On 10th May 2017, British American Tobacco Uganda (BATU), the makers of Safari and Sportsman cigarettes, reported a 20% decline in its net profits to Ugx 7.8 billion in 2016 down from Ugx 9.8 billion in 2015, hurt by a 7% and 13% decline in cigarette volumes and revenues respectively. At its 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday 10th May 2017, the board of directors recommended a final dividend of Ugx159 per share which was absconded by the company’s shareholders at the same AGM. Mr DadsonMwaura, the BATU managing director noted that “despite the decline in profits, the company’s…

Hospitals, major companies and government offices have been hit by a massive wave of cyberattacks across the globe that seize control of computers until the victims pay a ransom. Cybersecurity firm Avast said it had identified more than 75,000 ransomware attacks in 99 countries, making it one of the broadest and most damaging cyberattacks in history. Avast said the majority of the attacks targeted Russia, Ukraine and Taiwan. But U.K. hospitals, Chinese universities and global firms like Fedex (FDX) also reported they had come under assault. Europol said Saturday that the attack was of an “unprecedented level and requires international investigation.” The ransomware, called “WannaCry,”…