Tag: Uganda

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Uganda Ready For Global Investments

The Ugandan Government and representatives welcome UAE businesses to visit, explore and invest in the country at the recent Uganda-UAE Expo Convention

The Ugandan Government in association with the UAE-Africa Networking Group launched the 5th edition of the Uganda-UAE Expo Convention 2021 at the Arjaan by Rotana Hotel, Dubai.  The event was graced by several ministers and senior delegates from both countries including H.E. Zaake W. Kibedi, honorable Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE and Dr Elly Twineyo Kamugisha, Commission General, Expo 2020.

Among the highlights of the event were interesting panel discussions on the future of trade and commerce between the UAE and Uganda with special emphasis on uncovering the hidden opportunities.

Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama – Deputy Prime Minister and Hon. Maj. Gen. Jeje Odong – Minister of Foreign Affairs with H. E. Alekesei Vladimirovich Gruzdev – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, after their meeting at the Arjaan by Rotana Hotel

“Very few people know that investment in Uganda can provide you easy access to three dominant trade territories,” says John Bosco Lwere, Trade Information Executive, Uganda Export Promotion Board. “It also gives you access to unprecedented resources like agriculture, minerals and human resources.”

Uganda and UAE trade relations have been strong since a while. With over USD 500m worth of investments made by UAE businessmen in Uganda during the last fiscal year, it goes to prove how lucrative the economy is for trade.

“Conventions like these help us bridge the gap between investors and investment opportunities,” says Zen Nabriye, Representative of Ugandans in the UAE. “We have many Ugandans working in the UAE and vice versa. The convention helps us explore mutually beneficial opportunities where both countries can grow together.”

For the DCOM Designs and UAE-Africa Networking Group, this is their first year hosting the event with the organisers. William Stenhouse, Founder of the Group, says: “Uganda is a safe bet. The Hon. President of Uganda recently visited the Expo 2020 showing that the country is serious about fostering stronger trade relations with the UAE. In addition to that, the stable currency, plenty of investment and growth opportunities make the country favorable for foreign investors.”

H. E. Ambassador Mayega – Deputy Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE, H. E. Alekesei Vladimirovich Gruzdev – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Hon. Maj. Gen. Jeje Odong – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Elly Twineyo Kamugisha – Commissioner General, Uganda at Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mr. Nelson Kasigaire – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The organisers thanked everyone who attended and participated in the event especially the Association of Ugandans in the UAE, the Ugandan embassy and the hon. Ambassador, partners, Ugandan Airlines and other investment authorities that came together to make this event a huge success. “We look forward to seeing many more visit our pavilion at the Expo 2020,” adds John.

  • Right to Left: Hon. Maj. Gen. Jeje Odong – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Betty Among – Minister of Gender and Social Development, Rt. Hon. Jacob Olanyah – Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio; H. E. Ambassador Kibedi Zaake – Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE; H. E. Ambassador Mayega – Deputy Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE
  • The Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, Speaker of Parliament of Uganda making a presentation on the Role of Parliament in facilitating diaspora participation in National Development at the Arjaan by Rotana Hotel
  • Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama – Deputy Prime Minister and Hon. Maj. Gen. Jeje Odong – Minister of Foreign Affairs with H. E. Alekesei Vladimirovich Gruzdev – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, after their meeting at the Arjaan by Rotana Hotel
  • H. E. Ambassador Mayega – Deputy Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE, H. E. Alekesei Vladimirovich Gruzdev – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Hon. Maj. Gen. Jeje Odong – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Elly Twineyo Kamugisha – Commissioner General, Uganda at Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mr. Nelson Kasigaire – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Uganda strives to consolidate gains in HIV/AIDS fight amid Covid

Uganda strives to consolidate gains in HIV/AIDS fight amid Covid

Uganda is striving to consolidate the country’s gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS despite the impact of Covid-19…reports Asian Lite News

“Covid-19 did not spare the National HIV and AIDS Response. However, there was a 41 per cent decline in HIV testing and 37 per cent decline in referrals for diagnosis treatment due to the pandemic. So we would have performed better,” Director General of Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) Nelson Musoba said during the commemoration of World AIDS Day which falls on December 1 annually.

Uganda strives to consolidate gains in HIV/AIDS fight amid Covid

Musoba said despite the impact of Covid, the country will continue to fight HIV/AIDS and achieve the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Ministry of Health and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) figures show that Uganda is on the right path, with the HIV prevalence currently down to 5.4 per cent from 6.2 per cent in 2016, Xinhua news agency reported.

Musoba said the country is following the Presidential Fast Track Initiative launched in 2017 to end AIDS as a public health threat.

According to the UAC, currently 94 per cent of people with HIV in Uganda know their status, 98 per cent of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy, and 91 per cent of those in treatment virally suppressed. This overall achievement of 94-98-91 is above the target of 90-90-90 set by UNAIDS earlier. This has been updated to a new target of 95-95-95.

Progress has been achieved on the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and to ensure financial sustainability for the HIV/AIDS response, according to the UAC.

Musoba said the UAC has developed and embarked on a nationwide dissemination of the National Policy Guidelines on ending HIV stigma and discrimination, as HIV stigma and discrimination still impacts negatively on HIV testing, treatment and adherence to treatment.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said at the national commemoration of World AIDS Day that behaviour change is still key to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

ALSO READ: UK aims to end HIV infections, deaths by 2030

“We should continue to disseminate information on abstinence, being faithful, and correct and consistent condom use to prevent HIV. In addition, we should increase knowledge on benefits of HIV testing, treatment and drug adherence as the pathway to viral suppression,” Museveni said.

He argued that everyone, including individuals, government leaders and health professionals, has a role to play in ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The president urged local leaders to guide communities to dialogue, reflect on community solutions and pay particular attention to eliminating poverty and creating wealth because they are key underlying factors for HIV acquisition.

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DEBT-TRAP: China Takes Over Ugandan Airport

(Photo by Xinhua Global Service)

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had sent a delegation to Beijing hoping to renegotiate the toxic clause, reports Asian Lite News

The Ugandan government has lost its major airport to China for failing to repay a loan, African media reported.

The government has failed to reverse a loan agreement with the Chinese which had repayment conditions of attaching its only airport, Today reported.

Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets were attached and agreed to be taken over by Chinese lenders upon arbitration of the loan, the report said.

According to reports, President Yoweri Museveni had sent a delegation to Beijing hoping to renegotiate the toxic clauses, the report added.

The visit was unsuccessful as China authorities refused to allow any alteration in the original terms of the deal, the report said.

The Uganda government, represented by the finance ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority at the time, had on November 17, 2015, signed an agreement with Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank) to borrow U$207 million at two per cent upon disbursement; with a maturity period of 20 years including a seven-year grace period.

Ugandan
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (Tanzania State House/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)

The deal signed with the Chinese lenders virtually means Uganda “surrendered” its most prominent airport to China, the report said.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) said some provisions in the Financing Agreement expose Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets to be attached and taken over by Chinese lenders upon arbitration in Beijing.

China has rejected pleas by Uganda to renegotiate the toxic clauses of the 2015 loan, leaving Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s administration in limbo.

According to the Daily Monitor of Uganda, the Ugandan government waived international immunity in the agreements it signed to secure the loans, exposing Entebbe International Airport to take over without international protection.

Last week, Uganda’s Finance Minister Matia Kasaija apologised to parliament for the “mishandling of the $207 million loans” from the China Exim Bank to expand Entebbe International Airport.

ALSO READ: China’s debt-trap strategy in South Sudan