Rotary partners with Centenary Bank to avail free medical care

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Through one of its signature programmes, Rotary Family Health Days, the Rotary fraternity in Uganda has partnered with Ministry of Health, Centenary Bank and KCCA to avail free medical care to local communities.

The Tenth edition of the Rotary Family Health Days, organized by the Rotary Club of Kampala Central is scheduled to be launched on 21st October 2017 at the Old Kampala S.S Playground. A week later, the other Rotary clubs countrywide will set up similar medical camps to avail free health care at various health centers.

This year’s theme for the Rotary Family Health Days (RFHDs) is “Good Health, Happy Families”.

“I am grateful to all our partners for the support we have received over the years. The communities we serve turn up in large numbers at all medical camps. We are optimistic that more partners will join us to scale up the initiative,’’ says Past District Governor Stephen Mwanje

Mr. Byekwaso Godfrey, Centenary Bank's General Manager Finance hands over a cheque to Dr Edith Byanyima, a Board member of the Rotary Family Health Days & Rotarian Godfrey Jooga Ssebukulu at the launch of this year’s second Rotary Family Health Days.

.Communities are encouraged to visit any medical camp nearest to them on these days to get both specialised and general services in the areas of cancer screening (cervical, breast, and prostate); Child immunization and nutrition; Family planning and maternal health; HIV/AIDs counseling and testing; Dental services (mainly examination and extraction); Optical services; Malaria testing and treatment; Safe male circumcision; Health education and Blood donation.

Centenary Bank’s General Manager Finance, Byekwaso Godfrey said, “We chose to support activities related to cancer in the Rotary Family Health Days as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility dubbed ‘Bridging the Cancer gap’. We know that Cancer is a silent killer yet whose early detection can protect life. Through various activities, we have made millions of people aware of this scourge and knowledgeable on how to prevent it, and this has seen some women get the desired treatment early.”

Cervical cancer is one of the leading killer diseases in Uganda with about 3,915 new cases registered every year, according to the 2015 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Diseases Report.

“This year we have set aside over UGX 230 Million to ‘Bridging the Cancer gap’ activities of which UGX 40 Million will go towards the purchase of cancer screening kits to be used during Rotary Family Health Days,” added Byekwaso

The RFHD programme is implemented in six countries; Uganda, South Africa, India, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. Since inception in 2011, the programme has reached out to an approximated 2 million people worldwide and over 500,000 in Uganda.

To cater for the demand in health services, two RFHDs are held annually; one in April and the other in October. The most recent event of April 2017 RFHD was able to serve a combined population of more than 75,000 people in Uganda. This time, the initiative targets 100,000 beneficiaries.

Itel Mobile celebrates 10 years in Africa

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO 

Itel Mobile, a Chinese manufacturer of mobile phones, has assured its clients across the African continent, it will continue offering quality and affordable products for several years to come.

Glory Lu,  the Regional Sales  Manager for Itel, in-charge of East Africa, was in Kampala early this week and spoke at an event to mark their 10th anniversary.

Alex Liu (L) and Glory Lu on (R) posing in group photo with some of the Itel local distributors in Uganda this was when the Chinese firm was celebrating ten years in Africa   

“Africa as continent has potential customers for Itel, but the challenge is that in some countries their economies are not doing well thus the need for support. So we shall ensure that our products penetrate the markets at affordable prices to keep everyone connected. For the last past 10 years, the company has been taking the lead when it comes to producing affordable smart phones with good functionality and premium quality. Our customers can be assured of accessing the same in the next coming 10 years,” he said.

He said taking into account the current developments in ICT and mobile phones, manufacturers should ensure that their products are accessible to the final consumers in remote communities. This is how even people in the informal, sector will embrace ICT when carrying out their daily economic transactions such as e-financing and other e-related  services which require the internet.

Itel Mobile Uganda Country Manager Alex Liu said ever since the firm began trading, sales of their products on the African market have had a positive impact on the company’s performance and influenced changes in the communication sectors of the relevant markets the firm operates in.

“ Ten years ago, itel mobile launched in Africa inspired by emission to empower everyone with  seamless mobile  communication through  reliable and trendy mobile devices. In a time heightened by harsh political and economic conditions, itel has achieved one decade of change and steady growth in Africa” Liu said. he said the firm has managed to double its African sales.

Chinese firm licensed to develop free zone

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

The Uganda Free Zones Authority (UFZA) has issued a Developers’ Licence to China- Africa International Industrial Co-operation Company Limited within Sukulu Industrial Park, Tororo District

China- Africa International Industrial Co-operation Company Limited is a subsidiary of Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group (U) Co. Limited and is a limited liability company.

  The Developer will establish three plants in the Free Zone, namely; a mine dressing plant, phosphate fertilizer plant and one steel plant. Additionally, the Free Zone will house Operators who plan to establish one glass plant, one brick plant and a cement superfine slag powder plant.

The various companies are indicated to increase the Country’s GDP which is currently at 21% by investing up to a tune of over one billion dollars (US$ 1.2b) by 2024.

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaijja noted that the establishing of fertilizers plant in Tororo will support the development of Agriculture sector in the country

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“The Phosphate Fertilizer Plant products are vital in improving agricultural productivity for poor rural households and commercialized farms in Uganda to meet the food security needs and to promote sustained increases in income” he explained

Minister Matia Kassaija  (second Right)share light moment with Jane Guo, the CEO of China-Africa International Industrial Cooperation Co during the granting celemony.

He added that Uganda has one of the highest soil nutrient depletion rates in the world and it has one of the lowest rates of annual inorganic fertilizer application – only 1.8 kg per hectare.

The Minister said the project will support the Agriculture sector which is the major source of Income to the largest Ugandan population

The World Bank calculated that the value of replacing depleted soil nutrients could be 20 percent of average rural Ugandan household income. Promoting fertilizer use is therefore crucial to sustainable increase agricultural productivity in Uganda and beyond.

According to Jane Guo, the CEO of China-Africa International Industrial Cooperation Co. Ltd.The establishment of the various industries in the free zones will create over Seven thousand (7,000) direct and indirect jobs by the year 2024.

 “These will certainly spur economic development and improve the standards of living of the employees and their families. This is a welcome contribution towards addressing the unemployment gap in the Country.” She said.

Commenting on the production capacity of the plants to be established at the International free zone (sukuru in tororo) Gue said the plant has the capacity of producing enough for the Ugandan market.

 “We shall establish a dressing plant with annual processing capacity of 1million tons, a phosphate fertilizer plant with annual production of 100,000 tons, a steel mill with annual production of 300,000 tons, a glass factory with annual production of 55,000 tons, a brick factory producing 100 million brick per year” She explained

The Executive Director, UFZA, Mr. Richard Jabo the Tororo  Free zones  establishment is the nineth (9) Free Zone licenced in Uganda after Arua SEZ Ltd in Arua, Nilus Ltd in Jinja, Wood Impex Ltd in Kalungu and 5 Flower farms in Mpigi and Wakiso districts

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.

Medical access in India eased for Ugandans

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Magnus MediTourism, Premium Medical Travel Facilitator based inMumbai, India has signed a franchisee agreement EquatorOne, a Ugandan tours & travel agency as its exclusive representative in Uganda

The partnership will allow Ugandan healthcare providers and patient’s alike, convenient access to alternative medical treatment at multiple hospitals across several Indian cities including tier 2 and tier 3 cities that are more affordable.

Magnus is one of the only 2 medical travel providers, accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospital and Healthcare (NABH) - the Quality Council of India.

(L-R) Mihir Vora, CEO Magnus MediTourism, a premium medical travel facilitator based in Mumbai- India  and Judith Sheenah Kyamutetera, General Manager EquatorOne, a Ugandan tours & travel agency, exchange copies of an MOU at the launch of Magnus Uganda. Magnus Uganda will operate under the Magnus MediTourism to provide Ugandan healthcare providers and patients alike, convenient access to alternative medical treatment at over 35,614 hospitals in India.

Magnus also has apartnership with some of India’s best Medicare providers such as: Apollo Hospitals, Fortis,Manipal Hospitals, Medanta Hospitals and Kokilaben Dirhubai Ambani etc. who boast of some of the world’s leading specialists in cancer care, urology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology,dentistry, ENT, orthopedic, among other medical specialized services.

 The agency will provide services that include; booking medical appointments at preferred hospitals, travel tickets, accommodation, transportation services, booking dining services, assistance with foreign exchange among other services while in India.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Magnus MediTourism Founder and CEO, Mr Mihir Vora said;

“India is a credible global medical centre due to its advanced technology and highly specialized doctors. As a result we have seen a growth in the number of Ugandans seeking medical attention in India and we know the challenges one goes through when accessing services in a foreign country. This partnership is to enable Ugandans in need to easily access these services in a hustle free and secure environment so that they only concentrate on their recuperation.”she explained to the media in Kampala.

Mrs Judith Sheenah Kyamutetera, the Country Head of Magnus MediTourism Uganda and herself a cancer survivor said;

“I have been a beneficiary of Magnus services myself, having been diagnosed with breast Cancer in May 2016. Working with professional medical travel facilitators like Magnus eased on the pain and made the entire experience pleasant, which is why I decided to bring this service here so that other Ugandans may benefit from it,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization and Ministry of Health, diseases such as diabetes,cancers, cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and strokes) are the second largest cause of mortality in Uganda, accounting for 34.6% of total deaths in 2015, and according to WHO’s Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) Country Profiles 2014, the probability of dying during the most productive years (ages 30-70) for Uganda from the 4 main NCDs is 21%.

In Africa and across developing countries, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer and diabetes pose an increasing threat. Current projections indicate that by 2020, the largest increases in deaths from NCDs will occur in Africa.

Due to the high costs incurred by patients in these developing countries, more people are opting to seek medical attention from more developed countries thus growing the medical tourism industry. This is mainly due to globalization and technology advancements across the globe.

Chinese Ambassador warns on illegal wildlife trade.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

KAMPALA-UGANDA ----The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zheng Zhuqiang has called up on all Chinese Enterprises staffs operating in Uganda not to involve in any form of Illegal wildlife trade. But support the country in protecting its natural Biodiversity resources because its protection creates business opportunities to china as country.

“ I want to take this opportunity to call up on all Chinese   Enterprises staff operating  in Uganda to spontaneously boy cot relevant illegal   conducts in any form and  to make positive  contributions  to wild life  protection  as its in China where we value  a lot  Biodiversity “ The Ambassador cautioned his  Nationals during the meeting  on opportunities  and challenges  for the Chinese Enterprises to engage  in Biodiversity and Wildlife  Conservation in Uganda.

The Meeting which was jointly organized by the Chinese Enterprises chambers of Commerce in Uganda in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society(WCS) in Kampala aimed at sharing the best Environmental protection mechanism which Chinese Enterprises can utilizes when executing their Enterprises without damaging the country, s Biodiversity.

Uganda is among the leading destination for Chinese’s Enterprises ranging from construction mineral exploration but on many occasion during their execution of their projects there’s has been an outcry by Environmentalists that Chinese Investor  are getting involved in illegal wildlife trade  especially in the Albertaine region where Oil and Gas exploration activities are taking place.

Zheng Zhuqiang observed  that most African Country’s, are home to rich Wildlife resources which provides source of revenue  in form of  attracting  both local, Regional and International  tourists  but  such resources  are disappearing  due to rampant poaching in the national parks  and other forms of biodiversity destruction thus the need for strong cooperation to eradicate poaching

L-R seated ( Dr Simon Nampindo the country  Director WCS , Christine  Akello Deputy Director NEMA , Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu state Minister for Environment and the Chinese Ambassador  to Uganda  Zheng  Zhuqiang  inneck tier  poses in picture with other members from the China  Enterprises  chambers  of Commerce  in Uganda. This was during meeting to discuss on enterprises  opportunities  available for the Chinese in the sector of  Biodiversity  conservation in Uganda 

. “We need to deepen International cooperation in wildlife protection. All countries must act together to fully implement the International convention against the trading in Endangered species of wild life such as Elephants, Fauna and flora. On addition to that there’s also need  for stepping up Law enforcement to combat Illegal trade in Wildlife  starting from the production stage  to trafficking then to selling chains  all should  be  covered by  Laws  and  the culprit  be subjected to Courts of Laws” The Ambassador advised.

Making key note  speech during the meeting , Uganda’s state  Minister  of state for Environment Dr Goretti  Kimono Kitutu said the Government is in the process of Coming up with new Environment Act which  will handle both the current  and the new Emerging  development activities which are now considered as dangerous to the country’s Biodiversity.

“We need new Law which caters for activities like sand mining  which is now reclusive business both to local and international investors sand extraction/ mining has greatly affected  the breading  zones for most biodiversity species such as fish , frogs and other reptiles thus affecting  many sectors in the economy such as Tourism , and fishing sector” she said

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 Dr.  Simon Nampindo   the country Director WCS in Uganda said more effort is required from Government to ensure that its Biodiversity is well protected for future generation. Nampindo said  that the country’s biodiversity is facing extinct due to  land use conversion  to agriculture , settlement  and  infrastructure  development , poaching  for bush meat  and Ivory.

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the country is loses great population of endangered species like Elephants to poachers for ivory this has impacted on the country’s tourism sector. Most of the counts, illegal ivory has been finding its market in most Asian Countries such as China, Malaysia among  other destinations 

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But on the good note recently the Government of chines announced total ban on the illegal trade of Ivory in their Country because the country treasures Biodiversity. The Chinese Ambassador t Uganda   Zheng Zhuqiang told East African Business Week that   china has built up a national wide wildlife protection regime based on combination of practical Laws policies and measures all those have helped in the conservation of the country’s Biodiversity resources..