KAYUNGA DISTRICT COUNCIL APPROVES KIIRA MOTORS ECO-AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGY PARK MASTER PLAN

 

The  Kayunga District  Local Administration has approved the Kiira Motors  ECO- Automotive Industrial and Technology Park (AITP) master plan –paving way for the development of the site that sits on 2 square miles .

The  AITP master plan was approved by  the Kayunga District Council during a meeting that was held on 13th October 2022. “This is therefore to submit the minute extract approving  Kiira Motors ECO- Automotive Industrial and Technology Park  master plan for your further consideration and action,” a letter addressed to the management of Kiira Motors and signed by the  Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Abdu Batambuze reads in part.

During the Kayunga District Council meeting , the motion to approve the AITP Master Plan was moved by Councillor Immaculate Namata and seconded by Hon. Councilor Katumba Joseph Ntamu according to a minute extract signed  by the Town Clerk  Immaculate Galimuka  and Hon Saleh Bullnson ,the District Speaker .

Kiira Motors acquired the land through public procurement and has a land title registered in the company names. The residents are excited about the new developments with the park expected to create jobs and lead to the development of the area .

 Kira Motors Corporation acquired the two square miles of land in Bbaale to set-p the Uganda Eco-Automotive Industrial & Technology Park to support a wide range of investments in motor vehicle parts manufacturing, vehicle testing and automotive technology innovation enterprises. The pre-feasibility study and business plan for the park have been completed.

Economic Benefits

According to officials at Kiira Motors that park is in line with the National Physical Development plan 2022/2040 as approved by cabinet and will be prepared to attract investors to set up manufacturing plants for auto filters, brake pads, automotive glass, car seats, lithium ion batteries, bolts and nuts, wiring harness, tires, auto-electronics and bamboo boards among others.

“ This park is a long term investment and will improve the tax base, aid in business retention and promote business diversity in the area. It will also attract foreign exchange through the export of automotive products once fully operational;  encourage the  skilling of the local community in Uganda through by setting up a skilling centre  which will produce skilled labour for the industrial sector thus promoting development,” sources at KMC  explained.

The Kayunga area will also benefit since this huge national project of strategic importance will lead to infrastructure development such as  better roads, fibre, electricity lines, and railway among others.

There  will also be improved social amenities  within Kayunga district with the provision of school, health facilities, hotels, commercial and recreation centres.

“Eco-AITP will improve the aesthetic of the area around the site as greening is one of the major principles of the ECO Automotive Industrial and Technology Park. The Eco-AITP will contribute to the reduction of emissions through the use of clean energy and the production of hybrid and electric automobiles. This will further be attained through the greening of the park,” officials added .

Editor: msserwanga@gmail.com

FINANCING VALUE CHAINS IN UGANDA

 

By Moses Sserwanga

Media/Communications specialist

For many farmers of Agago  , financial literacy and  banking is a new phenomenon  since many of them had never  even entered a banking hall . The farmers in this remote district of Agago in northern Uganda keep their money under their mattress  a practice which does not encourage saving and investment .

As a  result ,the farmers  continue to wallow in  poverty with little or nor savings at all.  This  problem however ,may soon be history following a campaign by Bank of Africa to extend financial services to the remote parts of the country.

A new  Bank of Africa branch has been set up in Patongo Kalongo in Agago district to encourage farmers save money to accelerate agricultural  business growth.  According  to Mr. Paul Tonny Ekwang  Bank of Africa branch manager  ,the bank made  the decision to set up the branch with support from aBi Trust to demystify the use of the phrase “lack of cash flow” among the farmers.

“  We want the farmers to take advantage of the available  resources such as  Ox-plough, bulls, ample land , human resource  synergy to generate income for themselves and their businesses. That’s  why we are training farmers in financial literacy   which covers book keeping, the importance of  banking , available financial products to  boost agricultural production and marketing among other,” Ekwang says.

Four hundred  and eighty ( 480) farmers in selected business member groups  have been  trained  in Lira Palwo, Omot, Omiya Pacwa sub counties and Patongo and Kalongo town councils. “ The purpose of the training was to equip community beneficiaries  with knowledge  on basic  records keeping and financial management, value addition so that good quality  farm produce  is taken to the market. That way , farmers earn much more and grow their capacity to save and take advantage of other available financial opportunities within the banking sector,” he  explains.

Ekwang said that after the training farmers are in position to  determine their cash sales and have cash record book kept for each member. Farmers are also able to take on agriculture as a business which leads to increased  sales of agriculture produce.

The  farmers are also encouraged to approach the Bank of Africa branches in Patongo and Kalongo to open and maintain bank accounts, access loan facilities  during planting , harvesting and  marketing agricultural produce to increase income .

The bank manager was encouraged to note that following the training farmers who had hitherto never entered a banking hall have come up to open bank accounts. We have realized shs.31m in deposits from new clients .

The bank has also helped farmers to bring financial services near to them. People had to travel long distance to access a bank in Pader district.   With support from aBi Trust , the bank managed to open a new branch in Patongo,  bought  motor cycles they use to  travel to the villages to mobilise and train farmers in financial matters.

Challenges :

Because of trauma resulting from the two decade LRA war some farmers fear to approach the bank because of the armed police guards.

70% of the farmers  want to open a Dero (personal ) accounts  but  do not have  photos, identity cards and LC letters which are some of the requirements for opening up an account . 

MAYUGE FARMERS NOW PRODUCING FOR THE MARKET

 It’s been a long journey for the farmers of the remote district of Mayuge. They have had to withstand big challenges that included among others poor seed varieties, gender-based violence due to mistrust among family members, poor farming methods, effects of the climate challenge and the cheating middlemen who pay farmers low prices for their farm produce.

Now organized in a growing farmers’ association, the Mayuge farmers who were hitherto, largely producing for the homesteads are now engaging in large scale farming and realizing positive results of their hard-earned labor.

They have since formed the Mayuge District Farmers Association, (MDFA) which has grown from a membership of 500 in 2000 to over 20,000 to-date. Mr. Paul Ojikan the Coordinator of the Mayuga District Farmers Association who is also the Chairman of the National Soya bean Network the Association says that that the registered members work in 666 groups with 30 members each in eight sub-counties of Malongo, Kityerera, Imanyiro, Bukaboli, Buwaya, Busakira ,Kigandalo, and Mpungwe.

Originally formed to provide agricultural advisory services to improve food security at household levels for the members, MDFA has now organized smallholder farmers into marketing groups which are producing cash crops for particular markets. Two main crops, particularly the soya bean and maize were promoted for large scale commercial farming after a baseline survey which was conducted in 2007.

“ When farmers improved food security at the household level there was a surplus which required markets and thus the need to engage in farming as a business. But at the time, farmers faced challenges of limited access to; improved seeds , regular agricultural advisory services , lack of quality assurance facilities and reliable sustainable market for their farm produce and regular access to market information, “ Ojikan explains .

So we sought partners to help address the challenges which were hindering farmers’ productivity. “That’s why the leadership of Mayuge District Farmers’ Association made a decision to seek support from aBi-Trust which last year gave the Association an additional Shs. 444m grant to work on maize production, value addition, and collective marketing. On its part, the association had to contribute shs. 160M for a piece of land where a maize mill and offices will be erected to add value to the farmer’s crop and coordinate the activities of MDFA, respectively, “ Ojikan said.

With aBi-Trust ‘s support, major interventions were put in place which included among others, access to improved seeds, agricultural advisory services, market information from NARO which were distributed at the group level.
The extension field was also recruited to mobilise and train farmers in agronomic and post-harvest handling practices. Marketing committees of 5 people were set up in each group to carry out market research so that farmers get a fair price for the agricultural produce.

This offered a good opportunity for the farmers to bargain for a good price. . Between 2007-2013, at least 5,130 tons of soya beans were produced and sold by the members of the Mayuge District Farmers Association.
Farmers have since been encouraged to grow maize on a large scale because the huge demand for the grain on the market. But as farmers of Mayuge engaged in large sale farming, challenges emerged which needed immediate solutions to maintain a good maize value chain.
Other benefits from the aBi-Trust grant to the farmers of Mayuge include, training in agronomy, use of improved high yield maize and soya bean seeds, modern farming practices and proper utilization of farm inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. The association has also set up demonstration sites at group levels for farmers to appreciate and apply new farming technologies and methods that will help boost soya beans and maize production.

Along with the maize and soya bean value chain, with the interventions supported by aBiTrust, Ojikan said the farmers have also been trained in gender-related concepts where families, plan together, budget together, farm together and share the proceeds of their farm produce together. “Through the gender project, women have been given an opportunity to participate productively in agriculture to benefit both themselves and their respective families.

The old traditional practices where women were neglected or their contribution to farming was not recognized are now being abandoned to ensure equality, transparency, and accountability at the family level. This has greatly improved relations, reduced tensions, and gender-based violence and as a result, boosted production and family incomes.

With support from aBi-Trust and savings of the association, Ojikan said that the association has acquired, computers, 3 motorcycles, digital camera, 300 tumplines, 7 moisture meters, 4 standard weighing scales, 10 driers among others.

Demonstration centers have been set up where high yielding seeds are multiplied and 80% of the improved seed varieties re-distributed to farmers. Because there is increased farm produce, MDFA has had to link farmers to better markets by providing information about prices for agricultural produce on a regular basis. “ We collaborate with market service providers like Fit- Uganda, farm Gain and Agrinet to get accurate information about the prevailing market prices. This helps farmers to sell their produce at the right price and cut out the cheating middlemen,” Ojikan explains.

MDFA is also emphasizing on quality assurance which involves , getting the right seeds, engaging in better farming practices and post harvest handling to ensure quality crop yields for better rewarding markets for farmers products.

Indeed, MDFA has put in place structures where Community Change Agents (CCAs) who double as marketing committee members provide farmers with information on the prevailing market prices on a regular basis.
Village Saving and Loan Associations, (VSLA) have also been set up to promote the culture of saving and investment among farmers. There are now 300 VSLA in Mayuge where members save and loan to each other to increase farm production.

The farmers also collectively market their produce at established bulking centers and as a result, have a better bargaining power which fetches them better prices Again, aBi-Trust’s support has come in handy here, with the VSLA members being trained in financial literacy on how to keep records. Each VSLA is given ledger books, a stamp, inkpad and passbooks to keep proper accounts.
Through the Mainstreaming Gender in Soya Bean Value Chain project, families are trained to work together to realize and appreciate the role of women, youths and men in sustainable agricultural production with a focus on farming as a business.

But all is not rosy for the farmers of Mayuge. They still face big challenges like the effects of climate change which results in prolonged drought,. The cheating middlemen still exist and the many sugarcane plantations are a threat to food security in Mayuge.

msserwanga@gmail.com

Another Endorsement: Works & Transport Minister Transported to Work on Electric Bus

Uganda’s nascent electric vehicle industry received yet another endorsement on Friday morning when the minister of (Works and) Transport Gen Katumba Wamala chose to board its product, the Kayoola EVS on his way to work.

General Katumba who joined about 60 other passengers aboard the Kayoola EVS, boarded the electric bus operated by Kalita bus company at Bweyogerere, along the Northern Bypass for the 14 kilometre stretch to Busega.

Earlier last month, the minister for Science Technology and Innovation who make the buses under Kiira Motors Corporation, joined the public on the electric bus on the same route and gave the a service a nod of approval. 

After the maker minister, now the user minister has also given his endorsement of the product of Uganda’s young engineers, who design the electric buses and build them in collaboration with the industrial arm of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, Luwero Industries in Nakasongola.

During the morning engagement with the public and other transport operators, General Katumba Katumba told taxi operators who are alarmed by the entry of the modern buses into the public transport sector, that mass transit is the way to go and there is no turning back .He advised them to prepare themselves to be able to fit in the changing transport landscape. 

Gen Katumba Wamala paying his transport fare on the Kayoola Electric bus while on his way to work Friday morning

The general assured the taxi operators that the government is pushing ahead with mass transit projects including the urban service train system. In addition to the Namanve – City centre train which Katumba says carries the equivalent of passengers for 65 taxis, the government is in final stages of instituting another urban rail route connecting the city centre and Kyengera on the populous western flank of Kampala.

The transport revolution in Kampala has been triggered by Kiira Motors Corporation’s release of ultra modern buses that are a hundred percent electric powered and also clean low emission diesel buses. 

So far, Kampala Capital City Authority has licensed two transport companies to operate the clean buses; Kalita which is on the 22 kilometre Busega – Bweyogerere high speed bypass and Tondeka on the circular City Square – Nakawa – Ntinda – Wangeya route.

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is 100% government owned between STI (96%) and Makerere University (4%). KMC has been building the buses it designs in the military workshop in Luwero Industries, but will later next year shift its works to its new plant being constructed in Jinja. KMC has orders for over 1,000 buses, both low emission diesel and fully electric ones.

UGANDA PARLIAMENT HONORS MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ON MARKING 100 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, PROMISES MORE FUNDING

 

• Deputy Speaker Tayebwa pushes for increased funding of Makerere and other Universities in the country .
• Makerere showcases the Kayoola fully electric buses a leading innovation coming out of the university in its 100 years of existence  

The Deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called upon government to increase  funding for public universities to cater for research and innovations to ensure home grown solutions for local challenges .

Tayebwa was presiding over a plenary sitting where the parliament of Uganda passed a motion for a resolution to commemorate 100 years of the existence of Makerere University -one of the oldest and top universities in Africa and globally .

At the occasion , Makerere university- showcased one of the best innovations coming out of the Ivory Tower – the Kayoola fully electric buses that are produced in Uganda by Ugandan engineers led by Prof. Sandy  Stevens Tickodri-Togboa -majority of whom are products of the university.

A 40 member delegation of Makerere University’s  top management-led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe and Council Chairperson Mrs. Lorna Magara, were  transported on the Kayoola EVs on their way to parliament for special recognition .

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa emphasized the need to invest more funds in both public and private University research programs to enhance learning systems in higher institutions to produce more job creators .

He said  universities should offer relevant education for the 21 century – to produce hands on graduates that are involved in the production of marketable innovations and  products .

The motion to honour the great university was moved by Sheema South MP, Prof.Dickens Mushemeza , who recognized Makerere University’s contribution to Uganda’s economic, social development and its active participation in the political transformation of not only Uganda but also other African countries.

The state minister for higher Education Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo,called upon parliament to support Makerere University as it repositions itself – to become a research and innovation led university for the next 100 years.

Following the University’s training of medical doctors from Mulago Hospital, Dr.Muyingo encouraged members to support government in its efforts towards the construction of an independent hospital for Makerere University. 

“ We are also using these celebrations to solicit support for Makerere  to come up with its own university hospital. Makerere University has been training medical doctors from Mulago hospital. I will present a request to fund the construction of a medical training hospital at Makerere University and  I hope you will support me,” Dr. Muyingo told cheering MPs many of whom went through the gates of Makerere university.

What MPs said on the floor

* General Kiryowa Kiwanuka*: I am a proud student of Makerere University 1993-1996 where I was privileged to study law as a first degree and I was a student of Nkrumah hall. Makerere is transitioning into a research- led University and we will need to support it in every possible way to achieve that dream of finding home bread solutions to our problems. Makerere must start doing research to find solutions which are made for us and by us. Makerere has made us proud. 

*Bubulo East Mp,John Musila*: Mr. Speaker,  I want to add a voice that Makerere has contributed to the political transformation of the EAC region and the whole of Africa. We have produced Presidents in Kenya two of them, Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and in Tanzania, President Nyerere.

 *Jenipher Namuyangu Woman MP, Kibuku*: I want to salute the men and women especially the lecturers of Makerere University. I was a student there for six years, Mao was  my guild president. I agree that we need to support Makerere University to rehabilitate the halls of residence. I am told Lumumba apparently is closed for the next two years due to rehabilitation and am happy for that. Halls like Mary Stuart should also be considered.

*Nakaseke South MP, Lutamaguzi Ssemakula*: Everyone is here singing about Makerere University, most of us have gone through Makerere University but the question arises Mr Speaker, what have we done for Makerere University?

*Maracha East MP, Lematia Ruth Molly Ondoru*: I am not an alumni of Makerere for higher degrees but a close associate. I am a nurse by profession. When the nurses didn’t have degrees in this country- I sat down and prepared a proposal to introduce nursing degrees in Uganda. Therefore, I went to Makerere if they could take over this course, I am very grateful to Makerere, they were able to take it on. I am very happy today that nurses can also get degrees and PhDs in Uganda.

Asuman Basalirwa  Bugiri Municipality MP and one of the  former Makerere University Guild Presidents in parliament called for academic freedom of expression at the university .

OIL PIPELINE PROJECT WILL GO AHEAD DISPITE EU RESOLUTION SAYS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

 President Museveni has assured Ugandans and the EAC region that the East African Company Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, will go ahead despite a resolution by European lawmakers calling for it to be delayed over “rights violations”.

France’s TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) signed a $10-billion agreement earlier this year to develop Ugandan oilfields and ship the crude through a 1,445-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline to Tanzania’s Indian Ocean port of Tanga.

“I saw in the papers that the EU parliament passed a resolution directing TOTAL not to proceed with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Please, don’t waste your time thinking about that. We have a contract with TOTAL written very well. The oil will come out in 2025, the first batch. The Oil project will go on and no one can stop it,” President Museveni said during a meeting at Kololo Independence grounds ‘

Museveni later tweeted: “Total Energies convinced me about the Pipeline idea; if they choose to listen to the EU Parliament, we shall find someone else to work with…Either way, we shall have our oil coming out by 2025 as planned. So, the people of Uganda should not worry.”

President Yoweri Museveni’s strong comments about this much desired project follow those of Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who stated thus ;”These are projects which were approved by the parliament of Uganda, the parliament of a sovereign country and anything to do with challenging their approval is an affront to the independence of this house and we cannot take it lightly,” he said.

Tayebwa lashed out at the  European Union Parliament  resolution calling the latest move by Europeans – “ economic racism” and “neo-colonialism.”

Presiding over parliament Tayebwa  condemned the resolution saying the idea behind it is an act of neo-colonialism by the Europeans thinking that they can control the economic affairs of independent African countries.

“The resolution is based on misinformation and deliberate misrepresentation of key facts on environment and human rights protection. It represents the highest level of neo-colonialism and imperialism against the sovereignty of Uganda and Tanzania” Tayebwa charged.

The production of Uganda’s oil in 2025 remains on course as contractors – CNOOC and Total Energies have registered another milestone with the completion of their first oil drilling rigs for the Tilenga project after passing endurance tests at the Honghua Factory, Guanghan City in China. 

The huge -costly equipment which were shipped and have been on the high seas on the journey to Uganda is said to have arrived at the East African port of Mombasa according to a tweet from CNOOC Uganda Limited . The one of Total Energies is expected to arrive in Uganda in November ,2022.

” Steps to first oil.@ CNOOC Uganda Ltd Kingsfisher oilfield rig reaches Mombasa port and will soon be in Uganda and there’s no turning back,” CNOOC Uganda stated on their official Twitter handle.

Once production commences -the oil will be transported to the sea port of Tanga in Tanzania through the East Africa Company Oil Pipeline ( EACOP) and will traverse the ten (10) districts of Hoima, Kikuube, Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi, Gomba, Mubende, Lwengo, Sembabule, Kyotera and Rakai in Uganda costing (approx. US$3.6bn).

CNOOC is one of two licensed oil companies that will work on the EACOP project till 2025 when the first oil is expected to be produced in what will be historic milestone for Uganda and the East African region . The other company involved in EACOP project is Total Energies Co. ltd .

Of the total 1,443km, Uganda will host 296 km of the pipeline. This is going to take up about 2,740 acres of land. A final Resettlement Action Plan report was submitted to the Ministry by the Pipeline Project Team (PPT) and the report was approved in 2021.

Total Energies’ Tier one contractor Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau (ZPEB) received the oil rig code named ‘ZPEB Rig 1501’ at the official handover ceremony in China . ZPEB undertook to deliver the rigs after they – won the multi-million contract for the detailed designs and construction of oil drilling rigs for Uganda .

Total Energies Uganda Consultant Mr Thierry Vinay was excited about this giant step forward and has stated thus;” “This signifies progress towards the commencement of our drilling activities and subsequent delivery of first oil in Uganda. Thank you to all the teams that have worked tirelessly on building this rig and we look forward to receiving it in Uganda.”

The oil rig will be deployed to ensure the first oil production in 2025 at 400 oil wells -north of Lake Albert in Buliisa and Nyowa districts.  According to a statement from Total Energies – the ‘ZPEB Rig 1501’ is a highly innovative 1,500 Horsepower (HP) walking land rig with full integration, automation, low emission and is fully soundproofed. The rig’s 1,500 HP is equivalent to the horsepower of four heavy duty trucks. 

CNOOC said their rig the first that will be deployed in East Africa region – has been customized for its Kingfisher wells . CNOOC says the rig is a fully automated silent industrial equipment that is outfitted with industry -leading technologies such as well -site de-noising control , a zero discharge system ,and a pipe column automation system.

Total Energies will undertake drilling of more than 400 oil wells spread across 31 well pads in six fields (Jobi Rii, Ngiri, Gunya,Kigogole, Nsoga, Kasemene and Wahrindi) in Nwoya and Buliisa districts. 

The company is undertaking major infrastructural developments to allow timely drilling operations that will include the construction of the Tangi Operation Support Base camp. Some 600 oil workers for the exploitation of oil resources within Murchison Falls Park will be housed here .

The company is also undertaking civil works of the industrial area in Buliisa District. This covers 300 hectares and it will host the Central Processing Facility (CPF) operating for 24 hours with camping facilities for 4,000 people, an operations support base, drilling base, wastewater treatment plant, and a lake water abstraction system.

The CPF will process 190,000 barrels of oil per day with a supply of crude oil through 160 kilometers of flow-lines from the oil wells.  Another 95 kilometre-24 inch feeder pipeline will transport the processed crude oil from the central processing facility in Buliisa to the export hub and refinery in Kabaale in Hoima.

Minister Hon. Dr. Nankabirwa busy clearing all the hurdles to ensure smooth implementation

Energy Minister Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa and the ministry’s technical team led by Eng. Irene Batebe has been working around the clock to clear all obstacles that could undermine the fast and smooth implemnattion of the strategic national development project . The Ministry of Energy has since speared headed the passing of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) (Special Provisions) law – which is an important “legislation of our time”- because it will facilitate the first crude oil pipeline development in Uganda and the East African Region.

Nankabirwa has said that the law will facilitate the Implementation of  two important agreements – the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania which was signed  on May 26 2017  and the  Host Government Agreement (HGA) -which  was entered between the Republic of Uganda and the EACOP Company.

Moses Paul Sserwanga Esq.

Media and Communications Consultant /Advocate of the High Court

msserwanga@gmail.com

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES UGANDAN CAR PRODUCTION COMPANIES TO PRODUCE ELECTRIC BUSES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND MANUFACTOR LITHIUM -ION BATTERIES LOCALLY

 

President Museveni has vowed that nothing will stop  a group of Ugandan innovators and manufacturers to  spearhead Uganda’s transition from  fossil fuels to E-mobility to reduce pollution and offer an organized -cheap transport solution for Kampala city and other urban centers.

The President said that the move  will shift the country from the use of fuel energy to E- mobility that will involve big- fully electric buses with a capacity of up to  90 -passengers, mini buses as well as electric motorcycles . According to the president these quick interventions will help to  decongest the city as commuters will adapt to a modern , quick  , safe and clean Rapid Mass Transport System within Kampala city and other urban centers.

The challenge ,President Museveni noted will be the manufacturing of lithium -ion batteires that are used to power electric vehicles .

“Batteries are a very crucial step for this intervention . We shall give you all the support to manufacture the batteries locally ,” Museveni told a group of scientists , innovators and entrepreneurs in  the E- mobility space who were led by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation , Dr. Monica  Musenero.

“In the medium term we shall have to make the batteries here, so I am very glad to hear that there is some body among you who is already involved in electric batteries,” the President noted.

President Museveni pointed out that although Uganda will be processing its oil in a few years to come, this will not stop the effort of having clean energy mobility technologies deployed on our roads.
Uganda boasts vast deposits of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite which are used in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles. President Museveni disclosed that the government will develop a vertically integrated industry in steel manufacturing -since Uganda has a high grade of iron ore which is 70% pure  and  the best in the world followed by  that of  Peru which is only 58 %. 

He allayed fears that development of the automotive industry with special focus on E- mobility will undermine the oil and gas sector. “ The oil will be used for textiles, polyesters, plastics, aviation fuel , fertilizers among others,” he explained .

Kampala, Uganda’s capital which is  home to more than two million people- ranks among the world’s most polluted cities- with pollution levels up to seven times higher than the World Health Organisation’s safe standards, according to the 2021 World Air Quality Report. Around 28,000 people per year die as a result of air pollution in Uganda, according to GAHP.

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Travel barriers holding back Africa aviation’s post-Covid recovery- IATA

 By Moses Sserwanga

in Doha ,Qatar

The IATA Africa Middle East Regional Vice -President Mr.Kamil Alawadhi has highlighted three strategic areas that will accelerate the recovery of the aviation industry in Africa following a three -year devastating Covid 19 pandemic . Mr. Kamil Alawadhi said there is need to quickly remove all barriers to travel, clear blocked airlines funds now standing at USD 1.6bn and ensure operational safety for the aviation industry in Africa to get back to its pre-covid bearings .

But he hastened to note that the IATA highlighted recovery priority areas will not possibly be achieved by 2023 if only 15% of Africa’s population is  fully vaccinated. “With more countries lifting travel restrictions for those vaccinated, the freedom of movement will be limited until vaccines are universally available,” Mr. Alawadhi explained adding that where governments have not restricted travel, the passenger business recovery has been swift.

He was addressing the African and Middle East Media personalities -ahead of the the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit now taking place in Doha, Qatar, 19-21 June 2022 and hosted by Qatar Airways. Some 1,000 aviation leaders from IATA member airlines, governments, industry stakeholders, strategic partners and members of the media are attending the event. 

“While most countries in Africa and the Middle East have opened up and eased travel restrictions, we’re still seeing unnecessary travel barriers in some countries in the region,” the IATA AME Vice President noted .

With low vaccination rates across Africa, the continent and its people are vulnerable and the economic recovery from COVID-19 is at risk. Moreover, with more countries lifting travel restrictions for those vaccinated, the freedom of movement will be limited until vaccines are universally available. With only15% of Africa’s population fully vaccinated, the challenge is particularly acute.

He also questioned the continued disparity in measures by different governments -where for instance Equitorial Guinea and Sierra Leone still requiring PCR tests even for vaccinated travelers and Cameroon, Rwanda, Angola and Liberia requiring two PCRs one before travel and one arrival.

In the Middle East there is a disparity in vaccine validity. “Some countries ask for a 4 four month vaccine validity, some nine and some in between. The number of doses also varies. Between. In view of the limited global supply of vaccines the WHO has said that booster jabs should not be a requirement for international travel.”

On the issue of blocked funds Mr. Alawadhi said IATA was moving strongly to urge government to release the blocked funds for airlines to free up resources that can boost the quick recovery of the industry in Africa where operators are struggling due to limited or no access to their operation revenues . Blocked funds refer to the money that airlines have difficulties repatriating from certain because of government foreign exchange controls.

“A financially viable air transport sector supports jobs and must be a driving force for Africa and the Middle East economic recovery from COVID-19.

A priority is releasing blocked funds. As of April, globally, there is a total $1.6 billion in funds blocked by 20 countries worldwide.  Of this, 67% is blocked in Africa for a total of $1 billion, tied up in 12 African countries.  Nigeria alone is holding back $450 million. It is the most amount blocked by any single African country, and the amount is rising every week,” Alawadhi regretted to note stressing that- cash flow is key for airlines’ business sustainability – when airlines are unable to repatriate their funds, it severely impedes their operations and limits the number of markets they can serve.

Aviation Leaders Assemble in Doha for IATA’s 78th AGM

 Doha – The International Air Transport Association (IATA), announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), with Qatar Airways as the host airline.

The event (19-21 June) attracts the industry’s most senior leaders from among IATA’s 290 member airlines, as well as leading government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers, and media. 

“In a few days, Doha will become the aviation capital of the world. The last time we met in Doha, in 2014, we were celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first airline flight. This year’s AGM is another momentous occasion: Airlines are simultaneously recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, setting the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, working to improve gender diversity, and adapting to a geopolitical environment that is undergoing its greatest shock in over three decades,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “It is an absolute privilege to be hosting our industry partners in Qatar Airways’ home city, particularly during our milestone 25th year of operations. Coming together face-to-face provides us with the opportunity to discuss lessons learnt from our recent years during the pandemic, global issues affecting us all in the here and now, and to plan the best way forward for the industry.”

World Air Transport Summit

The WATS opens immediately following the AGM. A highlight will be the third edition of the Diversity and Inclusion Awards sponsored by Qatar Airways. These awards recognize organizations and individuals who are making a difference in helping to drive the industry’s 25by2025 initiative to make the aviation industry more gender balanced. 

The WATS will also feature the popular CEO Insights Panel moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest and featuring Adrian Neuhauser, CEO, Avianca, Pieter Elbers, CEO, KLM, Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways and Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO, Virgin Australia. 

In addition to the updated industry economic outlook, key topics to be addressed include: the War in Ukraine and its implications for the globalized world; the challenges to achieving sustainability, including net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and reducing the use of single use plastics, allocating scarce airport capacity, and ensuring safe carriage of lithium batteries. New for 2022 is a CFO Insights Panel 

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Palm oil project gives Kalangala a lifeline

By Moses Sserwanga

In Kalangala

 

 In a country where the locals are not very keen  at venturing out  of their traditional  surroundings,  Kalangala district one of the islands on lake  Victoria is fast becoming a local tourists  destination. 

 Because of its  quiet and breathtaking scenery  surrounded by the waters of Lake Victoria ,for  many of  Kampala’s affluent  and globetrotters -Kalangala is now one of their major weekend and holiday resting places.

 Although the tourism industry  is just picking up on the Island - after a one year lull- due to the devasting -global-novel -covid -19 pandemic, many  local and foreign tourists still  make the -three and half hours journey to the district -just to indulge themselves a little bit.

 “  We are extremely privileged that we are beginning to see the real potential of Kalangala even when it’s a hard to reach area . And for some of us in administration we cannot wait to take full advantage of  the people’s interest in our local tourism to help develop the district . There   is a lot of potential for our local tourism given the global interest in our cultural sites, the beautiful oil palm  gardens  (sic) -eco tourism,  Bugoma landing sites for early missionaries , sports fishing, water  surfing and  bird watching among others ,” Umar Kiyonga  an employee of the Kalangala oil Palm Growers Trust (KOPGT) , says.

 Mr. Balironda David Mukasa Salongo, the General Manager of  KOPGT, a former Agricultural Officer , says that Kalangala has come a long way since  1989 when it was  curved out of

Masaka district without any  economic feasibility to talk home about . “There was a
need to have a big  project  running here and  we are  happy to have the palm oil project which has helped inject ‘life’ in much of what the local people are doing currently .

 Kalangala (Bugala) with  a modest population of an estimated 90,000 inhabitants,  is the biggest out  of  the 84 Sesse Islands  “ The Kalangala local government is in charge of all the  84 islands 64 of which are uninhabited  . So through the   KOPGT we are  in position to improve our health sector, education, fisheries and above all promote echo-tourism with the beautiful scenery created by the oil palm trees- “forests” -dotted across the island”, Balironda states .

 “ And with  oil palm growing over the last 15 years , people are  earning  real incomes and in the month of April alone ,an estimated 1,300 oil palm farmers will earn an estimated UGSHS.4bn  from their farms and we expect the district’s  tax base to widen and that can only serve the public good,” a jovial Balironda told media personalities who visited the district to report about the positive economic and eco-tourism transformation caused by oil palm growing .

Because of the increased household incomes and general standards of living commercial banks have set -up banking services for the first time on the island and the farmers are encouraged to save and invest in other economic activities -thus widening the economic base of the district.

 “You can see all-round people are building better houses, opening up hardware shoes , saloons but above all sending children to schools which has led to a marked improvement in literacy levels,” Balironda explains .

 Ms.Connie Magomu Masaba, the Project Manager of the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP) said that growing of oil palm in Kalanga has  transformed households from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.  The project has  also created thousands of jobs directly with many people working in the   plantations  owned by the  Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL) plus the outgrowers.

 The National Oil Palm Project is a Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) initiative with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and because of  its success in Kalangala it  is now being extended to  Buvuma  Island .

The Buvuma Island project will be established on 7,500 hectares with 5,000 dedicated to the nucleus estate while the rest of the land (2,500) will be for smallholder farmers. The nucleus estate will be managed by Buvuma Oil Palm Limited (BOPL), a joint venture between the private sector, government and farmers, according to Masaba.  The Buvuma Oil Palm Growers Cooperatives Society Limited has been formed to cater for the interests of farmers

And the economics of oil palm growing

Currently, a kilo of fresh fruit bunches of oil palm is sold at Shs869 from Shs857 in April. In Kalangala, where the project was first implemented, smallholder farmers supply on average 6.9 million kilos of fresh fruit bunches earning a gross income of Shs6 billion every month. Smallholder farmers also earn from oil palm leaves once pruned, which they sell as brooms used in urban areas such as Kampala. It is estimated that an ordinary farmer can earn as much as Shs.800,000 from an acre of oil palm trees.

Commercial oil palm growing in Uganda started in Kalangala in 2006 and harvesting started in 2010 with crude palm oil shipped to Jinja where Bidco owns a refinery that makes cooking oil and soap among other products.

Oil palm trees reach maturity at four years and are harvested every 10 days for 25 years after which farmers will have to replant. This gives farmers a sustainable monthly income for years.   Oil palm is the world’s most versatile vegetable oil which is used to make soap, cooking oil, medicines, cosmetics, and ingredients used in the automotive industry among others. 

And the challenges

But much as  Kalangala has found its feet, there are  numerous  challenges it has to over-come. The district HIV/Aids prevalence rates are  still very high  averaging  at between
 27-30 %  compared to national average of  6-9%.  Kalangala does not have a district hospital; therefore, patients often have to travel by water to the nearby district hospitals in Entebbe and Masaka for treatment. Further, patients cannot travel by night because ferries and boats are not allowed to operate at night and the last time Ugandaupdatenews.com visited the oil palm farmers , the docking peirs at bugoma and Bukakata had been submerged following the rising water levels of Lake Victoria and no action had been taken by  the Kalangala infrastructure Services Ltd who operate the two public vessels that transport people to and from the island.

 msserwanga@gmail.com