The UPF has trashed FDC cars and also blocked the planned FDC rally in Rukungiri

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Police throws barricades at Hon. Ekanya’s car and these two cars ended up in a crush.

There is reports that the Local District Police Commissioner (DPC) Maximal Ogwang has done what he could in his district to stop a planned FDC rally in the area. He put thorns in the road. There been cars that was hit was the ones of Hon. Wafula Oguttu, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hon. Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju, Hon. Godfrey Ekanya, Hon. Patrick Amuriat and Fred Turya. Even a by-passer from a NTV and their car got also into issues because of this.

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If that wasn’t enough there was even more reports that the police tried to stop the FDC men passing through Lyantonde. Hon Amuriat Semujju in Arested in police there. Hon. Kevina Taaka was also arrested on the road to the event. This was ordered from up high.

While this was happening in Rukungiri the organizers who was supposed to make ready for a rally was taken into custody by the police in the town. DPC Wotwali is surely a tool for the NRM-Regime and following orders from up high and that is IGP Kale Kayihura.

Uganda FDC 101015 P3 Rukungiri

The DPC Ronald Wotwali in Rukungiri said this yesterday:

“The law regulating public gatherings is very clear. Before anyone can hold a rally, he must seek clearance from the Inspector General of Police. They FDC leaders are telling us they have written a letter seeking clearance and as the Police, we will only allow the rally to take place until we receive a written clearance from the Police headquarters” (Etukuri, 2015).

The reports also says the IGP Kale Kayihura disallowed it because the FDC didn’t follow the Public Order Management Act (POMA), though the FDC organizers say they did comply the information to the authorities as they asks for before a public rally. Though the IGP doesn’t seem to be enough, laws are fitting well for the NRM, but even if the FDC tries to follow them. They get into issues with the law because the Police go against any kind of gathering of the opposition which has been the common action before this Presidential Election of 2016. Peace.

Reference:

Etukuri, Charles – ‘FDC Rukungiri rally hangs in balance’ (09.10.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1343215/fdc-rukungiri-rally-hangs-balance

President Zuma – “If you don’t invest in the ANC, your business is in danger”

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Well, with the Hitachi deal in mind the recent comments and reports are scary. That the President Zuma stands and asks for pledges because that is good for business, that sounds like “buy-a-politician-program”. That is something that isn’t democratic or has the values that the ANC supposed to stand for. If looking at history and Mbeki with the famous arms-deals was bad enough. This will open the floodgates for more. Just read the comments for his speech yesterday!

Jacob Zuma said this yesterday:

““I always say to business people, if you support the ANC, you are investing very wisely. If you don’t invest in the ANC, your business is in danger. Tonight is [not only about the NGC] it is also to remind you that the ANC is a non-profit organization. t [the ANC] makes no profit. But it is very huge. It is the biggest organization in the country so just remember that this organization that you are associated with is a non-profit making organization which means that it is looking at you with a very interesting eye. Remember this organization because it has created an environment which is conducive for everything to be done. Let us work together, that is why more than ever before, you need to support the ruling party because it has very good policies and programmes. Remember that when you donate. We need you now more than any other time now. When the treasurer general knocks at your door open your door widely. If he says support the ANC, take out your cheque-book and tell him to write six figures]” (Khoza, 2015).

And if that wasn’t enough… you have the price for the people attending the speech yesterday!

While we’re talking about ANC and monies those need and wish for more support.

Another report told this:

“South Africa’s elite forked out anything between R100,000 to R1.5 million just for dinner with President Jacob Zuma on the eve of the National General Council” (New24Wire, 2015).

If you are as me sadden by this reports and quotes from a President of the great South African nation. Then you’re not alone, I am sure more people are appalled by it. They just don’t express it. ANC has a heritage and it’s been destroyed from within. The destruction and dismantling of the values and conduct of the ANC party is a strange vision to see from a far. Because they have the ability and opportunity to actually do the right thing, but power corrupts and finding the ques to it is easy and when you find the faucets of gold, it’s hard to stop it. Easier to continue to pour the gold into the coffers then to actually use that to the people and constituencies that the ANC represent. That is something that nobody likes from a far to see and also with sorrow. Peace.

Reference:

News24Wire – ‘R1.5 million for dinner with Jacob Zuma’ (09.10.2015) link: http://businesstech.co.za/news/general/100754/r1-5-million-for-dinner-with-jacob-zuma/

Khoza, Amanda – ‘Investing in ANC a wise move – Zuma’ (09.10.2015) link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Investing-in-ANC-a-wise-move-Zuma-20151009

Recent Corruption cases: “It was part of being an insider but it was a very corrupting business”

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“He did not care for the lying at first. He hated it. Then later he had come to like it. It was part of being an insider but it was a very corrupting business.” – Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls

You who follow my blog know I does this once in a while to prove that corruption isn’t a one area thing, it’s international and got no borders. Always somebody who want to pocket some easy and quick money, that is because it’s easier then actually work for the money in the end. This time around there is a few Island cases two cases on the Dominican Island and one that origins from Mauritius. The World Bank president is addressing taxation and how bad practices can destroy economic situation in low-developed countries. In South Africa there been a shady deal between Statehouse and the Hitachi, the ANC are continuing to do this and the old cases that has hurt the regime like he army deal in not to distance past. And a UN environmental negotiator who has a few counts of tax fraud so that the United Nation has even some people who got questionable actions. No place in the world you can walk anymore without insider, but it was a very corrupting business. Seems like a worry from Dominican Republic to the New York UN office. Take a quick look!

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In the Dominican Republic:

“The alleged bagman in the State Works Supervisory Engineers Office (OISOE) on Monday said the money provided to contractors to conclude construction of schools came from the beleaguered agency´s technical director, Jose Florencio” (…)”Alejo Perez said the money was sometimes handed out at the schools or at OISOE headquarters, in presence of de los Santos´ and the engineer in charge of the work. “These payments were sometimes made in cash or checks.” (…)”When asked what de los Santos did with the money he gave to Florencio, Alejo said: “They gave it to the engineers on loan to finish the work, which was withdrawn from a line of credit” (Dominican Today, 2015).

There is even another recent case on the island:

“The embezzlement case against ruling PLD party and senator Felix Bautista has unleashed a crisis of confidence among Supreme Court justices Frank Soto and Miriam German, who in a letter dated September 21called her colleague unfair, disrespectful and abusive” (…)”The Supreme Court on September 22 set a hearing for Oct. 21 to hand down the ruling on the prosecution´s appeal against Bautista´s acquittal by a lower court” (Dominican Today, 2015).

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More trouble in another Island Paradise:

“Senior figures from the island’s new government visited Britain in the summer to lobby for a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into the 68-year-old British passport holder for alleged corruption in Mauritius” (…)”The NCA is believed to have contacted the island authorities for details of credit cards found in Mr Ramgoolam’s safe that included two Centurion American Express cards given only to high-spenders. Mr Rangoolam, who owns a Rolls-Royce with a personalised number plate in London, has vowed to open his accounts to independent scrutiny in an attempt to persuade the NCA that he owns no property in Britain and only legitimately amassed savings. Banks in the UK shut down his accounts after the arrest in February” (…)”Any British investigation into Mr Ramgoolam would fit the profile of the more than 20 high-profile politicians being targeted by the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit (ICU)” (Fellstrom & Peachey, 2015).

Statement from the World Bank president Jim Yong Kim:

“Some companies use elaborate strategies to not pay taxes in countries in which they work, a form of corruption that hurts the poor” (…)”We reject “trickle-down” notions that assume that any undifferentiated growth permeates and fortifies the soil and everything starts to bloom, even for the poor” (…)”Developing countries must also construct more equitable, efficient and transparent tax collection systems.  IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and I pledged a few months ago that our organizations will do all we can to help countries collect more taxes more fairly” (Tax Justice Network, 2015).

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In South Africa:

A deal between Hitachi Ltd and the Government of South Africa:

“SUMMARY OF ALLEGATIONS

Hitachi allegedly sold a 25-percent stake in a newly created South African subsidiary to Chancellor, a local South African company serving as a front for the ANC, South Africa’s ruling political party. This arrangement allegedly gave Chancellor and the ANC the ability to share in the profits from any power station contracts that Hitachi secured. During the bidding process, Hitachi was allegedly aware that Chancellor was a funding vehicle for the ANC but nevertheless continued to partner with Chancellor and allegedly encouraged Chancellor’s use of its political influence to help obtain the government contracts” (…)”Hitachi was ultimately awarded two contracts to build Medupi and Kusile power stations in South Africa and Hitachi’s lax internal control environment allegedly enabled its subsidiary to pay Chancellor approximately USD 5 million in “dividends” based on profits derived from the contracts. Through a separate, undisclosed arrangement, Hitachi allegedly paid Chancellor an additional USD 1 million in “success fees” that were inaccurately booked as consulting fees and other legitimate payments without appropriate documentation” (Trace International, 2015).

RATIO OF IMPROPER PAYMENTS TO BUSINESS ADVANTAGE

 Approximate Alleged Payments to Foreign Officials  Business Advantage Allegedly Obtained
 USD 5 million in “dividends” based on profits derived from the contracts & USD 1 million in “success fees” inaccurately recorded as consulting fees  Awarded of two contracts, worth approximately USD 5.6 billion, to build power stations in South Africa

(Trace International, 2015).

“HOW CONDUCT WAS DISCOVERED

On 10 November 2006, the Mail & Guardian published an article, entitled “the ANC’s New Funding Front,” exposing Chancellor as a business front set up by the ANC to seek profit on its behalf, generally by acquiring “empowerment” stakes in a wide range of businesses seeking state procurement” (…)”On 19 January 2007, Financial Mail published an article, entitled “Finacing the ANC, Untold millions,” quoting the admission by Kgalema Motlanthe, ANC Secretary General, that Chancellor was an “ANC vehicle” that existed for the sole purpose of funding the ANC” (Trace International, 2015).

A little more of the case:

“The story of how Hitachi bought political influence, in order to win a $5.6 billion power station contract, calls into question not only the integrity of a massive company with a global reputation, but also the integrity of the South African government” (…)”A $19m fine for a company of Hitachi’s size, when they have won a $5.6 billion tender, is laughable and certainly does not help with law enforcement efforts to stamp out corruption” (Kenney, 2015).

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In the U.S.:

Chicago the place of Al Capone and other villains of old there are new corrupt faces:

“Charges that Byrd-Bennett steered more than $23 million in work to Supes and Synesi Associates “in expectation of hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks,” according to Fardon’s office” (…)”Byrd-Bennett, 66, faces 15 counts of mail fraud and five of wire fraud. Solomon, 47, faces those charges, plus alleged bribery and conspiracy, as does Vranas, 34” (…)”Her attorney confirmed that plan in a brief statement:”Barbara Byrd-Bennett will plead guilty to charges in the indictment,” Michael Scudder, a partner in the Chicago office of law firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom,” said. “As part of accepting full responsibility for her conduct, she will continue to cooperate with the government, including testifying truthfully if called upon to do so” (Hinz, 2015).

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Even in the UN:

Who knew that a negotiator in the UN for clean-energy and environmental issues has been getting accused on 5 counts on Tax fraud, here are brief information on the case.”A former president of the U.N. General Assembly “sold himself and the global institution he led” by allegedly pocketing more than $1 million in bribes to finance a luxury spending spree, according to a federal prosecutor” (…)”Ashe is accused of underreporting his income by more than $1.2 million, prosecutors said” (…)”ASHE also then began soliciting additional payments from LORENZO to pay for the installation of a private basketball court at ASHE’s house in Westchester County. In addition to agreeing to pay for ASHE’s family vacation and basketball court, LORENZO began paying ASHE’s wife, as a “climate change consultant” for NGO-1, in the amount of $2,500 per month” (Greenfield, 2015).

Afterthought:

If this wasn’t interesting then something must be missing. The corruptness is worrying that now even cracks in the UN system, that the World Bank President talks like he does is natural, that their been shady deals in South Africa isn’t new anymore; More like how much the deals are between the Government of South Africa between a Certain Company and then which MP or Minister who earns extra for it. The Mauritius clear-out is happening with a former PM having issues while the former President is behind bars, something is fishy on that island. Another island has two brief and new cases of corruption and that is on the Dominican Island. But the whole total of money discussed in these matters is big and terrifying for the state of the places and people involved in the matter. Like the quote from Hemmingway, I am sure that the persons are over time more easily doing the corrupt business and actions. Because over time it got easy and made the persons feels like insider. Though it still not right! Thieving and stealing is the same, and corruption is a malpractice and a form of stealing money. Peace.

Reference:

Dominican Today – ‘Suicide uncovers widespread graft at notorious agency’ (06.10.2015) link: http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2015/10/6/56703/Suicide-uncovers-widespread-graft-at-notorious-agency

Dominican Today – ‘Supreme Court justices bicker over embezzlement case’ (05.10.2015) link: http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2015/10/5/56695/Supreme-Court-justices-bicker-over-embezzlement-case

Kenney, Martin – ‘Hitachi’s South Africa $19m bribery fine’ (02.10.2015) link: http://www.martinkenney.com/articles/hitachi-south-africa-19m-bribery-fine/

Fellstrom, Carl & Peachey Paul – ‘Ex-Prime Minister of Mauritius under investigation by UK anti-corruption unit’ (04.10.2015) link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/ex-prime-minister-of-mauritius-under-investigation-by-uk-anti-corruption-unit-a6679111.html

Greenfield, Daniel – ‘MAJOR UN CLIMATE ACCORD, AGENDA 21 NEGOTIATOR ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION’ (07.10.2015) link: https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/260376/major-un-climate-accord-agenda-21-negotiator-daniel-greenfield

Hinz, Greg – ‘Ex-CPS chief Byrd-Bennett indicted on federal corruption charges’ (08.10.2015) link: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151008/BLOGS02/151009840/ex-cps-chief-byrd-bennett-indicted-on-federal-corruption-charges

Trace International – ‘Trace Compendium – Hitachi Ltd’ (28.09.2015) link: https://www.traceinternational2.org/compendium/view.asp?id=686&utm_source=TRACE+Compendium+Alert%3A+Hitachi+Ltd.+9.28.15&utm_campaign=COMPENDIUM+ALERT%3A+Hitachi+Ltd.+9.28.15&utm_medium=email

Tax Justice Network – ‘World Bank president: corporate tax dodging ‘a form of corruption’’ (02.10.2015) link: http://www.taxjustice.net/2015/10/02/world-bank-president-corporate-tax-dodging-a-form-of-corruption/

Up for Grab: The true soul of Christmas version 2.1

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It’s time to write about Christmas again, I know it’s early, but hey the Christmas products are dropping and Black Friday is arriving quicker than the wind. We all know what that means, we can see the chocolates with Marzipan and specialized packed foods for this part of the year. The sodas, beers, meat, horseradish, crab-legs and all the ho ho ho. Not to forget the Oranges and ginger-mixed cakes with spiced up sugar-glazing.

I’m just waiting for Itunes and the radios to play the Christmas tunes and mosh the sad songs of Mariah Carey and Bing Crosby. The strange faces on the billboards on the trams and also on the Clear Channel posters all around town like the Grinch stole the whole town!

I just wonder if our societies have forgot why we celebrate it. Because for some reasons it’s more important to have an Iphone under the tree, then crossing your lips for a prayer and celebrate a birth of Christ! Something is missing in that picture. Something is really missing in that picture. The gingerbread cakes wasn’t it in the Middle Earth, wait! Sorry, the Middle East, where Jesus Christ was born. Either wasn’t a birth made so we had to run to some Supermarket and buy the new mops or laptops made from a sweatshop of factory in the middle of China, which is more like Mordor, then jolly Christmas celebration place of work, who has seen BBC One’s ‘Apple’s broken promise’?

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It’s like Scrooge is saving Christmas. Then do yourself a favor eat some more of the gingerbread and hope you’re not to bubbly after it. Still the earliness of Christmas products is coming right before Halloween or All Saints day. So before we celebrate the ones who has built our lands and men of faith of the past – we have to run down the shopping center’s and buy a few limited editions kitchen products that has to be made with either Danish design or Made in Taiwan. Nothing is Christmas as a kitchen machine making popcorn or spatula from Jamie Oliver.

We can all be a little goodie-good and grand hearted even long while before the Christmas preparation starts we have even said our prayers for the saints before we supposed to be sugarcoated and ginger-breaded up to our ears and eyes. Sure that a few of those Christmas tunes want make the day sweeter. Only make you wonder, how quick can ordinary days come back into effect?

The Companies sure want to earn on our nostalgia and good-heartedness towards our loved ones and friends. Because this is the crunch time of the year (Fourth Quarter!) If this sometimes doesn’t kick-off well then the business or shop are not settled to survive into 2016. But that isn’t an excuse to sell me Christmas cookies before November kissed the Calendar.

Home-Alone-1990

I am sure the CEO is not Home Alone or busy bodies trying to keeping up with Scrooge. Still their finding their ways of making ordinary products Christmassy, like I am waiting for the Christmas designed toilet paper for sale in my grocery store from Lambi and it will be limited edition.

I wonder why we have to release their special products before All Saints day and make Christmas time or Advent, where we supposed to celebrate the birth of Christ. Not waiting for yet another edition of chocolate in wrappings reminding of Santa’s Red Noosed Deer. Would you buy your summer barbeque special edition products in the middle of January? Still we accept to eat the special wrapped goods from before either versions of Christmas Carrol is on TV.

We can’t soon turn our beamy eyes on social media before every company between Hawaii and Kazakstan who has a Black Friday will jump upon you and wish you to be a part of their event, especially on Facebook! And your friends will invite you on it to hope that they will win a coupon or price for yet another piece of merchandize that either them or me need. But that’s what Christmas time is all about right?

We all have to feed these multi-national companies with our hard-earn monies to secure their parachute payments of their leaders when they resign. So we can be assured that they might only that their Santa Claus will be jolly all the way to bank for kidding ourselves with the wrapped mockery they have sold us since October. That most of doesn’t really want to have before the actual days of Advent. Unless we are the Gingerbread figure in the Shrek movies to be inspired to become Stallone’s Rambo and has his own franchise. Now that I said it, can I pitch a idea? It will be action packed while smashing down people in Ginger-city and kill the ones who try to steal the M&Ms that was supposed to be glazed on him with the working title “The Gingerman runs the mob”.

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Instead we’re in the Christmas bonanza and will until new-years like the recent years. I am sure that very few are waiting for new Christmas-products. That as usual got nothing to do with the actual holiday that everybody supposed to wait for. Not anything about waiting or symbolic of the supposed Christmas. It’s like Christ himself is a side-character instead of the main act and coming with one-liners, when the actual plot maker does something stupid. So here we are in the middle of and also start-ups, the yearly prequel of the Advent that has set the real life Scrooges and Grinches into life. They push any kind of products instead of what we are really celebrating. Though the Scrooges do what they are born to do as well, earn money and sell us sweatshop products on Black Friday, instead of giving hope and joy that the day is supposed to celebrate. The Advent is the waiting for the long awaited day that we celebrate, though so many just celebrate the ability to open a present and gifts from friends and family. There is nothing wrong in that, though the day has more value than that. That is like a forgotten story and it wasn’t Scrooge, Coca-Cola-Santa or the Grinch alone that stole Christmas it was our culture, that now lives on the special-limited-edition products that is a part of that time or the year. Instead of actually celebrate what really is Christmas.

It is not that I myself enjoy a special kind of Christmas soda, because though who knows me, knows how much I enjoy it. The thing that I am trying to say: is that we should not be enticed and forget it in the run for products that is symbolic edition and gifts. So we may not forget the main issue of the Advent and Christmas. Because if we forget that then we need help and ask ourselves why we running between stores at the mall and being in rush. Instead of being we actually there for our loved ones and spend our time with them. We are instead using so much time going to these shops and standing in ques. We should use less time on that and spend it with the ones we care about. That is something that has more value than newly fresh pressed money or imported Grincy-Scroogy-Gumball-Dumbo-Dumbledore-Delux Drier that none in the family needed. Peace.

#DearNextPresident: Cenk Uygur: You have to get money out of politics!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Gpf4L3YWo

Press Release: UWONET, ACFODE, FOWODE and CEWIGO Joint Press Statement on the recently passed obnoxious Amendments (05.10.2015)

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Ring fencing political posistions not healthy for Uganda’s Democracy and Gender equality: 

On October 2, 2015 the Electoral Commission announced the amendments passed by Parliament of Uganda to Presidential and Parliamentary Acts in preparation for the 2016 elections. Among the announcements was the increment in nomination fees for aspirants in the 2016 elections. Barely two months to the nomination of members of Parliament and Local Councilors MPs passed nomination fees which in the opinion of women of Uganda is intended to bar many upcoming women and youth from accessing political positions of leadership. According to the amendments, MPs are expected to pay nomination fees of 3,000,000/- up from 200,000/- in 2011.

It is a fact that most women and youth are challenged by limited resources and face an uphill task to raise money to contest in an election. The majority of civil servants are teachers some of whom are preparing to contest in the forthcoming elections. On average, a secondary school teacher in Uganda takes home about 450,000/= per month while their counterparts in primary school earn about 250,000/=. The newly passed nomination fee for MPs and local councilors is simply out of reach for the majority of Ugandans who would want to serve the country. It is common knowledge that aspirants must prepare for their election and fundraise.

However, this can be done more easily if candidates are not caught un- aware about critical items they must raise money for like nomination fees especially within an unrealistic time frame. In addition, political parties which at times assist candidates with nomination fees do not have resources since majority hardly receive any funds from their members.

The President of Uganda H.E. Y.K Museveni has on a number of occasions professed the importance of quality men and women in leadership. In 1995, affirmative action was passed by Parliament to give women, youth and people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in leadership by redressing imbalances created by history and tradition. This law therefore goes against these principles and is a back track on the importance of providing equal opportunities for men and women in leadership bearing in mind the limited economic opportunities in Uganda.
We are therefore calling on all political parties to reject this amendment in its totality.

We call for a revision of the amendments in order to enhance participation of citizens especially women and youth in the forth-coming elections.

UNITED WOMEN CAN!

Press Release No. 15/460: IMF Staff Completes Review Mission to Uganda (5.10.2015)

Bank notes Uganda

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Ana Lucía Coronel, IMF Mission Chief and Senior Resident Representative in Uganda, visited Kampala from September 24 to October 5, 2015, to conduct the fifth review of Uganda’s economic program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI).1

At the end of the mission, Ms. Coronel, issued the following statement:

“Despite the global and regional economic challenges and election-related uncertainties, Uganda’s recent economic performance has been mostly favorable. Real economic growth —led by increased public investment—reached 5 percent in FY2014/15, slightly below staff projections, but well above the FY2013/14 level (4.5 percent). Core inflation accelerated to 6.7 percent year on year in September but remains within the Bank of Uganda’s target band. International reserves remain at comfortable levels”. 

“Uganda is not immune to the difficult external environment affecting other countries. Together with domestic nervousness relating to the upcoming elections, external shocks and uncertainty have resulted in a sharp decline in the shilling (27 percent over the past year), creating challenges for policy makers. The exchange rate depreciation raised domestic prices given the high import content of the consumption basket, created uncertainty for consumers and investors, and generated market uneasiness. The mission welcomed the authorities’ proactive and effective response to the challenging situation, notable the timely monetary tightening, which has helped curb further inflationary pressures”,

“Performance under the PSI was satisfactory. The end-June 2015 fiscal, external, and inflation targets were mostly met. There was significant progress on increasing tax revenue, with the strong package introduced in the FY2014/15 budget yielding about 1¼ percent of GDP compared to an original target of ½ percent. However, the high stock of domestic arrears—notably the proliferation of court awards—remains a concern, despite the authorities’ efforts to reduce them”.

“Discussions focused on policies to be conducted over the rest of the fiscal year. The mission welcomed the authorities’ determination to adapt the policy mix to the ongoing challenges, including those related to the political cycle, by closely coordinating fiscal and monetary actions. Supported by an adequate stock of international reserves, monetary policy will remain vigilant of price developments and help moderate inflation expectations now that the shilling has largely stabilized. On the fiscal front, the authorities are encouraged to continue to build on the strong revenue performance of last year by improving tax collections even during the election period. On the expenditure side, the government has appropriately identified a series of spending cuts that should reduce the need for domestic borrowing, creating space for private sector credit and growth recovery”.

“On the structural front, important steps have been taken. The mission welcomes the approval of the Public Financial Management Act and the actions taken to clean the payroll and improve the payments system. Regulating the new law and finalizing the Charter of Fiscal Responsibility are important steps to further help improve the budget process and efficiency of expenditure. In addition to these improvements, the mission has encouraged the authorities to intensify ongoing efforts to fight corruption, which continues to affect the business climate. Improving transparency and accountability remains critical”.

Over the medium term, core inflation is set to decline toward the 5 percent target and growth is expected to gradually return to its potential of about 6–6½ percent. While the authorities will continue their plans to scale up public investment, they intend to re-profile projects to ensure that public debt remains at low risk of distress. The completion of these projects should reduce infrastructure bottlenecks and support growth”.

“The mission met with Mr. Keith Muhakanizi, Permanent Secretary/Secretary of Treasury of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Dr. Louis Kasekende, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda; and other senior government officials, and representatives from the business, civil society and international communities. The mission thanks all counterparts for their collaboration”.

“IMF Executive Board consideration of the fifth review of the PSI-supported program is expected by end-November 2015.”

Press Release: Africa Faces the Challenge of Sustaining Growth amid Weak Global Conditions (05.10.2015)

SAP WB

WASHINGTON, October 5, 2015— Sub-Saharan Africa countries are continuing to grow, albeit at a slower pace, due to a more challenging economic environment. Growth will slow in 2015 to 3.7 percent from 4.6 percent in 2014, reaching the lowest growth rate since 2009, according to new World Bank projections.

These latest figures are outlined in the World Bank’s new Africa’s Pulse, the twice-yearly analysis of economic trends and the latest data on the continent. The 2015 forecast remains below the robust 6.5 percent growth in GDP which the region sustained in 2003-2008, and drags below the 4.5 percent growth following the global financial crisis in 2009-2014. Overall, growth in the region is projected to pick up to 4.4 percent in 2016, and further strengthen to 4.8 percent in 2017.

Sharp drops in the price of oil and other commodities have brought on the recent weakness in growth. Other external factors such as China’s economic slowdown and tightening global financial conditions weigh on Africa’s economic performance, according to Africa’s Pulse. Compounding these factors, bottlenecks in supplying electricity in many African countries hampered economic growth in 2015.

“The end of the commodity super-cycle poses an opportunity for African countries to reinvigorate their reform efforts and thereby transform their economies and diversify sources of growth. Implementing the right policies to boost agricultural productivity, and reduce electricity costs while expanding access, will improve competitiveness and support the growth of light manufacturing,” says Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice President for Africa.

According to Africa’s Pulse, several countries are continuing to post robust growth. Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania are expected to sustain growth at around 7 percent or more per year in 2015-17, spurred by investments in energy and transport, consumer spending and investment in the natural resources sector.

Gains in Poverty Reduction

Africa’s Pulse found that progress in reducing income poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa has been occurring faster than previously thought. According to World Bank estimates poverty in Africa declined from 56 percent in 1990 to 43 percent in 2012. At the same time, Africa’s population saw progress in all dimensions of well-being, particularly in health (maternal mortality, under-5 mortality) and primary school enrollment, where the gender gap shrank.

Yet African countries continue to face a stubbornly high birth rate, which has limited the impact of the past two decades of sustained economic growth on reducing the overall number of poor. Countries still lag behind those in other regions in making progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). For example, Africa will not meet the MDG of halving the share of population living in poverty between 1990 and 2015.

Weaker Commodity Prices

Sub-Saharan Africa’s rich natural resources have made it a net exporter of fuel, minerals and metals, and agricultural commodities. These commodities account for nearly three-fourths of the region’s goods exports. Robust supplies and lower global demand have accounted for the decline of commodity prices across the board. For instance, the drop in the prices of natural gas, iron ore, and coffee exceeded 25 percent since June 2014, according to the report.

Africa’s Pulse notes that overall decline in growth in the region is nuanced and the factors hampering growth vary among countries. In the region’s commodity exporters—especially oil-producers such as Angola, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria, as well as producers of minerals and metals such as Botswana and Mauritania, the drop in prices is negatively affecting growth. In Ghana, South Africa, and Zambia, domestic factors such as electricity supply constraints are further stemming growth. In Burundi and South Sudan threats from political instability and social tensions are taking an economic and social toll.

Fiscal deficits across the region are now larger than they were at the onset of the global financial crisis, the report finds. Rising wage bills and lower revenues, especially among oil-producers, led to a widening of fiscal deficits. In some countries, the deficit was driven by large infrastructure expenditures. Reflecting the widening fiscal deficits in the region, government debt continued to rise in many countries. While debt-to-GDP ratios appear to be manageable in most countries, a few countries are seeing a worrisome jump in this ratio.

The dramatic, ongoing drop in commodity prices has put pressure on rising fiscal deficits, adding to the challenge in countries with depleted policy buffers,” says Punam Chuhan-Pole, Acting Chief Economist, World Bank Africa and the report’s author. “To withstand new shocks, governments in the region should improve the efficiency of public expenditures, such as prioritizing key investments, and strengthen tax administration to create fiscal space in their budgets.”

Moving Forward

Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa will be repeatedly tested as new shocks occur in the global economic environment, underscoring the need for Governments to embark on structural reforms to alleviate domestic impediments to growth, the report notes. Investments in new energy capacity, attention to drought and its effects on hydropower, reform of state-owned distribution companies, and renewed focus on encouraging private investment will help build resiliency in the power sector. Governments can boost revenues through taxes and improved tax compliance. Complementing these efforts, governments can improve the efficiency of public expenditures to create fiscal space in their budget.

KJE (Kampala-Jinja expressway): As expensive as it could be or more

JinjaRoad Roundabout Kampala

Kampala-Jinja Expressway KJE) the PPP road project that cost the double in 2 Years time:

Today UNRA put out a tender for the KJE or Kampala – Jinja Expressway. That will be a Public-Private Partnership, which means that the government project will be financially funding through the investors that will get back on their investment through the tolling of the commuters and traffic on the road after building the project/road. UNRA has the official follow-up of the KJE and will oversee that the company or companies that they keeps up with the set standards. Though it worrying to see how the numbers has gone up for the project from $ 0,5USD Billion in 2013 to Ministry of Transport set the contract for $ 1USD Billion on the same project. Here is the main quotes from different sources and I myself wonder if this in the re-up for a similar “Project 1034: Mukono-Katosi Road Scandal” with Corruption and also bad practices with financial issues since they did not follow “due diligence” on the contracts on that. But let’s hope, here is what that is out there now.

IMF reports in 2013 saying that the cost of the project would be $ 0,5USD Billions, that funding aren’t made with government money, but through PPP funding. This is all a part of the main issues which is this: “An additional investment of $200 million on the needed connectivity (e.g. roads, bridges) for the start of oil production in 2018 is also anticipated” (…)”Roads. The program mainly includes construction of roads linking Kampala with Jinja and with Mpigi, expected to start in FY2013/14 and be completed in five years at a cost of about $500 million each”  (IMF, 2013).

“According to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) spokesperson Dan Alinange, the government has hired the World Bank’s International Finance (IFC) as advisor to help in the tender process” (…)”The six-lane, 77km Kampala-Jinja road will be the first PPP road project in Uganda and the second toll road in the country after the $470m Kampala-Entebbe road that is currently under construction” (…)”Alinange added: “We want to reduce congestion on this corridor for Uganda. We are aware there is enormous appetite for this sort of project and that’s what gave us confidence to structure Jinja-Kampala as a PPP” (RTT, 2014).

“The project involves the development of a six-lane 77-km road project. The project aims to improve road infrastructure in Uganda, improve road safety and facilitate trade and tourism. The project will be developed on a design, build, finance and operation (DBFO) basis. The total project investment is estimated at around US$1 billion” (Martin, 2014).

“One of the roads is the Kampala-Jinja expressway estimated at about $800m (about sh2.13 trillion). The new road will help decongest the old Kampala-Jinja road that forms part of the Trans-African highway” (…)”Construction of the 80km state-of-the-art road is expected to commence in 2015. About sh200b has been earmarked for compensation of the affected people” (…)Eng. David Luyimbazi said: “The investor will recover the money through charging a toll fee from road users over a 20- 25-year concessional period.” (Ogwang).

Background from the WB:

“In 2011, PPIAF provided follow-up support to identify and prioritize potential PPP projects. Ten priority projects were identified, including the Kampala-Jinja road, which is now under implementation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) appointed as the transaction advisor” (…)”In May 2014, IFC’s Advisory Services in PPPs signed an advisory agreement with the GOU, through the UNRA, to develop a 77 km greenfield expressway between Kampala and Jinja” (World Bank, 2015).

More from PPIAF:

“One of the priority projects – Kampala-Jinja – road is now under implementation with IFC appointed as the transaction advisor. PPIAF recently approved a grant in partnership with Trademark EA (TMEA) and IFC to support two main tasks: the development of a tolling policy and an investment appraisal guidance tool, and strengthening the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA’s) capacity to implement PPP projects” (…)“In May 2014, IFC’s Advisory Services in PPPs signed an advisory agreement with the GOU, through the UNRA, to develop a 77 km greenfi eld expressway between Kampala and Jinja with a possible extension to include the 17 km Kampala Southern Bypass. Together with the existing Kampala Northern Bypass the expressway would form a ring road around Kampala City. The project, with an estimated capital cost of $1 billion, will seek a concessionaire to design, build, fi nance, and operate the road as a tolled facility” (PPIAF, 2014).

KJE:

“The project involves the construction of a green field dual carriageway expressway between Kampala and Jinja. The road extends from the boundary of the jurisdiction of the Kampala Capital City Authority (approximately 3 km from the city centre) to Jinja town tying in with the proposed New Nile Bridge. Consequently the nominal length of the project road is about 77km. The existing road, which will remain as a free alternative is a class 1 asphalt paved road in a fairly good condition” (UNRA, 2014).

“The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is the implementing agency for the planned KAMPALA JINJA TOLL EXPRESSWAY. It will link the capital with the important industrial area of Jinja. Past plans have been for four to six lanes for the 77-kilometre road. Cost estimates have also varied from USD 700 million to USD 1 billion. There are reports that the ministry of transport will be floating a USD 1 billion Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) tender and that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will be the lead financial adviser. Construction could commence in 2015 with commissioning in 2020. COMESA has declared it to be a priority Project that is an important component of the Mombasa-Kampala – Kigali northern corridor” (APA, 2014).

Progress on Capacity improvement projects around Kampala:

Kampala – Jinja Express Highway (Funded under PPP), 77km, Detailed Engineering design completed Construction will be financed under PPP. Transactions Advisor (International Finance Cooperation) is assisting in structuring the project into a bankable PPP Project. Tendering for financing and implementation is expected in May 2015″ (UNRA, 2015).

Here is the tender dropped from UNRA today:

UNRA - KJE P1UNRA - KJE P2

Also this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke6DzPQnitY

Reference:

Africa Project Access (APA) – ‘Africa Project Newsletter: Issue 234’ (Nov. 2014) link: https://www.wko.at/Content.Node/service/aussenwirtschaft/NEWSLETTER-234-November-2014.pdf

Martin, Miguel – ‘MegaProject 334: Uganda to tender Kampala – Jinja Expressway next year’ (17.10.2014) link: http://infrapppworld.com/2014/10/megaproject-334-uganda-to-tender-kampala-jinja-expressway-next-year.html

IMF – ‘IMF Country Report No. 13/375: UGANDA FIRST REVIEW UNDER THE POLICY SUPPORT INSTRUMENT’ (Des. 2013) link: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/cr13375.pdf

RoadTrafficTechnology – ‘Uganda plans to float $1bn PPP tender for Kampala-Jinja road in 2015’ (17.10.2014) link: http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/news/newsuganda-plans-to-float-1bn-ppp-tender-for-kampala-jinja-road-in-2015-4409054

Ogwang, Joel – ‘Govt joins World Bank to build $1.5b road projects’ link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=641587&CatID=3

PPIAF – ‘PPIAF Supports Uganda’s Roads PPP Program’ (July 2014) link: http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/publication/Impact-Story-Uganda-Roads.pdf

UNRA – ‘Investor Teaser June 2014: Design, Build, Finance & Operate: Kampala Jinja Expressway (77km) & Kampala Southern Bypass (17km)’ (June, 2014) link: http://www.inspiratia.com/Content/Files/View.ashx?FileID=cb5ec032-d0e6-4218-a24e-c248fd2c6d19

UNRA – ‘ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE KEY TO DEVELOPMENT’ (2015) link: http://www.eagle.co.ug/ads/UNRA2015.pdf

World Bank – ‘Partnering to Support Uganda’s Roads PPP Program’ (25.09.2015) link: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/09/25/partnering-to-support-ugandas-roads-ppp-program

Press Release: Tata Communications and MasterCard join forces to empower 100 million women [Company Update] (30.09.2015)

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