Construction of Tooke processing plant in Bushenyi District is set to be finalized in October this year. Construction stalled in 2009 for about two years over some court battles which saw Dott services, the construction company, awarded the Ugx. 23 billion contract. This is another initiative being undertaken in western Uganda after the ground breaking ceremony last week at Rushere dairy factory in Bwesharire, Rushere town council in Kiruhura district which will have the ability to process over 50,000 litres of milk a day. Farmers in the western region have yet another reason to smile as this will bring about…

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has denied claims that it paid Ugx 12 billion to ghost workers. Ms. Sarah Birungi, Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs said it is the responsibilities of the Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to pay their suppliers not URA. Ms Sarah noted although it could be true that there are some suppliers that are not registered and therefore difficult to be taxed, it is not correct to say URA paid them because the body does not deal with them. There have claims that URA irregularly paid Ugx 12 billion to non-existent firms in Northern Uganda and…

Speech by President Paul Kagame [NB: This Speech by President Paul Kagame is one of the best speeches I’ve read. It has great message for development, considering where Rwanda has come from and where it is heading. The message on accountability is critical. Please read, and see the thinking big mindset.] 20th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi Kigali, 7 April 2014 • Excellencies Heads of State and Government; • Excellency Secretary-General of the United Nations; • Excellency Chairperson of the African Union Commission; • Former Heads of State and Government; • Distinguished Government Officials from around the world;…

It is quite up sad that thousands of civil servants in 36 districts could miss their April 2014 salaries. This follows the failure by Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) to submit their payroll details to the Finance Ministry.  Civil servants likely to be affected included teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers and public prosecutors. Districts such as Hoima, Tororo, Masaka, Mukono, Pader, Soroti, Nebbi are likely to suffer the consequences. The Finance Permanent Secretary, Mr. Keith Muhakanzi on 23rd April 2014 instructed CAOs to finalize the payrolls. He added that by 25th April 2014 the payroll details should be already submitted to…

On 22nd April 2014, the Managing Director Cairo International Bank was expected to appear before court for plea after being summoned by a court order by Chief Magistrate of Ant-Corruption court. The Managing Director, Mr.Muhamed Terek and other bank officials failed to turn up. They were expected to appear before the Chief Magistrate at the Anti-Corruption Division on Tuesday 22nd April 2014. They were to answer charges of conspiring with Ministry of Public Service officials to steal more than Ugx 165 billion. Prosecution says the bank and its managing director made arrangements with other nine senior officials in the Ministry…

The Uganda Revenue Authority boss, Allen Kagina told Parliament’s finance committee on Tuesday 22nd April, 2014 that URA has incurred a revenue shortfall of Ugx 270 billions during period from November 2013 to April 2014. When asked to explain, Allen attributed the shortfall to commercial banks that provided bad debts and this affected the revenue collections by URA. She also cited the sale of Warid to Airtel Uganda having reduced taxes from the telecommunication industry. This implies that after the acquisition, the total revenue by the swap reduced, and there was no synergy. Companies that were previously making profits declared…