Signs Of Success

6 Signs You Are Becoming Successful 

We are too hard on ourselves. Surely in your life you have done more good than bad, but sometimes we find it hard to see what we have achieved.

Just because you’re not a millionaire or living in a mansion doesn’t mean you have failed as a person. In fact, it’s the opposite.

You are evolving and developing as a person, and these  signs demonstrate you becoming someone better

1. You are empathetic with others

Not feeling empathy is like being dead inside. Others also laugh, cry and suffer like you. If you have understood that you should treat others as you would like them to treat you, congratulations!

2. You love and let love

Love is risky and sometimes terrifying. We all seek it but we all fear rejection. If you open your heart enough to overcome that fear and love and be loved, congratulations!

3. You don’t care what others think

You know you can’t all like it. You know that the standards by which society judges people are unrealistic. If you are true to yourself and do not let yourself be influenced by others, congratulations!

4. You accept what you cannot change

There are things in life that cannot be changed, but what can be changed is how we take it. If you can stop seeing the glass as half empty and start to see it as half full

5. You change what you can change

You do not accept what you do not like and can be changed. You overcome resignation and manage to do something about it. If you do this, congratulations

6. You are happy

It doesn’t matter if your balance is in your bank account, the size of your house or the vacation you take. If you are happy it means that you are having success in your life.

Even if you don’t see yourself in many of these 16 things, don’t worry. It’s okay. Be happy to see yourself in just a few. In time the rest will come alone.

Excel Tricks That Every Student Should Know

9 Excel Tricks That Every Student Should Know 

Although the application's great capacity can be intimidating, there is no doubt that knowing how to Excel offers any student an advantage in theirstudies or future workplace.

1. Recommended Graphics 

Using the newly added recommended charts, you can quickly create a suitable chart for your data. This feature saves time so you don’t have to test all the charts before choosing the best one. 

After inserting your data in Excel with column headings, go to Insert> Recommended Charts. A pop-up window will show you the best options for your data. If you don’t see a chart you like, click the All Charts tab at the top to see all the types of charts available. 

2. Pivot Tables 

The pivot tables are arguably one of the most powerful tools Excel and underestimated. Especially useful for large data sets, pivot tables are a great way to summarize, analyze and explore your data. 

Go to Insert> PivotTable and select your data range. A window opens on the right, where you can select your fields in the upper half of the sidebar and create the table in the lower half. 

Suggestion : similar to the recommended graphics, there is also the option Recommend pivot table. With this feature, Excel suggests layouts based on the data provided. If you’re just starting with pivot tables, it’s a great place to start. 

3. Transposition

When you want to exchange your rows for columns  (or vice versa). the transpose feature allows you to simply do this without manually copying and pasting each individual header. 

To transpose a column into a row  (or vice versa), start by right-clicking and selecting "Copy". Then, select the cells where you want your first row or column to start, right click on the cell and select "Paste Special". A window will appear - check the "Transpose" box in the lower right corner and click OK. Now your row becomes a column or vice versa. 

4. VLOOKUP

If you are working on different sheets and workbooks , VLOOKUP will allow you to combine data to create reports and summaries. If you need to combine data sets, VLOOKUP is your formula of choice. When using this formula, make sure you have at least one column that appears identically in both places. 

5. Quick ANALYSIS 

The quick analysis feature is one of the latest features in Excel. It used to take a bit of work to analyze your data, but Quick Analysis makes it even faster. You can instantly create different types of charts, including line and column charts and mini-charts. You can also apply a table style, creative PivotTables, insert totals quickly and apply conditional formatting. If you’re not sure which one to use, see the details.

Formating allows you to highlight parts of your data by adding items such as data bars and colors. This allows you to see high and low values quickly, among other things. 

● Charts shows you recommended charts based on the data you have selected. 

● Totals allows you to calculate numbers in columns and rows. For example, Running Total enters a total that increases as you add items to your data. 

● Tables facilitate data filtering and classification.

● Sparkline are tiny charts that you can show alongside your data.

6. AUTOCOMPLETE 

The AutoFill allows a great saving of time that anyone can use. Excel looks at patterns in its data set and automatically completes the rest. For example, if you only want to include even numbers up to 100, you can start by inserting 2, 4, 6 and 8 in the cells, hovering over the bottom right corner of the data selection (you should see a black cross) and dragging down until that has the data you need. 

7. CONDITIONALFORMATTING 

The conditional formatting makes it easier to spot trends, outliers, or an overview of your data. Specifically, it allows you to change the color of a cell based on the cell’s information. For example, you can highlight numbers that are below average in your Excel sheet. 

To apply conditional formatting to your data, first highlight the cells you want to apply.  Select "Conditional formatting" on the the Home tab and choose an option from the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will ask you to provide more information about your formatting rule. Click OK when finished and you will see your results immediately. 

8. DOLLAR SIGNS 

You can use dollar signs in a formula to ensure that a specific column and row remains the same - even if you copy and paste that formula into other cells. In other words, dollar signs allow you to change your Excel formula from a relative to an absolute. To make this change, just add dollar signs before and after the row and column values, like this : from  (=A5 + C5) to  (= $ A $ 5 +$ C $ 5).

9. FILTERS 

The filters are a great way to analyze specific data on a large data set. With filters, you can reduce your data to see just what fits certain criteria  (without changing the original data set). In Excel, you can add filters to each column and choose which cells you want to view at the same time. 

To start filtering, select your dataset, Home> Sort and filter> Filte 

Amazing Applications For Students

4 Applications For Students 

There is an application that is generating controversy among math teachers in the country. THE PhotoMath, which is able to solve any equation in a few seconds, won a new version.

Now, in addition to solving the mathematical problems typed by the students, they will also be able to solve those that are written by hand, making the process even faster.

PhotoMath technology uses the smartphone’s camera to capture images of the equations and offer its user not only the result of the account, but also the complete resolution, step by step. Next, find out more options for apps that help with studies and productivity.

1. Habitates 

What if we told you that you can be more productive and organized and still be able to have fun with it? This is the proposal of the Habitica application, which treats users’ lives as if it were an RPG game. In it you can list the tasks of the day, setting deadlines for their realization, and if you do not comply with the obligations, your digital avatar will be punished. The app is available for IOS and Android.

2. Wolfram Alpha 

The application works like a real online encyclopedia for academic subjects. The Wolfram Alpha, as well as PhotoMath also solve mathematical equations and solving it shows, step by step. However, this function is only available for the paid version of the app, which can also be accessed via the computer or notebook. Available for Android, IOS and Windows Phone.

3. Prezi 

Making a presentation of a paper to the teacher or colleagues is always challenging. One way to stand out and offer even more interesting content is to put the old slide tools aside and use Prezi. With the help of this tool you will be able to produce interactive presentations, with videos and unusual transition effects. In addition to the application, this tool can also be used on the desktop.

4. Keep Me Out! 

It is practically impossible to resist a sneak peek on social media after hours of study. The problem is that often the sneak peek goes on and ends up being long minutes surfing friends’ profiles and sending messages. If you have this problem, download the Keep Me Out! Application, which blocks access to any website that may hinder your performance while studying or at work.

Boda boda riders call for extention of curfew hours

Boda boda riders in Bundibugyo, Uganda 

Bundibugyo, Uganda | Arua City News | Boda boda riders in Bundibugyo town are demanding an extension of the nighttime curfew hours. While announcing the full reopening of the economy on December 31, 2021, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said boda bodas would continue operating between 5am and 7pm because criminal elements use them to commit crime under the cover of darkness.

The riders argue that it is absolutely prejudicial to deny them an opportunity to work when other transporters are working. The riders say that they are struggling to pay off loans they acquired in the last two years amidst the COVID-19 restrictions.

They claim that people who don’t have private means of transport are also closing their businesses earlier before boda bodas stop their operations. The riders also argue that some of them transport day-scholars who leave school after 6:00pm.

Abubakar Musoke, the chairperson of Bundibugyo boda boda rider’s association, says that a number of riders have lost their properties due to accumulated debts as a result of limited resources to pay up.

He claims that boda boda business usually flourishes in the morning and evening hours. He condemned the police brutality and high handedness used to arrest their members found riding past the curfew hours.

Dickson Turigye, a boda boda rider in Bundibugyo town, says that they want an extension of the nighttime curfew from 7pm to 10pm so that they can also cash in on persons who stay in town doing business at night.

Patrick Muhumuza, another rider says that in the last year, over 20 riders have had their motorcycles confiscated by Tugende for failure to service their loans. He says that they are harassed by police officers enforcing the guidelines, who sometimes extort money from them.

Latif Bwambale, who has been in the boda boda business for close to 10 years argues restricting their business when the economy has finally opened is a disservice to the business community that heavily relies on them.

Amos Banghi, the Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner says that his office has not yet received any reports on the police brutality directed at the riders. He has promised to intervene in the matter, saying that he cannot look on as people are tortured.

The RDC, who met the riders on Tuesday asked them to corporate with the security agencies and promised to meet the security officers to discuss the issue of police brutality.

There is growing demand from a number of sectors demanding the lifting of the curfew on boda bodas. E-Trade Association, an umbrella organization that converges companies and organizations that use the power of the internet to create jobs in Uganda have been urging the government to ease the COVID-19 restrictions on boda bodas and allow them to operate beyond 7pm.

The association says the move will ease transportation for Ugandans. The association says the boda boda sub-sector employs over 1.2 million people.

Police haunt for teacher on the run over defilement of pupil

Albert region police spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed report. 

Hoima,  Uganda| Arua City News | Police in Hoima is hunting for a primary school teacher over alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl.

The suspect has only been identified as Leonard, a teacher at Yana Primary school in Hoima East division, Hoima city while the girl is also a pupil of the same school.

It is alleged that on January 26, 2022, the teacher found the girl shopping for scholastic materials at Hoima central market and convinced her to go with him to his home in Kinubi, a Hoima city suburb.

The teacher allegedly locked the girl inside his room the whole day and convinced her to have sex with him.

The girl’s parents became suspicious after they waited for her to return home in vain. The following day when the girl returned home, they tasked her to explain where she had spent the night, but she declined.

When the parents became tougher on her, she revealed that she slept at the teacher’s place and that he forced her to have sex with him. This prompted the parents to file a case at Hoima city central police station.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson says the teacher has since gone into hiding adding that he is being pursued.

According to Hakiza, once arrested, the suspect will be produced before the court to be charged with defilement.

On January 27, 2022, another primary school teacher in Hoima city was arrested for aggravated defilement.

George Obiga, 36, a teacher at Mother Claudia Primary school in Rwenkobe cell in Hoima West division is accused of defiling an eight-year-old pupil.

Obiga reportedly sneaked into the minor’s home in Rwenkobe cell on January 27, 2022, while her parents were away and defiled her.

Residents heard the minor screaming for help and rushed to see what was happening, only to find Obita red-handed defiling the minor.

He managed to escape but residents pursued him until they apprehended him. They handed him over to Hoima City central police station where he is locked up for aggravated defilement.

Honey Bee Benefits And Harms

Honey

History of Honey

Four thousand years ago, honey was used as a drugs, because the ancients believed that it had been effective in treating body imbalances, for example:

The pharaohs used honey quite five thousand years ago in treatment.the traditional Egyptians used honey topically to treat wounds.the traditional Greeks believed that eating honey could facilitate your live longer.The Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, emphasized the healing power of honey.The Qur’an also mentioned the flexibility of honey to heal.

Properties and components of honey

one tablespoon of honey about , 0 grams of fat and 0 grams of protein 21 grams contains 64 calories, 17.3 grams of carbohydrates

The World Health Organization (WHO) and therefore the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend eating honey daily as a natural remedy for cough, as honey contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, but it’s concerned with antioxidants, antimicrobials and has soothing effects.

A 2007 study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania College of medication indicated that honey reduces nocturnal coughing and improves sleep quality in children with an upper infection better than cough medicine or the other treatment.

Honey consists of glucose, fructose, and minerals like iron, calcium, phosphate, chlorine, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The acidic pH level is between 3.2 and 4.5, which helps prevent bacterial growth, while the antioxidant components clean free radicals, and therefore the physical properties of Honey varies in keeping with the precise plants that were wont to produce it, also because the water content.

Benifits of Honey 

1. Relieves allergies 

Honey is taken into account one in every of the foremost powerful antioxidants additionally to the very fact that it contains anti-inflammatory that produces it effective in calming a cough, which led to the assumption that it could reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Dr. Matthew Brenick, a naturopathic doctor in Fort Collins, Colorado, confirmed that honey contains small amounts of pollen, which might trigger an immune reaction and produce antibodies to the dust.

2. Natural energy drink 

Honey is a superb source of energy, as each tablespoon of honey contains 17 grams of carbohydrates, and it enters directly into the bloodstream and might bring a fast boost of energy, and high blood glucose acts as a source of energy within the short term, especially within the aerobics that rely on endurance for a extended period.

3. It strengthens memory 

Honey contains antioxidants that help prevent damage and loss of brain cells.

A 2011 study published within the Journal of Menopause showed that a daily spoonful of honey may boost memory for postmenopausal women, which could provide another treatment for hormone-related memory decline.

4. Treats cough 

Honey is the cure for all things associated with the annoying cold, as a persistent cough will be treated with two tablespoons of honey every day.

According to a recent study published within the Journal of Pediatrics, children ages 1 to five who had a nighttime cough as a results of a standard cold improved after they took two tablespoons of honey half-hour before visiting bed.

The researchers explained that honey protects the throat from persistent coughing, and may be utilized in the treatment of upper respiratory infections.

5. Helps Sleep 

Honey can cause a spike in insulin and serotonin secretion, a neurotransmitter that improves mood and happiness.

Renee Fisek, a nutritionist in Seattle Sutton, Chicago, explained that the body converts serotonin into melatonin, the compound that regulates length and quality of sleep.

Moreover, honey also contains many amino acids, including tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin then into melatonin, and helps with sleep, citing that this hormone is to blame for regulating sleep and wake cycles.

6. Treats Dandruff 

A scientific study recently published within the European Journal of Medical Research revealed that placing honey on the scalp for 3 hours before rinsing

The researchers explained that honey can treat dermatitis and dandruff, which are often caused by an overgrowth of fungi, and moreover, it’s anti-inflammatory properties, which treat redness and itching of the scalp.

7. Treats wounds and burns 

Honey may be a natural antibiotic and may work both internally and externally. It is used as a conventional treatment for wounds and burns, because it disinfects cuts and sores from major forms of methicillin-resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

A scientific study published within the British Journal of Surgery in 2005 found that honey improves the healing of wounds and ulcers.

Honey has been used for its medicinal properties for over 2,000 years and these properties still be used as a multipurpose health aid.

How to incorporate more honey into your diet 

Experimentation is essential when replacing honey with sugar, as honey will be accustomed make bread, by using ¾ cup of honey rather than one cup of sugar, and lowering the oven temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Quick Tips:

• Sweetening with honey in coffee or tea

• Put honey on top of toast or pancakesMix honey with yogurt,  cereal, oatmeal or for a more natural sweetener

Possible health risks of eating honey 

Diet or a comprehensive eating pattern is that the most vital in preventing disease and achieving healthiness, it’s best to follow a diet with a range of foods because the key to physiological state, as honey remains a type of sugar and calories so it should be employed in moderation.

Honey is prohibited for infants under one year old 

Honey may contain some microbial agents that cause infant illness, which may be a rare but serious style of malady that may result in paralysis, and researchers confirmed that even pasteurized honey may contain these germs, so it’s recommended for infants under 1 year to not eat honey.

How a pig heart was transplanted into man

Surgeons prepare genetically engineered pig heart for transplant.

The first transplant of a pig heart genetically modified for acceptance into human bodies raises hopes for a new solution to donor organ shortages.

| Arua City News | For the first time, a human has been given a transplant of a pig’s heart. David Bennett, 57, had the operation in Baltimore, Maryland, on Jan.07 using a heart that had been genetically modified to boost the chances of acceptance in a human body.

The donated heart came from a pig developed by US firm Revivicor. In total, the animal had 10 genes modified. Four of those were inactivated, including one that causes an aggressive immune response and one that would otherwise cause the pig’s heart to continue growing after transplant into a human body.

To further increase the chances of acceptance, the donor pig had six human genes inserted into its genome and Bennett is taking immune-suppressing medications. As this story went to press, Bennett was coping well with the new heart, but hadn’t yet been taken off a heart-lung bypass machine supporting its function. His medical team told The New York Times that the animal heart was doing most of the work and that, so far, the heart “looks normal”.

“This is a great step forward – you can compare it with the first landing on the moon,” says Joachim Denner at the Free University of Berlin.

Transplants from other animals, known as xenotransplantation, have long been seen as a way to save the lives of the thousands of people who die each year while waiting for an organ transplant. The chief concern is whether our immune systems will accept such transplants, as organ rejection can happen even between carefully immunologically matched human donors and recipients.

Many research groups have been trying for years to modify animals so their organs provoke less of an immune reaction, and have had success transplanting them into primates such as baboons.

These first days are a critical test, although immune rejection could take weeks or longer to develop, says Denner, who has been involved in primate research using Revivicor’s pig organs, but has no financial connection to the firm. “We have to be cautious. We have to wait and see,” he says.

Bennett was approved to have the risky procedure as he was too sick to go on the waiting list to get a human heart. If he is successfully taken off the bypass machine and continues to stay well, it could open the door to such transplants for a growing pool of other people. It could also lead to pig-to-human transplants of kidneys, livers and lungs in future.

There have been fears that virus genes naturally found in pig DNA could cross to humans, but these have faded after successful transplants of pig pancreas cells into people with diabetes. No such problems have arisen with transplants of whole pig organs into primates either. Still, it is likely that Bennett’s doctors are closely monitoring him to check for this possibility, says Anthony Warrens at Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the work.

“This is a very early experiment and will not translate into clinical practice within a short period of time,” he says. “If it works, it could be a small number of years away.”

If this procedure succeeds, providing the organs to offer it more widely in future shouldn’t be a major obstacle. Pigs have about eight piglets in each litter and can start breeding before they are a year old, although they would need to be farmed in special hygienic conditions.

A spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant in the UK said in a statement: “We have been watching this particular field of research for many years. However, there is still some way to go before transplants of this kind become an everyday reality.”

Get Rid of poor money habits in 2022

 They say old habits die hard, but when it comes to money, it's crucial to get rid of those practices that set you back financially.

Whenever you are making a financial decision or lifestyle choice, ask yourself how it is going to advance your financial goals.

Undertake self-evaluation and determine those poor money habits that you need to get rid of. 

Some of the most common are outlined below.

1. Lack of a plan is the genesis of all the issues that go wrong in our lives. If you lack focus, you can easily lead a life minus a plan, hoping for miracles or one deal to sort your finances.

As a fresh start in the New Year, consider adopting a new habit of planning. For example, January is the school season and lots of people are scrambling to put together not only fees but school requirements. This pressure can be avoided with prior planning and saving for childcare and education.

The need to plan applies to all the expenses and investments you plan to undertake throughout the year. More so, you have 11 months to plan for the next festive season. To avoid the January blues that you may be currently experiencing, start planning and saving for festive season expenses today. That way, when it comes to the end of the year activities, you have resources at your disposal to decide whether to invest or finance that holiday you have been looking forward to.

2. For parents, one such habit to drop is not engaging in honest money conversation with your household, especially your children. Depending on the age group, provide information on money in line with their level of comprehension. You can choose to have a structured way of unveiling the conversation about money.

For example, you often get demands to purchase stuff for your children. However, instead of telling them that you do not have money and then moments later, you reach out for your wallet and make a transaction, provide an explanation.

To avoid this confusion, it is important that you explain to them that you do not have money to take care of their current need because you are currently spending according to a budget. This means that they have to forego this current item until you can afford it. This is the time when you can introduce to the children the concept of saving for an item that will be purchased later.

3. Another habit that sets us back financially is not tracking our money. You cannot get a handle on your finances if you have no idea where your money goes. This has not worked the previous year, so this time round; make it a point to keep a record of all your transactions. This will allow you to track what’s excess and be in a position to rectify any anomalies.

4. You also need to urgently get rid of not having savings. It is impossible to grow assets and achieve financial independence if you lack a savings habit. Most of us convince ourselves that we will save when we earn more. This is a falsehood that needs to be cut short if you aspire to grow your income. Instead, you have to use what you have today, even if it means starting with sh10,000 that you set aside consistently until it accumulates. Once you get the hang of it, you can set steeper savings targets with concrete goals, including one of investing what has been accumulated.

Alternatively, if you want to accumulate savings at a faster rate, you have to look for like-minded individuals and collectively save. However, this group/individuals must be formalised with rules and procedures to minimise misunderstandings and at the same time, the savings must be kept in a regulated financial institution.

5. The notion that every financial issue will be sorted by borrowing from someone or an institution is one that you need to shed this time round. Typically, people do not bother saving because they believe that someone will always be their emergency fund. It is important that you start taking responsibility for your bad money choices and not expect that someone else will sort out your financial mess. This should start with being deliberate about how you make financial decisions. If you lack information, be humble and seek independent personal finance advisory services.

Financial education is a lifelong endeavour with something new to learn at every point in your life cycle. At the same time, if you have borrowed from someone that you believe has more resources than you, it is good practice to pay them back as opposed to playing hide and seek and not picking or returning their calls. If you need more grace period, it is courteous to request it.

Remember, if you do not treat money well and be responsible for your action, it will remain a 'visitor'

All in all, as you make grand plans with your life, driven by the New Year’s euphoria to make a fresh start, its advisable to be deliberate about how you manage your personal finances. Get rid of any poor money habits that get in the way of achieving your financial goals.

How your business can take off

As the year begins, it marks an important milestone for business owners and entrepreneurs. Here is a list of things to do for your business to hit the ground runnung this year.

REVIEW YOUR YEAR

Review your plans: Look at your planned numbers (revenue, profit margins, trends, and lessons learned). Avoid having to re-learn the lessons by tracking evidence of what worked, what didn’t and why.

Carry out a 360 assessment of your business, including the performance of your employees, finances and clientele. Critically analyse the position of the business vis-à-vis what was planned.

REVIEW YOUR BOOKKEEPING

Take an honest look at how much your business realised within the year versus how much you spent. Pay attention to whether all necessary books

were posted and the accuracy levels. Ensure traceability of the worthiness of your business this month. The last thing you want to do is to start a new year without knowing what your finances look like!

REFOCUS

Make a list of everything that you spend time doing. This should include work-related tasks, activities, goals, etc.

Identify anything that you no longer enjoy doing or that might be distracting you from working towards your bigger goals.

There’s a difference between working towards something worthwhile and simply wanting to complete something. Figure out the activities, which are most important and rewarding.

This will enable you to focus on the important things in your business.

REVIEW RESOURCES

This includes human resources, tools and equipment, as well as finances. Match your observations with actions as you refocus to begin the year. Fit talents to activities, eliminate or punish those who caused losses

and reward those who put the business at the helm of success.

Identify training/mentorship needs. Review whether the available tools and equipment will help you achieve your intended goals, or if you need

to purchase new ones, or make necessary repairs. Consider if financial performance allows expansion and act as required.

GET INFORMED

Are there any new laws that are taking effect, how best have you prepared for them, is there anything new that you think may impact your business? Be compliant to avoid penalties.

Understudy the environment and look out for anything that may disrupt your prospect strategy.

REVIEW YOUR GOALS

Think about what you want your business to achieve.

Be SMART, set goals rather than making resolutions, especially in business, there is a difference between a goal and a resolution. Resolutions are things you keep, goals are things you attain.

Build your strategy with your team and mentors: Once you have goals for your business, get your team on board. Schedule a planning and strategy meeting with your employees to create the plans you need to reach those goals.

Research carried out by Margaret Nakakande a business development professional in Kampala, Uganda

How to overcome trade barriers this Year

 By Daniel Karibwije

The beginning of the year brings new opportunities. A fresh year is hear and with the fanfare and Christmas spending dimming away, we need to get back to productive tasks and activities.

The December -January consumer spending is now in decline mode and 'back-to-reality' has set in.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to plan and forecast for this year.

Two key challenges that SMEs in Uganda and the rest of the world battle with are: How to meet technical requirements in international markets and overcome technical barriers to trade, the most frequent obstacles to it.

SMEs need to research on the requirements of the product they have specialised in. Is it beef exports? Exports of dairy products or fish?

Products have different requirements and standards depending on the market you are targeting. Do not assume that the requirements to export cocoa in the EU are similar to the US. Do not fear or tire of asking questions and seeking answers, rather than losing money in fines or damages.

INFORMATION IS KING

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), SMEs need to seek information, conform to requirements and demonstrate compliance in a cost-effective manner.

They have to research more about the product standards by visiting the Uganda National Bureau of Standards website as a starting point. Thereafter, a physical visit with a sample is recommended. The centre that checks for coffee quality is the Uganda Coffee Development Authority quality office at the Uganda Manufacturer’s Association (UMA) in Lugogo, Kampala.

Join a joint WhatsApp group on coffee or fish or whichever product you are focused on this year. There is always new knowledge out there that will land on the prepared mind.

Those who seek knowledge will find it.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

In developing countries, such as Uganda, technical requirements might change and not reach SMEs in time compared to big players on the market.

Registering membership with trade support institutions both private and public sector is key. The packaging standards for a product can change and companies will need to adjust production systems and costs to match new market requirements.

Whereas in Uganda we are comfortable with plastic packaging, some markets will insist on glass packaging for certain food products. Without a plan, this will definitely increase the cost of production for a company exporting to this market.

With countries adopting eco-friendly supply chains and increased consumer consciousness, plastics are being slowly phased out for certain food packaging. Biodegradable and earth-friendly packaging is marketable.

CAPACITY BUILDING, ADVISORY

Be on the lookout for training opportunities in your area of interest. There are a number of trainings available in the market today and skilling is top on the agenda for institutions, such as the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), with funding available on a co-sharing basis.

Private companies should take advantage of such opportunities that also allow them to source trainers abroad and fund their trip to conduct a training in Uganda to a group of producers and manufacturers.

PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS

Join and register membership with a variety of trade support institutions, such as PSFU, UMA and business support organisations. Let those emails keep coming in from a variety of sources. Knowledge is power, do not be left behind this year. By signing up for membership, you keep receiving industry-related information to your inbox, some of which might be life-saving for your company.

Partnerships and networks open market opportunities when you least expect, building the company-profile and credibility.

I wish you a happy 2022 full of export success and open doors of opportunity.

The Writer is an export trade specialist

Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID-AF)

USMID Roads Projects

Period: November 2019 – October 2021

Partners: World Bank, Government of Uganda

Project Type: Infrastructure Develpoment

After the successful implementation of the first phase of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Program, Government, has received additional financing to the tune of US$ 360 million from the World Bank/IDA to implement the second phase of the Program (USMID Additional Financing-USMID-AF) for 5 years starting in fiscal year 2018/19.

USMID-AF will maintain the development objective of “Enhancing Institutional Capacity of Selected Local Governments” BUT the geographical coverage of the Program will extend to Eight additional municipal local governments of Kitgum, Kamuli, Mubende, Kasese, Busia, Ntungamo, Apac and Lugazi and also introduce support to 8 districts of Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe, Arua, Isingiro, Kiryandongo, Kamwenge and Lamwo, that have faced a high influx of refugees to strengthen these LGs’ abilities to cope with the recent and future refugee influx in Uganda and to deliver critical infrastructure to host communities/local governments. The program will deepen impact and results in terms of institutional strengthening, planning and financial management, infrastructure provision and local economic development. USMID-AF draws a lot of lessons from the implementation of the first phase of USMID.

The Ministry and the Program Support Team has prepared an Operational Manual for USMID-AF in order to guide the participating Municipal and District Local Governments in the implementation of the Program.

Improvements to the operational manual have been drawn from lessons learned from implementing the first phase of USMID and the manual includes the performance assessment tool that will be used for verifying program performance at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Municipal and District Local Governments level by the Independent Verification Agent (IVA) among others.

The program will be executed and coordinated by the MLHUD which is responsible for urban development. The institutional strengthening at the municipal Local Governments level will target technical, fiduciary (financial and procurement), Local Economic Development and environmental and social sustainability with a focus on the following seven thematic areas:

i. Improved linkage between Municipal Physical Development Plan, Five-year Development Plan and Budgeting;

ii. Increased municipal own source revenue (OSR);

iii. Improved procurement performance;

iv. Improved municipal Accounting and core financial management

v. Improved Execution/Implementation of infrastructure sub-projects for improved urban service delivery;

vi. Improved accountability and transparency (monitoring and communication); and

vii. Enhanced environmental and social sustainability (Environmental, social and resettlement due diligence).

Bodies of Hima cement factory fire lined up for DNA testing

Cement factory fire. Courtesy photo

Kasese, Uganda | Arua City News | The bodies of the fire victims at Hima Cement are lined up for DNA testing at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital-FRRH to identify the victims. On Saturday, fire broke out at the factory killing three people and injuring six others.

The bodies were first taken to Kasese Municipal Health Center III mortuary but medics, relatives and employees couldn’t positively identify them because they were severely burnt. Carol Kezabu, the Hima Cement Factory Public Relations Officer told URN on Monday that they have opted for DNA testing to positively identify the victims.

The bodies were evacuated to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital-FRRH where DNA testing will be conducted. Kezabu also says that other victims with severe injuries have also been evacuated to Kampala for better management.

“We are still working closely with all families to ensure we establish their right identities,” she said. Kezabu said that the company management spent the better part of Monday in a meeting to discuss the aftermath of the incident including resuming their operations.

On Sunday, the National Building Review Board-NBRB launched investigations into the fire outbreak to establish the exact cause. Flavia Bwire, the Executive Secretary at the National Building Review Board, said they had picked samples from the fire scene to aid their investigations.

ICT ministry seeks UGX70BN for Parish Development Model

  

Chris Baryomunsi appearing before the ICT committee chairedby Moses Magogo.

Kampala, Uganda | Arua City News | The Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and National Guidance is seeking Shs70.6 billion to implement the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Cabinet approved the implementation of PDM as the delivery strategy for transitioning households out of the subsistence economy with effect from 01 July 2021.

The ICT ministry was charged with the responsibility of spearheading Pillar 5 (Community Data) of PDM which involves setting up the Parish Development Management Information System (PDMIS) to among others validate information on the beneficiaries, evaluate the livelihood and standards of living of people and tracking the progress and performance of the different pillars so as to report real time implementation of the programme.

While presenting the ICT sectoral Budget Framework Paper for 2022/23 before the ICT Committee, the Minister of ICT, Chris Baryomunsi justified the need for Shs70.6 billion saying it would go a long way to build a strong monitoring and evaluation system to measure the success of the programme.

“As we start the Parish Development Model, we have to collect data and information. We need to buy devices, particularly computers, to give parish chiefs and train them and other government leaders on how to collect information and feed it to the central database for monitoring,” Baryomunsi said.

He said that several government projects have failed because of a weak monitoring and evaluation system which makes it difficult to measure the impact of the intervention and ascertain its success.

“We are developing a digital dashboard which is going to be at the central level where at the glance, you can check on the many parishes on what has been done and where there are challenges. So if these parish leaders can feed in this information, then we can monitor at the central level,” he said adding that part of the money will be used to communicate and educate Ugandans on mindset change.

“We need citizens to have a patriotic sense of responsibility, but also most importantly, to have that mindset that makes them aware that they must work hard,” he said.

Muhammed Nsereko remained skeptical about the success of the PDM if the funding gap is not addressed. The Shs70.6 billion for PDM remains among the unfunded priorities.

“How is the ministry going to conduct data analytics when there is such a funding gap on data collection and even procurement of laptops? Won’t this be lip service? The success of this programme must be backed by data,” Nsereko said.

Barnabas Tinkasiimire, Buyaga West County MP urged the Ministry of ICT to race against time and move faster in setting up information systems to capture data and information considering that the programme is scheduled to be fully operational by March this year.

The digital transformation programme for Ministry of ICT and other sector agencies have a financing gap of Shs231.3 billion with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) requiring Shs51.1 billion to upgrade the signet, while Vision Group requires Shs2.9 billion to revamp defunct vernacular papers as per the presidential directive and ICT Ministry seeks an additional Shs12.1 billion for communication and mindset change.

The State Minister for National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku beseeched the ICT Committee chaired by Eng. Moses Magogo to consider the sector’s budget shortfalls and avail funds for the same if the Ministry is to fully implement its digital transformation programme.

Shortage Of Vaccine Carriers Slows Polio Vaccination In Arua City

Polio Vaccination Health Care

There has been a drop in Vaccination against Polio worldwide

Arua, Uganda | Arua City News | Arua City Health officials have been forced to extend days for Polio vaccination over a shortage of vaccine carriers. The vaccination campaign targeting children aged below five years kicked off on Saturday in Arua.

However, the campaign has been hampered by inadequate carriers forcing health officials to conduct the campaign in two phases up to Wednesday.

Vaccine carriers are insulated containers where vaccines are kept cold during transportation.

According to Peter Aziku the Deputy Health Officer Arua City, they needed 890 cold boxes but they received 469. Aziku said they have decided to divide the health staff into two with the first one starting vaccination in the areas of Pajulu, Adumi, and Ayivuni all in Ayivu West while the second group of health workers will resume on Monday in the areas of Arua Hill, Oli Division, Oluko Dadamu, Manibe, and Aroi.

The health officials have also involved the cultural, religious, and local council leaders in addition to the VHTs to popularize the vaccination campaign.

Ismail Tuku the Prime Minister of Lugbara Cultural Institution said the government should consider sharing polio vaccines with the Neighboring DRC and South Sudan because of the eminent polio risk in these countries.

At least 270 health workers have been trained to roll out the vaccination against Polio for six days in Arua City.

A trace of the Poliovirus was discovered last year in a lagoon in Entebbe and as a result government through the Ministry of Health decided to roll out mass Vaccination for Children below five years.

Polio Pandemic hit Uganda hard in 1983 and left a trail of physical disability in many children who are now 30 years and above and since then vaccines have been rolled out to eliminate the disease.

A Litre Of Petrol Exceed Sh. 5,000- Government

KAMPALA CITY - The Ugandan government, through it's energy ministry, has said the price of petrol in the country should not exceed sh5,000 per litre.

"The cases of scarcity in districts such as Hoima will be addressed shortly with the ongoing replenishment of stocks," energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa said on Friday, January 14.

This is after reports emerged that a litre of petrol was selling at up to sh10,000, up from sh4,590, while that of diesel shot up as high as sh8,000 in Hoima city.

However, in Kampala, a litre of petrol was selling between sh4,700 and sh5,500.

Nankabirwa noted that Uganda is a net importer of petroleum products in a liberalized downstream petroleum market with an average current daily consumption of 6.5 million litres.

Uganda loads its products through the terminals located in Eldoret, Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa and supply is majorly through road transport.

The minister said that supply was normal, with trucks being cleared as usual and drivers were allowed to present negative coronavirus results from Kenya until January 1, 2022, when a directive was issued requiring all truck drivers to undergo testing at Malaba and Busia entry points.

"This resulted in a buildup of a queue of trucks as none were entering the country," Nankabirwa said in a letter.

She explained that following the failure to maintain replenishment of stocks and where trucks had spent 10 days in the queue, the turnaround time was affected and reduced stocks for petroleum products in the country.

"As of January 12, 2022, the ministry of health commenced free COVID-19 testing at the Busia and Malaba borders, and the trucks started moving and reduced stocks movement has started improving," she said.

The minister also noted that with the full reopening of economic activities, there has been an increase in uptake of petroleum products which saw a spike in consumption in the country that affected the 10-day stock levels.

"The very low replenishment based on the truck delays at the borders resulted in some stock out of petrol at some outlets," she stated.

Nankabirwa also said that Uganda's oil market companies have most of their trucks in the traffic between the Kenyan loading points and the borders and once cleared in a few days, supply and prices will return to normal.

"And there is no need for the public to panic," Nankabirwa added.

She urged speculators who are hoarding petroleum products and leading to an unnecessary spike in fuel prices to desist from this bad practice.

"The government (security and other authorities) is doing everything possible to prioritize the handling of petroleum products at the borders to ensure buildup in stock levels in the country," she said. 

Reception and Management of Migrants (RMM)

Urban Refugees

Strengthening Mechanism for Reception, Management and Integration of Involuntary Migrants in Arua City

Period: November 2019 – October 2021

Partners: Cities Alliance, AVSI Foundation, UBOS

Project Type: Urban Migrants

About this Project

AVSI is leading a consortium comprising of AVSI Foundation, Arua City and Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) with funding from UNOPS/Cities Alliance to implement a 2 years Project Titled Strengthening Mechanism for Reception, Management and Integration of Involuntary Migrants (RMM) in Arua District.

The project recognizes the that there has been a growing/high incidence of rural/settlement – urban migration and increased number of out of camp self –settlement of refugees and other unregistered migrants. Most of these have moved to settle in the City to escape conflict and persecution, environmental shocks and seek social amenities and economic opportunities. Consequently, there has been a rapid rise in urban population resulting into congestion, cultural clashes and conflicts between host communities and the migrants over social amenities, rise in crime rate, increase in number of abandoned and unaccompanied children and increase in urban poverty.

This project therefore intends to address primarily involuntary migrants/refugees and host communities; the intervention seeks to pilot strategies and approaches that can support Arua City Council, institutional and community stakeholders to better structure and manage the reception and integration of the involuntary migrants through a coordinated and effective engagement of all stakeholders in examining the phenomenon of involuntary migrants in Arua City Council.

Project Goals: To strengthen the structural and institutional mechanisms for reception, management and integration of involuntary migrants in Arua City Council.

Objectives of the Project

To support research, documentation, collaborative learning and knowledge on reception, integration and management of involuntary migrants

To strengthen the institutional and structural capacity of Arua City Council and stakeholders to effectively manage reception and integration of involuntary migrants.

To model and adopt sustainable livelihoods approaches for host communities and the migrants to leverage on existing opportunities within Arua City Council.

Project Outcomes:

Outcome 1

Informed policy, planning and resource allocation on the reception, management and integration of migrants through accurate data and documentation.

Outcome 2

Strengthened institutional and structural capacity of Arua City and stakeholders to effectively manage the reception and integration of involuntary migrants.

Outcome 3

Improved Socio –economic status of extremely poor and vulnerable migrants

Project Partners