in Uganda. Corruption is
these allegations? going to blow in our faces. We appeal to the
You should know that the allegations government to ensure that citizens are able
that were brought against ActionAid to express themselves relating to how they
were criminal in nature; meaning that the are governed.

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 23

feature

Technology and
home languages
Marrying them in school boosts maths and science learning
By Mmaki Jantjies pupils better understand concepts. to switch between languages. My

T
I set out to evaluate the role of research showed that it helped
echnology, like mobile apps language in mobile maths and science children grasp maths and science
and online learning platforms, learning platforms like apps and concepts much quicker. This suggests
is becoming an increasingly websites. The aim was to enable that schools in the country should
important teaching tool all over pupils’ access to mobile learning consider offering mobile learning
the world. That’s also true in emerging resources for maths and science technology in multiple languages to
markets; accessible technologies can subjects. I also wanted to see whether help pupils learn better in subjects like
essentially be used to take information providing this technology in pupils’ maths and science.
and digital resources into remote, home languages would enhance their
rural and under-resourced schools. learning experience. Testing an app
But is this technology useful if I found that providing the mobile The study was conducted with
it’s not also provided in diverse teaching tools in multiple languages teachers from urban, rural and peri-
languages? In subjects like maths and increased pupils’ engagement with urban schools in South Africa’s
science, pupils must have a certain their work. My research was done in economic hub, Gauteng, and the
level of competency to comprehend South Africa where language use in neighbouring North West province.
and effectively respond to tasks. schools remains a contentious issue. More than 90 pupils were involved.
Extensive research shows how I tracked the use of an app I’d The study was conducted over three
important language is in helping developed that allowed children years, and pupils’ and teachers’

24 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 feature
I developed the app in collaboration one language. This helped pupils who
with teachers and subject heads, struggled with English.
allowing them to tailor the content In the second study, pupils said
to their teaching plan so they could they valued being able to learn on
practice blended learning. This refers the go through their mobile phones.
to the combination of technology They enjoyed having mobile phones
and traditional lessons as part of the integrated into classroom teaching and
teaching and learning process. learning. Those in the urban school
One of the app’s key features was weren’t overly concerned with having
the ability to support code-switching another language option; they spoke
– the switch between two languages English competently and also said
or more as a form of communication English had more social capital than
by bilingual or multilingual speakers. other languages.
Code-switching can be used to enable Those in the rural and peri-urban
a better understanding of concepts, schools, meanwhile, found it very
especially where pupils have not helpful to be able to switch between
been able to fully grasp the teaching Setswana and English to help them
language. For example, the app allows grasp tricky concepts.
pupils to switch between English
and Setswana content. Setswana Where to next
and Sepedi were the most common My findings reflect the need for
home languages among the pupils we both ongoing support and training
worked with. for teacher technology education in
schools. This will help them – and
The results their pupils – to really benefit from
Once each phase of use of the technology in this digital era. It’s
app was finished, teachers were also a valuable way to equip pupils
interviewed and, in a separate study, with basic computer literacy and the
pupils were also asked about their confidence to effectively use online
experiences. and offline technology resources to
Some of the teachers said they learn.
didn’t feel confident using technology And language must not be ignored
in their classrooms. They wanted to as a crucial factor. If technology is
be trained to integrate technology into to have a positive effect, inclusion is
teaching and learning. Many reported key. By offering pupils educational
that they thought of technology as technology in their own languages,
an additional task rather than as you’re also providing good context
experiences were evaluated several something that could support their and boosting their learning.
times. current work and resources. Now that the research project is
Each school was able to use an Despite this, the teachers we worked complete, I am developing material
adaptive mobile learning app, called with were enthusiastic about the app for a Massive Open Online Course for
Mobile Thuto (that’s the Setswana and about the idea of working more teachers. This will guide them through
word for “learning”). The app with technology. They enjoyed helping embedding open education technology
provides text book resources, practice their pupils to interact with the tasks in their lessons.
exercises, quizzes and teachers class set out by the app, and wove these
notes for mathematics and science tasks into their lessons.
subjects for children in grades 10, 11 The teachers found it useful that Mmaki Jantjies is Senior Lecturer,
and 12. the app was available in more than University of the Western Cape

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 25

rwanda

Rwanda’s Mushikiwabo elected

to head top Francophone body
By Independent team wearing a smile on her face. Francophonie in the world’s politics and

R
“An African secretary general would business.
wanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, make a lot of sense, and a female African Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of
Louise Mushikiwabo, has been candidate would make even more sense,” the African Union Commission, said that
unanimously elected as the next French President Emmanuel Macron said of Mushikiwabo’s victory is a “great pride for
Secretary General of the Organisa- Mwishikiwabo on May 23, after a meeting Africa and for Rwanda.”
tion of the French speaking nations (OIF). with his Rwandan President Paul Kagame. “I am delighted that the African candi-
The elections were held on Oct.12 in in Yere- “Louise Mushikiwabo has all the skills for date Mushikiwabo is elected by consensus
van – the capital City of Armenia during the the job, and having an African candidate is and by acclamation. This demonstrates her
17th OIF summit. good news – so I will back her,” he added. qualities, experience, and leadership that
She is now the head of the 84-nation bloc Local media in Rwanda was awash with are thus unanimously recognised by the
and will serve four years renewable from an outpouring of congratulatory messages Francophone fraternity. I congratulate her,”
the organisation headquarters in Paris – soon after Mushikiwabo’s victory. he said in tweet.
France. Her colleague, Rwanda’s Minister of State The French embassy in Rwanda also
Her election marks the success of an for Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, congratulated Minister Mushikiwabo, La
intense campaign that saw her traverse was quoted saying Mwishikiwabo won Francophonie, as well as the entire cam-
numerous capitals in the French speaking because of her dedication and track record paign team.
world. Mushikiwabo also had to battle a of delivering on her tasks. Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, First Lady of
determined incumbent, Michaelle Jean, “I have worked with her for the last nine Gabon, said she was pleased to see that
who aimed to renew her mandate but was years; she is an intelligent, smart and expe- Mushikiwabo seeks to stimulate a new nar-
handicapped when her native Quebec and rienced woman who associates well with rative on a strong African and its determi-
Canada withdrew their support in favour of people. I believe Mushikiwabo’s experience nation to work for the employability of the
Mushikiwabo. gained in her service to the development of youth at her heart.
Mushikiwabo signaled she was on the Rwanda will be vital (in her bid) to lead OIF German Ambassador to Rwanda, Dr
highway to victory when she won early to greater heights,” he wrote in a tweet on Peter Woeste, said that Mushikiwabo’s vic-
support from France and the French-speak- Oct.12. tory is an expression of the amazing world-
ing members of the African Union. Heading He said Mwishikiwabo is victory of a wide reputation of her personally and also
into the election she told the top French dynamic brilliant, experienced, ambitious a great recognition of the role Rwanda plays
TV5Monde that she was very confident and and determined woman and a relevant internationally.

26 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

Isimba Hydropower dam under construction.   INDEPENDENT/JULIUS BUSINGE

Electricity tariffs drop not

enough to grow industrial sector

E
By Julius Businge was as a result of improved performance in Uganda Waragi and Tusker beer brands.
the key economic indicators of inflation, fuel This comes as the Private Sector Founda-
lectricity consumers grappling prices and the exchange rate. tion Uganda Executive Director, Gideon
with surging energy bills have But this new tariff is higher than that of Badagawa, says most businesses involved
at least got some relief as the 2014, signaling a continued surge in elec- in different trade incur 20% as energy cost
industry regulator reduces tar- tricity bills and lowering industrial sector’s of the total production, leading to a surge in
iffs for the next three months. competitiveness in the region. prices of final products to the consumers.
But they are not overall better In 2014, domestic consumers paid an He said more effort need to be geared
off, compared with four years ago. average of Shs518 per kWh while commer- towards increasing demand by attracting
The Electricity Regulatory Authority’s cial consumers paid an average of 471.8 per and connecting more investments or con-
latest power tariff plan shows a reduction in kWh. Medium industrial consumers paid sumers so that the cost goes down.
tariffs by an average of 1.5% for domestic, Shs449.4 per kWh, large industrial consum-
industries and street lighting consumers for ers Shs 307.8 per kWh and street lighting Low electricity tariffs in offing?
the period ending December 2018. Shs486.2 per kWh. Daniel Birungi, the executive director for
The new tariff plan for the quarter under Speaking to The Independent in an Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA)
review released on Oct.04 will see domes- interview on Oct. 12, the new Board Chair- told The Independent on Oct.05, that gov-
tic consumers pay Shs769.5 down from man of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), ernment has promised to give them a writ-
Shs771.1 kWh, with commercial consumers Japheth Kato, said they welcome the reduc- ten confirmation trajectory showing how
paying Shs686.1, down from Shs687 per tion in electricity tariffs but added that more the US$5cents per kWh as cost of power
kWh. reductions are important since they use a lot from the current US$ 8.3 cents per kWh
Similarly, medium industrial consum- of power in the beer production. would be achieved once more electricity is
ers will pay Shs614.4 down from Shs615.3 “…as you can imagine anything that can added to the national grid.
per kWh; large industries Shs382, down reduce the cost of production which in turn The government plans to switch on
from Shs383.8kWh; extra-large industries would make our products more affordable 183MW Isimba and 600MW Karuma
Shs312.5, down from Shs314.1 kWh where- we support completely,” Kato said adding hydropower dams and other small dams
as street lighting will pay Shs752.2, down “we like government initiative of investing starting next year.
from Shs752.8 per kWh during the same heavily in power to support our activities.” Birungi said that government has also
period under review. UBL, a subsidiary of East Africa Brewer- given them confirmation that manufactur-
The reduction, according to the regulator, ies Limited, is the producer of Bell Lager, ers would work with the electricity distribu-

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 27

 business

Trend of quarterly tariffs for the year 2018 (Ush/kWh)

800

700

600

500

400
Customer category

300
Jan-March April-June July-Sept Oct-Dec
Domestic consumers Large industries Source: ERA

Commercial consumers Extra large industries

Medium industrial commercial Street lighting

tor, Umeme, to ensure that in areas where 10 year plan Region as a business to grow revenue and
their members have multiple meters, they Harrison Mutikanga, the chief executive increase electricity consumption.
would combine them and have one to officer for the Uganda Electricity Genera- However, she decried acts of vandalism
be able to increase consumption for the tion Company Limited says Uganda aims of electrical installations which she said
group and make them enjoy benefits of to generate 17,000MW of electricity in the was interfering with the electricity supply
lower tariffs for large consumers. next 10 years to match with the anticipated network causing blackouts and driving
Birungi said a reduction in production growth in demand. upwards electricity tariffs and thus nega-
cost will stir industrial growth, which has The country’s access to electricity is tively impacting economic activities.
been grappling with high electricity costs estimated at about 20% of the country’s The growth in the economy is also
for years. 34.9million people, according to Uganda expected to drive demand for electricity
In a speech read by Finance Minister Bureau of Statistics. The annual average consumption. A 2015 report on Powering
Matia Kasaija at the recently concluded electricity consumption stands at 80kWh Africa, McKinsey and Company, experts in
UMA 2018 International Trade Fair, Presi- per capita which translates into suppressed electric and natural gas revealed that there
dent Yoweri Museveni said that reducing demand of over 500MW out of the around is a direct correlation between economic
electricity costs is in line with govern- 955MW available on the national grid. growth (GDP per capita) and per capita
ment’s efforts of prioritizing manufactur- Mutikanga said that if this demand is electricity consumption.
ing under Vision 2040. un-locked through the new government They say Sub-Saharan Africa is starved
He said that the idea is to have 50% electricity connection policy (2018-2027) for electricity and that the region’s power
of Ugandan exports being manufac- with an annual target of providing 300,000 sector is significantly underdeveloped going
tured goods – a move that would create free on-grid connections, it is likely that by energy access, installed capacity, or over-
more jobs and earn the country foreign the whole of Karuma (600MW) could be all consumption.
exchange. exhausted by 2028. “The fact that Sub-Saharan Africa’s resi-
“With more power projects coming The Minister of Energy and Mineral dential and industrial sectors suffer electric-
onboard, the cost of power shall continue Development, Irene Muloni, revealed that ity shortages means that countries struggle
to reduce until we realize the US5cents the government is extending power to to sustain GDP growth,” the report reads
per kWh for all manufacturers,” Musev- industrial parks, implementing the new in part. It adds that fulfilling the economic
eni said before tasking the Ministry of free connection policy, fast tracking of rural and social promise of the region, and Africa
Energy and ERA to provide a trajectory electrification through electrification of the in general depends on the ability of govern-
showing the reduction in power tariffs to 491 Sub Counties and extending high volt- ment and investors to develop the conti-
US5 cents per kWh to manufacturers. age interconnections within the East African nent’s huge electricity capacity.

28 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 business
csr tax

USE unveils 2nd Annual University Challenge Scrap Mobile Money tax

T
he government should work towards
trade with using live data scrapping the 1% mobile money and
from USE for three months Shs200 social media taxes in a bid to
till Jan 11, 2019. promote financial inclusion. This is
The first four students the view of the Principle of Makerere Univer-
that will have the highest sity Business School, Prof. Waswa Balunywa.
portfolio with an interac- Balunywa, who was on Oct.08 speaking at
tive and good explanation a pre-independence day event organised by
for investment at the end of Airtel Uganda at its Bugoloobi office in Kam-
the competition will receive pala, said the launch of mobile money was
Shs 10million, Shs 7.5mill- a great response to the challenge of financial
Prof Waswa Balunywa, Principal MUBS (R) unveils the USE University Challenge lion, Shs 5million and Shs inclusion in the country. However, he said,
on Oct. 11. Looking on is USE CEO Paul Bwiso.   Courtesy Photo. 2.5milion worth of shares maintaining the tax on the service, which he

U
to start trading. described as regressive, would fail efforts of
ganda Securities that happen around trad- USE CEO Paul Bwiso pushing for financial inclusion in the country.
Exchange has ing in securities – bonds said deepening financial He used the same event to commend
unveiled the 2nd and stocks – listed on the inclusion is one of the Airtel for exhibiting patriotism and playing
Annual USE Uni- Exchange. Exchange’s strategic initia- an important role in the development
versity Challenge to impart Though the competition tives and the University agenda of the country through digital and
students with knowledge is free, each participant will Challenge is one way of financial inclusion. Airtel top officials, V.G
on how to invest in the have a virtual start-up capi- fostering financial literacy Somashekar, the managing director and
stock exchange. tal of Shs 100million, Shs among the young genera- Hannington Karuhanga, the chairman board
The competition is a 65million higher compared tion. Last year, the competi- of directors used the occasion to reward the
simulation of activities to that offered last year, to tion attracted 220 students. company’s top performing staff.

data
economy
Microsoft, Liquid telecom Kenya’s new paraffin taxes push paint prices up
unveil new data portal

L K
enyans will pay Kshs108.41, up from Kshs consumers,” Crown Paints
iquid telecom in partnership with more for paints, res- 4.95. Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh Rao said.
Microsoft is urging businesses to ins and shoe polish said the increased prices has Rao said the products to
sign up for its new information on increased cost of led to a 10 % rise on their be affected include; gloss
and data storage portal technically kerosene, putting pressure production costs and that paints, roof paints, varnishes
referred to as ‘Azure Cloud’ as one way of on housing and furniture it plans to increase paint and thinner, which is used
growing their business. costs. The country’s Busi- prices by at least 8%. Paint to clean up surfaces after
Azure cloud is a computing service ness Daily reported on Oct. makers are the biggest con- using oil-based paints. This
created by Microsoft for building, testing, 11 that the imposition of sumers of kerosene, which new development is likely
deploying and managing applications 8% value added tax (VAT) is their key raw material. to affect investors such as
and services through a global network of and Sh18 adulteration fee “It has very serious housing developers, furni-
Microsoft managed data centres. per litre of kerosene from impact on our operations ture makers and Jua Kali
Speaking to IT players at Innovations last month has seen retail and we have no other option artisans who make equip-
Village hub in Ntinda on Oct.11, Hans price of paraffin jump to but to increase our prices to ment from scrap metal.
Haerdtle, Liquid telecom’s chief technolo-
gy officer for East Africa, said that in addi-
tion to storing data for businesses, Azure aviation
supports a range of operating systems,
programming languages, databases and Emirates scoops aviation accolade
devices for software and app developers.
well as the most innovative and successful
Wale Olokodana from Microsoft said the
finance and leasing deals closed in the last
era of digital revolution is here “with us
12 months. The awards were held during
and no business should be left behind.”
the 2018 Airline Economics Growth Fron-
tiers conference in Dubai. The Emirates
Aviation 100 ‘Airline of the Year’ accolade
was won based on the airline’s financial and
revenue per passenger kilometres (RPK)

E
performance, aircraft orders as well as net-
mirates airline has won the Aviation
work and fleet expansion activity. In the
100 ‘Middle East and Africa Airline
FY2017/2018, Emirates increased its revenue
of the Year’ accolade, awarded by
to AED 92.3billion (US$25.2 billion) and
Airline Economics magazine, it said
posted a profit of AED2.8billion (US$762
on Oct.10.
million).  It carried more than 58 million
The Aviation 100 awards recognises the
passengers and 2.6 million tonnes of cargo
Microsoft and Liquid telecom officials sector’s most outstanding performers as

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 29

 Executive Style

Hima Cement looks to

housing sector for growth
Over the last few years, Uganda’s cement industry has drastically changed. Hima and Tororo
Cement factories have undergone major upgrades while at the same time; there has been
entry of new players – Simba and Kampala Cement. The Independent’s Ronald Musoke spoke
to Hima Cement’s CEO Nicolas George about the industry’s growth opportunities ahead.

How would you describe the cement in- from limestone to cement—which is Interestingly, even with the rapid expan-

U
dustry in Uganda today? what we have in Kasese. You could also sion and emergence of new factories, the
ganda has been a market that import semi-finished products (clinker) local cement price has not noticeably gone
initially was undersupplied, rely- and grind it with other materials like poz- down. What explains this paradox?
ing on local production but also zolona to produce cement(grinding Actually, if you look
imports. But since May or June, station). Unfortunately, there is keenly, the price has gone
this year, the dynamic is completely differ- not much limestone here in down. But you also
ent. There is now fair enough local capacity Uganda because we have need to understand
to feed the available demand. The country’s been looking for it over the that the major-
cement demand is about three million past decade. So, in order ity of industries in
tonnes per year but the installed capacity to increase capacity with- Uganda are based
is now about six million tonnes. Hima is out the limestone that we on grinding sta-
producing about 0.9 million tonnes per year need, the only option was tions which
(Kasese plant) while the new grinding sta- to build a grinding sta- are importing
tion in Tororo is set to produce 0.8 million tion and import the raw semi-finished
tonnes which takes us to 1.7 million tonnes material (clinker). But products. So, if
a year. We also have an extra 0.4 million the pozzolona that we the cost of this
tonne capacity in Namanve Industrial Park need to add comes from material goes
where we do blending of our products. the Kapchorwa area in up, the price
That takes us to above two million tonnes eastern Uganda. This is the in the Ugandan
of installed capacity. reason we decided to invest market definitely
in Tororo. But, we were already goes up. All the new
What have been some of the factors that strong in the west of the country factories are grinding
have seen the entry of new players and and we needed to build a position stations and they
expansion of the old firms? in the east. Commercially speaking, import their clin-
For the existing players, it was just a it made a lot of sense to invest in ker. So when
matter of following the market. There had Tororo. the
not been any big investment in the past
few years while the market was growing.
So there was need for the local players,
mainly Tororo Cement and us, to follow
the growth and invest. And then from the
outside, we had a market that was relying
on imports and people believed in building
extra capacity. The problem, (however), is
that everybody has done it at the same
time— as it always happens in many
industries.

Why did Hima Cement find

Tororo more attractive to set
up the new plant yet the
area is already crowded?
In the cement
industry, you
have two ways
of producing
cement; either
you produce
every-
thing—

30 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

price of clinker goes up, the local price of was that there were some imports coming your lights (at home) that you put on and
cement goes up. So we have exposed the from Kenya that were feeding the east and off quite easily. Once the power goes off,
local cement industry to the international the northern markets and these imports even for two, three seconds, we need to go
price dynamics of clinker. stopped completely at the end of February through a full cycle of restarting the equip-
and the beginning of March; reason being ment. So we lose approximately one hour
So, if Uganda has more than enough ce- that the Kenyan market was rebounding. So every time we have an outage. If you do
ment, why are we still importing cement they stopped exporting to Uganda around simple mathematics, we are losing between
from abroad? the same period. So the low production 10—15% of our production every month
I have seen this in many Ugandan news- from the local players plus the stopping of just because of power quality.That translates
papers; that the Chinese are still exporting imports from Kenya created this scarcity. to millions of dollars every year.
to Uganda; that there is cheap cement com- However, the dynamic completely changed
ing in, but let us be clear; there are no more within a month when Tororo Cement, What have you done about fixing this
cement imports into Uganda. I think the Hima Cement and National Cement, all problem once and for all?
volume of cement from abroad is extremely started production. Now there is excess We have reached a point where we will
minimal as of June, this year. The problem capacity. have to invest in power generation near our
is absolutely not import of cement anymore. plants. So we might not buy from the grid
What’s Hima Cement’s regional strategy anymore, which is completely absurd. The
Some experts say the expansion in the for growing its market? other option is investing in Uninterruptible
local cement industry has been pegged Our regional strategy goes a little bit Power Source (UPS) system that would
onto public infrastructure projects like beyond Him Cement. Hima Cement is cover us for a few minutes in the event of
the Standard Gauge Railway and the oil part of the Lafarge-Holcim Group which outages so that the plant can benefit from
infrastructure projects that are expected to is a global leader in building materials and stable power. But this is a multi-million dol-
take off soon. What risks do you anticipate we have assets all around eastern Africa. lar investment.
shouldthese projects delay? But when we look at Uganda, it is part of
I think there is a misperception about the network and our ambition is simple: What sort of incentives are you looking
these large projects. For example, if you look We want to continue being number one in out for from the government to help you
at last year when you had the Jinja Bridge, eastern Africa, just like in West Africa and produce at optimum capacity?
the Entebbe Expressway, the Karuma Dam North Africa—all over Africa. What the The basic principle that needs to be
and other large projects going up, the total group is doing is looking at which market applied in the industry is that a local manu-
cement consumption for these projects was has the highest potential and definitely facturer should be given a little favour and
around 10% of the total consumption in the Uganda is a top priority. Uganda has a high not importers or people who are just trans-
country. So these projects are a plus when population growth rate. People will need forming raw materials into cement. Hima
they come on board but they don’t change housing and highways in the future and Cement is today the only cement producer
the dynamics of the industry. It is not so, there is a growth potential in the long in the country that has a fully integrated
because they are gone or that a few more term. Uganda will also soon become an oil plant that is using 100% local raw materi-
are coming on board, that the industry will producer which means that the country will als, including energy. We are therefore not
change completely— not at all. What makes get a new source of income which will boost importing anything except pet coke but we
the cement market in Uganda is the residen- growth. We therefore believe Uganda is are substituting it with local biomass (coffee
tial housing sector— which contributes 80% among the countries that will be leading the and rice husks). But on the other hand, we
of the local demand. This is where our real construction industry. But also, politically have our competitors, who import 60-70%
market is. The large projects are nice but at Uganda is relatively stable, the ease of doing of their raw materials. Now when you
the end of the day, it is you and your sister business is quite good though not perfect. look at the tax incentive, I am more taxed
who are building small houses that contrib- On the regional strategy, we want to grow with my plant in Kasese than my grinding
ute to the local cement demand much more everywhere but we want to grow faster in station in Tororo that is importing semi-fin-
than the large projects. Uganda. The DR Congo and South Sudan ished products which does not make sense.
are good markets but they are quite volatile We are incentivising people to import and
There was confusion early this year when at the moment. However, if one day they transform raw materials rather than invest-
amidst this expansion, cement scarcity stabilize, we believe Uganda is the perfect ing heavily in manufacturing. What is most
hit the local market. What exactly went base to approach them. frustrating is that this has been explained
wrong? to the government a couple of times, and it
It was an unfortunate event and What are some of the challenges you are was understood. I am told even the Presi-
if you look back, it lasted only a still grappling with at Hima Cement? dent asked for this to be changed but it has
month. What happened in practice The taxation regime is quite unfavorable never been implemented.
is rather simple. First, we as Hima, to manufacturers and this is something that
have our cement plant which has has got to be looked at. A simple example If you were to peer into the future, what
to undergo routine maintenance is that Hima pays Shs 10,000 per tonne of will the local cement industry look like
and that happens once a year. limestone in royalty yet we pay zero per five years from today?
So we had our Kasese plant cent in taxes if we import a tonne of clinker I think by then, we will have at least one
shut down for four weeks in from the COMESA region. The second big- or two proper cement plants; producing
February for maintenance. gest challenge we are facing is electricity. everything, from limestone to cement. Most
But as this happened, The issue is not quantity of power—Uganda likely, there will be a consolidation because
we believe, some of our has enough power. The problem we have the Ugandan market is still relatively small
competitors had some is quality of power. For example, just in and yet we have a number of competitors. I
technical issues, so September alone, our Kasese plant suffered think there is a need to rationalize a little bit
their production went 68 power outages which translated into to make sure that there are players produc-
down. The second 68 lost production hours. Our equipment ing everything locally in a safe and environ-
cause (of scarcity) keeps stopping all the time and it is not like mentally friendlier way.

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 31

Business

US tech firm launches in

Kampala, targets SMEs
By Ian Katusiime set to stir competition with the

A
already established firms such
US-based technology as MTN, Twenty Third Cen-
firm, Raxio, plans to tury Systems (TTSC) and One
set up a data centre in Solution.
Kampala to tap into While MTN does not dis-
the growing small and me- close the charges of its data
dium enterprises seeking for centre services, One Solution
data storage and web hosting and TTCS were nearly five
services. years ago charging SMEs
Raxio’s General Manager, between $125 and $225 and $75
James Byaruhanga, said during to $125 per user each month,
the firm’s launch at the Kampa- respectively.
la Serena Hotel on Oct. 04 that James Saka, executive direc-
the multi-billion facility will tor at National Information and
(L-R) Dr. Femi Oyetunji, Group Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance be built at Namanve Industrial Technology Authority (NITA-
Plc, Godfrey Kiptum, Acting CEO/Commissioner of Insurance, Insurance Park, 15km from the city cen- U) said the new development
Regulatory Authority (IRA) and Steve Mainda, Chairman, Continental tre, with the official opening set is a blessing for SMEs because
Reinsurance Limited, Kenya cut a cake to mark the Company’s 10-year for September 2019. they will be able to lower their
Anniversary in Kenya on Oct. 11, 2018. Looking on is Margaret Ikongo, “At full capacity, the centre costs of operation especially
Board Member, Nairobi Subsidiary. The reinsurer called on stakeholders to will be able to house up to 400 with regard to data storage.
work together to increase insurance penetration in Africa. racks, delivering 1.5MW of IT Several leaders of business
power. It will operate optimal- and IT experts who attended
ly, 24/7, in a fully safe, secure the event hailed it as a mile-
and redundant environment,” stone for the country’s growing
he said. IT sector.
He said business and gov- Observers noted that most
ernment’s world over are data centre investments are
adopting the digital economy near the oceans where subma-
as a means to improve services rine cables land and this was
delivery, but this digital trans- a sign that investors have put
formation requires real-time their confidence in Uganda.
data storage capabilities as well The new company comes at
as robust business continuity the time Data Privacy and
and disaster recovery solutions. Protection Bill (2015) is being
Raxio’s entry in Uganda is finalised in Parliament.

Amanya Atuhairwe (C), the Credit Control Manager, Roke Telkom, with
other company staff handing over items to staff of Good Samaritan
Children’s Home in Entebbe, as part of their Corporate Social
Responsibility initiative on Oct. 06, 2018.   Courtesy Photo. Weekly share price movement (Oct. 10, 2018)
Security Oct.10 Oct. 05 Movement
BATU 30,000 30000 00
BOBU 125 140 10.7
CENT 976 1,048 6.8
QCL 262 262 00
DFCU 849 849 00
EABL 6,950 7,040 1.2
EBL 1,484 1,516 2.1
JHL 16,981 17,713 4.1
KA 409 453 9.7
KCB 1,446 1,469
NIC 16 16 00
NMG 2,667 2,602 2.5
NVL 400 400 00
SBU 33 33 00
UCHM 30 34 11.7
dfcu Bank’s Jude Kansiime hands over a Shs20million dummy cheque UCL 23 23 00
to Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister, Joseph Muvawala, towards a UMEME 350 350 00
water project in the Kingdom
ALSI -- -- --
32 Oct 19 - 25, 2018
 difficult previous birth experience. This
suggests that not only is it normal for
women to be worried or anxious about
birth, but that it would be unusual if
they were not.
But of course, anxiety about birth
occurs along a continuum. This
ranges from women who are a little
bit worried, to those who have
developed a true phobia of birth. For
some women, this phobia – known
as tokophobia – is so severe that they
never become pregnant or, if they
do, they may decide to terminate the
pregnancy.

Severe fear
There are interventions which can
be effective for severe tokophobia.
But women will only benefit from
them if they feel able to disclose their
severe fear (and are taken seriously)
– or if healthcare professionals are
able to identify them. This does not
just require training and increased
awareness of tokophobia, but also
appropriate screening tools and care
pathways that ensure women receive
timely and appropriate treatment.
At the University of Hull we have
been working with local services for
the last decade to ensure that women
with perinatal mental health problems
receive the care and support they
need. Together with mental health
practitioners, midwives and health
visitors we are now developing a
pathway for women with tokophobia.

Tokophobia: extreme
Impact of social media
There is some research evidence that
other people’s negative birth stories
may increase the fear of birth for some

fear of pregnancy
women. But on the other hand, many
women find it helpful to talk about
their experiences. And research shows
that peer support and sharing stories
about challenging experiences can
When some women develop help to reduce feelings of isolation and
provide validation.
extreme fear of childbirth Clearly, there is a tension here
between the needs of these two
groups of women – those who find it
therapeutic to talk about their birth
By Franziska Wadephul, Catriona Jones & and fears suggests that women may experiences and those whose fears may

C
Julie Jomeen be anxious about the risk of injuries or be increased by reading these stories.
complications, pain, their ability to give Contrary to some media reports, this
hildbirth can clearly be birth, losing control, and interactions is not about telling women to “shut up
a scary prospect. For with health professionals. about childbirth”, but it is important to
women who have not Even women who have given birth be mindful of the impact sharing may
given birth before, it is the before may have similar worries – as have on others.
great unknown. Research every birth is different. But they may Then there is also the issue
into women’s concerns also have specific concerns if they had a that women who share traumatic

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 33

health
experiences of birth on social
media may have an unmet
need for professional support
Daytime naps
could help us make
– which would most likely
be a more effective way of
helping them cope with these
experiences.

The right care

So while it’s clear that some
anxiety and worry around
birth is normal and to be
better decisions
expected, it’s also important
that women with a more
A new study in the Journal of Sleep
severe fear of birth feel able
to talk about their concerns Research, examines unconscious activity
– rather than being told that
it’s normal to be worried and
By Ana Sandoiu pants very briefly so that they didn’t have time to

A
that everything will be OK.
This is important, because register the information consciously.
short daytime nap could do wonders for In the second (control) task, the participants
women who are experiencing our brains’ ability to process information,
a severe, overwhelming fear responded when they were shown a red or blue
suggests a new study. square on a screen.
of birth will not be reassured Sleep is key in both memory formation
by being told that everybody After performing the tasks, the study par-
and the consolidation of new information. ticipants stayed awake or took a 90-minute nap.
gets a little anxious. What Cutting-edge technologies now allow scientists
they need is supportive, Then, all the volunteers did the tasks again.
to see where in the brain learning takes place, and The researchers measured the participants’
appropriate and timely care. how sleep deprivation interferes with the brain’s brain activity both before and after the nap using
That’s not to suggest every neuroplasticity. an electroencephalogram. They also tested the
pregnant woman who ever Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to respond participants’ choice reaction time.
expresses any concerns about and adapt to the stimuli it receives from the envi- The study found that naps increased process-
birth needs to be treated for ronment. ing speed in the masked prime task, but not in
fear of birth, though pregnant What happens “under the hood” when we are the unmasked control task. This suggested to the
women with raised anxiety asleep has also been the focus of numerous stud- researchers that naps specifically aid the process-
levels may benefit from ies. ing of infor-
interventions even if they do According mation that
not suffer from tokophobia. to research that was acquired
Anxiety in pregnancy has Medical News unconsciously.
been linked to a number of Today recently Therefore,
negative effects on mothers reported on, sci- even a short
and babies. And early entists were able period of
intervention can be crucial to locate specific sleep may
in preventing this leading to memories and help process
more serious problems. strengthen them information,
But what’s most important while the study improve our
is that all women receive participants were reaction times,
appropriate care and support asleep using and potentially
– including women who have certain auditory influence our
a severe fear of birth and cues. behavior when
those who have experienced Now, an awake.
traumatic births. Providing intriguing new These
high quality care for all study focuses on findings
women should diminish the the effect of day- strengthen
chances of women developing time naps on the brain’s ability to process infor- the idea that the information we “perceive”
tokophobia after their first mation that we are not consciously aware of. unconsciously is processed during sleep, and
Additionally, the study examined how daytime that sleep may aid our decision-making when
birth and help to reduce the
naps impact conscious behavior and choice reac- awake.
amount of negative stories
tion time — that is, the speed with which the brain Coulthard comments on these results, saying,
being shared.
processes new information. “The findings are remarkable in that they can
Liz Coulthard, a consultant senior lecturer in occur in the absence of initial intentional, con-
Franziska Wadephul is Research
dementia neurology at the University of Bristol scious awareness, by processing of implicitly
Assistant, University of Medical School in the United Kingdom, led the
Hull, Catriona Jones is Senior presented cues beneath participants’ conscious
new research. awareness.”
Research Fellow in Maternal and Naps help process unconscious information
Reproductive Health, University However, the researchers plan to undertake
Coulthard and colleagues recruited 16 volun- more work in the future. “Further research
of Hull, and Julie Jomeen is teers for the study and gave the study participants
Professor of Midwifery and in a larger sample size is needed to compare
two tasks. if and how the findings differ between ages,
Dean in the Faculty of Health In the first, a “masked prime task,” the
Sciences, University of Hull. and investigation of underlying neural mecha-
researchers presented information to the partici- nisms,” she adds.

34 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 ART | BOOKS | SOCIETY | TRAVEL | CULTURE

It’s raining dollars

for Ugandan artists
Artist sells pieces worth Shs289m in one night

I
By Dominic Muwanguzi Ntensibe and Michael Soi create fresh art priced at an average US$ 20,000. In this
that blends traditional art practices and league of the A-list artists from Kenya are
smael Kateregga’s painting titled motifs in interrogation of political social Paul Oditi, Richard Kimathi and Beatrice
`Buikwe fishing boats 2018’ com- contexts. Wanjiku. Ugandan high flying artists
posed of fishing boats docked at one According to Dada Jaroljmek, Director include Ssenkaaba Xenson Samson who
of the landing sites on Lake Victoria, Circle Art Agency who organise the Mod- is a seasoned feature at the East Africa Art
recently went under the hammer for ern and Contemporary East Africa Art Auc- Auction and averagely costs at between
£ 12,500 (approximately Shs61 mil- tion, the surge in interest of art from East US$8000 and US$ 15,000, Sanaa Gateja who
lion) at the Bonham’s Auction house. Africa is partly influenced by the Circle Art often features at the Johannesburg Art Fair
Earlier on in 2014, the artist had sold Auction that enables regional artists gain and Paul Ndema whose landmark painting
another painting `Boats’ for £8,750 (Approx. international recognition. `The Last Supper 2015’ sold for a whop-
Shs38.7 million) at the same auction house “[It] is an opportunity to introduce mod- ping US$10,000. In Tanzania, the market is
in London. And he is not the only artist ern and cutting edge contemporary artists largely dominated by Tinga tinga artists like
from Uganda and the east African region from six countries from both secondary and Edward Saidi Tingatinga (founder of Tin-
making big money in art auctions. primary markets and prove that art from gatinga movement) David Mzuguno, and
At the 5th edition of East Africa Art Auc- this region is worthy investment,” she says. George Lilanga. The price for their artworks
tion in Nairobi recently, Geoffrey Mukasa Art from West Africa and South Africa is is averagely €4,500 - €10,000.
( deceased) was acclaimed as the bestsell- the most expensive on the continent with This reference to the vibrant art scene in
ing artist from the region when he sold artists like El Anatsui, Abdoulaye Konate the region is further cemented by the grow-
his paintings `In the Sugar Plantations’ for and Tracey Rose tagging their artworks ing economies of East African countries.
Ksh1,937,100 ( Approx. UShs72 million) with more than US$200,000. The likes of Similarly, South Africa which boasts the
and `Birds at Home’ for US$9,688 (approxi- these have already featured in major bienni- most impressive art market on the conti-
mately UShs36 million) respectively. In one als across the globe like Venice art Biennale, nent has the second biggest economy, after
evening, Mukasa sold works worth more Berlin art Biennale and Shanghai art Bien- Nigeria. If the economic-political climate
than Shs295 million. nale. continues to improve and the social-political
These relatively high prices for Ugandan Back home artist Michael Soi (Kenya) situation remains favourable, regional art-
and east African art pieces are unprecedent- debuted at the 56th Venice Art Biennale ists and collectors can be assured that their
ed. They are attributed to the perception of with his series of paintings satirically fortunes will improve.
art from the region as fresh and generally interrogating the Sino-Africa relationship.
inexpensive. Ugandan artists like Xenson Since then, Soi’s work has been identified Image: Buikwe Fishing Boats courtesy of Artist
Ssenkaaba, Eria Sane Nsubuga, Joseph as one of the most selling from the region

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 35

 Trump’s UK visit cost Shs90bn
British police chiefs say security for nearly every police force in England was Trump held talks with Prime Minister
U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit in involved in covering the four-day visit, Theresa May at her country retreat, met
July involved almost 10,000 officers and which required 26,000 police shifts by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and
cost nearly $24 million (Approx. Shs90 almost 10,000 officers. visited a Scottish golf course during the trip,
billion), making it the biggest police She says “the full cost of the operation which also saw large anti-Trump protests in
operation since riots swept England in is still being worked out but an early esti- London and Scotland.
2011. According to the national police, mate is nearly 18 million pounds.”

Man proposes 13-year old boy runs own bank

marriage with death! Many children dream of
becoming entrepreneurs when
He founded the Bartselana
Student Bank in his home
Marriage proposals come in they grow up, but very few city of Arequipa, in 2012. The
many forms but one thing sticks start as early as, Jose Adolfo Bartselana Student Bank has
out in most of them; they are Quisocala Condori, a Peruvian been growing every year since
romantic. But one young man boy who started a children’s its inception, and today it has
recently literally killed it; he staged savings bank when he was over 2,000 clients aged 10 to
a tragic motorcycle accident with
him as the victim in order to ask
only 7 years old.
Jose got the idea for a chil-
18. Adolfo says he has been
approached by Peru’s Banco Drunk birds cause
his girlfriend to marry him.
The man, identified as Jeffrey
dren’s savings bank six years
ago, after noticing that many
de la Nación for a joint venture.
“I’m not intimidated by
havoc in city
Delrio, put a lot of thought into of his peers were spending meeting with bank executives Police in Gilbert City, Min-
his bizarre marriage proposal, their money on sweets and to talk about business. The nesota recently issued a rare
even getting local police officers toys, instead of saving it for treatment is always cordial statement explaining birds
involved to make his apparent more meaningful purchases. and, to be honest, I feel more “flying under the influence”.
demise even more believable. When he pitched his idea for a comfortable with adult people The said the birds had feasting
In a clip that went viral last children’s bank to his teachers, because they understand the on fermented berries and like
week, Delrio can be seen lying he was told that a 7-year-old projects I am proposing to human teenagers, young birds
face down on a street in South couldn’t handle such a project. them,” the 13-year-old entre- can’t handle their alcohol as well
Cotobato, Philippines, with police But he proved them all wrong. preneur said. as mature ones, and the ethanol
redirecting traffic around the scene entering their system caused
of the apparently fatal motorcycle them to act strange. Police start-
accident, as his girlfriend arrives ed getting reports of birds acting
on a boda boda (moped). She erratically – flying into windows
immediately starts screaming in or moving traffic and acting con-
pain. Then a traffic policeman fused. And as they are getting
turns Jeffrey Delrio’s body and he ready to fly south for the winter,
pulls a small box out of his pocket, many bird species tend to stuff
gets up on one knee and smilingly themselves with whatever food
asks her to marry him. Confused, they find in order to build fat for
the girlfriend throws herself in the long journey, causing them
the arms of the police officer to get really drunk.
comforting her and starts crying It appears that some birds are
again, only this time they are tears getting a little more ‘tipsy’ than
of joy. She slaps him on the arm normal,” Gilbert Police Chief
once before hugging him. She Ty Techar wrote in an official
then lets him put the engagement statement, adding that there is
ring on her finger, and the crowd no need for people to call the
starts cheering. She never stops police about such birds, as they
sobbing though. The couple are “should sober up in a short
both “full of love” after the cruel period of time”.
prank, says a friend.

Woman jailed for looking through husband’s phone without permission

A court in the United Arab Emirates that she would access his phone while he privacy law, which states that married
(UAE) recently sentenced a woman to three was asleep, copying all the data, including couples are forbidden from accessing
months in jail after her husband sued her pictures and chat conversations to her own each other’s personal phones without
for looking through his phone without his smartphone so she could look through all permission, even if one of them suspects
permission. In a statement made against the information at a later date. Court found the other of cheating.
his wife, the unnamed husband claimed her guilty of violating the UAE’s strict

36 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 BMW is sick of bad
By Agencies

N
egative media reviews
of recent BMW 3 Se-

3 Series reviews
ries generations have
motivated the German
car-maker to aim for new driv-
ing benchmarks with its latest
mid-size luxury sedan.
Speaking at the Paris motor
show recently, where the new “I do not want to hear that shit anymore!”
BMW 3 Series sedan made its
global debut, the company’s declares BMW development boss
development chief Klaus
Frohlich said the latest G20 ver-
sion had to be the best driving and Alfa Romeo Giulia – as ter architecture is so, so stiff; for the most important car. It is
car in its class. well as its traditional rear-wheel example 50 per cent stiffness the right mixture of having
“It has to beat everybody in drive rival the Mercedes-Benz increase between front axle and the character and having the
the segment in driving dynam- C-class — BMW has made bulkhead, 30 per cent overall volume. You can have a super-
ics because all the Australian, numerous changes to the new 3 stiffness [increase]. sharp brand shaper very race
UK and American journalists Series. The most fundamental is “You do not only feel it in equipped, but it will only sell
say ‘ooh the E46 CSL was the the adoption of the stiffer new driving, you feel it in ride com- some thousand units — it will
last real 3 Series’,” Frohlich told CLAR — or cluster — architec- fort.” not affect the brand.
motoring.com.au. ture, a reduction in weight up Frohlich made it clear that “This is a multiplier and it’s
“I do not want to hear that to 55kg despite the new genera- the 3 Series remains the most sporty.”
shit anymore.” tion car being bigger than its important model in the entire In a separate interview,
The seventh-generation predecessor, a 10mm lower cen- BMW line-up, even though its BMW 3 Series product manager
BMW 3 Series sedan reaches tre of gravity, wider tracks and sales have been diluted by spin- Stephan Horn said the ability
markets in the first quarter of the adoption of new passive ning off the 4 Series and the rise of the new passive damper had
2019. The 320d and 330i will be dampers which BMW variously of SUVs. prompted discussions about
the first models on offer, fol- dubs stroke-dependant, travel- “I think it is about what is the whether BMW would continue
lowed later in the year by the dependant or lift-related. brand standing for,” declared to offer adaptive dampers as an
M340i and 330e petrol-electric Frohlich said the work on Frohlich. option.
hybrid. dynamics had achieved the “I think as a company BMW “We still have it there because
A new BMW 3 Series intended results. has a big history of compact many customers like it and love
Touring wagon is imminent “First thing and this is for me four-seaters with a lot of power it but you don’t really need it,”
internationally and a new 4 the most important thing; you — 1600, 2002, the first 3 Series, he said.
Series Coupe, Gran Coupe and can drive fast and completely the 323 with two exhaust pipes. The new damper, which is
Convertible will also follow the relaxed. You don’t feel how fast This is BMW still in the minds standard on 3 Series, has been
sedan onto the market, as will you are. of many people. developed in conjunction with a
the high-performance M3 and “Second thing and this thing “Commercially for example supplier BMW refused to name.
M4. However, the high-riding 3 is a big achievement; this car the 5 Series is I think a bigger Meanwhile, another impor-
Series GT has been axed. is much more valuable, it has contributor; for example in tant driver for BMW with its
Faced with increased dynam- much better materials and it is China we would sell millions of new 3 Series was separating its
ic competition in recent years solid like a rock. cars of that type. styling more convincingly from
from the likes of the Jaguar XE “From the comfort it is more “But from the heart of the the 5 Series sedan.
like a 5 Series, because this clus- brand [the 3 Series] is still

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 37

Profile
Elizabeth Kasujja: Queen’s award winner
By Agnes E Nantaba under her organisation, Clear Yo Mind escaped death after trying to end his life

E
(CYM). With technology, Kasujja is able to by jumping off a six-storied building in
lizabeth Kasujja is one of the three create secure online platforms for people to Kampala city. He later said he faced work-
young Ugandans who recently express their feelings and access free help related stress, which was exacerbated when
won the prestigious Queen’s Young from mental health professionals. he was sacked. This particular incident was
Leader award for their community “The programme looks out for young the trigger that sparked off debate within
service. They were awarded in London at people between 18 and 29 years who are Kasujja about how many people share the
a ceremony presided over by Queen Eliza- doing great things in their community experience to the extent of contemplating
beth of the United Kingdom. The award and usually with limited resources,” says suicide.
distinguishes and celebrates exceptional Kasujja. About the ward she says “it’s a very The debate would birth probable solu-
young people from across 53 Common- humbling experience which gives valida- tions, including meeting different people
wealth countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, tion that you get appreciated for the humble who could help with recovering self-esteem.
The Caribbean, and America. work”. Kasujja established the statistics of people
Kasujja was awarded for her fight against The programme also encompasses a one with mental health issues from Butabika
mental health related stigma in Uganda year fellowship designed to nurture think- Mental Referral Hospital in Kampala. To
ing outside the box. her, this was an avenue to diagnose the
“The programme has already impacted problem and research into possible solu-
on me,” she says, “for instance I have tions. She discovered that Uganda has only
already undertaken a mapping 34 psychiatrists for a population of about 40
exercise to understand people’s million people. The usual recommendation
perception about me and my is 1:10,000 psychiatrists per population. That
work.” means Uganda needs about 4000 psychia-
Individuals with trists.
mental health issues Kasujja explains that mental health issues;
and those dealing especially depression, stem from a lack of
with perceived something and one may suffer mental ill-
stigma reach out to ness once the gap widens.
the team at CYM “With our current demands, we work so
and they embark hard thus ignoring the parenting role,” says
on a recovery Kasujja.
process. And Kasujja chose to find a way of ending
for complicated mental health stigma by building CYM.
cases, individu- Two years later, Kasujja says she has con-
als are linked to firmed that her work will get much easier
psychiatrists and with the passing in parliament of the Men-
other profession- tal Health Policy in September after years
als who guide on a of waiting. She says the policy emphasis
way forward. on decentralisation of mental health care
“Other people just implies ability of people to access proper
need to text a message professional mental health even at village
requesting for help, level.
and secure one-to-one Kasujja is an industrial chemist who har-
appointments with pro- boured dreams of becoming a professional
fessionals outside of a pilot. But she failed to raise the required
hospital environment,” tuition in a flying school.
says Kasujja. Kasujja was born to Margaret and David
Despite being a profes- Kasujja Kalule.
sional chemist, Kasujja She says, “We had an abundance of love
jumped onto the journey and now that I am older and dealing with
in 2016 after experiencing a mental health issues, I clearly understand
series of psychological issues how that played a big role in helping us feel
that affected her life. like we didn’t lack”.
“It took me long to understand She went to Kampala Kindergarten,
that there was a problem until I Kampala Parents School, Gayaza High
realised that something was eating School, King’s College Budo and Makerere
me up from inside”, says Kasujja. University where she pursued a bachelor’s
“The challenge was that none of the degree in Industrial Chemistry.
people around me could imagine the She also works as a Consultant Business
problem”. Advisor with the Malaria and Childhood
About the same time, a Illness’ NGO secretariat where she initially
young man narrowly worked as a programme officer until 2016.

38 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 Q&A

Elizabeth Kasujja’s Liteside

Any three things that I like to spend on my Which living person What do you regard
we don’t know about nephews and nieces. do you most despise? as the lowest depth of

I
you? I don’t have too misery?
am a God fearing What is the greatest much energy to spend Getting to a point
person and this thing you have ever on such negativity. where the only option
means that God done? is to take their life.
is at the centre of Sustaining CYM What is the quality Suicide doesn’t take
everything about me. because raising the you most like in a away the burden but
I am very personal resources has been woman? just multiplies and
with my relationships a struggle without God fearing. transfers to your own
which is why I keep a any external funding. people.
small circle of friends However this has What is the quality
around me. I am also come with a lot of you most like in a What is your favorite
an ambivert. appreciation from the man? occupation?
community. God fearing. Being able to heal
What is your idea of people psychologically.
perfect happiness? What is your current What or who is the
It is something felt state of mind? greatest love of your What do you most
within. It’s always I am happy. life? value in your friends?
centered around Our whole extended Different people
people and moments What do you consider family. relate differently with
or those you would call the most overrated others. I value the
little tit bits. virtue? When and where were mutual benefit.
Other people’s you happiest?
What is your greatest opinions; most people When I was selected Who are your favorite
fear? mind so much about for the Mandela writers?
I was raised in an what their environment Washington Fellowship Sigmund Freud’s
environment where I will take them for. We in 2017. It was really psychology writings
was pumped with all should learn to own exciting for the family. teach me a lot. I also
the weapons against the universe around us I was also happy love reading ‘Rhythm
fear. and do our best within sharing the news with of Life’ by Mathew
that framework. my parents right after Kelly. I like the so
What is the trait the handshake with the many lessons that
you most deplore in What does being queen. It’s a moment both authors tell in
yourself? powerful mean to you? they always longed for story form. They
I am a soft person Wealth, wisdom, since they named me take you through a
which is why it’s very knowledge of God and after her. whole journey with a
easy to take advantage self-discovery. The character which gives
of me. Sometimes ability to positively If you could change you a chance to walk
I over commit to influence people and one thing about your own journey.
running so many this starts with the yourself, what would
errands. ability to make them it be? What is your greatest
listen to you. I wouldn’t change a regret?
What is the trait thing. I wish I had gone
you most deplore in On what occasion do to the flying school.
others? you lie? Where would you It’s an experience
Dishonesty. I refrain from telling most like to live? that I still want to
lies. Most times, I I continue to fall walk. However, I also
Which living person choose to avoid the in love with the little believe that everything
do you most admire? situation. things in Uganda. happens for a reason;
My parents Margaret Things like the so for wherever I am,
and David Kasujja What do you most smiles and people’s no regrets.
Kalule. I have drawn dislike about your hospitality make
so much inspiration appearance? Uganda the best home. How would you like
from them. They loved I have accepted my to die?
us in abundance and insecurities and fallen What is your most I don’t want to die.
taught us to share. in love with the person treasured possession?
in me. The persona in me; What is your motto?
What is your greatest there is a positive effect ‘Never give up’ and
extravagance? that I have on people. ‘Gakyali Mabaga’

Oct 19 - 25, 2018 39

Global comment
By Mukhisa Kituyi
Redefining African migration
African governments are recognising intra-continental
migration as a vital ingredient of growth

F
ew issues are as emotional as human economic diversification, private-sector African governments are beginning to
migration. Images of desperate development, and value-added produc- recognise this. Many countries are sup-
people on the move – whether trying tion. Moreover, migrants spend about porting the African Union’s new Migra-
to cross the US-Mexico border or 85% of their earnings domestically. That tion Policy Framework for Africa. And,
packed onto rickety boats crossing the infusion of capital adds to destination since March 2018, more than half of the
Mediterranean Sea – have heightened ten- countries’ tax base and boosts local con- nearly 50 countries that pledged to create
sions and forged a narrative that migration sumption. an African Continental Free Trade Area
has no upside. But Africa’s migrants also contribute have adopted its protocol on the free
But these images have also blinded to development in origin countries, movement of people.
us to the fact that people have always thanks to remittances and knowledge To build on these achievements,
moved, and that migration is necessary sharing. In fact, the total value of remit- African governments must draw inspi-
and beneficial for human development. tances by African migrants now exceeds ration from one another. For example,
Nowhere is this fact more relevant today the amount of official development initiatives like Rwanda’s temporary visa
than in Africa. assistance (ODA) that African countries program for semi-skilled migrants, and
Despite the ongoing political crisis sur- receive. Since 2015, remittances, which Morocco’s recent expansion of job cat-
rounding African migration to Europe, have grown strongly since 2000, have egories for foreigners, will bring more
the reality is that fewer Africans are accounted for the bulk of total external flexible labour policies to these two mar-
migrating to European countries than financial flows to Africa, as ODA kets. Many other destination countries
when the numbers peaked in October declined from 37% in 2001-2003 to 28% would benefit from similar innovations.
2015. As it happens, most African in 2012-2016. Remittances accounted for Another milestone that would advance
migrants move within Africa. And for 51% of private capital flows to Africa in intra-Africa migration would be the
African governments in particular, that 2016, up from 42% in 2010. rollout of the highly anticipated all-
fact creates an opportunity to harness the Forecasts by UNCTAD predict that Africa passport. Unfortunately, while the
positive power of human mobility. if pro-migration policies are adopted, initiative’s goal – to foster trade, integra-
Understanding how migration can Africa’s per capita GDP could increase tion, and socioeconomic development
build wealth in Africa requires closer 61% by 2030 – to about $3,250. In other within the AU – is laudable, bureaucratic
attention to migratory trends. According words, intra-Africa migration is not only inertia is likely delaying its rollout.
to data from my organisation, the United a human and social phenomenon; it is Finally, the international community is
Nations Conference on Trade and Devel- also a vital ingredient of growth. preparing to adopt the first-ever Global
opment (UNCTAD), of the 41.5 million Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular
people who migrated from, to, or within Migration. This landmark agreement
Africa in 2017, nearly half – 19 million – represents a blueprint for managing
remained on the continent. Some 17 mil- global migration flows. It is also vali-
lion people left Africa, while 5.5 million
migrated to Africa from other parts of
Forecasts dation that migration is an economic
necessity, and not only for Africa. When
the world. by UNCTAD the compact is finalised later this year
African migrants include both blue-
and white-collar workers, and those who predict that if in Morocco, it must reflect the priorities
that Africa’s leaders have already com-
move within Africa often do so to fill
labour gaps. For example, labour short-
pro-migration mitted to.
With well-crafted and properly exe-
ages in mining, construction, agricul- policies are cuted agreements, migration can be a
ture, and domestic services have fueled
migration to South Africa and Côte adopted, Africa’s boon to people and the places they call
home. Today’s skewed media narratives
d’Ivoire, two of the most important eco-
nomic hubs on the continent. Elsewhere,
per capita GDP ignore or neglect the benefits of migra-
tion. But with facts and commitment, it is
Gabon’s lumber and mining sectors, could increase possible to tell a very different story.
Equatorial Guinea’s oil industry, and
various industries in Kenya have also 61% by 2030 – to
attracted migration from neighboring
countries.
about $3,250 Mukhisa Kituyi is Secretary-General of the
United Nations Conference on Trade and
Simply put, migration in Africa helps Development (UNCTAD).
destination economies grow. In addi- Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018.
tion to filling labour needs, the pres- www.project-syndicate.org
ence of large migrant populations spurs

40 Oct 19 - 25, 2018

 Live
Live
VERA
COVE
CO GE
RAGE
We are live everywhere,
Always.

#NBSUpdates