EKIRAGIRO ky’okusengula bbaasi ezimu okuva mu paaka ya Qualicel ey’omugagga Drake Lubega ereetedde abasaabaze abamu okubuzibwabuzibwa ne babulako entambula okugenda gye balaga.
Kino kyadiridde akakiiko akavunanyizibwa ku by’entambula
n’okuwa bbaasi layisinsi Transport Licensing Board (TLB) okuyisa ekiragiro egiggya bbaasi ezikwata mu bugwanjuba
n’obukikakono mu paaka ya Qualicell ne balekamu ezidda mu buvanjuba.
Embeera eno ereetedde paaka ya Qualicell okusigalamu kampuni za bbaasi nnya zokka okuli YY Coaches, Gateway, Kampala Hopper, Teso Coach ne Kakise okuba nga zezitikiramu
abasaabaze ng’endala zalagiddwa okugenda mu paaka ya Namayiba ne Kisenyi Bus Terminal.
Nathan Ssemujju akolera mu kkampuni ya YY agambye nti ekiragiro kino kikosezza nnyo abali mu mulimu gw’okusaabaza abantu mu mu kiseera kino bangi bakonkomalidde mu paaka tebalina mmotoka zibatwala kuba ezisinga zigyiddwa mu paaka.
“ Ekiragiro ekyayisiddwa nga kiggya bbaasi ezemu mu paaka ya Qualicell kitumenya kuba kati paaka nkalu nga temuli mmotoka zitwala basaabaze era eziriwo bali mu kuzirwanira tusaba abaakiyisizza bakikyuseemu” Ssemujju bwe bwategeezezza.
Agambye nti mu paaka ya Qualicell musigaddemu baasi 32 zokka songa luli mubaddemu ezisoba mu 150 nga abasAabaze bali mu kutataganyizibwa
ekisusse nga kyetagisa okukomyawo baasi ezimu.
The Negligence of African
Public Transport
Abantu abatambuze bamanyi okwetegekera engendo nebiseera nga bino(timetable) ebirina ne map ezilaga obulungi wa gyogenda.
Kikukakatako gwe atambuza abantu okuba nga wetegese okubata
mbuza obulungi ate mubwangu mumagezi go. Kyebava bakusasula sente zaabwe.
Ensi nyingi ebyokuta
mbuza abantu mubibuga nemiriraano nga bino ebisolo ebitwalibwa mu Lufula woka awo babivaako dda nyo nga Ssematalo owokubiri akomye.
Busiru! Ova Luzira ogenda Mbale ate nogenda e Kampala gyoba ozikwatira? Ogenda Masaka ate nga osula Nsangi, nogenda e Kampala gyoba okwatira bbaasi ezinakutuusa e Masaka. Ogenda Arua ku ssawa 11 ezolweggulo kulwokutaano nga osula Nakawa osanidde kugenda wa okukwata baasi otuuke e West Nile?
The new infrastructure to pass through northern Tanzania will fork out from Uganda in two fangs; Kitagate in Isingiro to Karagwe and Myotera-Mutukula to Karagwe, then merge into one thoroughfare to roll over Ngara in north-western Tanzania and link to Burundi’s Kobero Border Crossing Point.
Uganda and Burundi are finalising plans to build a new road to promote trade and commerce and circumvent a barrier presented by Rwanda’s closure of Gatuna border in early 2019.
These two routes are 360Km and 274Km, respectively, according to googlemap computations, and would take anywhere between four to six-and-half hours to drive, comparable to seven-and-half hours drive on the 348 kilometres from Gatuna to Bujumbura. However, the drive from Kobero to Burundi’s Bujumbura capital could take an additional 4 hours.
Uganda’s trade with Rwanda and Burundi, which is more inland, has plummeted since Kigali closed the busier Gatuna border, initially citing construction of a one-stop customs point, and later blaming arrests of Rwandan citizens in Uganda.
Kampala counter-accused Rwanda of infiltration and espionage and President Museveni tapped Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, to lead the diplomacy to resolve the stand-off.
Agreement Details of the new road project were agreed upon during a meeting between President Museveni and his Burundian counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye during the latter’s May13-14 state visit, a day after he attended his host’s inauguration on May 12.
The ministers and top technocrats superintending the works and roads sectors in Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi are scheduled to meet on June 20, according to Uganda’s Minister of State for Works Joy Kabatsi.
Following the May 13 meeting with his Burundian counterpart, President Museveni said: “We talked about the road form Kikagate-Morongo-Isingiro inside Tanzania-Keisho –to Kayanga. That road is an old marram road if it is upgraded and “murrumed” properly people can use it from the Mbarara side.”
He added: “The road from Mutukula-Kyaka-Kayanga-Ngara is there because Tanzanians have tarmacked from Mutukula-Kyaka to Kayanga, so we can travel directly to Burundi. On our side, I want you to look at from Morongo to Kayanga. We can also incorporate some security fields.”
News of the development follows another offer by Uganda to upgrade hundreds of kilometres of dirt roads in eastern DR Congo, a significant trading partner in the region, to bitumen – smoothening a western frontier for commerce.
President Museveni mid-this month said an improved road connection, in addition to direct Uganda Airlines flights to Bujumbura, with Burundi would improve trade in agricultural products and natural resources.
Highly-placed sources said Mr Museveni and Mr Ndayishimiye meeting tasked Gen Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Works minister, until the May 12 dissolution of government, to expedite the three-country project.
President Museveni, who was sworn-in for a sixth elective term a week ago, is yet to name his new ministers to fully constitute the Executive and government.
In that context, Gen Katumba, who said during an interview yesterday that he was speaking as a private citizen, confirmed the project under which each state will bankroll construction of the portion of the road passing through its territory.
“The road from Masaka to Mutukula is terrible and needs to be reconstructed. The road from Kikagate is bad, then you have to make those roads as first-class so that we can connect through Tanzania to Burundi,” Gen Wamala said.
He added: “Government will construct the roads, which connect to Burundi through Tanzania, our roads. Tanzania will do their own road. Uganda, we have to make sure that the roads which connect Uganda to Burundi through Tanzania are very good. The road from Masaka to Mutukula must be very good. The road from the border Kitagate must be very good.”
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sam Kutesa, exports from Uganda to Burundi, mainly iron and steel products, maize, tobacco, and vegetable oils, increased from $40 million (Shs141.4b) to $59 million (Shs208.6b), but he did not specify the period.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
Why Uganda burns medicine when hospitals have no drugs:
Much more this country bans the importation of refrigeration facilities:
Medicine Distribution: Drugs being offloaded in a hot climate from a National Medical Stores truck at Wakiso District headquarters. FILE PHOTO
21 December, 2018
By Joan Salmon
In Summary
Survey. The Health Ministry in results of a National Health Account, a survey it conducts to trace government financing to the sector, found that the central government spends about Shs3,000 per month on the health of each citizen.
Variations. According to Dr Hussein Oria, a head of the Pharmacy at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, until 2016, drugs are sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity.
A dry, frigid wind stings and numbs the body inside the vast National Medical Stores (NMS) facility in Entebbe, some 40 kilometres from Kampala.
The medicines and other supplies look well-ordered on wooden pellets fixed in stacking partitions that are roof-high with the excess taking up some of the aisle space. This is the warehouse for NMS, the government agency responsible for “procuring, storing and distributing essential medicines and medical supplies to public health facilities in Uganda”. The elaborate systems in this storeroom --- of documentation, drugs and supplies’ labelling as well as stacking and standards compliance --- contrast with the haphazard storage at end-user facilities. Pharmacists and health sector experts say digressions during drug distribution, particularly the last mile delivery that NMS mainly contracts to private transporters, alongside altered storage conditions at public health facilities compromise the quality and efficacy of medicines. According to Dr Hussein Oria, a head of the Pharmacy at Makerere University College of Health Sciences until 2016, drugs are sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity which is why they must be kept under strictly regulated condition. He said: “When temperatures are above normal, drugs deteriorate, forming other products or [impurities]. That will mean that when one is consuming the drugs, they will be taking in two products; the drugs plus its [impurities].” One way of fixing the problem, according to Dr Oria, is ensuring that trucks hauling medicines and medical supplies on the last mile have hygrometres and charts for recording accurate readings of humidity and temperature. This will help authorities monitor the condition of the drugs in real time. Whereas vaccines and insulin require guaranteed cold chain, tablets and capsules on the other hand can be damaged by rise in temperatures or dampness. Officials interviewed for this article admitted that some district/hospital medical stores have no or irregular electricity supply, hamstringing local capacity to insure quality especially of cold-chain medicines.
Poor facilities Other stores have leaking roofs or broken windows and whenever it rains, water gushes in and soaks packaged drugs and medical supplies. It is a downside of a supply system smart at the top, or NMS level, which some experts say falls apart through bureaucratic cracks and planning deficits as drugs and supplies transit to the ultimate user --- the patient. Uganda’s drug supply and uptake is an incurable paradox of abundance co-existing with paucity. When other health facilities are reporting drug stock-outs, many others are stuck with expired quantities. Early this year, the National Drug Authority asked for Shs960m to incinerate expired medicines and supplies, that Health Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, said they at the time estimated to be 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes. Although officials were unable to break the stock by type, price and source, they estimate its value in billions of shillings. The quantities, Dr Atwine told this newspaper in February, accumulated at 6,619 health centres II, III, IV as well as district, regional referral and private-not-for-profit hospitals over the last six years. The government last destroyed expired drugs all together in 2012. NDA’s near Shs1b budget for burying or burning medicines beyond their shelf-life has polarised public opinion, with sections of the population and leaders questioning whether the more rewarding investment of the cash, if available, would not be to re-stock struggling public health facilities. In the earlier interview with this newspaper, PS Atwine argued that improper handling of the expired drugs could cause environmental damage, present real health risk or end up recycled and rebranded by callous individuals for sale to unsuspecting patients. But just how does a resource-constrained Uganda get weighed down by the burden of expired drugs? A group of civil society activists with interest in health matters early last month drove to NMS stores in Entebbe to confer with the entity’s leadership and explore reasons undergirding the irony. Mr Moses Kamabare, the NMS general manager, pointed to two pitfalls; wrong disease burden data or projections, resulting in convoluted quantification and requisitions by health facilities. The outcome is that a facility is either undersupplied or oversupplied, draining its resources.
Drug deliveries In Uganda, delivery of drugs and medical supplies is contingent upon the expressed needs and priorities of user health facilities. Health Centre IVs replenish stock every two months while hospitals do so every month. Lower health facilities get deliveries of essential medical kits, comprising at least 22 standard common-in-use medicines and supplies, every couple of months, according to details contained in the 2017/18 National Quantification Report for Public Health Facilities. Sometimes capacity gaps mean managers cannot accurately estimate demand and end up asking for drugs they don’t need or requisition in more generous quantities. Other times, predicted communicable diseases don’t break out yet drugs and supplies would already have been stocked in anticipation. In such cases, health facilities lose out if the officials do not act fast to transfer such medicines and supplies to parts of the country in need. Another bail out option, Mr Kamabare said, is prompt notification of NMS to re-adjust the orders. The Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala spokesman, Mr Nelson Obote, said they and other health units under Mulago requisition for drugs from the national referral hospital because that is where their budgets are captured. “We make a requisition in every planning season to Mulago [that] later makes a comprehensive procurement plan to cater for all the units,” he said.
Re-distribution approach Expiry of drugs has markedly reduced since NMS adopted re-distribution approach a couple of years ago, one board member said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A senior medical officer familiar with policy implementation said in some cases, health facilities could requisition for malaria drugs based on data of previous prevalence but the government suddenly conducts spraying in an area to kill mosquitos, which reduces malaria incidents. Medicines in stock in such places go to waste if not swapped. But malaria particularly has presented a bigger problem for countries due to World Health Oraganisations shifting guidelines for its treatment. The treatment has in the past two decades changed from singular or combination use of quinine, chloroquine, fansidar to the current artemisinin combination. Because countries making savings through bulk purchases, a senior Ugandan Health official said sudden shifts in WHO-recommended treatment sometimes finds huge volumes of the changed drug that can neither be returned to the manufacturer nor given to patients. These problems notwithstanding, another official familiar with the drug supply matters told this newspaper on condition of anonymity in order not to upend relations with development partners that the bulk of expired drugs in health facilities in the country are from third parties, euphemism for donors who dump medicines and supplies, especially during humanitarian crisis, even when there is no local demand. “In such cases, individuals receiving the donation must carefully scrutinise the expiry dates on the drugs and supplies. Otherwise, the free things will become expensive when they expire and you have to spend money to transport and destroy them,” the official said. Expired drugs or drug stock-outs present the same problem: no medicines for a patient at the time it is required. Lack of drugs at public health facilities, according to health workers, erodes citizens’ confidence in modern healthcare delivery. “Presence of medicines is what builds the trust lest they go for alternative methods,” Dr Oria recommends. Some turn to unregulated traditional healers and, in worse cases, illegally operating witchdoctors. Drug wastage, whereby a patient is given more drugs than is required to treat a disease, and improper procurement, where a required drug misses on requisition, continues to sully efforts to reform drug supplies. NMS is not entirely blameless. Some staff and outsiders familiar with its operations told this newspaper that the entity sometimes procures medicines that have one remaining shelf life year and supply to health centres stocks left with six months to expire. The presumption, one official said, is that a recipient health unit would have exhausted the drugs by the next replenishment delivery, two months later. Sometimes they don’t, resulting in a pile up of unused medicines.
Budget issues Experts say the efficacy and safety of the medicines and medical supplies, including whether they expire unused or are lacking, depends on shelf-life, consumption rate, storage capacity of recipient health institutions. A senior government official cited a mismatch between growing population and rather stagnated budget allocation as one making the sector crisis worse. For instance, Uganda has never once allocated 15 per cent of its national budget to health as it committed to do, just like other African countries, during the April 2001 Declaration on Health. Yet the population is knocking the 40 million people threshold. The Health Ministry in results of a National Health Account, a survey it conducts to trace government financing to the sector, found that the central government spends about Shs3,000 per month on the health of each citizen. Put another way, development partners, particularly the United States, bankroll the largest portion of the health budget.
Intervention
Whereas a pathway for health units to transfer surplus drugs to facilities in need is a relief, and reduces drugs expiry while preventing stock-outs, local capacity for compliance with strict standards is still a hurdle. The problem is being partly resolved through a public-private partnership. And the training, with a curriculum developed by the School of Pharmacy at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, targets to empower health workers to better manage drugs redistribution outside NMS networks. Such transfers of medicines require the approval of the district health officer. The training on drug management and re-allocation is being conducted through a partnership between Management Sciences of Health (MSH), a global non-profit organisation, the Health ministry and local government. Mr Martin Oteba, the deputy Chief of Party for MSH, said: “We are training health officials in the transfer of drugs and the selection of these officials is done by the DHO’s office. We have trained 450 people so far.” The curriculum is being integrated in mainstream medical training to ensure graduating health professionals are skilled to manage the drugs and medical supplies chain better. According to Dr Oria, the programme was mooted as a stop-gap measure to address the unmet demand for trained pharmacists. Whereas it is internationally recommended that there should be one pharmacist serving alongside every four doctors, there is one average one pharmacist for every 40 doctors. in Uganda. The outcome: some doctors prescribe drugs while unqualified persons man pharmacies where desperate patients buy medicines over the counter, sometimes in quantities and types more than is required to cure a disease. “With such understaffing, very many things are bound to go wrong in the health sector,” says Dr Sam Opio, the executive secretary of Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU). He added: “Private and public health facilities use the same system for procuring drugs. Why is it that the issue of stock-outs and expiry are prevalent in public facilities? The [solution] lies [in the government] employing enough qualified personnel to manage the system.” The more dominant thought in management of the country’s healthcare has been a shift from curative to health promotion and disease prevention. The conversation has become louder, and gained a political currency, after President Museveni mid this year launched the National Physical Exercise Day to be observed on annual basis. National Medical Stores General Manager, Mr Moses Kamabare, said Ugandans must embrace the campaign because, “in the long run, money will be saved and appropriated to purchase other drugs that are otherwise in fewer quantities at the moment or unavailable.”
Lutaaya ye Munnayuganda eyasooka okuvaayo mu lwatu n’ayatula bw’alina akawuka akaleeta siriimu.
Mr Philly Bongole Lutaaya
BULI mwaka lwe guba gunaatera okuggwaako, erinnya Philly Bongole Lutaaya litandika okuvuga. Si lwa nnyimba ze eza Ssekukkulu zokka wabula n’olwokuba nti nga December1, lwe lunaku lwa siriimu mu nsi yonna.
Lutaaya ye Munnayuganda eyasooka okuvaayo mu lwatu n’ayatula bw’alina akawuka
akaleeta siriimu. Kino yakikola nga Apirl 13, 1989 mu lukuηηaana lw’abaamawulire lwe yatuuza ku Sheraton Hotel mu Kampala.
Mu 1981 Philly Lutaaya yagenda e Sweden. Yafuna ssente mu kuyimba era mu 1986 yatwala abaana be e Sweden n’atandika okubeera nabo.
Mu 1987 yakuba oluyimba lwa ‘Born in Africa’ olwamutunda ennyo n’afuuka omuganzi mu Afrika mwonna.
Omusujja ogw’olutentezi gwatandika okuluma Lutaaya era mu 1988 yagenda mu ddwaaliro lya Stockholm mu Sweden abasawo gye baakamutemera nti alina akawuka akaleeta siriimu.
Laba omusajja eyali atobye n’obulamu ng’ayita mu kuyimba nga n’abaana be abatutte ebweru w’eggwanga ate obulamu bwe bwonooneka olw’akawuka ka siriimu!
Lutaaya newankubadde yakizuula nti mulwadde, yasigala muvumu.
Okusinziira ku muwala we Tezra Lutaaya, Philly yeeyongera okukola era teyaggwaamu maanyi.
“Oluyimba ‘Alone and Frightened’ olwogera ku siriimu yalukolera ku ndiri. Yayagala agende okufa ng’alese omukululo ng’akozesa ekitone kye eky’okuyimba.
Olutambi luno lwamumenya nnyo...”
LUTAAYA MUZIRA
Bw’oyogera n’abantu abaaliwo mu budde Lutaaya we yaviirayo n’ategeeza nti alina akawula ka siriimu, bamuyita muzira.
Abamu bagamba nti mujulizi ate abalala bamuyita mununuzi eyakola ennyo okulaba ng’anunula eggwanga okulitangira akawuka newankubadde ye yali amaze okukafuna.
Mu kawefube wa Philly Bongole Lutaaya ow’okutaasa Bannayuganda okufuna akawuka, yagendanga mu bifo eby’olukale okusomesa abantu naddala abavubuka nti siriimu waali era wa bulabe.
Mu bimu ku bifo Lutaaya mwe yagenda mwe muli essomero lya Gayaza Junior, Makerere University n’ekivvulu kye yakola e Nakivubo.
ALOYSIUS MATOVU JOY AYOGEDDE KU LUTAAYA
Munnakatemba Aloysius Matovu Joy yagambye nti Lutaaya yali mukwano gwe. Agamba nti engeri siriimu gye yalumamu Lutaaya yali nzibu nnyo.
Matovu agamba nti, “Philly bwe yakomawo mu ggwanga ng’amaze okulwala yabeeranga ku Namirembe Road. Bannayuganda bangi baagaana okukkiriza nti Lutaaya mulwadde wa siriimu naddala abakyala abaali balowooza nti ‘sereebu’ k’akomyewo mu ggwanga agenda kubayiira ssente eziwera.
Philly yantegeeza nti abawala bamulemerako nnyo. Nze ne Philly n’abeekinywi bannaffe abalala tweyitanga ba ‘sitayiri’. Lumu yantegeeza nti “mwana sitayiri ba
fame (ategeeza abakazi) bagaanye okukkiriza kye mbagamba bo balowooza kimu nti ndi mu kakodyo ka kubalyako ssente”.
Matovu yayongeddeko nti, “Nze sirabangako muyimbi akola linnya nga Philly lye yakola oluvannyuma lw’okulangirira nti alina siriimu.
Abantu bwe baamala okukkiriza nti alina siriimu ne bagunjaawo n’enjogera nti “aka Philly”. Nga bw’owulira omuntu ng’agambye nti oyo alina aka Philly, baba bategeeza
siriimu.
Bwe njogera ku Lutaaya saagala kumala kubanga yessa nnyo wansi okusobola okutaasa abangi. Gwe teebereza omuntu eyali amaze okuyimba oluyimba olw’amaanyi ‘Born in Africa’ eyali asuubirwa okujja ng’ameze n’obwebindu akole byonna bye yandyagadde ate bw’akawaηηamula nti mulwadde!
Nange kino kye nsazeewo okukola nga ηηenda nsisinkana abantu ab’enjawulo nga mbasomesa ku kawuka. Naye siyinza kwenkana Philly Lutaaya kye yakola.
‘PHILLY LUTAAYA YANTIISA NE NNEEWALA EBY’ABASAJJA’
Omuyimbi Joanita Kawalya owa Afrigo Band agamba nti bwe yalaba engeri obulwadde gye bwaluma Lutaaya, teyasigala kye kimu. “Philly Lutaaya yali wa mukwano
mu maka gaffe era twali tumumanyidde ddala anti ye ne kitange nga bombi bayimbi. Kyokka taata (Eclas Kawalya) yali mukulu okusinga ku Philly Lutaaya.
Nze nali ndabye ku Philly emirundi mingi nga mulamu wabula kye nalaba ng’akomyewo
mu bulwadde kyankuba wala.
Twagenda ne taata okumulaba mu wooteeri nga ndi muwala wa siniya. Nalaba
Baatutegeeza nti alina siriimu era nti obulwadde obwo buyitira mu kwegatta na basajja. Baatugamba nti eryo ddogo ng’omuwala bw’ayagala bba wa munne basobola
Nze nasalawo okwekuuma nga nfuba okulaba nga saagala basajja ba bandi si kulwa nga nange bandoga ne nfuna obulwadde bwe nalaba ku Lutaaya.
MU KIVVULU KY’E NAKIVUBO ABASINGA MWE BAKKIRIRIZA
Richard Sserukuuma 47 ow’e Kawempe agamba nti yali mu Kampala mu budde Philly Lutaaya we yategekera ekivvulu e Nakivubo okubuulira Bannayuganda nti alina siriimu.
“Nange mwennyini nali sikakasa nti Lutaaya alina siriimu wabula okusinziira ku baava mu kivvulu ne bye baayogera baatukakasa nti ddala omusajja mulwadde.
Baanyumya nti kaabula kata agwe ku siteegi era baabaka mubake olw’okuba nti yali munafu nnyo.”
Ayongerako nti okulangirira kwa Lutaaya nti alina siriimu newankubadde Bannayuganda abamu baalowooza nti alimba, abasinga naddala abaali mu kivvulu bakkiriza nti ddala eggwanga lyali liguddemu ekirwadde ekikambwe ennyo era abamu baatandika okutiira ddala ebikolwa by’okwegadanga.
Ekivvulu kino yakikola mu October 1989.
Nga December 15, 1989 Philly Bongole Lutaaya yassa omukka ogw’enkomerero mu ddwaaliro e Nsambya.
These power plants would feed into the national grid and enter into long-term power purchase agreements with the Ugandan power utility Umeme. If successful, the proceeds would then be focused on conservation activities in the country.
We already know how we would provide this conservation support. Powering Africa | Recharging Conservation (PA|RC) is an initiative supported by The Nature Conservancy to create a sustainable source of revenue for conservation in Africa, and helps meet the continent’s renewable energy generation goals. Here at Solarcentury, it is an initiative we work closely with and support.
The Giants Club, founded by the conservation organisation Space for Giants and supported by the Independent, did a great job at the Uganda event of bringing together businesses, conservationists and the Ugandan officials they will need to work with.
For me as a potential investor it enabled an opportunity to create a lasting solution that will benefit Uganda’s effort to maintain its biodiversity and conserve its wildlife, while generating clean energy for its citizens.
By investing in renewable energy power plants, not only will investors generate satisfactory returns but importantly, a significant revenue stream would be channelled for conservation efforts across Uganda’s national parks and reserves, and community and private conservancies.
The move would also assist the government to realise its vision of an economy powered by renewable energy, as well as providing energy access to the population.
Solarcentury, which commenced its operations two decades ago, has over 1GW Solar PV built and operational in four continents (Africa, Europe, South America and North America). With a permanent office in Nairobi, it will provide development investment and leadership, engineering, procurement, construction services, as well as operations and maintenance services for the PA|RC projects in Africa.
Protected Areas, like those in Uganda, are important biodiverse landcapes. But at present they struggle for funding each year. They depend on grants, tourism revenues, and government finance, which are either short-term and unpredictable in nature, or create a strain on the central government.
By establishing solar projects to support conservation sites, we will generate reliable long term funding to protect millions of acres of critical habitat and safeguard endangered species.
Also, by generating revenue for community conservancies, PA|RC will support front-line conservationists and community projects such as schools, health clinics, drinking water projects, and more.
The model is already taking shape in Kenya. Through PA|RC we are already developing two 10 megawatt (MW) solar plants. The clean electricity produced by them will be injected to the grid, and a significant portion (estimated at $1 million) of revenue generated through the sale of power, will flow from the solar plants to Tsavo West National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for conservation activities over a 20-year period.
The solar plants, by offsetting fossil fuels, combined with the landscapes that they go some way to protecting, effectively act as carbon sinks.
We now look forward to exploring, with the help of the Giants Club, how such a project can be replicated in Uganda.
My hope is that such a project will be able to serve as a blueprint for developing renewable energy plants throughout Africa for the benefit of conservation, while at the same time combating the effects of climate change. This is only the beginning.
Guy Lawrence is the Director of Solarcentury in East Africa. Solarcentury is a global Engineering, Procurement and Construction company with an office in Kenya specialising in the design & installation of solar PV panels for businesses, solar parks & isolated grids
World Bank backs efforts to clean up cooking fuels in Uganda:
By Jacky Achan
Added 30th September 2018
With forests gone, UBOS indicates that traditional cooking methods expose family members to numerous pollutants causing health problems.
A total $2.2m(over sh8.4 billion) has been injected by the World Bank to foster the sales and adoption of cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies in Uganda under the Clean Cooking Supply Chain Expansion project.
According to the Uganda Bureau of statistics (UBOS) 2016 figures and findings, the country meets more than 89% of its energy demand with biomass, 10% with fossil fuel combustion and only 1% with electricity from hydro and fossil fueled thermal power plants.
This has led to a total forest cover decline of 27 percent between 1990 and 2005, with 1.8% decline per year on average. Reports by National Forestry Authority indicate that Uganda’s forest cover across the country tremendously declined from 24% (4,933,271 hectares) of land area in the 1990 to less than 9% (1,956,664 hectares) in 2018.
A study by Samuel Lietaer and Edwin Zaccai on making clean cooking champions: perceptions on development of private actors in Uganda, indicates more than two billion people in the world and most households in Uganda depend on wood energy for cooking and heating.
Nonetheless, associated with traditional use of wood fuels is energy inefficiency, deforestation, the associated increasing time for collection of fuel that largely affects women, deleterious health and environmental effects.
With forests gone, UBOS also indicates that traditional cooking methods expose family members to numerous pollutants causing health problems.
The Uganda Clean Cooking Supply Chain Expansion funded by the World Bank being and implemented by Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is working to reduce the negative impacts on the environment and economic burden on households stemming from inefficient use of solid biomass fuels for cooking.
Interventions
According to Lietaer and Zaccai study, while the history of biogas technology in Uganda dates to the 1950s, The Uganda clean cooking sector emerged in the 1980s mainly due to concerns over deforestation and desertification.
Since the 1980’s, many developing country households have been slow to adopt them, largely because the technology transfer was project based rather than focusing on the development of a commercially viable business development.
The government’s ambition was to increase the adoption of efficient fuelwood stoves to 4,000,000 by last year.
This is because the clean cooking sector is essential in achieving several public, national, and international goals. At least 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goals 3, 5, 7 and 13 respectively emphasizes on ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages, gender equality, energy access for all and climate action.
A field research in Uganda, Kampala region, explored the success factors according to local private actors’ perceptions including entrepreneurs, manufacturers and distributors.
It found improved cooking technologies are more difficult to sell than traditional ones mainly because they are more expensive in the short-term. Companies struggle to keep a balance between affordable price and quality products.
Andrew Ndawula, a bamboo expert though happy with the improved cooking stoves, says there is need to look at the sustainability of the project.
“The stoves will only make sense if the people using it have a sustainable source of fuel. If they are still going to the forest to get wood or charcoal then we are just treating the problem, we need sustainability which comes from getting a proper source of fuel and for our case this lies in bamboo,” he says.
Ndawula adds: “Bamboo grow very fast and you can start harvesting in three years thereafter you can harvest the bamboo continuously for 60-80 years this will provide a sustainable source of fuel and take the pressure off our natural forests that take so many years to replace.” Ndawula says every household should be encouraged to grow bamboo so that they have a sustainable source of fuel for their clean cooking stoves.
Gains so far
According to Richard Hosier in the World Bank Implementation Status and Results Report 2018, on Uganda Clean Cooking Supply Chain Expansion Project, cumulative sales of clean energy stoves was at about 10,000 as of end June this year.
Households that gained access to more energy-efficient cooking or heating facilities or both were 10,000 as of August this year.
Whereas climate impact reduction of net carbon emissions from inefficient combustion of biomass was at 1,266 tones as of July 2017.
But at the close the project on December 31, 2019, Households that gained access to more energy-efficient cooking or heating facilities or both should have reached 45,000 whereas climate impact reduction of net carbon emissions from inefficient combustion of biomass should be at 5,600 tones.
Nb
There is no effort to debate the need to put up solar energy in those countries with a tropical climate.
Wano e Kampala, Uganda, Abasirikale abakuuma amasanyalaze bakutte ate abakozi ba UMEME benyini nga bagezaako okubba tulansifooma:
By Paddy Bukenya
Added 20th September 2018
Habib Kakulu omukozi wa UMEME yakubiddwa omukuumi amasasi mu mukono ekiro ku ssaawa nga 7:00. Bano baggyidde mu mmotoka ya UMEME UAN 832X.
Abakozi ba UMEME abaakwatiddwa nga bali ku poliisi e Mpigi.
ABAKOZI ba UMEME abaabadde babba tulansifooma ekiro, omukuumi abakubyemu amasasi ne galumya omu ababiri ne babakwata poliisi n’ebaggalira.
Habib Kakulu omukozi wa UMEME yakubiddwa omukuumi amasasi mu mukono ekiro ku ssaawa nga 7:00. Bano baggyidde mu mmotoka ya UMEME UAN 832X.
Okusinziira ku poliisi, Kakulu ne banne okuli Francis Kagame ne Edison Mugula baalinnye emiti gy’amasannyalaze e Nsujjuwe mu ggombolola y’e Kiringente mu Mpigi nga bagezaako okubbayo tulansifooma. Baabadde mu byambalo bya kkampuni ya UMEME wabula omukuumi w’ekifo kino n’abalabuukirira n’abalagira okukka wansi. Bwe baavuddeyo ne basalawo okudduka n’abawereekereza amasasi ne gakwatako omu eyatwalibwa e Mulago ng’ataawa.
Omwogezi wa poliisi mu Katonga, Joseph Musana ategeezezza nti wiiki ewedde abantu abataategeerekeka babba waya z’amasannyalaze mu kitundu kino, kkampuni ya UMEME n’esalawo okuteekayo omukuumi w’emmundu kyokka kibeewuunyisizza okulaba ng’abakozi ba kkampuni eno bennyini be baakwatiddwa nga bagezaako okubba tulansifooma.
Edison Mugula ne Francis Kagame abaakwatiddwa, eby’okubba tulansifooma baabyegaanyi nti baabadde balina kye batereeza. Bano bakyakuumirwa mu kaduukulu ka poliisi nga munnaabwe Kakulu bw’ajjanjabibwa oluvannyuma bavunaanibwe ng’okunoonyereza kuwedde.
Nb
Ebizibu bino Abaganda abalina amasanyalaze babimanyi bulungi. Bano abakozi babadde bajitwala mu zone endala abatuuze gyebalimu nga eyabwe transformer bajibajako oba nokujibabba ko. Ate nga abatuuze bamaze okusasula omusimbi omuyitirivu enyo okusobola okufuna endala!
Era kibi nyo ddala okuwulira nga gano amasanyalaze ga mazzi sente ezikola dams zino zamabanja agayinze obungi enyo okwewolebwa governmenti eno. Ate nga buli munnaku wa Uganda yena asobola nokukozesa amasanyalaze ga mazzi gano awamu na masanyalaze aga solar(omusana) kusente entono ddala.
Kibi nyo nga tuwulira buli budde nti Uganda kakati erina amasanyalaze agava mu bbibiro (dam)mangi nyo ddala era gatundibwa nemunsi endala naye nga omwavu wa Uganda tegamudukirira nakamu mubulamu bwe obwomulembe gwa High Tech ogwennaku zino!
Era singa aba UMEME bagaba free units eri abatuuze abaloopa abakozi bano singa ne bbeyi ya masanyalaze yakendeera dda. Nga na Baganda abannaku basobola okufuna amasanyalaze balekerawo okubonabona nokukozesa amanda agava mubibira bya Buganda ebiwedewo nga bikola amanda. Gwe ate omwavu amasanyalaze obba gaaki nga okozesa units 5 zokka awaka buli week emu okufumba nokwasa ettaala ekiro ssawa 3 zokka.
Uganda Airlines aviation industry in the country of Uganda is waking up again after 18 years, when the long time ruling government of Uganda immobilised it:
How the new Uganda Airlines A330-800neo, the new version of A330, will look like. COURTESY PHOTO/Airbus.
26 August, 2018
By Isaac Mufumba
Christmas is coming early. That is if a report carried by Aviation24.be, a website that focusses on news in the aviation industry and comments by the Minister of Works, Ms Monica Azuba, are anything to go by.
Four jets that government ordered from Bombardier and Airbus will take to the skies in December.
If it happens, QU – the defunct airline’s flight code – will be returning to the skies 17 years and seven months after Uganda Airlines was liquidated and more than 18 years since the last of its jets was sighted. The last plane, a 44-seater Fokker Friendship (F27), was sold to Avtrade on October 13, 2000.
Rationale The National Development Plan (NDPII) listed revival of a national airliner as third on a list of six public investment projects lined up for implementation in the air transport sector in the period between 2015/16 – 2019/20. The argument was that it would “facilitate the development of Entebbe International Airport into a hub”. The NPA, which undertook an in-house study and developed a feasibility study initially put the required capital outlay at $400 million (Shs1.5 trillion).
On June 23, 2016, as Mr Museveni made his maiden speech to the Cabinet he formed after winning a fifth term in office, he made the airline one of his priorities, saying lack of one was taking a toll on travelling Ugandans. “Ugandan travellers are suffering because of, apparently, not having a national airline… I did not care much about a national airline. I thought that our brothers in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and others having airlines would serve all of us. That, however, is apparently not the case,” he said then.
At the time, Mr Museveni believed that Ugandans annually spend $420 million (Shs1.6 trillion) on travel, the bulk of which was going to foreign operators. This, he said, was a foreign exchange hemorrhage that a national carrier could stop. Other considerations included, among others, the promotion of tourism, branding and marketing Uganda as an investment destination, stimulating economic growth by creating jobs and revenue for government, promoting export trade and reducing domination of the airline trade by foreign operators.
Expensive tickets The outgoing chairman of the East African Business Council, Mr Mwinerugangura Kabeho, argues that lack of a national carrier has opened up Ugandan travellers to exploitation.
“The price of tickets here is the highest in the World. It is cheaper to fly to Dubai than to Burundi. A flight from Entebbe to Dar-e-salaam costs as much as one from Entebbe to Johannesburg,” he says. As of Wednesday, the cheapest tickets on offer from Kenya Airways were ranging between €218 (Shs951,285) and €414.61 (Shs1.8m) for a return flight from Entebbe to Nairobi booked over a one week period, while Rwanda Air was charging between €347.41 (Shs1.5m) and €518.60 (Shs2.2m.)
With Fly Dubai Airline charging between €542.16 (Shs2.3m) and €698.53 (Shs3m), Kenya Airways charging between €517.07 (about Shs2.2m) and €641.15 (Shs2.8m) Ethiopia Airways charging €556 (Shs2.4m) and Oman Air €651 (about Shs2.8m) for a flight from Entebbe to Dubai, it is evident that travellers doing the trip to Dubai sometimes pay either the same amount for the 3,730km journey as those travelling to Nairobi, a distance of 521kms.
At the same time, Kenya Airways was charging between €423.40 (Shs1.8m) and €544.40 (Shs2.3m) for tickets for flights between Entebbe and Bujumbura, while Rwanda Air was charging €509.89 (Shs2.2m). Kenya Airways was charging between €235.76 (Shs1m) and €294.76 (Shs1.3m) for a flight ticket for Entebbe-Johannesburg, which shows that it is much cheaper to travel to Johannesburg, a distance of about 2,940kms, than it is to travel to Bujumbura or Nairobi, which are 514kms and 521.26Kms away.
Impact on Aviation Industry Capt Francis Babu, a former Uganda Airlines pilot, says the aviation industry always has a snowball effect on entire economies.
“Aviation is a high profile industry and it is also a very strategic one. It has capacity to impact on a country in so many ways. It creates direct employment and enhances other industries. Every discipline has a place in the aviation industry,” he says.
He thinks once the airline is back, it has capacity to create hundreds of jobs in direct and indirect employment, while other operations such as cargo and ground handling services and in-flight catering services are also expected to have a multiplier effect on the economy.
Action so far “In these five years, Uganda will encourage the setting up of a national airline,” Mr Museveni told his new Cabinet in June 2016. That sparked off a flurry of activity.
On August 1, 2017, Mr Museveni named a taskforce composed of technocrats from the ministry of Works, aviation experts and pilots and charged them with developing a business plan and roadmap.
According to the brief that minister Azuba gave the media last month, the team was also charged with, among others, undertaking an economic and risk assessment, identifying a business and operational model. On December 22 last year, Cabinet approved a detailed business and implementation plan and gave the team the nod to embark on the process that would actualise the plan. This occasioned engagement with various aircraft manufacturers, presentation of submissions to the government contracts committee, among others.
In March, government signed Memorandums of Understanding with the suppliers and paid commitment fees amounting to $400,000 (Shs1.5 trillion) to Bombardier and $800,000 (Shs3 trillion) to Airbus Industries to start the manufacturing process. “Payment of the commitment fees was followed by preparation of detailed bid documents, which were shared with the two firms. Negotiation of purchase agreement for (four) Regional Aircrafts with Bombardier has been concluded and the agreement signed thus paving way for payment of the pre-delivery money. The one with Airbus is yet to be concluded,” minister Azuba told the media last month.
Planned routes According to a copy of the National Airline Business and Implementation Plan, an analysis of the 2016 traffic showed the biggest number of Ugandans travelling in Africa visited Nairobi, followed by Kigali, Johannesburg and Juba. It is to those destinations that flights have been planned with the CRJ900 aircrafts.
The plan, however, points at the possibility of opening up routes, to among others, Mombasa, Khartoum, Mogadishu, Kinsasha, Lubambashi and Goma.
An analysis of intercontinental travel revealed that the top 10 destinations were Dubai [United Arab Emirates], London [United Kingdom], Mumbai [India] and Guangzhou [China], which accounted for about 60 per cent of the traffic.
“The initial long-haul network for the airline is, therefore, based on flights to these key points, with the market size being used to determine the aircraft capacity required. As already discussed above, these routes will be launched using the Airbus A330-800Neo aircraft, configured in a three class lay-out as per market requirements with feed from the short-haul intra-Africa regional network,” the plan document reads in parts.
However, in order to develop other routes, government will sign several Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) or Air Transport Agreements (ATAs) and also enter code sharing agreements in order to grow the business.
BASAs and ATAs are agreements in which two nations allow international commercial air transport services between their territories. Once signed, they are registered with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and entered into the Database of Aeronautical Agreements and Arrangements (DAGMAR).
The BASA/ATA spells out the conditions under which airlines are granted economic rights to fly between two countries by detailing things such as frequency of travel, tax issues and types of crafts to be operated.
Code sharing agreements allow two or more airlines to share information on one flight. If, say Uganda Airlines and Kenya Airways have such an agreement in place, Kenya Airways would be in a position to sell a seat on a Uganda Airlines flights and vice versa. If that were to happen, a ticket from Uganda Airlines on a Kenya Airways flight is likely to show the words, “operated by Uganda Airlines”.
Kenya Airways already has code sharing agreements with several airlines, including the Air France-KLM group, Oman Air and Air Mauritania.
One of the targeted markets for the airline are government officials. The problem is government is not a good debtor. That is why many companies and individuals who have done business with it are bankrupt. It was the same with the defunct Uganda Airlines, which was owed billions of shillings by government in unpaid for tickets.
So while optimism is very high that the flag carrier will soon be back in the skies, so are fears that the vampires that sucked the blood out of Uganda Airlines are lurking in the dark waiting to pounce again.
UNEASE IN CABINET
Noise of manufacturer. However, sections of the public have been questioning government’s decision to buy Bombardier and Airbus aircrafts instead of going for Boeing. Earlier in the year, Mr David Basobokwe, who had put in 30 years of work in Uganda Airlines and Das Air Cargo before moving to England, had accused government officials of going about the rebirth of the airline the wrong way. “They have decided to buy four Bombardier CRJ aircrafts to do internal and external flights. Those aircrafts are too many for the job. Two planes can fly in a day and finish (sic) South Africa and East Africa so you don’t need four. Secondly, I don’t understand what informed them to buy four Bombardiers and two airbuses,” Mr Busobokwe said in an interview that was carried in the Sunday Monitor. His concerns spread to Cabinet, which tasked minister Azuba to explain why Boeing had been ditched; why the Airbus A330-800 series were chosen and why government opted to purchase instead of leasing the planes. According to Ms Azuba, those matters were put to bed on July 9.
It is high time Electric Power costs came down in African tropical climate countries:
How solar energy is powering off-grid areas in East Africa and lighting up lives:
The Garissa solar plant in northeastern Kenya. The 55MW solar plant comes as East Africa is increasingly feeding solar into the national grid, and two years after the launch of Uganda’s 20MW Soroti power plant. PHOTO | COURTESY
6 August, 2018
In Summary
The Garissa solar plant which was to be completed in December, is expected to bring down the cost of electricity to $0.05/kWh, and reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere by about 43,000 tonnes.
International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that Africa’s off-grid solar capacity will triple in the next five years to more than 3,000MW.
Under its renewable energy policy of 2010, revised in 2012, Kenya hopes to attract private investors to put money into renewable energy.
Kenyans can expect to pay less for electricity upon the inauguration of the region’s largest solar plant next month, in the northeastern part of the country.
The 55MW Garissa plant comes as East Africa is increasingly feeding solar into the national grid, and two years after the launch of Uganda’s 20MW Soroti power plant.
A new report on renewable power from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that solar is providing new opportunities for households and businesses.
IEA predicts that Africa’s off-grid solar capacity will triple in the next five years to more than 3,000MW.
The Garissa solar plant which was to be completed in December, is opening ahead of schedule. It is expected to bring down the cost of electricity to $0.05/kWh, and reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere by about 43,000 tonnes.
“We are happy that the project will be on the grid by the end of next month. This project is a break from over-reliance on hydroelectric and geothermal power. Our focus now is on green energy. We hope with this injection the cost of power will come down to $0.054 per unit,” Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter said.
Developed by Kenya’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Garissa solar plant sits on 85 acres and consists of 210,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels.
It can light some 625,000 homes. The plant is built by the China Jiangxi company, and funded by the China Exim Bank, to the tune of $135.7 million.
Under its renewable energy policy of 2010, revised in 2012, Kenya hopes to attract private investors to put money into renewable energy.
However, the response has been low less than enthusiastic with investors citing operational and tariff concerns, something Kenya says it has worked on.
“Investors felt the tariffs were insufficient for projects to be viable since they do not cover full operational costs, low indexing at 12 per cent that does not match increase on cost incurred, land acquisition and taxation among other issues," said Mr Keter.
There were delays in the construction of the Garissa solar plant as talks for the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kenya Power were prolonged by disagreements on tariffs.
But in September 2016, REA signed the PPA with the power utility firm to sell electricity from the solar plant at $0.12 per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is cheaper than diesel-generated power.
"We are going to see improved electricity generation and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, savings in foreign exchange on importation of fuel for power generation. Clean energy will drive sustainable economic growth and lift the masses out of poverty," said REA chairman Simon Gicharu.
In the deal, the power purchase agreement to be signed with Kenya Power is fixed as opposed to private solar operators who will enjoy a scalable tariff, technical service (operation and maintenance) for two years, provision of technology transfer by REA.
Solar-powered station
Last month, power producer Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) said it had approached multilateral lenders for $57 million to construct its first solar-powered station.
The company said it was seeking funds from the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD) and KfW of Germany for the construction of the proposed 45MW plant, over a period of 14-months.
"We finished feasibility studies for the project and we’re now seeking funding; the project will sit on 100 hectares of land," said KenGen business development director Moses Wekesa.
Solar plants being environmentally friendly with minimal operating and maintenance expenses have recently become the focus of renewable energy as African countries ditch expensive diesel stations.
Regional governments are now shifting focus to renewable energy for electrification of off-grid areas and households that are far away from the grid.
When Uganda launched its $19 million solar power plant in Soroti in 2016, it was billed as the largest in the region. The plant run by Access Power Middle East and Africa, and Eren Renewable Energy powers over 50,000 households in the east of the country.
"Although this plant has a capacity of 10MW, it is scalable to double that amount, increasing the stock of Uganda’s solar infrastructure, with the aim of lowering the cost of electricity," Access managing director for project origination Vahid Fotuhi said at its launch.
The plant was built in 12 months, with the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) offering $14.7 million as part of the funding needed.
Netherlands-based FMO led the syndicate to finance the solar farm.
Off-grid solutions
Last month, Jumeme, a rural electricity supplier, announced that it will electrify 10 islands in Lake Victoria, with a population of more than 80,000, through off-grid solutions.
The project’s rollout follows a successful pilot that saw the electrification of a village on the Ukara island.
For the pilot project, a 95kW solar hybrid power station was installed; it is now serving more than 1, 000 inhabitants.
According to Jumeme, this first phase of the micro power economy roll-out project will see 20 villages electrified by the end of 2018, though the installation of 11 solar hybrid mini-grids at a cost of $5.84 million, part of which is financed by the European Union under the ACP-EU Energy Facility, with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and GIZ.
"Access to energy is a critical element in empowering people, especially women and youth. Sustainable energy, especially in rural areas, is central to addressing the challenge of poverty reduction and ensuring inclusive, equitable and climate friendly economic growth," said EU head of co-operation Jose Correia Nunes.
According to the IEA report on renewable power, the amount of energy from solar grew by more than 50 per cent, increasing the global output at a faster rate than any other fuel, with off-grid solar accelerating this growth.
Last week, it emerged that regional households using small scale-solar power are reporting a rise in economic activity, with an improvement in income and job opportunities, according to a new report from the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (Gogla) — a global association for the off-grid solar energy industry and a partner of the Kenya Renewable Energy Association.
Benefits of off-grid solar
The report, which provides data demonstrating the economic benefits of off-grid solar power in Kenya and across the developing world, shows that nearly 60 per cent of solar owners undertake more work and enterprise within just three months of installing a solar home system.
The research conducted early this year, was based on data from more than 2,000 small-scale pay-as-you-go solar owners in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania Uganda and Mozambique.
"With more power for enterprise such as retail and entertainment together with increased working hours, over a third of respondents reported an average income increase of $35 a month," the report notes.
The executive director of Gogla Koen Peters, said the new report shows that the net economic and social benefits off-grid solar are a huge opportunity for national governments in the developing world.
"As this report shows, off-grid solar is directly delivering significant impacts. We call on policy makers, Treasury and energy departments to work with off-grid companies, banks and institutions to break down barriers to off-grid solar and build a pathway to accelerate energy access," said Mr Peters.
Currently, one billion people across Africa and Asia — about one in seven people on earth, have no access to electricity.
"With falling prices, increased efficiency and financial innovation, such as pay-as-you-go consumer finance, over 120 million people have now shifted from toxic kerosene lamps, candles and diesel generators to clean off-grid solar electricity since 2010," the report notes.
The chairman of the Kenya Renewable Energy Association Kamal Gupta, said the solar sector will be the key to unlock the economic potential of all Kenyans regardless of whether they live in an urban or rural area.
"Access to reliable and sustainable energy is a key enabler that opens the world to someone sitting in the most distant part of the country without access to the national grid, allowing them to do the most basic of things like charging a mobile phone, keeping their business open in the evening or allowing their children to study at home," said Mr Gupta.
In tropical Africa, Uganda, the Small power producer might just benefit from International funding and a bit of an Environmental tax-break:
Small independent power producers to get funding from Germany. PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA | NATION
30 July, 2018
In Summary
Uganda has moved to protect new small and mid-sized renewable energy projects, making the country to insure small power producers against financial risks.
The country signed an agreement with the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF) to offer financial protection to renewable energy projects.
Uganda is seen as an ideal market based on the relatively high number of viable independent power producers (IPPs).
Uganda has moved to protect new small and mid-sized renewable energy projects, making it the first African country to insure small power producers against financial risks. The country signed an agreement with the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF) to offer financial protection to renewable energy projects that produce up to 50MW of power in sub-Saharan Africa.
RLSF is a joint initiative of the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) — a multilateral guarantor — and German state-owned development bank KfW, with funding from the German Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development. KfW offers out financial help to developing countries on behalf of the Germany government.
The RLSF has an initial capacity equivalent to $74 million and will protect independent power producers (IPPs) against the risk of delayed payments by public off-takers.
This type of guarantee is a common requirement from the banks that fund the projects. Many projects have failed in the past due to limited access to funding.
Uganda is seen as an ideal market based on the relatively high number of viable independent power producers (IPPs).
The country has also benefited from the GET FiT programme, an existing energy-sector initiative managed by KfW that supports countries to develop a standardised set of documentation for power projects and an enabling regulatory framework for IPPs. GET FiT has attracted 19 IPPs into Uganda in the past five years.
“RLSF is a tool that can ensure more renewable energy projects reach financial close. For Africa, small and mid-sized projects may be a better fit in the current environment, requiring less financing and they can also be implemented much quicker. This could be a model that works in many other African markets and may just pave the way for an expansion of the facility or other such initiatives,” said ATI chief executive George Otieno.
More African countries are waking up to the responsibility of owning and running National Airlines so that the vast continent can be more interconnected in modern International Communication:
These airport and airfield infrastructure are the real components of a successful national airline industry where modern high tech jobs are very much available on this vast African continent
African governments should be providing tax breaks to such small time aircraft investors if they are going to meet the demand for cheap air travel on this continent
One would hope that a national airline would have all types of aircrafts to work with inside and outside the national boundaries:
July 25, 2018
Written by Alon Mwesigwa
In the blueprint to national airline revival, the current government proposes to implement the delicate venture in three phases – starting with consolidating regional routes and then international routes in 2021, writes ALON MWESIGWA.
Uganda will spend $319 million (Shs 1.2 trillion) in aircraft acquisition to ply regional and international routes in phases 1 and 2, according to the blueprint laid out by the government.
The country also needs additional start-up capital of $70m (Shs 270bn) required to launch the airline. There was an option for leasing aircraft which would have been cheaper but government says purchasing the core fleet of airplanes would be more appropriate.
Members of the aviation fraternity like Capt Francis Babu say it would have been better to first lease the aircraft as the government studied the performance.
But the 136-page blueprint written for the government by an audit and consulting firm (names withheld) says: “In contrast, cash outflows in the form of lease charges would only work to benefit international lessors with aircraft title remaining outside the company.”
“Newer aircraft are more fuel-efficient compared to old ones and benefit from technological advances that lower the fuel burn. The acquisition of new aircraft is accompanied by support packages that help start-up airlines to build own internal capacity to operate and maintain aircraft efficiently.”
Government, therefore, says the decision to buy was also because several countries are enforcing lower carbon emissions from airlines flying into their airspace. New aircraft have lower carbon emissions – meaning they will have no problem entering certain airspaces.
Efforts to revive the national airline come against a backdrop of heavy pessimism from many ordinary Ugandans and some top public officials. The Observer understands that even Bank of Uganda wrote to the president dissuading him from the venture, saying it will be a financial burden to the country.
Some officials at the ministry of finance, which will own 99 per cent of the airline according to the plan, have also spoken against the venture.
Ministry of Works and Transport will own one per cent of the airline. In a carefully worded article in 2016, Jim Mugunga, the ministry of finance publicist, said: “The reality is that post-2016 airline management has to be professional, experienced and competent. The government appointments and interference, failed ideology, backward thinking and corruption have no place here.”
Indeed, early in the plan document, government interference is identified as the biggest threat to the airline. It says: “Government involvement in the business operations of a national carrier can deter the primary business objective of profit maximisation and hinder optimal efficiency.”
Slow, legislative decisions have the potential to impair operations of the airline, the plan says.
It refers to successful national carriers such as Ethiopia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Egypt Air which have categorically rejected government involvement in management and as a result they have remained profitable and sustainable.
“Failure to run the company as a separate legal entity from its stakeholders…would create bureaucratic-slow systems, which are inadequate to address dynamic markets,” the plan reads.
This means that even the consultants who wrote the document acknowledge that it will take unwavering discipline for the airline to succeed.
“And it can succeed,” said Babu, adding “only if it can rise above the culture of corruption, nepotism, [and] intrigue.”
Babu observes,“the political will is there because they have started the airline. The onus is on government to make sure the industry works.”
The retired flight captain, however, points out the reality that the airline can only begin to see a profit after five to seven years. The consultants gave the ambitious target of one year to profit.
The government must martial significant resources in order to meet operational, maintenance and expansion costs essential in the very competitive aviation industry.
“Poor financing usually pushes management to cut corners, which is detrimental to the business,” the blueprint reads.
In the first two years, Uganda National Airlines will fly regional routes, introducing international flights at the third year. For the regional network, the plan says, the Bombardier CRJ900 next-generation aircraft was found suitable.
The Montreal-based airplane maker Bombardier announced last week it had signed an MoU with Uganda National Airlines to sell four of such planes. It has 12 business-class seats and 64 economy class.
The plan projected that had the purchase agreement been signed in January 2018, the planes would have been available in August and September. Since they signed this month, it will take another eight months to have the planes ready.
According to the official analysis of regional routes, the Entebbe-Nairobi leg had the largest market. It is followed by Kilimanjaro, Kigali, Johannesburg and Juba.
It also found underserved markets to Khartoum, Mogadishu, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma, Mombasa, Lagos, and Accra. These will be the national airline’s regional routes, according to the plan.
Long-haul routes that come into the picture around 2021 will be flown by the Airbus A330-800 Neo aircraft which, though not flown by any carrier anywhere in the world, is highly praised in the blueprint.
“This aircraft uses proven technology to deliver economic advantages on long haul flights and has a seating capacity of 257 in the chosen three class layout. This improved version of the classic A330-200 is equipped with new technology engines that leverage on geared fan advantages to lower maintenance costs and deliver efficiency in fuel consumption,” says the plan, despite the fact that Uganda is the first country to buythis model since 2014 when it first came onto the market. Most countries go for the A330-900 model.
For the routes, based on 2016 data compiled by airline industry-tracking concern, Sabre, the country’s planners found that Dubai, London, Mumbai and Guangzhou in China will return the most profit – accounting for 60 per cent of the origin traffic.
“The initial long-haul network for the airline is, therefore, based on flights to these key points with the market size being used to determine the aircraft capacity required,” the plan reads. “These routes will be launched using the Airbus A330Neo aircraft, configured in a three-class layout as per market requirements with feed from the short-haul intra-Africa regional network.”
As at the end of 2016, passengers carried through Entebbe were 1.6 million – a two per cent growth from the year before. The plan notes that lack of convenient scheduling and affordable pricing on the majority of routes has stifled growth which in turn has resulted in the stagnation of tourism.
PROFITABLE
Government plans to borrow all the money that will be initially invested in the airline. It estimated it would be at five per cent interest and payable between five and 10 years. The overly-ambitious plan claims that in the first year of operation (2019), the airline will post a profit of $3.9m. This will jump to $ 7.2m in the second year.
Profitability is impacted by the introduction of long-haul flights resulting into a loss of $6.1 million in 2021, the third year of the operation.
According to the plan, the international flights section is expected to make losses for the first five years. The airline is cash-positive throughout the plan period with bank and cash balances increasing significantly after year 10 when the majority of the loans for aircraft purchase should have been repaid. Net cash generated from operations increases from $10.6 million in year 1 to $28.7 million in year 5.
Uganda’s discovery of oil is also seen as an advantage that will boost the airline business. Other minerals like gold, copper, tantalite and tin, all around the country, the plan reads, have led to an increase in economic activity throughout the country.
The role played by air transport in this light cannot be understated, it said. But it said for its sustainability, Uganda must ensure Ugandans’ disposable income improves so they are able to travel a little bit more.
The industry is highly regulated with licensing and registration procedures that require significant effort to complete. In addition, airlines do not have control of traffic rights and require permission from their home countries and the respective government authorities in all targeted markets before any flights can commence.
Fuel will be the biggest outlay (27%) to grapple with as direct operating costs. This will be followed by maintenance, flight crew costs, lease charges, handling and dispatch fees, respectively. These costs make the aviation industry one of the most expensive and, therefore, a need to carefully think through whatever decision is made.
Market access will be key. Uganda already has agreements it signed before the collapse of the defunct Uganda Airlines. It can probably still use them to access certain markets. However, it will have to leverage free market access agreed on by African countries in the framework of the 2017 Yamoussoukro Decision taken in Cote d’Ivoire, which liberalises the continent’s air-spaces.
Yet even with these glowing numbers, one thing is for sure: government must not repeat the past mistakes: under capitalisation, political interference, grand corruption and non-commercial decision-making which condemned the past airline to its grave.
amwesigwa@observer.ug
Nb
Mr Babu, you know very well that if the former President, Lule had been given a chance to take over government from former President Idi Amin during 1980, Uganda Airline would be richer than Kenya Airways. Right now Kenya has over 27 expensive modern planes flying all over the world. One needs to shame you the lot of NRM leadership. You must now sell off that Presidential jet so that the people of Uganda who are land locked can start flying more with the national airline. Many Uganda citizens are prepared to buy shares in this company if this government does not mess up this commercial company again.
Tanzania signs deal to build first-ever wind farm:
18 June, 2018
By Kennedy Senelwe of the East African paper
The Ngong windpower farm in Kajiado County, Kenya. Tanzania has licenced Windlab Ltd to build 300MW Miombo Hewani wind farm in the country. FILE PHOTO | NATION
Tanzania has licensed a subsidiary of Australia’s Windlab Ltd to build 300MW Miombo Hewani wind farm in the central part of the country.
Windlab Developments Tanzania Ltd has obtained an environmental and social impact assessment certificate for the project near Makambako town at the junction of Njombe, Iringa and Mbeya.
Windlab said the project will be undertaken in phases with the initial part using up $300 million for 100MW comprising up to 34 wind turbines and a transmission line to the national electricity grid at Makambako substation.
The certificate signed on May 30, 2018 by Minister of State in the vice-president’s office (Union and Environment) Mr January Makamba was the first to be issued in Tanzania for a wind farm.
Miombo puts Tanzania on path to tapping wind resources to generate the power and joins Kenya which has 300 MW wind farm in Turkana in the northern part of country.
Power generation mix It says the aim is to inject electricity to grid by September 2018 after completing a transmission line. Windlab has secured a grant from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland to fund the undertaking. The firm hopes to secure further financing.
Windlab’s chief executive officer Roger Price said that in developing Miombo Hewani, the firm will apply experience gained from working on over 50 wind energy projects across North America, Australia and southern Africa.
“The wind resource pattern is biased towards night-time generation and during the dry season, making it an ideal addition to the current and planned electricity generation mix,” he said.
Phase one of Miombo Hewani is expected to increase the national grid capacity by over 5 per cent and generate sufficient energy to power nearly one million homesteads.
Less than one-third of Tanzania’s population of over 55 million have access to electricity. The country’s growth rate averaged 6 per cent in last decade, creating a need for new investments in electricity generation.
Its mid-term plan is to diversify electricity sources to natural gas, solar, wind, geothermal, and coal to reduce dependence on thermal power that depend on either diesel or heavy fuel oil.
Windlab will work with the Ministry of Energy, Tanzania Electric Supply Company and Tanzanian Investment Bank to ensure the project remains environment friendly.
In Uganda, UMEME the energy distribution company has opened a new Pallisa service centre in the vast tropical region of Eastern provinces:
How Solar energy is generated cheaply especially on tropical African continent
How cheaply this hydro-electricity is generated
May 31, 2018
Written by Jonathan Kamoga
In a bid to improve its customer experience in Eastern Uganda, Umeme the country's electricity provider has today opened a new service centre in Pallisa town.
“Our service strategy has always been focused on process simplification, automation and investments to improve network performance,” Selestino Babungi, the Umeme managing director, said.
The new Umeme centre in Pallisa
He added that new service centres will be opened in Kapchorwa, Sironko, Bubulo and Kumi as part of the company’s grand plan to bring services closer to the customers. The eastern part of Uganda has over time been facing power thefts with many making illegal connections that have caused some deaths.
The Mbale Umeme office, the only one in the region has previously served 15 districts, including Mbale Municipality, Pallisa, Budaka, Bulambuli, Bukedea, Kumi, Kapchorwa, Bubulo, Manafwaa and Sironko among others.
“We have 37 service centres across the country, but some of them stretch over a radius of up to 80km, which makes it difficult for our customers to access some of the services. The opening up of several satellite offices will bridge this gap,” Babungi said.
In 2017, Umeme rolled out customer outreach programmes in rural areas with the aim of bringing services closer to customers including education on dangers of power theft and vandalism, safe use of power, energy efficiency tips and e-payment options.
Mobile service desks were set up in high growth areas and potential customers engaged to connect electricity to their homes. Before these initiatives, illegal connections in the sub-region cost Umeme an estimate of Shs 20 billion annually.
In a move to avert the situation, the company launched operations against illegal power users in the area at the start of last year.
Paul Ssempira, the Umeme Mbale district manager, notes that there has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of new connections to 8,431 in 2017 from 3,541 in 2016.
The region also contributed up to 10 per cent of the 19 per cent losses that the company registered at the end of 2016. However, partly due to the interventions, the company recorded lower energy loss of 17.2 per cent in 2017.
“The region alone registered up to 60 per cent energy losses in 2016, but this dropped to 45 per cent in 2017. The 60 per cent of the losses are categorized into 45 per cent commercial losses (power theft) and 15 per cent technical losses,” Ssempira adds.
The company’s losses in the region also dropped to Shs 15 billion in 2017 from Shs 20 billion after the utility intensified its operations against illegal users and vandals.
In Uganda, the government should put in place an equatorial solar energy policy, for example:
To Sell The Solar Energy Electricity the Customer Generates:
To purchase your own PV (photovoltaic) cells. You are paid for the energy you produce and the energy not used with government backed schemes that connect to the main grid and produce free and sustainable electricity for your home. The PV systems can be easily incorporated into your old age existing electrical installation to feed your appliances and lighting. They can also be used to supply heating systems, reducing your bills even further.
M/s Angella Tusiime
The poor people need the same amount of energy as well as the rich as the sun shines everyday in the tropics;
24 April, 2018
By Angella Tusiime
Can solar energy be used to power big scale energy needs in Uganda such as running industries or vehicles? Can solar energy indeed help to deliver energy access for all Ugandans, including those in far away areas by 2030? These are questions that every right thinking Ugandan should be contemplating on.
Just last month, I visited women and youth groups in Kasese, a district with one of the highest number of mini-hydro power plants, and was saddened to see that majority of households had no power. “Electricity is expensive for people,” some members of the groups explained. The other option is solar energy, but that too, is expensive for them. The biggest challenge facing solar adoption in Uganda is affordability. About 38 per cent of the population does not have disposable income to afford solar home systems.
Due to lack of power, majority of households have been forced to clear forests for charcoal and firewood to meet their energy needs. The narrative is not different in urban areas. Statistics show that in Uganda, only about 20 per cent of the population have access to electricity. More than 90 per cent of the population is still dependent on biomass such as firewood and charcoal to meet their energy needs. It is necessary for every citizen to appreciate the social, environmental, economic and political impacts of depending on biomass for energy needs. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 600 million people are currently have no access to electricity (this is about 70 per cent of the population).
At the global, regional and national levels, electricity has been recognised as the social and economic engine of any society. No country in the world has developed and improved the lives of her people without guaranteeing access to sufficient, affordable and reliable clean energy.
Access to sufficient, affordable, reliable and clean energy sources, especially solar energy, has the potential to help the country meet the needs of citizens in many ways, including saving rural women’s time to engage in economic activities, reducing school dropouts, enabling schools to teach for longer hours, driving economic production, conservation of the environment and healthy living for her people, among others. It is, therefore, necessary that government focuses on investing in solar energy to enable all Ugandans, including those in far away areas to access power. Solar energy has the potential to deliver energy access for all Ugandans and Africans in general by 2030. Statistics show that in 2009, just 1 per cent of electrified sub-Saharan Africans used solar lighting, and today, it is nearly 5 per cent. This number can increase if governments including Uganda’s government increases investments in solar energy.
Off-grid solar home systems are the best option for providing electricity services to scattered homes in rural areas and households with low energy consumption, as they do not require extension of grid lines, which is not only costly, but has become challenging in the Ugandan context due to the difficulties to the difficulties in acquisition of Way Leaves and the Right of Way.
Further more, a solar energy policy should be put in place to guide the distribution and consumption of solar energy equipment. Such a policy will also guide in solar energy-related legislation, incentives to investment, and solar energy taxation among others. Government should also expedite the review of the 2007 renewable energy policy to provide for off-grid solar energy electrification in addition to providing affordable financing facilities for solar companies.
Ms Tusiime is the Just Energy Transition Project coordinator, African Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO).
The first ever NON-STOP passenger flight from Australia to Britain lands after a record 17 hours in the air: Qantas 787 Dreamliner makes history on 9,000m journey that used to take TWELVE DAYS
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Qantas staff wave Australian and British flags at the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after landing at Heathrow Airport after a 17 hour flight History was made when the first Qantas non-stop flight from Perth to London landed on Sunday morning at Heathrow following its departure on Saturday night.
The journey was a gruelling 17 hours and 20 minutes but it landed triumphantly at 5.10am after travelling the historical 9,000 miles.
The plane used for the long haul was the revamped Boeing 787-9 Dremaliner, which is twice as fuel-efficient as the the Boeing 747.
The aircraft boasts of a number of advantages over other models, including lower cabin noise, larger windows, improved air quality and technology to reduce turbulence.
Passengers onboard were delighted to take part of the historic ride, sharing photos of the specially crafted menu, complimentary amenity bags and the self serve pantry, that's loaded with free treats and drinks.
Qantas staff wave Australian and British flags at Heathrow airport on Sunday morning after 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft made a 17-hour flight from Perth
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Alan Joyce (right) celebrates as he arrives into Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Officers and Captains (pictured) of the first ever direct flight from Perth to London sit in arrivals at Heathrow Terminal
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited The flight was scheduled to last 17 hours and 20 minutes and landed triumphantly at Heathrow Airport at 5.10am after the historical 9,000 mile journey
The flight is 24 per cent further than the UK's previous longest route, operated by Garuda Indonesia between Heathrow and Jakarta, and was a measly 7,275 miles in comparison.
The inaugural trip took off with more than 200 passengers and 16 crew members, as those onboard began the journey with a round of applause.
The plane has 42 business class flat-bed seats, 28 premium economy seats and 166 economy seats.
Passengers were greeted with complimentary amenity bags, which included a sleeping mask, ear buds, a Qantas fleece blanket and a toothbrush.
Self proclaimed 'aviation geek' Wayne Kwong rode in economy for the 17 hour flight and shared several photos on his social media detailing his journey.
He shared photos of the menu, writing: 'Specially designed meals for this ultra longhaul flight. Tasty, filling but not heavy on your stomach! Well done.'
There was a main meal, mid-flight, morning bakery and breakfast menus, as well as a free-for-all snack cabinet passengers could access throughout the flight for treats.
Dinner offerings included, cheese ravioli with leek and mushroom cream sauce; and chicken with red rice and roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
There was also free Wifi on the flight, so passengers could make the most of detailing every moment of their trip.
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Not everything was smooth sailing as the flight experienced some turbulence from Cyclone Marcus
Although passengers onboard the long haul flight, others were sceptical it was as smooth sailing as they described.
Most were concerned they wouldn't be able to walk or feel their behinds after spending more than half a day glued to their seats.
Others drew on their experiences of flying for 12 hours as cause to never subject themselves to 17 hours on a plane.
While some were mostly upset that the non-stop flight meant no cigarettes.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was aboard the flight and addressed the media describing the flight as a major milestone for Australia, as well as global aviation.
Mr Joyce said the flight was off to a great start and the successful journey had kicked off a new era in travelling with the flight path eliminating stopovers.
To ensure there are more long direct flights from Australia, Mr Joyce said Qantas needs to show that the plan will be economically beneficial.
'The original Kangaroo Route from Australia to London was named for the seven stops it made over four days back in 1947. Now we can do it in a single leap,' Mr Joyce said.
'This is a truly historic flight that opens up a new era of travel. For the first time, Australia and Europe have a direct air link.'
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Qantas Chief Alan Joyce (pictured) arrives at the check-in counter at Perth Airport for the first direct flight to Heathrow airport from Perth at Perth Airport
Mr Joyce said the flight has received a lot of attention since it was first announced.
'The response to the flight has been amazing, both for the attention it's received since we announced it and the bookings we've seen coming in. It's great for Australian tourism, for business travellers and for people visiting friends and family on both sides of the world.'
QF9 is operated by four pilots across the journey, with one or two pilots resting at any one time.
On board Saturday night was one female pilot, Captain Lisa Norman. About 6 per cent of Qantas pilots are female and globally it is three per cent, a Qantas representative told Daily Mail Australia.
Mr Joyce said a huge amount of work had gone into optimising the experience for customers taking the trip.
'This is hands-down the most comfortable aircraft that Qantas has ever put in the sky.
Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited A new era in travelling was kicked off with the flight path eliminating stopovers (pictured: 2018 flight path compared to flight path in 1947)
'Boeing designed the Dreamliner with features to reduce jetlag, turbulence and noise. We've taken that a step further with our cabin design, giving passengers more space in every class as well as bigger entertainment screens and more personal storage.
'We've worked with the University of Sydney and our consulting chef Neil Perry to create a menu that helps the body cope better with jetlag and adjusted the timing of when we serve food to encourage sleep.'
Qantas will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for the non-stop route, with 42 business class flat-bed seats, 28 premium economy seats and 166 economy seats.
Aviation consultant John Strickland said the launch of the flights is a significant moment for the airline industry.
He told the Press Association: 'It will be a further test of how successful airlines can be with ultra long haul flying and whether this delivers sufficient profitability to justify the investment in aircraft.
'Qantas will certainly be hoping to attract a higher proportion of premium customers due to the speed advantage combined with the 787's better cabin atmosphere.'
FACTS ABOUT QF9
1. The flight will follow different flight paths depending on the best winds, helping the aircraft fly faster and more efficiently. Qantas analysed a decade of seasonal wind patterns in preparation for the new service
2. At 14,498km, QF9 is the third longest commercial flight currently in operation. It is the world’s longest Dreamliner flight
3. QF9 will carry around 92 tonnes or 110,000 litres of fuel with the Dreamliner burning approximately 20 per cent less than traditional aircraft its size
4. With a total seat count of 236 passengers, the Qantas Dreamliner has significantly fewer seats than many other airlines who have configured the same aircraft to carry more than 300 passengers
5. There are more than 21,000 individual items loaded onto the aircraft for each flight between Perth and London including 330 peppermint tea bags and hundreds of chocolate biscuits.
The Wide World Web is settling well and fast in between the less well-off Communities of the Massive Continent of Africa:
Mr Onyango-Obbo is the publisher of Africa data visualiser Africapedia.com and explainer site Roguechiefs.com. Twitter@cobbo3
13 December, 2017
By Charles Oyango-Obbo
Four times in recent months, the photonews Facebook page Kampala Express, has reported on graduation ceremonies at Sir Nelson School of Languages in Wandegeya.
I was intrigued, because the student community looked surprisingly pan-African. I can understand Somalis and Sudanese (North and South), coming to study English in Uganda, but did not expect that there would be a good number of students from the Comoros.
Alive to the fact that if you ambushed many Ugandans on the street, several wouldn’t know about Comoros the Kampala Express editor helpfully wrote; ‘Most students at the language school come from the Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros’.
The school does not have a website. And it is not a big campus. Its main information portal is its Facebook page. This raises the question how so many students from Comoros, and other parts of the continent, would end up travelling to Uganda to study English at a private school in Wandegeya.
The answer is that Africa, like the rest of the world, is changing, and because of the way technology has shifted access to knowledge, especially young people do not get their information from legacy institutions. And few “establishment” institutions are offering knowledge for the future.
If you are a foreigner and wanted to study in Uganda, then went to the Ministry of Education and Sports website, you would not end up at Sir Nelson School of Languages.
The website does not even have a section on “Studying in Uganda”, which ideally should be the most important element in this global age.
This is not meant as a criticism, but to point out that it is just not part of the new reality. For starters, the young men and women in Comoros, while they know about Uganda’s (old) reputation for “good English”, would not look to the Ministry of Education.
Part of this is understandable because in Uganda, we start studying formal English in nursery school, and after secondary school, the next stages are advanced.
It would be considered insane to teach “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” in a college. Yet this is probably where the money is.
To diversify their audiences, languages have become very important for people whose main form of distribution is digital and online. At the very basic level, you see this on Twitter, where someone translates and puts a Spanish twist on your tweet, and it gets 1,500 retweets, when your original managed only 50.
Another element of this, is that many young people see that if they are to build a future business, they need to build a community. It helps if you are going to grow your blog, if you have people who will share it on social media because they are part of a community you have built offline – at college, or even on a bus trip. This community is part of the “capital” that these days can determine your success. It’s more valuable, if it’s less provincial.
Also, the lucrative market is not just national. The Internet has not only brought down the cost of distribution to near-zero, but has also enabled a less “tribal” market, one based on interests, to emerge.
The weekend match between Manchester United and Manchester City trended for hours in nearly every country in Africa. However, a clash between Express FC and Villa FC would almost never make it outside Uganda. If you are looking to become rich from your football website, you have to cross borders.
The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, seems to understand this better than most others in Africa. It keeps sprinkling its few high quality movies with stars from other African countries where “Ki-Nigeria” is popular.
Some of the current crop of musicians do it too, but they are still far away from the golden age of “Lingala” (more accurately soukous) bands like Mangelepa or Super Mazembe, which brought the best musicians from east and central Africa together.
All this is, therefore, an important tip of a wave to watch in Africa. Many people in Africa will tell you that its students are dying to go and study in the West. No.
According to a recent authoritative report, while France is the top destination for African students, the numbers are declining. Otherwise, the second leading destination for African students is not the US or UK, it’s South Africa. Nearly 20 per cent of African students studying abroad study in South Africa.
Some countries like Mauritius have smelt the opportunity. Mauritius has set itself a goal of attracting 100,000 foreign students by 2020. They would comprise nearly 8 per cent of the island’s population.
If some policy person in the Kampala government wants to understand what is fuelling a connected Africa, well, the answer is not far away – it is in Uganda, Kampala at Wandegeya.
Nb
Indeed the speed of modern technology will win despite the backwardness of African governments that do not want to change or leave power at any cost.
The struggle to introduce electric cars in the African country of Uganda:
6 December, 2017
Written by Denis Jjuuko
A quick search online shows that Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa was the first person ever to import a motor vehicle in Uganda in 1906. It was a 16-horse power engine built by Albion Motors.
If the media existed the way we know it today and Chwa wasn’t the Kabaka of Buganda, he would have been called names for his “lack of foresight.”
People would have questioned him on plans to refuel the car, repair it, and ultimately the type of roads he would be driving it on. People would have said how could he import a car when pushcarts are the most ideal form of transport in our country?
That is the kind of discussion that is dominating online media discussions regarding electric cars. How and where will electric cars be charged? Do we have enough Yaka to recharge cars? What will happen if I am driving through Lwera and the battery runs down? Electricity is too expensive, and so much more is said.
The Kiira EV car before a test drive in 2011. The two-seater car is the first electric vehicle to be made in Uganda, and has a range of 80km when fully charged
Well, charging the battery of an electric car isn’t different from the way you charge your phone today. The electric car battery is the same as the smartphone battery. They are both lithium-ion. The only difference is size. Anywhere there is a socket in your home, you can charge an electric vehicle.
Actually there are electric boda bodas on the market in Uganda today and they are charged the same way as we charge our phones.
A car isn’t that different from a motorcycle. Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe has been using electric vehicles to move around the zoo for ages.
On the issue of cost, it may actually be cheaper today to charge the battery of an electric car than refilling its tank with petrol. It costs just $13.43 to fully charge a Tesla Model X, a crossover SUV with a range of 295 miles in the United States. That is Shs 49,019.
Can you imagine driving from Kampala to Kabale at a cost of under Shs 50,000? If you are to drive a normal car (internal combustion engine) with the same specifications as the Model X in the United States, you would pay an extra $24.50 (Shs 89, 425) on petrol to cover the same distance.
Let us break it down further. It would cost you Shs 138, 444 to drive 295 miles (474km) in a normal car instead of Shs 49,019 in an electric vehicle.
With Uganda being on the equator, which guarantees sunshine all year round, you will only need to invest in solar once and then say ‘bye-bye’ to fuel costs. You will save a lot of money on transport, which may enable you to achieve your financial freedom dreams faster.
On average, somebody who works in the Kampala Central Business District (CBD) and lives in one of the suburbs that are in a radius of 15km spends Shs 30,000 on fuel every day.
With electricity, you will be spending less and zero if you installed your own solar. No need to do the maths anymore.
The question we should be asking is, when do we get electric vehicles on our roads?
And if you don’t fuel your car properly today, it will still run out of fuel in Lwera and there is not a single fuel station in that swampy stretch.
Going back to Tesla, their newest car, the Tesla Roadster can go up to 620 miles on a single charge. That is 997km, which means you can drive from Nairobi to Mbarara and beyond without recharging. So, if you recharge your car properly, the battery will never run down in Lwera or Nakasongola.
In the developed markets where electric cars are starting to make inroads, there are charging stations at shopping malls, hotels, office blocks, leisure parks, hospitals, and restaurants, among other places.
Once you park at, for example, Acacia mall to go for coffee and you anticipate you don’t have enough battery power, you leave your car charging. And you can have a car charged up to 170 miles (273km) in just 30 minutes! So, by the time they bring your coffee, your car would have been charged.
Fuel stations as we know them today will actually become charging stations in the future. The fuel pump will be replaced with a charging unit. And for your home, you will only need an extension cable to charge your car.
And unlike in the past, there is electricity in most parts of the country. When the construction of Karuma and Isimba power dams is complete and they are connected to the grid, there will even be more electricity.
For those interested in business, it is time to think out of the box. Where will you position your charging stations and people pay you as they enjoy some chips and chicken or shop for matoke in the market?
Nb
My friend you are talking about an initial high cost of a personal electric transport car in Africa. What about mass public transport for the universal modern cities where about over a million trips of about thousands of miles are made every day. Kampala city is at traffic grid lock even if small electric cars are introduced right now.
Kenya property owners have failed to put up solar water systems even when the law orders them to do so:
5 December, 2017
By Njiraini Muchira of the East African news paper
Solar water heating panels on a roof. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is contemplating extending the compliance deadline for another six months, after it became apparent only a few buildings have installed the solar systems. PHOTO FILE | NATION
Mr Njiraini Muchira
The deadline for property owners and developers to install solar heating systems has passed, with the low levels of compliance attributed to a failure to enforce the requirement amid legal challenges. The Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations 2012 gave a five- year window for homes and institutions that consume more than 100 litres of hot water per day to install solar water heating systems. That window closed on May 25 this year but was extended by six months to November 25.
The EastAfrican has learnt that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is contemplating extending the compliance deadline for another six months, after it became apparent only a few buildings have installed the solar systems.
Besides, numerous court cases opposing the implementation of the regulations have made it hard for ERC to force owners of residential buildings, educational and health institutions, hotels and lodges, restaurants, cafeterias and other eating places and laundries to install solar water-heating systems.
A survey by the regulator shows that only 77,000 systems have been installed in the country. This is despite the regulations stipulating that property developers risk a year in prison or a $10,000 fine and their buildings being denied national grid electricity for failure to comply.
Efforts to get comments from the ERC proved futile after the regulator failed to respond to queries by The EastAfrican.
Green economy
The regulations, which are part of Kenya’s efforts to implement a green economy strategy as a means towards sustainable development, are aimed at driving the use of clean energy and reducing reliance on hydro and thermal energy.
The goal is to have 60 per cent of energy used in heating water provided by solar.
Under the strategy, Kenya hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 15 per cent by 2030.
Another objective is to help property owners reduce the overall power bill since solar energy is cheaper in the long run, and also make buildings environmentally friendly because solar ranks as a clean energy.
According to industry experts, effective enforcement of the regulations coupled with the zero-rating of import duty and removal of value added tax on renewable energy equipment and accessories could trigger an increase in solar energy uptake.
“ERC must enforce the regulations to ensure compliance and in doing so, the regulator must police the industry to curb an influx of substandard solar systems,” said Patrick Taranu, general manager retail sales of solar energy firm Orb Energy .
In coming up with the regulations, Kenya was encouraged by the fact that the country is endowed with high solar potential averaging 4-6kWh/m2, meaning that in a day, a square metre of solar panel can generate four to six kilowatt units of electricity. Kenya is also hoping to take advantage of the falling global price of solar photovoltaic systems, which have declined from $5 per watt in 2,000 to $0.5 per watt in 2016.
The modern buildings springing up all over the country can put up solar panels and since they are already connected to the UMEME GRID, modern electric converters are able to transfer solar electricity to hydro-electricity so that all these African houses can sell electricity to the UMEME infrastructure stationed on their buildings.
A house occupier receiving a UMEME hydro-electricity bill worth 150,000 Uganda Shillings can end up paying only 30,000 Uganda Shillings per month. The energy authority in this tropical country do not seem to like this sort of energy saving technology!
In Uganda, the modern electricity customers need to look out against these dodgy power investors, who are coming in the African poor tropical countries to make lots of money:
Energy companies meeting President Museveni, are flocking to the Equator to find out if they can provide cheap electricity to the African citizens.
31 August, 2017
The Red pepper media
President Yoweri Museveni has met and held a meeting with a delegation of investors from a Danish Company called Burmeister and Wain Grandinavia Contractors (BWSC).
The delegation that was led by the Chief Executive Officer of BWSC, Mr. Martine Manzi and the Company’s Manager in East Africa, Mr. Jesper Elling, called on the President on Tuesday at State House, Entebbe and briefed him on their interest to invest in the establishment of a hybrid power plant to produce electricity using thermal and solar sources in the country.
While welcoming them to do business in Uganda, President Museveni advised the company not to sell the electricity that they will generate at more than 8 American Cents per unit. He assured them that the demand for power in Uganda is increasing adding that the government will avail them land for the establishment of the power plant.
Mr. Martin Manzi, on his part, disclosed that their company will fully finance the project and sell electricity to Uganda’s national grid.
The Solar Eclipse of 21/08/2017 in the USA:
What to Expect:
BY THE NEW YORK TIMES
21 August, 2017
10 Things to Remember While Watching the Total Solar Eclipse• A total solar eclipse will cross the United States from coast to coast on Monday, starting just after 10 a.m. local time in Oregon and ending just before 3 p.m. in South Carolina.
• The last time an eclipse traveled across the entire country was in 1918.
• Weather forecasts suggested that Oregon and Tennessee would have favorable skies, and that Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina faced the prospect of clouds and storms. Heavy traffic was anticipated in many states, but had not materialized in some by Sunday night.
• Scientists are hoping their studies of this eclipse will lead to important discoveries about the sun’s mysterious corona, which burns more than a million degrees hotter than the sun’s surface.
Here’s where the eclipse will go, and when.
The moon will begin to get in the sun’s way over the Pacific Ocean on Monday morning. This will create a zone that scientists call totality — the line where the moon completely blocks the sun, plunging the sea and then a strip of land across the continental United States into a darkness that people and other living things can mistake for premature evening.
Because of planetary geometry, the total eclipse can last less than one minute in some places, and as long as two minutes and 41 seconds in others. The eclipse’s longest point of duration is near a small town called Makanda, Ill., population 600.
Around 1:15 p.m. Eastern time, the total solar eclipse will first reach Oregon’s coast. Then it will race for the next 90 or so minutes over 13 more states: Idaho, Montana (barely), Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa (hardly), Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and finally South Carolina.
At about 2:49 p.m. Eastern time in South Carolina, some lucky souls in the Palmetto State’s marshes could be the last on American soil to experience the total eclipse. Just after 4 p.m. Eastern, the partial eclipse will end and all of America will again be under the full August sun.
If you don’t live in one of these states, don’t despair: Every American state will experience a partial solar eclipse (although it won’t darken the sky like a total eclipse). In Honolulu, the sun will be about 20 percent covered. In Brownsville, Texas, you’ll see something like a half sun. Here in New York when the maximum eclipse occurs around 2:44 p.m. Eastern, the sun will be just over 70 percent obscured.
But don’t look directly at the partially eclipsed sun.
But the excitement of a solar eclipse may trick you into believing that you can stare down our solar system’s explosive furnace. Don’t risk it. You can damage your eyes.
Hopefully you’ve acquired reputable, trustworthy eclipse glasses by now. Your sunglasses won’t do the job. Wear your special glasses for viewing during the partial eclipse phases.
If you’re in the line of totality once the total eclipse, you can remove your glasses once the sun is completely blocked and admire the enigmatic disc of the moon and the threads of corona that appear at its edges. Savor these minutes. Put your glasses back on as soon as the moon moves on and the sun begins to reappear.
Maybe you didn’t get eclipse glasses in time — they’re sold out at a lot of places — or maybe you got some that were fraudulent and you had to throw them away. You still have options for eclipse viewing. You can make a pinhole projector with two paper plates — here are some instructions, and a video demonstration of this technique. You can learn even more in our guide to safe eclipse viewing.
Scientists are very excited about this eclipse.
Total solar eclipses are marvelous opportunities to study Earth’s intimate relationship with the sun.
Eclipses happen about once every 18 months. But because Earth’s surface is covered mostly by water, they tend to occur over remote locations that are difficult for scientists to reach with advanced equipment for observation. For most American scientists it is perhaps the most accessible total solar eclipse since the last one to touch the lower 48 states in 1979. And in those 38 years, their equipment and ability to study the phenomena have greatly improved.
Scientists have long been puzzled by the sun’s corona, the thin plasma veil that encases the star, because it burns more than a million degrees hotter than the sun’s surface. Only during totality is the corona visible from Earth.
That’s when astronomers and citizen scientists across the total eclipse’s 3,000-mile long path will focus their attention on the white, wispy crown. They will observe it with telescopes, some as a part of the Citizen CATE project which aims to film totality for 90 minutes across the country. A few scientists will even be collecting images of the corona from airplanes soaring about 45,000 feet in the air.
Another headliner is Earth’s ionosphere, the electrically charged layer of the upper atmosphere through which communication and navigation signals move. Scientists will use radio waves from ham radios, GPS sensors and giant radars to investigate how this layer is affected by the sudden darkening caused by the eclipse.
In Salem, Ore., on Sunday, Jay Pasachoff, one of the world’s leading eclipse astronomers, was looking forward to his 34th total solar eclipse.
How to safely watch the solar eclipse — even if you're not in the path of totalityWorking with colleagues, and students from Williams College, Professor Pasachoff rattled off a list of equipment that included almost two dozen Nikon cameras, 33 computers and approximately two dozen telescopes. Asked why so there was so much equipment, he said, “It only lasts two minutes. Something has to work.” — Nicholas St. Fleur and Dennis Overbye
Here are some weather and traffic forecasts.
By Sunday, eclipse mania had left roads in many states jammed. Wyoming transportation officials said the state’s population of 600,000 could double temporarily because of all the people heading for the zone of totality.
In neighboring Colorado, the state transportation department warned travelers that traffic on Interstate 25 north toward Wyoming could look like “six Denver Broncos games all getting out at the same time.”
The ranch community of Glendo, Wyo., population 204, was expecting to attract some 70,000 visitors. At the fire station on Sunday, emergency service workers said they had begun intense preparations for the eclipse more than a year ago.
“I just hope we have time to look up,” said Allen Haygood, a volunteer firefighter.
Other prime viewing spots were quieter than anticipated, at least on Sunday.
Officials in Depoe Bay, Ore., population 1,500, had long anticipated a crush of visitors, and had allocated $50,000 of the city’s annual budget for portable toilets, soap, paper towels and other supplies. As of early Sunday, the crush had not appeared. There were even some vacancy signs at local motels.
The day before the eclipse, everyone was keeping an eye on the weather.
Maybe you’ve traveled to the perfect place to watch the eclipse. But then the clouds roll in. Or you weren’t able to get away from your job and are stuck far away from the line of totality.
All isn’t lost. There are plenty of places you can stream the eclipse online if you can’t see it with your own eyes — and you might even get a better view.
Slooh, an internet-connected telescope service that partners with observatories around the world, will stream the eclipse live from a telescope in Stanley, Idaho, which is right in the path of totality.
The constant Power surge that destroys electrical equipment in the country of Uganda:
August 19, 2017
Written by URN
At the end of July 2017, more than 40 households in Wakiso township, Wakiso district lost their electrical appliances due to a power surge.
The power surge occurred as Umeme technicians were replacing poles and wires in the area. The damaged appliances included computers, television sets, radio receivers, fridges and bulbs among others.
Few if any, power consumers filed any complaints as many power consumers are oblivious that they can file for compensation from the power distributor, Umeme.
In the event of damaged appliances as in the picture due to a power surge, customers can seek for compensation from Umeme.
Stephen Ilungole, Umeme's media manager, says once a power surge occurs, the customer has to report the incident immediately to the area offices for authenticity purposes. "The complaints must be reported within 24 hours," he says.
According to Ilungole, once Umeme receives the complaint, it dispatched engineers to the affected premises to investigate the claims and possible causes. The engineers assess the earthing, which is mandatory and wiring of the house. Earthing serves to evacuate fault current to the ground.
If an appliance is not properly insulated, or electrical power is lost for another reason, the earthing connection prevents electrocution. Umeme can't accept blame once the earthing is poorly done. After their investigations, Umeme engineers file a report, which is sent to their headquarters in Kampala.
The report is submitted to the Umeme's legal department, which then determines whether or not the company accepts liability and compensates the complainant. The final report is shared with the complainant.
According to Ilungole, "there is no time frame for resolving the complaints." He says compensation issues are intricate and may go through lots of back and forth stages.
Appeal
If a complainant is displeased with Umeme's decision, he or she can take the case to the next level - filing a complaint with the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA). ERA is the regulator of the electricity supply industry. It is a quasi-government body that regulates the generation, transmission, distribution, sale and import of electricity in Uganda.
ERA derives its mandate from the Electricity Act of 1999. In accordance with section 79 (3) of the Act, ERA is required to handle complaints made by electricity consumers in relation to services provided by electricity companies.
Consumers have a right to file any complaint and report to ERA if their complaint is not resolved by the distribution company.
According to ERA quality of service standards (QoSS) for customers, a technical complaints/queries investigated is supposed to be investigation within 5 to 7 working days, non-technical complaints/queries investigated within 30 working days and investigations involving a 3rd party completed within 60 working days.
"Electricity companies are responsible for giving their customers good quality and efficient service. If you have a problem or a complaint about the service that you receive from your electricity supply company, you should inform the company so that it has the chance to put it right," ERA complaints handling procedure manual reads.
Adding that, "Each electricity company is required to have a procedure for dealing with complaints made by its customers. These procedures conform to the standard procedures set by the ERA."
ERA QoSS for customers require that at least, each meter be read once every three months, a customer be reconnected within reconnect customer after payment, 100 percent of customer calls be answered within 30 seconds, 100 percent of emergency calls attended to within 30 minutes, 100 percent of technical complaints/queries investigated within 5 to 7 working days, 100 percent of non-technical complaints/queries investigated within 30 working days, 100 percent of investigations involving a 3rd party completed within 60 working days and any faulty meter be replaced within five working days.
"We acknowledge receipt of your complaint and may request you to submit more information if necessary. ERA investigates your complaint so that we have all the facts from you and the electricity company. We give both sides the chance to comment on the information provided and keep you informed up-to the point of resolution. ERA may also arrange for a hearing if necessary after which a decision is reached and communicated," the complaint guidelines reads.
And if a person is dissatisfied with the decision of ERA, the complainant may proceed and file an appeal at the Electricity Disputes Tribunal (EDT) or the Courts of Law. Engineer Ziri Tibalwa Wako, the chief executive officer, Electricity Regulatory Authority told URN that they cannot blame Umeme for failing to sensitise their customers about compensation procedures because of "conflict of interest."
She says "it is the responsibility of ERA and government to educate people on their rights and responsibilities."
In Africa, The Ancient Independent State of Buganda has renewed a 49-year ownership lease on its soil for the land- less Central Government of Uganda:
By the Monitor newspaper, Uganda
28 April, 2017
Discussed. Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (2nd right) interacts with MPs at the kingdom headquarters in Bulange Mengo after their meeting yesterday. PHOTO BY JAMES KABENGWA
By James Kabengwa
UGANDA, KAMPALA.
The Buganda Parliamentary Caucus has asked Buganda Kingdom to reconsider a recent directive by Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi to Buganda Land Board (BLB) for the issuance of land titles to all his subjects occupying his land with a lease period of 49 years.
The MPs instead proposed that a 99-year lease period be granted on Kabaka’s land under Buganda’s new initiative dubbed Kyapa mu Ngalo (a land title at your hands), a period they considered long enough for Kabaka’s subjects to legitimise their tenancy, instead of the suggested 49 years.
Announcing the undertaking recently, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga said the land titles would be valid for a period of 49 years, but renewable at the expiry of that period.
The MPs’ proposal was part of wide range of issues raised in a meeting between the Buganda MPs’ caucus and Mr Mayiga who was flanked by his deputies and members of his cabinet.
The proposal to review the lease years was officially presented by Ms Cissy Namujju, the Woman Member of Parliament for Lwengo District, on behalf of the visiting group, who resounded the public’s fears that the suggested period of 49 years is too short if the exercise is to yield the desired fruits.
The Katikkiro did not give a direct response to the MPs’ concern although he had earlier in his opening remarks explained that the method of renewal for the leases would be automatic at the expiry of the 49 years.
“Renewal is automatic for as long as one fulfils the lease conditions. Most of us may have died and the issue of renewal will be handled by our children. We must maintain a lease system to maintain ownership of the kingdom land,” Mr Mayiga said.
He stressed that in some instances, they will reward commercial developers who will have invested more than $10 million. Mr Mayiga assured the legislators that the massive lease offer is aimed at creating conclusive evidence of land ownership that will foster development through enabling the masses to access credit facilities as well as get rid of the rampant land conflicts.
He said despite criticism, public response has been good and ‘so far, we have registered about 500 requests for the leases.’ The caucus, according to its chair, Mr Muyanja Ssenyonga, had visited Mengo to get first-hand information on the ongoing ‘Kyapa ku Meeza’ promotion and the controversies surrounding the Buganda Land Board among others.
“We also want to know the development priorities (for Mengo) so that we incorporate them in the national budget as well as seek views of the kingdom on the proposals to form new town councils,” Mr Muyanja said.
Mr Ssenyonga described the meeting as very useful and it was resolved that such meetings would be held on a regular basis to exchange views and get a similar line of transmitting messages affecting the kingdom.
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It was around 1965/66 when this same land ownership problem caused a crisis for this Ancient African Kingdom. Central Government was ordered off the Great Sovereign of Buganda. One wonders if the citizens of the whole country of this Kingdom have been Referred to. It is a Kingdom that is taking on the risks and the inefficiencies of what land less Central Government has all along been messing up. This Kingdom one hopes has the economic muscle to pay up the misery of accumulated international loans. One reckons it will be the Ganda grand children who will foot such international crippling bills in 50 years.
Do not say one never told any one about it in this very difficult economic world. One takes on such difficult decisions at ones own peril.
Government ya Uganda eguze loole 108 okugabira Districts zizimbe amakubo:
By Samuel Balagadde
Added 9th February 2017
Mukyala Allen Kagina akulira ekitongole kya UNRA ng'awuubira loole okugenda okutandika okukola emirimu gy'enguudo ku disitulikiti ez'enjawulo. Yabadde ku ofiisi za UNRA e Mpigi ku Lwokusatu. EKIF: SAMUEL BALAGADDE
EKITONGOLE ky’ebyenguudo mu ggwanga ekya UNRA kiguze loole magulukkumi 108 ezitandise okubunyizibwa ku buli disitulikiti mu kaweefube w’okwongera okulongoosa enguudo.
Loole 40 zaatuuse dda mu Uganda era akulira UNRA, Allen Kagina yazisindise mu disitulikiti ez’enjawulo zitandike okukola emirimu.
Omukolo gwabadde ku ofiisi za UNRA e Mpigi ku Lwokusatu.
Buli loole eno ekika kya Foton okuva mu China yaguliddwa obukadde 267 nga buli emu etikka obuzito bwa ttani 15.
A modern Road has been constructed to facilitate access to an International Communication radar in Uganda:
By Samuel Balagadde
Added 9th February 2017
The 1.5km road to what is planned to be the biggest national radar at Sungira Hill in Nakasongola district is in the final stages of completion.
The project, costing sh14b, is being done by Energo Projekt under the supervision of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
Work started in April last year and upon completion, the road will be handed over to the government for a defects liability period of one year.
It is understood that the planned radar will be the strongest and with will work hand-in-hand with the one at Entebbe International Airport.
Construction of the road – with a lifespan of about 30 years – is partly to facilitate the movement of bulky radar equipment to the site.
The stretch leading to the facility traverses the hilly rocks that the contractor has been blasting using sophisticated technology to prevent stray rock pieces from affecting the area residents.
Ronald Olaki, UNRA resident engineer for the project , said the contractor is currently clearing the site for construction and erection of the radar.
Due to the steepness of the road, the contractor has erected several signposts warning motorists and cyclists.
Olaki said the road involved compensation of a number of residents at the beginning of the road project from the main road in Nakasongola and the ministry of defense is handling the matter.
Eng. Devis Ngobi from Energo Projekt said they have faced difficulty in accessing water for the project due to the dry spell and they have had to collect it from a distance of 30km.
In Uganda, the African Members of Parliament are finding it difficult and expensive to use the modern technology that has been given to them free of charge:
1st February, 2017
By Agencies
Alebtong Woman MP, Christine Acen using her new iPad at Uganda Parliament recently.
PHOTOS BT ERIC DOMINIC BUKENYA
In Summary
Parliament forked out Shs3.6 million to procure an iPad for each of the 427 legislators in the tenth parliament.
A year after the introduction of the Ipads, the printing, stationary and binding budget of parliament shot from Shs383 million to a whopping Shs1.5 billion.
Parliament skipped some items lined up for discussion on Wednesday following complaints by legislators on their Ipads. Parliament was expected to discuss and adopt findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the Auditor General's report on the 2014/2015 financial year Health sector Budget. No sooner had the PAC Chairperson Angeline Osegge started presenting the report, than the Bwamba County MP, Richard Gafabusa rose on a matter of procedure. Gafabusa told the house chaired by the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga that he couldn't follow the report, since it wasn't available on his iPad.
He was supported by Joseph Ssewungu, the Kalungu West MP who pleaded with the speaker to ensure the Ipads are worked on to improve their efficiency. William Nzonghu, the Busongora North MP, said his iPad has been dysfunctional for the last two months. The Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga rejected the proposal to distribute hard copies to the legislator, saying they ditched them because of the costs involved.
She directed the Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige to investigate the functionality of the iPads and internet in the house and file a report by Thursday. Parliament forked out Shs3.6 million to procure an iPad for each of the 427 legislators in the tenth parliament. The speaker introduced the use of Ipads in the house during the Ninth parliament hoping to cut down on stationary costs. However, a year after the introduction of the Ipads, the printing, stationary and binding budget of parliament shot from Shs383 million to a whopping Shs1.5 billion.
The Soroti Solar Energy Plant is a success, and the European donors are proving it to the government of Uganda in practical terms:
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14 2016
Kristian Schmidt (Left), the EU head of delegation chats with Mr Simon D’ujanga (Right) the Energy State minister during the commissioning of the Soroti solar plant. Photo by Stephen Otage.
By Stephen Otage
UGANDA, SOROTI:
While commissioning the plant in Soroti District on Monday, Kristian Schmidt, the EU head of delegation who spoke on their behalf, said the Soroti Solar Plant which is the biggest in East Africa, is an iconic renewable energy success story which is now being benchmarked by Vietnam, Zambia Morocco, and Egypt where similar projects are being undertaken. The plant, he said, has been completed without any scandals at a cost of Shs34 billion.
“The 10 MW Soroti Solar Plant is a successful example of how development partners can deliver efficiently when they coordinate resources,” he said, adding the project is the first example of aid effectiveness which is being copied in other countries.
Mr Schmidt said: “Government should take this project as an example to entrust the private sector with such projects because it did not have any procurement queries, Parliament did not have any queries, there were no scandals and it took only eight months to be completed. No shoddy work, no procurement scandals, no public loans, no delays all because the private sector was in charge.”
In his address, Mr Simon D’ujanga the Energy State minister, said the Soroti project is among the three government approved in 2014 under the World Bank funded GET FIT project to find renewable energy projects to supplement hydro electricty in its energy mix efforts. “We are setting up another solar plant in Tororo and last year we launched the bagasse power plant in Kakira. The energy this plant is generating is equivalent to using 15,000 litres of diesel daily,” he said.
According to Mr Christophe Fleurence, the vice president, Eren Energy that designed the project, Access Power mobilised the funds.
sotage@ug.nationmedia.com
“I Will Lock Mugabe and Museveni in Prison." The new U.S.A President promised Africa.
When you have time, please get a timeline from your hero Mr Trump for project implementation.
by
Bobby:
10 November 2016
US business mogul Donald Trump has put Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Ugandan President on notice, vowing to deal with them when he ascends to power in the U.S.A.
Nb
These are the long serving African Presidents who have been convincing the American democrats that they are democratically elected by their fellow Africans for now 30 to 40 years of their rule.
The South African country has taken on a solar-powered airport:
By AFP
Added 9th October 2016
The George town solar project situated on the southern coast of South Africa
The solar plant, launched in September 2015, is the second solar-run airport in the world after Cochin airport in southern India.
At first glance there's nothing out of the ordinary about the regional airport in George, a town of just 150,000 residents on South Africa's south coast.
In fact though, the small site is Africa's first "green" airport to be powered by the sun.
The control tower, escalators, check-in desks, baggage carousels, restaurants and ATMs -- every service here depends on a small solar power station, located a few hundred metres away in a field of dandelions next to a runway.
Its 2,000 solar panels produce up to 750 kW every day, easily surpassing the 400 kW needed to run the airport.
The excess is fed back into the municipal power grid, and a computer screen in the terminal informs passengers: "Within this month (September), 274 households were supplied through this system with green electricity."
For environmentally-conscious travellers keen to reduce their carbon footprint, it's a welcome development.
"Planes have such a big carbon print," said passenger Brent Petersen, 33, in George. "If we compensate, that's cool."
George Airport was originally built in apartheid-era South Africa in 1977 to make getting home easier for PW Botha, a government minister at the time and later president.
It now serves as a transit hub for shipments of homegrown flowers and oysters, as well as golfers visiting one of the region's many courses. Some 700,000 passengers pass through its doors each year.
The solar plant, launched in September 2015, is the second solar-run airport in the world after Cochin airport in southern India.
Nestled between the Indian Ocean on one side and the majestic Outeniqua Mountains on the other, George was a surprising location for the first attempt at a solar-powered airport in South Africa.
- Ambitious project -
The town's weather is unpredictable: in the space of half an hour, the temperature can plummet by 10 degrees celsius, the blue skies quickly replaced by a steady drizzle.
But so far, so good: even on overcast days, the plant still produces some power.
At night or when necessary, the system automatically switches over to the traditional power grid.
"The thinking was if we put (the solar system) in the worst unpredictable weather, it will absolutely work in any other airport in the country," the airport's maintenance director Marclen Stallenberg told AFP.
The environmental value of the ambitious project is already evident.
Since solar became the airport's main source of power, the hub has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 1,229 tonnes –- the equivalent of 103,934 litres of fuel.
The electricity bill has been cut by 40 percent in the space of a year, "which is a plus for me on the budget," said airport manager Brenda Voster.
Voster says it will take another five to 10 years to pay off the initial 16-million rand ($1.2 million) cost.
Meanwhile, regular power cuts, which in recent years have plagued Africa's most developed economy, are a thing of the past, she adds.
Heavily dependent on coal, which is the source of 90 percent of the country's electricity, South Africa is looking to diversify its options to avoid power cuts.
Robyn Spence, who works at Dollar car hire company at the airport, said they "had to replace quite a few computers" fried by electricity surges caused by power cuts last year –- no longer an issue with the solar system.
- Untapped potential -
But not all the retailers at the airport are feeling the benefits yet.
Lelona Madlingozi, a kitchen manager at Illy restaurant in the main terminal, said they had two power cuts lasting about three hours each just a month earlier. "We could not sell anything in the shop," she said.
Restaurants, said the airport, are not one of the essential services prioritised during power cuts.
Expanding the use of renewable energy is a key focus for management firm, Airports Company South Africa, said its president Skhumbuzo Macozoma.
The company's goal is to achieve "carbon neutrality", or net zero carbon emissions, by 2030.
In a country with an estimated average of 8.5 hours of sunshine a day throughout the year, solar's untapped potential looks huge.
After the success in George, the airports in Kimberley -- South Africa's diamond capital -- and Upington near the Namibian border have also gone green, with three other regional airports next in line.
George Airport now plans on increasing the capacity of the small power station by an extra 250 kW and will soon install batteries capable of conserving energy generated during the day for use at night.
The Ethiopian Airlines business on government subsidy, has survived on the African Continent for now 70 years:
Written by Observer Media Ltd
Created: 07 October 2016
Abebe Angessa
Ethiopian Airlines is the longest-serving airline on the African continent. Below, the airline's country manager, Abebe Angessa, explains why and how the carrier has survived for so long, when many airlines across the continent, and beyond, are going under.
Ethiopian Airlines is celebrating 70 years of existence. How would you describe her journey?
Ethiopian Airlines has had a long 70-year successful journey. From a humble beginning to a leading African aviation group. Throughout the past seven decades, the airline has established itself as adept in all facets of aviation services: technology leadership, network expansion and aviation mentoring.
It has registered many successes in the aviation industry, introducing cutting-edge aviation technology and state-of-the-art aircraft; from Africa’s first jet aircraft in 1962, the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010, the first B787 Dreamliners in the world, outside of Japan, in 2012, to the most advanced and latest world-class aircraft, the Airbus A350.
One of the modern passenger planes of this century
It has also met its very basic vision of bringing Africa together and closer to the rest of the world. African cities are now much closer than at any other time in its aviation history, and as a truly Pan-African symbol, we could say we know our continent better than any other airline.
Currently, Ethiopian Airlines is the largest, most profitable and fastest-growing African carrier, with bright prospects. As per Vision 2025, Ethiopian will be a world-class African airline, with a fleet size of more than 140, flying 22 million passengers, airlifting 820,000 tonnes of cargo, flying to more than 120 international and 26 domestic destinations and generating $10 billion revenue and $1 billion dollars net profit.
Uganda has no national carrier. What is your take on that?
Uganda deserves to have its own national airline to accelerate export, import and tourist travel to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Uganda is naturally endowed and is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in East Africa. What would you consider as bottlenecks to business that directly affect you?
Operating costs, regional conflicts and infrastructure constraints affect aviation industry development. But thanks to the government of Uganda, an airport expansion plan with more check-in counters, gates and aircraft parking services are being built.
Entebbe airport is soon to increase its capacity from serving 1.6 million passengers currently to the next higher service capacity. Ethiopian airlines is wholly state-owned. How have you managed to stay profitable while other national carriers such as South African Airlines and Kenya Airways are struggling with huge losses?
Ethiopian Airlines is 100 per cent government-owned but ownership and management of the airline are completely separate and this has been a successful setup.
Management is done by aviation professionals who run the airline as an independent business. There is no undeserved interference from government and management is responsible and accountable for the day-to-day operations. Due to the abovementioned conducive setup, the airline has continued to excel, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence.
How do you manage to stay ahead of competition?
This is due to the following: The existence of a uniquely-dedicated and highly-committed workforce led by experienced and a seasoned executive management and board of directors.
Self-sufficiency in training of aviation personnel who embody the values and spirit of Ethiopian Airlines, through our aviation academy. Developing of strong leadership teams. An efficient network of connectivity. Ethiopian Airlines has a multi-hub strategy.
Ethiopian Airlines is a customer-focused airline. Having an inventory of latest, state-of-the-art aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance.
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That government subsidy must be questioned for those poor Ethiopian citizens who up to now 70 years have been paying their taxes for the rich to travel. One understands this is a country that listens to market forces. By the way, the Chinese have upgraded the locals with a 100 miles electric train.
The students marching away from the military prison at Bombo barracks, Uganda.
Oct 24, 2016
On Sunday October 23, 2016, it was like a circus when Kabaka’s Protection Unit commander, Captain Stanley Lutwaama Musaazi, kept demanding that the pro-Kabaka students(Royalists) under arrest at Bombo police station must be released into his custody while at the same time denying that he represented Mengo. The students were arrested on October 22nd at Janaan Secondary School, Bulemeezi, after phone orders from Buganda minister for youth, Mr. Henry Sekabembe to Bombo police post
Celebrating victory outside Bombo police station
On Saturday October 22, 2016, after consulting with Katikkiro Mayiga, minister Sekabembe told Bombo police to arrest any Muganda student connected to the September 28, 2016 Bulange demonstratons against Katikkiro Mayiga who were at Janaan Secondary School and charge them with unlawful trespass. He told the Bombo police to keep them locked up until he came and spoke to them on Sunday October 23rd. With assistance from Mr. Emmanuel Matovu, a leader in Nkoba za Mbogo Ugandaand staunch Mayiga loyalist, the police made the arrests.
Very early on Sunday morning a delegation of pro-Kabaka Baganda youth, went Bombo to check on their friends in police custody. It was led by Ndigeza Kigonya, Kabali Luyombya and Malimbolimbo. On the way, they checked with Mr. Sekabembe to find out when he was going to release their colleagues in Bombo. He responded that he was not going but Captain Musaazi, the Kabaka’s Protection Unit (KPU) commander, was going to represent Mengo.
Minister Sekabembe of the Buganda Kingdom
Wants Mengo to do all the thinking of the Baganda youth.
When Captain Musaazi arrived in Bombo he demanded that the police release the detained students into his custody. However, he also said that Sekabembe was wrong to say that a UPDF soldier like him was representing Mengo. The students leaders rejected Musaazi, who tried to convince them for a long time that they needed his protection. Musaazi failed to explain why he was in Bombo on Mayiga’s instructions instead of near Kabaka to guarantee take care of his security. He then changed his tone and promised the students that he will arrange for them to meet Kabaka Mutebi face-to-face but they refused. That is when the youth started accusing him of being more interested in protecting Mayiga than Kabaka because even at the September 28, 2016 demonstrations he swore to crush any youth who ever demonstrated against Mayiga near Bulange again. And he said that when he knew that the demonstration was to defend Kabaka’s name and dignity. Finally he gave and left shaking his head.
Since minister Sekabembe who ordered the arrests was unwilling to come to Bombo, the police released the students on a “police bond” and asked them to come back on November 4, 2016 to see how to close the issue. Former and current BANKOSA leaders spoke to the press afterwards (see video below). When BugandaWatch asked one of the Bombo police offices why Uganda security forces protect those who abuse the Kabaka of Buganda but quickly arrested on Mengo’s orders for defending Kabaka’s name and dignity, he refused to answer, only saying in broken Luganda, “Ssebo nsonyiwa, naye simanyi kyakwogera.” (“Please forgive me, but I don’t know what to say.”)
Ettaka lya Buganda State litabudde Abafuzi be Mmengo aba Republic mungeri yokuligabanya ate no kulitunda:
By Vivien Nakitende
Added 28th October 2016
Ettaka awali omuddo wewakayanirwa wakati we kkannisa enzungu nomusuubuzi
WABALUSEEWO obutakkaanya wakati w'ekitongole kya Mmengo eky’Ebyettaka ekya Buganda Land Board (BLB) n’Obulabirizi bw’e Namirembe, olw’ettaka eragambibwa nti BLB yaligabye emirundi ebiri.
Poloti ekaayanirwa eri ku kkanisa ya Katwe Martyrs. Ekkanisa yafuna ebbaluwa okuva mu BLB nga March 10, 2015 ng’eriko omukono gwa Kizito Bashir Juma ng’ewa ekkanisa liizi ewerako decimal 4.
Kizito yategeeza ekkanisa nti ejja kusasula obukadde 115, gattako 950,000/- ez’abapunta ne busuulu wa buli mwaka 1,150,000/-.
Omukungu wa Kabaka era avunaanyizibwa ku kukulaakulanya ekkanisa y’e Katwe, Gaster Lule Ntake yawandiikidde Dayirekita wa Kampala, Jeniffer Musisi nti singa omugagga agenda mu maaso n’okuzimba mu poloti eyo, ekkanisa ejja kuba tekyasobola kukozesa kifo kyayo. Poloti ekaayanirwa ntono eringa lukuubo.
Eva ku lw’e Masaka nga waakayita ku nkulungo e Kibuye okutuuka ku Wansanso Road olugatta ku Ring Road okumpi n’ekkanisa y’e Katwe. Omwogezi wa BLB, Denis Bugaya yagambye nti liizi yaweereddwa MubarakAbdullah kubanga yali yagula dda poloti eriraanyewo n’aweebwa ekyapa.
Akawugiro akaasigalawo kwaliko abatundirawo embaawo kyokka omwaka oguwedde yabagula ne bavaawo asobole okutwalawo. Bwe yasaba liizi BLB yali tesobola kugimumma kubanga abaaliwo yali amaze okubasasula. Era bonna tekuli akaayana. N’agamba nti ekkanisa emanyi ekituufu. Ettaka lyayo lyagiweebwa mu 1920 era liizi yaakazzibwa obuggya. Ettaka lyapimwa. Ekkanisa yalagibwa ensalo zaayo.
N’agamba nti Mubarak bwe yaweebwa omukisa yatuukiriza ebisaanyizo byonna era ne bamuwa liizi. Kyokka omwogezi w’ekkanisa y’e Katwe, Daudi Lukwago yagambye nti BLB teyalaga bwenkanya.
N’agamba nti okubawa liizi ku ttaka lya yiika nnamba baasasula obukadde 70. Kyokka bwe baasabye akawugiro ka decimolo nnya(4) baabasabye obukadde 115. Ekirala bwe bwangu obwakozeseddwa mu kugabira Mubarak liizi.
N’agamba nti ebbaluwa eyabawa liizi teyaliiko kiseera kigere mwe balina kusasulira. Ogumu ku mitendera gye baalina okuyitamu kwali kugenda mu KCCA kyokka abakugu ne babategeeza nti akawugiro ke basaba kitundu kya luguudo.
KCCA EYIMIRIZZA NTEEKATEEKA
Oluvannyuma lwa Ntake okuwandiikira KCCA nga yeemulugunya, akola ku byettaka mu KCCA yawandiikidde Buganda Land Board nga October 10 nga bayimiriza enteekateeka zonna ku kugaba ettaka eryo okutuusa ng’okwemulugunya okuliwo kugonjoddwa.
Ebbaluwa yagambye nti aba BLB tebaawa KCCA kifaananyi kituufu kubanga ebiwandiiko byabwe tebyalaga nti waliwo enkaayana ku ttaka eryo.
Ebbaluwa yabuuzizza: kijja kitya okuwa Ekkanisa ettaka ate ne muliwa ne Mubarak? Ebbaluwa yaweereddwaako Omulabirizi w’e Namirembe; Jeniffer Musisi n’abakulira ebitongole by’ettaka n’abapunta ba KCCA.
Lukwago yagambye nti ekkanisa eyagala bwenkanya kye yavudde yeekubira enduulu mu KCCA.
Ekirungi Gaster Lule Ntake naye mukungu e Mmengo ate nga akulira Buganda Land Board Kiwalabye Male naye ali munda mu kkanisa.
Wabula balooya ba Mubarak aba Ssengooba & Co. Advocates bawandiikidde Chris Tembo eyayimirizza BLB okuwa Mubarak olukusa ng’agamba nti oluvannyuma lwa BLB okusalawo nkyabadde tekyetaagisa kwongewra kunonooza bantu balala.
Kwe kwebuuza: Mukkiriza mutya ebbaluwa ya Ntake atamanyiddwa ng’omuyima w’ettaka ly’ekkanisa? Ebbaluwa ya Ntake terina makulu kubanga bannannyini ttaka aba BLB baamaze okuwa Mubarak olukusa.
Lukwago yagambye enkaayana zaatandika mu 2014 Mubarak (ekkanisa egamba nti nnanyini kifo omutuufu ye Semakula) nnanyini kizimbe ekiri emmanga w'essomero lya Katwe Martyrs P/S, bwe yamanya nga liizi y’ekkanisa eneetera okuggwaako yassaawo ekizimbe n’eyingira ku ttaka ly’ekkanisa.
Ensonga zaagenda mu BLB era agikulira Kiwalabye Male n’alagira Mubarak ateese n’ekkanisa. Ensonga zaagenda e Namirembe ne kisalibwawo Mubarak akozese ekifo kye yatwala era aleme kusasula ssente yonna.
Ekkanisa yali emaze okukola pulaani okuzimba amaduuka n'essomero ery'omulembe, nga litunudde mu luguudo lwa Masaka Road, kino kyatuwaliriza okukyusa pulaani kuba kati waali wazimbiddwawo ekizimbe ekirala mu maaso.
Twakola pulaani endala ng'etunudde mu Wansaso Road. Bwe twamala okukola pulaani empya, ekkanisa yaasalawo esabe liizi ku kataka ka "Road Reserve" aka tuli mu maaso akatukaayanya okuva mu BLB, nga tetwagala ate omuntu mulala kukatwala ate okusiikiriza amaduuka ge tugenda okuzimbawo.
Akawugiro kano ze decimolo 4 ezikaayanirwa. Omu ku Bakrisitaayo Norah Ssettimba yagambye: “mmaze e Katwe ebbanga ddene era nasomesaako mu ssomero ly'ekkanisa emyaka musanvu nga tetulina nkaayana era nga buli omu amanyi bulungi nti ettaka lya kkanisa, omugagga ono ebintu bye bya kweyongeza, yazimba kalina ye n’ayingira mu ttaka ly'essomero ng'agenda agaziyira mu bbanga era awali ekizimbe lwali luggya lwa ssomero.” Mubarak tetwasobodde kumufuna okwogera ku nsonga eno.
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Baganda banange ekkanisa Enzungu eza Jjajja Yesu(e Palastine) oba eze Buwalabu(e Saudi Arabia) eza Jjajja Muhamad zo tezirina ttaka lyobwajjajja e ligabwa ko nokukayanirwa ko? Omuntu yandilowozeza nti ettaka lya Buganda ttaka lya Buganda so si lya Uganda oba Africa oba lya muntu omu bwati!
The President of Uganda has tried many times to send away poverty from the country without any success:
Mr Frederick Golooba-Mutebi
Article Written By Frederick Golooba-Mutebi
Posted Sunday, November 6 2016
Uganda’s leading anti-poverty crusader has been at it again. President Yoweri Museveni, who over the 30 years he has been in power has probably said more things about poverty than anything or anyone else, spent the best part of a week in parts of rural Uganda sermonising about the issue.
He was in the famous Luweero Triangle where he and his comrades in arms spent years as insurgents wearing down the then government army before they marched into Kampala and seized power.
The insurgency had laid many parts of the Triangle to waste, caused mass internal displacement and leaving heaps of human skulls and bones behind, testimony to the killing zone it had been turned into by the antagonists as each side sought to prevail.
For the ordinary people who survived the bullets, disease and hunger and made it back to whatever was left of their home and shambas, the end of the war merely opened a new chapter in their lives: Impoverishment.
Over the years, the government has compensated many people whose food, cattle and other animals the insurgents ate, those whose breadwinners were killed by government soldiers as a direct result of their collaboration with the rebels, and those whose assorted assets the insurgents put to use as part of the war effort.
Still, hundreds of thousands of poor peasants had to start all over again on their own. There have been accusations over the years that they were simply abandoned by the NRM regime. This is only partly true, and must apply to a small minority who may have nothing to show for the war, except the peace and stability that came about as a result.
I know of no other area Museveni has been to so many times just to touch base with his wartime chums and supporters, preach against poverty and give out cash, cows, farming implements and seedlings of one or other “high-value” crop.
Irrigation facilities
Observers point out that, curiously enough, many such visits have coincided with presidential election campaign seasons and so should probably be dismissed as political gimmicks.
The fact of the matter, however, is that the people of the Triangle have for the most part continued to be poor despite the hand-outs, possibly because of them. The reason the hand-outs have had little if any effect is very specific and applies as much to other parts of the country where they have been used, as it does to the Triangle: They have been ad hoc.
By now, we all know about the cash gifts and soft loans running into hundreds of millions and intended to turn simple villagers into instant entrepreneurs running “income-generating projects,” as if everyone and anyone has the skill or acumen to start up and manage a business, however small.
We all know about the exotic and hybrid cows that have been given to clueless folk who, without necessary support from veterinarians or extension workers (of whom there are very few to go round out there), wouldn’t know what to do when bovine diseases, of which many are rampant in parts of the country, strike.
And of course we know about the fruit-tree and other seedlings that, for one or other reason, including drought and lack of irrigation facilities, have dried up shortly after they were distributed.
The question is why these things are done year in year out, with seemingly little or no systematic co-ordination among national- and local-level actors whose obligation should be to ensure that anti-poverty measures succeed. At what point does it make sense to abandon a failed approach and try something else?
Talking of failed approaches, none stands out more than that of handing out cash to the poor to do business, make profits, and hand back the seed capital to benefit someone else waiting in the queue to borrow.
Prosperity for all
Over the years, we have seen many of these, starting with the entandikwa (seed capital) scheme of the 1990s. The money was meant to be an interest-free loan, going to any group of persons who needed money to start an income-generating activity.
Overseen by local leaders, the scheme coincided with the 1995/96 presidential election season. The borrowers then convinced themselves that it was no loan at all, but a “thank you” token from President Museveni for all the hard work they had allegedly put into getting him re-elected.
Billions of shillings of taxpayers’ money went down the tube, leaving hardly any sprouts of prosperity behind. And then there was the “prosperity for all” (bonna baggaggawale) programme. It, too, generated headlines and became the talk of town. Overseeing this one was the charismatic and popular war hero, “financial engineer” and younger brother to Museveni, General Salim Saleh.
Micro-lenders requiring borrowers to repay loans with interest could no longer get villagers to borrow from them. They had all decided to wait for “sente za bonna baggaggawale” (bonna baggaggawale money). They knew from past experience that they would never have to pay it back. And so many did not. Billions more down the drain.
Perhaps if poverty could listen to Museveni, obey presidential directives and disappear, much taxpayers’ money would be saved.
E-mail: fgmutebi@yahoo.com
Ba Ddeereva ku siteegi y'e Nsangi e Nateete Buganda, Uganda, bakubaganye nga bakyusa obukulembeze
By Musasi wa Bukedde, Martin Kizza
Added 10th November 2016
Bano be ba members be kibiina kya Taxi drivers Association e Kampala, Uganda.
OLUTALO Lubaluseewo mu bavuzi ba Takisi abakolera mu ppaaka y'e Nateete ku siteegi y'Ensangi bwe babadde bakyusa abakulembeze baabwe ng'abamu babalumirizza okubuzawo ensimbi zaabwe ezekibiina.
Kizza Joel agobeddwa nga yabuzizawo ssente era nga Poliisi esanze obuzibu obwamaanyi olw'abantu ababadde bataamye obugo nga baagala ku mulya bunyama.
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Ensi nga Continent ya Africa eriko miles nga 5000 okuva Cape Town, South Africa okutuuka e Cairo, Misiri. Ate eriko miles 6000 okuva Mombasa, Kenya okutuuka Marakessh e Morocco. Miles 11000 ezoluguudo zirina okukolebwa okutambuzibwako abasabaze gyebujjja mumyaka nga 20. Mbuza ba dereeva be Nsangi. Mukutambuza abasabaze miles ezo zonna nga nammwe kwemuli munayomba nokukubagana emirundi emeka?
Technologia munsi nyingi egonzeza nyo obugunjufu bwabantu mukutambulira awamu(public transport) obulungi ate era ne mubwangu.
Naye bwetunada ku ba Fere ba Taxi ne nkayana zabwe ezekibbi ezitajja kuggwa, ekibuga Kampala nemiriraano tewajja kubawo ntambula ya mulembe ate eyemirembe, eyeyagaza omusabaze munsi nyaffe Buganda
Empisa efiriza business sente nezitadayo mu business oba eri abakozi kyongera okukakasa nti bbaasi ne train zezisanidde okusabaza abatambuze be kibuga Kampala kumulembe guno. Munsi nyingi kakati sente zisasulwa ku office za company etambuza abantu buli week, oba omwezi. Card yo eya TOP-UP nga bwekiri ku YAKA-YAKA yekutambuza mu buli baasi ya company eyo okusinziira nga bwotambudde week emu oba omwezi gwona.
The other confederated tribal states that enlarged the present State of Buganda in Africa:
11 November, 2016
A SAMPLE OF A HISTORY OF BWIRU/BUDDU, MASAKA AND BWERA/MAWOGOLA, SSEMBABULE.
TO BE PUBLISHED SOON.
Ssembabule District is the Metropolitan of the kingdom of Bwera under Abamooli dynasty, a break away group from Ababiito dynasty of the kingdom of Bunyoro. Bwera was founded by Kiheesi, who is said to have been given a war drum of water back called Lusama which was said to have been the drum of Ndahura, the first Muchwezi king of Bunyoro-Kitara Empire. (M. Ponanky in Uganda Journal, 33, 2 (1969) PP 125 - 150. "Until recently the drum or later replica of it was kept in Makoole near Katonga a few miles from Bigo. Makole was for a time being, the saza headquarters of Mawogola County, Kihesi is said to have acquired the name Bareremwa and established the kingdom of Bwera." (M. Posnansky, 1969: 125-150) . According to M. Posnansky, Bwera is said to have remained quasi independent through out the 19th century and in 1892, Lugard stipulated that it should remain so. It was incorporated into Buganda in 1899 and confirmed as such in 1900 Uganda Agreement. Kabaka Junju is said to have tried to conquer Bwera (around 1797) but failed and to which his brother Ssemakookiro took flight. He is supposed to have rewarded one of the Bannabwera called Kahera (Kyera) by giving him the district of Bulondioganyi (Bugerere) in Kyaggwe, where his successors remained as cattle keeping people. Kabaka Mwanga in 1896 also took refuge in vicinity of Bigo (All contained in historical files collected by Masaka District Administration from 1908-1962, now deposited with Makerere University College Library).
According to E.G. Lanning:1954: 28) Bwera remained unsettled until 1900 when it was incorporated in Buganda by Uganda Agreement. The events leading up to its absorption are worthy of note.
It was in 1899 that Kabaka Mwanga fleeing from Buddu entered Bwera. With Capt. Sitwell, he encamped on Bukongote Hill, South of Bigo earthworks. Having already engaged the enemy, once Sitwell finally came upon Mwanga's rear guard on 4th March 1898, as it was crossing the Katonga and engaged it. The elusive Mwanga, had, however, already fled north, and wit well had to be content, with entering in his dairy for that day. "Mwanga is reported to have crossed by Nanzigombe's crossing" C.C. H. Sitwell, Uganda Dairy, 1895-1899. MS Secretariat Library, Entebbe. Following this action, Sitwell's Baganda levies overran Bwera which from that time, ceased to be an independent state. (Masaka District Minute Paper H/8).
Omwami J. L. Kagugube (latterly of the Uganda Medical Service), grandson of Nanzigombe, hereditary Omulangira of the area Nabubale (Mubende District), and a portion of present day Mawogola (Masaka District), as far as Lwentale, Muntu, a brother of Nanzigombe, was recognized as ruler of the portion of Bwera south of Lwentale including a small part of Buddu." Omutajka Njovu, waso ne of the chiefs that were signatories of Buganda Agreement of 1900. He was succeeded by his sone Omutaka Frank Museveni Muntu who died in 2011. Maj.James mugira, however, is the grand son of Njovu's brother that inherited the north western part and was given a Mailo estate covering Nkonge Railway station and Kabamba Army School of Infantry.
According to M.B. Nsimbi in Amannya Amaganda n'ennono zaago (1982), the saza headquarters was transferred from Makoole to Ssembabule. The Bamooli dynasty was recognized as Abengabi Emmooli, with Muntu, as the clan leader. He was given a Mailo-Estate at Bulera, the seat of his clan, and at Kyebando, eight kilometers on Masaka-Mubende high way. However in 1901, the first non hereditary Saza Chief of Mawogola was appointed with the capital at Makoole near Nkonge Railway station on a boarderline with Buweekula County/ Mubende District. Among Baganda's first military administrators in Mawogola, was Prince Nyansi Bulenzi Kasajja, who was a page in Kabaka Mwanga's palace at Mmengo, he became the first Muluka Chief Miyenje later Nsoga, which covered present day Mijwala Sub County and Ssembabule Town Council. He owned a Mailo etstate at Nnambiriizi, which previously was Bwera kingdom capital, and died in 1939 and was succede by his son Prince Matia Makaato. He died in 1954 and was succeeded by his son Prince Zuli Arabi Iddi Dungu Mukasa Kimera. He died in 1988 and was succeeded by his son, Prince Sheikh Abbaas Nkangabwa Kimera. He died in 2002 and was succeeded by his son Prince Haji Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi. Nyansi Kasajja was a son of Omutaka Makaato, the lineage of Biringwira at Kisawo near Lukaya in present day klaungu, Buddu, and they hailed from Omutaka/ Prince Kateregga Luguma at Bukakkata, Buddu on shores of Lake Victoria. Benedicto Kalibbala, one of Mawogola's saza chiefs, said that present day Mawogola County covering both Mawogola South and Mawogola North, including Lwentale later Mijwala Sub County now covering Mitwala and Lugusuulu sub counties and Ssembabule Town Council;Mateete Sub County now covering and Mateete Sub County , Mateete Town Council, and Lwebitakuli Sub County, were parishes under Kalungu Sub County in Buddu until 1937 when they were reclaimed by Mawogola.
In 1974, the Military Government under the then general, Idi Amin Dada, restructured local administrations. Uganda was divided into 10 provinces and over 40 districts. South Buganda province was made up of Buddu, Mawogola Kooki, Ssese and Kabula counties, with headquarters at Masaka. Buddu became a district with Mawogola as a sub district. Mawogola itself was divided into two counties of Mawogola and Lwemiyaga.
The sub district status was scrapped off after the fall of Idi Amin regime to Tanzanian Forces and Ugandan exiles in 1979. The provincial administrations were abolished and Buddu turned back to Masaka District covering it with Mawogola and Ssese. In 1988, a sub district status was reinstated by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government with appointment of Mrs. Margaret Baryehuki as Assistant District Administrator Masaka, in charge of Ssembabule sub district. It became a district by a resolution of Parliament in 1997.
According to Prof. Ssemakula Kiwanuka, A History of Buganda from State Formation of 1900, Ssembabule District was the Kingdom of Bwera under Abamooli dynasty which broke away from Ababiito dynasty of the Kingdom of Bunyoro. It was a district in a larger Buddu Province. When Buddu fell from Bunyoro to Buganda in the late 18th century subsequently; Bwera also fell to Buganda and by 1900, had become Mawogola County.
According to Ssemakula Kiwanuka, That the banks of River Katonga a boarder line between Bwera and Buddu on one hand, and Gomba and Mawokota counties on the other, were under the dynasties of Abagabo and Abazanzi. That clearly indicates how heterogeneous present Ssembabule District is. According to A Thousand years of Bunyoro - Kitara, A History of People and Rulers (1995) by Prof. John Barongo, Bwiru (Buddu) and Bwera, were the same. When it fell from Bunyoro to Buganda, Bwera also did the same. According to East Africa through a Thousand Years by S. Were and Wilson (1982) Buddu, Bwera (Mawogola) and Kooki were some of the counties Buganda conquered from Bunyoro.
By Ahamed Kateregga
THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF UGANDA, MR KAGUTA KATARUSIRA(Museveni) IS NOW REMEMBERING TO SOUND SOME 'WAR' DRUMS AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AFTER 30 YEARS IN POWER:
Written by URN
President, Yoweri Museveni has declared 'war' on environmental degradation, walking over three kilometers across Mpologoma swamp and bridge along the Mbale-Tirinyi road as the sunset on Friday in eastern Uganda.
Museveni who made on spot visits to Kaliro district, then to Namakoko swamp in Namutumba district and later walked across river Mpologoma on the Iganga-Tirinyi-Mbale road on Friday evening, said the country needs to put on new spectacles to address the issue of drought and starvation that are causing death and destruction.
To highlight the problem, Museveni invited along Rosa Malango, the United Nations resident coordinator and resident representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support efforts by government to reclaim degraded swamps.
"When making an alarm for people to eat food, you are not too loud because you don't want many people to turn up, but when making an alarm for war, you make it so loud so that many people can come to your rescue," the president said, explaining why he had to reach out to the United Nations to partner with government to reclaim degraded environs.
Museveni inspecting some of the destroyed wetlands
The president, who used anecdotes to highlight the gravity of the problem, said as the country was pushing the development agenda including construction of roads, electricity, schools, health facilities alongside the campaign for wealth creation for poverty eradication, he got a call that drought has affected crops and the changing climate seasons and little rains have caused destruction.
"When you go to the bush and a small stick hits your eye, it is telling you to see properly. This drought and hunger are the stick telling us to see properly," he said. Museveni urged the communities to restore granaries to store food, grow drought resistance foods and engage in commercial agriculture for both food security and incomes, saying this will help them save.
He said foods like cassava and millet can be stored comfortably to fight hunger. He explained that 60 percent of the rains in Uganda come from China and Indian Ocean monsoon winds. He said rain from the oceans is little this season and the cold currents reduced the amount of water, adding that the remaining 40 percent comes from local resources such as lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, George, Edward and from the wetlands.
Museveni walking Mpologoma swamp and bridge
"People started invading wetlands and planting rice, maize and making farms like in Kigezi and Ankole. Even the 40% of our water sources are affected. That stick is hitting us in the face. We need to see properly now," he said. Malango said she accompanied the president to see what is happening with the food security situation and the wetlands and to share areas of cooperation.
"We need to protect water sources and reclaim wetlands. Support livelihoods through modern agro production (irrigation), support small business enterprises and build improved storage facilities (granaries/stores)," she said.
According to reports, drought has plunged East Africa into the worst food security crisis Africa has faced in 20 years. More than 11.5 million people are currently in need of food aid. In Uganda, finance minister Matia Kasaija, is quoted as saying the ongoing drought in several parts of the country is the largest threat to the projected growth in the economy of five percent.
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Our ambition in Uganda was to have former Ugandan President Lule 1979/80 to bring this nation in one piece so that such environmental issues as these ones can be tackeled by everybody in this country. It cannot ever be for only a few individuals' life time work to solve these issues.
Such individuals can make it hard and worse.
In Uganda the Pre-cooked beans should reduce the use of firewood to cook meals and promote forest cover on the continent of Africa:
By Vision Reporter
Added 18th December 2016
According to Joab Ouma of Lasting Solutions, a Ugandan company that is involved in preparing the beans, rural people usually use firewood for cooking, while charcoal is the main fuel in urban areas.
Forests cut down for firewood and trees not replaced
UGANDA,KAMPALA,
At a factory in Uganda's capital, Kampala, workers steam-cook beans in big metal containers, before cooling and packaging them for sale. The beans can be reheated in 15 minutes or less, requiring far less firewood than the two to three hours it would take to cook them from scratch.
This public-private initiative, being tested in Uganda and Kenya with funding from Canada's International Development Research Centre, also aims to increase bean consumption, improve diets, and create a more profitable market for bean farmers.
According to Joab Ouma of Lasting Solutions, a Ugandan company that is involved in preparing the beans, rural people usually use firewood for cooking, while charcoal is the main fuel in urban areas.
Those fuels are a direct cause of deforestation, yet until now the poorest consumers "had no choice" but to use them, Ouma said.
Uganda has lost forest rapidly in the past two to three decades, but the government has set a target to increase forest cover to 21 percent of land in 2030, up from 14 percent in 2013.
In its national plan for the Paris climate change agreement, it noted the target was "highly ambitious" as nearly 90 percent of the country's energy needs are met by charcoal and firewood.
Ouma said that, with the pre-cooked beans, the time needed to cook meals is greatly reduced, lowering the use of charcoal and firewood - and potentially easing the pressure on forests.
MORE BEANS, LESS WOOD
In western Kenya, Siprosa Ajwang, 62, from Homa Bay County, said the new beans saved her time she used to spend in the bush gathering firewood.
"I used to stay away three hours looking for enough wood to cook beans, but now it is easy because I need just a small bundle," said the farmer who is taking part in the pilot project to grow and market-test the pre-cooked beans.
If using charcoal to cook, she would previously have used a full 10 kg (22 lb) basin.
"Now I only need one tin of 2 kg to cook the beans for my grandchildren," she said.
George Oketch from Wiga village in Homa Bay County said his family of nine now eats more beans thanks to the shorter cooking time.
"Initially, we cooked beans only twice a month, but now we eat beans three times a week," he said.
The C$2.65 million ($1.99 million) project - whose first phase began in October 2014 and ends next March - is being implemented by Uganda's National Agricultural Research Organisation and Kenya's Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.
Ouma said a survey in Uganda showed an average family consumed about 12 kg of beans per month, requiring around 288 kg of charcoal per year to cook them.
The project, targeting a sample of 10,000 households in Kenya and 7,000 in Uganda, should prevent some 400,000 kg of charcoal being burned per year, he added. "This is a big impact on deforestation," he said.
"It also saves costs, because the extra money saved on fuel can be used to purchase other household essentials," he said. In addition, it frees up women to spend more time with their children.
HIGHER YIELDS
At the start of the project, researchers screened 47 bean varieties to determine which would be suitable for pre-cooking. Companies and community seed producers were then engaged to produce an adequate supply of the selected seeds, and promote them to farmers, who were trained in field and post-harvest management.
The project researched varieties popular with farmers and consumers in the region due to their taste and high levels of protein, as well as nutrients including calcium, zinc, iron and selenium.
"These micro-nutrients are key to fighting hidden hunger," Ouma said, referring to the widespread problem of malnutrition caused by mineral deficiencies.
Twelve varieties were chosen for the pre-cooking project, and 10,000 farmers were selected to grow the beans, with a focus on providing benefits to women farmers.
George Otiep, who works on the project for international charity Caritas in Kenya's Homa Bay County, said the high-yielding bean varieties had allowed many farmers to improve their yields from less than one bag per acre to five bags, boosting their incomes.
The aim is to expand the number of farmers growing the beans in the next planting season.
AFRICA EXPANSION
Two private-sector partners - Lasting Solutions in Uganda and Del Monte Kenya - have developed prototype products and packaging for market testing.
So far, two bean products are available: a salted ready-to-eat snack, and the pre-cooked, packaged beans for reheating. They are due to be launched by the end of this month, for sale in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Once consumer demand for the product has been created, equipment to scale up production will be introduced in Uganda and Kenya, Ouma said.
There also plans to expand the initiative across Africa by supporting the development of value chains for pre-cooked beans.
Nb
Work will begin in Tanzania and Ethiopia in March 2017, and will then be rolled out in Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and the Sahel region. ($1 = 1.3331 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Pius Sawa; editing by Megan Rowling. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change.
![a man standing next to a plane: Qantas staff wave Australian and British flags at the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after landing at Heathrow Airport after a 17 hour flight]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"27","h":"17","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBKFViM.img?h=171&w=270&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "a man standing next to a plane: Qantas staff wave Australian and British flags at the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after landing at Heathrow Airport after a 17 hour flight")
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![<p>Most days we barely give the giant, searing-hot ball of plasma in the sky a second thought.</p><p> That will change dramatically on Monday, August 21: when the total solar eclipse <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/total-solar-eclipse-nasa-research-jets-2017-7?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl"> sweeps across the continental United States</a> for the first time in nearly 100 years.</p><p> If you're not careful, though, the sun can still rapidly scorch your eyeballs.</p><p> While the moon will at least partially block the sun for the entire nation, the glowing crescent left behind will emit ultraviolet rays - the same light that causes sunburn - and could damage the light-sensing cells of your eyes' retinas. Even looking with normal sunglasses can lead to solar retinopathy, a condition that can temporarily blind you, <a href="https://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v16/n2/pdf/6700067a.pdf">lead to missing spots</a> in your vision, or even <a href="http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=3269">cause permanent blindness</a>.</p><p> The only safe time to look at the solar eclipse with the naked eye, <a href="https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety">according to NASA</a>, is during <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-total-solar-eclipses-will-end-2017-6?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl"> totality</a>: where the moon's fullest, darkest umbral shadow touches. But only a small piece of America will <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/total-solar-eclipse-chasing-airplane-experience-2017-8?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl"> experience its magic</a> (and for less than three minutes of the entire two- to three-hour eclipse, <a href="https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/interactive_map/index.html">depending on the location</a>).</p><p> The good news is that there are several easy ways to safely watch the eclipse - even if you're not in the path of totality, or you are and want to look at the sun beforehand.</p><p> Here are seven of the best methods.</p>]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"73","h":"55","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AApTpDr.img?h=766&w=1019&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=964&y=620"},"dpi":1.4,"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AApTpDr.img?h=657&w=874&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=964&y=620"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AApTpDr.img?h=657&w=874&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=964&y=620"}} "<p>Most days we barely give the giant, searing-hot ball of plasma in the sky a second thought.</p><p> That will change dramatically on Monday, August 21: when the total solar eclipse <a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/total-solar-eclipse-nasa-research-jets-2017-7?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl\"> sweeps across the continental United States</a> for the first time in nearly 100 years.</p><p> If you're not careful, though, the sun can still rapidly scorch your eyeballs.</p><p> While the moon will at least partially block the sun for the entire nation, the glowing crescent left behind will emit ultraviolet rays - the same light that causes sunburn - and could damage the light-sensing cells of your eyes' retinas. Even looking with normal sunglasses can lead to solar retinopathy, a condition that can temporarily blind you, <a href=\"https://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v16/n2/pdf/6700067a.pdf\">lead to missing spots</a> in your vision, or even <a href=\"http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=3269\">cause permanent blindness</a>.</p><p> The only safe time to look at the solar eclipse with the naked eye, <a href=\"https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety\">according to NASA</a>, is during <a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/why-total-solar-eclipses-will-end-2017-6?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl\"> totality</a>: where the moon's fullest, darkest umbral shadow touches. But only a small piece of America will <a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/total-solar-eclipse-chasing-airplane-experience-2017-8?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl\"> experience its magic</a> (and for less than three minutes of the entire two- to three-hour eclipse, <a href=\"https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/interactive_map/index.html\">depending on the location</a>).</p><p> The good news is that there are several easy ways to safely watch the eclipse - even if you're not in the path of totality, or you are and want to look at the sun beforehand.</p><p> Here are seven of the best methods.</p>")
The George town solar project situated on the southern coast of South Africa
One of the modern passenger planes of this century
Ettaka awali omuddo wewakayanirwa wakati we kkannisa enzungu nomusuubuzi
