Uganda: Export Promotions Board probed over corruption

Uganda:
Export Promotions Board probed over corruption

The Procurement Authority has written to police probing alleged corruption in the Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB), to ensure that proper procedures were adhered to in the procurement of certain contentious items by the entity.

In a letter to the criminal intelligence and investigations directorate boss dated February 26, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) noted that it was important for the investigators to ascertain that procurement procedures had been adhered to.

The letter follows an earlier request by the police seeking guidance on a number of issues under probe, among them the procurement of a mural for an exhibition at sh12.7m; procuring services for content development and translation services at sh6.4m and the hiring of cultural performers to entertain guests at sh3.1m.

In the response signed by Cornelia Sabiti, the Executive Director PPDA directed the police to among others task that procurement unit of the board on the matter.
"The procurement and disposal unit is required to confirm that the items are provide fro in the entity's procurement plan and are budgeted for in the approved budget for the financial years in accordance with the PPDA Regulation 105," the letter signed by Sabiti reads.

The letter also noted that the authority was required to initiate procurements using PP form 20 in keeping with PPDA regulations, which were contravened. The board used competitive bidding in relation to murals deal and direct bidding for the services of a Chinese translator, which police say, basing on the guidelines stipulated by PPDA was wrong.

CIID boss Grace Akullo could not be reached for comment as she was reported away attending a national function. However, police sources yesterday said detectives probing the alleged scam had established after questioning members of the disposal unit that procedures had been seriously flouted.

According to investigation the mural was procured at sh12,746,400 for the Chinese Expo 2010, to depict the theme: a better city a better life while the content development and translation services were procured at sh6,422,650 and the cultural performers to entertain a Chinese delegation that visited Uganda at sh3,119,500.

The police last year launched a probe into the export promotions board over allegations involving several top officials, including the executive director, Florence Kata estimated at over sh50m, part of a wider probe into money spent on various trade fairs abroad.

The money was spent in the financial years 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 and allegedly misused. The alleged flouting of procedures, sources said, adversely affects three top officials of the board-Kata, who also doubled as the accounting officer; the director finance Fred Kibedi and the procurement officer, Anne Karungi.

In the period under probe, the board participated in three expos-the Shanghai Expo in China, the International Trade Fair and exhibition in South Sudan and the Yeosu Trade Fair in South Korea.

Kata is also being probed over allegations that she irregularly appointed William Babigumira as her deputy without the consent of the board which investigators say amounts to abuse of office.

"They have sought the interpretation of the director of public prosecution (DPP) over the matter. Kata and Babigumira have since appeared before the police in connection with the allegations.

The police are also probing allegations that Kata's son, Lionel Barigye was among the people the board funded for a trade fair in Germany, culminating in his company receiving a refund of sh 2m as a 50% refund of fund used in travel and accommodation.

Barigye's company, Cyber Agricultural Produce (CAP) International Limited, received about sh2m as a 50% refund of funds used for travel and accommodation to attend the Fruit Logistica fair from February 8 to 10, 2012 in Germany.

By Steven Candia
Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug

Uganda: Deal day for Bharti Airtel: To buy Warid Telecom Uganda; signs pact with Reliance Jio

Uganda:

Deal day for Bharti Airtel: To buy Warid Telecom Uganda; signs pact with Reliance Jio

MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel (BSE -0.43 %), the world's fourth largest mobile phone operator, said it had signed an agreement to buy rival Warid Telecom Uganda, in a move that will increase its customer base in Uganda by 60 per cent.

The deal with Warid, the No.3 mobile phone company in Uganda, will add 2.8 million customers to take its total user base in the country to 7.4 million, Bharti said in a statement on Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bharti, India's top mobile phone carrier and ranked No.2 in Uganda, in 2010 ventured into Africa at a time when growth in its home market had started showing signs of saturation. The company, which bought money-losing operations in 15 African countries for $9 billion, has yet to turn a profit there. It operates in 20 countries across Asia and Africa.

Deal with Reliance Jio

In a separate announcement made earlier in the day, Reliance Industries' telecom arm will use Bharti Airtel's submarine cable network to provide data connectivity across Asia Pacific.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, which had earlier this month signed a Rs 1,200 crore deal to share Reliance Communication Ltd's fibre optic network in the country to roll out its 4G services, will hire capacity on Bharti's i2i cable network connecting India to Singapore.

"Bharti Airtel Ltd, a leading global telecom services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd today announced that they have signed an Indefeasible Right to Use (IRU) Agreement, under which Bharti will provide Reliance Jio data capacity on its i2i submarine cable," a RIL statement said.

Bharti and Reliance Jio will continue to build on this "strategic framework" and consider other mutual areas of cooperation and development, they said.

The i2i cable's landing points are at Chennai in India and Tuas in Singapore. "Reliance Jio will utilise a dedicated fiber pair on i2i. The high speed link will enable Reliance Jio to extend its network and service reach to customers across Asia Pacific region," the statement said.

Bharti's global network runs across 225,000 km, covering 50 countries and 5 continents.

It includes ownership of i2i submarine cable system connecting Chennai to Singapore, consortium ownership of SMW4 submarine cable system connecting Chennai and Mumbai to Singapore and Europe, and new cable system investments like Asia America Gateway (AAG), India Middle East & Western Europe (IMEWE), Unity, EIG (Europe India Gateway) and East Africa Submarine System (EASSy).

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Rwanda: Micro Finance Institutions Told to Step Up

Rwanda:
Micro Finance Institutions Told to Step Up

Kigali — Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) here have been asked to provide more affordable financial services to people living in rural areas.

The Executive Secretary of Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda-AMIR Rita Ngarambe said that MFIs play a vital role as providers of banking facilitates by being flexible and offering products tailored for rural populations.

"There is market for MFIs in rural areas, what is needed now is to design products that are suitable for the rural poor and also go down to the ground and open their branches," she told East African Business Week.

Many MFIs have been criticised for not stepping up to help increase the percentage of people using banking facilities.

"With our financial sector structure, MFIs and Saccos should be established closer to the populations, with more flexible products than banks such as providing loans of few amounts and at lowest rates," Job Opar, a consumer Protection Consultant said.

Accoridng to Finscope Survey 2012 , 72% of Rwandan adults (about 3.2 million) have or use financial products, with 1.3 million Rwandans currently financially excluded while the rate of Rwandans with savings went up to 68% from 54% in 2008.

MFIs have been criticised for having the highest interest rates which range from 16%- 26 %. Long bureaucratic procedures has also been highlighted for loan processing, which affects credit access mainly to the rural folk who cannot read and write.

"If the staff at MFIs have the capacity to either interpret or write loan requirements and agreement in a language their clients understand, I think that would be part of an affordable service provision and would quicken inclusion," Opar said.

Jessica Massi, an expert in the micro finance sector, said that MFIs have managed to establish themselves closer to people

She however said they still face challenges in capacity building, high operational costs and lack of awareness among people on financial products available at MFIs. "Most staff at MFIs don't have enough expertise in financial products, risk and loan management which is a big challenge," she said

Ngarambe however noted that their association, together with development partners has started helping MFIs build the capacity of their staff in risk and loan management and product designing which has in turn minimised the non-performing loans.

According to the Rwanda Central Bank figures the micro finance sector recorded a reduction in their non performing loans ratio from 12% to 8.5%, an indication that the sector is steadily growing.

Source: AllAfrica.Com

Rwanda: Ranked High As IMF Lowers Growth Rate

Rwanda:
Ranked High As IMF Lowers Growth Rate

The world Bank through its report, Africa's Pulse has ranked Rwanda among the fastest growing economies, whilst International Monetary Fund-IMF has lowered its growth rate for this year to 7.5 percent from 8 percent realised in 2012.

The country comes after the resource rich countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique and other countries like Ethiopia which were able to post growth rates of 7 percent in 2011. "But as this issue of Africa's Pulse shows, African economies continue to show resilience and some of the fastest-growing economies in the world are now in Africa," said Obiageli Ezekwesili, The banks' Vice President for Africa Over a third of countries in the region attained growth rates of at least 6 percent, with another 40 percent growing between 4 - 6 percent apart from the continent's giant, South Africa the rest of Africa made a growth o of 5.9 percent.

The Africa- Pulse published twice a year by World Bank looks at concerns shaping Africa's economic prospects and monitors the continent's growth trends. Experts say that country's like Rwanda have achieved high growth due to their efforts to foster economic reforms, keeping the economy afloat and also enhancing doing business environment which attracted more Investments.

"We are giving smart incentives, incentives that actually promote real production and attract investors to come," Clare Akamanzi, acting Chief Executive Officer,Rwanda Development Board said earlier "The urgent agenda remains sustaining the macroeconomic reforms while accelerating the structural reforms that will deliver the right quality of growth that creates jobs and raises incomes on the continent,"advised Ezekwesili Nevertheless, Rwanda's growth is projected to grow at 7.5 percent this year from 8 percent last year which is expected to weaken the country's economic outlook, a mission from the International Monetary Fund has revealed.

Source: AllAFrica.Com

Burundi: Travel Warning Issued for Burundi

Burundi:
Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Burundi. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Burundi dated November 8, 2012, to reiterate existing security concerns and to note that security restrictions on travel for Embassy personnel remain in place.

Because Burundi participates in peacekeeping operations in Somalia, the terrorist organization al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, has threatened to conduct terror attacks in Burundi. It may also target U.S. interests in Burundi.

The Burundian civil war that lasted from 1993 to 2006 often involved non-governmental and non-combatant targets. In 2009, the government and the last rebel group signed their final cease-fire agreement in which the rebel group agreed to demobilize and register as a political party. Burundi held general elections in 2010 which were generally considered credible. However, political tensions ran high and there were incidents of violence during the campaign period. Low-level political violence persists; the areas of Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie (particularly Kanyosha, Kinama and Kamenge, Makamba, Rumonge, and the area neighboring the Kibira forest) are of particular concern.

There are no known armed militia groups operating in Burundi; however, weapons are easy to obtain and some ex-combatants have turned to crime or political violence. Crime, often committed by groups of armed bandits or street children, poses the highest risk for foreign visitors to both Bujumbura and Burundi in general. Exchanges of gunfire and grenade attacks are common even in densely populated urban areas. Stay indoors, in a ground floor interior room, if gunfire or explosions occur nearby. Common crimes include muggings, burglaries, and robberies. Visitors should keep vehicle doors locked and windows up, and be careful when stopped in heavy traffic, due to the threat of robbery and theft. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of armed criminals ambushing vehicles, particularly on the roads leading out of Bujumbura. The U.S. Embassy prohibits U.S. government personnel from walking on the streets after dark and from using local public transportation at any time. Due to a lack of resources, local authorities in any part of Burundi are often unable to provide timely assistance during an emergency.

U.S. citizens should be aware that even gatherings and demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn violent. U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Burundi are reminded to maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind. Even seemingly peaceful sporting events can become politicized and turn violent. U.S. citizens should routinely monitor local media sources and the Internet for reports of demonstrations and unrest.

The U.S. Embassy continues to caution U.S. citizens that travel outside the capital, Bujumbura, presents significant risks, especially after nightfall. The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of its personnel in Burundi. Within 30 km/18 miles of the city, Embassy employees may travel in single vehicles, but are advised to check in and out with the Embassy. The Embassy's Regional Security Officer (RSO) must pre-approve all Embassy personnel travel outside this approximately 30-km radius of Bujumbura, and employees must travel via an approved itinerary in two-vehicle convoys equipped with satellite phones, GPS, and emergency equipment. All employee movement outside the city after dark is forbidden; the Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens not travel on national highways from dusk to dawn. U.S. citizens are also encouraged to avoid traveling within the city of Bujumbura after midnight.

Corruption is endemic in Burundi and contributes to an environment where the rule of law is not respected. Government officials may ask for bribes for providing routine services. Travelers are frequently stopped, questioned, and asked for bribes by security forces at numerous official and unofficial road blocks throughout the country. Likewise, criminals who have paid off local officials may operate without fear of prosecution.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Burundi despite this Travel Warning are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura for information on the latest Embassy security guidance, and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so they can receive the most up-to-date security information. Please keep all of your information in STEP current. It is important when enrolling or updating information to include multiple phone numbers and email addresses to facilitate communication in the event of an emergency.

U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura at Avenue des Etats-Unis. The hours for non-emergency American Citizens Services are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. The Embassy Consular section can be reached by telephone, including for after-hours emergencies, at 257-22-20-7000, or by fax at 257-22-22-2926. Security information for U.S. citizens in Burundi is posted on Embassy Bujumbura's website.

For further information, consult the Department of State's Country Specific Information for Burundi and the current Worldwide Caution, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, a regular toll line at-1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us onTwitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Google Play store to have travel information at your fingertips.

Source: http://www.nola.com

Burundi: UN Experts Warn of Negative Consequences of Coffee Privatization

Burundi: 

UN Experts Warn of Negative Consequences of Coffee Privatization

The World Bank-led privatization of the coffee industry in Burundi that began in 2008 is having a negative impact on farmers, two United Nations independent experts warned today, calling for the suspension of the policy pending an assessment based on human rights.

"There are worrying signs that the interests of coffee growers have been shut out of the reform process, despite coffee producer organizations showing themselves open to reform of the sector in a way that allows them to climb up the value chain," said the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, and the Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights, Cephas Lumina.

"In Burundi - the third poorest country in the world - coffee revenues represent the difference between food security and hunger for much of the population, and yet the country is in the process of reforming the sector in ways that risk undermining their livelihoods."

Coffee accounts for 80 per cent of the country's export earnings and provides the livelihood of 55 per cent of the population - representing some 750,000 families - many of whom are small-scale farmers.

Mr. De Schutter and Mr. Lumina called on the World Bank to consider the human rights implications of privatization, adding that it must not repeat errors made in the 80s and 90s, when developing countries were encouraged to sell off State assets without taking into account the social consequences on the population.

In 2007, the Burundian President declared that coffee was owned by the growers until it was exported, an arrangement that allowed them to manage the supply chain and entitled them to 72 per cent of revenues from coffee sales on international markets.

However, in 2008-2009 the Burundian Government moved towards full privatization of the industry under alleged pressure from the World Bank, whose support for public health programmes was reportedly tied to coffee sector reforms.

Since then, less than 5 per cent of Burundian coffee was processed in the country, with the higher value-added operations taking place abroad.

"States must not confuse their own priorities with those of corporations," Mr. De Schutter and Mr. Lumina stressed. "Institutional actors like the World Bank must support States in their attempts to reform key economic sectors in ways that do not expose vulnerable farmers and growers to the uncertainties of the market."

The experts also expressed concern that, after six months of exchanges with the World Bank, the information provided to them falls short in scope and transparency, and fails to acknowledge disagreements between the Bank and the Burundian Government.

"We expect fuller cooperation from the World Bank with the independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council," they said.

"In appropriate circumstances such as these, international law imposes on the Bank a duty to consider the human rights implications of its activities."

Source: Allafrica.com

Burundi: CRDB Burundi Unit Grows Than Projection

Burundi:

CRDB Burundi Unit Grows Than Projection

CRDB Bank's Burundi subsidiary has raked in more deposits that expected signalling the need for the bank to prepare for consolidation regionally in the next five years.

The subsidiary managed to collect 1.12bn/- deposits in just one month of operation that ended last December, which was more than some branches in Tanzania had amassed in initial operation.

CRDB's Managing Director, Dr Charles Kimei, said the subsidiary in Inyenyeri, Bujumbura, has only one branch that also housed the headquarters in Burundi. "The branch is simply growing very fast," Dr Kimei said during the bank's investor and analyst day.

He said: "For the year 2012, with less than one month of its operations, the net loss for the year stood at 300m/-, which is within our expectations." The branch, with one mobile branch and five ATMs, total assets at the end of last year grew to 18.65bn/-.

CRDB Bank targets that by the year 2017, the subsidiary will contribute between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of net income while acting as the base-hold to build foothold in East African markets. "(We are) target a market share of 5 per cent or more in Burundi by 2017," Dr Kimei said.

The Burundi, the first of the CRDB overseas branch, was soft opened last November, before being officially launched by the country's president, Pierre Nkurunziza, in December last year.

Source: Allafrica.com

Kenya do double Dutch

Kenya do double Dutch


Rakep Patel and Shem Obado put on a splendid show with the bat and ball respectively to steer Kenya to a comfortable seven wickets win over Netherlands in the ongoing Twenty20 Quadrangular in Namibia.

This was Kenya’s second win over Netherlands in the event. The teams had met in the opening day where Kenya registered a five wickets win.

Patel scored 46 runs from only 20 balls while Obado picked 4 wickets for 34 runs as Kenya bowled out their opponents for 113 in 18.4 overs.

Kenya reached the target with 46 balls to play and with seven wickets in hand.

Patel hit Michael Rippon for three consecutive sixes as he remained unbeaten from 20 balls.

After winning the toss, things looked bright for Kenya from the word go, picking the first wicket from the first ball when Nehemiah Odhiambo had Wesley Baresi caught for a golden duck.

Michael Swart and Tom Cooper got the scores to 31 before Cooper became Odhiambo’s second wicket on 10 runs.

Obado put his name on the wickets list in the fourth over when he had Swart trapped on 27.

His second wicket came two overs later when he bowled Daan van Bunge for 19 to leave the Dutch on 58 for 4 in 6 overs.

Tom Grooth and Rippon made 19 and 17 respectively before they both fell to Obado.

Hiren Varaiya, James Ngoche and Rageb Aga all took a wicket each.

Kenya opened with Alex Obanda and Tanmay Mishra and the stand put 22 runs in 2.2 overs with Mishra only facing five balls before he was trapped lbw by Mudassar Bukhari on 5.

Obanda followed with 15 caught off Bukhari on 28 from 19 balls.

Maurice Ouma and captain Collins Obuya got the scores to 49 before a run out to Ouma ended the stand.

With Kenya 65 runs shot of victory it was left to the experienced Patel and Obuya to see the side home and the they lived to expectation with Rakep taking full charge.

He hit five sixes and two boundaries as Kenya opened their campaingn with a resounding win.

His sixes included three consecutive onees in the 11th over.

Obuya remained unbeaten on 19 off the same number of balls.

In the opening match an unbeaten 75 from Obuya guided Kenya to a five-wicket win. Set a target of 173 to win, Kenya were on the backfoot at 18 for 2 after the loss of two quick wickets. However, a 54-run stand between opener Obanda and Obuya brought their chase back on track. Once Obanda fell for 47, Obuya paired with Patel and the duo put on 83 runs off 44 balls to take Kenya to the brink of victory. Obuya then guided the side home with one over to spare.

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke