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Damali Ssali donates books to Kampala schools to boost entrepreneurship skills

Nicholas L Ntulume
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Damali Ssali donates books to Kampala schools to boost entrepreneurship skills

Kampala.

The Ideation Corner Founder and Author, Damali Ssali, has donated 650 copies of her book to three schools in Kampala in a bid to boost entrepreneurship skills among Uganda’s youth.

The schools that received these books are Kitebi Secondary School, Kansanga Seed School and St. Dennis Ssebugwawo Secondary School, Ggaba. Other books are to be donated to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) library for all people in Kampala to freely access them.

The IDEATION CORNER book, whose theme is “Ideas and Dreams Drive Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, seeks to inspire people, especially the youth, to pursue their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.

Speaking at Kitebi Secondary School in Kampala, Ssali, a chartered Accountant by profession urged the students to pursue their dreams until they achieve their goals.

 “I used to have a lot of dreams when I was still young but I regret that there are certain dreams I killed in my mind myself. But if I had pursed them, you never know what would have happened,” Ssali said.

She added: “And I know it happens; someone gets an idea and they think it is too big to pursue, which is not true. I want to inspire you that unlike me who killed my dreams by myself in my head, that you pursue your dreams in whichever way you can to see them bear fruit.”

She, however, cautioned that achieving one’s dream does not come easy as there are challenges along the way which must be overcome.

“Entrepreneurship is not a straight journey; don’t give up on pursuing your dream. You will meet hurdles along the way but don’t give up because you have failed the first time. Simply learn from your mistakes and pursue your dream again,” she said.

She added: “In this book, entrepreneurs tell us their experiences in their entrepreneurial journey; how they dreamt, prayed and then worked to have their dreams fulfilled. Many failed many times but they still got up and pursued their dreams. So the Ideation Corner was to show that there are people in Uganda who are doing something in this challenging environment we are in. You too can still do something.”

 Ssali implored the students to read the book and to make use of whatever skills they have to start something, however small it could be, saying that entrepreneurship and innovation starts in one’s mind.

About the book

The IDEATION CORNER is a platform which showcases young African entrepreneurs who are doing something themselves; sharing their experiences on how they did it, the challenges faced along the way and how they overcame them.

Featuring 21 amazing stories by amazing African entrepreneurs, the ideation corner provides a platform to entrepreneurs, who are local heroes to showcase their concepts and be examples to youth aspiring to become entrepreneurs by pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.

The Director Education and Social Services at the Kampala Capital City Authority, Juliet Namuddu applauded Ssali for the kind gesture, saying that she is a philanthropist who wants to give back to society.

“She has used her own money to give back to society. She wants to give back; I looked at her and said what do you mean you want to give us something for free? I was humbled by Damali’s kindness when she came to my office and told me she wanted to donate copies of her book to at least three schools in Kampala at no fee. This shows that she is a philanthropist because she has used her own money to give back to society,” Namuddu said.

She added: “Entrepreneurship is about anything; I bet you; you are going to go home at the end of this week with a lot of money in your pockets. So I encourage all of you to read this book and start anything during this holiday; you never know where it will take you.”

The Supervisor, Education and Social Services (KCCA) Rubaga Division Drake Mutahakana also encouraged the students to read the book and pick key lessons, saying that if the people in the book have been able to make it in entrepreneurship, even they can make it.

“I am grateful on behalf of the people of Rubaga to Ms. Damali Ssali for donating these books to among other schools Kitebi SS. This is a wonderful gift because one who gives you knowledge gives you wealth; so with this book, I am sure that you will be able to create a lot of wealth for yourselves because I believe you are going to get a lot of knowledge from there.” END.

URSB hosts Insolvency Law Training for Judicial Officers to Enhance Easier Resolution of Insolvency Disputes

Nicholas L Ntulume
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URSB hosts Insolvency Law Training for Judicial Officers to Enhance Easier Resolution of Insolvency Disputes

Kampala, 03rd May, 2021; The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) under their Insolvency & Receivership mandate today unveiled a week-long training for Judicial Officers. The training was officially opened by the Principal Judge, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija and addressed by the Registrar General, Mercy Kainobwisho.

The training workshop will be held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo from Monday 03rd May, 2021 to Friday, 07th May 2021 and will be facilitated by top members of the judiciary including Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Hon. Justice Musa Sekaana, Her Ladyship Justice Patricia Basaza-Wasswa, Justice Alastair Norris and Hon. Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga,  Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute.

During the brief welcome remarks, Justice Zeija reminded participants that the training was not meant to reinvent the wheel but rather to support the judges in their role as dispensers of the law especially on the insolvency practice in the era of COVID-19 that is seeing a number of businesses and individuals at the edge of being declared insolvent as result of the impact of the pandemic. ‘It is our responsibility as the judiciary to hear all insolvency matters. But, this we can only do with sufficient knowledge on the practice. The training being offered by URSB is timely and I ask that we participate keenly in order for us to be able to make decisions considered fit under the Insolvency law’ Justice Zeija told the participants

The focus of the training will be to improve the quality and accuracy of court documents on insolvency and to achieve this, participants will be heavily engaged in enlightening sessions over the next 5 days. Emphasis will be placed on the salient features of Insolvency Law in Uganda, the roles of Judicial Officers in preservation of value of the Insolvent Estate, countering abuse of Insolvency Processes, open discussions on the challenges facing Judicial Officers in resolving insolvency disputes and communication and cooperation in cross border insolvency, as well as experiences and best practices.

The Registrar General, Mercy Kainobwisho who is also the Official Receiver said the training was timely since the COVID-19 pandemic had threatened the existence of businesses. ‘It is our role  to establish a fair insolvency system which strengthens the business sector by offering confidence to investors and the public to make viable decisions that support economic growth. As URSB, our focus is on rescuing insolvent companies and individuals by encouraging them to adopt business rescue mechanisms’ Kainobwisho added.

URSB is mandated among others to register businesses, marriages, Intellectual Property, administer insolvent companies and run the Security Interest in Movable Property Registry System (SIMPO).  The Minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu will deliver the closing remarks on Friday as the training comes to a close.

Informal cross border traders resort to porous borders – study

Nicholas L Ntulume
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Informal cross border traders resort to porous borders – study

By Our writer

Informal cross-border traders have resorted to using porous borders as they avoid the enhanced COVID-19 protocols at formal border points.

Done by Amref Health Africa and the Ministry of Health, with funding from Trademark East Africa (TMEA), the assessments show that informal cross-border traders are increasingly using the porous borders, Lake Victoria and from South Sudan to Uganda, posing high risk of spreading COVID-19.

The studies were conducted at Uganda’s various border points of Elegu, Busia, Malaba, Mirama hills and Mutukula, as the three organisations conducted several activities aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 infection through supporting and strengthening infection prevention and control measures at the points of entry.

The TMEA Uganda acting country director Damali Ssali said: “One of the findings shows that a huge amount of activity has sprung out at these landing sites because informal cross-border traders are crossing over Lake Victoria because they are trying to avoid formal routes where there are a lot of checks.”

Ssali was speaking during the Safe Trade project updates meeting at Fairway Hotel, Kampala on Thursday 15th April.

Ssali attributed the increased use of porous borders to falling informal trade volumes, which has greatly affected informal cross-border traders, 80% of whom are women and sole breadwinners for their families.

According to Ssali, Uganda was on average exporting about $44m (sh158.6b) a month in informal cross-border trade before COVID-19 outbreak but that the figure has since dropped to an average of about $500,000 (sh1.8b) monthly following the closure of borders.

Through the safe trade for informal traders, Ssali said TMEA intends to ensure that informal cross-border traders continue trading safely.

“We want to ensure that even when COVID-19 cases go up, informal trade is not affected; they should continue trading safely, following the Standard Operating Procedures,” Ssali said.

The STZ is part of the $23m (about sh83b) wider Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF) rolled out by TMEA in the East African region, with donor funding, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that trade is not disrupted and that it continues to play a critical role in the region.

STEF is being implemented under seven clusters, including the Emergency Personal Protective Equipment and Testing and Trade Technology Interventions that include the regional cargo and driver tracking system.

The others are trade policy interventions, supply chain support, standards and sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) projects, private sector advocacy interventions and gender inclusion, women in trade and safe zones.

It provides for safe spaces for women cross-border traders to trade and set protocols and guidelines that include proper wearing of facemasks, maintaining physical distance of at least two metres and creating a one-way flow through markets to reduce back and forth movement and control the number of people in the marketplace at a given time, among others.

While TMEA provided PPEs that included masks, face shields, hand sanitizers, hand-washing stations, liquid hand washing soap, infrared thermometers, disposable gloves, hand sanitiser dispensers and disinfectant spray bottles, among others, Brenda Kituuma, the Amref Health Africa project officer said that it was discovered that there was shortage of these PPEs at all the points of entry due to stock outs.

This, she said, has forced market vendors to reuse masks. Additionally, there was lack of proper screening and triage system and shortage of water and soap at hand washing facilities.

She noted that there is need to raise awareness in the community about COVID-19, complying with SOPs and how to stay safe.

Dr. Patrick Kagurusi, Amref Health Africa, Uganda country manager alluded that the existing gaps need to be urgently closed to enable the country ably manage the pandemic. END

Government, URSB discuss options for supporting COVID-19 affected business through insolvency

Nicholas L Ntulume
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0
Government, URSB discuss options for supporting COVID-19 affected business through insolvency

Kampala, 27th April; Businesses especially the Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are facing financial distress arising from the unprecedented and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While business conditions are expected to improve for some industries, it is unlikely they will return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future. Financially distressed companies may thus face potential insolvency.

To support ailing entities while offering them rescue options and legal mechanisms to deal to with their dilemma, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and Government of Uganda organized a joint two-day conference under the theme; Insolvency & Intellectual Property Rights in the face of COVID-19. The conference which kicked off in Kampala on April 26th also celebrated the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day that highlighted creativity in IP, also discussed proposed suggestions to help viable businesses survive during this difficult time.

Speaking at the conference, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Moses Ali who represented the Prime Minister as Chief Guest said several measures are being considered by Government to support collapsing businesses in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that several rescue packages were being discussed in respect of COVID-19 defaults to save businesses from being closed prematurely. He expressed hope that the economy would revive soon on the back of picking up of demand and increased domestic and foreign investments. The Prime Minister commended URSB for having lived up to the expectations of the Government by being a dynamic and proactive insolvency regulator whose suggestions would be adopted.

The Minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs on his part expressed optimism that SMEs had shown resilience even amidst the tough times through adaptability and innovation to remain relevant to the times. ‘The Government of Uganda has made efforts to put in place a conducive environment in which SMEs operate. Government has adopted insolvency and intellectual property laws to smoothen the business environment for SMEs. Uganda also recently adopted the National IP Policy 2019 that i urge you to embrace’ Hon. Professor Ephraim Kamuntu said.

Ambassador Francis Butagira, the URSB Board Chair added that the organization’s efforts had been directed towards saving struggling businesses affected by the COVID-19 impact. ‘Today we are focusing on insolvency practitioners who play a central role in advising and restructuring financially ailing enterprises’ he said

Mercy Kainobwisho, the Registrar General said URSB had strategically placed emphasis on SMEs since they form the bulk of businesses across the country and thus deserved attention. ‘Insolvency has become more visible this year with the effects of COVID-19 being felt by many businesses. I would like to emphasise that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is not too late to salvage the damage caused by the effects of the pandemic’ She asserted

The Insolvency and Intellectual Property conferences are platforms utilized by URSB annually to promote a stable insolvency practice, support innovation and creativity in Uganda. This year’s conference attracted a wide section of stakeholders who presented various thoughts and perspectives of practitioners, policy makers, subject experts, and academicians, to stimulate thought on how the multitude of SMEs can be rehabilitated to prosper through generating multiple competing resolution plans while supporting the country’s social economic growth.

URSB rallies SMEs to expand their markets through commercializing their innovations

Nicholas L Ntulume
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0
URSB rallies SMEs to expand their markets through commercializing their innovations

Kampala, April 26th; Every 26th April, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) which is Uganda’s National Intellectual Property (IP) office joins the rest of the world to celebrate the World Intellectual Property Day. This annual event is an opportunity to learn about the role that IP rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The theme of this year’s celebration Intellectual Property & SMEs; Taking your ideas to market highlights the importance of intangible assets to small & medium enterprises (SMEs) and the value of IP in supporting SMEs to grow exploit their potential.

Small & Medium Enterprises account for over 90% of all companies worldwide and 70% of global employment, a reason to celebrate their enormous contribution to national growth and improvement in the socio-economic stature of Uganda.During this year’s celebrations, URSB linedup two panel discussions, the first included representatives of the business community who shared their how they leveraged their IP Rights to market their businesses; the second discussion will focus on the various corporate rescue methods available to support ailing businesses under insolvency.

Speaking at the IP Day celebrations, the Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho said URSB’s focus had shifted to not only creation of enterprises, but also the ability of these enterprises to survive and thrive. ‘It is no secret that Uganda is a very entrepreneurial country, so much so that a 2014 report by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) ranked Uganda as the most entrepreneurial country in the world. The same report indicated that less than 50% of those enterprises made it to the end of their second year’ Kainobwisho said. ‘URSB is at the forefront of streamlining of the business registration process and in the continual development of intellectual property system, a system which offers every business the opportunity to stand out’ she added.

The URSB Board Chair, Ambassador Francis Butagira in his remarks said SMEs were the bedrock of Uganda’s economy and thus needed a platform to turn their ideas into business opportunities and generate value. ‘As we commemorate this world IP day, we hope this will serve as a platform to further the discussion on how intellectual property can provide first a lifeline, boost growth to our enterprises to survive and thrive during and beyond the pandemic and how through IP, value can be added to our businesses and most key to our consumers’Butagira asserted

World IP Day is celebrated all over the globe in the form of panel discussions, Radio and TV sensitization, expos, and educational outreach for students of all ages. URSB’s panel of experts offered practical information on the best ways SMEs can use ideas to grow their markets especially during this COVID-19 pandemic period. The panelists included Tony Otoa, the Entreprise Development Head at Stanbic Business Incubator, John Walugembe, Executive Director of Small & Medium Enterprises Federation-Uganda, Businesswoman Dorothy Kimuli, Kampala City Traders Association Chairman (KACITA), EvaristKayondo and Connie Kekihembo, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Ltd (UWEAL).

To further support small businesses with creative ideas on how toturn around their businesses in circumstances of misfortune, URSB has organized a conference to discuss the broad range of insolvency issues, offer practical experience and perspectives from diverse legal systems and traditions as well as explore ethical standards of Insolvency Practitioners.  Insight will also be given on the history, development and foundation of good insolvency and intellectual property laws, concepts in international insolvency law and international initiatives aimed at developing a more harmonized insolvency system. The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. RuhakanaRugunda will preside over the official opening of the conference on Tuesday, 27th April starting at 09:00am.

Driver Tracking APP facilitating EAC Cross Border Trade.

HiPipoNico
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Driver Tracking APP facilitating EAC Cross Border Trade.

Our Reporter.

A mobile application (app) for managing truck drivers’ Covid-19 test information has been credited for curbing the spread of the corona virus and guaranteeing safe trade in the East African Community (EAC).

Launched in September 2020 by the EAC secretariat in partnership with TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and the European Union, the Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers’ Tracking (RECDTs) APP has since been downloaded and used by more than 70,000 drivers plying EAC cross-border trade routes.

Speaking at the World Trade Organisation Aid for Trade stocktaking virtual conference held last week, Alban Odhiambo, the TMEA Senior Director Trade Environment noted that the RECDTs APP which is readily available on the Google Play store has two versions; one for drivers and the other for the verification officers at the ports.

“Since we launched the APP in September, 2020, more than 72,900 drivers have downloaded it. This represents more than 90 per cent of the cross border trade drivers in the entire EAC,” Mr Odhiambo said, adding;

“The RECDT APP is currently in English but there are on-going efforts to localize and translate the APP, all its features and training material in to French and other languages. What we have created is a framework which didn’t exist before. As we implement it, it is important that all the partner states support it so that it remains in use for more years to come.”

The RECDTS APP is connected to all border agencies across EAC. When a registered driver takes a COVID-19 test, his/her results are automatically sent to the APP in a QR code format. If a blue QR code is displayed, then the driver is negative, if a black QR code is displayed, then the driver’s results have not been captured and if a red QR code is displayed, then the driver is positive and thus must visit the nearest accredited health centre for immediate management and treatment.

Prior to its roll-out, cross-border truckers were faced with long border queues reaching 80kms at some ports, incurred a lot of costs on multiple COVID-19 tests, accommodation and food as they waited for clearance and stigma from local populations that viewed them as mass corona virus spreaders.

This is however no more after RECDTs introduced mutually recognized COVID-19 certificates, reduced congestion at the borders, eliminated multiple testing and reduced cases of infected drivers.

Caroline Kobusinge, a Health Officer at the Malaba One Stop Border Post noted that with this APP, cross-border truckers are seamlessly cleared because by the time they arrive, their certificates are already in the digital system.

“When a driver arrives, he opens the APP on his phone and displays the QR code to the port health official. The port health official scans the QR code to confirm that the results displayed are authentic and thereafter sends the driver to the immigration official who will also re-scan the same code. If both the health and immigration officials find the results authentic, then the driver is cleared to proceed,” Kobusinge noted. 

Additionally, Dr. Atek Kagirita, the Director Public Health at Ministry of Health noted that Uganda is already scaling up the uptake of RECDTs plus including it in the budgeting process so as to ensure sustainability even after the seed funding gets extinct.

 “It was during this COVID-19 pandemic that we got to know that Trade and Health must always work hand in hand. It is extremely important that essential goods and services continue to move but without endangering lives. The RECDTs APP has helped us achieve this. In the face of a pandemic, we are all vulnerable so we must continue to work together.

As a Trade Technology Intervention, RECDTs is part of TMEA’s wider USD 23 million Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF) that was created in 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19 to support governments to undertake critical measures along the transport and trade routes that will ensure trade continues safely while protecting livelihoods.

Mr Frank Matsaert, the TMEA chief executive officer noted that because COVID-19 is going to be around for quite longer, EAC’s longer term recovery strategies should be strong on the role of digital and technology in enabling trade and protecting livelihoods. 

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