The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), through its chairman Everest Kayondo, has asked the government and her development partners to ensure that there is both faster and reliable internet at the border posts as this will guarantee seamless electronic cargo clearance.
In an interview at the start of 2018, Mr Kayondo noted that while electronic cargo clearance platforms such as the Uganda Electronic Single Window (UESW) were facilitating trade through reducing both time and money spent in cargo clearance, unreliable internet would undo the progress made so far.
“ There is a challenge of internet because some time, internet goes off and once it is off, all this science we are talking about including goods tracking and data capturing will fail. Once there is internet breakdown, there is a total mess,” My Kayondo highlighted, adding;
“At one time loaded trucks were at the border of Malaba and they were stretching to about 20kms. All these couldn’t be cleared because internet was down. So there must be a backup force to ensure that internet does not break down and when it does there is an immediate solution.”
KACITA’s position is further supported by trade stakeholders at the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
Eric Onyango, a Ugandan Customs Agent at the Busia OSBP recently noted that just like any other new system, the Electronic Single Window still has some ‘teething issues’, key on the list being internet connectivity.
“One of the major challenge is connectivity and network instability. It is very hard to convince a trader used to going to customs desk to process documents that there is no network so they can’t be served. The other issue is systems interfaces. Since all these related organizations have been merged in to one window, sometimes you find a challenge that one agency is hanging. This one agency will hold you until when that problem is sorted,” Onyango stated, adding;
“There is also an issue of correspondence. Under this new arrangement, we are not supposed to have eye to eye contact with the traders. But we still have that culture whereby sometimes you can send an email and no one responds to it. You realize that at the end of the day, if you don’t call that person and talk to them, then nothing will proceed.”
The Uganda Electronic Single Window (UESW) is a paperless platform that leverages technology to facilitate private sector trade. The system allows for electronic submission of information, documentations and processing of import, export & transit related trade documents and requests.
In Uganda, the National Electronic Single Window was rolled in November 2016 while in Kenya, KenTrade – National Electronic Single Window System was launched in 2014. In both countries, the single window systems are implemented by the sitting governments, supported by TradeMark East Africa, DANIDA, UNCTAD and other development partners.
Kampala, Uganda. December 7, 2017:- Britam Insurance Company (Uganda) Ltd has today unveiled their new offices located in the prestigious Nakasero suburb in Kampala.
The offices, which were acquired from AIG, will host both Britam Insurance Company (Uganda) Ltd- the insurance arm of Britam Holdings Limited and Britam Asset Managers Company (Uganda) Ltd.
Britam Asset Managers (Uganda) offers investment management and advisory services to pension funds, insurance companies, corporates, government owned entities and retail investors. The company was launched on 27th July, 2017.
Speaking during the official unveiling of the offices at Britam offices, Nakasero Kampala, Mr. Allan Mafabi, the Chief Executive Officer, Britam Insurance- Uganda, said; “We are excited about our new spacious offices, which gives us an opportunity to serve our customers better and offer the full range of diversified financial services to our customers under one roof,”
Mr. Allan Mafabi, the CEO, Britam Insurance (Uganda) said the investment in the new offices was a reflection of the group’s commitment to the Uganda market, and was meant to offer convenience and comfort to the customers.
“Uganda is a key strategic region for the group as it expands its product offerings in the region. We will continue to strengthen our operations in the country in a bid to generate more employment opportunities for the benefit of the citizens,” Dr. Benson Wairegi said.
He said that Britam, which entered the Uganda’s insurance market in November 2010, has since grown to become the number three biggest insurer by premiums out of the 21 insurance companies operating in Uganda.
Dr. Benson Wairegi, the Group Managing Director, said Britam would continue to further invest in the Uganda market because of its great potential made possible by a conducive business operating environment.
“Over and above our recent opening of an asset management company in Uganda, we are considering opening a property division as well in order to bridge the property and real estate gap in the country,” he said.
He noted that Britam had continued to attract global investors, among them the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, and AfricInvest, one of the largest private equity funds in the world. The investments, he said, demonstrated confidence in the long-term future of the company.
Dr.Benson Wairegi also thanked the Uganda government, and the relevant industry regulators for fostering a favourable business operating environment that had enabled private business from Kenya to thrive in the country in the true spirit of East African Co-operation.
He further lauded the Ministry of Financial Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Bank of Uganda (BoU), for launching The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2017-2022 that among other things was focused on reducing financial exclusion and barriers to accessing financial services, whilst deepening and broadening formal savings, investments and insurance use.
About Britam Holdings Plc.
Britam is a leading diversified financial services group listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The group has presence in seven countries in Africa namely: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique and Malawi.
The group offers a wide range of financial solutions in Life Assurance, General Insurance, Health Insurance, Retirement Planning, Asset Management, Property and Banking. These solutions enable our customers to protect and grow their wealth and achieve their financial goals every step of the way.
Cross-Border Traders from both Uganda and Kenya have applauded both their governments for implementing the Electronic Single Window; a paperless platform that leverages technology to facilitate private sector trade through allowing for electronic submission of information, documentations and processing of import, export & transit related trade documents and requests.
Speaking during a November trade visit to traders, customs agents and trade facilitating agents at the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP), Charles Achieng, the chairperson Cross-Border Traders’ Association noted that prior to the introduction of the electronic single window, traders encountered lengthy, costly and time-consuming processes of moving from one agency to another looking for permits, chasing documents verifications and approvals.
“Because of the many agencies involved, definitely it took long time to clear goods and therefore, there existed congestion at the borders and ports. Ultimately this would end up pushing up the cost of doing business and compromise the competitiveness of the country. Manual systems also encouraged and facilitated environmental degradation because of the many papers and file bags used. Plus, some people also benefited from these lengthy processes through corruption,” Mr Achieng said.
Trading made easy.
Achieng noted that since its roll-out, the electronic single window has improved trade processes, strengthened accountability, tackled revenue leakages, reduced costs of doing business, eliminated bureaucracies, reduced corruption and adopted genuine players in to the trade process.
He said: “Single Window is faster, cheaper, paperless, convenient and very efficient. It has intelligence to disseminate information to all agencies that process, verify and approve trade documents. It coordinates cargo clearance, insurance issues and enables cargo tracking. Importantly, the single window is at this point facilitating the integration of the East African Community, taking in to account that the many agencies involved now have a podium to interact and exchange ideas, and compare data.”
These sentiments were supported by other trade participants.
Eric Onyango, a Ugandan Customs Agent at the Busia OSBP noted that the Uganda Electronic Single Window system is good, has simplified trade procedures and very advantageous to all stakeholders involved.
“I urge the government to fast track the system roll-out to all agencies involved and also educate traders and customs agents on how this system works,” Mr Onyango said.
Busia Traders, Customs Agents, URA, KRA, KenTrade and Uganda Single Window Team.
Clearance time reduced
Middy Amule, a Trade Information Desk Officer at the Busia Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) office noted that the Single Window is improving trade and also giving her office more room and time to facilitate small scale traders.
“Prior to adoption of the single window, the documentation was so much and several bureaucracies were involved. But with the single window, the work load for traders, trade officers and customs agents has reduced. But this doesn’t mean that we no longer have work to do. At my desk, we continue to facilitate traders through issuing simplified certificates of origin for small traders who handle goods (exports and exports) worth USD 2000 and below. URA has authorized the information desk team as the only issuing institution for these certificates to small traders. We operate hand in hand with our partners in Kenya under the same roof of One Single Border Post,” Amule said.
Emerging Issues.
Nonetheless, Onyango noted that just like any other new system, the Electronic Single Window still has some ‘teething issues’ that ought to be urgently addressed by the project leaders.
“One of the major challenge is connectivity and network instability. It is very hard to convince a trader used to going to customs desk to process documents that there is no network so they can’t be served. The other issue is systems interfaces. Since all these related organizations have been merged in to one window, some times you find a challenge that one agency is hanging. This one agency will hold you until when that problem is sorted,” Onyango stated, adding;
“There is also an issue of correspondence. Under this new arrangement, we are not supposed to have eye to eye contact with the traders. But we still have that culture whereby sometimes you can send an email and no one responds to it. You realise that at the end of the day, if you don’t call that person and talk to them, then nothing will proceed.”
Gilbert Juma, a clearing agent at the Busia OSBP, Kenya said noted that several traders are also not aware of this platform thus never understand when you tell them that there delays on the system.
“In our daily work, the biggest challenge we experience with some traders is that they are not aware of this system. So, at times you tell them that there is a delay caused by system instability, they will never understand how this system affects their trade. All they know is that once they have paid their taxes, they should be allowed to go with their goods. They don’t know that we are no longer moving from one office to another but rather doing everything online,” Gilbert Juma said.
David Wanga, a Trade Information Desk Officer at the Busia, Kenya Revenue Authority noted that the Single Window system is simple and easy to use but advised that all the other stakeholders need to be sensitized, mainly clearing agents and trade information desk officers so that they can effectively support the traders.
In Uganda, the National Electronic Single Window was rolled in November 2016 while in Kenya, KenTrade – National Electronic Single Window System was launched in 2014. In both countries, the single window systems are implemented by the sitting governments, supported by TradeMark East Africa, DANIDA, UNCTAD and other development partners.
Annual coffee exports registered a 31.89 per cent and 59.16 per cent increase in quantity and cash value respectively, the latest Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) report has revealed.
The UCDA monthly report for August 2017 indicates that “Coffee Exports for 12 months – September 2016 to August 2017 totalled to 4.47 million bags valued at USD 530 million (about UGX 1.908 trillion) compared to the 3.39 million bags worth USD 333 million (about UGX 1.199 trillion) exported in the corresponding period the previous year.”
The growth was supported by a strong performance of Robusta coffee, whose exports increased by 56.21 per cent. Arabica coffee exports on the other hand declined by 22.43 per cent.
This recent boom came at the back of deliberate government investments into the plantation of more coffee seeds coupled with among others Trade Facilitation initiatives such as the 2016 roll-out of the Uganda Electronic Single Window (UESW), a paperless platform that leverages technology to facilitate private sector trade. The system allows for electronic submission of information, documentations and processing of import, export & transit related trade documents and requests.
In an email exchange recently, Laura Walusimbi, the UCDA corporate communications manager noted that the increase in coffee export is as a result of government’s intervention slightly over three years ago to plant more coffee seedlings and facilitation of coffee trade.
“The 57.4 million coffee seedlings planted in 2013/14 are now starting to yield. This was almost triple the 19.6 million seedlings that were planted in 2012/13,” she noted.
Further still, the recent introduction of the UESW has fostered compliance and facilitated the sector.
Coffee is the most important Cash Crop in Uganda.
The latest UESW Performance Report, released in the first week of October 2017, during the Project Implementation Team (PIT) meeting convened by the Ministry of Trade at Imperial Golf View Hotel, Entebbe showed that by end of August 2017, the electronic single window portal had already processed and cleared more than 12,000 Coffee Export Permits through the system.
Addressing other partners at the PIT meeting, Mutebi Tobias William, the UESW Acting Project Manager stated that since the deployment and integration of the electronic single window with UCDA systems, a lot of progress has been made, highlighted by thousands of coffee export permits issued.
“Coffee Export permits after being approved by UCDA are being exchanged electronically with other regulatory agencies such as URA through the UESW. Coffee exporters now use the system for application for the of certificates which are being issued electronically by UCDA through the single window. In practice when an exporter is issued with the certificate, the system automatically submits a copy to the UESW system and the Customs system for export declaration processing of the declaration without necessarily waiting for submission of the same by the exporter. Note that when a declaration is made, the certificate is written off automatically by the UESW,” Mr Mutebi noted, adding;
“13,279 certificates have so far been received by URA successfully through the Single Window. 12,121 certificates have been cleared through customs and written off by export declaration.”
This development was further supported by Doreen Rose Rweihangwe, the UCDA Quality Assurance Manager who during this same PIT meeting noted that although the electronic single window portal is new, document processing has been made faster and captures more trade data at record speeds. She further encouraged other institutions who are not yet in the system to get integrated into the system, plus calling upon the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to expedite rollout of the electronic single window to other regulatory institutions
“With the manual system, a trader usually spends about four days chasing after clearances from different offices including UCDA, clearing agent and customs unit. However, with the electronic single window, this process is now completed within one day.”
Damali Ssali, the Senior Programme Manager at TradeMark East Africa noted that the Uganda Electronic Single Window, funded by Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) through TradeMark East Africa, is coordinated by Ministry of Trade and implemented by Uganda Revenue Authority. It brings together more than 20 government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved directly and indirectly in International Trade including those involved in the import and export document process of goods and services.
“The electronic single window has already started to benefit Ugandan coffee exporters through the reduction in transaction costs and time. We expect the same benefits to accrue to everyone in the trading community as we get more agencies integrated onto the electronic single window system,” Damali Ssali said.
So far, URA, UNBS, NDA, UCDA, UEPB, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Energy are already using this online portal while development of related interfaces for rollout to others continue to be undertaken by the PIT in coordination by MTIC
The system guarantees faster clearance of cargo, less transaction costs, no paperwork, limited physical interactions thus reduced bribery and convenient E-tracking of goods.
This was emphasised by the theme of the PIT meeting “BIG BUSINESS ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES”. With this theme, Francis Kolou, the UESW Coordinator in the trade ministry assured the meeting of government support to trade facilitation initiatives and commitment to roll out the electronic single window to other institutions. He further called upon the private sector to take advantage of the opportunities that the platform provides.
“The Ministry is confident that the electronic single window system is fundamental in implementation of other related projects jointly implemented by TradeMark East Africa and the Government of Uganda such as the One Stop Border Posts at Busia, Mutukula, Mirama Hills, the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, the Authorised Economic Operators Initiative, and the Non-Tariff Barriers Reporting System among others.”
Agricultural extension has potential to generate positive benefit to other productive sectors: Health, Trade & Industry, Water and Environment
Kampala. Caritas Uganda, an arm of Uganda Episcopal Conference/ Uganda Catholic Secretariat together with the Uganda Farmers Common Voice Platform has today released a study that highlights a co-relation between agricultural extension services and the performance of other sectors of the economy in Uganda such as Health, Trade and Industry, Water and Environment.
The report titled ‘A desk study to ascertain the cost of agricultural extension to performance of key productive sectors of the economy besides agriculture’ was conducted by the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University on behalf of Caritas Uganda. The study was set out to provide evidence on the benefits of Agricultural Extension to the performance of key productive sectors of the economy besides agriculture to include trade and industry, health and water and environment.
Speaking during a Press Conference held to release the findings of the study, Ms. Aguti Betty Rose – The Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Caritas Uganda said, ‘In Uganda, agriculture is the backbone of the economy and is dominated by small holder farmers who occupy majority of the arable land and produce most of the crop and livestock products, with most households directly or indirectly deriving their livelihood from the sector. However, much as the agricultural sector is crucial to Uganda’s economy, it is still faced with challenges such as inadequate financing, unpredictable weather and minimal agricultural extension services. Currently, the number of farmers accessing agricultural extension is reported to range between 14 – 17%., while 40 – 50% access advisory services from fellow farmers and 25% access services via radio. The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADs) is estimated to reach about 17% of the farmers with variations based on region. If well executed, Agricultural Extension plays a crucial role in promoting agricultural productivity, increasing food security, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting agriculture as an engine of pro-poor economic growth.’
According to Ms. Aguti, the study was commissioned by Caritas Uganda through the Uganda Farmers Common Voice Platform (a brain child of Caritas Uganda); with the following findings: a) Link between Agriculture and health
Agriculture and health have a two-way link in which agriculture can support health by providing food and nutrition and generating income that can be spent on health care yet agriculture can also pose major threats to health through health hazards linked to poor agricultural practices and systems. On the other hand, health problems can have disastrous effects on agriculture through lost labour, assets and lost income. Agricultural Extension can therefore be used as a tool of improving health through farmers adopting new methods and techniques of production, efficiently using their resources that result in food security, better nutrition as well as higher incomes that lead to better health outcomes and better health care for the family.
b) Link between Agriculture, water and environment
In-order to feed the ever increasing populations amidst reducing farm land, farmers are being encouraged to intensify agriculture to produce more food from the same area of land. This means adoption of high-yielding varieties, more use of pesticides and fertilizers. The use of pesticides and fertilizers has helped considerably to reduce crop losses and get better yield of crops such as maize, vegetables, and cotton. However, pesticide use also imposes unfavorable effects in form of environmental degradation leading to economic losses in the long run. Mismanagement of pesticides and herbicides causes severe damage to water and environment and health related effects discussed above. Agricultural Extension therefore, comes here handy as it can help build capacity of farmers on proper usage of pesticides and herbicides as well as alternative practices and techniques such as organic farming that limits use of pesticides and herbicides. In addition, access to agricultural extension influences farmers to adopted environmentally friendly practices.
c) Linkage between Agriculture and Trade and Industry
The relationship between agriculture, Trade and industry in Uganda is complex. Many goods that Uganda exports to foreign countries are agricultural products in which the country earns foreign exchange from these exports. Likewise, most of the raw materials needed for industries are produced from agriculture sectors. Agricultural Extension which is an input in agriculture is necessary for this strong linkage.
o It is also worth noting that Agriculture extension can contribute to trade by increasing the quantity of output produced by farmers which directly contributes to proportion of total output supplied to the market. In addition, by promoting good farm practices (farm biosecurity measures) and post-harvest handling, Agriculture extension increases farmer participation in the local and international markets. Increased market participation increases income of the rural farmers that in turn is re-invested in the economy through purchase of non-tradable goods and services. The impact of increasing agricultural productivity are wide-ranging and extend to economic growth, food security, poverty reduction, and livelihoods.
The Study then highlights the following as key recommendations that will contribute to the improvement of the agricultural extension system in Uganda:
1) There is need to advocate for increased funding for extension service delivery.
2) There is need for strengthened collaboration between Government and NGO for increased and effective extension service delivery.
3) There is need for stronger linkage between extension with research Institutions to enhance farmer’s knowledge on existing technologies and agronomic practices.
4) There is need to invest in the training of para-veterinarians (foot soldiers) because unskilled professionals have taken over the market of animal health hence declining its quality.
5) There is need to promote nutrition sensitive extension for nutrition sensitive agriculture.
6) There is need to adequately facilitate extension workers to effectively deliver quality extension services to small holder farmers.
7) There is need for investments in Management Information System especially for livestock, fisheries and environment to support tracking of impacts of extension services.
Ms. Betty Aguti concluded by noting that in order for the Government of Uganda to achieve its objective of a middle income status by 2040, there is need to increase agricultural productivity among small holder farmers, which she said can only be achieved through increased investment to extension service delivery.
• Customers euphoric to walk away with DStv Explora decoders
• Over 1000 Explora decoders to be won
Over 200 DStv subscribers have thus far been rewarded with the High Definition Explora decoders in the ongoing ‘We are the Premier league’ campaign for their loyalty and support of the brand.
Marketing Manager DStv Uganda, Phoebe Nakabazzi said ‘This campaign falls within an exciting period – the festive season which means rewards and recognition for our clientele. We are proud to continue to reward them with the most exciting decoder on the market. A decoder that’s like no other in terms of ensuring a customer has full control of their viewing experience.”
DStv through its SuperSport brand continues to broadcast the ongoing English Premier League in Africa as it almost reaches its half way mark. The tournament has 20 member clubs and will broadcast all the 380 matches in the season.
“The impact we hope to make in the lives of our subscribers makes this campaign worthwhile. DStv appreciates the support of our customers and one of the ways we need to incentivize them is by rewarding them. We are committed to rolling out more rewards that will revolutionise their viewing experience.” Phoebe added.
The promotion took effect on 11th August 2017 and will see winners drawn every week until the end of the Premier league season in May 2018.
“We urge customers to continue to participate in the campaign so that they too can joining the list of winners we have by either subscribing to compact, compact plus or premium or purchasing a DStv kit at UGX 132,500 and sending their details to 6060 to instantly enter the draw and stand a chance to win” Phoebe concluded.
