Over 200 Youth In Masaka And Bukomansimbi Complete One Week Long UCC Skilling Program For Jobs Creation And Business Growth

By Moses Sserwanga

in Masaka and Bukomansimbi

 The LCV Chairman of  Bukomansimbi, Mr. Nyenja Fred Kayiira ,has urged the youth  to use digital platforms to set up businesses , promote their products and improve their livelihoods.

“I thank UCC and Prime Time Communications for the opportunity offered to skill the youth of Bukomansimbi. I urge all the participants to use the skills they have acquired to improve their livelihoods. The world is digital regardless of where you are and this is an opportunity for us to fully participate in the digital economy,” Kayiira stated

The youth who undertook a week long skilling program organised by UCC in conjunction with Prime Time Communications Ltd in Bukomansimbi district

He was closing a week long youth skilling program which was held in the district by the Uganda Communications Commission and Prime Time Communications Ltd  where over 100 youth acquired skills in the use of social media and  other digital platforms to grow their businesses and increase their incomes .

“We request UCC and Prime Time Communications to also bring more such skilling programs not just for the youths but also others so that they aren’t left out. In the meantime I urge all the participants to pass on the skills to others so that we all develop together. If we all get skilled, the better for everyone,” Kayiira added.

In Masaka district , the Deputy RDC, and two time MP, Mr .John Bosco Lubyayi hailed the government for the investment it has provided to improve the internet penetration and access across the country. This  is helping Ugandans the majority of whom are youth to tap into the local, region , continent and international opportunities and markets .

“ Ugandans can now grade anywhere in the world through  the internet . Most of the youth are on social media and marketing digital platforms to sell their products and market their brands . This is good for economic growth and national development .

Masaka Deputy RDC John Bosco Lubyayi

We are happy that the youth in Masaka and rural areas generally are being empowered to grab these global opportunities . Everyone is excited about what they can get out of these global communication channels  and we thank UCC and Prime Time Communications for providing the opportunity for the youth to acquire online skills, “ the Deputy RDC stated .

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) rolled out a country wide skilling program for youth groups in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and multi-media.

The skills acquired will empower the youth to grow their business through the effective use of the various social media and digital platforms. Such digital platforms may include WhatsApp, TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat, Teams/Zoom for virtual meetings

UCC through Uganda Communications  Universal Service And Access Fund (UCUSAF) is set to  enhance youths’ employability and self-sustainability by equipping them with ICT skills to enable them  become competitive and better their livelihoods.Some 500 youth will be skilled  in the districts of Masaka, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lwengo and Sembabule.

“This is planned to be done through training the youth in ICT multimedia production tools,” said Mr. Denis Jjuko a Director at Prime Time Communications Ltd one of the carefully selected companies that are delivering the trainings . 

Jjuko explained that  by creating and building capacity of the youth including young women to adopt ICT tools and applications in multimedia content production and related business processes will enable them to not only fully participate in Uganda’s economy but tap into regional and international markets .

“ We are in the digital era where young people and entrepreneurs should be at the top of their game when it comes to  multimedia content production and storytelling skills. We are  introducing  the young people to a myriad of ICT platforms that provide access to markets and networking linkages while promoting their businesses and their talents,” he stated .

The skilling program will also enable the youth and including young women entrepreneurs to identify opportunities to access finance and markets to transition from micro enterprises to small and medium enterprises as enshrined in the National Development Plan III and UCUSAF strategy.

Participants  are from diverse backgrounds and some have benefited from the on-going government programs like  the Parish Development Model (PDM) in each of the five districts in central region.

“We are creating  a circular economy for youth and women entrepreneurs by providing avenues through which they can market their enterprises with each other through networking to enable them to grow, “ Jjuuko added.

Uganda Communications Commission

 UCC is mandated under the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 (Act) to monitor, inspect, license, supervise, control and regulate the communications services, and to improve communications services generally and ensure equitable distribution of services throughout the country;

Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) formerly (RCDF) was established in 2001 by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and according to Section 3(g) of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013, UCC  to create and manage a fund dedicated to the development of Rural Communications and Information and Communication Technology within the country.

It was majorly setup to contribute to the realization of universality in access and use of communications services in Uganda through establishment of communications projects in areas that are non-commercially viable – left unserved or underserved by the market operations.

Editor : msserwanga@gmail.com

Uganda Airlines In Strategic Network Expansion As The National Carrier Starts Direct Flights To Lagos Nigeria

 

By Moses Sserwanga   

The management at the national career - Uganda Airlines have been patient but steadfast  working out the numbers on their new dynamic routes which are setting the pace to resolve a chronic challenge  of intra-air connectivity on the African continent .

This strategic thinking and interventions being implemented by the new management team at Uganda Airlines led by CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki has attracted the sponsorship of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who are among several international development partners interested in seeing the Africa air space opened up for trade and development. The vast minerals rich continent has an estimated population of 1.3 billion people.

Uganda Airlines  inaugural service to  Lagos Nigeria which was launched on Thursday October 19^th,2023 late afternoon is testament to the notion that direct air transport connectivity is possible in Africa.

Flight UR 900 left  Entebbe International Airport for Lagos Murtala Muhammad International with 3 tons of cargo joining another Uganda Airlines  flight from UR 430, which arrived earlier in the day from Mumbai.

 

This meant that connecting passengers and cargo had a direct flight from Entebbe to their final destination in Lagos . The connecting passengers were joined by businesswomen in the trade and tourism sectors who were  sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to facilitate business-to-business linkages for export-ready companies targeting opportunities in Lagos and the wider west African market.

As a strategic partner, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is collaborating with Uganda Airlines to unpack opportunities that the new route brings in the context of trade and tourism for inclusive and sustainable development.

Uganda Airlines will operate the direct Lagos route three times a week with flights lined up for  Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.

This inauguaral service is strategic in nature and makes business sense because of the cargo volumes expected between Mumbai India and Lagos –Nigeria via the new Entebbe connecting hub .

Industry players have welcomed this business strategic thinking by Uganda Airlines noting that it will spur trade across Africa ,boost tourism and showcase a working network model that can encourage other airlines and governments to open up the African airspace for commerce and free movement of people .

“But now that Uganda Airlines has connecting flights its important that government through the Civil Aviation Authority expedites plans to improve facilities at Entebbe international airport to allow the travelers have a truly Ugandan warm- welcoming experience at the lounging facilities . We must build capacity to handle huge numbers of both people and cargo otherwise all the efforts being undertaken by Uganda Airlines will be ruined ,” Francis Musisi an aviation expert told ugandaupdatenews.com  

Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki stated thus :“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy while Uganda’s central location on the continent makes it the ideal connection hub between East, West, North and Southern Africa,”  at the Lagos route launch event .

Bamuturaki  explained  the significant of Uganda Airlines network growth noting that apart from alleviating the nightmare faced by travelers who endured long layoffs before connecting to their final destinations via Europe ,  UA’s network is convenient and time saving .

“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy while Uganda’s central location on the continent makes it the ideal connection hub between East, West, North and Southern Africa. The direct flights will yield significant time savings for our guests who will be terminating their journeys in Uganda and those who may wish to travel onward within our network to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mombasa, Juba, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, Dubai, Mogadishu or Johannesburg and Mumbai,” Bamuturaki stated .

Uganda Airlines should also bring forward its plans to grow its fleet by adding a couple of mid-range aircraft to meet increasing demand for its services especially for movement of cargo .

On touching down in Lagos the Uganda Airlines  258-seat state-of-the-art Airbus A330-800 neo was according the time-honoured tradition -water salute. In this welcoming ritual, also known as a shower of affection, two fire engines parked on either side of the runway use their water cannons to create a giant arc above a plane as it taxies to its gate on its successful maiden route .

You can book your Uganda Airlines ticket on their mobile App

Email:msserwanga@gmail.com

Uganda Airlines to launch direct flights to Lagos Nigeria on October 19th, 2023

By Moses Sserwanga

In order to increase its market share and promote air travel connectivity on the African continent, Uganda Airlines has announced that it will launch its much awaited Lagos Nigeria route on October 19th, 2023 .

Uganda Airlines CEO, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, while addressing the members of the Nigerian diaspora in Uganda during dinner meeting at Sheraton hotel noted that  Africa is underserved in terms of air transport and connectivity by air has become more expensive on the continent.  

“Regionally, the connectivity between the West and the East is still lingering; usually, we look as far as the Middle East to connect with West Africa. Uganda Airlines is here to answer this call of duty and hereby brings its commitment to the fore to start its service to Lagos, Nigeria,” Bamuturaki told a cheering audience. The event was attended by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda , Ismail Alatise.

The CEO said following the  new direct flight , it will take only four hours to connect from Lagos to Entebbe down from nine and 15 minutes it has been taking travelers to fly the same route. The new route also has an added advantage as it significantly reduces the connection flights lead times between Lagos-Entebbe to Mumbai and Dubai and other African destinations where Uganda Airlines is operating .

“Our service, lasting just 4 hours to Lagos, addresses an existing need and will be a catalyst to unlock the immense potential of a market force of over 230m people for collaboration across as well as opportunities between the two countries. From oil and gas, agriculture, investments, tourism, textiles and now music, Uganda Airlines offers the bridge to immense possibilities,” Bamuturaki stated .

Mr. Adedayo Olawuyi, the Chief Commercial Officer at Uganda Airlines , said that the new Lagos route will facilitate trade and spur economic activity in the major sectors  of the two brotherly countries’ trade relations namely,  oil and gas, agriculture, education, tourism among others.

Speaking at the same event the chairperson of the Nigerian Community in Uganda Ms. Hauwa M. Mohammad , said Uganda Airlines connections from Entebbe to China, Dubai and India, favour Nigerian business persons because it shortens the  total travel time and cargo uplift.

“ You know Nigerians in all endeavours: Go Big or Go Home, we shall fill up your cargo holds,” she said adding that the direct flights between Nigeria and Uganda will lead to increased trade opportunities, ease access between the two countries .

The new Entebbe /Lagos  flight schedules :

Monday and  Sundays: Flt  No. UR900  Depart : 07:00  Arrive : 09:30

Thursday:UR900  Depart: 16:00   Arrive: 18:30

Lagos-Entebbe Flight schedules:

Monday, Sunday : UR901  Depart: 11:00   Arrive: 17:30

Thursday : UR901  Depart : 20:00  Arrive: 02:30

The writer is a communications , stakeholder and media consultant/ Advocate of the High Court of Uganda 

Email:msserwanga@gmail.com

UGANDA AIRLINES LAUNCHES MOBILE APP IN AN ON GOING AGGRESSIVE MARKETING DRIVE

 In order to consolidate its pole position in Uganda’s aviation industry and beyond , Uganda Airlines has launched its Mobile App to make it more convenient for travelers to consume the national carrier’s services.

“This launch is a key milestone as the airline strives to improve its service delivery, ensuring a convenient and user-friendly booking and ticketing process and an overall delightful buyer experience for its customers, “ Uganda Airlines CEO Ms. Jennifer Bamuturaki said at colorful launch event held at Sheraton hotel in the capital Kampala.

Bamuturaki said that besides a personalised travel experience, the App will streamline communication between the airline and its customers.

“When we go through third-parties such as travel agents to book passengers, there is a snag in the communication flow, because we don’t have access to basic information such as the clients telephone contacts. If we happen to have a service disruption for any reason, it will be easier for us keep our guests updated through the App,” she added.

The App has a flight tracking function of the carrier’s flights in real-time and travellers can pay for flights using the major international debit or credit cards, or the mobile-money wallets offered by telecom operators within East Africa, Bamuturaki explained further.

Speaking at the same event Chief Commercial Officer Adedayo Olawuyi, noted that airline guests rely heavily on their mobile phones for their regular activities, including travel, and it was  therefore, essential for Uganda Airlines to provide convenience with the new App in the palm of every traveler.

Adedayo Olawuyi also clarified that  the new  App was not in any way, intended to supplant travel agents services a complimentary tool for the traveler to have convenient means to book and track their  flights in real time .

“We are not against our partners in the travel trade, we still value the sales agents and shall continue to work with them. We simply realised that people are increasingly reliant on their mobile phones for regular activities including travel; hence the need for us to bring the convenience of this App within reach of their arm,” he explained.

“For example, once a customer has filled in basic details like their biodata and identity documents, they will not need to file them again when they book their next trip. All this will now be securely stored and automatically prompted for every time the customer logs into the App,” Don Mubiru said.

The App’s initial functionality will allow users to search for flights, make reservations, check-in and process digital boarding passes, as well as well as enrollment into the carrier’s Craneflyer frequent flyer programme.  Users can also indicate their meal preferences in advance.

About Uganda Airline ;

Uganda Airlines is Uganda’s flagship national passenger and cargo carrier that started in 2019. It provides scheduled air transportation services in East Africa and near-international markets.

Uganda Airlines was awarded the World's Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award, given by Ch-Aviation in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

For more information about the Company, visit: https://ugandairlines.co

The writer is a communications and media consultant/trainer and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda

msserwanga@gmail.com

KCCA Dorothy Kisaka’s Tenure : Reduced Political Tensions ,Increased Potholes , Boda Boda Maniacs

 By Moses Sserwanga

Dorothy Kisaka’s  tenure at the helm of Kampala Capital City  Authority (KCCA) as Executive  Director is set to end on July 23rd, 2023 and there are mixed feelings about her performance .

While some people have credited her for having reduced the political tensions and flares between the executive arm of the city and that of the political leadership led by Mayor Elias Lukwago , others have noted that there isn’t much she has done to clean up the city , reduce congestion , manage the menace that are boda bodas and the potholes that Kampala has come to be known for .

President Yoweri Museveni through the Ministry of  Public Service surprised political and development pundits when in June 2021 appointed the little known Kisaka on a three  year contract to manage a disorganized , highly polluted and dirty Kampala city.

This after another technical head , the nonsense ,flamboyant Jenipher Musisi abandoned ship for a more lucrative and less stressing job at the elite  American University Havard.

After three years in charge , and with limited funding from the  central government , a struggling business community  after three years of Covid-19 lock downs , most parts of Kampala remain in darkness during night hours  and the city road network has completely broken down to the extent that citizens have taken to social media to carry out a “ Kampala City Potholes  exhibition” sarcastically  showing national leaders in boats to crossover the wide spread gullies .

The potholes exhibition went far and wide , drawing the attention of President Museveni who ordered for the immediate release of Ug.Shs.5bn to fix the problem .

Authorities at KCCA say that Ug.Shs.5bn was a drop in the ocean and they have thus managed to only carry out  selected soil patching, sectional repairs, grading and gravelling in a few areas of the  city .

The long awaited construction of the old tax park was completed and although it has slightly improved traffic flow in and out of the park, the facility  is still over-crowded with no clear escape routes in cases of an emergency. The markets are a story for another day .

Some 17 junctions were signalised under KIIDP2 and government  financing and these include  among others ,John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue, 5 along Nakawa Ntinda, 2 on Lukuli new road , 3  Kabuusu-Bunamwaya-Lweeza road, Ben Kiwanuka/Luwum Street and Kasubi junction.

Overall, there is public outcry for government to have the political will to fix the problems of Kampala city without fear of losing the vote in 2026 .

Besides , the ruling NRM party is yet to gain any significant support in Kampala city which has a mayor elected from the opposition for a longtime.

What has to be done to fix the nightmare that is Kampala city

Among the major issues that have to be tackled head-on by the next technical leadership at KCCA is to fix the road network in and around Kampala to properly manage and reduce traffic flow in and out of the  city.

Decongestion will  require  diversion and or creation of outskirt routes for heavy  trucks , introduction of bus lanes for both electric and less fossil fuels emitting ICE buses ; introduce a tax for small single occupancy cars that access the central district everyday (key study of London and other European cities ) .

Government should also have the political stamina to solve the problem of boda bodas in Kampala by creating specially gazetted areas and stages for their regulated operations , revamp the city train public transport system and lit the roads.

The city authorities should also come up with creative ways of better management and collection of garbage and protection of  the water channels and systems across the city by heavily penalizing those who are found dumping garbage in these water channels .

Recently, the First lady has come out and called for the removal of street kids another problem which the city authorities are yet to resolve .

Ugandans are longing for a smart , clean , well organized Kampala Capital City .

The writer is a media and communications consultant and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda

Editor: msserwanga@gmail.com