How do you use powerful examples and analogies to drive your point home in your communication? Yesterday, I was looking for someone to help with small fixes in my car. I drive a Subaru sport. When I called this mechanic, said I have been referred to you as a very good Subaru mechanic. He replied, “If you need somebody who understands Subarus like a fish in water, I am the guy. I will come, check your Subaru and ensure everything is fine by the time I leave. You will enjoy your Subaru as it is new.” It was so clear…
WannaCry/WannaCrypt Ransomware Q&A
Q. What Happened? A. On Friday May 12th 2017, several organizations were affected by a new Ransomware strain. The Ransomware was very successful in part because it used a SMB vulnerability to spread inside networks. The vulnerability was patched by Microsoft in March for supported versions of Windows. The exploit, known under the name ETERNALBLUE, was released in April as part of a leak of NSA tools. Variants have been seen spreading Saturday/Sunday. Q.How many infections? A. Several large organizations world wide are known to be affected. No obvious targeting. The organizations are from various countries and appear not to be…
From Cryptolocker to Wannacrypt or Wannacry. It’s has been around for long…
The world has been under attack since 12th May 2017. A ransomware attack that started hitting developed countries from Europe, to America and spread through to Asia, India, Japan and China, has heighted the debate over cybercrime, internet regulation and cybersecurity readiness. The WannaCry, a short for WannaCrypt ransomware, has locked thousands of computers in more than 150 countries. Users are confronted with a screen demanding a US $300 payment to restore their files. Because the only patch for human stupidity is on-going awareness training, and the fact that most people are lazy at not only attending and concentrating during…
IMF lowers Uganda’s economic growth forecast
Uganda’s economy will grow at 3.5% for the financial year ending June 30th 2017 according to the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report. Uganda’s economy was estimated to grow at 5% for the FY 2016/17. Due to the prolonged drought and slow private credit growth in the second quarter of 2017, it brings the economic forecast down to 3.5% from the earlier 5%. According to IMF, the improving weather conditions could still push the economy reach the previous economic forecast of 5%. Headline inflation currently stands at 6.8%, and core inflation at 4.5%. The government also says it needs to…
Killer Analytics wins big at Transform Africa Summit 2017
Killer Analytics, a Ugandan tech start-up, was named the winner of the ‘Face the Gorillas’ competition at the Transform Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda. The event that was concluded on 12th May 2017 saw a host of many start-ups compete for the same prize. Killer Analytics, with their solution ‘Smart Credit’ thus emerged the best. The company, led by Fred Otim offers a software platform that analyses and processes SME transactional data to individualized credit data and financial statements. Killer Analytics team received Ugx360m investment at the Summit. Platforms like Smart Credit if adopted will improve business sustainability…
BATU’s profit declines by 20% in 2016
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…