East African Business Notifier

Airtel Uganda, A Reason to Imagine has activated the first 5G site at Bulange in Mengo to boost connectivity and digital inclusion in Uganda.  In February this year, Airtel Uganda conducted tests on 11 4G sites in Kampala after applying for a spectrum to Uganda Communications Commission to start deploying the 5G network across the country. 5G is the 5th generation mobile network that enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices at very high speeds.   It delivers higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Airtel Uganda Managing Director, manoj murali said they recently announced that Airtel Uganda secured the 5G spectrum to start its deployment across the city and today they were pleased to activate their first site at Bulange, in Mengo. “The Central Business District which...

  The 30 th  of July 2023 will indelibly be inked in the history of this blessed country for undeniably, something monumental happened at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) showgrounds in Lugogo, Kampala. For three hours and twenty minutes, Apostle Grace Lubega and his team dared to believe and clap themselves into the record books for Jesus.  Yes, it required resilience and tenacity but there was no scope for drawing back once the trumpet sounded. , Men and women, young and old, they all knew the goal: clap nonstop for Jesus without vocal noises, musical instruments, or mechanical aid. In the UMA multipurpose hall, hundreds of official participants clapped for Jesus; in the overflow tent and parking lot, thousands more praised, danced, and prayed as they cheered on their team; across the world several others in homes, hotels, and livestream centers joined in via live video feed in a show of solidarity.  It might take a while to fully unpack the spiritual imp...

Apostle Grace Lubega of Phaneroo Ministries International and his team shall this Sunday, 30 th  July 2023, attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for the longest applause.  The current record, held by Stevens Clark, stands at 2 hours 5 minutes, and was recorded at the Festival of Awesomeness-UK on the 20 th  of July 2019. In a conversation with the Phaneroo team, the Clap for Jesus challenge is anticipated to last at least three hours and shall be held at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) showgrounds, Lugogo, Kampala and is organized against the backdrop of Phaneroo’s 9 th  anniversary celebrations which shall take place on Saturday, 5 th  of August at the Kololo Independence grounds.  “We shall be celebrating our 9 th  anniversary in a matter of days, so we felt it prudent to give thanks to God in a special way for the wonderful things He has accomplished in us, through us and for us in the nine years. This World Record challenge gives us...

Ugandans in the rural areas have been urged to leverage satellite connectivity services to access information and entertainment. Speaking at a recent conference on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connectivity in Kampala, Roke Telkom’s Chief Commercial Officer, Michael Mukasa said, “Ugandans should embrace satellite Internet connectivity   because it’s available even in places where mobile or fixed internet networks are unreliable.  "It is a fail-safe option that provides fixed-line connectivity to ensure continuity of service and it works well in most rural locations miles from a telephone exchange as it does in the most urban centers.” VSAT is a technology that delivers Internet directly to the end user location from a satellite in outer space as opposed to fiber optic or microwave/wireless broadband that are terrestrial, and targets mostly remote areas that may not have fiber or wireless internet infrastructure. Mukasa assured users that they can now work remotely with u...

The COMESA Competition Commission (“the Commission”) has issued an alert to all its member countries about a substandard/ contaminated syrup that was identified in Cameroon recently. The CCC in the alert said they had become aware that on 19 July 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a Medical Product Alert, Medical Product Alert N°5/2023, with regard to a batch of substandard (contaminated) NATURCOLD Syrup identified in Cameroon, and first reported to WHO on 13 March 2023.  The alert CCC issued, noted that the substandard medicine is marketed by FRAKEN INTERNATIONAL (England).  "According to WHO, analysis on samples of the NATURCOLD syrup from Cameroon were made available on 27 June 2023 and analysed in a WHO contracted and prequalified laboratory.  "The analysis found that the product contained unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol as contaminants.  "Diethylene glycol was detected in samples of NATURCOLD as much as 28.6%, whereas the acceptable limit...

The drilling of production wells for the Kingfisher and Tilenga oil production projects is continuing since the launch in January 2023. This is in preparation for the planned commencement of oil production in Uganda in 2025.  Drilling of the first well for the Kingfisher field has been completed to a total depth of about 3000 meters, and the LR8001 rig is now at the location for the second well.  For the Tilenga project, the initial phase, will see the drilling of 12 development wells on the Jobi-5 well pad, which is part of the Tilenga oil fields.  The Uganda oil project envisions drilling over 450 wells on 35 well-pads, leading to an estimated production of 230,000 barrels of oil per day, at its peak once production commences.  Production from the multiple fields, that include Kingfisher, Jobi Rii, Ngiri, Kasamene-Wahrindi, Gunya, Nsoga, and Kigogole, will contribute to this substantial output.  Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director at the Petroleum Authority of ...

  Azure Energy, has announced the signing of an agreement with Afentra for the sale of Azule Energy's participating interest in shallow-water Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A situated in the Lower Congo Basin. The firm transaction, valued at $48.5 million, encompasses a deferred contingent payment amounting to up to $36 million. Completion of the transaction, expected by the end of the year 2023, is subject to customary adjustments and approvals by the Angolan authorities. The divestment of Azule Energy's minority non-operated interests in these shallow-water blocks aligns with the company's strategic focus on core assets in Angola. Commenting on the agreement, Adriano Mongini, Azule Energy Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased to announce the signing of this agreement with Afentra. This transaction represents a move consistent with the Azule Energy strategy to concentrate our efforts on our core assets in Angola while reducing the GHG footprint in the country." A...

The Government of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated USD$2m towards the construction of a new permanent headquarters for COMESA in Lusaka, Zambia.  Saudi Ambassador to Zambia H.E. Ali Saad Alkahtani, presented the cheque to COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka. Amb. Alkahtani, said the motivation to support the construction of the COMESA headquarters stems from the strong relations that exist between the Kingdom and the COMESA bloc based on mutual respect and joint action. “On the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Prince Muhammad bin Salman and on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I have the pleasure to hand you a cheque in the amount of two million USD for the construction of the permanent headquarters of COMESA in Lusaka,” he said. It also comes as an affirmation of the Kingdom’s support for...

  Phaneroo Ministries International, a dynamic life-transforming ministry led by Apostle Grace Lubega is scheduled to celebrate its ninth anniversary on the 5 th  of August 2023 at the Kololo Independence Grounds, Kampala. Headlining the celebration will be Nigerian gospel heavyweight, Moses Bliss, renown for emotive songs including Too faithful and Bigger every day.  Alongside the popular artist, entertaining the congregants, will be a selection of guest artists and the showstopping Phaneroo choir. In the lead up to the day, the ministry is running multiple activities to give thanks by giving back to the community.  This includes market cleaning, hospital ministry, and community outreach programs. Through these activities, dubbed “Hope Campaign” the ministry extends God’s love to people in various communities. Additionally, the ministry will also continue its anniversary tradition of invading the streets of (among others) Kampala, Arua, Masaka, Mbale, Entebbe, Hoima...

Airtel Uganda has announced they have secured the required 5G spectrum and will begin deployment in Kampala starting next week.  This was revealed by the Managing Director, Mr. manoj murali while addressing the press at Sheraton Kampala Hotel. The Telecom giant indicated in February 2023 that all their 100% 4G network then, was 5G ready and had applied for the required spectrum to start rolling out this revolutionary technology. They indicated then, that tests had been successful at 11 sites in Kampala. 5G is the 5th generation mobile network that enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices at very high speeds.   It delivers higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. 5G can support up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometre compared to 4G which can only suppor...

  dfcu Bank in partnership with the Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC) has sponsored more than 29 enterprises that took part in the second and third cohorts of its Business Accelerator Program for a Peer Learning Visit at JKCC General Trading Limited, an enterprise known for its steady growth in the coffee industry. This initiative was aimed at providing the participants with valuable insights into effective implementation of the concepts studied throughout their 3-month training period during the Business Accelerator Program, ultimately fostering the growth and success of their business ventures. The Business Accelerator Program (BAP) is an initiative of the Agribusiness Development Centre powered by dfcu Limited and Rabo Foundation, with GOPA Worldwide consultants as implementing partners.   This 2-year project is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of 1,000 Ugandan SMEs, creating 3,000 jobs, and improving employment situations of 22,000 people, by focusing on...

British International Investment (BII) , the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, has announced a $10 million commitment to the SDG Outcomes Fund as an anchor investor alongside the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Both DFIs will support the first fund dedicated to development impact bonds in lower and middle-income countries [1]  globally including Africa and South Asia. Set up as a partnership with UBS Optimus Foundation as lead investor and Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, a specialist not-for-profit entity, as fund manager, the Fund uses an innovative blended finance structure to invest in impact bonds and similar outcomes-based contracts that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It targets essential healthcare, education, employment, child protection and environmental outcomes aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.  As a leading impact investor, ...

  By Ali Mansoor and Awa Mbaye   African countries have been encouraged to seek alternative funding schemes to tackle climate change impacts whose effects have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, geopolitical fragmentation, and external shocks around the world.  According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the investment required for adaptation in developing countries could range from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion annually by 2050. The alternative funding will help Africa bolster its efforts for this course which currently depends only on Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) from IMF which was initiated in 2022. Large climate financing needs The Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, geopolitical fragmentation, and external shocks around the world have exacerbated the effects of climate change in developing countries, low-income countries, and Small Island and Developing States (SIDS), increasing the huge fi...