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<title>Your Local and International News &#45; : Business</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/rss/category/business</link>
<description>Your Local and International News &#45; : Business</description>
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<dc:rights>Copyright 2026 Jajja News Alright Reserved. Designed with 😍 By Zoomer.africa</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>SPECIAL REPORT: Inside the Fall of AYA Group—How Uganda&amp;apos;s Hospitality Boom Left Mohammed Hamid Behind</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/special-report-inside-the-fall-of-aya-grouphow-ugandas-hospitality-boom-left-mohammed-hamid-behind</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/special-report-inside-the-fall-of-aya-grouphow-ugandas-hospitality-boom-left-mohammed-hamid-behind</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Mohammed Hamid, Executive Chairman of the AYA Group, has effectively lost physical and operational control of the iconic Pearl of Africa Hotel on Nakasero Hill. 

Despite national tourism revenue milestones, an unprecedented boom in Uganda&#039;s business tourism, and direct interventions from President Yoweri Museveni, a staggering $167 million USD (approx. UGX 647.9 billion) debt has fractured Hamid&#039;s hospitality empire.

What was built to be the crown jewel of Kampala’s skyline has transitioned from a story of private-sector ambition into a cautionary tale of crippling financial defaults, procedural blunders, and sovereign takeover.

Uganda’s strategic positioning as a regional hub for international conferences and corporate gatherings has triggered an unprecedented hospitality boom. Yet, while the broader market expanded, AYA Group failed to thrive. The stark contrast between sector opportunities and AYA’s operational collapse highlights the internal mismanagement that crippled the landmark project.

The hotel&#039;s unravelling is rooted in a decades-long financial dispute with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa Limited. AYA Investment Group originally secured construction loans from the IDC starting in 2007. After more than a decade of default, the principal and interest ballooned into a UGX 611 billion ($165 million USD) international arbitral award issued by Bruce Collins QC in September 2021.

When AYA petitioned local courts to block enforcement, the Ugandan judiciary pierced the corporate veil. Rulings from the High Court and Court of Appeal cleared the path for court-sanctioned bailiffs to attach and sell the multi-million-dollar property.

The Ugandan courts systematically dismissed AYA’s legal maneuvers through a series of definitive procedural rulings.AYA petitioned the courts to set aside the South African arbitral award. Justice Christopher Gashirabake and the Court of Appeal rejected the petition.

 The court ruled that local jurisdictions cannot arbitrarily meddle in contractually agreed-upon private international arbitration. Under Ugandan law, valid international awards are enforced unless narrow exceptions like proven fraud exist. AYA failed to substantiate any exceptions.
In late 2023, AYA filed Civil Reference No. 20 of 2023 requesting a three-judge bench to stay the execution and public auction of the hotel property. 

Justices Fredrick Egonda-Ntende, Monica Mugenyi, and Oscar Kihika dismissed the application with costs. They discovered a fatal procedural error: AYA&#039;s legal team had already withdrawn their underlying substantive application for leave to appeal (Miscellaneous Application No. 271 of 2023). The judges ruled that a stay of execution cannot exist in a legal vacuum. Without the main case, the application lost its substratum.

In a separate attempt to challenge the registration of the IDC award, the Court of Appeal noted that AYA’s appeal (Civil Appeal No. 1190 of 2023) was filed 16 days outside the legally mandated timeline. The justices rejected AYA&#039;s informal plea for an extension. The court ruled that statutory deadlines in macro-commercial disputes are strict. Defaulting parties cannot expect automatic extensions without proving an unavoidable impediment.

AYA attempted to stall enforcement by arguing that the international arbitration violated the sub-judice rule because local lawsuits regarding localized security agreements were still ongoing. The Commercial Court rejected this argument. The court ruled that the macro-issue of AYA&#039;s financial indebtedness to the IDC was entirely separate from localized real estate mortgage securities. A borrower cannot use localized commercial rows to block a lender from enforcing a global credit agreement.

The High Court Commercial Division placed AYA Investments into court-ordered liquidation by early 2023, appointing a provisional liquidator. Under corporate law, liquidation strips original directors of operational authority. This legal exposure allowed secondary local creditors to strike simultaneously. Umeme secured demands for over UGX 800 million in unpaid utility bills, Kampala Capital City Authority threatened immediate closure of the premises over UGX 34 million in unpaid local hotel taxes and regional firms secured sweeping attachment orders for unpaid catering, logistics, and technical maintenance fees.

With AYA Group facing cascading financial insolvencies, the Libyan Arab Investment Company (LAICO) stepped into the vacuum to assume sovereign corporate ownership of the 296-key structure. Backed by Libya&#039;s sovereign wealth funds, LAICO injected the capital necessary to stabilize the property and insulate it from local bailiffs.

To rebuild the property&#039;s damaged reputation, LAICO has systematically distanced the hotel from Mohammed Hamid and transitioned the asset away from localized private ownership.
In September 2026, LAICO officially opened a competitive bidding window for global hotel management giants. As of late 2026, five major internationally recognized hotel management groups are locked in a aggressive bidding war for long-term management rights.

 While local market chatter links premium conglomerates like World Hotels Luxury to the property, the landmark continues to operate strictly under its core name, the Pearl of Africa Hotel, until a final global operator is formally finalized.
Ultimately, the physical scale of Nakasero Hill&#039;s landmark remains intact, but Mohammed Hamid’s hospitality ambitions have dissolved. The landmark’s future survival now rests entirely on international managers scrubbing away the legacy of AYA&#039;s financial mismanagement. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 20:44:41 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<title>THE $25 BILLION VOID: INSIDE UGANDA’S RACE TO SHIELD ITS FINANCIAL SYSTEM FROM CLIMATE COLLAPSE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/the-25-billion-void-inside-ugandas-race-to-shield-its-financial-system-from-climate-collapse</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/the-25-billion-void-inside-ugandas-race-to-shield-its-financial-system-from-climate-collapse</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Uganda faces a staggering 90% capital shortfall in its race to meet 2030 climate commitments, securing less than 10% of the required $28.1 billion needed to combat environmental degradation. This massive funding void has exposed the nation&#039;s financial core, prompting an urgent intervention by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Bank of Uganda (BoU). Investigative look into the deal reveals a systemic scramble to patch severe regulatory vulnerabilities before extreme weather triggers widespread credit defaults and destabilizes the wider banking network.
Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Professor Augustus Nuwagaba warned that climate-related disruptions are no longer just environmental issues—they are direct threats to banking solvency.
Financial institutions are deeply interconnected. A localized default caused by climate destruction can rapidly ripple through the entire economy.
Droughts, floods, and volatile weather ruin production and transport infrastructure. This directly weakens borrowers&#039; ability to service loans, leaving commercial banks holding toxic, unrecoverable assets.
 Moving forward, the BoU is demanding that commercial lenders integrate climate-risk assessments directly into their daily loan evaluation algorithms and risk models, rather than treating them as a superficial regulatory checklist.
To mitigate these hidden liabilities, the EIB Group’s Greening Financial Systems initiative will provide targeted technical assistance instead of direct corporate loans. 
While the framework builds on Uganda&#039;s National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030, the core challenge shifts from policy drafting to enforcement. With only a fraction of necessary funds in hand, the central bank must now prove it can successfully convert European technical expertise into aggressive, climate-resilient financial regulation.
Uganda’s commercial banking sector is quietly exposed to a severe systemic threat driven by an unprecedented 90% climate funding shortfall. With less than 10% of the required $28.1 billion secured to meet 2030 climate goals, the nation&#039;s financial institutions are highly vulnerable to macroeconomic shocks. While policymakers frame climate change as an environmental crisis, an investigative look into the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Bank of Uganda (BoU) intervention reveals that the central bank&#039;s primary concern is preventing a catastrophic wave of credit defaults from crippling commercial lenders.
Extreme weather destroys production and transport assets; borrowers lose revenue. Financial institutions rely on shared interbank markets and liquidity pools.
	Lack of transparent climate-risk reporting deters international private investors.
Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Professor Augustus Nuwagaba issued a stark warning to the banking sector, noting that because Uganda&#039;s key economic drivers—such as agriculture, production, and transport—are entirely weather-dependent, climate shocks function as direct financial shocks.
Severe droughts and sudden floods destroy cash flow for businesses and farmers overnight. When these borrowers can no longer service their debt, commercial balance sheets instantly accumulate toxic, unrecoverable assets.
Nuwagaba warned that &quot;the problem which hits one is a problem for all.&quot; Because commercial banks are deeply interconnected through lending and liquidity networks, distress at a single heavily exposed lender can rapidly metastasize across the entire financial system.
The Enforcement Mandate: Overhauling Commercial Operations
Faced with these hidden liabilities, the central bank is using the €30 million Greening Financial Systems programme to transition from advisory guidelines to strict regulatory enforcement.
Lenders will no longer treat climate risk as a superficial corporate social responsibility (CSR) exercise. The BoU is ordering commercial banks to embed climate-risk algorithms directly into routine loan evaluations, credit allocations, and internal risk models.
As the first commercial lender selected to undergo this technical overhaul, Housing Finance Bank will serve as the testing ground for how Ugandan banks must identify and mitigate climate liabilities before issuing credit.
Lenders will be forced to publicly disclose their climate risk exposure under the newly operationalized National Green Taxonomy. This framework aims to expose weak balance sheets while reassuring international investors that Ugandan banks can accurately price environmental threats.
With the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 underway, the race is no longer just about securing billions in green capital. For Uganda&#039;s commercial banks, it is an aggressive defensive maneuver to shield their balance sheets from inevitable environmental disruptions that threaten to destabilize the country&#039;s broader financial architecture. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:59:16 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<title>FROM PILOT TO SCALE: SPIRO BOOSTS UGANDA’S E&#45;MOBILITY WITH NEW MEGA HUBS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/from-pilot-to-scale-spiro-boosts-ugandas-e-mobility-with-new-mega-hubs</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/from-pilot-to-scale-spiro-boosts-ugandas-e-mobility-with-new-mega-hubs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Electric motorcycle company Spiro Uganda has announced plans to set up seven more mega battery-swapping hubs by December 2026, bringing its total to 11 as demand for electric two-wheelers rises. The company currently operates four mega hubs in Mukono, Soroti, Jinja, and Bukoto (Kampala). According to Spiro, these hubs support a network of more than 360 battery-swapping stations across the country, where riders exchange depleted batteries for charged ones.
Bruce Mucunguzi, Spiro’s deputy country director, stated that the company is integrating solar- and grid-powered mega swapping hubs into its network, with each hub capable of charging at least 200 batteries simultaneously. Mucunguzi emphasized that expanding the swapping network and supporting riders with maintenance and spare parts are critical to meeting demand. He attributed the rapid uptake of Spiro’s motorcycles to safe riding initiatives, robust after-sales support, and business models that directly eliminate barriers to customer demand and satisfaction.
Since launching operations on June 1, 2024, Spiro has established a dominant, market-defining position in Uganda&#039;s rapidly growing electric motorcycle sector.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported Uganda&#039;s entire electric two-wheeler market across all brands stood at just over 30,000 registered units by the end of last year. Spiro accounts for the vast majority of active units, comfortably outcompeting rivals like Gogo and Zembo
Projections indicate Spiro captures between 25% to 42% of all new motorcycle sales (electric and petrol-powered combined) in Uganda, driven heavily by aggressive lease-to-own models.
Allan Muhumuza, team leader of the Mobility Bureau at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, noted that supportive government policies are successfully attracting more players into the sector. Muhumuza revealed that installed electric vehicle (EV) production capacity grew to 79,000 units per year in 2025, with 25,000 electric vehicles—primarily two-wheelers—already manufactured locally.
Eng. Derick Birimumaso, a senior official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has called for the urgent development of standards and regulations for EV infrastructure. Birimumaso highlighted vehicle safety, battery standards, accessible charging, and user security as immediate priorities. The regulations currently being drafted will also cover energy metering, tariffs, billing, and licensing to ensure a structured framework for the expanding industry. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:30:14 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<title>HOW NEDBANK’S NCBA TAKEOVER WILL CHANGE CROSS&#45;BORDER TRADE FOR UGANDAN FIRMS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/how-nedbanks-ncba-takeover-will-change-cross-border-trade-for-ugandan-firms</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/how-nedbanks-ncba-takeover-will-change-cross-border-trade-for-ugandan-firms</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nedbank Group has officially finalized its acquisition of a 66% controlling stake in NCBA Group, opening up a direct, integrated financial highway between Southern and East Africa. For Ugandan import and export firms, this blockbuster corporate takeover drastically alters the regional trade landscape by bridging the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with the East African Community (EAC).
The transaction transforms NCBA into a primary subsidiary of Nedbank while allowing the lender to maintain its public listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
By plugging Nedbank’s multi-billion-dollar Southern African framework into NCBA’s expansive network—which spans Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast—the merger creates a unified banking corridor serving more than 60 million customers.
While local branch networks, branding, and daily banking operations in Kampala will remain unchanged, the integration of these two corporate balance sheets injects new capabilities specifically built for cross-border commerce
Ugandan businesses importing goods from South Africa (or exporting regionally) will benefit from single-gateway clearing and faster intra-continental financial settlements.
Local firms frequently face capital ceilings. Backed by Nedbank’s massive institutional balance sheet, NCBA Uganda can now underwrite significantly larger trade finance lines, letters of credit, and syndicated loans.
The direct corridor allows for more sophisticated treasury management and better structured FX hedging instruments, shielding Ugandan traders from sudden currency fluctuations.
Hajji Issa Sekitto serves as the Acting Chairman of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) in Uganda says Importers of industrial machinery, manufacturing hardware, or vehicle fleets from Southern African hubs gain a direct path to specialized corporate asset financing.
“This landmark transaction establishes a significant presence for Nedbank in East Africa and marks a decisive step forward in our African growth strategy,” said Jason Quinn, Chief Executive Officer of Nedbank. He emphasized that linking the two regional banking platforms is specifically designed to clear friction points hindering trade and investment across the continent.

Addressing local business clients, John Gachora, Chief Executive Officer of NCBA, stressed that local operational stability is guaranteed, but backed by vastly superior capabilities: “The name is the same, the people are the same, but the ambition and capabilities are tremendously magnified.”
The takeover saw immense institutional backing, with NCBA shareholders tendering 1.316 billion shares (79.9% of the lender&#039;s total issued stock). This significantly over-subscribed Nedbank’s original 66% targeted acquisition, forcing a proportional scale-back to hit the final intended holding level.
As African corporate markets increasingly demands unified, frictionless cross-border trade frameworks, the Nedbank takeover hands Ugandan companies a powerful tool to aggressively scale their regional distribution and secure supply chains across Sub-Saharan Africa. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:07:39 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<title>KCB BANK UGANDA PARTNERS WITH UGANDA COFFEE GROUP TO BOOST LOCAL VALUE ADDITION</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/kcb-bank-uganda-partners-with-uganda-coffee-group-to-boost-local-value-addition</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/kcb-bank-uganda-partners-with-uganda-coffee-group-to-boost-local-value-addition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ KCB Bank Uganda has officially joined the newly formed Uganda Coffee Group (UCG), a landmark private sector-led initiative designed to retain the maximum value of Uganda’s coffee within the country.
The initiative was officially launched on 15 October 2026 at the Kapeeka Industrial Park. The platform serves as an indigenous investment and commercialization vehicle, uniting key stakeholders—including farmers, cooperatives, processors, manufacturers, investors, and financial institutions—to mobilize strategic capital for the domestic coffee value chain.
The primary objective of the Uganda Coffee Group is to transition the nation&#039;s coffee economy beyond the export of raw beans. The coalition is working to empower local enterprises to grow, process, roast, package, brand, and distribute finished coffee products globally.
This partnership arrives at a time of historic performance for the local coffee sector. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda&#039;s coffee industry achieved record-breaking milestones in the latest financial cycle:

Speaking at the launch, Gen. Salim Saleh—Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Senior Presidential Adviser, and the group’s chief fundraiser—urged public and private stakeholders alike to aggressively back the initiative to maximize national returns on the cash crop.
Edgar Byamah, Managing Director of KCB Bank Uganda, confirmed that the bank will utilize its robust regional footprint to deliver agricultural financing, trade expertise, and comprehensive value-chain development.
&quot;Coffee transcends borders. It is a crop that is present in four or five of the countries in the East African Community, and we bring that experience on top of access to market, which is very critical,&quot; Byamah said.
Byamah noted that KCB Bank’s proven track record with aggregators and value-addition financing in other major sectors, such as sugar, will heavily underpin its operational strategy in the coffee sector. He further pledged the bank&#039;s full compliance and initial member contributions to the group.
To immediately accelerate this industrial shift, KCB Bank Uganda offers dedicated, accessible financial products for sector players Unsecured Contract Financing Up to UGX 800 million available for aggregators and processors and Invoice Financing tailored working capital solutions to bridge cash flow gaps during processing and trade.
Moving forward, KCB Bank Uganda will collaborate with the alliance to deliver against five primary development pillars:
Climate-Smart Production,Quality Improvement: Upgrading processing methods to guarantee premium coffee quality,Domestic Manufacturing: Increasing local roasting, packaging, and processing infrastructure,Research &amp; Innovation: Investing in cutting-edge agricultural and logistical technologies and global Competitiveness building and marketing a recognizable, premium Ugandan coffee brand worldwide.

KCB Bank Uganda is a leading commercial bank licensed by the Bank of Uganda. As part of the KCB Group, the bank provides innovative financial solutions across corporate, retail, and SME sectors, with a deep commitment to regional trade integration and sustainable economic advancement across East Africa. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:55:53 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<title>ELIX PROMOTIONS UNVEILS HISTORIC BIG BRANDS AWARDS TO CELEBRATE MARKET DISRUPTORS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/elix-promotions-unveils-historic-big-brands-awards-to-celebrate-market-disruptors</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/elix-promotions-unveils-historic-big-brands-awards-to-celebrate-market-disruptors</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Financial success is no longer the sole metric of true corporate leadership. Historically, the business world looked strictly at balance sheets, profit margins, and market share. However, in today’s complex and rapidly evolving economic landscape, Uganda’s true market leaders are being measured by a much higher standard: their holistic impact on society and their willingness to disrupt conventions.
This paradigm shift will take center stage this coming November, at the historic launch of the Big Brands Awards (BIBA). The landmark event is organized by Elix Promotions Limited, a premier marketing and communication agency operating under the banner of its signature slogan: &quot;Creating Buzz, Building Brands.&quot; Designed to uplift authentic quality and protect consumers in a market crowded with substandard alternatives, this historic awards platform shines a spotlight on corporate care and celebrated market disruptors, where 60 top brands are set to take home various prestigious accolades.
The honors will be comprehensive, spanning across manufacturing, services, and dynamic individuals who are actively driving change across the nation.
A Call for Strategic Partnerships and Long-Term Continuity
As a forward-looking initiative, the Big Brands Awards are poised to be held annually, establishing a permanent benchmark for corporate excellence in East Africa. To ensure the sweeping success and long-term continuity of this flagship calendar event, Elix Promotions Limited has officially issued a call for strategic partnerships. Forward-thinking corporations, media houses, development agencies, and ecosystem builders are invited to jump on board to co-create a legacy platform that champions consumer protection and brand integrity year after year.
The event moves forward under the central theme: &quot;Quality Brands, Business Excellence, Innovations, and Society Impact in the Market Place.&quot; According to the organizers, true market leadership rests on three interconnected pillars that move businesses from simple profitability to sustainable legacy:building long term consumer trust,disrupting and driving change and Advancing Sustainable Growth 

Championing the call for rapid technological evolution, Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga urged corporate leaders to fearlessly embrace artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that technology must serve a national, human-centric purpose.
&quot;We must use AI to uplift our community,&quot; Dr. Muganga stated. &quot;We can use predictive AI to secure agricultural yields for our farmers, optimize healthcare delivery in rural clinics, and revolutionize student learning across our educational grid. That is how a big brand delivers real, measurable impact.&quot;
Minister of Trade Sanjay Tanna reassured the business community of the government&#039;s steadfast commitment to maintaining a stable and highly enabling economic environment.
&quot;Government remains completely committed to fostering a conducive business environment,&quot; Minister Tanna affirmed. &quot;We are continuously refining infrastructure, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and eliminating trade barriers to ensure your businesses thrive.&quot;
In return, the Minister issued a direct challenge to the private sector, calling on corporate entities to deepen their local investments, aggressively adopt sustainable manufacturing practices, and partner with Elix Promotions Limited and the state to accelerate Uganda&#039;s economic transformation.
Organizations looking to lock in their partnership for the upcoming November edition and secure their alignment with this annual national platform can reach out directly via the official BIBA Contact Channels:
•	Phone: +256 (0) 756700700 | +256 (0) 779318138
•	Email: bigbrandsawards@gmail.com | elixpromotionsltd@gmail.com ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:52:46 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<title>UGANDA PUMPS SHS 21.8T INTO ECONOMY TO SHIELD ESSENTIAL SERVICES AS SHILLING HITS RECORD LOW</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-pumps-shs-218t-into-economy-to-shield-essential-services-as-shilling-hits-record-low</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-pumps-shs-218t-into-economy-to-shield-essential-services-as-shilling-hits-record-low</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The government has released Shs 21.82 trillion for the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. This money is being targeted to protect public services and bankroll key projects while the country fights tough economic conditions—including a record-low shilling, rising fuel prices, and a widening trade deficit.
Nearly half of this quarter&#039;s entire budget will go directly toward managing national debt.
According to the release debt &amp; Treasury Operations will take  Shs 10.75 trillion (almost 50% of the budget),Salaries &amp; Wages for Civil Servants: Shs 2.42 trillion,pensions &amp; gratuities: Shs 376.6 billion and clearing Arrears: Shs 130 billon (to pay off unpaid salaries, pensions, and utility bills)
Deputy Secretary to the Treasury Patrick Ocailap explained that global tensions and heavy import bills have put extreme pressure on the country&#039;s finances:
The Ugandan shilling recently crossed the Shs 4,000 mark against the US dollar—the weakest it has ever been in history.
Uganda is spending far more on imports (like fuel and manufacturing materials) than it is earning from exports. The trade deficit jumped to $1.04 billion for July and August 2026.
 Fuel, transport, and energy prices have climbed due to conflict in the Middle East. Inflation rose to 4.6% in September. In response, the Bank of Uganda aggressively raised its key interest rate to 12% to stabilize the economy.
Despite these hurdles, the Finance Ministry notes that the economy remains strong, growing at 6.4% with a solid backup of $6.7 billion in foreign exchange reserves.
Outside of salaries and debt, the government is prioritizing massive infrastructure, healthcare, and sports projects:
Shs 1.48 trillion will go towards  transport infrastructure, including the Standard Gauge Railway, Uganda Airlines, and road maintenance,Shs 416.5 billion for hospital operations, buying new constituency ambulances, and routing Shs 284.7 billion to the National Medical Stores for essential drugs.
On AFCON 2027 Preparations  Shs 260.5 billion released to the National Council of Sports to speed up preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania and Shs 154.6 billion for education and Shs 209.1 billion for public universities.
Meanwhile Shs 457.4 billion for local governments and Shs 223.8 billion to KCCA for fixing city roads and drainage systems and Shs 46.7 billion for the Uganda National Oil Company and Petroleum Authority.
To save money, the government is introducing strict austerity measures and cracking down on financial discipline:
The state has scrapped funding for public holiday celebrations (religious holidays are exempt).
Government departments are strictly forbidden from spending money they do not have, hiring unapproved staff, or creating new financial debts. Accounting officers who break these rules will be held personally responsible. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202610/image_870x580_6ad136a8ca99f.jpg" length="79578" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:16:16 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<title>UGANDA AND SOUTH SUDAN SIGN HISTORIC TRADE DEAL AMID BORDER FRICTION</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-and-south-sudan-sign-historic-trade-deal-amid-border-friction</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-and-south-sudan-sign-historic-trade-deal-amid-border-friction</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Uganda and South Sudan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade, as Ugandan officials pressed Juba to tackle delays, checkpoints and unofficial charges that traders say are raising the cost of doing business between the two countries.
The agreement was signed at the second Uganda-South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition, held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
David Bahati, Uganda’s State Minister for Trade and Industry, said trade between the neighbours remained heavily one-sided. He said Uganda exports goods worth $524m (£390m) to South Sudan, while South Sudan exports $22m worth to Uganda.
“We need South Sudan. As much as you need us, we also need you,” Bahati told delegates, adding that the gap was partly explained by the difference in population, which he put at 46 million for Uganda and 12.4 million for South Sudan.
He said Ugandan traders and transporters continued to report problems along the Kampala-Gulu-Nimule-Juba corridor, including delays linked to South Sudan’s electronic permit (e-permit) system, repeated cargo verification, multiple checkpoints, unofficial charges and inconsistent clearance procedures.
Bahati said such practices increased costs, undermined the competitiveness of Ugandan exports and created uncertainty for traders on both sides. He proposed that the two governments urgently review the e-permit system to remove duplicated assessments and payments, clarify charges and set up a way of resolving disputes.
He also said Uganda had built a one-stop border post at Elegu, but that the absence of matching infrastructure and fully coordinated operations at Nimule, on the South Sudanese side, limited its benefits.
South Sudan’s ambassador to Uganda, Paul Malong Akaro, defended the e-permit, saying that since its launch last year jointly with the Uganda Revenue Authority it had had a positive effect on revenue collection and border clearance.
He said the digitalisation of tax and levies by the South Sudan Revenue Authority was intended to strengthen collection and tackle tax evasion, and urged the two revenue bodies to resolve future disputes through existing mechanisms.
Akaro also raised complaints from South Sudanese traders. He said they lacked direct access to Ugandan manufacturers and distributors, and that transporters based in Juba from other neighbouring countries appeared to be monopolising the supply of Ugandan goods to South Sudan.
“Our traders don’t have access to manufacturers to buy goods from Uganda,” he said, adding that the matter had already been raised with Uganda’s trade ministry.
He said South Sudanese exporters of dried fish bound for the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda had faced difficulties in transit, and called on the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the South Sudan Bureau of Standards to address them.
South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya, said a high-level committee set up by President Salva Kiir was working to reduce non-tariff barriers.
She said alien registration had been scrapped and that hurdles around paying for visas had been removed, but that foreigners working in South Sudan would still need work permits.
Dr Mathya acknowledged that security remained a concern in some areas, but said full flights and buses into Juba showed that the capital was safe. She said Ugandan traders had become part of daily life in South Sudan, pointing to the popularity of chapati and to a market in Juba known for selling Ugandan goods.
Bahati said the two countries should also cooperate on industrial production rather than re-exporting imported goods. He said Uganda spends about $1bn a year importing steel, of which $490m goes on raw materials, and that both countries had large deposits of iron ore.
He said Uganda aimed to generate between 40,000 and 50,000 megawatts of electricity over the next 10 years, and encouraged South Sudan to expand its own power generation.
The success of the MoU, Bahati said, should be judged “not by the signing ceremony alone” but by the trade barriers removed, investments made and jobs created.
Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, said the MoU provided a framework for trade promotion, information exchange and investment facilitation, but that its significance would depend on implementation.
He urged ministries in both countries to set up clear follow-up arrangements.
Uganda’s ambassador to South Sudan, Ronald Balya, who said he had represented Uganda in South Sudan for close to 10 years, told delegates the forum was a chance for the business communities of both countries to take stock. “Are we progressing? Are we degenerating? Are we stagnating?” he asked.
Among its objectives, Balya said, were establishing a joint Uganda-South Sudan business forum that would meet regularly, raising awareness of investment opportunities, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and showcasing the private sectors of both countries through an exhibition.
He said the forum was part of wider efforts that followed a meeting in Juba last year between President Yoweri Museveni and President Salva Kiir, at which the two leaders called for joint border meetings on trade, security and immigration.
According to Balya, those efforts, including an upcoming Joint Permanent Commission meeting, aim to resolve tariff and non-tariff barriers, coordinate intelligence and security to fight border and transnational crime, and harmonise customs and immigration procedures under East African Community rules to reduce delays at entry points.
South Sudan’s ambassador to Uganda, Paul Malong Akaro, defended the e-permit, saying that since its launch last year jointly with the Uganda Revenue Authority it had had a positive effect on revenue collection and border clearance.
He said the digitalisation of tax and levies by the South Sudan Revenue Authority was intended to strengthen collection and tackle tax evasion, and urged the two revenue bodies to resolve future disputes through existing mechanisms.
Akaro also raised complaints from South Sudanese traders. He said they lacked direct access to Ugandan manufacturers and distributors, and that transporters based in Juba from other neighbouring countries appeared to be monopolising the supply of Ugandan goods to South Sudan.
“Our traders don’t have access to manufacturers to buy goods from Uganda,” he said, adding that the matter had already been raised with Uganda’s trade ministry.
He said South Sudanese exporters of dried fish bound for the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda had faced difficulties in transit, and called on the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the South Sudan Bureau of Standards to address them. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 22:37:28 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>UGANDA TO HOST 7TH ARIPO SYMPOSIUM ON COPYRIGHT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ursb-calls-for-stronger-protection-of-creators-rights</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ursb-calls-for-stronger-protection-of-creators-rights</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Uganda will host the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) 7th Symposium on Copyright and Related Rights Management from 19–21 October 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala,bringing together regional and international stakeholders to explore how intellectual property can drive sustainable development across Africa.
The symposium, organised by ARIPO in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB),will be held under the theme “Empowering Creativity: Harnessing IP for Sustainable Development in Africa.” It forms part of activities leading to ARIPO’s Golden Jubilee in December 2026.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, URSB Acting Registrar General Mr. Mustapher Ntale said the symposium would provide an important platform for strengthening copyright administration and improving the economic value derived from creative works.
“Uganda and Africa are rich in creative talent, but talent must be supported by systems that protect creators and enable them to earn from their work. Copyright must function not only as a legal right, but also as an economic asset that generates income, creates jobs and attracts investment,” Mr. Ntale said.
He noted that URSB continues to strengthen Uganda’s copyright administration framework through specialised services, public awareness, regulation of collective management organisations and implementation of legal reforms.
URSB established a dedicated Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Department in April 2025 to provide focused services to the creative industry. The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Act, No. 8 of 2026, introduces reforms addressing copyright protection in the digital environment, orphan works, collective management organisations and administrative mechanisms for resolving copyright complaints.
The Commissioner Copyright and Neighbouring Rghts, Miriam Nabatanzi, emphasised the wider national significance of protecting intellectual property.
“Our creative industries are a source of cultural identity, innovation and economic opportunity. When copyright systems work effectively, creators are better positioned to benefit from their efforts, businesses gain confidence to invest, and the creative economy becomes a stronger contributor to national development,” She said.
The symposium will bring together policymakers, heads of copyright offices, collective management organisations and other stakeholders from ARIPO member states to discuss practical approaches to licensing, royalty administration, enforcement, digital piracy and cross-border cooperation.
Representing Uganda’s creative sector, Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives Mr. Edrisa Musuuza, popularly known as Eddie Kenzo, highlighted the importance of ensuring that creators benefit from the commercial value of their work.
“Ugandan artists and other creatives have the talent to reach global audiences. However, protecting our work and ensuring fair compensation are essential if creativity is to provide sustainable livelihoods. We need stronger awareness, respect for copyright and systems that allow creators to earn from their talent,” he said.
The symposium will also build on regional efforts to strengthen copyright cooperation,including the Kampala Protocol on the Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, adopted at a diplomatic conference hosted by Uganda in August 2021.
URSB called upon creators, businesses, digital platforms, policymakers and the media to support efforts to promote copyright awareness, respect intellectual property rights and develop a sustainable creative economy. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:35:47 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>UGANDA–ITALY BUSINESS FORUM: UGANDA WOOS ITALIAN INVESTORS TO ROAST ITS COFFEE AT HOME</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ugandaitaly-business-forum-uganda-woos-italian-investors-to-roast-its-coffee-at-home</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ugandaitaly-business-forum-uganda-woos-italian-investors-to-roast-its-coffee-at-home</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ ROME – Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, has asked Italian companies to process Ugandan coffee, milk and minerals inside Uganda instead of importing them as raw materials. 
 
She was speaking at the opening of the first Uganda–Italy Business and Investment Forum at Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria hotel in the Italian capital, on Tuesday. 
 
“We want our people from Italy to take coffee made in Uganda. Not grown in Uganda,” Rt. Hon. Nabbanja told Ugandan officials and Italian business leaders. She said roasting and packing would create jobs for Uganda’s young population. 
 
Italy is the biggest buyer of Ugandan coffee. Uganda exported 8.8 million 60kg bags of coffee in the year ending April 2026, earning $2.4 billion, a Ministry of Agriculture report shows. 
 
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said Ugandan farmers who grow, tend and harvest coffee still earn very little from raw beans, while a kilogramme of finished coffee sells for about 50 euros in Italy. 
 
“That is where I want partnerships, so that we can help that poor Ugandan who makes you have a cup of coffee on the table,” she said. 
 
Dr Gerald Kyalo, Commissioner for Coffee at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said more than 12 million Ugandans depend on coffee for their livelihood and that Italy takes about a quarter of Uganda’s coffee exports. 
 
He said Uganda is Africa’s biggest producer of robusta, which makes up 89% of the country’s coffee, with arabica accounting for 11%. Italy has bought more than two million bags of Ugandan coffee in each of the past five years, he said. 
 
“You are our main market, and we are your most important supplier of coffee,” Dr Kyalo told Italian buyers. 
 
He said production had reached 9.5 million bags in 2025/26, and that Uganda was on track to meet the coffee roadmap target of 20 million bags by 2030 after distributing more seedlings to farmers. 
 
Dr Kyalo said Italian buyers had asked whether Uganda was ready for the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that imported coffee is not grown on deforested land. 
 
He said Uganda had registered 1.5 million farmers and mapped 1.6 million coffee gardens, and expected to reach 2.6 million gardens by the end of December. A traceability system linking farmers, traders and a national data warehouse is being piloted, he said. 
 
“We are ready for EUDR. Don’t lose sleep that you will not have coffee from Uganda,” he said. 
 
Dr Kyalo said Uganda consumes only about 7% of the coffee it produces, and invited Italian firms to set up soluble coffee plants in the country. He said Ugandan coffee exports would carry a national “Ugandan Coffee” brand and logo from the next financial year. 
 
The two-day forum, themed “Unlocking Shared Prosperity”, is organised by Uganda’s Embassy in 
Italy with Confindustria Assafrica &amp; Mediterraneo, the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Italy and Bergs &amp; More Srl. It focuses on oil, gas and energy, agroindustry, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals and healthcare, with a proposal for industrial parks for Italian manufacturers under the label “Made with Italy in Uganda”. 
 
The forum is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ push to turn Uganda’s embassies into drivers of trade and investment. 
 
Under the ministry’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30, launched in Gulu in August 2025, missions serve as frontline platforms for exports, foreign direct investment, tourism, technology partnerships and climate finance. The strategy is aligned with Vision 2040, the fourth National Development Plan and the Tenfold Growth Strategy, and aims to make the foreign service more commercially focused and accountable for measurable economic results. 
 
The Tenfold Growth Strategy seeks to expand the economy from $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040 through agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology and innovation, known as ATMS. It also aims to raise annual foreign direct investment from $2.9 billion in 2022 to $50 billion by 2040. 
 
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja told investors the economy currently stood at $69 billion and was growing at about 6% a year. She tied each of the four ATMS pillars to openings for Italian firms, from agroprocessing machinery and cold chains to hotels, mineral value addition and pharmaceuticals. 
 
She said the government planned to generate 52,000 megawatts of electricity by 2040, saying industrialisation was impossible without power. 
 
On medicine, she said the COVID-19 pandemic had taught Africa that it could not depend on others for its drugs, and invited Italy’s pharmaceutical industry to manufacture in Uganda for the region. 
 
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja asked the Italian government to consider Uganda a priority country for projects under the Mattei Plan, Rome’s partnership framework for Africa. She also urged CDP, SACE and SIMEST, Italy’s state-backed lending, export credit and investment institutions, to support Italian companies entering Uganda. 
 
Italy’s development cooperation agency, AICS, opened an office in Kampala in 2025 and lists Uganda as a priority country for Italian cooperation in health, education, agriculture and environmental conservation. 
 
The Prime Minister said investors’ capital and profits would be protected by law, and that her office, which coordinates government business, would personally intervene where investors faced obstacles. 
 
Dr Robert Mukiza, Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), told investors they could earn a 14% return on investment in Uganda. He said that was rare anywhere in the world. 
 
He said Africa’s population would reach 2.5 billion by 2050, with 1.1 billion people in the middle class, and urged Italian companies to serve the continent from Uganda through the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area. 
 
“The most important market in the world, whether you want it or not, is Africa. You better get there now, and serve Africa from Uganda,” Dr Mukiza said. 
 
He said the UIA’s one-stop centre, set up under the Investment Code Act 2019, brings business registration, tax identification, environmental certification, building permits, work permits and banking under one roof. 
 
Dr Mukiza compared the authority to a duck gliding on water. “The feet are always flapping. Those feet are the Uganda Investment Authority, such that you as a business continue to glide smoothly,” he said. 
 
He said investors who add value to Ugandan products would get free serviced land in industrial parks, a 10-year tax holiday, tax-free imports of plant and machinery, and tax deductions for research and training. The UIA’s aftercare division would support companies after licensing, he added. 
 
Dr Mukiza said the country needed investment in power generation and transmission to reach its 2040 target, and called on Italian financiers to help lower the cost of capital and reduce the risk of investing in Uganda. 
 
Hez Kimoomi Alinda, Executive Director of the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority (UFZEPA), said investors in Uganda’s special economic zones would find incentives comparable to those in Italy. 
 
Alinda said trade between the two countries remained small, and that Italy mostly uses Uganda’s high-grade robusta to blend with coffee from Brazil and elsewhere. 
 
He said Ugandan fish accounted for only 2% of Italy’s fish imports. He said Italy imports Ugandan cocoa unroasted, and urged Italian firms to set up plants in Uganda to make cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and chocolate. 
 
He listed fresh fruit and vegetables, vanilla, tea, spices, dairy, aquaculture, cold chains, packaging, IT-enabled services and tourism as other areas open to Italian investors. 
 
Alinda said the European Union was a leading importer of Ugandan fresh produce, but Uganda lacked enough testing laboratories to meet EU standards. He invited Italian firms to build them. 
 
“Come to Uganda, aggregate our fresh fruits and vegetables and open a distribution chain in Italy. Nobody will compete with you,” he said. 
 
He also offered Italian investors a free 1,031-square-metre production facility at Entebbe for value addition aimed at the Italian and EU markets. 
 
Humphrey Asiimwe, Chief Executive of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, invited Italian firms into energy, oil and gas, and mining. He said Uganda has 58 known minerals, 23 of them commercially viable, including graphite, tin, tungsten and rare earths needed for the energy transition. 
 
He said a British firm was already mining graphite at Orom in northern Uganda, and an Australian firm was developing heavy rare earths in eastern Uganda. 
 
“Uganda is at the precipice of first oil,” Asiimwe said. He said the country would announce its first barrel of Pearl Sweet crude on the international market in the coming months, opening opportunities in refining, petrochemicals, fertiliser production and pipeline services. He said the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development had also opened new areas for oil exploration. 
 
Asiimwe said 95% of Uganda’s electricity comes from hydropower and the country currently generates about 2,100 megawatts. He said Uganda allows independent power transmission, so private investors can build and earn from power lines connected to the East African Power Pool. He invited Italian firms to invest in generation, transmission, distribution and battery storage. 
 
He said Uganda does not allow the export of mineral ores or concentrates, and wants minerals refined in the country. Gold, Uganda’s biggest export, is 99.98% refined locally, he said, adding that mining licences are managed through a transparent online cadastre. 
 
A video by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) shown at the forum presented the 29square-kilometre Kabalega Industrial Park near Lake Albert. The park is built around a planned 60,000-barrel-a-day refinery and is projected to contribute nearly $5 billion a year to GDP and create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. 
 
Asiimwe said mining investors are also exempt from VAT on raw materials. 
 
Uganda’s Ambassador to Italy, Elizabeth Paula Napeyok, said both countries wanted to move the relationship beyond diplomacy. 
 
“We would like to see the relationship graduating from only diplomatic matters to trade and investment,” she said. 
 
Dr Fabrizio Lobasso, of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said Italy wanted joint ventures in Uganda rather than simple export trade, including in technology, skills and digitalisation. 
 
He said a delegation from the Italian foreign ministry was expected to visit Uganda in early November. 
 
“This morning I had my espresso, and inside the cup I didn’t see only coffee. I see the commitment of Ugandan farmers,” Dr Lobasso said. 
 
Giorgio Traietti, a board member of Confindustria Assafrica &amp; Mediterraneo, said Italian companies saw Uganda as a gateway to the East African market. He said his association would follow up with the UIA, the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals and UFZEPA. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:51:43 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>MOVIT AFRICA TAKES TOP HONORS AT THE 32ND UGANDA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/movit-africa-takes-top-honors-at-the-32nd-uganda-international-trade-fair</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/movit-africa-takes-top-honors-at-the-32nd-uganda-international-trade-fair</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Movit Africa has been crowned Best Overall Exhibitor at the 32nd Uganda International Trade Fair (UGITF) at the UMA Showgrounds in Lugogo, Kampala. Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sanjay Tanna presented the award to the team.
In addition to the top overall prize, the personal care manufacturer won Best Sector Exhibitor in the cosmetics and petrochemical products category, as well as an appreciation award as a Silver Partner.
The nine-day event, organized by the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), runs through October 11 under the theme “Formalising Trade to Secure Uganda’s Economic Future”.
Founded in 1997 by Simpson Birungi in Namasuba, Wakiso District—starting with its debut Herbal Baby Jelly in 1999—Movit has grown into a regional brand serving ten African markets. At this year’s fair, the company’s standout &quot;World of Beauty&quot; stand traded traditional shelf displays for an interactive hub featuring live product demonstrations, salon services, and direct customer feedback.
Mary Kobusingye, Corporate Affairs Manager at Movit Africa, noted that the win honors the hard work behind the brand:
“Being recognised as Best Overall Exhibitor is a significant honour for Movit Africa... it speaks to our journey as a Ugandan manufacturer, the strength of the brands we have built and the people behind them. We receive this recognition with gratitude, but also as a challenge to continue innovating.”
Movit plans to keep using the annual trade fair platform to connect with consumers, distributors, and policymakers as it expands its footprint across East Africa and the continent.
Movit Africa (Movit Products Limited) has solidified its position as Uganda&#039;s dominant player in the beauty and personal care industry. Following its recent rebranding from Movit Products Limited to Movit Africa, the company has aligned its market strategy with sweeping continental and global ambitions
Movit commands a leading 32% market share in the Ugandan cosmetics sector ahead of major multi-national and regional competitors, including Nivea (21%), Vaseline (19%), and Mukwano Industries (16%)
The brand features an extensive, dense domestic distribution network that reaches all 146 districts in Uganda. They have aggressively invested in last-mile distribution, including equipping long-term regional traders with transport assets (like Tuk-Tuks) to deepen consumer access.
Movit currently operates across 10 to 12 African nations—including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. The company&#039;s long-term plan is to scale operations so that Movit items are present in households across all 54 African countries

In established export hubs like Rwanda (where they have operated since 2009), Movit has scaled up to over 5,000 retail outlets and continues to experience consecutive double-digit growth by expanding into multi-category personal care items.
Moving past continental bounds, Movit achieved a significant export milestone by flagging off its first commercial product shipment to the United States. This move signals their intent to compete directly in highly regulated Western cosmetic markets. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:04:28 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Court Slams Gumboots Manufacturer Over Cheap Knockoffs</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/court-slams-gumboots-manufacturer-over-cheap-knockoffs</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/court-slams-gumboots-manufacturer-over-cheap-knockoffs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The High Court Commercial Division has ordered Rida International Industry (U) Limited to pay its rival Migoo Industrial and Trading Company (U) Limited Shs16.768 billion. Justice Stephen Mubiru ruled that Rida deliberately copied Migoo’s signature gumboot design and tricked customers.
Shs12.768 billion in special damages: Covers actual financial losses from 2017 to September 2021, when Migoo was forced to slash its prices from Shs10,500 down to Shs7,000 to fight off Rida’s cheap knockoffs. This amount attracts a 15% annual interest rate starting from May 3, 2019.
Shs4 billion in general damages: Compensates Migoo for severe harm to its reputation, lost goodwill, and ongoing business damage. This amount attracts a 6% annual interest rate from the date of judgment.
Rida initially stamped a visible logo on its gumboots to tell them apart, but later stripped the branding off to make them look identical to Migoo’s.
Distributor Aida Ndagire testified that customers regularly bought Rida gumboots thinking they were Migoo originals, only to return them later upon noticing the quality gap.
In a twist, Justice Mubiru revoked the industrial design registrations of both Rida and Migoo, ruling that the basic gumboot shape wasn&#039;t unique enough to be monopolized. However, the judge stressed that passing off (deceiving the public) is a separate legal violation—meaning Rida still had to pay up.
The court dismissed Rida’s demand for Shs1.5 billion over a 2019 police raid at its factory, noting that Migoo merely reported a crime and police acted independently.
Rida is permanently barred from manufacturing, selling, or distributing gumboots that mimic Migoo&#039;s look, and has been ordered to pay the legal costs for both sides. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:16:55 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>NWSC TAKES TOP SECTOR EXHIBITOR AWARD AT UMA TRADE FAIR</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/nwsc-takes-top-sector-exhibitor-award-at-uma-trade-fair</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/nwsc-takes-top-sector-exhibitor-award-at-uma-trade-fair</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has won the Best Sector Exhibitor award at the 32nd Uganda International Trade Fair at the Uganda Manufacturers Association Showgrounds in Lugogo.
The 10-day fair runs under the theme “Formalising Trade to Secure Uganda’s Economic Future,” emphasize how structured business, local manufacturing, and reliable utilities drive national transformation.
NWSC stood out by turning its stall into an interactive experience, showing urban residents and businesses how it manages rapid population growth, water quality, and sewerage.
NWSC highlighted its program that supplies clean, safe water to informal settlements at an affordable rate of UGX 25 per 20-litre jerrycan.
Hon. Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, praised NWSC for supporting national development and advancing President Yoweri Museveni’s vision.
The ministry emphasized Uganda’s ATMS framework under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV)—focusing on Agro-processing, Tourism, Mining, and Science, Technology, and Innovation—where stable water and sanitation serve as critical economic enablers.
The minister said Water and sanitation are framed not merely as social goods, but as the foundational infrastructure required for factories, businesses, and communities to thrive.
Driving Formalization and Value Addition aligned with President Museveni’s push for local value addition and cutting raw material exports, the fair proves that utilities and manufacturers must work hand-in-hand to build a self-sustaining $500 billion economy.
Initiatives like the UGX 25 jerrycan pricing model show how commercial and public institutions can integrate vulnerable urban populations into formal economic life.

UMA organizers have set distinct benchmarks to drive commercial growth and advance the theme
“Formalising Trade to Secure Uganda’s Economic Future.” 
Organizers project generating at least Shs10 billion in onsite sales and direct business-to-business transactions throughout the 10-day event. 
UMA expects to host over 150,000 show-goers and visitors passing through the Lugogo gates.
The fair brings together more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 30 countries, offering immense market exposure and cross-border networking
A core expectation this year is driving massive local consumption through the launch of the &quot;Black Deals&quot; platform. Organizers expect consumers to access direct manufacturer pricing with over 4,000 verified discounts on locally made goods, cutting out middleman costs. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 16:14:21 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>RUPARELIA GROUP TO LAUNCH ECO&#45;LUXURY RESORT ON LAKE VICTORIA</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ruparelia-group-to-launch-eco-luxury-resort-on-lake-victoria</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ruparelia-group-to-launch-eco-luxury-resort-on-lake-victoria</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Paradise Island Resort, the newest venture by the Ruparelia Group, is redefining luxury travel in Uganda by seamlessly blending upscale hospitality with absolute sustainability. 

Nestled on a private 19-acre island on Lake Victoria, the 100% eco-powered retreat is officially scheduled to open its doors this October 2026.
Located just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Speke Resort Munyonyo, the property offers an immediate escape from the city into untouched nature.

At the core of the resort&#039;s identity is an uncompromising commitment to the environment. The entire island operates on a robust solar energy system, minimizing its carbon footprint without sacrificing modern comforts.

&quot;We are 100 percent an eco-lodge. The island runs on solar,&quot; explains Sheena Ruparelia, Director at Paradise Island Resort. This green infrastructure allows guests to immerse themselves in nature, knowing their luxury getaway supports responsible tourism.
Beyond accommodation, Paradise Island is built around curated guest experiences. Architect Ivan Martin Kutosi notes that the project was conceptualized to be a vibrant hub for both leisure and business.

The resort features 38 thoughtfully designed accommodation units tailored to couples, families, and high-profile groups. 
The inventory includes Standard Cottages – Perfect for intimate getaways,cliff-Hanger Cottages offering dramatic, elevated views of the lake,two-bedroom deluxe cottages – Ideal for families, featuring built-in, dedicated kids&#039; spaces and executive villas – designed for premium, private gatherings.

&quot;We built it with family in mind, so there is kids’ accommodation within the cottages,&quot; notes Ms. Ruparelia, emphasizing that the island is built to be a lifestyle destination rather than just a place to sleep.
Beyond accommodation, Paradise Island is built around curated guest experiences. Architect Ivan Martin Kutosi notes that the project was conceptualized to be a vibrant hub for both leisure and business.
The island features dedicated infrastructure for corporate retreats and high-end conferencing, destination weddings and private parties and diverse lifestyle and water-based activities
As global travellers increasingly seek destinations that balance high-end comfort with environmental stewardship, Paradise Island Resort is poised to set a new benchmark for Uganda’s luxury tourism sector.
The launch of Paradise Island Resort comes at a pivotal time for Uganda’s hospitality industry. Historically, tourism has contributed significantly to the nation&#039;s GDP. By offering world-class eco-luxury infrastructure, the resort is positioned to directly boost domestic and international tourism by tapping into the highly lucrative global market of eco-conscious, high-spending travelers.
The property expands the country&#039;s competitive edge within the East African hospitality market. It also aligns with the Uganda Toursim Board’s national marketing drive, &quot;Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa,&quot; by proving that the country can deliver world-class, premium leisure experiences that preserve its unique biodiversity. Furthermore, the island serves as a prime destination for bird-watching enthusiasts, drawing attention to Lake Victoria&#039;s rich birdlife and natural ecosystems. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:07:09 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Energy Ministry Strips UNBS of Yaka Meter Testing Over Endless Delays</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/energy-ministry-strips-unbs-of-yaka-meter-testing-over-endless-delays</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/energy-ministry-strips-unbs-of-yaka-meter-testing-over-endless-delays</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is planning to recall Yaka meter testing from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and manage the process internally. 

The ministry cited limited capacity at the bureau, which has caused massive backlogs and delays in meter distribution and installation across the country.

The development was revealed by State Minister for Energy Sidronius Okaasai during a parliamentary plenary sitting. He was responding to concerns raised by Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale, who questioned the inconsistent and seemingly excessive power consumption of newer meters alongside prolonged distribution delays.

“When you compare the old version, it consumes very well. The new one, the consumption is excessive,” Muzaale stated. “The Minister promised people subsidized meters, we promoted it in the villages and people did everything required. However, there has been a shortage for a very long time.”
The Rollout Bottleneck.

Minister Okaasai assured Parliament that 1,170,000 new meters are currently being rolled out and installed by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). 

He urged citizens to apply directly through their respective district managers. However, he admitted that UNBS is failing to match public demand to io install all 1.17 million meters before the end of the current financial year.
UNBS cannot keep pace with the ministry&#039;s schedule.
The Ministry is taking over the initiative because UNBS &quot;doesn&#039;t understand the urgency,&quot; according to Okaasai.
Procurement Timeline &amp; Phasing Out Old Meters
The government previously laid out a targeted procurement plan to eliminate the meter deficit:
Addressing the complaints over rapid power depletion on newer models, the Ministry acknowledged that the latest digital prepaid meters are highly sensitive. Plans are underway to test all existing meters to ensure a uniform calibration rate while aggressively phasing out and replacing all legacy meters with these updated prepaid units. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202610/image_870x580_6ac3ba134ecc8.jpg" length="79623" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:57:26 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Forget Cash: Why Capital Markets hold the Secret to Uganda&amp;apos;s $500B Dream</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/forget-cash-why-capital-markets-hold-the-secret-to-ugandas-500b-dream</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/forget-cash-why-capital-markets-hold-the-secret-to-ugandas-500b-dream</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Thirty years ago, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) occupied a few modest rooms in the Bank of Uganda basement with a radical premise: that ordinary Ugandans could build wealth through structured investments.
Today, that modest idea has matured into a financial backbone. “Thirty years ago, the fundamental question was: Can Uganda build a functioning capital market? Today, we know the answer. Yes, we can. And yes, we have,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Josephine Ossiya. Under her leadership, the authority has pushed Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) assets under management to roughly UGX 7.06 trillion, while domestic market capitalization on the Uganda Securities Exchange has surpassed UGX 15 trillion.

As the CMA marks its 30-year journey, the questions shifting the landscape are entirely new: How large, inclusive, and innovative can the market become? These answers are urgent as Uganda races toward an extraordinary ambition—building a $500 billion economy by 2040.
“We cannot bank-finance our way to a USD 500 billion economy,” Ossiya highlights. “Banks will remain critical to our economy. But transformational development also requires long-term, patient capital. It requires equity, pension and institutional capital, innovative investment vehicles and capital markets capable of connecting Uganda&#039;s savings with Uganda&#039;s opportunities.”

For years, financial inclusion in Uganda simply meant having access to a bank account or mobile money wallet. The CMA is looking far beyond that baseline.
“Reaching national transformation requires moving past standard transactional inclusion,” Ossiya notes. “With public understanding of capital markets climbing to 60.8%, the next frontier is investment inclusion—empowering teachers, farmers, and young entrepreneurs to own a stake in the country&#039;s economic future.”
To back this vision, the CMA wants to scale up CIS investor accounts—which currently stand over 241,000—to one million funded accounts. They are also aggressively diversifying local instruments, with a strong focus on opening up the market to global cash pools through Uganda&#039;s inaugural sovereign Sukuk. “And this is about much more than introducing another financial product,” she adds. “It is about widening the pool of investors that can participate in financing Uganda.”
To spark everyday participation, the CMA is launching highly practical, community-level campaigns. One standout initiative is the “Explain Capital Markets to Your Grandmother” campaign.
“Because if we cannot explain what we do to our grandmother in language she understands, perhaps we have not understood it well enough ourselves!” Ossiya explains. “Capital markets must cease to sound like something that belongs only to economists, lawyers, investment bankers and people wearing complicated suits. They must become part of everyday conversations about saving, investing, ownership and wealth creation.”
From Kampala’s Kikuubo traders to trending TikTok feeds, the Capital Markets Authority is actively stripping away the jargon. Whether you are a corporate elite or a young Ugandan starting out with just UGX 10,000, the message is clear: the future of building wealth is no longer reserved for the few. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202609/image_870x580_6a97c03a74beb.jpg" length="62838" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 01:53:31 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Digital Shift Could Boost Uganda’s GDP by 2% and Fuel $500B Economic Expansion, Says Mastercard</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/digital-shift-could-boost-ugandas-gdp-by-2-and-fuel-500b-economic-expansion-says-mastercard</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/digital-shift-could-boost-ugandas-gdp-by-2-and-fuel-500b-economic-expansion-says-mastercard</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shifting from cash to digital financial ecosystems could significantly accelerate Uganda’s ambition to scale its economy tenfold by 2040, according to a senior Mastercard executive.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 9th Annual Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA) conference at the Kampala Marriott Hotel, Victor Ndlovu, Mastercard’s Vice President and Head of Business Development for East Africa, noted that transitioning away from cash typically yields a 1% to 2% boost to a nation&#039;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
&quot;That speaks exactly to what we are trying to deliver,&quot; Ndlovu stated. The conference, which Mastercard has sponsored since its inception, focused heavily on how financial institutions can help operationalize the government&#039;s Tenfold Growth Strategy—a blueprint designed to expand the national economy from $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040.
Ndlovu emphasized that digital payments serve as a gateway to the formal economy for underserved consumers and businesses. By replacing cash, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) generate verifiable transaction histories, clearing a path toward formal credit lines.
SMEs represent the backbone of Uganda&#039;s private sector, accounting for 90% of all private enterprises and employing over 2.5 million people, according to the Uganda Investment Authority. Despite their economic weight, access to capital remains a pervasive challenge.
&quot;Today’s challenge, not just here in Uganda but across Africa, is access to capital,&quot; Ndlovu said. &quot;Each digital transaction builds a credit history that banks can use to evaluate loan eligibility. Once credit flows, growth becomes self-sustaining: the more businesses do, the more they produce, and the more they contribute to the economy.&quot;
Uganda’s digital money ecosystem has experienced rapid growth. Data from the Bank of Uganda reveals that electronic money transactions surged 28.6% to 326.3 trillion shillings in the year ending June 2025. Furthermore, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reported 37.8 million active mobile money subscriptions in the second quarter of this year, driving 2.55 billion transactions.
While card payments have historically lagged behind mobile money, Mastercard is focused on infrastructure synergy rather than competition. Uganda boasts over half a million mobile money merchants, far outnumbering card-accepting venues. To bridge this gap, Mastercard is deploying low-cost solutions that turn standard smartphones into payment acceptance terminals, eliminating the need for expensive point-of-sale hardware.
This strategy aligns with rising device penetration. UCC data confirms that active mobile internet subscriptions grew to 19.7 million in Q2 2026, alongside an increase in active smartphone users to 20.5 million.
Mastercard’s digital agenda includes several tailored initiatives across key economic sectors:
Through its Community Pass platform, Mastercard provides digital credentials to 1.2 million Ugandan farmers. The system works offline, allowing rural farmers to purchase inputs via digital marketplaces and establish credit profiles with commercial lenders.
Having surpassed its global target of connecting 50 million small businesses to the digital economy, Mastercard has integrated 37 million women-led enterprises. Ndlovu highlighted a local success story near Lake Victoria, where a female entrepreneur used partner bank credit to scale her fishing business into regional markets.
Remittance inflows reached $2.5 billion in 2025 (accounting for 3.8% of GDP), narrowly outpacing coffee exports ($2.46 billion). Digital channels facilitate nearly 75% of these inflows, with mobile wallets handling 61% of receipts. Mastercard has lowered transfer fees to roughly 4%, down from the traditional 8% market average, while allowing senders to earmark funds directly for essentials like tuition or healthcare.
Digital transactions streamline regional commerce. &quot;If I’m selling goods in Uganda and want to export to Kenya, I am no longer limited by the physical cash I can carry,&quot; Ndlovu noted, citing reduced transit theft risks and faster payout settlement.
Operating in Uganda since 1999—originally launching with Barclays Bank—Mastercard now manages a dedicated local team in its Kampala office, positioning Uganda as its second fastest-growing market in East Africa. Partnerships with telecom giants Airtel and MTN have enabled virtual cards linked directly to mobile wallets, opening international e-commerce to unbanked individuals.
To secure these transactions, the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS) applies artificial intelligence to evaluate over a thousand data points per transaction, including IP addresses and merchant profiles, calculating instantaneous risk scores to protect consumer funds.
Looking ahead, Mastercard is rolling out tap-to-pay wearables for schoolchildren—complete with parental spending controls—and partnering with universities to issue prepaid student cards for tuition and campus dining. The company&#039;s upcoming corporate initiative, B2B Wallet, will facilitate high-value, compliant real-time commercial payments across major global trade pathways, including China.
Ndlovu concluded by reiterating Mastercard’s commitment to collaborating with the Bank of Uganda and regional policymakers to build trusted, secure digital payment networks. &quot;The world is moving forward and not waiting,&quot; he said. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 20:12:17 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>EQUITY BANK LAUNCHES CLIMATE CHANGE FUND TO SUPPORT FARMERS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/equity-banl-launches-climate-change-fund-to-support-farmers</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/equity-banl-launches-climate-change-fund-to-support-farmers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ugandan smallholder farmers and rural businesses are among the intended beneficiaries of a new US$200 million (about Shs755 billion) financing mechanism, led by Equity Group and the UN’s rural development fund, to help East African producers invest in measures to withstand the effects of climate change.

The Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism (ARCAFIM) was launched on Friday by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Equity Group at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda. Ugandan government representatives attended alongside officials from the other participating countries.

The 12-year mechanism will operate in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. According to the organisers, it targets about 260,000 smallholder farmers and 500 rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), at least half of them women and 30 percent youth.

The organisers say ARCAFIM combines US$180 million in lending capital with about US$20 million in technical assistance. Because the lending capital is designed to revolve over roughly four investment cycles, they expect it to generate about US$266 million in loans over the life of the programme.

Equity Group is the private-sector partner in the arrangement. Of the US$180 million lending base, US$90 million comes from the group’s own balance sheet, matching the concessional public contribution one for one. The organisers say credit risk is shared across the portfolio, with international financing partners covering first losses, a middle layer shared with the bank, and Equity carrying the senior risk — an arrangement they say leaves a commercial lender bearing risk alongside public capital rather than merely administering it.

Equity Group will deliver the financing through its banking subsidiaries in the four countries, which in Uganda means Equity Bank Uganda, one of the group’s operations across seven African markets. The organisers say the money will reach farmers directly and through microfinance institutions, savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) and value-chain companies.

ARCAFIM is co-financed by the Green Climate Fund, which has committed US$55 million; the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, which is providing US$30 million in returnable capital; the Nordic Development Fund; the Government of Denmark; and the European Union.

Speaking at the launch, IFAD Vice President Dr Gérardine Mukeshimana said the success of climate adaptation finance would depend on turning global commitments into investments that reached rural communities. “ARCAFIM’s ambition is to make rural climate adaptation a recognisable, viable and sustainable business line for African financial institutions,” she said. “The mechanism is starting in East Africa, but it is designed to be adapted and replicated across Africa.”

Dr James Mwangi, group managing director and chief executive of Equity Group Holdings, said the mechanism was intended to treat rural borrowers as commercially viable rather than as recipients of aid. “By committing our own balance sheet alongside concessional capital, we are not funding a project — we are building a market, one in which lending climate resilience becomes an ordinary banking business rather than an act of charity,” he said.

The organisers say the financing will support investments such as irrigation and water harvesting, dairy and livestock resilience, post-harvest storage, renewable energy and climate-resilient agro-processing. The technical assistance is meant to build the capacity of the participating institutions to originate adaptation lending.

Moses Nyabanda, managing director of Equity Bank Kenya, who signed the agreements for the bank alongside Dr Mukeshimana for IFAD, said the goal was to enable farmers and agricultural businesses to adapt, raise production and grow incomes. The signing ceremony was presided over by Hannington Namara, managing director of Equity Bank Rwanda.

The organisers estimate the programme could strengthen food security for about 1.2 million people and benefit some 1.5 million in total, directly and indirectly, though they did not give a country-by-country breakdown. IFAD and Equity Group say they have identified Southern and West Africa as the next candidate regions once the model is proven. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202609/image_870x580_6aa01da6f0c5d.jpg" length="65776" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:38:00 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>DEMAND YOUR EFRIS RECEIPT FROM LAND LORDS,URA APPEALS TO TENANTS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/demand-your-efris-receipt-from-land-lordsura-appeals-to-tenants-246</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/demand-your-efris-receipt-from-land-lordsura-appeals-to-tenants-246</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has urged tenants to demand Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) receipts from landlords whenever they pay rent, warning that receipts showing amounts lower than the actual rent paid could facilitate the concealment of rental income.
In a notice to tenants, URA said rental receipts should accurately reflect the amount actually paid, stressing that obtaining an EFRIS receipt is a tenant’s right under the law.
“The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) encourages you to request an EFRIS receipt from your landlord every time you pay rent,” the tax authority said.
URA said the receipt enables tenants to properly substantiate their rental expenses and, where applicable, claim the correct input VAT.
“The receipt should reflect the actual amount of rent paid. This is your right under the law and helps you properly substantiate your rental expense and, where applicable, claim the correct input VAT,” URA said.
The tax authority said it had observed instances where landlords issue receipts showing amounts lower than what tenants actually pay.
“URA has observed instances where rent is consistently increased, but due to the non-issuance of EFRIS receipts or the issuance of receipts showing amounts lower than the actual rent paid, it becomes difficult to establish the actual rental income received,” the authority said.
According to URA, such practices can make it difficult for the tax authority to determine the actual rental income earned by landlords, potentially facilitating tax evasion.
“This facilitates the concealment of rental income and shields non-compliance,” URA warned.
The authority urged tenants not to accept receipts that do not correspond with the actual amount they have paid.
“Be firm in requesting your EFRIS receipt. Do not accept a receipt showing an amount different from the rent you actually pay,” URA said.
URA further cautioned tenants against allowing themselves to bear the inconvenience arising from a landlord’s failure to comply with tax requirements.
“Do not allow yourself to be inconvenienced because of your landlord’s non-compliance. Demand your EFRIS receipt. It is your right,” the notice stated.
The authority said compliance with the requirement would help protect both tenants and government revenue against tax leakage.
“Let us work together to protect you and protect the tax,” URA said.
The notice comes as URA continues to use EFRIS to improve the recording of business transactions, strengthen tax compliance and enhance the accuracy of information available to the tax authority.
The system is intended to provide a more reliable electronic record of transactions, helping the authority improve tax administration and identify potential cases of non-compliance.
EFRIS is the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution. It is a business solution that enables businesses to record transactions and share transaction information with the Uganda Revenue Authority in real time. The solution ensures transparency and accuracy which enables collection of correct taxes.
EFRIS was introduced in 2020 to replace traditional paper invoicing with an electronic system that transmits transaction data to URA in real time ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:52:39 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Speke Resort Covention Centre Wins World Travel  Award</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/speke-resort-covention-centre-wins-world-travel-award</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/speke-resort-covention-centre-wins-world-travel-award</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo has solidified its dominant position in the regional hospitality sector after being named Uganda’s Leading Conference Hotel 2026 at the prestigious World Travel Awards.

The landmark achievement was announced alongside a sweeping promotional image showcasing the venue’s massive, modern state-of-the-art conference hall, underlining the facility’s scale and capability to handle world-class gatherings.

The vast property boasts 476 guest rooms alongside 41 versatile meeting venues, positioning it as a key driver of the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.

Over the years, the venue has cemented its reputation as Uganda’s primary stage for global diplomacy and corporate conventions.

It regularly hosts high-profile gatherings, including diplomatic delegations, regional Heads of State summits, and major international milestones such as the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

This latest accolade further confirms Speke Resort’s standing as an powerhouse in East Africa’s MICE tourism landscape. The award comes on the heels of another major global triumph earlier this year, when the property was crowned the world’s Best Luxury Convention Resort at the 2026 Luxe Global Awards.

Tourism analysts and hospitality stakeholders note that the World Travel Awards recognition reinforces Uganda’s growing competitiveness in attracting high-value international business travel. With continued infrastructure investment and international strategic partnerships, Speke Resort Convention Centre continues to elevate Uganda’s profile as a premier destination for global summits and luxury hospitality

The Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala is Uganda’s premier, state-of-the-art lakeside convention and events venue set along the shores of Lake Victoria.

As a premier venue for events, Speke Resort Convention Centre provides a distinguished platform that attracts thought leaders, industry experts, and visionaries. The centre’s curated events facilitate meaningful conversations, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities. By hosting exceptional speakers, Speke Resort Convention Centre inspires attendees to gain new perspectives and reach new heights in their endeavours. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202609/image_870x580_6a9798ff4bd5d.jpg" length="135404" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:32:09 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Property Mogul Pledges to Keep Rajiv Legacy Shining</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bnak-strengthens-commitment-towards-cancer-redcution-as-thousands-join-the-run</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bnak-strengthens-commitment-towards-cancer-redcution-as-thousands-join-the-run</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia has pledged to keep Rajiv Ruparelia humanitarian legacy alive.Arranging Memorial And Funeral Services

He made the commitment as he received the Pan-African Pyramid Humanitarian Award 2026 on behalf of Rajiv during the ninth edition of the awards held at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

In his humble remarks after receiving the award, Sudhir promised to continue supporting the initiative and make his Speke Resort in Munyonyo its permanent home.

 “I’m a man of few words. I will continue supporting and hosting these awards every year. We want to make this a home for the Pan-African Pyramids in Uganda. Thank you so much,” he said.Donating To Tax-Deductible Charitable Causes

The Pan African ceremony was held under the theme “Honoring the Humanitarian Legacy of Rajiv Ruparelia” brought together Pan-Africanists,  business leaders, politicians and humanitarians attracted guests from Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and the United States, including South Africa’s former Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Khanyisile Litchfield Tshabalala, Ghanaian businessman and humanitarian Clinton Arko Agyemang, United States-based Pan-Africanist Ayo Kimath, a Jamaican delegation led by Ms. Blossom Thomas, among a number of Ugandan dignitaries.

Andrew Irumba, the founder of the awards, described Sudhir  support as part of the effort to build a platform that brings Africans and people of African descent together around the ideals of unity, humanity and development.

Irumba said Rajiv’s importance went beyond his business achievements, arguing that the true measure of his life was the impact he made on other people.Exploring African Diaspora Media

 “The measure of a life is not how long one lives, but how deeply one impacts humanity,” Irumba told the gathering.

He compared Rajiv’s relatively short life with those of influential figures who also died young, including Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Steve Biko, Amilcar Cabral and Che Guevara.

 According to Irumba, their examples show that a person doesn’t need to live for decades to leave a lasting mark on humanity.

 “This teaches us something extraordinary, that longevity is not merely a measure with the number of years we spend on Earth. It is measured by the number of lives we touch, the ideas we plant, and the humanity we leave behind,” he said.Arranging Memorial And Funeral Services

 Irumba also recalled his personal encounter with Rajiv while developing his Pan-African initiative, saying the late businessman was among the first people to show practical interest in his ideas.

He said when he approached Rajiv, the business mogul’s son asked him a simple but significant question, of “how much support was needed?”

That response, for the Pan-African journalist demonstrated Rajiv’s willingness to turn ideas into action and support initiatives intended to benefit others.

 Irumba called for stronger economic integration, greater movement of people and ideas, increased intra-African trade and investment, and the development of African industries capable of adding value to the continent’s minerals and other resources.Downloading Digital Travel Guides

 “The African border should be an administrative line, not a psychological wall,” he said.

According to Irumba the decision to honour Rajiv came more than a year after his death in a road crash that shocked the country’s business, sports and humanitarian communities.

 Rajiv served as Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group and was involved in the family’s business interests, while also building a reputation in motorsport and humanitarian activities ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:08:58 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Airtel Money,NSSF Renew  Business Partnership</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bnak-strengthens-commitment-towards-cancer-redcution-as-thousands-join-the-run-237</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bnak-strengthens-commitment-towards-cancer-redcution-as-thousands-join-the-run-237</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, trading as Airtel Money, and the National Social Security Fund   have renewed a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to voluntary social security savings through Smart Life, NSSF’s flexible savings solution designed for Uganda’s informal and emerging workforce.

The partnership seeks to accelerate financial inclusion and promote a culture of long-term saving by leveraging Airtel Uganda’s extensive digital ecosystem, customer reach, and Airtel Money platform to make saving easier, more accessible, and more convenient for Ugandans.

As of 28th August 2026, less than 2 years since its launch, Smart Life Flexi’s total asset size stood at UGX199.3 billion and over 130,000 enrolments. Airtel Uganda, with a customer base of over 20 million subscribers, provides a powerful platform to rapidly scale enrolment and participation through digital channels, Airtel Money, and targeted customer engagement initiatives.

Through this partnership, Ugandans will be able to conveniently enroll for Smart Life and make contributions digitally using Airtel Money, enabling them to build financial security regardless of how or when they earn their income.

Speaking about the partnership, Japhet Aritho, Managing Director, Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, said: “At Airtel Money, we are committed to providing solutions that improve the lives of our customers. Through this partnership with NSSF, we are making it easier for Ugandans to access long-term savings through simple and convenient digital channels. Whether you are a trader, boda rider, farmer, entrepreneur, or self-employed professional, SmartLife gives you an opportunity to save consistently and secure your future.”

He added that the partnership reflects Airtel Money’s broader commitment to advancing financial inclusion by connecting customers to essential financial services through technology they use every day.

Gerald Paul Kasaato, the NSSF Deputy Managing Director said:“SmartLife was created to extend social security coverage to all Ugandans in the formal sector and the informal sector, as well as the diaspora.

Our partnership with Airtel Money enables us to reach more people where they are,using a trusted digital platform that they interact with daily. Together, we are making it easier for Ugandans to start saving for their future, regardless of their income level,”Kasaato said.

A key feature of the initiative is its affordability and accessibility. Customers can start saving with as little as UGX 500, making SmartLife accessible to a wide range of Ugandans. In addition, every contribution attracts transaction charges as low as UGX 150, ensuring that customers can save conveniently at minimal cost.

The partnership will be supported by a comprehensive awareness campaign across Airtel and NSSF digital platforms, social media, customer engagement activations, financial literacy initiatives, and community outreach programs aimed at educating Ugandans on the importance of long-term saving.

By combining NSSF’s expertise in social security and long-term savings with Airtel Money’s extensive reach and digital capabilities, the two organizations aim to deepen financial inclusion, encourage a culture of saving, and empower more Ugandans to build a secure financial future.

The National Social Security Fund Uganda is a multi-trillion Fund mandated by the Government through the NSSF Act (Cap 230), to provide social security services to all eligible employees in Uganda. The Fund manages assets worth over UGX32 trillion, invested in Fixed Income, Equities, and Real Estate assets within the East Africa region. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:08:58 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Trade Minister Calls For Joint Marketing of East Africa Region</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/trade-minister-calls-for-joint-marketing-of-east-africa-region</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/trade-minister-calls-for-joint-marketing-of-east-africa-region</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The minister of Trade Sanjay Tanna has urged East African Community countries to stop viewing each other mainly as competitors and instead market the region as one economic and tourism destination.
Officiating at 30th Anniversary of Private Sector Foundation of Uganda in Kampala,Tana said every country in the region has unique attractions and products that can contribute to the growth of the wider East African economy.
“Each country in the region has something unique that can attract tourists,” he said, pointing to Uganda’s River Nile, mountain gorillas and Murchison Falls as examples of attractions that can draw visitors to the region.
He urged Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and other EAC member states to jointly promote East Africa as a single tourism destination.
“We should make East Africa one tourism centre. It is high time that Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and other member states market East Africa together because this will benefit all of us,” Tanna said.
He also encouraged other EAC countries to increase trade with Uganda, saying the country has expanded its manufacturing capacity and is now producing a wider range of goods for both regional and international markets.
Tanna said Uganda should no longer be viewed mainly as an exporter of traditional agricultural products such as maize and beans because its industrial sector has grown significantly.
“Gone are the days when Uganda had only maize and beans. Today, Uganda is a manufacturing hub in terms of many products and we now have the capacity to export goods to the rest of the world,” he said.
The minister called on businesses across the region to take advantage of Uganda’s growing manufacturing sector and work together to strengthen regional value chains.
“Let us trade together,” he said.
“PSFU has been a longstanding and valued partner of Government in promoting entrepreneurship, investment, industrialisation and a competitive business environment. We remain committed to working closely with the private sector to unlock opportunities, strengthen local industries and accelerate inclusive economic growth.” — Hon.Sanjay said.
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Chairman Humphrey Nzeyi urged East African Community member states to remove non-tariff barriers and protectionist policies that continue to make it difficult for businesses to trade across the region.

He said inconsistent policies, differences in bank interest rates and restrictions on the movement of workers are among the challenges slowing down regional trade and economic growth.

Nzeyi said East African countries must create a business environment where companies can trade freely across borders instead of protecting their domestic markets at the expense of regional integration.

“Trade must be inclusive to all EAC member states,” Nzeyi said, urging governments to review policies that make it difficult for businesses to operate across national borders.

He said businesses also face difficulties because borrowing costs differ from one country to another, making it harder for companies to compete on an equal footing.

Nzeyi called for greater harmonisation of financial and trade policies across the region, while noting that the private sector plays an important role in creating jobs, increasing production and contributing to national economic growth.

He also called on EAC member states to make it easier for citizens of the region to work in other member countries without unnecessary restrictions.

“We want people of East Africa to freely work in any country without the requirement for work permits,” he said.

Nzeyi urged EAC governments to identify and remove policies that favour local businesses at the expense of companies from other member states, saying such measures undermine the purpose of regional integration.

The EAC is made up of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, with the region seeking to deepen trade and economic cooperation among member states. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202608/image_870x580_6a87f5cbb3a86.jpg" length="111948" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:57:10 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ugandand Advised to Seize Trade and Investment Opportunities in UAE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ugandand-advised-to-seize-trade-and-investment-opportunities-in-uae</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ugandand-advised-to-seize-trade-and-investment-opportunities-in-uae</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As Uganda  seeks to deepen trade and investment ties with the United Arab Emirates Ugandans have been urged to seize Trade opportunities in United RAB emirates as the two countries prepare for the 5th Edition of the UAE–Uganda Business Forum, scheduled for October 26 to 29, 2026 in Dubai.

Addressing the media in Kampala Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, said the forum will focus on turning the growing bilateral relationship into concrete investments, export deals and partnerships between businesses from the two countries.

“The forum will be held across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah and is expected to bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, financial institutions, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders,”he stated.

Kibedi noted that the forum comes at a critical time   when UAE has become an increasingly important partner for Uganda in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, energy and other sectors.

Kibedi  however said Uganda  will use the forum to move beyond dialogue and generate concrete business transactions, investment commitments, partnerships and market-access opportunities.

He said the forum will focus on agriculture and agro-processing, trade and exports, investment, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy, logistics and air cargo, manufacturing, financial services and technology.

According to  Ambassador  Henry Mayiga  trade between  Uganda and United Arab Emirates has  reached US$4.7 billion in 2025 up from US$2.7 billion in 2024 and about US$600 million in 2018.

UAE became the global leading market destination for Ugandan products since October 2025 and Investment flows  increased  to  US$3.5 billion in 2025, compared with US$300 million in 2018.

He further said  that  UAE has become a second home for over 150,000 Ugandans as of 2025 from about 50,000 in 2018.

Mayiga noted the growing trade value between Uganda and the UAE, which reached $4.7 billion as of last October, emphasizing the importance of Ugandan participation in the event.

He  noted that relocating the business forum from Uganda to the UAE aligns with the government&#039;s ambitious goal of reaching a $500 billion GDP by 2040.

In Conclusion Kibedi  urged Ugandan businesses and exporters to take advantage of the forum to establish commercial relationships and gain access to the UAE market.

“We are particularly keen to see increased participation by the private sector,” he said.

Kibedi said the success of the forum should be judged by the business outcomes generated rather than simply the number of meetings held.

“The success of this Forum will ultimately be measured not only by the number of meetings held, but by the contracts signed, investments secured, exports generated, partnerships established and jobs created,” he said.

He said Uganda’s diplomatic mission in the UAE will continue to provide market intelligence, facilitate business matchmaking and support Ugandan companies seeking international markets.

“Our Mission continues to identify opportunities, undertake market intelligence, facilitate business matchmaking and support Ugandan enterprises seeking access to international markets,” he said.

Kibedi also called on government agencies, financial institutions, investors and the private sector to participate in the four-day forum.

“We call upon Ugandan businesses, investors, exporters, financial institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders to actively participate in this important initiative,” he said. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202608/image_870x580_6a8484624fc2b.jpg" length="58571" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:18:24 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ministry Of Trade ,Ceo Forum Collabirate To Address Bottlenecks To Industrialiation</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ministry-of-trade-ceo-forum-collabirate-to-address-bottlenecks-to-industrialiation</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ministry-of-trade-ceo-forum-collabirate-to-address-bottlenecks-to-industrialiation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has held a meeting with board members of the Presidential CEO Forum for Uganda in which they discussed how to strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions to address the critical challenges faced by investors/manufacturers with a goal of achieving Uganda’s strategy of expanding the size of the economy to USD 500 billion by 2040.

In a meeting that was chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna, and attended by the Minister of State for Trade Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the chairman of the Presidential CEO Forum and the Executive Chairman of Cipla Quality Chemicals Industries Limited, Emmanuel Katongole, noted that the CEO Forum desires a strong working relationship with the Ministry of Trade to address the bottlenecks faced by manufacturers and industrialists that have greatly contributed to the rising cost of doing business.

Katongole said among the most pressing challenges is the increasing number of sub-standard products on the Ugandan market that outcompete the genuine products by the registered manufacturers, and the delays in certification of products.

“There are many people duplicating our products. We have engaged UNBS on the issue of certification and the substandard products on the market, however, little has been done to address these issues. Our complaints to UNBS also take long to be responded to”, exclaimed Katongole

He also noted the fragmented supply chains, the limited access to finance, limited value addition to Ugandan products, coupled with the increasing corruption, has cripple the country’s industrialization agenda. “Most of our products leave the country with limited or no processing, and therefore, we end up exporting the jobs and incomes for our people”, noted Katongole

Katongole added that Government and the private sector alone cannot independently solve all these bottlenecks to Uganda’s industrialization agenda. He called for a coordinated execution framework founded on trust, evidence, and continuous dialogue.

Deo Kayemba, a board member of the Presidential CEO Forum and managing director East African Roofing Systems Limited emphasized to strengthen the capacity of UNBS saying ‘quality is the key passport to the market’. He urged the ministry of Trade to expedite the implementation of the competition law to regulate the big players in the market and protect the MSMEs from the big players who receive incentives from government.

In response, Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi explained that the Ministry of Trade is working closely with UNBS to enhance the agency’s capacity to address the challenge of substandard products and with the recently enhanced UNBS budget, the amount of time taken to certify products has reduced from 4 months to 1 and half to 2 months, and the time taken to clear imported products has also tremendously reduced from 10 to 15 days to 3 hours for compliant clients.

Mbadi reiterated the ministry’s commitment to sustaining the markets that Uganda has negotiated by ensuring that the country has the right quality and quantities. “We need to build a robust cooperative union to boost production, address the Non-Tariff Barriers especially with our neighbors in the EAC, give support to our MSMEs and reduce time for clearance at the borders in order to boost trade”, said Mbadi

Hon. Sanjay Tanna acknowledged that there are some unscrupulous individuals within UNBS that his ministry is going to deal with to ensure that the agency serves the purpose for which it was established.

He noted that Uganda’s Ten-Fold Strategy is attainable because the government has already laid a foundation by working on the infrastructure especially the roads, power supply, water supply among others, and also provided the security. What needs to be done is to work with technocrats to ensure that government programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.

Tanna implored the Presidential CEO Forum to change the way they are doing things and use the platform to properly guided the investors. He urged them to work with his ministry develop a digitalized electronic database for all industries in Uganda. “We have failed to properly plan for our people because we do not have the correct statistics with each institution producing their own figures”, noted Tanna

He also urged all stakeholders to put emphasis on skilling Ugandans instead of accumulating paper qualifications saying industries are looking for skilled people not qualifications.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has held a meeting with board members of the Presidential CEO Forum for Uganda in which they discussed how to strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions to address the critical challenges faced by investors/manufacturers with a goal of achieving Uganda’s strategy of expanding the size of the economy to USD 500 billion by 2040.

In a meeting that was chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna, and attended by the Minister of State for Trade Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the chairman of the Presidential CEO Forum and the Executive Chairman of Cipla Quality Chemicals Industries Limited, Emmanuel Katongole, noted that the CEO Forum desires a strong working relationship with the Ministry of Trade to address the bottlenecks faced by manufacturers and industrialists that have greatly contributed to the rising cost of doing business.

Katongole said among the most pressing challenges is the increasing number of sub-standard products on the Ugandan market that outcompete the genuine products by the registered manufacturers, and the delays in certification of products.

“There are many people duplicating our products. We have engaged UNBS on the issue of certification and the substandard products on the market, however, little has been done to address these issues. Our complaints to UNBS also take long to be responded to”, exclaimed Katongole

He also noted the fragmented supply chains, the limited access to finance, limited value addition to Ugandan products, coupled with the increasing corruption, has cripple the country’s industrialization agenda. “Most of our products leave the country with limited or no processing, and therefore, we end up exporting the jobs and incomes for our people”, noted Katongole

Katongole added that Government and the private sector alone cannot independently solve all these bottlenecks to Uganda’s industrialization agenda. He called for a coordinated execution framework founded on trust, evidence, and continuous dialogue.

Deo Kayemba, a board member of the Presidential CEO Forum and managing director East African Roofing Systems Limited emphasized to strengthen the capacity of UNBS saying ‘quality is the key passport to the market’. He urged the ministry of Trade to expedite the implementation of the competition law to regulate the big players in the market and protect the MSMEs from the big players who receive incentives from government.

In response, Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi explained that the Ministry of Trade is working closely with UNBS to enhance the agency’s capacity to address the challenge of substandard products and with the recently enhanced UNBS budget, the amount of time taken to certify products has reduced from 4 months to 1 and half to 2 months, and the time taken to clear imported products has also tremendously reduced from 10 to 15 days to 3 hours for compliant clients.

Mbadi reiterated the ministry’s commitment to sustaining the markets that Uganda has negotiated by ensuring that the country has the right quality and quantities. “We need to build a robust cooperative union to boost production, address the Non-Tariff Barriers especially with our neighbors in the EAC, give support to our MSMEs and reduce time for clearance at the borders in order to boost trade”, said Mbadi

Hon. Sanjay Tanna acknowledged that there are some unscrupulous individuals within UNBS that his ministry is going to deal with to ensure that the agency serves the purpose for which it was established.

He noted that Uganda’s Ten-Fold Strategy is attainable because the government has already laid a foundation by working on the infrastructure especially the roads, power supply, water supply among others, and also provided the security. What needs to be done is to work with technocrats to ensure that government programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.

Tanna implored the Presidential CEO Forum to change the way they are doing things and use the platform to properly guided the investors. He urged them to work with his ministry develop a digitalized electronic database for all industries in Uganda. “We have failed to properly plan for our people because we do not have the correct statistics with each institution producing their own figures”, noted Tanna

He also urged all stakeholders to put emphasis on skilling Ugandans instead of accumulating paper qualifications saying industries are looking for skilled people not qualifications. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202608/image_870x580_6a79428cbe513.jpg" length="106055" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:29:56 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Uganda Renews Business With Saudi Arabia</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-renews-business-with-saudi-arabia</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-renews-business-with-saudi-arabia</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Uganda has renewed its call for stronger trade and investment partnerships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highlighting opportunities in agro-processing, tourism, mining, science and technology, as well as digital infrastructure.

Uganda has a persistent trade deficit with Saudi Arabia, importing significantly more goods and services than she exports in bilateral commerce. Uganda exports to Saudi Arabia are currently valued at US$9.11 million, mainly consisting of coffee, agricultural products like tea and spices, chilled meat, alongside a major service export in migrant labor. Uganda’s total imports from Saudi Arabia are currently valued at approximately $149.15 million, consisting primarily of plastics, fertilizers, and sugar among others.

Uganda’s key exports to Saudi Arabia include coffee, agricultural products, and newly introduced shipments of chilled meat, alongside a major service export in migrant labor. Total recorded merchandise trade remains modest, with specific categories growing through recent bilateral value-addition partnerships.Travel Guides &amp; Travelogues

Speaking during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Uganda, H.E. Mohammed Bin Khalil Faroudah, the Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna emphasized that Uganda is open for business and ready to work with Saudi investors to unlock the country’s vast economic potential.

“We are here to work. Uganda is ready for business. The opportunities are immense, and we need your collaboration and support,” the minister said.

He noted that the Government of Uganda is currently focusing on strengthening economic cooperation with the Gulf countries particularly Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and others, with agro-processing identified as a key area for collaboration.Hon. Tanna said Uganda is adopting a demand-driven production model to ensure farmers produce according to market needs rather than speculative production, which often results in oversupply and low prices.

He further highlighted investment and export opportunities across several value chains, including maize, beans, milk, poultry, beef, fish, cassava, cocoa, honey and shea butter. He persuaded Saudi Arabia to buy Uganda’s sugar, saying that Uganda currently produces nearly 300,000 tonnes of surplus sugar annually, with capacity to increase production to 500,000 tonnes if additional export markets are secured.

“We need your support to find markets for our products. Uganda has enormous agricultural potential and is one of the most fertile countries in the region,” he said.

Beyond agriculture, the minister invited Saudi investors to explore Uganda’s tourism sector, citing attractions such as Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the source of the River Nile and the Rwenzori Mountains.

He also encouraged investment in mineral value addition, manufacturing and technology-driven industries, noting that Uganda seeks partnerships that will promote industrialization rather than the export of raw materials.Travel Guides &amp; Travelogues

In the digital economy, the minister disclosed that discussions are underway with a Saudi company interested in establishing a data centre in Uganda in partnership with an Indian firm.

“I have already briefed the Minister of ICT, and we shall continue discussions before formally engaging you on the proposed data centre project,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia’s growing investments in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure present opportunities for collaboration.

Responding to the proposals, H.E. Mohammed Bin Khalil Faroudah welcomed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations and emphasized the importance of continued engagement between government officials and technical teams to translate opportunities into concrete investments.The ambassador also emphasized the operationalization of the Saudi-Uganda Joint Technical Committee for Trade Development that was established in 2025 to provide a structured platform for bilateral dialogue between the two countries, address trade barriers, and boost economic cooperation.

“We need to fast-track the implementation of the Joint Technical Committee. The officials and technical groups from both countries should meet together to discuss how to move this forward. I am more than willing,” Ambassador Faroudah said.

The discussions reflect Uganda’s broader efforts to position itself as a preferred investment destination for Gulf countries by leveraging its agricultural potential, tourism attractions, mineral resources and growing digital economy while strengthening trade and economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202608/image_870x580_6a72ead4282c7.jpg" length="57311" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:49:55 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Godfrey Byekaso Takes Over Centenary Bank</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/godfrey-byekaso-takes-over-centary-bank-management</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/godfrey-byekaso-takes-over-centary-bank-management</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Centenary Bank’s new Managing Director Godfrey Byekwaso has  formally taken over management of Centenary Bank closing 16-yeas chapter of his predecessor Fabian Kasi.
He assumed the role on 1 July 2026, succeeding Kasi, who had led Centenary since 2010. Byekwaso is a long-serving member of the Centenary group, joining the Ugandan bank in 2012 as general manager for finance. In 2023 he was appointed deputy managing director of Centenary Bank Malawi, the group’s first cross-border venture and the first such expansion by a Ugandan bank, before being elevated to managing director there in October 2024. 
He is credited with turning the Malawi operation to profitability, with deposits rising 55% and assets 46% in his first full year at the helm. Earlier in his career he held executive positions at FINCA Uganda and FINCA International’s Africa region.
A certified public accountant and fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Byekwaso holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting from Makerere University. He has also chaired the operations committee of the Bankers Association of Malawi and sits on the Global Preparers Forum, a body affiliated with the International Accounting Standards Board.
He takes charge of a bank of considerable scale. As of December 2025, Centenary held assets exceeding Shs8.6 trillion, posted profit after tax of Shs424.2 billion, and served more than 3.4 million customers, with deposits of Shs5.27 trillion and a loan book of Shs4.16 trillion.
Byekwaso has signalled continuity over rupture, telling an earlier media engagement that his priority would be to protect the trust customers place in the bank while quickening the pace of digital service. “Customers now want speed service, convenient service, and therefore we need to accelerate our delivery of that good customer experience,” he said, adding that the bank would keep serving farmers, youth, women and rural communities through accessible financial solutions. He described inheriting an institution in good health rather than one in crisis, thanking Kasi for handing over “a ship that is not docking but continuing to sail.”
Kasi, for his part, is not leaving the fold. He moves up to become chief executive of Centenary Group, the holding company overseeing Centenary Bank, Centenary Bank Malawi, Centenary Technology Services, Centenary Foundation and Centenary Property Development and Management Services. He is expected to support Byekwaso through the transition before fully assuming his group responsibilities, framing the moment as one of stewardship rather than ownership. “When we are given institutions to lead, we don’t own them, but rather we are supposed to steward them and ensure that we leave them in a better state than we found them,” Kasi said.
Under Kasi’s tenure, Centenary grew from an indigenous, church-founded lender into one of Uganda’s dominant banks, expanding its branch footprint, deepening financial inclusion and building out its digital channels


Byekwaso was accompanied to the Central Bank by Executive Director for Operations Michael Opira and by Kasi, whose presence underscored a deliberately phased handover. The introduction carries regulatory weight: managing director appointments at commercial banks require the approval of the Bank of Uganda, which Byekwaso secured ahead of taking office.
Centenary Bank is Uganda&#039;s leading microfinance-oriented commercial bank, achieving massive growth through strong asset expansion, a widespread rural footprint, and strategic financial inclusion. It operates over 80 branches and thousands of agent banking locations nationwide
The Bank grew past UGX 8.6 trillion, cementing its place as one of the largest financial institutions in the country.
The Bank serves over 3.4 million active customers, heavily targeting rural communities, smallholder farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202608/image_870x580_6a71924fcdfe4.jpg" length="95308" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:22:13 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Absa Group,Dhl Express to Support SMES Trade Across Africa</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/absa-groupdhl-express-to-support-smes-trade-across-africa</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/absa-groupdhl-express-to-support-smes-trade-across-africa</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Absa Group  and DHL Express have signed an agreement to help small and medium-sized busineses across sub-Saharan Africa trade beyond their national borders.
The memorandum of understanding, signed in Johannesburg, falls under DHL’s GoTrade programme, which aims to draw smaller firms into international markets by lowering the barriers that typically keep them out. Among those barriers, the two companies said, are a lack of logistics knowledge, limited access to financing, complex trade regulations and weak digital capacity.
Under the deal, DHL will bring its shipping network and cross-border expertise while Absa contributes its banking and digital services, with the stated aim of giving entrepreneurs the tools to move goods across the continent and into global markets. DHL said it would deploy facilitators and trade-lane experts to train businesses within Absa’s customer network, using a curriculum called “Trade and Grow Beyond Borders” made up of 14 modules pitched at firms at different stages of growth.
The two sides also plan to develop banking and logistics packages tailored to businesses that trade across borders, including those adopting greener supply-chain practices.
“Our main goal is to ensure we provide our African SMEs with the tools they need to access and participate in the global marketplace,” said Hennie Heymans, chief executive of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa. Heymans said combining logistics with financial and digital services would help entrepreneurs move beyond local markets.
For Absa, the appeal lies in the weight small businesses carry in African economies. “SMEs are the engine of inclusive growth in Africa, creating jobs, strengthening communities and expanding the continent’s participation in global trade,” said Faisal Mkhize, the bank’s managing executive for business development in pan-African business banking. Mkhize said the partnership would give customers practical access to trade knowledge, e-commerce tools and sustainable solutions. 
Absa, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, is one of Africa’s largest financial services groups, with banking operations in ten countries including Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. DHL Group, the logistics company’s parent, reported revenues of about €82.9bn in 2025 and employs some 389,000 people worldwide.
The companies said the agreement leaves room for further cooperation, including on new technologies and process improvements intended to widen the support available to small businesses across the continent. ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:03:38 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>High Court Rejects DeiPhama  Bid to Halt Audi in Equity Bank Loan Dispute</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/high-court-rejects-deiphama-bid-to-halt-audi-in-equity-bank-loan-dispute</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/high-court-rejects-deiphama-bid-to-halt-audi-in-equity-bank-loan-dispute</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ High Court  has dismissed an application by Dei Industries International Ltd and its proprietor, Dr Matthias Magoola, seeking to stop an independent audit into their long-running loan dispute with Equity Bank Uganda Ltd and Equity Bank Kenya Ltd.
The decision means the court-ordered audit process will continue, paving the way for the main commercial case to proceed to hearing on 13 November 2026.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Susan Abinyo, the court found that Dei Industries had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the audit process had been compromised or that the institution overseeing it lacked independence.
The dispute stems from a case filed on 2 August 2024, when Dei Industries International Ltd, Dei Biopharma Ltd and Dr Magoola sued Equity Bank Uganda and Equity Bank Kenya over several loan facilities and current accounts.
The companies claim that the banks mishandled their loan accounts during restructuring and consolidation processes, resulting in disputed balances. They want the court to determine the actual amounts owed, if any, and order the reversal of funds they allege were unlawfully deducted from their accounts.
They also sought orders stopping the banks from taking loan recovery measures until the dispute is resolved.
As part of efforts to establish the correct financial position of the accounts, the parties initially agreed to have KPMG conduct an independent audit. The arrangement was approved by the court in December 2024, and KPMG later completed the exercise and submitted its report.
However, disagreements later emerged over the audit process, leading Dei Industries and Dr Magoola to successfully challenge KPMG’s appointment.
The court then directed the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) to nominate another independent auditor.
ICPAU appointed Clayton &amp; Company of Jinja, which developed terms of reference, collected documents from both sides and prepared an audit report that was filed before court.
Before the report could be considered, Dei Industries and Dr Magoola filed another application challenging ICPAU’s involvement. They argued that the institute’s independence had been compromised and requested that its role in the audit process be cancelled. They also sought permission to amend their original court documents.
Equity Bank opposed the application, arguing that the key issue in the case is establishing the actual amounts outstanding under the disputed loan facilities. The bank maintained that an independent audit was necessary to resolve the conflicting claims.
Justice Abinyo dismissed the challenge, ruling that ICPAU had followed the court’s instructions by independently appointing Clayton &amp; Company without requiring approval from either party.
The judge also rejected objections against an affidavit filed by Equity Bank Uganda’s Head of Legal, Elizabeth Nayiga, ruling that she was qualified to provide information obtained in the course of her official duties.
The court found no evidence showing that ICPAU had failed to act independently or that the audit process was unfair. It therefore declined to cancel the appointment of the audit firm or allow amendments to the original lawsuit at this stage.
Justice Abinyo noted that any developments involving payments or account transactions could be presented as evidence during the hearing of the main case. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202608/image_870x580_6a6d992b91cc3.jpg" length="48893" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:05:42 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>ABSA Bank   Chief Urges Banks To Fund Bankabel Energy Projects To Unlock Ugandas Energy Ambitions</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/absa-bank-chief-urges-banks-to-fund-bankabel-energy-projects-to-unlock-ugandas-energy-ambitions</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/absa-bank-chief-urges-banks-to-fund-bankabel-energy-projects-to-unlock-ugandas-energy-ambitions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Absa Bank Uganda Chief Financial Officer Michael Segwaya has asked Financial institutions to  finance bankable  energy projects to unlock Uganda’s long-term energy ambitions.
Addressing this years energy convention in Kampala,he said  access, affordability and project preparation remain the biggest constraints to growth in the energy sector.
Segwaya told participants  that while government has demonstrated commitment through increased budget allocations, the private sector must play a central role in structuring viable, long-term investments.
“Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy is ambitious but achievable. However, financial institutions must co-create bankable structures that turn plans into operational assets,” Segwaya said.
He pointed to existing investments, including the Bujagali hydropower project and a $50 million facility extended to Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to expand electricity access to over 200,000 households.
Segwaya also cited a Shs 11.085 billion concessional facility extended in partnership with the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) to support electricity access under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project.
Absa’s head of financial institutions, Benard Kamatte, said inadequate project preparation continues to hinder investment, particularly in renewable energy.
“Our biggest bottleneck is bankability. Capital follows risk mitigation, and without proper understanding of the technologies involved, it becomes difficult to attract financing,” Kamatte said.
He added that limited investment in feasibility studies, environmental assessments and advisory services often undermines project readiness.
Kamatte noted that local banks have previously demonstrated their ability to support large-scale infrastructure, including participation in the $5.6 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
He called on development finance institutions to take a more active role in de-risking projects at early stages, particularly in emerging areas such as mini-grids, battery storage and renewable energy systems.
The convention also highlighted blended finance as a key solution, combining public, donor and private capital to lower financing costs and expand access.
Kamatte cited Absa’s partnership with UECCC as a model, where concessional funding helps cap lending rates at about 15% to support last-mile electricity connections, solar installations and clean cooking solutions.
Despite Uganda’s installed generation capacity rising to 2,098 megawatts, electrification remains uneven, averaging 60% nationally and falling to about 42.4% in rural areas, where most households still depend on biomass fuels.
The convention brought together government officials, financiers and development partners to discuss Uganda’s transition from power generation to universal electricity access, with a focus on the country’s multi-billion-dollar energy targets. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a6c3df506423.jpg" length="139875" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:21:18 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>ONC Powers Karim Tamale Poultry Farm In Kira MunicIPALITY</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/onc-powers-karim-tamale-poultry-farm-in-kiira-municipality</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/onc-powers-karim-tamale-poultry-farm-in-kiira-municipality</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Waswa Abdul Karim Tamale, a resident of Kitukutwe Village in Kira Municipality,was operating a small poultry venture earning little however when he was identified and  supported through the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) empowerment programme his farm has grown into a thriving agribusiness employing local residents and generating millions of shillings in income.
 After receiving 200 chicks and poultry feed support in 2023, the farmer has expanded his enterprise to more than 7,000 chickens in just three years.
His progress was showcased during a monitoring visit by the Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, who toured beneficiary projects to assess impact and performance.
Standing among rows of poultry houses on his two-acre farm, Waswa reflected on the journey from a small startup to a commercial operation.
“I began with only 200 chicks. Today, I manage over 7,000 chickens and earn approximately Shs12 million every 35 days. This project has changed my life and improved my family’s welfare,” he said.
Beyond poultry production, Mr. Waswa has adopted an integrated farming model that supports sustainability and reduces production costs. He grows maize used in feed production and maintains a banana plantation where poultry manure serves as organic fertiliser.
The model has created a cycle of efficiency—feeding the birds while improving crop yields and reducing dependence on external inputs.
The enterprise has also become a source of employment within the community. Currently, the farm supports 16 workers, including permanent staff managing poultry operations and additional workers involved in supporting activities.
Waswa credited discipline, proper management, and commitment for the rapid growth of the business and expressed appreciation to ONC and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for providing the initial support that enabled him to establish a sustainable source of income.
Looking ahead, he revealed plans to diversify into layers production to expand his operations further. He also highlighted one major challenge—manual feed preparation—and appealed for support to acquire a feed-mixing machine.
Responding to the request, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo pledged assistance toward acquiring the machine, saying it would increase efficiency and support further expansion.
She commended Mr. Waswa for demonstrating how government empowerment initiatives can deliver tangible economic change when beneficiaries effectively utilise the support provided.
According to Hajjat Namyalo, such success stories reflect the broader objective of government wealth-creation programmes—to move households from subsistence living into productive participation in the money economy.
She encouraged young people to embrace agriculture as a business opportunity and thanked President Museveni for championing initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods across the country.
The monitoring exercise forms part of ONC’s continued efforts to track progress, document success stories, and ensure government interventions deliver measurable impact to communities.
The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Empowerment Programme is a grassroots wealth-creation initiative in Uganda led by SPA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye. It provides practical tools, equipment, and capital to fight poverty, curb youth unemployment, and mobilize support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a685f9f0fe64.jpg" length="151492" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:02:29 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Centenary Bank Unveils Financial Solution For Chinese Business Community</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bank-unveils-financial-solution-for-chinse-business-community</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bank-unveils-financial-solution-for-chinse-business-community</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ranked among Uganda’s biggest commercial Banks,Centenary Bank  has expanded its range of financial services aimed at supporting Chinese-owned businesses operating in Uganda.
The bank reaffirmed this commitment during its annual Chinese Clients’ Dinner held in Kampala, an engagement that brought together Chinese entrepreneurs, business leaders, representatives from partners such as the Sino-Uganda Security Centre, and bank executives.
 Executive Director for Business Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe highlighted the role Chinese enterprises play in driving economic transformation through investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, trade and job creation.
“Chinese businesses continue to play a pivotal role in Uganda’s economic development,” Balikuddembe said. “At Centenary Bank, we are proud to be your trusted financial partner, supporting your growth journey with solutions that enable you to focus on expanding your businesses while we take care of your banking needs.”
To meet the specific operational demands of Chinese investors, Centenary Bank has introduced several customized solutions over the years. These include reduced account transaction charges, preferential pricing for telegraphic transfers, competitive foreign exchange rates through its treasury team, and a secure corporate internet banking platform designed for remote transactions.
The lender also offers dedicated relationship managers, guarantees, letters of credit, cash-in-transit services, import financing, competitive deposit rates, and strategic support for regional and international trade. In addition, the bank recently introduced the Japanese yen to its trading currencies to give international traders greater flexibility.
Bank officials reported that these measures have helped attract new Chinese business clients over the past year, signaling increased confidence in the financial institution. 
The annual dinner served as a platform for bank management and clients to discuss emerging market opportunities, evaluate evolving customer requirements, and explore strategies to strengthen cross-border trade.
China remains one of Uganda’s primary trading and investment partners, with extensive operations across manufacturing, energy, construction, and infrastructure. Bank officials noted that responsive commercial banking services remain essential to helping these businesses sustain operations and expand across borders.
Chinese investment and enterprise in Uganda have expanded past US$1 billion, transforming key sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, and industrial parks. While driving local job creation and import substitution, this heavy involvement also sparks local debates regarding retail competition and long-term debt sustainability.
Chinese state-backed firms and contractors dominate Uganda&#039;s major public works, financed largely through loans from institutions like the Exim Bank of China.
Major projects: Construction of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, and major hydropower plants including Karuma and Isimba
In manufacturing and Industrial Parks,China is a core partner in Uganda&#039;s push toward industrialization and local production under frameworks like the Uganda Investment Authority especially facilities in the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, Liao Shen Industrial Park, and Namanve-based operations produce ceramics, steel, electronics, and plastics. 
These factories employ over a million workers sector-wide, supporting import substitution by locally manufacturing goods previously bought from abroad ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a683313693dc.jpg" length="60386" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:48:07 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>UNBS Seizes Goods Worth UGX 3Billion</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/unbs-seizes-gioods-worth-ugx-3billion</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/unbs-seizes-gioods-worth-ugx-3billion</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In its effort to safeguard the health and safety of consumers, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has intensified market surveillance inspections across the country, targeting locally manufactured as well as imported products that do not meet quality, safety and performance standards as well as expired products, that are distributed and sold by some wholesalers and retailers. The inspections are to ensure that products availed on the market comply with applicable compulsory Uganda standards and are safe for consumption.  
During the last financial year 2025/2026, UNBS seized more than 880 tons of substandard products worth about 3 Billion Uganda shillings. These included food products, cosmetics and construction materials, among others. The seizure of these dangerous substandard products saved the health and safety of thousands of consumers who would have been badly affected or injured if they consumed or used these products. 
UNBS carries out inspections and checks and seizes substandard products found in shops, supermarkets, warehouses and uncertified manufacturers in order to deny them shelf space and thus availability to unsuspecting consumers. This also protects compliant manufacturers and traders from unfair competition.  
The inspections are in line with the UNBS mandate of enforcing standards in protection of public health and safety, as well as the environment, against dangerous and sub-standard products, as prescribed in the UNBS Act Cap 210 and the UNBS (Market Surveillance and Enforcement of Compulsory Standard Specifications) Regulation 2021. The Act also prohibits importation, manufacture, sale, distribution or holding for the purpose of selling any product that does not meet compulsory Uganda standards.  
During the last financial year, 6,642 inspections were conducted by UNBS all over the country at Points-ofsale, food processing facilities, distribution trucks, chemical and consumer factories, steel and engineering factories among others. In terms of regional coverage, the Central region had the highest number of inspections, followed by the Western region, then Eastern region and the Northern region. 
In the process of inspecting, a number of businesses that were found in contravention of compulsory standards, including general goods outlets and shops (both wholesale and retail), stores and supermarkets, hardware shops, cosmetics shops and factories, maize mills, bakeries, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing facilities, paint factories, steel factories and other construction materials factories, were sensitized and guided on how to comply with the relevant standards. Some of these were made to temporarily halt production operations and made to correct their mistakes and upon confirming the corrections they were allowed to resume operations.   
On an encouraging note, out of 2,622 manufacturing facilities inspected, 1,996 facilities were found to be compliant, giving a 76% compliance rate among manufacturers. This can even be improved and UGANDA NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS 
GROWING QUALITY ENTERPRISES 
www.unbs.go.ug Toll free line: 0800 133 133 
                                 
demonstrates a growing awareness among manufacturers about the importance of adhering to national standards.  
UNBS therefore urges all manufacturers that are not yet certified to seek certification of their products before placing them on the market. In its efforts to grow quality enterprises, UNBS is committed to supporting and guiding manufacturers and all value-addition enterprises that are not yet certified to apply for and obtain certification of their products. UNBS also urges all traders to ensure that they only deal in safe products that will not affect the health and safety of their customers. 
UNBS remains committed to protecting consumers and the environment from substandard products and encourages all consumers to purchase only products certified by UNBS and bearing the UNBS Q-Mark.  
The public is encouraged to report to UNBS any substandard products that they come across using toll-free line 0800133133 / 0800233233. 
About UNBS 
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards is a government agency mandated to develop, promote and enforce standards to protect public health, safety, and the environment as well as ensuring fairness in trade and precision in industry through reliable measurement systems. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a60abcf5a502.jpg" length="81652" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:39:58 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>UNABSEC,Ruparelia Group Forge Partnership to Strengthen  Ugandas Construction Industry</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/unabsecruparelia-group-forge-partnership-to-strengthen-ugandas-construction-industry</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/unabsecruparelia-group-forge-partnership-to-strengthen-ugandas-construction-industry</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Uganda National Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC) is forging strategic institutional partnerships with the Rupareiia Group and its construction arm, VCON Construction (U) Ltd.
 These collaborations focus on advancing sustainability, eliminating asbestos in Ugandan facilities [UNABSEC], and driving digitalization in the sector.
UNABSEC President Kiara Binta Nkuranga, says major focus will be  on deepening cooperation in promoting excellence, innovation and sustainable growth within Uganda’s construction industry.
She noted that Ruparelia Group has played a significant role in shaping Uganda’s real estate and infrastructure landscape through the development of commercial buildings, hospitality facilities, educational institutions and residential projects. 
“UNABSEC acknowledged the Group’s continued contribution to the construction sector and its willingness to support initiatives that advance industry standards,”she stated.
Nkuranga also commended VCON Construction for its continued partnership and support towards key industry programmes, including the upcoming Uganda Construction and Infrastructure Forum and Exhibition (UCIFE) and the Contractors’ Run. These events are expected to bring together contractors, engineers, architects, policymakers and investors to discuss emerging trends, share knowledge and promote best practices within the construction industry.
During the meeting, UNABSEC  recognised Dr Sudhir Ruparelia contribution to Uganda’s construction and real estate sectors. The Association described him as a visionary businessman whose passion for quality infrastructure and modern development helped transform the country’s urban landscape and inspired many within the industry.
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening Uganda’s construction sector by promoting professionalism, enhancing technical capacity and encouraging greater collaboration between industry stakeholders.
UNABSEC further emphasized the need for continuous innovation, skills development and adherence to high construction standards as Uganda experiences increasing demand for modern infrastructure.
The renewed partnership reflects a shared vision of building a stronger, more competitive construction industry that not only delivers quality projects but also creates employment, attracts investment and contributes meaningfully to Uganda’s national development agenda.
As the country continues to invest in roads, commercial developments, housing and public infrastructure, collaborations such as this are expected to play a critical role in driving excellence, improving project delivery and positioning Uganda’s construction sector for sustainable growth in the years ahead.
Meanwhile UNABSEC will hold the 2nd Uganda Construction and Infrastructure Forum and Exhibition (UCIFE), on September 16th–17th, 2026, at the Kampala Serena Hotel themed “Harnessing Digitalization and Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development,” .This will focus on technology adoption, supply chain innovations, and industry growth.
The event highlights key sub-themes such as digital transformation, sustainable procurement, and skills development within the construction sector
According to the President UNABSEC will also hold high-energy pre-event designed to unite the industry through fitness and charity. This year&#039;s run focuses on raising awareness and funds for the Safe Schools Initiative. 
She revealed that many older schools and health facilities across Uganda still have asbestos roofing sheets. 
“As these sheets age and deteriorate, they release harmful fibres into the air — posing serious health risks including chronic respiratory diseases, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. 
Proceeds from the Contractors&#039; Run 2026 will be used to purchase new iron sheets for selected beneficiary institutions, directly improving the safety of students and patients. “Nkuranga stated.
UNABCEC—is the leading non-profit, member-driven trade association for the construction industry in Uganda. Headquartered in Lugogo, Kampala, it represents over 485 genuine contractors and companies, driving innovation and advocacy across the East African construction sector. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a5efb89dd5b8.jpg" length="80435" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:56:55 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>National Lotteries and Gaming Board Launches Five Years Strategic Plan to Regulate Gaming</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/national-lotteries-and-gaming-board-launches-five-years-strategic-plan-to-regulate-gaming</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/national-lotteries-and-gaming-board-launches-five-years-strategic-plan-to-regulate-gaming</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening regulation of Uganda’s gaming sector, tackling illegal gambling, promoting responsible gaming and increasing the industry’s contribution to domestic revenue.
The Strategic Plan for FY2025/26–FY2029/30 was launched alongside the Board’s Service Delivery Standards and Client Charter, which seek to improve accountability, streamline service delivery and enhance engagement with licensed operators and the public.
Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi said the new framework supports the government’s broader agenda of increasing domestic revenue, advancing digital transformation and improving public service delivery.
“The Strategic Plan, Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards represent more than policy documents. They represent a commitment to accountability, innovation, responsible gaming and national development. They provide a clear framework for enhancing revenue mobilisation, strengthening regulation, protecting consumers and improving service delivery over the next five years,” Musasizi said.
NLGRB Chief Executive Officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano said the strategy marks a new phase in the Board’s efforts to modernise regulation through technology while intensifying the fight against illegal gambling.
“Illegal gaming undermines legitimate businesses, deprives government of revenue and exposes vulnerable Ugandans to unnecessary risk. This Strategic Plan marks the beginning of the next phase in the Board’s evolution as a modern, technology-driven regulator,” Ngabirano said.
He said the Board would strengthen enforcement against illegal gaming, expand digital oversight, promote responsible gaming and improve service delivery over the next five years.
Ngabirano added that the Board’s recent ISO/IEC 27001 certification would strengthen the security of its digital regulatory systems, safeguard operator and player data, and enhance public confidence in the sector.
The Strategic Plan is aligned with Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the government’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. It focuses on increasing tax and non-tax revenue from the gaming industry, promoting responsible gaming, leveraging technology and innovation to improve operations, and strengthening institutional governance.
Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi urged the Board to ensure the strategy translates into measurable results rather than remaining a policy document.
“A Strategic Plan without implementation remains a statement of intent. Service Delivery Standards without compliance remain aspirations. A Client Charter without accountability becomes only a public relations document. The challenge before NLGRB is therefore to convert these instruments into daily institutional practice and measurable public value,” Ggoobi said.
Board Chairman Kenneth Robert Kitariko said the new strategy builds on reforms implemented over the past year to improve compliance, expand nationwide oversight and enhance transparency through technology.
“We reaffirm the Board’s readiness to work closely with the Ministry to advance sound governance, fiscal accountability, effective regulation and public protection in the lotteries and gaming sector. We look forward to your guidance and support as we strengthen the sector’s contribution to Uganda’s development agenda,” Kitariko said.
According to the Board, enforcement operations have intensified over the past year, with authorities confiscating 4,400 illegal gaming machines during the 2025/26 financial year. Compliance among gaming operators also improved from 68 percent to 79 percent.
The Board said technology will remain central to its regulatory approach. Through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), it has enhanced oversight of gaming transactions, improved tax reconciliation and strengthened the monitoring of suspicious activities.
More than 16,600 players have also voluntarily enrolled in digital self-exclusion programmes designed to help individuals limit their participation in gambling.
In June 2026, the Board attained ISO/IEC 27001 certification, an internationally recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems, which it says strengthens cybersecurity governance and protects operator and player data as regulation increasingly shifts to digital platforms.
Government revenue from the gaming sector has continued to grow under the current regulatory framework. Collections increased from Shs194 billion in the 2023/24 financial year to Shs323 billion in 2024/25 before rising to Shs368.02 billion in 2025/26.
The Board projects that revenue will reach Shs450 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, supported by improved compliance, expanded digital monitoring and continued formalisation of the gaming industry. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a5e398664db4.jpg" length="106237" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:09:49 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Centenary Bank,MicroPay Sugn Strategic Partnership To Develop Digital Solution</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bankmicropay-sugn-strategic-partnership-to-develop-digital-solution</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/centenary-bankmicropay-sugn-strategic-partnership-to-develop-digital-solution</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Centenary Group, through its technology subsidiary Centenary Technology Services (Cente-Tech), has entered into a strategic partnership with MicroPay Uganda to develop digital solutions aimed at improving access to essential services in education, healthcare, and insurance.

The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brings together MicroPay Uganda’s digital services expertise and Centenary Group’s extensive community reach, technology capabilities, and experience in promoting financial inclusion.

The collaboration seeks to address challenges faced by individuals and families in accessing and paying for essential services by introducing convenient digital solutions that improve affordability, accessibility, and efficiency.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at Mapeera House in Kampala, Centenary Group Board Chairman Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu said the partnership reflects the group’s long-standing commitment to extending financial inclusion to underserved communities.

“Centenary’s story has always been about the people other institutions overlooked. We took banking to the market vendor, to the smallholder farmer and to the family saving a little at a time in a trading centre far from any branch. That is the legacy entrusted to us: meaningful inclusion, carried all the way to the last mile,” Prof. Ddumba said.

Under the partnership, Cente-Tech and MicroPay Uganda will jointly develop digital platforms designed to simplify education payments and financing, improve access to healthcare services, and transform the management of insurance products, premiums, and claims.

In the education sector, the partners will explore solutions that allow parents and guardians to save towards school fees, make payments in instalments, and potentially access financing based on their payment history.

The solutions are also expected to provide schools with improved visibility into fee collections and cash flow management.

For healthcare, the partnership will leverage digital technology and agent networks to bring services closer to communities while reducing barriers linked to distance, accessibility, and payment processes.

In insurance, the focus will be on digitising access to insurance policies, enabling flexible premium payments, and improving claims processing to make insurance products easier to access and manage.

Peter Kahiigi, Chief Technology Officer at Centenary Technology Services, said technology has the potential to bridge gaps created by geography and income levels.

“ICT is an equaliser. A farmer with a phone can reach the same financial services as an executive in Kampala. Technology does not care where you were born or how much you earn, and when it is built well, it erases distances that money and geography have kept in place for generations,” Kahiigi said.

He said Cente-Tech will contribute its technological capabilities while Centenary Group will leverage its extensive ecosystem and trusted community presence.

The partnership builds on Cente-Tech’s expansion of digital financial services, including GonzaPay, which is supported by more than 9,000 Cente Agents across Uganda.

Kahiigi said the success of the collaboration will ultimately be measured by the difference it makes in people’s daily lives.

“Our measure of success is not this ceremony. It is the first school term where fees flow without queues, and the first claim paid in days instead of weeks. Let us get to work,” he said.

He added that successful solutions developed under the partnership could eventually be expanded to other markets where Centenary Group operates, including Malawi.

Speaking on behalf of MicroPay Uganda, board chairperson Dr. Aduwo Jennifer said partnerships between technology companies and financial institutions are essential in accelerating financial inclusion.

“The tangible benefits of financial inclusion can only be fully realised through purposeful and visionary partnerships such as this collaboration between MicroPay Uganda and the Centenary Group,” Dr. Aduwo  said.

She said MicroPay Uganda brings more than 12 years of experience in digital payments and operates as a licensed Payment Service Provider and Payment System Operator under the regulation of the Bank of Uganda.

“By combining our expertise with Centenary Group’s strong community presence and innovation capabilities, we are confident that together we can transform access to essential services and create lasting impact for our communities,” she said.

Dr. Aduwo said the partnership aligns with efforts to extend financial services to more Ugandans, particularly those who remain underserved by traditional systems.

Prof. Ddumba said the impact of the partnership would not be measured by the signing ceremony but by the experiences of the people who use the solutions.

“Partnerships are not proven at ceremonies like this one. They are proven months later, in bursars’ offices and trading centres, by people who will never read the document we sign today. That is the standard I am asking both teams to hold,” he said. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a5e395e5a530.jpg" length="112131" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:07:36 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Government Directs  MDAS to Implement New Procurement System To Curb Fraud</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/government-directs-mdas-to-implement-new-procurement-system-to-curb-fraud</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/government-directs-mdas-to-implement-new-procurement-system-to-curb-fraud</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has directed accounting officers across 100 state entities to spearhead the roll out of an upgraded electronic procurement system aimed at curbing financial fraud and streamlining public spending.
The directive was issued during a change management session organized alongside the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority ahead of the nationwide deployment of the Enhanced Electronic Government  Procurement System, known as eGP 2.0.
Acting Accountant General Godfrey Ssemugooma told staekholders that the transition represents a fundamental shift in public financial management rather than a routine technology upgrade.
“Electronic Government Procurement is not simply an ICT project. It is fundamentally about transforming the way Government conducts procurement. It strengthens accountability, improves efficiency, minimizes opportunities for abuse and ensures that every public shilling delivers maximum value for money,” Ssemugooma said.
He noted that administrative leadership will determine the success of the system across government entities.
“The success or failure of this project depends less on the software itself and far more on your leadership. Your staff will look to you for direction, suppliers will look to you for clarity, and we will look to you for results,” he said.
The system expansion follows a three-year pilot phase across 36 government bodies. Developed by Ugandan software engineers, eGP 2.0 is deploying in phases, starting with supplier registration, procurement planning, initiation and tendering. Modules covering bid evaluation, contract awards and contract management are scheduled to go live by December.
Ssemugooma said the portal creates a permanent electronic audit trail that prevents the post-submission alteration of bidding documents.
“Once documents are submitted electronically, they remain exactly as they were submitted. There are no physical pages to replace, preserving the integrity of the procurement process,” he said.
He added that real-time access to records will allow public institutions to automatically consolidate procurement plans and generate instant reports, enhancing fiscal oversight.
The system is also designed to lower operational costs for upcountry vendors.
“A supplier based in Soroti will no longer need to travel to Kampala simply to submit bidding documents. The entire procurement process can be conducted online, reducing costs while promoting fairness and transparency,” Ssemugooma said.
Florence Nakyeyune, senior systems quality assurance officer at the finance ministry, said eGP 2.0 integrates directly with external government databases to verify vendor tax compliance with the Uganda Revenue Authority, social security contributions through the National Social Security Fund, and corporate filings.
“eGP 2.0 integrates key Government systems and uses Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain technology and enhanced cybersecurity features to safeguard procurement processes while improving efficiency and compliance,” Nakyeyune said.
She said automated workflows will shorten purchasing cycles, standardize procedures across state agencies and centralize audit records.
Catherine Natukunda, Manager for Procurement and Disposal Capacity Building at the PPDA, told accounting officers that measures are in place to manage the transition from paper-based operations.
“Change management is being handled. We’re in control of this. We have arranged for mass change management to ensure that we don’t have trouble transitioning from the manual operation to the electronic Government procurement operation. It is under control, and we know we shall handle it very well. The transition will be seamless,” Natukunda said.
She said ongoing user support, institutional readiness assessments and advance stakeholder engagement will facilitate adoption. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a5e0a7c73e84.jpg" length="67199" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:48:54 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>DEPOSIT PROTECTION FUND HITS 2.3TRILLION ASSET BASE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/deposit-protection-fund-hits-23trillion-asset-base</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/deposit-protection-fund-hits-23trillion-asset-base</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a50ef9a90952.jpg" length="96394" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:15:19 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>TRADE MINISTER SANJAY TANNA RALLIES MANUFACTURERS ON AGRO PROCESSING</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/trade-minister-sanjay-tanna-rallies-manufacturers-on-agro-processing</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/trade-minister-sanjay-tanna-rallies-manufacturers-on-agro-processing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a4f80f3ebece.jpg" length="97173" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:08:14 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>EQUITY BANK REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING SACCOS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/equity-bank-reaffirms-commitment-to-supporting-saccos</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/equity-bank-reaffirms-commitment-to-supporting-saccos</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Equity Bank traces its roots from a small savings society to regional banking giant while unveiling financing solutions for SACCOs and SMEs ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202606/image_870x580_6a2257d213009.jpg" length="81207" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:00:15 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>EQUITY GROUP SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH ITC ON SUSTAINABLITY</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/equity-group-seals-partnership-with-itc-on-sustainablity</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/equity-group-seals-partnership-with-itc-on-sustainablity</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Equity Group Chief Executive James Mwangi said the initiative would connect entrepreneurs and producers to regional and global markets through a combination of financing, trade intelligence, capacity building and market linkages. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202606/image_870x580_6a225652f2af6.jpg" length="81039" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:53:53 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>SPIRO SECURES $215MILLION FOR EXPANSION</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/spiro-secures-215million-for-expansion</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/spiro-secures-215million-for-expansion</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Spiro plans to use the funding to enter new high-growth markets, including Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company maintains manufacturing plants in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, as well as a battery recycling facility in Nigeria. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202606/image_870x580_6a22547e04f2c.jpg" length="115805" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:46:05 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>SPIRO SECURES $215MILLION FOR EXPANSION DRIVE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/spiro-secures-215million-for-expansion-drive</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/spiro-secures-215million-for-expansion-drive</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ African Electric Mobility platform Spiro has secured  $ 215 million  in an equity funding to expand its continent-wide battery-swapping network and manufacturing footprint operations across the continent. 
The investment round was backed by major institutional investors, including Equitane and Impact Fund Denmark.
The scale-up currently operates in seven of Africa’s fastest-growing urban markets, including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Company officials say the new capital will accelerate the expansion of its battery-swapping network and industrial footprint.
Spiro Africa’s largest electric mobility company, operates  the continent’s most extensive and fastest growing network of battery-swapping for electric two-wheel vehicles with over 95,000 electric motorcycles, over 2,500 battery swapping stations and more than 30 million battery swaps to date through its expanding regional production network and operational assembling facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda,
Spiro has already deployed 100,000 electric motorcycles across Africa. Its infrastructure includes more than 2,500 battery swapping stations which have powered over 30 million battery swaps to date. According to company data, the platform has achieved over 1 billion kilometers of low-carbon travel.
The shift to electric mobility offers significant economic benefits for riders. Operating a Spiro electric vehicle can reduce daily mobility costs by up to 40 percent, representing savings of approximately 2 dollars per day compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles.
Gagan Gupta, founder of Spiro and Chairman of Equitane, said the company has become a major driver of local industrialization and manufacturing. The platform has created 6,000 direct and indirect jobs across its active markets.
Beyond transport, Spiro is expanding into a distributed clean-energy utility network. Its innovations include solar-powered swap stations and secondary-life battery applications designed for stationary renewable energy storage.
Recent third-party verified lifecycle assessments in Kenya indicate that Spiro’s electric bikes deliver a 72 percent reduction in climate impact compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles. This is equivalent to avoiding approximately 19 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifespan of a vehicle.
Lars Bo Bertram, CEO of Impact Fund Denmark, said the investment brings Danish pension capital into one of Africa’s most promising growth markets. He noted the potential for significant commercial growth alongside measurable climate impact.
Spiro plans to use the funding to enter new high-growth markets, including Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company maintains manufacturing plants in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, as well as a battery recycling facility in Nigeria.
Spiro operations in Uganda 
Spiro Uganda leads the transition to electric mobility in Kampala by providing electric &#039;boda bodas&#039; (motorcycle taxis) and a vast network of automated battery swapping and charging stations across the city. The company focuses on reducing carbon emissions and helping riders save money on expensive imported fuel
Uganda’s government actively supports Spiro&#039;s e-mobility expansion through land grants, infrastructure integration, and policy shifts. Backed by the National E-Mobility Strategy, the state provides direct facilities for assembly, encourages adoption in public operations, and integrates Spiro into national development programs
The Ugandan government allocated 20 hectares of land to Spiro Uganda in Bukerere (Wakiso District) to establish a major electric vehicle assembly plant. Facilitated by the National Housing and Construction Corporation (NHCC), this initiative aims to accelerate the country&#039;s transition to sustainable, eco-friendly electric transport.
This land allocation aligns with President Yoweri Museveni&#039;s directive to boost local industrialization and provide thousands of jobs to Ugandan artisans. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202606/image_870x580_6a1fc49ea373e.jpg" length="138553" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:08:11 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>UCAA DIRECTOR SAYS ENTEBBE IS READY FOR PRESIDENTIAL SWEARING&#45;IN CEREMONY</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ucaa-director-says-entebbe-is-ready-for-presidential-swearing-in-ceremony</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ucaa-director-says-entebbe-is-ready-for-presidential-swearing-in-ceremony</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ UCAA has worked with other government agencies and local organising committees to improve traffic management and expand aircraft parking space at Entebbe International Airport ahead of the ceremony. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202605/image_870x580_69fdae3b06475.jpg" length="69476" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 12:35:07 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>STANBIC BANK UNVEILS KIKOLE KU SPEEDII CAMPAIGN</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/stanbic-bank-unveils-kikole-ku-speedii-campaign</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/stanbic-bank-unveils-kikole-ku-speedii-campaign</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ At the core of “Kikole Ku Speedii” are three priorities: rapid account opening, frictionless transactions, and quicker access to credit. Customers can now open accounts in minutes using only a national ID, transact seamlessly on digital platforms, and access loans of up to Shs 350 million with reduced turnaround times. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bfb244bec27.jpg" length="81112" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:11:58 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>UNIVERSAL MULTIPURPOSE ENTREPRISE UNVEILS MBUYA MODERN HOUSING UNIT</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/universal-multipurpose-entreprise-unveils-mbuya-modern-housing-unit</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/universal-multipurpose-entreprise-unveils-mbuya-modern-housing-unit</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Annet Babigamba, the project lead, highlighted the strategic importance of the Mbuya location. She cited its proximity to the central business district, hospitals and schools as a primary driver for investment value. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bfa06257a40.jpg" length="133172" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:55:46 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>EQUITY GROUP POSTS IMPRESSIVE KSH 75.5BILLION PROFITS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/equity-group-posts-impressive-ksh-755billion-profits</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/equity-group-posts-impressive-ksh-755billion-profits</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Commenting on the results, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi said the performance demonstrates the strength of the Group’s strategic transformation, driven by diversified revenue streams, improved efficiency and growing contributions from regional subsidiaries: ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bd7258ab508.jpg" length="82551" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:14:36 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>DFCU Bank Brings Dutch &amp;amp; Ugandan Business Leaders Together To Strengthen Investment Cooperation</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/dfcu-bank-brings-dutch-ugandan-business-leaders-together-to-strengthen-investment-cooperation</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/dfcu-bank-brings-dutch-ugandan-business-leaders-together-to-strengthen-investment-cooperation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Speaking during the engagement, Kate Kiiza, Executive Director and Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer at dfcu, highlighted the Netherlands’ global leadership in agricultural innovation and the relevance of its experience to Uganda’s economic transformation. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bd70b8b0b07.jpg" length="101882" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:07:34 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>MUSLIMS URGED TO EMBRACE WEALTH CREATION PROGRAMMES</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/muslims-urged-to-embrace-wealth-creation-programmes</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/muslims-urged-to-embrace-wealth-creation-programmes</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Speaking after the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, Ggoobi congratulated the Muslim Ummah and emphasized the importance of applying the values learned during the fasting period, discipline, honesty, sacrifice, compassion, and peace not only in religious life but also in economic transformation. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bd6fff7315e.jpg" length="83137" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:04:24 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>DFCU BANK,META PLANT UGANDA PARTNER TO EXPAND AGRICULTURE FINANCE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/dfcu-bankmeta-plant-uganda-partner-to-expand-agriculture-finance</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/dfcu-bankmeta-plant-uganda-partner-to-expand-agriculture-finance</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ This partnership brings together dfcu and Meta to meet customers where they are, providing both equipment and financing at the point of decision. By combining access to quality machinery with tailored financing, customers are better positioned to act quickly and convert their investment plans into productive assets. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bd1b922699f.jpg" length="84380" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:04:41 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Mulima Security Acquires Iso Certification</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/mulima-security-acquires-iso-certification</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/mulima-security-acquires-iso-certification</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The company’s growth has been underpinned by continuous investment in technical expertise, alongside deliberate efforts to strengthen governance frameworks, risk management practices and operational maturity. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69bb96252bd57.jpg" length="141190" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:22:57 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>TALENTA AFRICA EXPANDS TO KENYA MARKET</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/talenta-africa-expands-to-kenya-market</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/talenta-africa-expands-to-kenya-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Founded by CEO and Executive Producer Aly Allibhai, Talent Africa Group has built a reputation over the past decade as a powerhouse in live entertainment, event production, talent management, and experiential marketing across Africa. The company has been behind some of the region’s most iconic concerts, festivals, and corporate events. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69b81da49cd2d.jpg" length="99460" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:12:34 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Neta Uganda launches China Trade Mission</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/neta-uganda-launches-china-trade-mission</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/neta-uganda-launches-china-trade-mission</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The event is expected to bring in traders dealing in robotics, industrial machinery, electronics, agrochemicals, automative products, personal care, consumer goods, hospitality solutions and domestic appliances. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69b01e9900a93.jpg" length="61241" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:37:53 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>MUSEVENI LAUNCHES TAMINI GENERAL INSURANCE IN UGANDA MARKET</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/museveni-launches-tamini-general-insurance-in-uganda-market</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/museveni-launches-tamini-general-insurance-in-uganda-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The move comes nearly two years after the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act 2023 legalized Islamic banking and finance in Uganda, following the 2024 debut of Salaam Bank. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69b01c97b9f56.jpg" length="85322" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:29:19 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>RUPARELIA FOUNDATION EXTENDS FREE EYE CARE TO BUKEDEA DISTRICT</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ruparelia-foundation-extends-free-eye-care-to-bukedea-district</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ruparelia-foundation-extends-free-eye-care-to-bukedea-district</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With a vision to create a positive and transformative change in the community, Dr. and Mrs. Sudhir Ruparelia established Ruparelia Foundation in 2012 on a simple belief that we can achieve a lot when we work together. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69b005e431371.jpg" length="108289" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:53:50 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>COCA&#45;COLA UNVEILS 10 LITRE WATER PRODUCTS IN UGANDA MARKET</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/coca-cola-unveils-10-litre-water-products-in-uganda-market</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/coca-cola-unveils-10-litre-water-products-in-uganda-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The new Rwenzori 10L pack is now available at major retail outlets and distribution points across Uganda. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69af9b604a779.jpg" length="42485" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:22:45 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>UBOS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NATIONAL SURVEY REPORTS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/ubos-announces-release-of-national-survey-reports</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/ubos-announces-release-of-national-survey-reports</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ UBOS said the dissemination of these reports reflects its commitment to providing high-quality official statistics that guide national ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69af9b5ac2606.jpg" length="82983" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:18:03 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

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