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DFID funded Regional Cargo Tracking System Helped to Intercept Truck Driver Who Tested Positive for COVID 19.

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DFID funded Regional Cargo Tracking System Helped to Intercept Truck Driver Who Tested Positive for COVID 19.

Our Reporter.

As part of government efforts to combat the spread of the dreaded COVID19 disease, all truck drivers driving into Uganda via the different border points are required to present themselves to the Ministry of Health officials for testing.

On the 12th of April, 2020 a truck driver enroute to Southern Sudan went through the same procedure before clearance by immigrations and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to proceed with his journey.

24 hours later, the results came back and one of the drivers tested positive. The hunt for the positive immediately kicked off.

The Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) was used to trace the actual movement of the driver from Malaba OSBP up to Corner Kamdini Customs Check point where he was intercepted.

Implemented by Revenue Authorities, for Uganda – URA, the RECTS project is funded by the Department of International Development (DFID) through TradeMark East Africa.  It is now operational in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.

Revenue Authorities representatives from (L to R) DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda following the extension of RECTS to Congo in 2019.

RECTS utilizes the Global Positioning System (GPS) to trace the movement of trucks from their point of entry in a country right up to the point of exit to curb cargo dumping among many other risks along trade routes.

Following this interception, a team led by Hon. Amelia Kyambadde Uganda’s Trade Minister who is also the Chairperson of the National Covid19 Taskforce, met at the URA headquarters to further discuss how they can take advantage of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System in the fight to combat the spread of Covid19.

Kyambadde was accompanied by Gen. Katumba Wamala the Co-chairperson of the Taskforce who is also the Minister of Works and Transport together with other dignitaries from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry Of Health.

The URA Commissioner General, John R Musinguzi took the team on a tour of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System Control Centre and they witnessed how trucks are electronically trailed in real time from the points of entry up to when they exit the country. They also visited the Central Command Targeting Center where they witnessed real time monitoring of activities at the borders.

This monitoring can further provide information to the National Covid19 Taskforce on what is happening at the borders in terms of whether people are practicing and adhering to the medical guidelines issued such as social distancing, washing and sanitizing their hands, who is sneaking into the country and so much more.

The Taskforce together with URA management further discussed how to utilize the tracking system to ensure safety of truck drivers in a bid to combat the spread of Covid19.

“RECTS tracks the driver’s phone and the vehicle. Whereas the system was originally meant to avert the diversion of transit goods into the home market, RECTS has of recent proved that it can be a solution to track drivers in this COVID-19 pandemic. We have received a request from URA for more electronic seals to enable them track more vehicles in transit,” Moses Sabiiti, the TradeMark Country Director for Uganda and South Sudan noted following this development.

TradeMark EA through its CEO, Frank Matsaert a few days ago announced that it will spend USD 20 million on the SAFE TRADE Project aimed at ensuring that Trade continues without endangering lives. This USD 20 million will be shared by the over 11 countries TradeMark EA it operates in, depending on each country’s unique needs.

We have since understood that Uganda’s share of the USD 20 million will be announced before or around the 1st week of May. Part of this allocation will be spent on buying RECTs devices commonly referred to as seals.

TradeMark EA to announce Safe Cross Border Trade Emergency Facility.

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TradeMark EA to announce Safe Cross Border Trade Emergency Facility.

Our Reporter.

With the ugly head of Corona Virus already causing havoc both globally and locally, a lot of adjustments are being implemented to ensure that as many people as possible can walk through this dilemma safe and healthy.

From a trade perspective, TradeMark East Africa is engaging East African Countries on formulating a safe cross-border trade policy that will ensure that even as countries prioritize the combating of the COVID19 pandemic, trade continues without endangering the citizenry.

This was revealed by Frank Matsaert – the TradeMark CEO who in an interview with SMART 24 TV noted that he has had very positive engagements with partners and a safe cross-border trade stimulus is on the cards.

“We are putting resources together to formulate the safe trade emergency facility. We are working with EAC governments and private sector; particularly agencies at the border points. This will help our economies keep moving,” Frank Matsaert said, adding;

“Probably next week, I will be announcing this facility officially. We are stepping up our efforts. This is a critical challenge of our time. We have to think not just about the short term but medium term.”

HiPipo has since confirmed that the TRADEMARK EA SAFE TRADE budget is USD 20 million to be shared by about 11 countries it currently operates in.

Further, according to Frank Matsaert, the best way to fight the economic impact of the corona virus pandemic is by supporting business continuity and front-line staff for now, facilitating safe cross-border trade and focusing on Trade policy reforms.

Support business continuity and front-line staff now.

Allow essential industries to continue to work to ensure the free flow of trade- particularly of food and medical-related items.

Protection of front-line and essential services workers to mitigate spread.

Facilitate safe cross-border trade.

Increase internal and external border agency collaboration.

Streamline and simplify regulatory and border procedures to facilitate trade.

Extend border agency working hours to accommodate COVID measures and additional Port health checks to allow for increased trade flows of critical commodities and for logistics providers to more adequately manage cargo movement.

Focus on Trade policy reforms, such as:

Tariff reductions that can contribute to reducing the cost of goods and services.

Reducing tax and administrative burdens on importers and exporters.

Reducing the cost of food and other products heavily consumed by the poor (price controls if necessary).

Developing macro-economic measures to limit the negative economic and social impact of the COVID19 crisis as it unfolds.

Craft economic recovery and resilience strategies to avert future crises.

Ends.

Free Online Professional Courses for University Engineering Students.

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Free Online Professional Courses for University Engineering Students.

Monday March 2nd, 2020- Kampala; Silver Bullet, a leading agency that brings together multi sectoral partners who support the expansion of engineering capacity, together with Unicaf, has today announced that it will reward fifteen Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation (STEI) university students with free access to online professional development courses this year, under its Student Development Programme (SDP).

The fifteen students will be selected from three different universities: Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Ndejje University, using specific criteria scrutinized by a panel of five judges.

According to Ms. Maryanne Karamagi, Silver Bullet’s Executive Officer, the purpose of this initiative is to inspire, up-scale and up-skill students in Science, Innovation, Engineering and Technology across the country, with the aim of bringing their ideas to life, and thus contributing to the country’s sustainable development goals. Speaking at the launch ceremony of the 2020 Student Development Programme (SDP) in Kampala, Karamagi stated:

“This year the SDP aims at balancing the solution scale by offering non-technical, value-added skills to STEI students. Many of the skills required in the 21st century workplaces are associated with deeper learning and with the mastering of soft skills. It is hard for STEI personnel to integrate into the workplace, when only a handful of them are equipped to ease into non-STEI teams, and this is an impediment. If we want our technologists to innovate for development, we need to equip them with the right skills to become t-thinkers (people who are able to think in and from various professional dimension). This is why we have chosen competence-based courses for professional development for the SDP 2020.”

In 2018, Silver Bullet together with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), as the main sponsor, and Fundi Bots conducted a six-week long Student Development Programme, which attracted 40 students from various universities. This year, the programme will be supported by Unicaf and Silver Bullet. Unicaf is a global educational organisation that delivers affordable, flexible, accessible and credible online Bachelor, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, as well as Professional Development Courses, offered from partner universities in the UK, the USA and Africa.

Ms. Dorothy Mukimba, Unicaf’s Senior Marketing Manager in Uganda poses for a photo with Ms. Maryanne Karamagi, Silver Bullet’s Executive Officer at the launch of the 2020 Student Development Program in Kampala.

Speaking on behalf of Unicaf, Ms. Dorothy Mukimba, Senior Marketing Manager in Uganda, said:

“Science and technology play a vital role in the growth of any economy in the world and we, as a country, cannot afford to ignore it any longer. It’s a key factor of growth in all aspects of the economy, be it agriculture, real estate, tourism and so on, so we need to ensure that we have a reliable pool of talent available, who can provide solutions to the challenges arising in all of these sectors, in the most affordable way. This can only be achieved by equipping interested youths with the right knowledge and skills. As Unicaf, we are therefore pleased to offer fifteen Professional Development Courses to fifteen outstanding Engineering students, through the Unicaf Scholarship Programme. We believe that these courses provide lifelong essential skills, which are not only beneficial in the short term, to ease graduates’ adjustment from university to the workplace, but also to ensure long term business growth. We are excited to be part of the Silver Bullet SDP initiative and can’t wait to see how this impacts the country and the region over the next couple of years.”

The 2020 Student Development Programme will run from the 9th of March 2020 to the 10th of April 2020. The three courses offered, Leadership Skills, Professional Communication and Psychology of the Workplace, will be delivered fully online by Unicaf and participants will study at no cost.

Silver Bullet is a Ugandan not-for-profit organisation that educates and inspires youth to follow careers in Science and Engineering; empowers early career graduates and budding innovators to capably join the work force; and works with professionals to nurture the next generation of engineering and computing professionals.

Silver Bullet employs interactive and engaging educational activities to introduce and demonstrate the principles and applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) to young learners, provides unique training opportunities for career professionals and budding innovators, and enables practicing professionals to maintain proficiency in relevant fields

Construction of UGX 32 Billion Gulu Logistics Hub underway.

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Construction of UGX 32 Billion Gulu Logistics Hub underway.

Our Reporter.

Ambitious Construction Company, the successful contractor for the UGX 32 Billion (USD 8.8 million) Gulu Logistics Hub was last week officially handed the 12.24 site on which this multi-modal logistics and freights hub will sit.

The handover of the construction site, availed by Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) effectively kicked-off the actual construction phase of the Gulu Logistics Hub, with completion expected within the next 18 months.

“Gulu Logistics Hub will help unlock the production potential of northern Uganda. There is a lot of untapped potential that will be unlocked by this multi modal hub & other Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) projects, Eng Charles Kateeba , the managing director of URC said.

On completion, this freight and logistics facility will have a spacious container yard, container freight station (CFS), container cleaning and repair station, a vehicle holding section, an administration complex and an access road connecting the hub to the main roads to South Sudan and Kampala.

” Gulu Logistics Hub forms a bigger part of the development projects for northern Uganda. European Union and United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) have through TradeMark East Africa funded the Hub. Government of Uganda is funding the access roads, “Nelson Rwenaga, Assistant Commissioner Road and Air Transport at Ministry of Works and Transport noted.

The Gulu Logistics hub will also have a railway sub-station; directly connected to the Tororo-Gulu metre gauge line, which will receive and dispatch in and outbound trains in addition to having sufficient space for loading and unloading wagons.

Following the successful handover of the construction site to the contractors, Moses Sabiiti, the country director for TradeMark East Africa, Uganda and South Sudan programs noted that the biggest beneficiaries of this project will be the millions of Ugandans staying in northern Uganda, South Sudan and parts of Congo.

“Gulu Logistics Hub will reduce the cost of transportation of cargo for traders in northern Uganda and neighbouring countries. At the end, the final consumers will enjoy reduced prices and variety of goods,” Moses Sabiiti said, adding;

“Currently, many trucks that transport goods to northern Uganda, South Sudan and parts of DR Congo return to their ports of origin empty. With the Gulu Logistics Hub in place, these trucks will be able to pick goods here and transport them to the port.”

Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the Gulu LC5 chairperson welcomed the development noting that such projects are much welcome in Gulu and the entire northern region.

” On behalf of the people of Gulu, I assure you our friends and partners that we will do everything possible to support the implementation of all development projects. Gulu is trying to be very strategic. We want more projects and more production.” Ojara said.

He nonetheless, urged the contractor to ensure local content and health safety issues are prioritized.

” I challenge the contractors for the Gulu Logistics Hub and other projects underway to seriously consider giving opportunities to the locals. Our people are very WELCOMING, HARD WORKING & READY TO SERVE. Health and Environment standards should be respected too” Ojara concluded.

Better Trade days for the region.

Since the end of the war in northern Uganda and the return of relative stability in South Sudan and eastern DR Congo, Uganda has been playing a vital role as a distribution hub for the two areas.

According to a World Bank study – Uganda Diagnostic Trade Integration Study – importers in South Sudan and DRC keep supplies in bonded facilities in Kampala before bringing them into either country as and when needed.

However, with the assurances of shorter lead times, Uganda has seen transit volumes grow, which has led to the emergence of a distribution industry especially in Jinja and Kampala.

Nonetheless, the over dependence on Kampala and Jinja distribution hubs which sit some 334kms and 388kms away from Gulu respectively and sometimes opting for goods moving from as far as Mombasa Port directly to northern Uganda, South Sudan or eastern DR Congo, continues to have its own shortfalls.

In essence, the operationalisation of the Gulu Logistics Hub will be a great relief to both Traders and Goods Final Consumers as they will enjoy reduced costs of transportation and lower prices respectively. The Gulu Logistics Hub is also expected to address these issues that continue to hamper the seamless distribution of cargo in northern Uganda, South Sudan, and parts of DR Congo.

Nimule Customs Officials to receive One Stop Border Post Training.

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Nimule Customs Officials to receive One Stop Border Post Training.

HiPipo Reporter.

TradeMark East Africa will partner with the East African Community secretariat to train Nimule customs’ officials on One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) implementation and management, Damali Ssali, the acting Country Director for TradeMark East Africa, Uganda revealed.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Nimule OSBP, Damali Ssali noted that following the completion of the infrastructure construction, focus will now shift to training trade facilitation officers so as to ensure that the OSBP is optimally utilized.

“The biggest challenge to cross border trade is redtape and bureaucracy. I am glad that the Nimule OSBP will help tackle that issue. We hope that very soon, we shall have customs officials from both countries in this facility clearing goods and facilitating trade,” Damali Ssali said, adding;

“TradeMark EA in partnership with the EAC secretariat is committed and will train officials at the Nimule border in the one stop border post act and controls so that we cut down at the very least 50 per cent of the time take to cross this border, among other benefits.” 

H.E. Dr. James Igga, the Vice President of South Sudan noted that the modern border crossing catalyzed by the new infrastructure and the planned training of customs officials will greatly speed up cargo clearance and improve service delivery to citizens of South Sudan and traders doing business in the country.

The US$ 5 million Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Project, was funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA and undertaken in partnership with the South Sudan Ministry of Transport.

TradeMark EA through its donors and in partnership with the East Africa Community has since 2010 to date invested over US$117 million in the upgrading of 15 OSBPs and access roads in East Africa. These include: Busia/Busia(Kenya/Uganda), Malaba/Malaba (Kenya/Uganda), Kagitumba/Mirama Hills (Rwanda/Uganda), Mutukula/Mutukula (Uganda/Tanzania), Holili/Taveta (Kenya/Uganda), Elegu/Nimule (Uganda/South Sudan), Kobero/Kabanga (Burundi/Tanzania) and Tunduma (Zambia).

Nimule OSBP to boost trade between Uganda and South Sudan.

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Nimule OSBP to boost trade between Uganda and South Sudan.

HiPipo Reporter.

“It is only those that have never experienced war that overlook the importance of peace,” Beca Cunnyua, an informal cross border trader at Nimule told our reporter when asked about the impact of the recent developments at the Uganda-South Sudan border.

The trader was indeed spot on. Following the recent peace pact between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President, now main rival Riek Machar, a lot of progress has been registered in South Sudan.

Among the positive things that have come with the current peace enjoyed in South Sudan is the construction of the Nimule One Stop Border Post, access roads and a cargo verification centre at a cost of USD 5 million.

This morning, TradeMark East Africa handed over the recently completed Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) to the Government of South Sudan in an event officiated by H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Hon Amelia Kyambadde, Minister for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives, Republic of Uganda.

Nimule is the most important border crossing for South Sudan, controlling over 90% of all trade cargo destined for the country. Inadequate border infrastructure, insufficient technical equipment, poor border design, duplicated border procedures and non-coordination of the border agencies has resulted in congestion, slow down movement of people and goods, thus raising the cost of business. It would take an average 4 days to process imports through the border prior to the construction of the Nimule OSBP.

Further, in a nation heavily dependent of humanitarian assistance for food and basic commodities, significant delays in clearance of goods often occasioned irregular supply of basic goods to the local population. With instability in the region, movement of humanitarian aid was also greatly hampered.

The US$ 5 million Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Project, was funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA and undertaken in partnership with the South Sudan Ministry of Transport.

The project scope included a modern office block to house various government agencies involved in cross border trade among them Customs, Immigration, Bureau of Standards, Security Agents, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Health. Other agencies active at the border include the World Food programme and Clearing Agents.
The Nimule OSBP project also features access roads to the facility, a parking yard that can accommodate 150 cargo truck s as well as an examination yard for cargo processed through the border.

Speaking during the project hand over, H.E. Dr. James Igga, noted that the modern border crossing would greatly speed up cargo clearance and improve service delivery to citizens of South Sudan and traders doing business in the country.
“I am happy to note that with this new one stop border post, goods and travellers to our nation will be processed faster and in a more efficient manner, hence greatly facilitating trade. Modern border management is a critical factor in oiling the wheels of trade in our country. As a government we are committed to continuous reforms that improve services to our people and business competitiveness”.


On her part, Uganda’s Trade, Industry and Co-operatives Minister, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, explained that the improved border post would greatly enhance trade between the two countries.

South Sudan is among our most important trading partners. With these modern facilities, citizens from both countries and indeed the wider East African region will be able to move their goods and services more efficiently, spurring our economies for the benefit of our people.”


TMEA South Sudan Country Representative, John Bosco Kalisa observed that the improved Nimule OSBP is not only contributing to enhanced trade but is also becoming a great stabiliser in a sensitive region.

“Already citizens of both countries are trading more with each other. This allows little room for conflict as each player sees the other first and foremost as a business partner. Further enhanced trade is improving the economic welfare of trading communities in the region.”


Kalisa also observed that the project is already registering early wins for women traders who constitute a significant portion of cross boarder traders at Nimule, “It is heartening to see more women engage in cross-border trade and expand their businesses, given years of instability that had exposed many to harsh economic realities. At TMEA, women are especially important in our programs and its rewarding to see they are among the groups to benefit from this project”.

Meanwhile, Damali Ssali, the acting Country Director for TradeMark East Africa, Uganda noted that in addition to the Nimule and Elegu one stop border posts, TradeMark EA through the Uganda Ministry of Trade has constructed an Aggregation Centre – a facilitate that will enable informal cross border traders from both countries to store and sell their products.

“The one stop border post is not just for big formal traders but is also designed to facilitate small scale informal traders from both Uganda and South Sudan.” Damali Ssali noted.

TMEA through its donors and in partnership with the East Africa Community has since 2010 to date invested over US$117 million in the upgrading of 15 OSBPs and access roads in East Africa. These include: Busia/Busia(Kenya/Uganda), Malaba/Malaba (Kenya/Uganda), Kagitumba/Mirama Hills (Rwanda/Uganda), Mutukula/Mutukula (Uganda/Tanzania), Holili/Taveta (Kenya/Uganda), Elegu/Nimule (Uganda/South Sudan), Kobero/Kabanga (Burundi/Tanzania) and Tunduma (Zambia).

The concept of one stop border post (OSBP) is that traffic crossing the border need only stop at one border post staffed with officials from both countries. This reduces time to cross borders and transport costs to businesses. Ultimately this increases wealth and reduces poverty.

TMEA interventions in East Africa has resulted in an average 70% reduction in time it takes to cross select borders and a 26% cost reduction the cost of transporting a 40-foot container along key corridors in the region. A recent Independent evaluation report by UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) found its model has proven to be both solid and effective in trade facilitation.

TradeMark (Trade and Markets) East Africa is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established in 2010, with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TMEA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America.

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