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Let court decide, What’s wrong with Cipla to raise Stanbic’s half-year
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Issue No. 534 Aug 17 - 23, 2018 Ushs 5,000,Kshs 200, RwF 1,500, SDP 8

Muntu’s
next move
Supporters say he
kept FDC together,
now they want him
to exit. Will he?

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Issue No. 534 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

News analysis Business Health Arts Motoring

Cover story
Muntu’s next move
Supporters say he kept FDC together, now they want
him to exit and lead a new political organ. Will he?

4 The Week
29 Comments
Gun shoots as Arua
campaigns end If Trump ruled Venice:
How his switch from laissez-
faire global trade rules to
9 The Last Word
mercantilist trade deficit
The disintegration of the FDC: Why policies could imperil the dollar
liberal minded Ugandans should
celebrate the breakup of FDC and rally 33 Health
behind its enlightened leaders
What’s wrong with condom
campaign?: Why government
16 Analysis officials say you, probably,
Let court decide, CCEDU tells EC: Behind shouldn’t give your girl a Kiss
the case of NGO blocked for crossing the
line in election observation
35 Arts & Culture
23 Business
Don’t miss The Studio:
Cipla to raise Shs168bn in IPO 7 art masters in town for
Kampala Art Biennale III

STRATEGY & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Andrew M. Mwenda WRITERS:Ronald Musoke, Flavia Nassaka, Ian Katusiime,
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2 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 Offline

President Yoweri
Museveni
commissioning
NYOKA Conversion
Project at the
Manufacturing and
Assembling Plant at
Magamaga Barracks “We were informed of the smuggling
in Mayuge district
on August 8.
of sugar products into Tanzania from
Uganda. This is why we issued an
embargo to stop the illegal activities.”
Tanzanian President John Magufuli

President John Pombe

Magufuli, of Tanzania
receiving president
Museveni at Julius
Nyerere International “It is an established principle in
Airport on August International law that sitting
9. The two leaders Heads of States have immunity
discussed various
issues affecting trade while conducting their legitimate
relations between their duties. Do not trivialize this
countries and in the issue by reducing it to Uganda
region. politics.”Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s
Permanent Representative to the UN,
responding to Winnie Byanyima on
move to grant sitting heads of state
immunity

Deborah Malac, the

American Ambassador
Uganda and Health
Minister Jane Ruth
Aceng during the launch
of a Tuberculosis report
on Aug.14.

“Let us give Amuriat a chance

because if I had not stepped down
as FDC president, people would
not have known the capabilities
of Mugisha Muntu”Dr Kizza Besigye
on new appointments in parliament by
FDC president Patrick Amuriat

Yeas Equity Makerere Ugandan babies

10 Bank is
marking 30 University students
offered scholarships 37000 born with
blood diseases
by China annually

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 3

week
Gun shoots as Arua campaigns end
president and contain riot-
ers, although, other reports
show that four people died
and others sustained seri-
ous injuries. Also, by press
Government returns
time, several journalists
who were covering the
scratch card air time
events had been detained Government has cards was mooted
at various police stations in reversed its earlier on grounds that
the West Nile. decision to phase air they were aiding
A one Yasin Kawuma, for the Independent can- However, scuffles and time scratch cards. insecurity.
driver of Kyadondo East didate Kasiano Wadri shootings have become an The ban had been Ibrahim Bossa,
MP Robert Kyagulanyi attacked President Yoweri ingredient of campaigns imposed by the Director Consumer
Bobi wine was shot and Museveni’s motorcade as recently. In a recent cam- Uganda Communi- Affairs at UCC had
died on the spot in a scuffle he finished campaigning paign in the newly created cations Commission said in an earlier
that ensued at the end of a for NRM candidate Nusra Bugiri Municipality, a sup- (UCC), the govern- interview that there
campaign rallies on Aug.13 Tiperu. porter and body guard ment communica- are people who
ahead of Arua Municipality Giving a situation report, of one of the candidates tions regulator but have been masquer-
was protested by ading as airtime
by-elections. Police Spokesperson Emil- – Asuman Basalirwa who
members of parlia- dealers yet they
It’s alleged that sup- ian Kayima said Kawuma too was being supported
ment. This prompt- are criminals and
porters of Bobi wine who was shot as security opera- by Bobi wine was shot and
ed ICT Minister that UCC realized a
was in Arua to campaign tives tried to secure the died at the hospital later.
Frank Tumwebaze need to register and
to rescind the deci- tighten the process
Health issues cited as Imbalu festival is marked sion.
Tumwebaze said
of airtime selling so
they can know who
shoulders to the initiation government will is selling airtime
sites. After the cut, the can- liaise with UCC and to whom in
didates join the rest of the and telecommuni- order to have some
crowds in celebration and cation companies form of accountabil-
dancing called ‘Kadodi’. to allow for the ity and traceability.
But, as the festival was gradual phasing out With the changes,
marked this year, there of scratch cards. the only options
were concerns on the safety “I have now people had to load
of the cultural procedure directed that let airtime was through
happening at the time of us not ban scratch using mobile
diseases like hemophilia cards abruptly. money, e-top ups,
that involves uncontrolled I agree that we payway, e-value
The Bamasaba Cultural hundreds of youthful boys should have walked vouchers and
loss of blood, hepatitis B
Festival – Imbalu kicked undergoing the procedure along with our rural other technologies.
and HIV/AIDS. Health
off on Aug.11 in Mutoto done in every even year. people,” said Tum- Critics say these
workers warned that the
Sub- County, Mbale District The festival that has been webaze during a methods, were seen
procedures should be done
where young males were marked nationally as one of meeting with MPs, to be problematic
with caution.
circumcised, a rite believed the biggest cultural events UCC and telecom- especially among
However, the event
to initiate them into man- involve crowds dancing, munications service the uneducated and
attracted dignitaries from
hood. The Bamasaba who whistling and initiates who providers. rural dwellers who
both governments of Kenya
were joined by the Bakusu are usually smeared with The move to experience network
and Uganda.
of Kenya in celebration had sand and ashes on their phase out scratch challenges.

*terms and conditions apply

4 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 Week

Congo preps Country mourns Yona; Museveni says death could have been avoided
if they are to live longer.
for new polls as “I am told Yona was per-
forming self-medication for
Kabila steps aside some time which was not right
over something which devel-
Bringing father will oped into a bacterial infection in
to an end remain with the heart,” said the President.
months of a lot of influ- President Museveni jokingly
speculation, ence during said he does not like the saying
Democratic the campaign that God has taken someone
Republic and even in when people die. “I don’t think
of Congo an event that God has run short of company
President Ramazani and instead take young peo-
Joseph Kabila emerges President Museveni lays a wreath on the casket containing late Yona Namawa ple,” added the President. Yona
announced victorious Wapakhabulo 's remains on August 10. Looking on is First Lady Janet Museveni. was aged 46 years.
last week that since for “It saddens me that Yona has
he will not be them fronting Former National Team Crick- habulo died last week after a gone at his prime and in such
running for another can- eter, Yona Namawa Wapakhab- short illness. circumstances. I don’t mind if
presidency didate didn’t ulo was laid to rest on Aug.11 at While attending requiem God takes some of us, in fact I
again. Kabila necessarily his ancestral home at Mafudu mass at ALL Saints Cathedral a am waiting for Him to call me,
should have mean he was in Sironko district. The son to day before this burial President but I think Yona’s death could
stepped retiring from former Foreign Affairs Minister Museveni encouraged people to have been avoided,” Museveni
down at the the country’s and Speaker James Wapak- go for regular medical checkups told mourners.
end of 2016 politics. He
when his is said to
second term have just suc- DPP wants court to rule on legality of blood compensation
expired, but cumbed to
he invoked the pressure The Directorate of Public leaders on the practice, which blood compensation is part of
a constitu- since his fail- Prosecution (DPP) is decrying they say is dangerous on the Lango culture, which can’t be
tional clause ure to leave the practice of blood compen- administration of justice in the avoided. He says the practice
allowing him office has sation in Lango Sub region. region. is also enshrined in the new
to remain sparked sev- ‘Blood Compensation’ alias Rukundo Martin, the Lango constitution of Lango Cultural
in office as eral protests Culu-Kwor in Luo is a prac- Regional Officer in the Direc- institution, which has been
a caretaker. orchestrated tice in Lango where a person torate of Public Prosecution, approved by the Attorney Gen-
Now, he says by mainly accused of murder compensates says the practice has crippled eral and Ministry of Gender,
he is rallying members of the clan of the deceased usually prosecutions of many cases as Labor and Cultural Develop-
behind his the opposi- six or more cows as a sign of the state is often left without ment as a normal practice.
Interior Min- tion. seeking forgiveness and recon- any prosecution witnesses. Dr. Nam argues that blood
ister Emman- 25 candi- ciliation. According to Rukundo, in some compensation enhances
uel Ramazani dates have so Once the payment is accept- instance witnesses run away peaceful co-existence among
Shadary. far showed ed and completed, the clan of they are persuaded by the state different clan members of the
Analysts interest in the deceased writes an addi- to appear in court. ethnic group. Joseph Odongo,
say Kabila participating tional statement withdrawing Jane Okuo Kajuga, the DPP 47 a, member of Ngurapuc
who has been in the polls interest in the case. According spokesperson wants court to clan in Lango, says he once
in power come Decem- to the DPP, the practice of pronounce itself on the legality used blood compensation to
since 2001 ber 23 when ‘Blood Compensation’ is crip- of the practice. reconcile with the family of
when he took the country pling the prosecution of murder Dr. Richard Nam, the Prime a 19-year-old-girl whom he
over after the goes to the cases. Now, the DPP is ponder- Minister Lango Cultural Foun- erroneously hit to death in a
death of his polls. ing engaging Lango Cultural dation, says the practice of motorcycle accident. URN

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 5

Week

North Korea suspends tour

visas ahead of anniversary
North Korea has stopped processing
tourist visas for foreigners ahead of a
high profile anniversary next month,
according to a China-based tour
operator.
The measure follows reports that
Pyongyang had suspended visits by
Chinese tour groups as it prepares
to mark the 70th anniversary of the
foundation of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, as the country
is officially known. Koryo Tours, a
popular agency among Western tourists
seeking to visit the North, said on its
website it had been “informed on 13
August by our partners in Pyongyang
that they had been instructed from
above that all tourist visa applications
currently underway are to be frozen”.
It was not given a reason for the
Mabirizi challenges age limit judgment in Supreme Court freeze, the company said, but was told
it would apply until the anniversary
Male Mabirizi, one of the challengers said the act was passed in line with on September 9. “This suggests to us
of the Constitutional Amendment Constitutional procedures. that... a higher power in the country
Act 2018 on Aug.13 filed his appeal Hours after the constitutional court is simply pressing pause on tourism
in the Supreme Court challenging the judgment, Mabirizi filed a notice of until it is clear to them who is coming
verdict of the Constitutional Court. appeal listing 80 grounds as to why he in such delegations and how many
His petition was detailed in 3066 pages would challenge part of the majority people,” it added. Pyongyang has
in 150 booklets that he delivered to judgment, orders and some aspects previously lavishly celebrated the
Supreme Court premises in Kampala of the court findings. In his petition, date with military parades or mass
in a pickup car. Mabirizi raises sixteen grounds where games involving thousands of people
The appeal received by Registrar he believes that the learned Justices performing acrobatic choreography
Godfrey Angualia Opefeni stems erred in law while making their in unison, and is expected this time to
from a Constitutional Court judgment judgment with one of them being hold its first mass games for five years.
delivered by a panel of five judges failure to summon the speaker. Speculation has also mounted that
at Mbale High court weeks ago He now prays for orders that the the nuclear-armed North could be
upholding the scrapping of the failure to comply with mandatory preparing to mount a parade -- at
presidential age limit. The judges constitutional provisions, rules of which it normally shows off some of the
are Cheborion Barishaki, Elizabeth parliament, violence and failure of weapons that have earned it multiple
Musoke, Alphonse Owiny-Dollo and public participation among other lapses sets of UN Security Council sanctions.
Remmy Kasule. rendered the whole process leading to In his New Year speech in January,
With the exception of Justice enactment of Constitutional Act, 2018 leader Kim Jong Un said North Korean
Kenneth Kakuru who dissented in null and void and of no effect. people would “greet the 70th founding
his judgment, the remaining judges anniversary of their Republic as a great,
auspicious event”. AFP

6 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

Humour Did you know?

Why left-handed
people are so rare
Gulu Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan has been confirmed as the new Leader of Scientists have long tried to answer
the Opposition in Parliament. this. In 2012, researchers at Northwestern
University developed a mathematical model
to show that the percentage of left-handed
people was a result of human evolution —
specifically, a balance of cooperation and
competition.
But scientists have now found at least
why some people are left-handed – and
it has nothing to do with the brain. It
was previously thought that the genetic
differences between the left and right
hemispheres of the brain determine whether
someone is left- or right-handed. But a study
published in the journal eLife found that the
answer could lie in the spinal cord.
The researchers found that gene activity
in the spinal cord was asymmetrical in the
womb and could be what causes a person
to be left- or right-handed. Arm and hand
movements start in the brain, in an area
called the motor cortex, which sends a signal
to the spinal cord that’s translated into a
Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa is the new chairperson of the motion. The researchers found that while the
Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprizes. fetus is growing in the womb, up until about
15 weeks, the motor cortex and the spinal
cord are not yet connected, but right- or left-
handedness has already been determined.
In other words, the fetus can already start
movements and chooses a favorite hand
before the brain starts controlling the body.
To study this, the researchers analyzed
gene expression in the spinal cord in the
eighth through the 12th week of pregnancy.
They found significant differences in the left
and right segments of the spinal cord that
control arm and leg movement.
They concluded that the asymmetrical
nature of the spinal cord could be down
to something called epigenetics, or how
organisms are affected by changes in their
gene expression rather than in the genes
themselves. These changes are often brought
about by environmental influences and
can affect how a baby grows. These gene-
expression differences could affect the right
Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze received a heroic welcome back to and left parts of the spinal cord differently,
Uganda from India where she had gone for treatment. resulting in lefties and righties.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 7

President Yoweri Museveni takes a selfie on Aug. 11 with some youth at the National Youth Council meeting
at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Conference Hall in Lugogo, Kampala.
 The Last Word Opinion

The disintegration of the FDC

By Andrew M. Mwenda
Why liberal minded Ugandans should celebrate the
breakup of FDC and rally behind its enlightened leaders

T
he inevitable is happening. Ugan- minded in the media, academia, civil society In his autobiography, Mein Kampf (My
da’s largest opposition party, the and politics. They have exhibited enormous Struggle) Hitler says that he observed the
Forum for Democratic Change courage in opposing Museveni’s dictato- organisation of the Social Democratic Party
(FDC), is breaking up. Twenty two rial tendencies. However, they have also in Germany and learnt that one of the major
out of its 36 Members of Parliament (MPs) demonstrated a deafening and dangerous sources of their success was the use of
are quitting the party to form another. They silence on the growing intolerance of these “physical and spiritual terror.” Let us look
will initially present the new party as a FDC radical extremists. This has helped at his views of “spiritual terror.”
pressure group to avoid the requirement radical extremists consolidate their control “I understood the infamous spiritual ter-
that they seek re-election upon crossing the over the party. ror which this movement exerts particularly
floor. However, one year to the 2021 elec- Here has been the tragedy of the struggle on the bourgeoisie which is mentally nor
tions they will officially announce the new for democracy in Africa. Claims by any morally equal to such attacks,” Hitler wrote
party whose leader will most likely be Mu- group to be fighting for democracy are tak- in Mein Kampf, “It unleashes a veritable
gisha Muntu. en on face value. Its internal operations and barrage of lies, slander and personal attacks
This is a welcome move. FDC has been the behaviour of its leaders and members against whatever adversary seems danger-
under the control and direction of an are rarely questioned. And in many cases ous until the nerves of the attacked person
extremely uncouth and intolerant faction these groups have captured power and break down. This is a tactic based on precise
led by its presidential candidate for life, Dr. produced governments that are worse than calculation on all human weaknesses and
Kizza Besigye. This group acts like a mil- those they overthrew. The lesson for Ugan- its results will lead to success with almost
lenarian cult. It does not tolerate dissent, da is simple but fundamental: denouncing mathematical certainty.”
however mild. Every dissenter is labelled a Museveni’s dictatorial tendencies is not Besigye and his radical extremists may
mole of President Yoweri Museveni. Criti- enough to make a political movement liber- not have read Hitler. They have, of course,
cism of their cult leader, however mild and al-democratic. Its modus operandi is more deluded themselves into the belief that
well intentioned, is treated as sacrilegious. critical. FDC is the best positioned party they are a force for democracy. However,
It relies on intimidation, blackmail, slander to capture power from NRM. The radical their strategies on social media are exactly
and lies to subdue opponents. extremists are its strongest faction. Hence what Hitler learnt from the SDP and once in
This is the first time in the political history a capture of power by FDC is a victory to power employed with deadly success.
of Uganda that we have developed a politi- radical extremism. There is a misleading conception – in
cal party as intolerant as the radical extrem- Whatever the democratic deficits mani- Africa and the Western world – that the fall
ist wing of the FDC. It is a group that has no fest inside NRM, Museveni individually of tyranny is a triumph of democracy and
limits on what it is willing to do to destroy and his party and government generally are liberalism. This is even the more intriguing
its opponents, both real and perceived. fairly tolerant and liberal-minded. I built given that most experience in postcolonial
Equally it has no limits on what weapons my career as a journalist exposing the rot Africa has disproved this belief. Indeed,
it is willing to employ to gain and capture in his government alongside its dictatorial the fall of many tyrannies on our continent
power. One must worry what it would do tendencies. Yet throughout this period I has led to renewed tyrannies (Uganda in
to retain power if it ever had a chance to frequently visited Museveni at State House 1971, Liberia in 1980, Ghana in 1966, 1971,
capture it. and we argued over our differences. He 1981), Nigeria etc., sometimes to anarchy
For two years now I have waged a near- would come to my radio show. He would (in Uganda in 1979, Somalia in 1991, Liberia
lonely ideological war against this radical telephone me to express disagreement over in 1990, Sierra Leone in 1990 and Libya in
extremist group. Many enlightened and opinions or facts I had written. The same 2011).
liberal-minded leaders and members of the applies to NRM and UPDF leaders. They All liberal minded Ugandans (as opposed
FDC have quit the party. Many others have were regular guests on my radio show and to opportunists and other self-interested
remained members but gone silent. I often my major sources of information. pretenders) need to come out openly and
talk to these people. Some are MPs, others The difference between Besigye and constantly to denounce radical extrem-
very senior politicians. They all tell me they Museveni and between FDC and NRM ism in FDC. They must push Besigye (if
are afraid to speak out because they will be became manifest to me when I began criti- they believe he is democratic minded) to
labelled moles and destroyed through slan- cising Besigye and his radical extremists. denounce it as well. Or they must demon-
der and false accusations on social media. It Besigye personally cannot tolerate dissent. strate their commitment to liberal values by
is tragic that a political party born to protest The radical extremists around him push supporting Muntu and those courageous
suppression of divergent views inside the this behaviour to the extreme. I am aware FDC MPs who have said enough is enough
National Resistance Movement (NRM) that he personally works with them to make to the conspiracy of silence that has allowed
practices this behaviour in worse form. vicious attacks on his critics on social media. radical extremism to grow and consolidate
The radical extremists of the FDC have In many ways his actions reflect those of inside the party
buried the liberal-democratic foundations Adolf Hitler. This may shock many readers
on which that party was born. The biggest to believe that I am exaggerating to com- amwenda@independent.co.ug
frustration I have had is with many Ugan- pare Besigye with Hitler. But let us listen to
dans who position themselves as liberal- the German dictator.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 9

cover story

Muntu’s next move

Supporters say he kept FDC together,
now they want him to exit and lead a
new political organ. Will he?
By Agather Atuhaire

10 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 cover story

S
Muntu campaigns in Arua.

upporters of opposition Muntu who has the patience of an decision has hurt all our allies and
Forum for Democratic ox, is finding it hard to remain still. they cannot remain unhappy and
Change (FDC) party Insiders say he is traversing the unguided. There are many political
stalwart, Mugisha Muntu, country in one last consultations actors. The fear is that if we delay
recently held their last lap push before he makes the big too much, another political actor can
of consultations in Busoga announcement. emerge and seize the moment. But it is
region and finalised with a retreat in The Kasese Municipality MP Robert up to Gen. Muntu to judge if the time
Kamuli. Centenary told The Independent is now.”
The Independent has learnt that a that the group realise they have two POA is short for Patrick
major decision was reached - to leave options; either to rebrand FDC and OboiAmuriat, the man who succeeded
FDC and form a new party. find a middle ground or to form a Muntu as FDC president and recently
Following the Kamuli meeting, on platform of like-minded people and shuffled opposition leadership
Aug.7 in Kampala, 25 FDC legislators engage an overdrive gear and go back in parliament in a move that has
met and resolved to reject positions to the grassroots. estranged the majority of opposition
in a shadow cabinet expected to be “I don’t see the first option, which leaders. Many see it as a purge of
announced by the newly appointed would be our first call, happening Muntu supporters.
Leader of the Opposition in because there is no will. So we will In anguish, these legislators have
Parliament, Betty Aol Ochan. still harmonise our views on the been holding meetings— which
They also agreed not to make next move,” he said, “While some insiders say, mainly centre on how
monthly contributions to the party,to want a new party, some of us want best and safely to quit the FDC
form a pressure group in parliament another kind of platform which will and forge ahead under Muntu’s
and recruit more members into accommodate everyone from all leadership.
it, and support and campaign for groups including FDC.” Both the mood and the numbers
independent candidate Kassiano Centenary said their biggest appear favourable to Muntu but some
Wadri in Arua Municipality. disagreements are over approach and in the group are insisting that the
The decisions of those two meetings `Besigyeism’ in the FDC. timing is not right; that quitting FDC
and others mean that as Gen. Mugisha “Some members in FDC think they now and establishing another political
Muntu approaches his 60th birthday, are the only ones with the formula to formation might be premature.
he faces what might be the best defeat Museveni. They do not want to Insiders add that the group will not
opportunity but equally the toughest hear any other alternative. When you form a political party immediately
decision of his career in politics. challenge Besigye in FDC you become because doing so would mean losing
Muntu must decide whether to calm an adversary,” he said. seats in parliament since the law
down –again- those pushing to quit “We have worked on the Muntu provides that once a legislator quits a
FDC or lead the exodus and start a project for too long,” another Muntu party on whose ticket they were voted,
new political formation with them. diehard told The Independent on they lose their seats. As such, the plan
Pressure is mounting and even conditions of anonymity, “POA’s is to have a pressure group akin to

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 11

cover story
the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum
(PAFO), which legislators formed in
the seventh parliament. PAFO later
merged with Reform Agenda to form
FDC.
For now, the pressure group is
intended to be a mobilisation outfit for
legislator that builds momentum until
2020, when they can form a political
party. The Constitutional amendment
Act of 2015, amended article 83 (1) (h)
to allow members to cross the floor of
Parliament a year to election.
Well-placed sources in Muntu’s
camp say all seems on course. Apart
from the over 25 FDC MPs already
on board, the recruitment of the
Independent candidates is said to have
already yielded results.
A well-placed source told The
Besigye (R) and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Independent, that Muntu’s group is
in talks with Independent MPs with
Ntungamo municipality MP Gerald his intention exposed. victories in Kyadondo East, Jinja
Karuhanga coordinating and about For critics, one factor characterized East, Rukungiri and recently Bugiri.
nine have so far confirmed. The Jinja Amuriat’s changes—he used the Together with such truly patriotic
East MP Paul Mwiru is spearheading changes to reward loyalists, also individuals, the opposition coalition
the registration process. The group is known as the `defiance camp’ with or alliance currently called “third
also testing out some names for the allegiance to FDC stalwart Kizza force” will evolve into a mighty force
new organisation. Besigye’s radical if not militant which will make Uganda rise and
There are currently 38 FDC MPs faction and a purge of those opposed shine again.”
parliament. Most of the 25 MPs in to them – even if not loyal to the Abdu Katuntu said he would
Muntu’s camp breaking away would perceived rival camp of Muntu which be reaching out to other founding
leave FDC with 13 and declining if are called the ‘Organisation camp’ members of the FDC. This appeared
Muntu’s camp maintains momentum because of insistence on building party to confirm reports that the Muntu
up to the next elections. Muntu is also organs and institutions. camp has been reaching out to other
said to be favoured by some of the 66 The pro-Muntu camp accuses senior members of the party who had
Independents who failed to join FDC Amuriat’s camp of high level become alienated by the divisions in
because of the dominating shadow of intolerance. the party.
Besigye. But Amuriat told The Independent Some of these include;
But it is the latest reshuffle that has that he was guided by party loyalty AmanyaMushega, Augustine
strengthened the group’s resolve to in picking the new group. The other Ruzindana, Maj. John Kazoora,
find their footing. In that reshuffle, factor, he added, was contribution to among others. Katuntu is seen a
Betty Aol Ochan, replaced Winnie the party financially. major political cog in Muntu’s camp
Kizza as the Leader of Opposition; having nominated him for the party’s
Budadiri West MP NandalaMafabi The perfect trigger presidential flag bearer race against
replaced Angelina Ossege as the In whatever case, the reshuffle has Besigye in 2015.
leader of the Public Accounts been seen as the perfect trigger for an Apart from the legislators and
Committee (PAC); Kawempe South exodus. senior leaders, the Muntu camp has
MP, Mubarak Munyagwa replaced Former FDC Secretary General Alice also formed alliances with other
Bugweri County MP, Abdul Katuntu Alaso said on WhatsApp: “The best politicians. Kyadondo East legislator,
as the new chairman Committee thing to ever happen to our cause is Bobi Wine and AsumanBasalirwa, who
on Statutory Authorities and State this reshuffle or blunder. The sooner recently won the Bugiri by-election are
Entreprises (COSASE), and Moses we build our outfit the better for us some of these.
Kasibante, the Lubaga North MP as and for this country.” Aparently, Muntu’s camp has had
his deputy. “I will be shocked if some members engagements with Bobi Wine, who
Other Amuriat appointments of this family are bothered by what could potentially support them.
included; William Nzoghu, Busongora has happened,” another members Muntu and Bobi Wine have supported
County North, as a representative of the WhatsApp group of Muntu and campaigned the same candidates
in the Pan-African Parliament, supporters said following the recently including Basalirwa and
FrankaAkello, Agago Woman MP, reshuffle. “We should all celebrate Wadri. In these contests, Amuriat,
as the new head of the committee on this reshuffle. It presents the greatest Besigye and the entire defiance camp
Local Government, Gilbert Olanya of opportunity to redefine Uganda’s have been opponents.
Kilak South, as her deputy and Kaps politics.” In both Kyandondo and Bugiri, the
Hassan Fungaroo, Obongi County MP, Kabweri County MP Francis party refused to support opposition
the new head of the Public Assurance Gonahasa added: “We need to go candidates and influential comrades in
committee. Some of Amuriats to Arua and bring back Kasssiano the struggle—Bobi Wine and Asuman
appointees were rejected as ultra vires, (Wadri) to the house to continue Basalirwa—and instead supported the
but his cards had been revealed and building sources of sanity following party’s flag bearer.

12 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 cover story
In both these races, the party lost he shunted them aside and threw Insiders say vintage reflective
with Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi his full weight behind Besigye’s Muntu could not just leave in a huff—
aka BobiWine and JEEMA’s Asuman candidature, like he had done thrice he instead launched a trek across
Basalirwa sailing through. This has before that. the country in what he described as
put the party and these opposition It was rather surprising for the consultations. But he also maintained
stalwarts and their supporters on a group that Besigye, after all that did a humble foothold in the party,
collision course. not support Muntu in the Nov. 2017 schmoozing, putting up appearances
Amuriat’s camp has even gone as party Presidential race. He instead, and mumbling the right noises.
far as calling for disciplinary action with his defiance camp brought Observers said he was testing the
against Muntu and his supporters. He Amuriat and saw to it that he defeated level of countrywide support which
will certainly not get that when, not if Muntu. Amuriat’s victory, insiders his defeat by Amuriat meant he could
Muntu pulls the trigger first. say, marked a new chapter in the no longer possibly do as party flag-
politics of FDC. bearer in the next national president
Two groups better, says Muntu Immediately after the November election in 2021.
Muntu has in the past toyed publicly 2017 elections, MuniniMulera, who Recently, in another article in the
with the possibility of quitting FDC. has served FDC for the last 13 years in Daily Monitor, Mulera announced his
He says it is mainly because the party various capacities wrote that: “It is my resignation from the party noting that
leadership has failed to handle issues informed and confident opinion that with the two tendencies in FDC at
maturely and pursue a common the contest was between the Besigye war and with no room in him for the
objective. and Muntu visions for the party”. defiance only strategy, he had reached
“In that case then, isn’t it better for Mulera wrote in Daily Monitor: a dead end in the FDC. He quit.
the two groups to pursue this objective But if Muntu and group were still
separately instead of wasting time convincing supporters; especially in
infighting and diverting the resources parliament, that leaving FDC was
from the main objective?” he says. the only guarantor of their future

Political analyst Frederick The planned in politics, on Aug.3, Amuriat made

that job much easier when he fired
GoloobaMutebi agrees. departure of from parliamentary leadership those
opposed to him and replaced them
“Leaving a party they no longer Muntu and with his loyalists.
want to associate with allows them
to establish what they think will be a his group But this is not the first time Muntu
loyalists are pushing him to stand.
better party,” he told the Independent.
“We could end up with two-better
first became He has let them down in the past.
Ahead of the 2016 elections, they held
organized and coherent parties that
are better able to contest the NRM’s
eminent multiple meetings and strategised on
how to ensure Muntu’s victory against
hegemony.” when Amuriat Museveni.
But he cautioned Muntu’s next move
depends on his short, medium, and defeated him An official who was at the centre of
these meetings told The Independent
long-term ambitions. He says a slow
start and building the party slowly,
in November that at the time, they were betting on
the fact that Muntu appealed to the
first; to play a role in public debates
and influence policy and decision
last year moderates in both the ruling party
and the opposition who are fatigued
making as this would help establish by the politics of extremism by both
it in the minds and thinking of the Museveni and Museveni.
general public, which in the long term “Muntu has always appealed to
may help it win power. the moderates and the divisions we
“If the idea is to reach for power in see in the NRM augur well for him,”
the short or even medium term; that the official noted, “he has many
would be rather fanciful,” he said “Besigye believes in militant and loyal supporters in FDC and can
and cited the way all party leaders physical defiance to the dictatorship. easily mobilise those alienated by the
in Uganda scramble to stand for This single strategy was very well Besigye camp.”
president, however insignificant their articulated by Amuriat during his The officials added that Muntu also
so-called parties are. “It is telling of speech at the conference. boasts of support from the senior FDC
how they are driven primarily by their On the other hand, Mulera added, party advisors, who found it hard to
desire to become president, not to Muntu believes that building a well- work under Besigye and stayed away.
build viable rival organisations to the organised party, whose fortunes are Apparently, because Besigye had
NRM.” not tied to an individual, but are approached these senior officials before
The planned departure of Muntu founded on very strong institutions, exiting the NRM and they had poured
and his group first became eminent is the critical step in the struggle for cold water on his plans saying he was
when Amuriat defeated him in change in Uganda. jumping out too early, when they latter
November last year. It became apparent that the followed him, Besigye always kept
Earlier, although some of his two tendencies—the defiance and them at bay. Back then, Muntu refused
supporters had wanted Muntu to organisation—could no longer tolerate to leave FDC. Now, as pressure mounts
run for presidential candidate in each other. on him again to lead an exodus one
2016; even after he was defeated Many expected Muntu to quit the question remains: will he?
by perennial FDC flag-bearer party in a fit of disappointment and
KizzaBesigye in the party primaries, anger. He did not.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 13

news analysis
By Flavia Nassaka

Let court decide,

S
ince it was suspended from
conducting voter education and

CCEDU tells EC
election monitoring on July 09, a
local NGO – Citizens Coalition for
Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU),
has been in and out meetings with the
Electoral Commission in a bid to regain
their freedom.
Behind the case of NGO blocked for
On Aug.10, they held another meeting
with the hope of getting a go ahead
crossing the line in election observation
to observe the by-election in Arua
Municipality on Aug.15. But permission
was denied – again.
For the CCEDU Chairman, Livingstone
Sewanyana, who is the Director at another
NGO; the Foundation for Human Rights
Initiative, that was a sign that the EC was
not about to budge. CCEDU was heading to
court to challenge the EC’s move.
Sewanyana says they want court to
conduct a judicial review of the decision
by the EC to suspend CCEDU’s election
observation license. A judicial review is a
case in which the High Court reviews a
decision by individuals or institutions that
hold power and authority is authorized
and valid or not. This means the CCEDU
case has a lot of significance on the powers
of the EC to determine who observes
elections.
The NGO world is watching the case
closely because, the EC’s withholding
of CCEDU’s license is a sign of the
government to scare other NGO from being
critical. If the court upholds the decision,
critics say, the decision could have a chilling
effect and limit other NGOs from reporting
election irregularities.
Sewanyana who has written a book on
NGO regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa
says the EC’s suspension of CCEDU’s
work did not surprise them as government
has always wanted to stifle freedom of
Association.
“They have done this to journalists,
NGOs and Political Parties. They have made
sure that they have power to do so,” he said
and relating it to recent raids on NGOs.
In September last year, security agencies
raided and occupied the premises of
three NGOs; the Great Lakes Institute for
Strategic Studies (GLiSS), Uhuru Institute
for Social Development in Kampala, and
Solidarity Uganda in northern Uganda.
The government said it was probing
reports of money laundering, and ordered
another 15 NGOs to present to them a pile
of documents; including annual reports
and financial statements. Apart from the
pressure this caused, there has not been
a report of the government finding or the
reasons as to why the NGO Bureau of the
government was making such demands.
Sewanyana says it is all part of the
government’s scare tactics.
Before that, the offices of some NGOs had CCEDU-Observer during an election

14 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 news analysis
endured a mysterious spate of break-in and because they had reported on electoral Sewanyana says the EC insists CCEDU
even murder of guards. fraud and human rights abuses during the must show commitment that they report
In his book titled ‘Comparative electioneering process. whatever they observe in a ‘non - partisan’
Experiences of NGO Regulatory In Uganda, election observers – both way.
Frameworks’, Sewanyana says, there has local and international have functioned “They don’t state how we should do it.
always been a tension between NGOs unhindered since the 1980 elections but a It’s not clear. They don’t want us to report
and government which he calls uneasy wave of intolerance is creeping in. That is the findings the way we see them,” he says.
co-existence. why the CCEDU case is critical. The case When the Independent called the
To him, the whole of Sub Saharan will be heard on Nov.09. Electoral Commission, they failed to
Africa is characterized by despotic regimes “There is a lot at stake. We have petitions comment on the matter. But, according to
which cannot easily accept a new wave of that have not been heard. All these matters Sewanyana, the aim of the meetings was to
democracy that has swept across the region. are pursued through the right channels,” try to resolve their differences amicably.
While Election observation started as Sewanyana says. Following a by-election in the western
way back as the 1950s in the west, in many It all started on July 02, when the EC Uganda district of Buhweju, local NGO –
African nations, it is one of those relatively called for a meeting with CCEDU officials Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy
new phenomena that came with this and complained about how the organisation in Uganda (CCEDU) released a report
democracy. In many countries in Africa, had reported on the by-elections in calling for legal provisions that stipulate a
it began in the late 1980s where elections Rukungiri which were characterized by timeframe for candidates to withdraw from
monitored by NGOs and international misuse of state resources during campaigns, an election race to deter any potential last
bodies increased. hate speech during campaigns, and voter minute withdrawals that may bear serious
Among the benefits that this came intimidation. financial and logistical consequences on
with, says CCEDU National Coordinator, The EC claims CCEDU pledged to the respective electoral processes. One
Crispy Kaheru, is the ability of citizens of the candidates, Alisson Byamukama
and the international community to get an Independent had withdrawn just a
an insight into the credibility and fairness day leaving two competitors – FDC’s
or otherwise of elections. It also exposes Jane Frida Bwiruka and NRM’s Olivia
areas in the election process that need Kwoyekyenga who emerged victorious.
strengthening for democratic practices to The by election was held in 2013 after the
be entrenched in a country. woman MP Arinaitwe Karisa succumbed
Kaheru points out that local observers to a brain tumor.
like him have the benefit of understanding In another by- election in Butambala,
the local context better, including the DP’s Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi
cultures and languages. He says local trounced four others. Still, CCEDU
observers are, therefore, able to read reported two key findings – voter bribery
the undercurrents of an election better, and heavy deployment of security
contextualize each election better, and operatives. At one polling station – Gombe
offer sustained, constructive feedback to Play Grounds, the area LC1, Mr. Sulaiman
election stakeholders including the election Simon Byabakama Crispy Kaheru Byekwaso was found distributing UGX
management body. 1,000 notes allegedly telling locals to vote
Although this could be true, experts for the NRM candidate, Kikulukunyu
say election observation came along Faisal Ssali. In its recommendations,
with increased criticism of the behavior of rethink their work methods to fit in the CCEDU urged the Electoral Commission
authoritarian regimes which in the way election observation guidelines that the EC (EC) and the Police to adhere to electoral
also affected their relationships with the provides. laws while managing election security.
promoters of democracy from the west. In his letter, Byabakama pointed out that CCEDU has distinguished itself as the
And the catch now is that for a country just two days after this meeting a CCEDU only local NGO that observes elections
to benefit from foreign investment or official appeared on a TV talk show from start of preparation to vote tallying.
to be members of certain international and castigated Village Women Council When they made recommendations after
organizations they have to be seen to be Committee elections that took place on July the Buhweju and Butambala by election,
democratic. This is what has helped many 3, as a sham. they had established just four years ago
NGOs that do democracy promotion to “This was contrary to the big turn up in 2009. Since then, the NGO has built a
thrive. But it has also meant that some registered countrywide and the public reputation of offering information, Election
governments have to push hard to muzzle interest and yearning to have these Day reporting and voter education which
critical observers. Committee elections conducted after researchers have come to rely on. It also
“Dictators will enact laws that are such a long time,” Byabakama said in the offers real time updates of what happens at
controlling and burdensome and will letter, “ The Commission needs credible, polling stations to media houses.
not create conducive environment for honest and impartial partners to assess To be able to do this, CCEDU boss
inclusiveness and public participation”, the electoral process and make pertinent Kaheru says, they ensure they are in an
Sewanyana points out. He says some recommendations.” electoral area days before the election, are at
advocates will censure themselves. A week later, the EC suspended CCEDU. the EC’s stores as early as 4am to be able to
To understand Sewanyana’s view, many The letter from the EC Chairman Justice witness the dispatch of electoral materials
point at countries like Zimbabwe where Simon Byabakama suspended them from to different stations, and leave tally centers
international observers only returned this conducting voter education and monitoring only after final results are announced. Now
year for the July 30 general election. The the LC elections that were to happen the courts must decide whether the EC can
previous president, Robert Mugabe, had the next day, on July 10 and all the other indefinitely suspend CCEDU or any other
suspended them for nearly two decades. proceeding elections until further notice. election observer from doing exactly that.
Groups like the European Union and Since then, it has been meetings after
the Commonwealth had been kicked out meetings and without reprieve for CCEDU.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 15

news analysis

Hon. Betty Aol Ocan being congratulated by her colleagues in Parliament recently

Betty Aol Ocan

New Leader of Opposition in parliament looks to biblical
David for inspiration as daunting task dawns on her
By Ronald Musoke leadership of opposition. FDC president Amuriat came out

B
The Forum for Democratic Change fighting on television and FM radio
etty Aol Ocan, the new President Patrick Amuriat Oboi had talk-shows saying he had consulted
Leader of Opposition in on Aug.3 in consultation with FDC’s widely over several months before
Uganda’s 10th Parliament National Executive Committee, the reshuffle was done. He also
says her Christian values of replaced Winnie Kiiza as the Leader of protested the insinuation that his new
honesty, truthfulness, hard work and the Opposition even though her term lieutenants are light weight arguing
loyalty will help rally her fellow MPs was set to expire in December, this that as long as one qualifies to be MP,
in Parliament to work as a team to year. they qualify to be on a Parliamentary
deliver results to Ugandans. The new changes also saw, Mubarak committee.
“The people of Uganda expect better Munyagwa (Kawempe South) take “I don’t actually understand why
things from the opposition rather than over the chair of the Committee on this has raised eyebrows; opportunity
the NRM,” she told The Independent on Commissions, Statutory Authorities should be given to as many people as
Aug.10. and State Enterprises (COSASE). possible,” he said, “If the positions
Ocan, 59, said just like God In other changes, Nandala Mafabi are held by just a particular people,
empowered David in the bible to (Budadiri West) rebounded as the how do we measure the strengths and
kill a bear and a lion before slaying chairman of the Public Accounts capabilities for the rest of the people
Goliath, she feels she has already been Committee while Cecilia Ogwal was in the party?”
prepared for this daunting task. replaced by Francis Mwijukye as “When you talk about Betty
The Gulu Woman MP was on parliamentary Commissioner, among Aol Ocan being little known, you
Aug.08, formally confirmed by others. underrate her political capacity and
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob But the reshuffle was greeted with where she came from,” Amuriat said,
Oulanyah, as the new Leader of shock and exasperation from some “She started early and she is now a
Opposition in the 10 th Parliament. sections of the Ugandan public with third term MP, so why would you
Oulanyah, who presided over the some saying the new FDC leadership think she would never perform in the
plenary sitting, read to the House the in Parliament, especially the Leader position of Leader of Parliament.”
communication from the Forum for of Opposition and, the chairperson of The office of the Leader of
Democratic Change Secretary General, COSASE, Mubarak Munyagwa, are Opposition in Parliament was created
Nandala Mafabi, naming the new “light weight.” by the Administration of Parliament

16 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 news analysis
(Amendment) Act 2006. The Act than when we are divided,” she said, government.
outlines the role of the Leader of “When we are out of Parliament “Honourable members, I am
the Opposition as “to hold the trying to mobilise, we can afford to so happy to be the fifth leader of
government to account,” through be partisan, but inside Parliament, we opposition in this Parliament and I
providing alternative policies and have to bury some of the conflict and would like to appeal to all my fellow
opinion. differences so we work together for colleagues from the opposition to
But the office bearer who in the people of Uganda.” unite in order to check the government
principle serves two two-and-half-year Ocan told The Independent that well,” she said.
terms also enjoys several perks and she intends to rally her opposition “Our key role is ensuring
privileges of a Member of Parliament colleagues so they work as a team. accountability with the government,
and a cabinet minister. Ocan, will “I am one person who has a high presenting and discussing alternative
for instance, be entitled to a lead car sense of respect for what others have positions,” she said, “To achieve that,
and chauffer driven vehicle, as well previously contributed.” we will need a united front.”
as security personnel drawn from “There is no need to start from She noted that whilst differences
the Uganda Police Force to guard scratch. So I recognize and respect the of opinion and ideas are healthy and
her residence, and an official Aide de work already done by the four leaders should be encouraged, the opposition
Camp. of opposition who came before me.” cannot afford to be divided because
Some political analysts have “I also believe in learning and the they are numerically thin.
explained that it is these perks that position I have been put in is not Ocan says she was elected for her
have often threatened to shred the because I am already perfect but it is ability to work with everyone, because
opposition parties into pieces each to empower me.” she is a humble person, and her long
time changes are made in Parliament.
When, for instance Mugisha Muntu
assumed the FDC party leadership
after an acrimonious election and
fired Nandala Mafabi as leader of
opposition, the reaction then mirrored
the current apprehension and
bitterness within the opposition.
Wafula Oguttu who replaced
Nandala Mafabi was so shaken that he
at first turned down the offer. Again,
party loyalists, were disappointed that
Oguttu was replacing an opposition
big wig who had mastered the rough
and tumble of Uganda’s opposition
politics.
Oguttu had a rough start too. He
inherited a polarised opposition in
parliament as his predecessor’s take-
no prisoners approach had alienated
some opposition colleagues, especially
from DP and UPC.
He told Daily Monitor that he had
come in as an underdog who might
not fit in the big shoes of Ogenga
Winnie Kiiza, the outgoing Leader of Opposition receives the Japanese Ambassador
Latigo (2006-2011) and Nandala to Uganda in her office at Parliament during a recent function.   COURTESY PHOTO
Mafabi. Tasked with naming a
shadow cabinet, two appointees
rejected his positions while others “We will continue to dialogue time commitment to the party and also
questioned the size of his cabinet. among ourselves, brainstorm and because she has friends in the ruling
But as the storm over appointments prioritise and then focus on what our party.
settled, he sought to unite the priorities are. We will be able to move, Ocan’s predecessor, Kiiza, has
opposition in Parliament into pushing once we work as a team.” assured her of her full support during
in the same direction. Work success in Uganda’s her reign while the government Chief
Ocan, a professional teacher, will parliament is about numbers and Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, also pledged
be hoping that similar luck comes her the ruling NRM party has got over to work with Ocan for a constructive
way. It also appears she is destined to two-thirds of MPs in Parliament. So, opposition to critique the government.
follow a similar route. Ocan says, it is a challenge for the In the coming weeks, Ocan will
In a telephone interview with The opposition to push any of its positions appoint and head an alternative shadow
Independent, Ocan said if the members through. cabinet whose duty is to challenge and
of the opposition in Parliament unite, “But we will continue going back to influence government legislation on
their work will be a little easier the people to explain our positions on the floor of Parliament. But that small
since they face a common foe in the certain issues,” she said. matter will come after a "small party"
ruling party—the National Resistance In her very first address to she has organised back home in Gulu on
Movement. Parliament, Ocan called for unity from the weekend of Aug. 18.
“When we are together, we are all the opposition parties to achieve
stronger and we can achieve more a common goal of checking the

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 17

obituary

Nobel Prize-winning
author VS Naipaul
dies aged 85
By Independent Reporter & Agencies professorship.

N
Naipaul had showed interest in the great
ovelist Sir VS Naipaul, or Sir culture, history and traditions of the Bagan-
Vidia, who won the Nobel Prize in da people. And when then Uganda’s prime
literature in 2001, had a close con- minister Milton Obote deposed, militarily,
nection to Uganda. the President of Uganda, Fredrick Mutesa
His name resonates with many scholars who was also the Kabaka of Buganda,
because they know him as the famous Naipaul was critical of the British press for
author of `Miguel Street’ a novel which has not condemning the action enough. He
been a fixture on Uganda’s O’Level litera- also travelled in rural Uganda to the Kisoro
ture syllabus. District on the south-western border with
Naipaul was also writer-in-residence at Rwanda and the Congo.
Makerere University Kampala in 1966 and He fell out with Theroux after Theroux
held the Creative Writing Senior Fellowship discovered a book he had given Naipaul
in the Department of Literature. It was the in a second-hand bookshop. They later
same fellowship held by some of Uganda’s reunited.
greatest writers ever, including John While at Makerere, Naipaul rewrote a
Ruganda, of `Black Mamba (1972)’ , Robert novel he had been working on with little
Serumaga of `Return to the Shadows’, and success in England titled ‘The Mimic Men’.
Ngugi wa Thiongo of `The River Between’. He completed it quickly this time.
All of them published many other books But, according to another online report,
and were at Makerere in the same period as Naipaul’s African experience also influ-
Naipaul. Ruganda, for example graduated enced his writing of his next book, “In a
in 1967. Other great writers at Makerere at Free State”, published in 1971.
the time included David Rubadiri, Taban lo In the title novella, “In a Free State”, two
Liyong, and Okot p’Bitek. young expatriate Europeans drive across an departure. He also gave a public talk in
It was in Kampala that Naipaul met African country, which remains nameless the University Main hall which attracted a
another famous author, Paul Theroux, who but which offers clues of Uganda, Kenya, full capacity crowd of scholars and curious
was to be his lifelong on and off friend and Rwanda. The novella speaks to many observers.
and foe. In an article in The New Yorker of themes. The colonial era ends and Africans Sir Vidia, who was born in rural Trinidad
August 3, 1998, Theroux reveals that they govern themselves. Political chaos, fre- in 1932, wrote more than 30 books including
met in early 1966 at a party in Kampala, quently violent, takes hold in newly decolo- `A Bend in the River’ and his masterpiece,
Uganda, which was given by Makerere Uni- nized countries. Young, idealistic, expatriate `A House for Mr Biswas’.
versity, where the author was a member of whites are attracted to these countries, seek- According to the BBC, his wife, Lady
the Department of Extra-Mural Studies as a ing expanded moral and sexual freedoms. Naipaul, called him a “giant in all that he
visiting professor for one year. They are rootless, their bonds with the land achieved”.
They became friends and Theroux com- tenuous; at the slightest danger they leave. She said he died at his home in London
pares Naipaul to a brilliant, demanding The older, conservative, white settlers, by “surrounded by those he loved, having
child and Naipaul’s wife, Pat, as a pretty contrast, are committed to staying, even in lived a life which was full of wonderful cre-
petite woman in her 30s who seemed rather the face of danger. The young expatriates, ativity and endeavour”.
frail. He says Naipaul looked down on his though liberal, can be racially prejudiced. Geordie Greig, editor of the Mail on Sun-
university colleagues and expatriates and The old settlers, unsentimental, sometimes day and a close friend, said his death leaves
considered them intellectually inferior. brutal, can show compassion. The young, a “gaping hole in Britain’s literary heritage”,
He was equally dismissive of his students’ engrossed in narrow preoccupations, are but there is “no doubt” that his “books live
talents. He says the longer Naipaul stayed uncomprehending of the dangers that sur- on”.
in Uganda, the more morose he became round them. The old are knowledgeable, According to the BBC, Theroux, who had
and couldn’t stand the noise around his armed, and ready to defend themselves. a bitter 15-year feud with Sir Vidia before
house. He decided to move to a hotel in the The events unfolding along the car trip reconciling, said: “He will go down as one
highlands of western Kenya. Together, they and the conversation during it become the of the greatest writers of our time.”
travelled to Tanzania. In late May, 1966, means of exploring these themes. Paying tribute to his friend, who he said
when the political situation worsened and He became one of the first winners of the had been in poor health, Theroux added:
a curfew was imposed during the Buganda Booker Prize for the novel in 1971. “He also never wrote falsely.
Crisis, Naipaul moved out of his hotel and Naipaul returned to Makerere University “He was a scourge of anyone who used
in with the writer for the final month of his in March 2008 as a guest of the literature a cliché or an un-thought out sentence. He

18 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 obituary

was very scrupulous about his writing, very zru recalled interviewing him and said: sion and once attempted to take his own
severe, too.” “When we sat down, the first thing he said life.
Salman Rushdie, who also disagreed was ‘tell me what you’ve read and don’t His first book, `The Mystic Masseur’, was
repeatedly with Sir Vidia, said he was “as lie’. Only then would he consent to be ques- published in 1957. It was made into a film
sad as if I just lost a beloved older brother”. tioned.” directed by Ismail Merchant in 2001.
Farrukh Dhondy, a writer and long-time Writer Jeet Heer called him a “powerful In 1961 he published his most celebrated
friend of Sir Vidia, told BBC News that his novelist” who “at his best approached Con- novel, `A House for Mr Biswas’, which took
writing was distinguished by its clarity, lack rad and even the shadow of Dickens”, while more than three years to write.
of self-indulgence and for his unique per- blogger Patrice Yursik described him as a Sir Vidia was a broadcaster for the BBC’s
spective on the post-colonial world. “titan of Caribbean literature”. Caribbean service between 1957 and 1961.
“It’s window pane prose. You’re looking One fan said “no-one inspired me to read Awarded the Nobel Prize in literature
through a very clean, polished glass win- more than Naipaul” while another tweeted in 2001, the committee said Sir Vidia had
dow at the object beyond,” he said. that his novel `A House for Mr Biswas’ “united perceptive narrative and incorrupt-
“He was one of the greatest literary tal- stayed with me as a lasting memory for 30+ ible scrutiny in works that compel us to see
ents of the last century, and he was quite a years”. the presence of suppressed histories”.
remarkable personality, with insights which It added: “Naipaul is a modern philoso-
I don’t think anybody else had - on a per- ‘Modern philosopher’ pher. In a vigilant style, which has been
sonal level, on a broader civilisational level.” Sir Vidia, who as a child was read Shake- deservedly admired, he transforms rage
On social media, fans paid tribute to Sir speare and Dickens by his father, was raised into precision and allows events to speak
Vidia and expressed their sadness. as a Hindu and attended Queen’s Royal with their own inherent irony.”
Author Laila Lalami described him as a College in Trinidad. His first wife, Patricia Hale, died in 1996
“wonderful stylist and a terrible curmud- He moved to Britain and enrolled at and he went on to marry Pakistani journal-
geon”, adding: “At his best, he could write Oxford University in 1950 after winning a ist, Nadira.
with great tenderness and good humor [sic] government scholarship giving him entry Sir Vidia was outspoken and became
about people whose lives were erased by into any Commonwealth university of his known for criticisms of Tony Blair - who he
colonial narratives.” choosing. described as a “pirate” - as well as Charles
British novelist and journalist Hari Kun- As a student, he struggled with depres- Dickens and EM Forster.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 19

rwanda

Parliamentary election
campaigns on
Strong RPF pledges transformation, small parties worry

By Emmanuel R. Karake comprising of a Senate and a Chamber of at the top.

V
Deputies which is the lower house. The remaining 27 seats are indirectly
arious actors on Rwanda’s politi- The senate comprises 26 members who elected by local and national councils. Of
cal scene launched campaigns for are elected by specific councils of adminis- these, 24 seats are reserved for women, two
parliamentary elections. Observers trative entities, appointed by the president, for representatives of youth, and one for the
are, however, tipping the ruling or elected by lecturers and researchers from handicapped.
Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) to win with universities. They serve 8-year terms. The number of candidates is 521, includ-
another landslide as the political terrain has Up for grabs in this election are the 80 ing 302 from political parties, four inde-
not changed since the last polls. seats in the Chamber of Deputies who are pendent candidates, 26 for the youth, 10 for
The RPF launched its campaigns in Rul- elected through two methods: 53 seats are people living with disabilities, and 179 for
indo district in Northern Province where directly elected by universal suffrage in a women slots.
RPF Secretary General Francois Ngarambe, single nationwide constituency, with an RPF has allied with five other political
who was the chief guest, spoke to a huge electoral threshold of 5%; and seats are allo- parties, which critics have termed ‘hangers
crowd. cated using the largest remainder method. on’ because - instead of providing an alter-
Observers say should RPF get more than This means the country is considered to native political narrative, they ride on the
95% of the vote, it means all independent be one nationwide constituency and voters back of the powerful RPF to get a slice of the
candidates or parties not in coalition with it cast ballots for parties and not individuals. national cake.
will not make it to the forthcoming legisla- Each party or independent candidate that However, RPF spokesperson Wellers
tive assembly because the condition is that gets 5% of all votes cast nationwide wins a Gasamagera speaking to the media after the
for a party or person to go to parliament seat in parliament. The 80 seats are allocated party’s campaign launch rally in Rutongo,
must have obtained 5% of the total vote. based on what portion of the nationwide Rulindo district in Northern Province
“That scenario cannot happen. In the vote each party or independent candidate defended the partnership and dispelled the
last presidential elections all parties rallied wins. For this to happen, each party submits hangers on arguments, saying the party was
behind the RPF candidate. In this election, a list of its 80 aspirants to the National Elec- keen on further strengthening its position in
some are going it alone,” an official told The toral Commission. After the election, the the 4th Parliament.
Independent. seats are allocated based on the position the He noted: “We do not pick any political
Rwanda operates a two-chamber House aspirants occupy on their party list, starting parties. We get into coalition with parties

20 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 rwanda

that have agendas similar to ours. It is not Parliamentarians are expected to assist in Greens optimistic to gain more seats
about job positions, but the wellbeing of the implementation of that agenda through Green Party president Frank Habineza
Rwandans. Also, every party that allies to legislation and oversight,” a party official told The Independent that his party is opti-
us, that is additional strength.” told The Independent. mistic to beat the odds presented by the
Parties in a coalition with RPF are Party Key among the said manifesto is transfor- uneven political terrain and make to the
for Progress and Concord (PPC), Centrist mation of livelihoods of Rwandans. house.
Democratic Party (PDC), Democratic Union “Reasons for voting RPF are clear and “We are the only alternative political
of Rwandese People (UDPR), Party for known to you all; the main agenda of RPF is party in Rwanda. We have been champions
Solidarity and Progress (PSP) and Ideal to impact lives of Rwandans. Here in Rulin- of citizens’ views. Rwandans have listened
Democratic Party (PDI) of former Security do, there is a lot; Girinka to supplement our to us for the last 10 years,” he says.
Minister Musa Fazil remembered for being efforts to fight malnutrition and household This election is being conducted under
the first person to voice the removal of pres- poverty, hospitals, and a feeder road net- almost similar law with that of 2013. An
idential term limits to enable President Paul work, among others. Campaigning for RPF official at the National Electoral Commis-
Kagame to continue to vie for presidency. doesn’t require one to labour too much… sion says “literally nothing has changed in
Other parties in the race are Social Demo- We need strong institutions, parliament the law”.
cratic Party (PSD) and Liberal Party (PL) inclusive, to advance our agenda of devel- The third parliament was elected at a
of the outgoing speaker of lower chamber oping the Rwanda we want,” said Sports critical time, the country was at a politi-
of parliament and Green Party of Frank and Culture Minister Juliene Uwacu, who is cal juncture after Kagame caught many
Habineza who participated in the last the national campaign manager for RPF. unaware when he encouraged his political
presidential elections. PSD has members “We know where we are coming from party to start debating the country’s politi-
occupying cabinet posts; including long and where we are going, which is far but cal transition in 2017.
serving minister Dr. Vincent Biruta. Others walkable. RPF has the will and energy to The last parliament achieved a lot in
are independent candidates Elisam Salim deliver an agenda to improve lives of Rwan- terms legislation and government oversight,
Ntibanyendera, Janvier Nsengiyunva, Allay dans. We want a growth driven by knowl- and will be remembered for amending the
Husseine Sebagenzi, and Phillip Mpay- edge and ICT. constitution, allowing president Kagame to
imana. Mpayimana contested in the last We need to elect a parliament that will remain eligible to run for office until 2034.
presidential elections as an independent. enact appropriate laws to deliver on the Under the same amendment, the presiden-
plan,” said RPF Secretary General Francois tial term of office was reduced from seven
RPF’s transformation manifesto Ngarambe, who was the chief guest. to five years; that’s after Kagame’s depar-
Candidates of RPF and its allies were There are 80 seats in Rwanda’s parlia- ture.
presented to the public in a group and did ment which political party and independent The campaigns will run for 20-days, start-
not speak save for leaders of their respec- candidates are working to get a slice of. ing Aug.13 to Sept.01. Some parties say this
tive parties whom the master of ceremony In the outgoing house RPF had 34 seats period is too short given that they have to
allotted two minutes to speak to the public. while the rest were shared between interest traverse all the 30 districts in the country.
None of them presented individual party groups such as women, youth, people with As Gasamagera explained, “when look-
manifestos. disabilities and other political parties. Some ing for votes; you have to go the ground”.
“The party agenda is reflected in the observers say RPF rides on the argument of However, most of the parties; if not all, do
manifesto of President Kagame that was having more women in the house to gain a not have the capacity to cover the whole
presented in last year’s presidential election. numerical controlling stake in the house. country in such a small time.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 21

rwanda

Mushikwabo leads
“The Rwandan foreign minister has every
competence to carry out this role. I will sup-
port her.”
Experts believe that Macron’s endorse-

race for top OIF job

ment of Mushikiwabo for the OIF top job,
could provide the much-needed environ-
ment and goodwill to amend further
broken Rwanda-France relationship over
By Daniel C. Ntwari major challenge facing the OIF. disagreements on the latter’s role in the 1994

W
Her campaign is also focusing on youth genocide against the Tutsi.
ith only two months to go to employment as key to addressing current The two nations have enjoyed very “ami-
the election of new Secretary- global migration trends involving French cable terms” since Macron was elected pres-
General of the Organisation In- speaking countries. OIF is a 58-member ident in May 2017. After officially sharing
ternational de la Francophonie state organisation with 26 observer nations. her plan for OIF, Mushikiwabo had no bet-
(OIF), Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, The current Secretary-General of OIF is ter opportunity to move her campaign strat-
Cooperation and East African Community, Canada’s Michaella Jean, 60, whose four- egies than using the recent African Leader-
Louise Mushikiwabo’s chances look good. year term since 2014 expires mid-October. ship Forum (ALF) in Kigali, where former
She is, however, not taking chances and is She is seeking a second term in office. African Heads of State joined President Paul
using all available channels including social Mushikiwabo, however, has got the Kagame and business leaders to discuss
media platforms to drive her campaign endorsement of African Union chairperson financing for sustainable development. The
forward. and countryman President Paul Kagame, 5th ALF was hosted by the former Tanzania
The election is slated for October 11-12 French President Emmanuel Macron and President Benjamin William Mkapa and
2018 in Armenia, and in discussions with French Canadians. But she must still use all organised by UONGOZI Institute.
other OIF countries Mushikiwabo has said her diplomatic skills to outwit Michaella,
top of her agenda will be tackling the chal- the only other candidate in the race. Louise Mushikiwabo’s plans for OIF
lenge of reviving the French language in a While announcing his endorsement for The priorities for the 57-year-old Mushi-
number of member countries that have over Mushikiwabo during a recent joint press kiwabo at the OIF released this month
time discouraged the language. This is a briefing with Kagame in Paris, Macron said: include; the influence of the French lan-

22 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 rwanda
in influencing issues on the international
scene.
From her track record back home, many
Rwanda
Rwandans have supported Mushikiwabo’s
candidature; and some qualities have been
identified in her as that could make Mushi-
hosts Shared
kiwabo a good OIF leader, including her
diplomatic skills, eloquency, and strength of
women in politics.
Accord 2018
military
Emmy Arsonval Maniriho, a communica-
tion officer at UNDP Rwanda, said: “She
has strong political career in foreign affairs.

exercise
Her candidacy is supported by France and
Rwanda in particular. There is nothing that
can prevent her from handling OIF mat-
ters.”
“She is a great lady, very attentive and

T
especially anxious about the success of our
beautiful continent. She will manage with- he Rwanda Defence Forces
out stress... then for that and other good (RDF), the United States
reasons, we are all for our sister Minister Military, European Union
Louise Mushikiwabo,” said Bosco Sababu and East African nations with
on twitter. other International Organizations,
will conduct a Command Post
Rwanda and French language Exercise (CPX) and a Medical
Back home, Mushikiwabo will have to Readiness Exercise (MEDRETE)
prove how French will be revived as the Shared Accord 2018 (SA18) from
country has slowly shifted to using English August 14-29, 2018 at Rwanda
in public setting since 2006, despite French Military Academy – Gako.
remaining one of the four official languages, This is according to a press release
including Kinyarwanda and Swahili. issued by RDF on August 12.
However for the Vietnamese Prime Shared Accord is a military
Minister, in charge of the Francophonie, exercise focusing on African partner
Samxsang Bounkeut, backing Mushiwabo’s capability and interoperability in
plan of reviving the French language, will support of a United Nations/African
be helpful. Union Peace Keeping Operations
“The use of the language tends to disap- (PKO).
pear within the Laotian youth who prefers The exercise seeks to assess
English, a reality that goes beyond Laos and abilities of participants in conducting
concerns many other countries members of PKO and to enhance positive bilateral
guage; the relevance of the Francophonie; the Francophonie,” Bounkeut said at Mushi- and regional relationships in austere
youth employment, and the exchange of kiwabo’s latest Asia tour accompanied by environments with coalition partners.
good practice. Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Mamadi Toure. The training exercise helps build
After moving around several African partnership with US Army Africa
countries canvasing for support, Mushiki- Who is Mushikiwabo? (USARAF) and East African Military
wabo has gone as far as the Far East; includ- Louise Mushikiwabo has degrees in Lan- Forces, and is designed to help
ing to Cambodia and Vietnam, and plans to guages and Interpretation from University participants improve their capability
reach other OIF members in central Europe of Delaware, USA. She is a former translator, to respond to regional security
and South-East Asia seeking endorsement public relations executive and is a published threats posed by violent extremist
before the vote. author. Mushikiwabo lived in the United organizations, and to more effectively
On Aug.09 she was in Cambodia and States for 22 years, and then in Tunisia for a counter the associated ideology.
tweeted: “I am very pleased with the warm short period. This exercise will include scenarios
welcome that was reserved for me in the She joined the Rwandan Cabinet in related to conducting peacekeeping
Kingdom of Cambodia today; and I enjoyed March, 2008. She is the former Minister of operations during the United
the convergence of ideas with my coun- Information and government spokesperson. Nations Multidimensional Integrated
terpart, on the future of the Francophonie. She co-authored an intergenerational socio- Stabilization Mission in the Central
A thousand times thanks to the Mekong historical memoir; “Rwanda Means the Uni- African Republic (MINUSCA).
countries.” verse” in 2006, and has contributed many SA18 will involve participants
While Mushikiwabo has an agenda that articles to newspapers and online maga- of government personnel from
may change OIF-Rwanda relations, she said zines. She won the Outstanding Humani- Botswana, Gabon, Germany, Malawi,
in an interview with TV5 Monde that; “The tarian Award (2004) from the American Morocco, the Netherlands, Republic
best way to manage the mission of the in University’s School of International Studies. of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, United
OIF relation to democracy and freedoms is She is a sister of fallen Rwandan business States and Zambia, as well as the
to stand very close to the states, to give them businessman, Landoald Ndasingwa, who international organizations, such
advice, not to give lessons.” was killed in the 1994 genocide against Tutsi as the United Nations and the
The OIF SG candidate has said that La and who is commonly known for the Chez International Committee of Red
Francophonie is more than France and she Lando Hotel in Kigali. Cross (ICRC).
believes the OIF “could do much more”

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 23

rwanda

Rwanda’s conference
tourism grows
Marketing efforts, infrastructural developments, and
capacity improvements set new MICE sector records
By Stephen Nuwagira Convention Bureau (RCB). to US$74 million this year.

R
The growth is on the back of increased Rwanda recorded 28,308 delegates in
wanda’s tourism industry, interventions by stakeholders and 2017, up from 23,804 in 2016, according
particularly the Meetings, government to make the country a top to RCB figures. However, the country’s
Incentives, Conferences and conference destination in Africa. earnings from MICE were even higher
Exhibitions (MICE) segment, is MICE raked in US$42 million from 192 last financial year between July 01,
seeing significant growth going forward, conferences in 2017, according to RCB 2017 and June 30, 2018 at US$51 million
according to statistics by the Rwanda statistics, and this is projected to increase realized from 219 conferences hosted

24 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 rwanda
during the period. connectivity options and ease of service Campaigns like “Na Yombi” are there
Sector players and experts attribute due to RCB support. These gains point to remind service sector players to
this upward trajectory of the MICE to the vibrancy and positive long-term always consider excellent customer
segment to relentless efforts geared at outlook of the country’s MICE tourism service as a matter of priority. The issue
improving services, conference facilities segment. of poor customer service has over the
and increased connectivity of the country years raised concern, prompting RDB
thanks to RwandAir’s expanding New products to initiate the “Na Yombi” campaign
network. Kageruka says that the sector was to sensitise the private sector players
Ariella Kageruka, the director general working with government through particularly hospitality sector about the
of Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, public-private partnerships developing importance handling customers very
attributes the growth to various factors, new products that help increase stay of well.
including continuous efforts by sector MICE delegates and other visitors.
players to ensure standards, the “For instance, the paramotoring and Global recognition
simplified visa process where travelers mountain cycling were introduced In May 2018, International Congress
get visa on arrival, as well as continuously recently to tap into the growing and Convention Association (ICCA)
training workers to ensure visitors get the segment of adventure tourism. We are named Rwanda as the third most
best experience while in Rwanda. also developing new products along popular destination in Africa for hosting
Many sector players are also upgrading the Kivu belt, and all of these efforts international meetings and events. In
their facilities while the government are aimed at increasing the level of the past 7 months of 2018, Rwanda has
was improving infrastructure, which the stay in the country while ongoing hosted major conferences, including
official says is essential for the sector to infrastructure developments will enable Transform Africa Summit, Next Einstein
remain competitive. Forum, the 2nd Africa Innovation
“Members are getting a lot of revenues Summit, Africa Green Revolution Forum
from the MICE sub-sector; if the MICE and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Good
segment is bringing in more money for Governance Meeting, and the 30th
the business, you would of course have to
increase your investment to gain more,”
In May 2018, Ordinary Session of the African Union
Assembly.
Kageruka told The Independent in an International The country was also recently
interview.
That Rwanda is one of the few
Congress and selected to host the 7th Africa CEO
Forum 2019 slated for March 25-26.
countries that have implemented the visa Convention Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
for all policy, enabling travellers to get
visas on arrival at entry points, has made
Association (ICCA) Chief Executive Officer Clare Akamanzi
says the forum is a great opportunity
the country a preferred MICE destination, named Rwanda for Rwanda to showcase to the world
and Kageruka says this has made it easier
for all to attract conference organisers and as the third most its know-how on hosting the biggest
meetings on the continent as the country
visitors. popular destination seeks to position itself as the preferred
There is also easy accessibility due to MICE destination in Africa. The annual
improved connectivity to Kigali and the in Africa for hosting Africa CEO Forum is organised by Jeune
rest of Africa, thanks to expanding of
destinations operated by RwandAir.
international Afrique Media Group, publishers of
Jeune Afrique and of The Africa Report.
The national carrier plies routes that meetings and
connect to most parts of Africa, Asia events Tourism earnings rise
(India) and Europe as part of government Tourism has become Rwanda’s biggest
efforts to continuously promote and source of foreign exchange, earning $438
position Rwanda as a top destination for million in 2017, creating over 90,000
investment and tourism. jobs so far. Rwanda received 1.3 million
In addition, development of visitors in 2017.
infrastructure, like upgrading of airports, “We are confident that this number
including Kigali International Airport, us to do business better,” says the will rise this year because of our
and the ongoing construction works tourism chamber chief, adding that this marketing efforts, tourism infrastructural
for Bugesera International Airport and will further benefit service providers developments and overall destination
a new road that will ease connectivity such as hotels, lodges, restaurants and attributes,” Sanny Ntayombya, the
along the Kivu belt is being constructed RwandAir. The MICE segment was head, communications and marketing at
will all ease accessibility. launched in 2014 as Rwanda sought Rwanda Development Board, said.
Generally, tourism is Rwanda’s to attract major conferences and The sector should be further boosted
leading foreign exchange earner and more foreign direct investment (FDI), by planned expansion of RwandAir
brought in $437 million last year, with especially by renowned international destinations to 31 this financial year,
the MICE sector adding 15% to last year’s hotel brands. including Addis Ababa-Ethiopia,
total tourism earnings. Guangzhou-China, Tel Aviv in Israel,
Rwanda Convention Bureau Chief Improving customer service Guinea, and New York in the U.S. The
Executive Officer Denise Omany However, members must ensure great national carrier presently plies 26 routes
said earlier that the support of the customer care to reap from the MICE in Africa, Asia and Europe. RwandAir
government, as well as the private sector, windfall, and Kageruka believes that transported 926,571 passengers for the
Rwanda has been able to establish itself good customer service is today’s central year ended June 2018, and projects to
as a safe, secure MICE destination of marketing tool. “Every business owner ferry 1.15 million travellers this fiscal
choice due to the presence of world-class is aware of its potential to reinforce year supported by the new planned
MICE venues, accommodation facilities, their marketing and business strategies. destinations.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 25

rwanda

Rwanda to host continental

annual fine coffee forum

By Daniel C Ntwari Speaking during the announcement of the conference would create a platform for

R
Rwanda as hosts on Aug.10 in Kigali, Jean stakeholders along the value chain to find
wandan farmers expect the annual Claude Kayisinga, the Permanent Secretary ways on how they can embrace technol-
African Fine Coffee Conference in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal ogy to propel the sector to the next level of
and Exhibition (AFCCE) to be held Resources, said Rwanda will showcase its growth.
in Kigali next year. The AFCCE potential in coffee research and strategies of “We need collaboration of all key players
conference addresses factors affecting the shifting focus from production for export to to bring farmers on board so that they bene-
sector, especially challenges that are hurt increase local consumption to leverage the fit fully and understand the trading process.
productivity. countries competiveness. For instance, they should be able to know
Theopista Nyiramahoro, the head of cof- AFCCE is organised by the African Fine where their coffee is sold, how they have
fee farmer’s associations in Rwanda, said Coffee Association (AFCA), and Rwanda gained, and also to ensure that we trace
that farmers have a lot of expectations from will be hosting the annual event for the sec- how farmers benefit,” Kayonga said.
the conference, especially practical solutions ond time since 2009. Currently, the country produces between
on how to address issues of climate change “The conference promises to be an excit- 18 and 23 metric tonnes annually and
impacts on the sector, pests and diseases ing opportunity for Rwanda coffee produc- exports 96% of the produce. Despite the
control, and low international prices. ers and will greatly support the country dwindling global prices, Rwanda plans to
Nyiramahoro said prolonged droughts tourism sector given the big number of produce 24,000 metric tonnes, with 80% of
and pests and diseases were devastating global delegates expected,” said Eng. Ishak this as specialty coffee by 2020, up from the
coffee plantations on the continent, while K. Lukenge, the  AFCA board chairman. current 60%. The country is also promot-
low prices were discouraging some farm- Samuel Kamau, the AFCA executive ing a coffee consumption culture among
ers from continuing with coffee produc- director, said that Rwanda will be the first Rwandans, and the number of coffee bars
tion. Many are abandoning coffee for other country to benefit from a specialised farm- continues to increase driven by support
crops. ers training that will address issues of coffee from corporates. 
She was hopeful that the international growers’ contract management. The (AFCCE) is the largest coffee trade
coffee conference will expose Rwanda farm- “This is the first training of its kind where event in Africa and is expected to be
ers to better buyers and equip them with farmers will be equipped with necessary attended by about 2,000 participants from
skills to engage in global coffee trade mean- skills to analyze and understand contracts, delegates from around the world.
ingfully. enabling them to guard against bad agree- The conference brings together African
The 17th African Fine Coffee Conference ments and benefit from international coffee and international delegates, representing
and Exhibition (AFCCE) in Kigali will run trade,” he said in Kigali on August 10. buyers from Europe, the Americas, Asia, the
from February 13 to 15, 2019 under the Speaking at the event, Amb. William Kay- Middle East and African coffee producers,
theme “Rwanda - Specialty Coffees at the onga, the CEO of Rwanda National Agricul- buyers and consumers.
heart of Africa”. tural Export Board (NAEB), was optimistic

26 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

D
By Isaac Khisa

rug manufacturing firm, Cipla

Quality Chemical Industries
Limited, hopes to raise at
least Shs168.56bn through
an Initial Public Offer that
opened on August 14-24.
The firm that is 62.3% owned by India’s
Cipla, is offering 657.17million shares at a
cost of Shs 256.5 per share.
Nevin Bradford, the firm’s chief execu-
tive officer, said the proceeds from the offer,
which represents 18% stake of the entire
shareholdings, will be used to expand drug
production capacity and portfolio.
“We are looking at increasing the volume
of existing drugs and also add on new ones
(in our portfolio),” he said.
He said the firm, whose monthly produc-
tion capacity has increased from merely Finance Minister Matia Kasaija (R) and Cipla QCIL shareholders
25million tablets per month in 2009 to launching IPO at Kampala Serena Hotel on August 14.   INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA

Cipla to raise
100million currently, is expected to reach
130 million soon.
Besides the production of World Health
Organisation pre-qualified anti-malarials,

Shs168bn in IPO
anti-retrovirals and Hepatitis B drugs, the
firm plans to add new drugs including,
tuberculosis, hypertension and diabetes to
its portfolio through licensing arrangements
with the parent company Cipla or third
parties.
This comes nearly five years since the grow business. oon, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia,
firm expressed interest to list on the Uganda Cipla QCIL bold move comes when Sub- Mozambique and South Sudan. It also
Securities Exchange (USE). Saharan Africa has the highest incidence hopes to sell its products to 19 countries by
The Kampala based USE last had a list- of a range of communicable diseases and the end of 2020.
ing in 2012 with the electricity distributor, accounts for 93% of malaria-related and The firm manufactured over 1 billion tab-
Umeme. With the new listing, the bourse 73% of HIV/AIDs related deaths in the lets – the highest volume in its history, with
now has 17 local and regional companies. world and approximately 12 and 7% of a monthly production in December alone
Emmanuel Katongole, the executive Hepatitis B and C infections, respectively, reaching a record of 124 million tablets.
director at Cipla QCIL said Cipla will retain according to the firm’s prospectus. In terms of returns, the firm has consis-
the firm’s majority shareholdings of 51% Similarly, the healthcare spending in tently recorded growth in revenues over the
for strategic reasons such as technological the region has demonstrated high growth last five years due to rapid expansions into
transfer, procurement efficiency and opera- rates from US$20bn in 2000 to US$85bn in new markets.
tional excellence. 2015 driven by economic development and For instance, its revenues have increased
“We are listing at particularly exciting donor funding. from Shs89.7bn as at the end of March 2013
time in the evolution and development of CIPLA QCIL started operations in 2005 to Shs227.3bn as at the end of March 2018.
the company,” he said. as a joint venture between Quality Chemi- Consequently, the firm’s net profit
“Our mission to provide access to quality cal Limited (QCL), a Ugandan company has increased from merely Shs8.28bn
affordable medicines has never been more dealing in the importation and distribution to Shs44bn. Its assets have grown from
relevant. We see tremendous potential for of pharmaceutical drugs, and Cipla Ltd, a Shs106.7bn to Shs 209.29bn in the period
growth, geographically and in the scope leading Indian pharmaceutical company under review.
and breath of our product offering.” specialising in manufacturing anti-retroviral With this upward trend curve for net
USE CEO, Paul Bwiso said the drug firm drugs (ARVs) and Artemisinin-based Com- profits, assets in addition to its planned
is highly commended for allowing mem- bination Therapies (ACTs) to combat HIV/ expansion strategy, one can easily conclude
bers of the public to own part of the firm as Aids and malaria respectively. that the company could be a good buy.
it starts a new growth journey. Since then, the firm has initiated multiple
“We know that many companies are not capacity expansion programs and portfolio Cipla QCIL drug portfolio
willing to come to the market because of expansions, including the launch of new  Duovir-N (ARV) and Lumartem (ACT)
issues of scrutiny from the public, investors therapies.  Trioday
and analysts. Cipla’s decision to open up to Cipla QCIL’s plant is currently approved  Efavirenz and Duovir
the public is highly commendable,” he said. by drug authorities in 13 Sub-Saharan  Duomune and Nevimune
He added that more than Shs1.2trillion has African countries and its products sold in  Texavir and Zentair
been raised through the stock exchange to nine countries – Uganda, Kenya, Camer-

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 27

Business

Stanbic’s half-year
earnings remain flat
Bank’s CEO is optimistic that the second half will be better

By Julius Businge

S
tanbic Bank has recorded same net
profit in the half year of 2018 as it
was last year, underscoring how the
industry is struggling to grow in the
era of low interest rates and tough economic
conditions.
Financial results released on August 08
shows that the lender generated a merely
0.7% growth in revenue to Shs96bn dur-
ing half year of this year, up from Shs
95bn. However, this is below the Shs107bn
recorded in the previous year.
Patrick Mweheire, the bank’s chief
executive officer said the slight increase in
profit is attributed to growth in non-interest
income revenues supported by increase in
customer transactions.
“Operating costs were also well man-
aged, growing by only 3.6% year on year
and credit risk also remained very strong
with credit loss ration improving to 0.9%,”
he said.
Out of the bank’s Shs321bn income estimated at 1.6million transactions for the Mutebile’s policy stance
earned during the period, Shs7bn higher full year, 2018.
compared with last year, non-interest Commenting on Stanbic’s and general On Aug.13, BoU Governor, Emmanuel
revenue recorded a 12% growth while net performance of the banks, Salima Naki- Tumusiime-Mutebile said he was keeping
interest income dropped by 5% due to a boneka, a financial analyst at the South African- the central bank rate at 9% in line with the
downward trend in the interest rates. based firm, Stanlib told The Independent that objective of keeping inflation in check.
The bank’s income distribution split was the overall performance of Stanbic was flat Data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics
at 47% to 53% on non-interest and in net in the first half of 2018 partly because of the (UBOS) indicates that headline inflation
interest income, respectively, compared tough economic environment that did not rose to 3.1% in the year ending July 2018
with last year that was 43% and 57%. Loans support growth of businesses. from 2.1% in the year ended June 2018.
and advances grew by 13.2% to Shs263bn. Nakiboneka said as private sector credit Core inflation, which is the target for
Similarly deposits from customers grew continues to grow upwards on the back BoU’s monetary policy also went up to 2.5%
by Shs 523bn, representing 16.2% growth of reduced interest rates on the market, from 0.8% in the period under review.
compared with the same period last year, chances are that loans will become more Mutebile said core inflation is expected
supported by the bank’s strong customer affordable and banks will earn more. to continue rising and peak in the range of
focus through its client eco systems and She said the bank also need to think 6-7% in the second half of 2018/2019 but will
nurturing new customer relationships. of better ways of reducing their costs by stabilise around the medium term target of
Total assets grew by 7.4% to Shs 353bn embracing digital banking, agent banking 5% by end 2019.
supported by strong customer deposit so as to improve profitability. However, Mweheire said there are indi-
growth. Data from Bank of Uganda (BoU) shows cations of a better second half of 2018.
The bank said the excess liquidity is being that the country’s economy is expected to “We are beginning to see 6% and 6.5% in
deployed across the different asset classes, grow by 6.5% in the next three years. the last couple of quarters, a sign that we are
mainly customer loans, in government secu- This will be supported by public infra- turning the corner,” he said.
rities and interbank lending. structure investments, improving agricul- He said the private sector credit is also
This new development comes at the time tural productivity, recovery in foreign direct beginning to bounce back at about 12%
the economy is showing signs of recovery investment and strengthening private sector after some anaemic growth the last couple
and interest rates taking a downward trend. credit growth. of years.
It also coincides with the high uptake of This recovery ideally means banks will Personal borrowing, agriculture, manu-
the bank’s new services, with agent banking have chance to lend more cash to those facturing and services have also started
transactions being far the fastest growing – involved in these sectors and earn more. showing signs of growth, Mweheire, said.

28 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 Business
By Stephen Nuwagira

T
he Rwanda Stock Market (RSE)
equity market recorded sluggish
growth for the first six months
of the year ended June 30, with
both benchmark indices dropping over
the reporting period, but the bourse is
expected to rally during the second half
of the year.
According to RSE market statistics, the
Rwanda Share Index, which measures
performance of local counters, dropped
to 131.07 points as at June 29 compared
to the year’s opening of 135.8 points
recorded on Jan.03. The All Share Index
shed 1.95 points during the first six
month of the year, closing at 131.53 down
from 133.48 points on January 3. This
poor performance of the equity market is
attributable to falls in share value of four
counters – Bank of Kigali which closed at
Rwf286 per share, down from Rwf300 in
January; KCB was at Rwf330 compared

Stock market dips,

to Rwf340 over the same period, while
I&M Bank dropped by one franc to
Rwf94 and Crystal Telecom inched lower
by Rwf13 francs to Rwf53 on June 29

tipped to improve
compared to its year’s opening of Rwf66.
The declines in share value eroded the
gains made by the equity market for the
calendar 2017 year when the index for
local counters went up by nearly 13%
year-on-year, market figures show. However, the local bourse’s performance During the 2018/19 budget speech,
for the period January to June 30 is finance minister Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana
RSE performance expect to rise higher than what was registered over the announced that government would launch
The 2017 performance was buoyed by same period in 2017. The Rwanda Stock and implement a new 10-year Capital
investor confidence in the resilience of Exchange RSI was at 119.32 points on June Market Master Plan, which sector players
Rwanda’s economy. 30, 2017, lower than this year’s close of say will help concretise initiatives by the
The performance recorded last year was 131.07, while the All Share Index was also CMA to position Rwanda’s capital markets
also driven by the ‘renewed’ confidence in down at 124.81 points, RSE market reports as the preferred financial economic hub
the economy, generally and perception of indicate. for domestic, regional, and international
stabilisation across all the listed companies, fund flows. The plan is also expected to
Pierre-Celestin Rwabukumba, the RSE Losers and gainers position the capital market to play a central
chief executive officer, said in an earlier According to the statistics, Bank of Kigali role in mobilising long-term funding to
interview. lost Rwf14 share value between Jan.03 and support Rwanda’s development goals,
With the economy recording impressive June 29, making the lender the biggest according to Eric Bundugu, the acting
growth of 10.6% in the first quarter of loser during the first six months of the RSE Executive director. Last year, two key
this year, experts foresee continued year followed by Crystal Telecom that was stock market laws were published - the
recovery and progress in general if down Rwf13, while the cross-listed counter new law establishing CMA; the law on
commodity prices continue to stabilise. for regional commercial bank KCB declined commodities trading, as well as seven new
The continued increase in returns from the Rwf10 and I&M Bank shed one franc. EAC directives on capital markets.
Made-in-Rwanda initiative and growing The drop in share prices of the four
services sector, especially tourism and counters affected the RSE market Reissues of TB
other subsectors, as well as improving capitalization that went down to Rwf2.89 Meanwhile, government reopened
performance of the local mining sector and trillion as at end June from the higher of a 7-year Treasury bond worth Rwf10
recovering commodity prices on the global Rwf2.93 trillion during the first day of billion in June in a move the central bank
market should help improve Rwanda’s trading this year. called “another milestone achieved in the
balance of payment and further buttress The RSE market capitalisation closed journey of bond market development in
investor confidence. at a high of Rwf2.9 trillion in 2017, up Rwanda”. A bond reopening is tapping
In 2017, the index for domestic listed from Rwf2.7 trillion in 2016, which is an again, once or several times, into a
companies closed at 135.38 points, increase of 6.8 per cent on annual basis. previously issued bond, with the same
indicating 12.9% growth compared to The other counters were unchanged over maturity and coupon to gradually build
119.84 points recorded in 2016. The All the reporting period with beverages firm its outstanding volume to the desired
Share Index, which measures performance Bralirwa at Rwf150; NMG Rwf1,200; targeted level. The National Bank of
of all companies listed on the exchange, Uchumi Supermarkets Rwf104, and Rwanda added that more volumes listed
rose by 4.8 per cent, closing at 133.48 points regional lender Equity Group Rwf350. on RSE will attract investors and increase
compared to 127.26 points the previous activity on secondary market.
year. New strategy
Aug 17 - 23, 2018 29
Business

BT Cotton Opportunity
Local players unhappy with govt’s shelving of biotechnology law
By Isaac Khisa The trials were carried out in two and the recovering of the local textile

W
cropping seasons of 2009-2010 and 2010- industry.
hen confined field trials for 2011 in the traditional cotton growing “We feel that growing BT cotton was
insect-resistant and herbicide- areas of Serere in the East and Kasese in a missed opportunity that would have
tolerant BT cotton started the south-western Uganda. revived the struggling cotton and textile
at the National Semi Arid Though preliminary findings confirmed industry,” said Barbra Zawedde, a
Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) positive results, the trial that was meant coordinator at the Uganda Biosciences
with support from the US-based Monsanto to be conducted in three cropping seasons Information Centre during the launch of
in 2006, researchers thought farmers would came to a halt citing absence of bio-safety the global status report of biotech crops in
no longer worry of pesticides and weeds in laws and regulations. Kampala on August. 09.
the garden. Parliament passed the bio-safety bill in She said biotech research started in 2003
The researchers rested their hopes October, last year, but it was returned by with the launch of the biotech laboratory
on a gene that is inserted in the cotton – President Yoweri Museveni two months by President Yoweri Museveni.
Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) to enable the later with a request to address numerous “Since then, we are yet to see any
crop produce proteins that are toxic to concerns. products reach farmers let alone cotton,”
bollworms. The crop was also engineered Faced with this dilemma, researchers she said, “We think it has been too long
to be tolerant to herbicide Roundup so now say the government seems to have and it is time for government to tell us its
farmers could forego weeding by simply missed the opportunity to utilise the position – abandon the biotech research
spraying the crops with the herbicide. technology to boost cotton export volumes altogether or sale the research work to

30 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 Business
other countries that need them including by Nema. Thereafter, the seeds will be Jackson Jurua, the vice president of the
Malawi and Tanzania” commercialised once proved that that they Uganda Farmers Federation said there’s
Zawedde, who also works at the are indeed resistant to pest and has higher need for government to pass the biosafety
National Agriculture Research Institute productivity that the current variety. law to enable farmers access the new
said researchers feel frustrated, and that President Uhuru Kenyatta said in cotton variety.
it is time for the government to make a January this year that he was betting on “Farmers have been waiting for this
pronouncement on whether or not it is mass production of biotech cotton to create variety for a long time, and some are
interested in using biotech technology 50,000 jobs and generate KSh20 billion in giving up on the crop in favour of other
currently in use in 24 countries globally. apparel export earnings this year as part of crops,” he said.
To make matters even worse, Zawedde his final term economic revival plan. This new push to have BT cotton on the
said a number of African countries But Charles Mugoya, the chairperson Ugandan market, however, comes as a
including Ethiopia, Kenya and Malawi are of the National Biosafety Committee, San Francisco jury on August 10 ordered
in the final stages of growing BT cotton an independent technical committee agribusiness giant, Monsanto, to pay $289
leaving Uganda that pioneered research on established under Uganda National million to a former school groundskeeper
the crop behind. Council for Science and Technology, to dying of cancer.
“This implies that our farmers will facilitate the testing and development of The jury said the company’s popular
start bringing this BT cotton from the potentially useful genetically engineered Roundup weed killer contributed to
neighbouring countries without our organisms, said the researchers need to be Dewayne Johnson’s terminal illness and
knowledge as our export volumes patient. was the first of thousands of cases filed
continue to tumble,” she said. “Though the proposed biosafety law in state and federal courts alleging that
In July this year, Ethiopia became has taken long to be passed into an Act, I Roundup causes cancer, which Monsanto
the latest African country to authorize request that you be patient…I believe that denies.
cultivation of biotech crops by granting once it is in place, we will benefit from it
two approvals for environmental release maximally,” Mugoya said. Way forward
of BT cotton. With the approval, Ethiopia He, however, said delay in passing the Zawedde says there’s need to carry out
joins the ranks of South Africa and Sudan biosafety law – that has stalled for more a study on the cost benefit analysis on
that have been growing the crop for some than a decade –is regrettable given that whether the country’s exports abroad will
time now. a section of the country’s researchers are be affected by the proposed biotech crops.
Biotech crops were first commercialised helping a number of countries including Fred Muhumuza, an economists and
in the US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia to build a lecturer at Makerere University, shares
China and Australia in 1996, and in
2017 more than 17 million farmers in 24 Uganda’s cotton export volumes
countries planted biotech crops, according
to the International Service for the Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications Total Exports 235,187 92,519 40,671 63,512 126,633 171,934
(ISAAA). (85kg bales)
Four-fifths of the world’s cotton crop
Source: Bank of Uganda
is biotech, as are soybean in the same
proportion and a third of maize. India is
the world’s biggest BT cotton producer, capacity in biotech research. similar views with Zawedde. He says there
accounting for a quarter of the market Cotton is Uganda’s third largest export is need to open up discussions and come
share of the world’s cotton production. crop after coffee and tea grown in over 60 up with a cost benefit analysis of biotech
Kenya licensed the India- based firm districts in Busoga, Bukedi, Bugisu, Teso, technologies.
Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co (Mahyco) Lango, Acholi, West Nile, Mid-west and “We need to think through and trust our
in July this year to import BT cotton seeds Western regions, according to the state- scientists. Genetically modified organisms
for sale to local farmers after the ongoing owned Cotton Development Organisation. have all the scares just like swimming
field trials. It is grown among smallholder farmers has all the scares, crossing a road in
Mahyco is a global agricultural with an average farm size of less than Kampala has all the scare but it does not
company founded in India in 1964 with 0.5 hectares and it is the main source of mean that whenever there’s a possibility
operations in Asia and other African income for some 250,000 low-income of something going wrong, we should
countries. households. withdraw. We develop means of managing
Mahyco will distribute the seeds However, since the 1990’s when cotton and controlling risks,” he said.
on behalf of Monsanto, which this trade was liberalized, Uganda has been a Muhumuza noted that had Uganda
year was granted permission by the net exporter of cotton lint with over 90% of been growing biotech soybean, it would
National Environmental Management the locally produced cotton being exported have grabbed the Chinese market in the
Authority (Nema) to conduct the national as a raw material. midst of the ongoing tax dispute between
performance trials on biotech cotton. Domestic consumption of cotton lint the US and China.
The licensing of the firm implies that has been minimal ranging between 3 – 5% China had threatened to impose a 25%
the country is set to lift a six-year ban on of the total cotton production as a result tariff on American soybeans as retaliation
importation of biotech material. of few, small to medium sized firms with against the US’ planned move to impose
Commercialisation is expected in modest technology and low capacity to a 25% tariff on the US$50 billion Chinese
the next two years. The field trials are utilise available cotton production. imports.
currently being conducted in Mwea, Data from Bank of Uganda (BoU) shows The US exports about $14 billion worth
Bura-Tana, Katumani, Kampi ya mawe that the country’s total cotton export of soybeans to China, according to the US
(Makena) and Perkerra in Baringo County. volumes fell from 102, 149bales in 2004 to Department of Agriculture, and accounts
The project is expected to be 14,703bales in 2008. Though the volumes for half of US soybean exports.
completed within 24 months, which is increased to 235,187bales in 2012, it again
the validity period for the permit issued fell to 171, 934bales in 2017.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 31

 Executive Style

‘Logistics and courier

sees bright future’
What explains your focus on DHL is a global ministry of finance and
international e-commerce brand in the other agencies are saying.

I
now? logistics industry Uganda’s infrastructure
nternational e-commerce with operations is growing – that is good
is growing at a news for us. Coffee as
remarkable pace, and in more than 220 a business and sector is
we want our customers countries including growing and we think this
to grab their share of the Uganda. The presents great opportunity
market which means adding Independent’s for us to move customers’
value to their e-commerce Julius Businge consignments at a speed
proposition. Our customers’ spoke to Fatma that supports them to grow.
success is closely tied to their It is an exciting moment
buyers’ satisfaction with the Abubakar, the for Uganda, our customers
delivery experience and the country manager who we want to grow with.
delivery options offered. Our for DHL Uganda
services have moved over on the sidelines of Some people say it is
time to now target upcountry an e-commerce tough being Country
towns of Jinja, Mbarara, Lira, Manager for a global
Soroti, Fort Portal and others.
workshop held at company like DHL. What
We are regularly meeting its headquarters is your response to this?
our clients to make them in Kampala on DHL promotes women
understand how they can August 08. leadership. I believe a
target other markets instead woman can do what a man
of concentrating on the can do and probably even
domestic market. Research better. It is a balance. We
has shown that retailers who can support their business reach out to customers have our core values that we
actually trade internationally with speed. On our side, we more. The new office has believe in – we deliver our
are as twice successful as the understand the business of improved our efficiency and work without compromising
others who sell the products our customers before we productivity. Our business is on the respect of ourselves
locally. support them to grow. This now faster and growing. and clients.
is partly the reason we are
So how big is DHL business present in other towns outside How has the rising prices of What is your reading about
in Uganda’s logistics Kampala. fuel affected your business? the future of logistics or
industry and beyond? We use commercial airlines, courier business in Uganda?
We are present in 220 Some people say this vehicles that require fuel to The most important thing
countries. We serve 51 business is risky? run and our business is here is that Uganda’s economy
countries in the Sub-sahara Just like in any other and must run. Just like any is growing. More investors
Africa and we reach out to country and business, risks other business, you plan for are coming in as the already
40,000 customers. In Uganda are all over. But it is how you these things. I cannot say established ones work out
we have a total of 700 mitigate them. As DHL, we to my clients that I am not mechanisms to expand their
customers who are connected have got systems and people going to deliver their package operations. And that means
to more than 220 countries in place to do that. We know because fuel price is up. Price this economy; the logistics
and territories where we how to deal with the risks… fluctuation for fuel is a factor sector and DHL as a business
offer our service. We have and our customers are happy. in business that is beyond have a bright future.
13 vehicles, 59 employees, our control. That said our
130 DHL retail outlets, one You recently moved to this performance has been at the What more can the market
dedicated air fleet and we new bigger building that peak. expect from DHL going
have Entebbe Gateway Office houses your headquarters… forward?
or logistic hub. what value has it added to How has DHL performed We believe that cross-border
your business in general in the past few years when e-commerce has a huge upside
Would you say the courier or terms? Uganda’s economy grew at that many merchants have
logistics business in Uganda We moved here in 2016. I less than anticipated growth not yet tapped. Our aim is to
is a viable investment area? can say that it has motivated numbers? support web sellers as they
Uganda has a big potential employees. It has given good Uganda as an economy go global and to stand as the
or opportunity for businesses working environment to us. has a lot of opportunities. international express provider
in all sectors. What we have When you have motivated We notice the economy is of choice for e-commerce.
noticed is that businesses need staff, they will deliver great recovering going by what
a reliable logistics partner who quality service. They will Bank of Uganda and the

32 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 business
csr Beverages

NBL donates reusable pads to pupils UBL records 4%

E
mployees of beer leading factor in increasing growth in revenue

U
maker, Nile Breweries the school dropout rate of
Limited have donated girls in Africa, with the lack ganda flavors taking
reusable pads to Kiyaji of sanitary products being a Brew- shape and con-
Primary School, Jinja, in line major challenge. eries tributing to our
with its effort to help local “As a company, we engage Lim- bottom line in
communities improve their in initiatives that are over and ited (UBL) has a big way,” he
lives. above profit making because reported an said.
The pupils, as well as Onapito Ekomoloit, Corporate it is important that our com- overall 4% rev- “We recently
their teachers and other and Legal affairs Director, NBL (L) munities strive and education enue growth for launched a new
female school employees, hands over reusable pads to Kiyaji is a vehicle that can make this the year ending spirits glass
each received reusable pads Primary School, Jinja. possible,” said Onapito Eko- June 2018. production line,
enough to last one year. The such an initiative having done moloit, Corporate and Legal UBL Manag- which means
brewery employees raised the the same to Murchison Bay affairs Director, NBL. ing Director, that more of our
money to buy 300 pieces of Primary School in Luzira last NBL has in the last 11 years Mark Ocitti, spirits products
So Sure reusable pads from July. provided 72 scholarships said the growth like Gilbeys,
AfriPads, through individual This new initiative is in packages for secondary school was driven by Richot and
contributions, in an internal response to the available stud- education, through its Equal- the Spirits seg- Smirnoff will
campaign. This is the second ies that show that menstrual ity Scholarship program, ment – Uganda now be bottled
time that NBL is carrying out hygiene continues to be a worth Shs2billion. Waragi and here, which
Gilbeys and make these
Aviation Bond 7. brand more
“Our goal affordable and
Air Tanzania to unveil flights to Entebbe, Bujumbura as company is accessible to our

T
to ensure that consumers.”
anzania’s national car- three times a week on Tues- in Nairobi. we continue The compa-
rier, Air Tanzania, will day, Thursday and Saturday. The use of the wide body to satisfy our ny added that
bring its new Boeing It will share the Entebbe route aircraft is to showcase poten- consumer hence premium beers
B787 Dreamliner to with another Tanzanian-based tial regional customers the innovation like Tusker and
both Entebbe and Bujumbura Precision Air while on the carrier hopes to attract when being at the cen- Guinness grew
Burundi, when the airline route between Dar es Salaam launching a three times a ter of our suc- 11% over main-
launches the planned regional to Bujumbura, it will be the week service in next month to cess. We have stream beers
flights on Aug. 26. only carrier with nonstop Mumbai, India. seen our new such as Bell and
The airline will operate flights, cutting out stopovers Uganda Waragi Pilsner.

pay tv csr

Tanzania to suspend MultiChoice Qatar Airways supports local school

for charging free channels nursery school, 75 plastic chairs for

T
nursery school and other goodies.
anzania says it will suspend the licence The handover of the desks was
of MultiChoice Tanzania, DStv and GOtv done on August 07 by the Airline’s
services provider, for charging clients to officials, Ministry of Education and
access free-to-air television channels. Sports officials and politicians.
The Tanzania Communication Regulatory  Qatar Airways Uganda
Authority (TCRA) said MultiChoice has on sev-
Commercial Manager, Haileab
eral occasions failed to comply with its licence
Netsereab Mehreteab, said they
condition to exclude the free-to-air stations from
believe in supporting communities
its Pay-tv services.
in which they serve and helping
“In exercising its powers, the authority hereby
develop environments in which
notifies the general public that it intends to
suspend all the licences issued to MultiChoice students can learn better.
Tanzania Ltd for failure to comply with the Qatar Airways hands over desks to students of “By providing the necessary
Kauthara Islamic School in Wakiso District resources to students, we aim to
authority’s orders and failure to adhere to the
licence conditions including failure to exclude inspire them and encourage them

A
free-to-air television channels from among its to aim for the skies,” Mehreteab
subscription channels,” TCRA said in a state- s part of its corporate social said adding, “We look forward to
ment on Aug.07. responsibility, Qatar Airways further collaboration to help support the
On July 27, the regulator said it would sus- has provided students at education of children in Uganda in the
pend Star Media Tanzania Limited, providers Kauthara Islamic School in future.”
of StarTimes, for charging clients to access free- Wakiso district with desks for their Qatar Airways operates a daily flight
to-air channels and refusal to the pay fine it was classrooms. to Entebbe International Airport with a
charged for the breach of law. The Airline donated 70 desks Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
for P1-P7 classes, 10 tables for

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 33

business

MTN Uganda makes

Shs734bn
By Julius Businge new 1% excise tax on

I
mobile money transactions,
t has been a good targeting customers
half year again for withdrawing and sending
MTN Uganda as the money.
telecom firm recorded The government is also
8.8% growth in revenue to charging Shs200 – Over the
Shs734.4bn compared with Top tax (OTT) – popularly
the same period last year. referred to as social media
The growth was powered tax.
by improved data and MTN Group, however,
mobile money business. recorded lower profits
The company’s CEO, and revenue in the first
Wim Vanhelleputte said the half of 2018, due in part
Wilfred Baluku (L), the Total Uganda distributor sales executive hands over a 6 company is well positioned to foreign-exchange losses
kilogram Total Gas cylinder to Brendah Bantu (C) – the winner of the Kampala to deliver growth in the and challenging economic
Restaurant week Total Gas cook-off at Karveli Restaurant recently. Looking on sector despite the shake environments across the
is Chef Isaac Lewa.  INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA ups experienced in the continent.
market. The Johannesburg-based
“Our half year results telecom firm reported a
notwithstanding, I see profit of Shs 1.12 trillion
MTN ending the year on a during the six months
good note,” he said. ended June 30, down 20%
He said the number from the first half of 2017.
of active mobile money Revenue fell 3.1% at
customers increased to 16.trillion, even as total
5.3 million, out of its 10.5 subscribers rose 2.8% from
million subscribers. But the end of last year to 223.4
the number of active data million.
subscribers rose to 1.8 MTN declared a first-
million, helping lift data half dividend of Shs 446.25
revenue by 17.8%. a share, down 30% from
This comes at the a year earlier, while debt
time the government is rose 23% to Shs 17,850.
implementing a contested
Vivo Energy MD Gilbert Assi (R) and Britam Insurance CEO Allan Mafabi fuels
a vehicle at Shell kabalagala after both companies launched a partnership that
will enable motorists access insurance services at Shell service stations on
August 10.  INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA

Weekly share price movement (July 17)

Security July 17 June 25 Movement
BATU 30,000 30000 00
BOBU 145 155 6.5
CENT 1,277 1,429 10.6
DFCU 970 870 11.5
EABL 7,574 8,211 7.8
EBL 1,792 1,870 4.2
JHL 19,451 19,300 0.8
KA 402 437 0.8
KCB 1,755 1,851 00
NIC 17 17 00
NMG 3,456 3,606 4.2
NVL 450 450 00
SBU 32 32 00
UCHM 45 55 18.1
The National Gaming Board Uganda CEO, Edgar Agaba, speaks at the
official launch of Super 3, a 3-digit numbers game on August 13. The UCL 23 21 9.5
company has invested over US$3million to kick-start the game in Uganda.  UMEME 350 300 16.7
INDEPENDENT/JIMMY SIYA ALSI -- -- --

34 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 comment
By Asad Jamal
If Trump ruled Venice
How his switch from laissez-faire global trade rules to
mercantilist trade deficit policies could imperil the dollar

M
arco Polo, the famous Venice’s leaders are convinced. They about the loss of manufacturing jobs – they
thirteenth-century Venetian implement Fabbro’s recommendations, lacked the skills or flexibility to move to
merchant, was one of the first and, as he had predicted, Venice becomes higher-value-added sectors – and he capi-
Europeans to trade with China. the world’s leading power, thanks to bur- talises on it. He likens trade deficits to eco-
Now imagine that, after a while, the Ve- geoning trade, rapid economic growth, nomic losses – almost to theft – and declares
netian state became concerned that Polo and broad prosperity – all enabled by free China the enemy.
was purchasing too many silks and spices markets. Some of Trumpi’s advisers try to explain
from China to sell at a profit in Europe. The One large Venetian merchant, Walmartius, to him how trade deficits work in an
“trade deficit” he was creating, the authori- is buying V$50 billion worth of Chinese economy that benefits enormously from
ties worry, would deplete the stock of gold goods each year to sell for profit locally, an having the world’s leading reserve cur-
in Venice, while creating jobs for Chinese, endeavor that supports the creation of thou- rency. Challenging the trade deficit, they tell
rather than for Venetians. sands of local retail jobs and lowers costs him, can imperil the V$’s reserve-currency
In this imaginary history, Venice assem- for Venetian consumers. Another merchant, status. Moreover, the Venetian deficit
bles a council of experts to decide whether Appleos, designs high-tech goods in Venice amounts to just 3.4% of Venice’s massive
the risks posed by the trade deficit merit and manufactures them in China, enabling GDP. They explain that a return to mer-
retaliation in the form of tariffs, quotas, or the company to achieve a market valuation cantilism could spur others to do the same,
potentially even a ban on trade with China. of V$1 trillion. potentially by creating an alternative reserve
As the council deliberates, two competing Trade deficits do swell, but they cost currency through a global institution. Only
theories emerge. Venice nothing, because they are denomi- then would Venice’s trade deficits become
One group – the “mercantilists” – argue nated in Venice’s own currency, in exchange a problem, they tell him. The government
that it is up to the state to maximize gold for which other countries freely provide would be forced to reduce spending,
holdings and protect domestic manufac- goods. In fact, before long, all international including on the military, throwing the
turing employment, by imposing tariffs, trade is conducted in V$, which is univer- economy into recession and eroding Ven-
restricting the use of gold for imports, and sally accepted as a surrogate for gold. ice’s international influence.
forcing China to buy the same amount of Thanks to the Venetian central bank’s But Trumpi refuses to listen. Centuries
goods from Venice that Venice buys from reliable prevention of V$ depreciation, after mercantilism was abandoned in favour
China. If China refuses to do so, Polo’s pur- confidence in the currency continues to of highly successful laissez-faire policies,
chases will have to be restricted. grow, creating a virtuous cycle. Soon, every he decides to embrace it, imposing tariffs
The second group, led by Adamo Fabbro, country in the world purchases V$ bonds on Venice’s trade partners, beginning with
subscribes to the laissez-faire argument to hold in their foreign-exchange reserves, China. And it ends about as well as his
that the state should avoid intervening in thereby effectively financing Venice’s large advisers thought it would.
markets. By buying goods from China, budget deficits. All of this enables Venice to Trumpi’s approach erodes the rules-based
Polo was promoting economic wellbeing fund large public programs and maintain global economic order that had served the
in Venice: consumers benefited from goods the world’s largest military, deepening its world – and Venice – so well. Eventually,
they could not acquire domestically – at international clout as it leads the way in the rest of the world reverts to mercantilist
least not at such a low cost – and merchants enforcing global trade rules and securing policies as well, imposing trade barriers
were profiting by re-selling Chinese imports sea lanes. and refusing to use the V$ for international
at a markup. While manufacturing jobs This happy state of affairs continues for a trade. An institution the Venetians helped
might be lost, retail jobs were gained, and few centuries. Though lower-value-added establish and once led, the International
spending – not just on Chinese goods, but jobs in sectors like manufacturing shift to Monetary Fund, creates a new reserve cur-
also on local products and investments – China, where labour costs are lower, jobs in rency, based on gold convertibility. Over the
rose. higher-value-added sectors – such as tech- subsequent century, Venice watches help-
As for the depletion of Venice’s stores of nology, finance, media, and retail – flourish. lessly as its economic and military power
gold, Fabbro offers an ingenious solution: Venice remains the world’s largest economy dwindles.
a paper currency, the Venetian dollar (V$), and leading trade power, enjoying a secure Unfortunately, this imaginary past is now
which other countries could be compelled position at the top of global value chains. threatening to become our real future. If
to accept, because Venice was the world’s Sometimes in history, one can pinpoint the it does, it will be a major turning point in
top trading power. China would receive no precise moment when things take a turn for world history – and all the more remarkable
more Venetian gold, and it could use the the worse. In this story, that moment comes because, unlike most such shifts, there will
V$ to purchase goods from Venice, thereby with the emergence of Donaldo Trumpi as be no doubt about where the blame lies.
boosting local manufacturing. In order to the ruler of Venice.
preserve the value – and thus the credibility Trumpi understands little about eco-
– of the V$, Fabbro proposes establishing a nomics. He is more performer than policy- Asad Jamal is the founder and chairman of
central bank to manage the money supply, maker, eager to win votes however he can. ePlanet Capital, a Silicon Valley venture firm.
thereby preventing excessive inflation. He sees that a subset of Venetians are upset Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 35

comment
By Karl P. Sauvant and Axel Berger
Putting FDI on the G20 Agenda
Area requires a multilateral organisation for rule-making,
policy developments, dispute adjudication

W
hile much of the world’s atten- sensible place to start. At the very least, the of their investment policies to ensure
tion is focused on the economic G20 can offer the appropriate level of guid- alignment with the bloc’s nine principles.
damage being wrought by U.S. ance to help advance FDI policy. When gaps are identified, strategies
President Donald Trump’s The G20’s members already account for for plugging them must be developed.
trade wars, global trade’s twin – foreign two-thirds of global outward FDI flows. Furthermore, to promote compliance
direct investment – has largely been ne- Moreover, they participate in most invest- and knowledge-sharing – and to chart
glected. And yet, with FDI flows valued at ment treaties, and include both developed a course for the negotiation of future
$1.43 trillion in 2017 – on top of the $28 tril- and developing countries. Not only is the agreements – the G20 should facilitate a
lion already invested – how these flows are G20 an important venue for policy dialogue peer-learning network that links inter-
managed matters. and coordination; it is also well suited to ested governments and regulators.
International investment has become an lead on efforts to address key international Second, the G20 should encourage the
important source of external finance for investment issues. United Nations Commission on Interna-
many countries; for developing econo- To be sure, this is not a new idea. For tional Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the
mies, in particular, FDI can exceed official example, during China’s G20 presidency in International Center for Settlement of
development assistance by wide margins. 2016, the G20 adopted the “Guiding Prin- Investment Disputes (ICSID) to intensify
But if FDI is to contribute meaningfully to ciples for Global Investment Policymaking.” efforts to reform their own dispute-settle-
economic growth and sustainable develop- This set of nine concepts was designed to ment mechanisms. Because dispute resolu-
ment, existing flows must increase even foster an open, transparent, and conducive tion is key to any successful investment
more. For that to happen, international policy environment for investment, while regime, the process for resolving disagree-
investment policies need better coordina- promoting coherence between national and ments must be beyond reproach. To make
tion, and we believe that the G20 is the best international rules. certain that it is, the G20 should track prog-
forum to facilitate this process. Still, as we argued in a recent policy brief ress by requesting regular updates from
The current FDI framework – a muddled for the G20’s T20 think-tank, work on this UNCITRAL and ICSID.
mess of more than 3,000 agreements – is issue has only just begun. In fact, at least Lastly, the G20 should support the World
insufficient to attract the level of investment three additional steps need to be taken if Trade Organisation’s discussions on invest-
needed to meet the United Nations’ Sustain- efforts to improve the international invest- ment facilitation. More precisely, the G20
able Development Goals for the year 2030. ment regime are to succeed. should stress that future agreements need
For example, some of the world’s largest First, the G20 should call on other inter- to be compatible with the “most-favored-
economies are encouraging domestic firms national groupings to conduct analyses nation” principle while prioritising sustain-
to “re-shore” their operations and invest able FDI over other forms of foreign invest-
more at home. Many countries are also ment.
tightening controls on inward FDI; applying The G20 can play a leading role in over-
stricter screening measures to mergers and coming the deficiencies that plague the
acquisitions; and demanding reciprocal international investment regime. To do this,
market access in return for investment. If these trends are however, current and future G20 presiden-
Moreover, an increase in the number of
disputes being filed by foreign investors not reversed, the cies must provide a home for discussions
about action-oriented policymaking. Inter-
against host countries has challenged result could be national investment can avoid the type of
efforts to improve dispute-settlement tensions currently enveloping global trade,
mechanisms, as some countries with- declines in FDI flows, but only if the rules of the game receive the
draw from global arbitration forums
altogether.
and perhaps even attention they need.

If these trends are not reversed, the result the emergence of Karl P. Sauvant is Resident Senior
could be declines in FDI flows, and perhaps
even the emergence of “investment wars”
“investment wars” Fellow at the Columbia Center on
Sustainable Investment at Columbia
stemming from the over-politicisation of stemming from the University. Axel Berger is a senior
foreign investment approvals. Yet, increased
investment flows obviously are needed to over-politicisation of researcher at the German Development
Institute.
meet global development goals; what is less foreign investment Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018.
clear is how to bring them about.
Unlike the global trading system, the approvals
international investment regime does not
currently have a multilateral organisation
to facilitate rule-making, monitor policy
developments, or adjudicate disputes. But
one can be built, and the G20 is the most

36 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 the Kiss condom brand ambas-
sador named Joe Chuuma.
Dick describes him as an
‘everyman’– one that all men
wish they could be, and whom
all women want to be with.
Dick says he is great looking,
funny, and confident, and uses
condoms to enjoy sex.
At the launch of the con-
doms brand in November
2017, Dick said: “We want to
deliver a message and a brand
that is not solely hammering
a safety, quality, or protec-
tion message, but more about
enjoying one’s sex life with
condoms”.
He described DKT’s condom
marketing as fun and interest-
ing and designed to make one;
especially a young person,
want to buy the condoms.
“If we can somehow make
condoms cool for young
people to use then we might be
able to contribute to the fight
against new infections,” he
added.
Radio, TV, and billboard
adverts soon hit the airwaves
and street.

Not going down well

But Dick and DKT’s message
is not going down well with
some officials at the Uganda
AIDS Commission (UAC), the

What’s wrong with

government agency respon-
sible for ensuring a harmo-
nized response to HIV/AIDS
in the country through overall

condom campaign?
coordination, monitoring and
evaluation of related activities;
including condom promotion
campaigns.

Why government officials say you, Its Acting Director General,

Nelson Musoba, says UAC has
launched an investigation into
probably, shouldn’t give your girl a Kiss the contents of DKT’s condom
advert campaign message.
“It’s clear that this message

D
By Flavia Nassaka series of adverts which, on TV the market in recent months is not good,” he said, “You
and billboards, features an in English and vernacular, is can’t go out telling everybody
o you prefer energetic looking muscular by the world renowned family to have sex.
your man sweet man showing off different planning and HIV social mar- “Am told the man is naked,”
like chocolate, packages of a new condom keting group DKT Internation- he added.
fresh like straw- brand on the market called al of the USA with operations While airing public health
berry or classic KISS. The adverts end with one in 24 countries. messages requires approval by
like ……… You message: “Be a man, Give your DKT’s Managing Director either UAC or the Ministry of
decide! girl a KISS.” for East Africa, Collin Dick, Health, Musoba says the KISS
That is according to a new The ad campaign, which hit says the man in the advert is condom message was never

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 37

health
submitted to the committee for scrutiny and with consumers; especially young people,” relaunched and it now sells 30 million
approval. he said. pieces a year.
Musoba’s UAC has instituted a multi- The DKT International President, Chris- In Pakistan, the controversial ad ban
organisational committee of seven headed topher Purdy, once wrote an article titled catalysed widespread discussion.
by Noerine Kaleeba, the globally celebrated `To promote family planning, let’s have Purdy concludes that, in his view,
founder of The AIDS Support Organisation more controversy”. In it, he narrated how controversies such as the one on the Kiss
(TASO), which is supposed to analyze all when he was working in Ethiopia in 1997, condoms in Uganda are partly because of
public information on HIV AIDs control DKT International introduced a second cultural taboos and universal nervousness
and prevention. brand of condom called `Sensation’ with about sex.
He said they specifically look at what the blue package featuring a Caucasian couple When speaking to a group of health
likely effect of the message is; whether it is embracing on a beach in their swimwear. journalists attending a medical male cir-
age appropriate and culturally acceptable to It became controversial and the Ministry of cumcision workshop in Nairobi, Dr. Fred-
ensure that people are being fed on appro- Health banned it. die Ssengooba, a Professor at the Makerere
priate messages. He says a simple message In another incident, DKT International University School of Public Health said
that is not well packaged can hugely impact once launched an advertisement in the condom use is a very sensitive topic in
on people’s behavior. Philippines for strawberry-scented Trust Uganda and its handling needs to be done
He says UAC is always on guard and condoms. The Archbishop of the Catholic with similar sensitivity.
ensure that messages go through an elabo- Church there, Cardinal Sin, quickly con- Ssengooba was part of the strategists
rate clearance process that includes catego- demned the ad as an illicit promotion of involved in introducing condoms to Ugan-
rization of specific target audiences, pretest- sex. da and he recalls the moralist and religious
ing, tweaking for appropriateness based on arguments they had to deal with.
feedback, and specific airing time. Both he and Mukundane seem to hold
He said UAC had received complaints the same view that DKT should exercise
from parents that when some young chil- more caution than aggression on the mes-
dren see the DKT condom adverts, they sage.
say they want to eat strawberry. He said “You have to take caution because you
UAC has communicated its concerns to the are unsure of the effect it might have. You
Ministry of Health and the Uganda Com- have to ask yourself that with this mes-
munications Commission (UCC) which sages won’t moralists cause a hullabaloo,”
regulates the broadcast sector. He said they Mukundane says.
want action to be taken. And that could, Mukundane is more practical on the
according to experts, include banning the condom use message.
condoms from the market. Unfortunately He says DKT, like any other commu-
for Uganda’s Ministry of Health, such con- nication campaign designer, needed to
troversy appears to be exactly what DKT is do informative research to understand
courting. the different perspectives which help in
Armstrong Mukundane of Communica- generating messages that tackle the key
tion for Healthy Communities; the makers issues of the campaign, consulted widely,
of some of Uganda’s biggest public health pre-tested the message to gauge its
campaigns – including ‘Obulamu’, says acceptability, and submitted dummies for
DKT could have easily avoided the loom- approval by either the Ministry of Health
ing threat and controversy. But, he says or any other responsible authority.
DKT could be deliberately engaging in an He told The Independent: “Mine
aggressive social marketing campaign – one would have been, ‘the best way is to
that stretches the limits of what is acceptable abstain but in case you can’t then use con-
and creates strong reactions for or against. doms’, then I can put whichever brand
If DKT is, in fact, deliberately court- that I am marketing”.
ing controversy with its condom adverts, Then in July of 2013, a DKT condom That, it appears, is exactly what DKT
Mukundane says that is a wrong strategy advert in Pakistan was pulled off air by the would never do with its Kiss condom
that should never be used for products that regulatory authorities who deemed the ad adverts.
have a health or moral link. indecent. They appear determined that the uproar
He concludes that “while some public over similar adverts in the neighboring
It appears DKT does not think so. health advocates might suggest that a more Kenya should happen in Uganda. In Kenya,
In favour of shocking condom advertis- nuanced approach to condom promotion the government has reacted by ordering
ing would have been better, I disagree”. media houses to stop running the advert
DKT, in fact, appears to favour aggres- “Why? In all three instances, some very during prime hours of 5am to 10pm and to
sive, controversial, and shocking condom positive public health outcomes emerged pull down billboards of the half-naked Joe
advertising that uses sensual, humorous, — especially for consumers,” he says. Chuuma with his products. The controversy
and macho themes to attract attention, In the Philippines, the controversy is unlikely to die out because the Ministry
build a brand quickly, and grow sales fast. resulted in record sales of strawberry con- of Health is pursuing very different goals
When The Independent spoke with doms. from those of the Kiss condom makers; the
DKT’s Uganda boss at the launch, Dick “Because of the brouhaha, consumers Ministry wants a change in attitude away
emphasized that they would be using wanted to see what the fuss was about.” from increased sexual activity; especially
“advertising that will set them apart from He says and adds that Trust condoms are with multiple partners, but the condom
the onset”. now the most popular brand in the coun- makers want people to have more sex and,
“We want to speak about contraceptives try. therefore, buy more condoms.
and family planning products in a very In Ethiopia, after two years, the Sensa-
different way, one that resonates more tion condoms and even a third brand were

38 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 ART | BOOKS | SOCIETY | TRAVEL | CULTURE

Don’t
miss The
Studio
7 art masters in
town for Kampala
Art Biennale III

S
By Dominic Muwanguzi

omething exciting is happening

on the Kampala art scene this
August. It is the third edition
of the Kampala Art Biennale
Biennale. And even more excit-
ing is that the world renowned
writer, lecturer, art critic and essayist,
Simon Njami, is curating it. And finally,
Njami has invited seven art masters from
all over the world to the revived annual
extravaganza. Bili Bidjocka, the 56-year old
of Cameroon origin based in Paris, France,
Godfried Donkor; the 54-year old of Ghana generation for future use. Traditionally, mission and togetherness. By allowing
origin based in London, UK, with works young artists in the African setting – also in young artists to learn from internationally
in the Smithsonian Institution of the USA, Europe from medieval times- worked with recognised art masters, the festival organiz-
Abdoulaye Konate; the decorated Malian masters who employed them as apprentices ers are consciously building a vibrant and
textile-based artist, and Pascale Marthine; in their studio space in order to skill them enviable art scene within the region that can
the 51-year old from Cameroon. Others are in their craft. sufficiently be part of the wider global art
the Franco-Gabonian Tayou Myriam Mi- “Our aim is to revitalise ancient practices scene. This is the dream of the biennale and
hindou , Aida Muluneh from Ethiopia, and that are more than needed in our contempo- gives Kampala the potential to be next art
Radenko Milak from Bosnia-Herzegovinia. rary world,” says Njami. destination of the world.
These are masters of mediums such as col- Bili Bidjocka has already given a work- The novel arrangement has given the
lage, textile, photography, performance, shop about the making of books from tradi- KAB 18 Biennale a completely different
and installation. tional Buganda barkcloth, Godfried Donkor character from the past festivals. In the
Njami’s idea is for the Kampala Art who works with collage and painting has Dakar’ Art biennale, pavilions are built for
Biennale 2018 to take the ancient master- worked with young artists archival visual the public, artist, and artwork to dialogue.
apprenticeship model of artistic training material in Uganda from the earliest times The studio approach seeks to grow the
which he dubs `The studio’. The plan is to to present, Abdoulaye Konate has shared nascent art scene in the East African region
have the seven masters set –up studios in knowledge on textile as a form of artistic and Africa, especially in the era where
Kampala with talented young artists from expression, and Pascale Marthine Tayou has there’s renewed interest in art from Africa
across the African continent and beyond an installation. and traditional African practices by the
taking up residences as apprentices in the The culmination of this master- appren- West.
studious in order to gain knowledge from ticeship engagement will be an international The Kampala Art Biennale will officially
the masters. exhibition in Kampala between Aug. 24 and open on 24th August until 24 September in
The approach is inspired by the Afri- Sept. 24 in different venues in Kampala city. Kampala. The Festival is organized and pre-
can traditional practice of transmission of The Biennale gains its strength from sented by Kampala Arts Trust and funded
knowledge from the older to the young revisiting the concept of knowledge trans- by the European Union.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 39

Mafia offers Shs260 to kill sniffer dog!
Usually, bounties get put on the heads of groups,” trafficking in enough cocaine that
humans but a sniffer dog for the Colombian one dog could seize 9 tons of it. That dog, as
police, with the cute/scary name of Sombra you may have guessed, is Sombra. Sombra
(Shadow in English), has been named as has helped the Colombian Anti-Narcotics
the target of a $70,000 (Approx. Shs260 mil- Police capture 245 people before turning
lion) bounty by the Urabeños mafia. The six years old. This record has led Sombra to
Urabeños are, according to CNN, “one be referred to as “the torment of ‘Otoniel,’”
of Colombia’s most powerful criminal who is the head of the Urabeños mafia.

Man fakes own Barber with no hands is 2-year-old `Super Girl”

death to stop giving proof anything is possible falls from 17th floor,
wife money simply walks it off
A 27-year-old foreign man
working in the United States A two and a half year old
recently tried to fake his own girl from Changzhou, China’s
death in an effort to stop his Jiangsu Province, has been
wife constantly asking him for dubbed a “super girl” after
more money. She kept asking falling from the 17th floor of
him to send her mobile phones, an apartment building and sus-
although he had already sent taining only minor injuries. The
six. She claimed they had been accidental fall took place on July
stolen. So he decided to trick his 11, when the girl climbed onto
wife into thinking that he had a chair, then on the computer
died, and to that end, sent her desk and leaned out an open
some photos of himself lying window. She lost her balance
on a bed with cotton balls in his and plunged 17 floors down.
nostrils and mouth and cov- Eyewitnesses told reporters
ered with a white sheet. What that the girl rose to her feet
Danny Gonzalez didn’t count almost instantly after hitting
on was his wife taking the pho- the ground, started crying and
tos to a local television station went straight for the front door
in Honduras, which actually When faced with hardships line of work was his mother, of her building. She was rushed
showed them on television. As in their lives, many people who is a hairdresser. At the to Changzhou Children’s Hos-
the photos went viral on social find them too challenging tender age of 14, he started pital for a thorough examina-
media, people voiced their and give up, especially on working as a barber, and tion but doctors were stunned
suspicion that Gonzales had their life dreams. But not for learned all the techniques to by how few injuries the child
faked his death, local media Gabriel Heredia. Gabriel is perfecting both haircuts and had sustained. “She is a little
decided to investigate and it a 20-year-old Argentinian beard trimmings. Although superman,” one of the doctors
didn’t take long for them to barber who was born without he first saw it as a hobby, said in an interview. “This child
find out that the 27-year-old hands. Despite his handicap, Gabriel quickly determined is too lucky.” It is believed that
was actually alive and well. he was able to grow up that this was the profession the branches of the trees outside
He immediately admitted to happy and independent. In he wanted to work in. the high-rise apartment build-
staging his own death. fact, his inspiration for such a ing cushioned the girl’s fall.

Book about history of Ferrari costs more than car

$30,000 (Approx. Shs112 beautifully sculptured 12-cylinder engine. Titled
million) may not buy steel and chrome book simply ‘Ferrari’, the
you a new Ferrari, but stand, as well as an book itself is described
it’s enough to cover the aluminum display case as a “massive tome”
cost of this limited edition for the incredibly rare and includes loads of
book on the history of the book. Together, the two photographs from the
iconic sports car brand. artistic pieces created by Ferrari archive that tell
Before you freak out about designer Marc Newson the history of the luxury
the price, you should are supposed to emulate Italian brand.
know that it includes a the legendary Ferrari

40 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 Toyota rules off road
But which SUV is best? A look at the Toyota LandCruiser,
Toyota Fortuner GX, and Toyota Prado GX

N
Toyota 76 LandCruiser Workmate hard knock. And the off-road-friendly
o 4X4 adheres to the KISS (Keep It 225/95R16 tyres offer plenty of side-
Simple Stupid) principal quite like wall for driving in extreme conditions.
Toyota’s 76 LandCruiser Wagon. The 76 Wagon’s V8 turbo-diesel
It is old-school with a separate means there’s a handy 151kW of pow-
chassis, live axles front and rear, five-speed er available at 3400rpm and 430Nm of
manual gearbox, a part-time 4×4 system torque from a low 1200rpm through to
and, in base-spec Workmate trim, unencum- 3200rpm. A generous 785kg payload
bered with fancy stuff like carpet and cloth means you can kit it out with accesso-
trim. This is great when you’re jumping ries such as bull bar, winch and lights
in and out of the vehicle in dirty, dusty or and still have plenty of load carrying
muddy conditions, because all you have to capability. It comes standard with
do to clean up later is wipe everything over ABS, TC, VSC, HSA (Hill Start Assist),
with a damp cloth. Its one-piece 16-inch BA, EBD and front airbags. It has air
steel wheels that can take a beating in the conditioning and a Bluetooth compat-
bush and be easily repaired if they cop a ible sound system with two speakers.

Toyota Fortuner GX
Based on the HiLux platform, the Fortuner is a Toyota Prado GX
basic yet robust bit of kit. It has a separate chassis,
independent front suspension with MacPherson The base-spec Prado GX has everything you
struts, a live-axle rear with coils, a six-speed manual need for bush travel and not too much of the
gearbox (or optional six-speed auto) and a part-time unnecessary ‘fruit’ that you’ll find on higher-specifi-
4×4 system. Its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine cation models.
makes a claimed 130kW of power at 3400rpm and 420Nm of The Prado has separate chassis architecture with indepen-
torque from 1400-2600rpm, and decent low-range gearing aids dent front suspension and a live axle rear with coil springs. It
slow-speed off-road driving, as does the standard rear diff lock is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that
and electronic traction control. makes a claimed 130kW of power at 3400rpm and 420Nm of
The original was equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, but torque from 1400-2600rpm mated to a six-speed manual gear-
an update in late-2017 saw these replaced with 17-inch alloys box, or 450Nm with the optional six-speed auto.
shod with 265/65R17 tyres, rear parking sensors to go with its The Prado GX offers a generous 150L fuel capacity which
reversing camera, and manual seat adjustment, durable cloth results in a touring range in excess of 1000km, and it features
trim, manual front and rear air conditioning, a 7-inch display a full-time 4×4 system with a lockable centre diff. Low-range
with Toyota Link and a cooler for the glovebox. It boasts seven reduction is excellent and the Prado offers a good combination
airbags, ABS, TC, VSC, EBD, HSA (Hill Start Assist) and TSC of ground clearance and wheel travel for off-road forays.The
(trailer sway control). The manual variant offers a class-stan- Prado GX manual has a generous 760kg payload capacity.
dard 3000kg towing capacity.

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 41

Profile
Agnes Akite aka Arach on funny Ugandans
By Agnes E Nantaba It is from such that she picks expect or even how they will filled hostel where the boy-

C
up a line or two, builds up on receive you because it’s always friend lives. It is through the
omedian Agnes Akite them, and eventually crafts a different reception,” she says. series that she met renowned
has recently received something funny out of it. Her The mother of two says she comedians like of Daniel
heaps of praise from creativity has birthed decent never saw herself anywhere Omara and Anne Kansiime.
fans after her clip about lines in her scripts. close to making people laugh Her acting was so powerful that
real life experiences of people “It’s funny how people think for money. But she jumped the village girl character has
who mimic songs and insert that we just jump on stage and onto comedy after hitting fame stuck in the audience and her
own words and the escapades start yapping yet we spend for her role as Arach in the NTV challenge today is to prove her
of pregnant women went viral. time preparing for the best series, ‘The hostel’. flexibility in character.
Like her previous performanc- show,” she says. She acted the role of an illiter- Akite says her fun is inborn;
es, Akite prepared the script to Akite says comedy perfor- ate young woman from North- inherited from her father who
get a feel of how her audience mance has bad and good days ern Uganda who follows her has always been funny crack-
would react. but her positive energy keeps boyfriend to Kampala. As he ing jokes that leave the family
Many social media fans were her focused to deliver the best. pursues university educa- laughing.
impressed by her talent and “I still get nervous at tion, she starts “From his stories told with a
creativity and for someone times for not know- a canteen tough face, everyone in the fam-
who is just four years into the ing what kind at the ily is crazy in their own way,”
comedy industry, Akite is yet to or size of the drama she says, “We are all comedians
wake up from the trance the fan audi- by nature because we find fun
reaction has taken her to. ence to in almost everything.”
“I didn’t expect it to go that The tourism graduate from
far but it has humbled me,” Makerere University who
she says, “From the comments, started the comedy journey
some people didn’t know with Punchliners before join-
about me, which is a sign that ing Comedy Files says she has
I should work harder to get to no regrets having comedy as
greater heights.” her way of life. Her dream is
Unlike some comedians who to cross borders and make a
base on use of vulgarity, Akite’s name in the comedy industry
jokes are based on everyday making fun for an international
life and experiences. audience.
Akite says Uganda is gifted
with the funniest and happi-
est people on earth and the
comedy industry requires just a
little support to boost the talent
and grow.
Akite is the fifth born of
the nine children of Anthony
and Hellen Opio. She had her
early years of school at Our
Lady of Africa Nursery School
- Mbuya, St Kizito Primary
School Bugolobi, Our Lady of
Good Counsel Gayaza, Naalya
SS and St Lawrence Schools
and Colleges - Creamland
Campus from where she joined
Makerere University to pursue
a bachelor’s degree in tourism
graduating in 2007.
She is married to Brian
Makalama with whom they
have two children.
“My husband is part of
my jokes and I have put him
on stage sometimes; so he is
supportive of my journey,”
she says.

42 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

 Q&A
advertorial

Agnes Akite’s Liteside

Any three things that we What is the greatest What is the quality you else. I take that job very

I
don’t know about you? thing you have ever most like in a man? seriously.
am a very reserved done? God fearing, self-
person; I mind my Settling down for respect, and hard work. What do you most value
own business and if I marriage; I never in your friends?
meet you for the first imagined myself settling What or who is the I am more comfortable
time, you might mistake down for marriage but I greatest love of your having male friends
it for pride. I am very am there and still going. life? because they are
short tempered which My family and that straightforward and less
may sound funny for What is your current incorporates many dramatic.
a comedian but it’s the state of mind? people.
truth. I am happy because Who are your favourite
things are working out When and where were writers?
What is your idea of slowly. you happiest? I don’t read a lot but I
perfect happiness? Giving birth to my son believe that a stand-up
Family time is all time What do you consider and daughter in 2004 comedian should read
happiness for me. the most overrated and 2013 respectively widely to get a feel of
virtue? is unforgettable. I was what is trending and
What is your greatest It is a character of all also happy graduating guide his or her work.
fear? Ugandans; we waste from university in 2007
Dying before my too much time yapping because, clearly, people Who is your hero of
children can fend for about unnecessary stuff had lost hope in the fiction?
themselves; I fear leaving that never adds value to playful me. It disproved I like Tyler Perry; he
my children in the hands our lives. We also like many people. is an actor, playwright
of a merciless and cruel fighting wars on behalf of and filmmaker whom I
world. others. Which talent would you learn from a lot. I highly
most like to have? recommend his film
What is the trait What does being I would love to add ‘Acrimony’ to all women.
you most deplore in powerful mean to you? music but it’s one thing
yourself? Knowledge is power; that I was never gifted Which historical figure
I have a soft spot it can be used to build with. I tried it several do you most identify
for people; when I like or destroy anyone so a times until I came to with?
someone, I overdo it and person with knowledge is terms that I can never be I have read about
eventually some take powerful. a musician even when my Bob Marley as a brave
advantage of me. entire family can sing. activist; I wish I could be
On what occasion do you an activist standing up
What is the trait you lie? Where would you most for peoples’ rights if not
most deplore in others? If I ever tell lies, it like to live? for being a coward.
Hypocrisy. won’t go unnoticed so I Where else would I live
avoid telling lies. apart from Uganda? Who are your heroes in
Which living person do real life?
you most admire? What do you most What is your most My father is my hero.
I admire my father; dislike about your treasured possession?
even at 70 years, he is appearance? I treasure talent What is your greatest
still hardworking and Although I usually joke because it foots my bills. regret?
energetic enough to about my legs, they don’t Everything that
take care of the family. bother me. What do you regard happens does so for a
He is my superstar. as the lowest depth of reason and it teaches
I also admire every Which living person do misery? lessons so I don’t regret
hardworking woman you most despise? I would never wish anything.
because it’s good to Anyone who is a for any woman to have a
hustle and have your hypocrite. miscarriage because it is How would you like to
own money. a very painful experience. die?
What is the quality you In my sleep but in old
What is your greatest most like in a woman? What is your favorite age.
extravagance? God fearing, occupation?
I like hanging out a lot hardworking, and self- Being a mother is What is your motto?
even when I know that respect. also an occupation so I Keep walking.
it’s not a good habit. put it before anything

Aug 17 - 23, 2018 43

Global comment
By Danny Bradlow
The BRICS summit
Important small steps, but little to show on big issues

T
rying to evaluate a meeting like international society, stressing the impor- also means that South Africa’s position as
the BRICS summit that recently tance of the Sustainable Development the BRICS’ gateway to Africa is not assured.
took place in Johannesburg is chal- Goals. And the leaders commended the
lenging. On the one hand, a summit BRICS’ New Development Bank for dis- Financial intervention
is an exercise in political theatre. In this cussing innovative approaches to develop- While the communique highlighted the
sense, success means that the leaders put on ment finance. They also praised officials progress made in operationalising the
a good show of international camaraderie for the progress that’s been made in estab- Contingent Reserve Arrangement, it gave
and issue a communique expressing their lishing a BRICS local currency bond fund. no indication that the BRICS are planning
firm commitment to solving the common This will help the countries raise funds for to de-link the Contingent Reserve Arrange-
challenges facing their countries and the development projects from each other and ment from the IMF. This means that about
world. On the other hand, an annual further develop their local capital markets. 70% of the financing available through this
summit is the culmination of a year-long Progress also has been made in operational- initiative will be linked to reaching agree-
process of meetings of officials, politicians, ising the Contingent Reserve Arrangement ment with the IMF. This should be seen in
and non-state actors from the participating which is designed to provide central bank the context of the BRICS lukewarm support
countries. They spend the year trying to support to a member state facing balance of for increased African representation in IMF
reach agreement on specific deliverables payments problems. They also announced governance. In addition, while the com-
that they hope their leaders will endorse more people-to-people exchanges in sports, munique commends the BRICS Bank for
in their communique, which is the sum- culture and research collaborations. considering innovative approaches to devel-
mit’s primary output. This means that The leaders called for South Africa, Brazil opment finance, it makes no mention of its
understanding the real meaning of the and India to play a larger role in the United poor record when it comes to transparency,
communique is essential to assessing the Nations and for a larger voice for Africa in participation, and accountability. In fact, the
success of the summit. This requires paying the governance of the International Mon- bank is less transparent, less open to consul-
close attention to what the communique etary Fund (IMF). tation and less accountable than any of the
does – and doesn’t – say as well as to the other multilateral development banks.
things that it promises. The Johannesburg The gaps Without improvement in these areas it
BRICS summit delivered a mixed bag when The summit communique had some is hard to see how the New Development
judged on these two criteria. The commu- noteworthy gaps. First, while the leaders Bank can become an environmentally and
nique makes clear that some solid work was expressed support for IMF governance socially responsible funder of sustainable
done and that the participants have agreed reform, they failed to explicitly support and inclusive infrastructure. The bank’s
to undertake some useful initiatives. But it’s South Africa’s lobbying for a third chair for lack of progress in the transparency scale
also clear that on some issues the leaders Africa on the IMF board of directors. They exposes it to significant reputational risk.
resorted to vague statements that hide their also did not propose any other specific
real differences. This suggests that, despite measures to improve African participation Hedging bets
their accomplishments, there are differences in IMF governance. The BRICS have agreed some impres-
in their overall commitment to the BRICS. Second, the communique failed to spe- sive initiatives and have taken some steps
In addition, key countries view it as merely cifically support Brazil, India and South to strengthen their ties. But they have also
one option for advancing their grand inter- Africa’s efforts to win permanent seats on failed to demonstrate that they will live up
national relations strategy. the UN Security Council. to their promise to be an effective advocate
The leaders highlighted their concerns for global governance reform.
The positive notes about the challenges in the international Key leaders have also shown that they
The leaders issued a communique that trading system and called for it to become are hedging their bets on the BRICS. They
suggested that they had a productive more inclusive and development oriented. are using other vehicles to develop their
meeting and agreed on a range of issues. But they did not set out how the system international relations in Africa and at the
They announced the formation of a new should be reformed to achieve these objec- global level. The key takeaway therefore
vaccines research centre in South Africa tives. This is particularly striking because is that South Africa should be proud of its
and their intentions to collaborate more in their meeting came soon after the U.S. and participation in the BRICS but should retain
tourism and customs, technology, energy, the European Union announced that they a healthy scepticism in its approach to the
the environment, and agriculture. could begin working together to reform the group. It should continue to diversify its
On trade, the leaders followed the Chi- WTO. Similarly, their expression of sup- international economic and political rela-
nese lead. They expressed their support port for the AU’s free trade agreement and tions, should attach appropriate value to
for a rules based multilateral international Agenda 2063 was devoid of any specific the BRICS and all the other regional and
trading system and called on all countries to commitments. This is particularly note- international forums and groupings in
comply with their World Trade Organisa- worthy because both the Chinese and the which it participates, and should avoid
tion (WTO) commitments. They also stated Indian leaders combined their participation over-investing in the BRICS.
their support for the newly signed African in the summit with visits to various African
Continental Free Trade Agreement and for countries to whom they made specific offers Danny Bradlow is SARCHI Professor of
the African Union’s Agenda 2063. of support. This suggests that India and International Development Law and African
They agreed on the importance of pro- China see the BRICS as only one channel for Economic Relations, University of Pretoria
moting a more inclusive and sustainable developing economic relations in Africa. It

44 Aug 17 - 23, 2018

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