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

 

MILES 4 SMILES MOTOR VEHICLE ENTHUSIASTS TOUR KIIRA MOTORS VEHICLE PLANT IN JINJA

 Members of the Ugandan famed Miles 4 Smiles – a group of motor vehicles enthusiasts ,mechanics and professionals have toured the multi-billion Kiira Vehicles Plant (KVP) at the jinja Industrial and Business park and pledged to support -mission vehicles made in Uganda- all the way – by buying vehicles produced by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC).

Uganda’s automakers and industry champions are now taking orders to produce buses for the local, regional and continental markets .

The Miles 4 Smiles has over 200 members countrywide who each offer their relevant expertise in achieving the noble cause of charity . They were received at the plant by a team of Kiira Motors officials led by the Director of Sales and Marketing ,Mr. Allan Muhumuza.

Phase one of the Kiira Vehicle Plant which has been constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade under the army’s trading arm -the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) is at 98% completion and has capacity to produce 22 buses a day and 5,000 a year. Some of the KMC products include the Kayoola EVs -the fully electric buses and the Kayoola Diesel Coach (KDC) -which for the last two years have been used to offer shuttle services for the staff of Civil Aviation Authority .

Do you want to buy a locally made durable bus (both electric and diesel) please contact Kiira Motors Corporation at their home in Ntinda ,Kampala. Telephone Contact; 0783039613 

THE ELETRIC VEHICLES REVOLUTION: GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND PASS THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT POLICY

 

BY MOSES SSERWANGA

As we usher in the year 2022 amid a resilient Covid 19 pandemic- the 4^th industrial revolution is also taking shape-with the global 9 trillion dollars automotive industry quickly shifting to electric mobility technologies to mitigate the wide spread effects of climate change largely as a results of pollution from fossil fuels .

Last year, over 11 million registered electric vehicles including cars, buses, vans and trucks were on the road across the world. This number is projected to rise to 145 million by the end of the decade.

Luckily, for Uganda and Africa in general -this new global trend for software-enabled forms of E- mobility might – after all-not leave us behind by several hundred years as the case has been with the past industrial revolutions.

Several African countries can be credited for attempting to keep with -in touching distance with the more advanced world to deploy clean energy -efficient Electric vehicles and phase out the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars by the year 2030. And this is just eight years away.

 Uganda, South Africa , Morocco, Nigeria and Mauritius are among the early leaders in the EV market and this is one milestone that should be celebrated across the African continent . At least for once, Africa is moving in tandem with the rest of the world to deploy its home grown E-mobility technologies that will help the continent to have a fair share of the multi-trillion -global car market .

 Uganda together with other EAC regional government should cease the opportunity in the new year 2022 -to pronounce themselves and offer clear road maps on greening our cities  by promoting clean and efficient  E-mobility solutions. Kampala and many other African cities are ranked among the most polluted in the world due to the dumping of -end-of-life second hand used vehicles.

 Well as several industrialized- developed nations have set 2030 as the magic year to phase out Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles ,only one African country – Cape Verde has taken definitive steps to phase out the ICE cars by 2035 .

 In Uganda -Kiira Motors Corporation the state enterprise and industry captains in the development of the country’s nascent automotive industry have been at the forefront of developing  E-mobility technologies that have resulted in the deployment of electric vehicles -the Kayoola fully electric buses which are now offering shuttle services for employees of the Uganda Civil Aviation authority .

 Subsequently ,a  draft Automotive Industry Development Policy has been crafted to shape the destiny of Uganda’s multi-billion automotive industry. But unfortunately  ,this blue print is yet to be discussed and passed by cabinet .

 This means that whereas Kiira Motors and other two and three wheeler electric motorcycle producers like Zembo, Bodawerk and International University of East  Africa (IUEA) have taken the initiative to ensure that Uganda is at close quarters with other E-mobility champions across the world-there is still no clear government plan to align the country to the global mobility trends.

 Perhaps this is the reason why there is relatively slow adoption of EVs in Uganda and EAC region which still face  infrastructural challenges like the lack of public E-charging systems (apparently KMC has the only three available E-chargers) in the country if not in the entire EAC region. And what a pity ! .

 What needs to be done rather urgently

Government should in the year 2022 pass and implement the Automotive Industry Development Policy and other attendant laws .  There is also the urgent need -for the development of a national charging infrastructure for Electric mobility and that should be connected to the national grid at affordable rates to phase out the high polluting end-of-life vehicles in Uganda by 2030. This should quickly be done through the Ministries of Energy and Mineral Development and Transport and Works in collaboration with the Ministry of Science ,Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President -led by Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Gen. Katumba Wamala and Dr. Monica Musenero ,respectively . 

 

Kiira Motors and other start-up companies like Zembo, Bodawerk that have worked against all odds to  bring the electric-car revolution to the streets of Kampala with the production of electric-vehicle fleet and E- motorcycles  need to be supported  by government by putting in place a robust -conducive environment that will facilitate the fast development of  the country ‘s  automotive industry to service the  huge vehicle market in the EAC region and Africa continent .

The writer is a Media ,Communications  Consultant  and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda 

msserwanga@gmail.com

KIIRA MOTORS EMBARKS ON SKILLING UGANDANS AHEAD OF MASS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES NEXT YEAR

By  Moses Sserwanga 

Uganda’ s Automotive Industry flagship, Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has embarked on a massive skilling program for Ugandans -ahead of mass  commercial production of vehicles at their Vehicle Plant at the Jinja Industrial and Business Park next year .

At least 50  new KMC staff are now undergoing an intensive skills training program at Luwero Industries in Nakasongola where Uganda’s automakers are building buses for the local  and regional markets .  

Kiira  Motors are now taking orders to deliver  buses both electric and internal combustion  engines ones with the government of Uganda taking an initial order through the Ministry of Transports -company executives have revealed.

The  bus chassis and frame localization training of the initial group of 50 factory workers will last at least three months  and the lucky selected Ugandans were all but excited about the opportunity to build and produce -vehicles made in Uganda. “ This is a life time opportunity and I thank God for it . I cant wait to get onto the vehicles production line once we complete the training ,” one of the trainees stated .

The Kiira Motors Corporation CEO , Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi said that with specialised funding for skilling the company  is ready to scale -up the training to over 1,000 skilled Ugandans  every three months -to create a critical mass of skilled labour -force for the rapid development of  Uganda’s nascent automotive industry.

“ The trainees are given skills that make them employable even in other sectors such as the  oil pipeline construction and furniture industry,” Musasizi stated . 

The central government will  be assured  of  at least an estimated  UGShs. 270 billion over a five-year period together with the local governments in Kampala,  Wakiso and Mukono once industry captains – Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) starts initial production at their vehicle plant -early in the new year.

The Kiira Vehicle Plant that has been constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade under NEC will have a capacity of producing  5,000 vehicles a year and 22 everyday .

The new recruits honing their skills

Supply chain localisation  is key  for KMC’s  immediate strategy -to not only reduce costs and add value to local minerals but to have at least 65% components of  all the company’s vehicles manufactured local by various industries across the automotive industry value chain by the year 2030.

KMC is aiming at both the private and government markets to offtake its production. So far KMC products -the Kayoola fully electric buses and Kayoola Diesel Coach are offering shuttle services to the  staff of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on a daily basis for the last two years .

Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja

Building the indigenous mobility industry provides an unprecedented opportunity for promoting value addition to Uganda’s mineral and other natural resources; as well employment creation for Ugandans, contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction within the context of a green

and circular economy.

The global value of the automotive industry will hit the – 9 Trillion  US dollars mark by the year 2030 with 109 million vehicles produced annually and African economies-Ugandan inclusive  should be seen taking the right steps to position themselves and benefit from the immense opportunities on offer.

msserwanga@gmail.com

The writer is a Media and Communications consultant ,Trainer and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda 

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HAS CALLED UPON UGANDAN SCIENTISTS TO INNOVATE FOR IMPORT SUBSTITUTION AND EXPORT PROMOTION

 By  Moses Sserwanga

President  Yoweri Museveni has called upon Uganda Scientists to use innovation to support the country’s  import substitution and export promotion- drive  through value addition .  Gen. Museveni was officiating at a colourful  event celebrate to mark the World Science Day for Peace and Development held at Kololo Independence grounds on November 10,2021.

President Museveni reiterated his determination to have  all scientists who work in government get better remuneration -noting that in a government’s new new strategic direction – to have Ugandan innovations reach the commercialization stage resources will be provided through direct budgetary  allocations and Uganda Development Bank (UDB)- where innovators will access affordable credit at very low interest rates.

He said that the NRM Government has been working to promote science-led industrial development policy for faster transformation.

“Science led industrial development has been our goal in government. With effect from June 2021, I put the Ministry of Science and Technology under the Office of the President so that it can be effectively managed and financed,” Museveni explained while giving an example of some of the ventures he and government have supported such as Uganda’s automakers Kiira Motors Corporation –who are now producing vehicles for the African market  and the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in developing a diagnostic test for Covid-19 that produces results within 30 minutes.

The Science Day was held under the theme “The future of science technology and innovation in Uganda: Breaking the silos & leveraging synergies for a skilled and sustainable workforce for national economic transformation”  and was attended by among others the Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation Office of the President ,Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of State for Education Hon. Muyingo Professor Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa the Board Chairman Kiira Motors among others.

The Executive Director of UNESCO in Uganda, Prof. Eriabu Lugujo said that Africa cannot develop without science. He saluted the President for prioritizing science teachers through improved remunerations.

The Principle of the College of Veterinary medicine of Makerere University Prof. David Kabasa in a keynote address called for collaboration among Ugandan scientists through think tanks to commercialize their innovations .

Museveni saluted the new Minister of STI OP Dr. Musenero for  undertaking several key stakeholder engagements which have led to the identification of six (6) priority industrial value chains to  be  the  core  focus  for  strategic  intervention  in  the short-medium term under NDP III namely: Pathogen Economy, Engineering, Mobility, Beauty and Apparel, Digital Economy, and Agro-Security.

“There will be increased industrialisation, commercialization,    productivity    and    enterprise development  with  the  right  application  of  Science, Technology and Innovation in each of these identified industrial  value  chains. 

The  prioritization  of  the selected  Industrial  Value  Chains  was  informed  by four (4) key attributes based on careful consideration and these include -Need: Items that will transform how our people’s lives  and  do  business  (Supporting  the  Parish Model)-Advantage:   where   Uganda   has   competitive advantage   such as    raw    materials,    localization potential ;Market:   Availability   of   domestic,   regional, continental and global market and potential for growth looking at trends in market size.

Dr. Musenero  explained why they chose  this year’s theme thus, ” We chose this theme because it aligned with the ongoing efforts to address some of the constraining fragmentation, silos and gaps that have characterized STI in the country. It also reflects the progress so far made in building synergies to create a well-coordinated National Science, Technology and Innovation System focused on a common prioritized agenda.”

 The World Science Day for Peace and Development is annually celebrated on 10th November globally. It was initiated by the United Nations Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a bid to recognize and promote Science and Technology in the advancement of societies since 1937.

The exhibition at Kololo which has attracted over 50 of Uganda’s finest innovators across six Industrial Value Chains followed  the first ever  -colourful -green mobility industrial value chain motor parade which was staged around the capital Kampala as part of the Science week.

 The motor parade involved Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC Uganda’s automotive industry champion, Tondeka Metro- Bus Service  , Zembo and  International University of East Africa who are spearheading-electric motorcycle transport in and around Kampala ,other cities and urban centers.

The parade was flagged- off  by the Minister of Science , Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President Dr. Monica Musenero . She was accompanied by the Kiira Motors Board of Directors  Chairman ,Prof. Sandy Steven Tickodri-Togoboa and the Mr. Fred Senoga a Director at Tondeka Metro Bus Service.

Dr. Musenero highlighted the objectives for this year’s Science Week-which  include showcasing- the existing scientific innovations (prototypes), human resource, equipment and natural resources in the country for synergy formation to increase productivity through value chain adoption.

Other objectives are  to create awareness about the new National STI Innovations System including the Think-tanks, Secretariat, the industrial value chain approach, hackathons, multi-sectoralism, Intellectual Property, and focus on industrialization and commercialization.

The NSW is also meant to  advocate for increased government and stakeholder collaboration in commercialization of R&D and science education at all levels of learning; promote domestic scientific literature, publications and books towards a knowledge-based economy.

Several innovators were recognized and received cash prizes including a nine-year-old primary four girl  Trany Ann Mpagi.

msserwanga@gmail.com