Uganda licenses 3 flower firms to develop free zones

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

The Uganda Free Zones Authority has issued 3 developer’s licenses to Wagagai Ltd,  Jambo  Roses Ltd and Ugarose flower  to operate as free zone.

“The flower sector  is one of the sectors that has potential to create thousands of  jobs to our citizens.

“As government we’re  committed to support  investors who  invest in the flower sector because Uganda has got a favorable environment for Foreign Direct Investments,” said Evelyn Anite, Uganda’s State Minister for Investment.

Anite observed that FDIs are contributing much towards the country’s economic development.

“On annual basis, the FDIs are contributing $916m but majority of them are in manufacturing and services sector yet there are other sectors where they can do better such as the flower sector,” said Anite.

Minister Evelyn Anite ( 2R) posing in group photo with CEOs of the Flower Firms after the government handed over licenses to them to operate free zones. On her Extreme left is Stanley Musiime of Ugarose flower Limited, Daniel Kiryowa of Jambo rose Ltd. Right is Olav Boenders the Managing Director of Wagagai Ltd.

Anite, who handed over the License to the developers, said the Government is committed to support investors in the flower sector as it does to manufacturers.

The main activities that will take place in the free zones  will be growing  and exporting  flower cuttings for both Wagagai Ltd and  Jambo Rose.

 Ugarose  Flower Ltd will focus  on growing, packaging  and exporting  of fresh cut rose  flowers.

The Minister assured investors that the cost of doing business in the flower sector will come down soon when the two power dams of Karuma and Ishimba come on board.

Richard Jabo the Executive Director of UFZA said some companies that they have granted  Free Zones  have set up  health facilities  and schools  as part of their corporate  Social  Responsibility  thus bringing  services  closer to the people. 

UFZA has issued  to over five companies Licenses to develop Free Zone  in Uganda.  Some of the companies which were granted licenses to develop Free Zone s include  Arua SEZ,  Nilus  Limited in Jinja , Uganda Wood Impex  Ltd located in Kalungu  district  and three more flower companies  namely  Royal  Van  Zanten, Fiduga  Limited among other companies .

AAR eases reviewing of medical reports

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

AAR a Ugandan based Medical Insurance Company in partnership  with Indian based HBG Medical  Assistance  have started a medical portal that will enable patients in Uganda to seek for  a Second Medical Opinion  from Indian based medical specialists. 

“As a Medical Insurance Company we are committed in offering quality products at cheaper price for Ugandans.

“Both our clients and the general public should embrace the technology because it’s free of charge. Apart from helping Ugandan patients, the portal will also offer a wider range of advantages to our local medical personals since through the portal Doctors will be able to consult with their Indian colleagues,” said the Head of Finance Controller at AAR Mohammed Ssebaale.

Abhik Moitra (R) demonstrating how the portal works. Left is AAR’s Mohammed Ssebale..

The intention of launching the portal on the Ugandan market aims at reducing the cost of accessing specialized medical treatment abroad where most Ugandans suffering from complicated diseases such Cardiovascular, born marrow transplant among other diseases have been referred for medical attention.

Ssebale said under the new technology patients in Uganda can send their medical reports to experts in India for further diagnosis before travelling to India as it has been before.

 He noted that some medical complications can be handled by local medical doctors after receiving the second opinion from specialist in India which can save the patients money and the cost of medication. 

A second opinion is when a doctor other than your regular doctor gives you his or her view about your health problem and how to treat it after analyzing the first medical report from your Doctor. It can help you make a more informed decision about your care.

The medical Second Opinion portal has been used by HBG in over 10 countries where they collaborate with medical Insurance companies in the last 6 years. 

According to Abhik Moitra, the President of HBG they have assisted over 6,000 in getting their second medical opinion and those found to be in need of highly medical specialized attention have been worked on in India. 

“Ugandans should exploit the benefits associated with this portal because after using it we can connect the patient to world class medical specialists who will be reviewing the medical reports submitted on the second opinion portal.  

“As HBG we are committed to providing this kind of support to Ugandans to access specialized medical services,” said Abhik Moitra.