HiPipo Money

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The awarding of contract to upgrade and expand Uganda’s railway network to standard gauge, to a Chinese firm China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) has taken new twist with some government officials who have been lobbying for the other firm, state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC)refusing to take defeat lying down.

On Friday, CHEC announced they have embarked on work on the railway line to try and catch up with Kenya who is already progressing work.

Reliable information on the other hand indicates that powerful government officials who have been lobbying for CCECC have refused to take the decision in good faith.It has emerged that government over turned CCECC because of the suspected corruption and the integrity of its agents and lobbyists. One of them, a powerful Minister together with his son-in-law one Albert, took CCECC officials to see the president, a move sources intimate rubbed the President the wrong way.   According to inside sources, the President does not want these people involved in the project because of their suspected corruption history in Uganda.

CCECC had earlier in 2012 been given the deal, estimated to be worth $8b (about sh20trillion) which was later cancelled by the Government.

Recently, upon instruction from President Museveni to investigate the delays in choosing the right firm for the deal, AmamaMbabazi said he had asked the IGG to probe the possible Bribery allegation by government officials who had interest in CCECC taking the deal.  Media reports had quoted the President as saying that somebody stole minutes of his meeting with CHEC group, a sign of something fishy.

On Wednesday, Eng. John Byabagambi the state minister for works and representatives of the CHEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which in principle gives the deal to the firm with Byabagambi saying there would be no further delays in the construction of the standard gauge railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala and Bukasa port.

However, given the incessant efforts by CCECC and their lobbyists, it remains un clear if CHEC’s contract will proceed with no hindrances.

According to the agreement, CHEC will work closely with the UPDF Engineering Brigade and also construct a polytechnic school in Uganda for continuous training of army officers in technical and engineering skills.

A statement issued by CHEC’s representatives also expressed commitment to the above MoU singling out that the Government of South Sudan has also selected the company to upgrade her railway line.

It has also emerged that government preferred working with CHEC because of their commitment to train UPDF according to the Chinese model to manage strategic infrastructure.

The East African Community member states have set March 2018 as the target for the upgrading of the regional railway network to standard gauge system.

CHEC officials have said as part of the partnership with UPDF, the company has embarked on preparations to build a pioneering UPDF Corps of Engineers by training army officers in infrastructure development.

Works Ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the awarding of the deal to CHEC technically puts to an end the fight between the two Chinese companies that had put government in a fix and also sucked in ministers.

CHEC is a 13 billion dollar company, 100 percent Chinese government owned and one of the biggest building Company in China.

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The Republic of Tanzania’s former president Ali Hassan Mwinyi arrived in the country on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Rotary Cancer Run for which he is the chief runner.

Mr Mwinyi came with a group of 10 rotarians from Tanzania, according to Ms Enid Nambuya, the chairperson of the mobilisation committee for the Run, and is staying at Kampala Serena Hotel.

“Ex-President Ali Hassan Mwinyi arrived today, two days ahead of the Run and he will tour the Rotary Centenary Cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am,” Nambuya said.

The Pepsi and Centenary Bank-sponsored Rotary Cancer Run, now in its third year, seeks to raise money to complete a 36-bed capacity cancer ward. It is estimated to cost Shs1.3 billion and is currently in its final stages.

The run is expected to attract at least 30,000 runners in the 21km, 10km and 5km categories and the flag-off ceremony will be at the Kololo Ceremonial grounds at 7am.

Registration for the run is at Shs10,000 at Centenary Bank (Mapeera House), Rotary Uganda Office on NIC Building, Bridge Credit Finance, and all Capital Shoppers supermarket outlets.

More than 15 corporate companies and thousands of individuals have already registered for the run that will also have parallel runs in Kyenjojo, Masaka, and Mbarara on Sunday.

Last year’s Rotary Cancer Run attracted 10,000 participants and raised over Shs90 million for the Ward. The first Rotary Cancer Run was held in 2012 and, with the support of sponsors and well-wishers, managed to raise more than Shs300 million.

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MTN Uganda has in partnership with SMS2betlaunched a new exciting lottery game namedMTN Kaja where customers who subscribe will be entered into a daily draw to win up to Ugx 40 million or several other attractive prizes including airtime.

Launching the promotion in an exciting event at Wandegeya Taxi park yard, MTN’s acting Chief Marketing Officer Kenneth Kiddu said the brand has staked millions of shillings for customers to win on daily a basis.

Talking about the mechanics to enter the promotion, Kiddu said all customers need to do is dial *178# and select subscribe and they will be entered in the daily draws which will be charged at a minimal rate of Ugx 220 per day.

“MTN is committed to continue providing the best services on the market andthis promotion is yet another innovation that we have created to edify the lives of our customers by enabling them win life changing prizes”, he said.

According to Kiddu, the promotion is open to all subscribers who hold MTN lines and everyone is eligible to winning the grand prize of 40 million shillings in cash.

Draws will be conducted daily to determine the winning numbers and one MTN number will randomly be drawn from the entire MTN active base. Any subscribed entrant whose mobile number constitutes 8 digits of the drawn number reading sequentially from left to right will win the grand prize of 40 million shillings.

All other subscribers whose number constitutes 7 to 2 digits of the drawn number reading from left to right sequentially will also win other great cash and airtime prizes.  All winners will be notified by SMS and big winners will be called using telephone number 0776 986 178.

“We are very excited to launch this campaign to our customers because at MTN we take pride in the loyalty of our customers to the brand and we are doing this as a thank you for their unmatched support to our growth. MTN is also celebrating the 10 million subscriber base and we don’t take this for granted but hold this achievement close to our hearts. We also believe this promotion will transform the lives of lucky customers winning Ugx 40 million and many other cash prizes like 10 million and 20 million shillings cash”,Kiddu concluded..

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As part of its initiative and dedication to promote scientific and technical education among the people of Uganda, Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation has offered over 150scholarships worth 650 Uganda Million Shillings to both graduate and under graduate students in various scientific disciplines.

A selection process that spanned a period of three months,hasfinally seen 152 students rejoice after passing the interviews and being awarded the 2014/2015 Madhvani Foundation scholarships.

In a statement issued by the Foundation, Mr. Anthony Butele the Chairman Scholarship Committee said the foundation has always looked to bring hope to the economically challenged but academically talented students of Ugandaand the commitment these students show to their education in light of their challenges, gives us great pleasure to give a helping hand towardstheir academicstruggle. He advised the successful candidates to come with proof of identification at the Madhvani Foundation Offices, Industrial Area to collect their Scholarship Award letters after 10^th September 2014 from 9AM to 4 PM

Commenting on this year’s scholarship analysis, Mr. Iyengar the Corporate Secretary Madhvani Group noted that “The Eastern region has for the second year running dominated the scholarship awards with the Male applicants beating their female counterparts with68% of the total scholarships. Makerere University on the other hand will absorb the highest number of beneficiaries while Engineering and Medicine topped the courses”. Mr. Iyengar went on to advise bright economically challenged students from across the country to take advantage of this opportunity that is provided annually by the Madhvani Foundationseeing that the Foundation has established a nationwide footprint that has supported students from all over the country going as far as Northern Uganda in Gulu University.

The Madhvani Foundation scholarship programme is aimed at benefiting Ugandans pursuing either undergraduate or graduate studies at University level in Uganda and has been in operation since the 2003/04 academic year.The Foundation is a two time winner (2011 and 2012) of the prestigious Patrice Lumumba award by the Ugandan Universities Union of Guild Parliaments. 

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Business Owners receive training in enterprise solutions.

Airtel Uganda has today hosted an Enterprise Expo in Mbarara district, Western Uganda, as part of efforts to provide practical and modern business solutions to its High Value Customers. The Enterprise Expo took place at the Mbarara Lake View Hotel with Airtel’s customers and other business owners receiving training to support their organizations’ communication needs.

Already a market leader in Enterprise Business Telecommunication Solutions, Airtel Enterprise Business supports Businesses, Enterprises and Organisations with telecommunication solutions that are customised to meet the ever increasing demand for Information Technology.

Speaking at the expo, Mr. Tom Gutjahr, Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director noted that the Telecom Company provides a host of business-oriented services which, “…we believe, have enabled our customers to fully realize the potential of their enterprises.”

“Our office package is made up of several high-end products and services that are both data and product based,” Gutjahr added.

Speaking at the same function, the Enterprise Director, Airtel Uganda, Mr. Oladapo P. Sorinolu said “We provideinternet solutions that for instance, allow our customers to communicate via email and make Voice over Protocol calls. This is in addition to offering Leased Lines,Hosting or Co-location services, E1 Voice and PABX Services as well as APN (Access Point Name) Solutions for our clients whose needs consume less data.”

He went on to point out the wide range of customers for these services who include, Government institutions, financial service providers, NGOs, manufacturing and energy institutions. Oladapo also praised Airtel’s countrywide and global presence whichallows clients to access the business solutions from anywhere in the country and in any of Airtel’s operative countries world-wide.“This makes it easy to work on the move and access data and information remotely.”

Oladapo concluded by reiterating Airtel Uganda’s commitment to creating innovative products and services that serve the needs of the modern client.

The Airtel Uganda Enterprise Expo will be held in other locationsacross the country where the Company will continue to showcase its product range.