Harmonise Wildlife protection regulation EAC told

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO 

Advocators for protection of wildlife animals in East Africa have asked the six member states of East African Community to harmonise wildlife regulations to protect animals from spot hunters.

Raphael Omondi, the Education and Outreach liaison office at World Animal Protection (WAP) organization said many endangered animal species have been killed by tourists who enter the parks for spot hunting, especially in Tanzania.

Edith Kasiime the WAP Uganda country representative addressing tour operator at Hotel Africana 

“The world life protection laws in the region have loopholes which need to be harmonized in Kenya and Uganda. Spot hunting is criminalized especially on endangered species, but in Tanzania many tourists pay dollars and the Authorities allow the visitors to kill Animals in the name of spot hunting,” Omond said during an engagement meeting between WAP and tour operators in Uganda at Hotel Africana

Some of the endangered species that have been killed through spot hunting include Lions, elephants, among other endangered species.

Killing of such animals contradicts with international legal instruments such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention, which is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals.

Most United Nation members states are signatory to the treaty, however, some member states violate it by legalizing the killing of animals in protected areas as way of raising money to fund government programs.

For instance, to spot hunt a lion, according to Omondi, the hunter pays about US$500, 0000 per spot.

Executive Director Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Gloria Tumwesigye,ption(M)

At the same event, WAP Uganda country representative Edith Kasiime challenged Tour Operators to ensure that their clients respect the rights of wild animals.

She noted that on many occasions tourists are violating the rights of animals through taking selfies with the animals.

“Taking a selfie with an animal should follow the international regulations; some of the actions the tourist do towards the animals lead to animals becoming wild thus attacking tourists in the due course,” she told tour operators.

Responding to the WAP official, the Executive Director Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Gloria Tumwesigye, said they are going to carry out advocacy programs with in their members to ensure that tourists abide with international standards, especially when it comes to taking pictures with wild animals in National parks.

Uganda’s Power Generation Agency Asset Base Expands

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO 

Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has released its audited financial report for the last 18 months ended June 2017.

According to the information unveiled, UEGCL registered big achievement in the Audited period.

The report which was released by the UEGCL Board of Directors chairperson   Eng Proscovia Margaret Njiki at the Ministry of Finance shows that the Company’s assets have improved as compared to the previous years.

“Let me inform the UEGCL stakeholder that the total assets as at 30th June 2017 had grown to UGX3.3 trillion from UGX1trillion in 2015 as result of ongoing projects. As the supervisors of the agency we shall continue ensuring that the agency is on good track as performance is about,” she promised.

UEGCL   Board of Directors chairperson   Eng Proscovia Margaret Njiki (R) and the state minister for fiance David Bahati at the release of the Audited report for UEGCL

On the Financial over view, the Njuki said the agency did not performed as it was expected due to economic challenges affecting the country’s economy.

The Company revenue dropped to Shs17.5 billion from Shs54 Billion in 2015.

This was due to the writing off of long outstanding debt of Shs30.9 billion from Uganda Electricity Transition Company Limited, and also the write back of Government liability of about Shs42 billion.

Commenting on the future outlook for the agency, Njuki said they are committed to support the growth of UEGCL despite the economic challenges which are stressing the performance of the agency.

“We are  very optimistic that  the company  will  continue  to grow  despite  the challenges  in the operating  environment, and economic conditions  which are  likely to persist,” she promised.

In the same Audited report, the office of the Auditor General raised issues which should be worked on if UEGCL is to perform better as it’s expected from the general public.

Some of the issues raised include the concession  management  for Nalubaale and Kiira Hydropower  stations  which the  Auditor General John  Muwanga , said it risks  the plants  being in worse shape  by the end of  the concession  due to a wanting operation and maintenance  regime by Eskom.

The Auditor general also  cast  doubt  on the competence of the supervising  engineer  for Karuma hydropower project, Energy  Infratech PYT Limited, due to several  quality  assurance  issues  identified  onsite during  the audit period .

UEGCL is the government implementing agency for the flagship hydropower projects of Karuma (600MW) and Isimba (183).

These two projects both now over 70 % complete are scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2018.

David Bahati, the Minister of state for Finance commended UEGCL for the good work the agency is doing to ensure that the country have enough energy to support the Country’s development plans.

However, the minister questioned the agency to strictly supervise all power projects that are ongoing in the country to ensure that there’s value for Money.

“We can some good work being done by the Agency, UEGCL is one of the best government parastatals  m but more effort is needed especially in the supervising of the contractor that were contracted to execute government power projects” The Minister Advised.

Dr.Eng Harrison Mutikanga, UEGCL chief executive officer told the stakeholders during the 7^thAnnual general Meeting for UEGCL that they are ready to deliver the 920MW in the next five years but challenged government to increase on the resources it allocates o the agency.

Belgian Business Delegation to Visit Uganda

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

A Belgian business delegation composed of 43 companies will visit Uganda from 26th – 29th November with an objective to tap into the Ugandan market and exploring potential business synergies.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the team also will be in the country with intention of promoting trade and investment for the mutual benefit of both Belgium and Uganda.

“The mission will comprise key players, mainly in the sectors of agriculture, construction and energy, but also in the sectors of logistics, transport and dredging, as well as ICT & consultancy. The event aims at attracting large and medium enterprises from Uganda to interact with high-ranking business persons from Belgium,” reads part of the statement.

The delegation will also meet the business community at an event to be held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampal.

Minister Kyambadde she is expected to open the Business meeting.

Uganda’s Minister of Trade Amelia Kyambadde will grace the function. Kyambadde will open the business to business networking session.

The goal of this session is to pave way for collaborations, exchanges and engagement on projects at a purely personal level.

The Business Working session will also give the Belgian delegation an opportunity to learn more about the business community of Uganda, gain insight into its business environment in the country

Apart from meeting the Business Community, the delegation will meet with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Works and Transport among others to discuss business opportunities in those sectors.

Belgian Business delegation to Visit Uganda will comprises those from construction sector, Ago processing and Value addition fields, Health sector among others.

Government to Develop Law for Physical Planners.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

The state Minister for Urban planning in the Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development Isaac Musumba has said  that Government is in a plan of coming up with a law to regulate physical planners in the Country 

Speaking during the World Town planning Day at Makerere University on Thursday, Musumba observed that currently there is no law which regulates the profession hence leading to the putting up of unplanned structures, which end up collapsing

.

The Minister noted that the absence of regulations has led to the creation of slums in most towns across the country.

 “The current Law does not recognise physical planners as professionals. As government we shall make sure that we have a Law which spells out who is physical planer. With the Law in place, Government will be in position to register physical planners as professionals and Monitor their conduct as it does to other professionals such as Law, Medicine and others,” the Minister said.

Minister Musumba he said the  Government will come up with new law for physical planners 

Each year planners around the world engage in activities on World Town Planning Day in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of planning in their communities.

Planning associations and academic institutions organize special educational sessions on topics relevant to planning in a local and global context.

He explained that his Ministry is committed to ensure that all buildings and other structures constructed in the towns and cities are in line with the master plan of those towns.

Failure to adhere with Government plan, he said, it will lead to the cancelation of the designed plan for the structure

.

The Minister explained that unplanned towns leads to the development of slums which on many occasions — shanty towns are known for being havens to wrongdoer’s — a situation which intensifies crimes in most towns.

A physical planner working in one of the local governments, who spoke to ChimpReports on condition of anonymity  said  the development of slum areas on many occasions has not been attributed to planners but the bad politics’  in the country.

“Some towns have masterplans, but when the planners try to enforce the law, politicians at high levels try to interfere by settling people in places that have been gazzeted for specific activities. Because of politics, almost all streets in most towns are market places. When the enforcers try to send off the vendors, politicians come in in very high gear,” the planner explained.

The Minister comments about well-planned towns and cities comes at a time when the World Bank reports reveal that in the near 2040s, 75% of the world’s population will be living in towns because of the existence  of social and economic amenities.

For such cities and towns to accommodate such populations, Governments should ensure that towns meet the World standard for the cities and Towns.

During the celebration to mark the World Standard day, the Executive Director Uganda National Bureau of standard Dr. Benon Manyindo called upon urban authorities to adopt international standards on smart cities such that they can provide quality life to their citizens.

“Without complying with the standards, cities will struggle to run safe and smooth services. Standards provide the foundation for electricity access and all the many devices and systems that use electricity and contain electronics,” Manyindo explained.

Experts Warn of Drastic Environmental Risks as Charcoal Production Hits 2.1M Tons

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BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

A new survey indicates that Uganda produces a total of 2.1 million tons of charcoal annually, implying that over 80,000 hectares of forests are lost.

Bags of charcoal ready for market such business is fueling global warming

According to the reports from the National Charcoal Survey carried out in 2016 and  released recently by  the  Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development under the Green charcoal project, it warns that if the rate at which the country’s natural resources is being harvested is not contained, this will expose  Uganda  more to  effects of global warming.

In the report, it was discovered that more Ugandans are depending on biomass as source of energy for cooking, with districts in cattle corridors such as Nakasongola, Kiboga, and Kiryandongo being the leading producers of charcoal among other districts in the cattle corridor.

The survey placed Kampala as the main source for charcoal market because of the increasing demand for charcoal due to the high population.

Green charcoal project Manager Simon Weledwongo said more action needs to be taken if the country is to be protected from global warming.

“The cattle corridor districts are where most charcoal burning business is thriving and you will realize in the report that most of the charcoal being burnt is bought in Kampala. That means that a lot needs to be done to ensure that while charcoal is being burnt, the process does not affects the country’s environment,” he said.

The report also faulted on charcoal burners who are accused of using traditional and backwards means of burning charcoal, despite the fact that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in partnership with United Nations Development program introduced new technology for charcoal burning through the Green charcoal project.

Under the green charcoal project, government introduced the new charcoal conversion kiln that is up to 40 percent more efficient in converting wood to charcoal.

The technology is being piloted in some charcoal burning districts but some burners have not embraced it, the report said.

The report, on its part calls for government to ensure that people have access to clean energy if the country’s natural resources are to be protected.

Currently the number of Uganda’s accessing clean energy is still lower due to factors rising from high connectivity fee.

Another issue is that some districts are not yet connected on the national grid; this leaves the locals with no option, especially those in urban centers to resort to charcoal as their main source of Energy for Cooking.

But, according to environmentalists, overdepending on biomass fuels has negative impacts on the environment because it affects the ozone layer which leads to global warming.

In its Sector performing reports, the Ministry of Water and Environment has been warning that the country’s forests cover both under central and private management have been highly depleted due to the high demand for wood products, in the country.