UGANDA'S CONTINUED PROBLEMS ARE A RESULT OF PRESIDENT MUSEVENI'S OVERSTAY IN POWER

Leaders ignore alot of things which have good sense. If only President Museveni had left power in 2006, chances are that Uganda would be a better country. The developments since the Presidential campaigns took off in 2010 where substantial sums of money whose source is unknown were spent was a positive indicator that the future was not likely to be good for the country and here we are in a big mess. Only God may help Uganda given the situation the country is in.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

Meeting to avert traders’ strike ends in stalemate
By John Njoroge
Posted Tuesday, July 5 2011 at 00:00

A meeting between Kampala traders and government officials called to discuss an impending strike by the former ended inconclusively yesterday. The meeting was intended to find a solution to the unprecedented slow-down in business brought on by double digit inflation, high fuel prices and a severe depreciation of the Uganda Shilling against the dollar.
After five hours of discussion, both sides could only resolve to meet again today.
Kacita chairperson Everest Kayondo told Daily Monitor that nothing concrete was agreed upon. “We have resolved to continue with the two-day strike on Wednesday and Thursday. They did not have answers for our concerns.”
Kampala traders say they have been forced by the prevailing hostile economic conditions to stage a two-day sit-down strike over what they say is government’s reluctance to respond to the rising cost of foreign currencies used in import trade. Yesterday’s meeting was aimed at, among other things, convincing the traders to abandon the planned strike as government says it is looking for answers to their long-standing grievances.

Govt mute
Late last week, the government failed to deliver a scheduled explanation in Parliament on the state of the economy and the effect of the falling Shilling. Mr Jacan Omach, the minister in charge of general duties at the finance ministry, on Thursday told this newspaper that they were not ready but that they would brief MPs today, Tuesday.
The central bank has twice intervened to save the rapidly falling Shilling by injecting millions of dollars in the foreign exchange market over the past fortnight. But the average rate of Shs2,500 per dollar continues to be a source of concern for businesses which have already been hit hard by the effect of the high cost of fuel with petrol selling about Shs2,600 a litre.
With its members feeling the effects of the highest inflation in a decade at 16 per cent, Kacita had hoped to emerge from yesterday’s meeting with firm assurances from the government on possible interventions. Nothing came of it though. “They asked us to call the traders for a meeting but when we contacted most of our members they refused,” Kacita’s spokesperson Issa Sekito said.
Economic Monitoring State Minister Henry Banyezaki, who was part of the government team, however, said dialogue would continue with the traders. He expressed optimism that a solution would be reached in a week’s time. “We appreciate their concerns and found them very genuine,” Mr Banyenzaki said, adding that government was working hard to ensure that the situation is normalised. He did not comment on whether the central bank can continue intervening in the foreign exchange market given the fact that when the government bought Russian Sukhoi fighter jets valued at $740 million, it reduced foreign reserves from the recommended six months worth of import cover to four months.
The Uganda Shilling has witnessed a significant drop in value against foreign currencies, most prominently the US dollar. Bank of Uganda says the situation is being mainly inflamed by speculation and high corporate demand which have, together, led to larger than manageable outflows. This situation is pushing traders against the wall as they increasingly find it difficult to sell goods bought with very expensive foreign currency.


TO MEET: Ms Kyambadde
By John Njoroge
Posted Monday, July 4 2011 at 00:00
Traders in Kampala have unanimously decided to hold a two-day sit-down-strike over what they say is government’s reluctance to respond effectively to rising foreign currencies over the Uganda Shilling.
On Wednesday and Thursday, shops and other businesses will remain closed, according to the Kampala City Traders Association spokesperson, Mr Issa Sekito. He said the move is aimed at drawing the attention of government to the traders’ demands.

Non-partisan
“This is not political. We are failing to do business in this country. We are concerned about high inflation and the continued depreciation of the Uganda shilling,” Mr Sekito told Daily Monitor last evening, adding that government had failed to listen to them and control the rising US dollar, which is negatively affecting traders.
“The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) now demands traders pay certain taxes using the US dollar regardless of its rate,” Mr Sekito added.
The traders, who say the US dollar is their main currency of trade, want the government to “decisively” intervene and stall the depreciation of the Uganda Shilling.
“The public is abusing traders over high commodity prices yet these commodities are bought by our traders expensively. They pay very high taxes and in US dollars at that. How do you expect these traders to conduct business?” Mr Sekito asked.
He said the present currency situation had been foreseen by the business community two years ago but government chose to ignore the warnings.
Additionally, traders are concerned about government’s recent budgetary priorities which they say are petty and do not address the critical needs of the average person.
“When you reduce excise duty on things like paraffin which are transported by diesel and petrol run vehicles, do you think you are being realistic?” Mr Sekito asked.

Other concerns
There are also growing concerns that foreign nationals are increasingly engaging in petty trade in Kampala, trade ideally meant for Ugandan nationals. The traders say the profits from petty trade are repatriated to foreign countries, money which would support many young Ugandan industries.
Four local business proprietors in March sued the Attorney General and Kampala City Council over issuing work permits and licences to foreign traders who had not deposited the mandatory $100,000 to the central bank. They said the traders, mainly of Asian descent, were engaging in retail and other petty trade activities in the central business hub of Kampala.
According to sources in the trade ministry, a meeting could take place today between the KACITA leadership and Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde. Ms Kyambadde could not be reached for comment as her phone was switched off.

Muhoozi President Museveni's son

Muhoozi commanding

TOM BURINGURIZA THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UGANDA INVESTMENT AUTHORITY IS OB OF SMACK

Tom Buringuriza The Executive Director Uganda Investment Authority is an Old Boy of St. Mary's College Kisubi

Qualifications
Mr. Buringuriza acquired a Bachelor of Statistics at Makerere University, in 1984. He undertook several short courses, and attended a number of training workshops and seminars. The areas covered included financial management, leadership and management, skills development for employment promotion, entrepreneurship development, managing projects and programs strategic planning and general management, institutional strengthening and organizational development. In addition he completed an MBA and is now pursuing a Doctorate Degree. Tom has also been certified as a trainer/instructor for the prestigious UK Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

Skills and experience

Mr. Buringuriza worked in the Private Sector, for multi- nationals in the areas of shipping, international courier services and logistics, construction and international trade.
He has experience working in many African countries and Europe in Senior positions.
He has considerable skills and experience in consultancy, general management, finance, marketing, training human resource management and development and many other areas. He has demonstrated excellent communication, presentation, facilitation moderation and writing skills
He also has presented and moderated at a number of international engagements both locally and abroad.
He has experience working and dealing with Donor and government agencies spanning over 15 years.
He has International exposure and has traveled widely leading to good international and local contacts and has for over a decade served in senior positions.
Tom is the exclusive representative in East Africa, for The HRD Group, a UK consortium that offers blended e-learning with a world wide network. He was certified by the UK Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM . He has provided e-learning and organizational Development inputs to banks and other clients in Uganda.
He has served on a number of Boards of Directors of corporate and other organizations and has contributed to various development initiatives.
He is a motivational speaker and a member of the Board of Governors of St. Mary’s College Kisubi as well as a member of the SOS Children’s villages Board of trustees.

Conclusion

Tom offers tremendous adaptable skills, experience, contacts and is very presentable. He is a team worker, a communicator, trainer, negotiator and a multi skilled and experienced achiever. His exposure and work experience presents a unique work ethic. He has been the Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Investment Authority.

LATE J. C. KIWANUKA FUNERAL RITES DUE SATURDAY, 13TH AUGUST 2011

The Funeral Rites for the Late J C Kiwanuka due, Saturday, 13th August 2011 at Kawuku - Entebbe Highway.

IT IS NOT A NATIONAL DIALOGUE THAT WILL SORT OUT UGANDA ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, BUT

Dr Kasekende brings more than 30 years’ experience of central banking, macroeconomic management and international finance to the post.
Dr. kasekende calls for National Dialogue, to sort out the problems of Uganda's economy, however, the problems should be sorted by Government. The speculation by the business community about the future of the country is a governance problem as a result of President Museveni's wish to be in life indefinitely, hence the opposition fighting him, and the way he is using the forces to ensure that he remains in control. 2nd, the Government expenditures which call for release of funds to fund whatever the NRM Government wants to be in place for political survival including meeting Presidential pledges.
The Government of Uganda has professionals who are capable of arresting the situation if only President Museveni can let them do the work professionally.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

KASEKENDE CALLS FOR NATIONAL DIALOGUE
Written by Sulaiman Kakaire
Wednesday, 29 June 2011 19:19
Dr Louis Kasekende, the deputy governor of Bank of Uganda, has requested parliament to convene a special national seminar to discuss the economic problems haunting the nation.
“They [parliament] should call all the various stakeholders and policy makers to discuss among other things what will improve productivity and provide solutions to the current economic trends,” said Kasekende.
Uganda reported annual headline inflation of 16% in May this year, up from 14.1% in April, while core inflation was 11.3% in May and 9.7% in April. According to a report compiled by Uganda Bureau Of Statistics(UBOS) for the year 2010/2011, manufacturers are registering high increases in the prices of their products as a result of the rise in the prices of raw materials used in the production of commodities.
Kasekende believes that a national conference to discuss the economic situations in Uganda will help in bringing up some solid solutions.

skakaire@observer.ug

THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERING STOLEN ASSETS

By Kevin Stephenson on Thu, 2011-06-23 10:25

The recent upheavals in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere have put asset recovery in the spotlight. Indeed, as the citizens of these countries look towards the future, recovering wealth that former public officials are alleged to have acquired illegally remains a main concern.
But as their asset recovery practitioners will soon find out, it is by no means a straightforward process. Corruption, which is estimated to cost the world’s poorest people as much as $40 billion per year, is often a difficult offense to prove. Jurisdictions where these funds are deposited require proof of an offense or a nexus to criminal activity before the assets can be returned to the jurisdiction from which they were stolen.
To help explain why it can be so difficult to recover money that has been lost through corruption, my colleagues and I at the StAR Initiative – a partnership of the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – consulted with over 50 international asset recovery practitioners to identify the Barriers to Asset Recovery. We found several key obstacles that make it difficult to trace, freeze, recover and return assets lost to corruption and other related offenses:
• Asset recovery is a complex process. The legal tools and procedures used by jurisdictions are not all the same. Law enforcement, prosecutors and investigating magistrates have to know how to navigate the laws of other countries and be prepared for a lengthy campaign.
• Not all available tools are used to their full potential. Many practitioners simply do not have the specialized training, skills and experience that would permit them to use asset recovery tools effectively, or to choose the appropriate strategy. Informal assistance – or simply talking to colleagues in another jurisdiction directly without formal mutual legal assistance procedures – is rarely utilized to its full potential. The tools in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, signed by 140 states, are also under used.
• Trust is essential, but hard to establish. These are often sensitive, high profile cases, so practitioners need to be able to trust their counterparts and believe that they won’t make inappropriate public statements or inhibit the case for political reasons. Trust, however, takes time to build, especially when one isworking with people from different cultures and legal systems, which are halfway across the world. The reality is that often these cases require urgent action to freeze assets before they can be moved.
• Preventative measures often fail. Anti-money laundering measures that should intercept stolen assets are not fully or effectively implemented. If corrupt leaders and officials never had the chance to deposit stolen assets into a foreign financial system in the first place, there would be no need for recovery!
The obstacles may sound daunting, but we must not lose hope. In recent years, some countries have made asset recovery more of a priority and taken important steps towards overcoming the barriers. To help guide their efforts, our study offers many workable recommendations – many of which are not cost prohibitive – that can be tailored to each jurisdiction’s particular weaknesses.
To start, it is important to give practitioners the tools they need for asset recovery - pass laws that make asset recovery and international cooperation easier, give specialized agencies dedicated resources, and ensure that practitioners and judges get sufficient training. Countries can also use mentoring, networking and other methods of improving communication to create trust, share knowledge and build expertise. To ensure that assets are not dispersed before the asset recovery process can run its course, jurisdictions need to allow assets to be frozen quickly. And governments also need to take steps to ensure that banks fully implement preventive anti-money laundering measures that can intercept stolen assets.
There is clearly room to improve the stolen asset recovery process, which is important as nations rebuild and pursue a course of transparency and economic growth. When jurisdictions work together to overcome the obstacles, stolen assets can be returned to the citizens to whom they rightfully belong.

THE UGANDA GOVERNMENT IS WRONG ON BANNING IMPORTATION OF USED COMPUTERS

I never thought that the Government of Uganda was serious on banning used computers. If they thought that this was the way to promote the local market of computers in a poverty striken country, it is unfortunate. It is true the computer monitors are environmentally unhealthy and there are disposable problems, but it is also true that there are many computers that can be procured with flat screens. There is need to have at least one computer in each of our schools and one way to have that is by importing used computers.
The policy is ill advised and does not help the country so poor the way Uganda is.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

UGANDA'S TOTAL BAN ON USED COMPUTERS
Yes, you've read that correctly. The Ugandan government has completely banned all imports of used computers into the country.
This is ostensibly to curb the accumulation of e-waste, which is admittedly a major problem in many parts of the world, and the government does not want to become a dumping ground for discarded electronics. This is a valid point, and there are certainly many accounts of electronics being brought to developing nations to be sold second-hand, and then discovered to be nonfunctional and dumped.
The dumping and accumulation of e-waste can have disastrous environmental and health consequences, given the high concentrations of toxic (and often valuable) chemicals, encouraging the very poor to (e.g.) burn electronic components to extract valuable metals at the expense of extremely toxic emissions into the air, soil, water, and themselves.
This is a known and serious problem, and one it is reasonable for a state to wish to avoid.

BUT...
New computers are also very, very expensive. Used ones are perfectly capable for basic administrative and internet use, and they are much cheaper. Furthermore, if a well-maintained used computer can last as long (or even nearly as long) as a similar new one, then at the ends of their respective lives, the contribution to e-waste will be essentially identical.
That's the problem with this ban–it's total. It prevents all importers of used computers from doing business. This includes responsible organizations that take very good care to make sure their machines are working, immediately useful, and long-lived. Some go as far as to provide open source software, training, and guaranteed responsible recycling at end-of-life as part of the (low) cost of the machines.
This hardly sounds like the type of dumping the government is trying to prevent, and it needs to realize that a comprehensive ban like this can't help but hurt the country's small but growing IT sector.
In addition to charitable organizations, I can't believe that all of the computer shops on Bombo road, with their shiny, million-shilling laptops and desktops, aren't also engaging in a thriving trade in used machines. And I've never been to an internet cafe that looks like its machines were bought new here.
Therefore, since this is a (little-read) personal blog, is unaffiliated with any organization, and reflects no one's views but my own, I will say what (understandably) no one closer to this can or should, if they happened to feel that way as well: this policy is absurd and will hurt ICT in Uganda.