Author: Lucas Musisi

In the latest World Bank Food Security Update as of April 29, 2024, the global food security landscape continues to face significant challenges. Key indicators such as the agriculture and cereal price indices have risen slightly, reflecting ongoing volatility in food markets. This trend is particularly pronounced in Uganda, where food price inflation has seen dramatic fluctuations over the past year, impacting the affordability and accessibility of food for many of its citizens. According to the 2024 Global Report on Food Crises, acute hunger is on the rise globally, with nearly 282 million people affected across 59 countries—an increase from…

Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer, yet this could be prevented through routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations. UNICEF’s latest report emphasizes the critical role of HPV vaccines in combating cervical cancer, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to these life-saving vaccines remains limited. Despite global progress, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. In 2022, it claimed approximately 350,000 lives and introduced 660,000 new cases, predominantly affecting families and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and South-East Asia, where the mortality rates are alarmingly high. The predominant cause of cervical…

In Uganda, the persistent issue of infant mortality remains a pressing concern, with profound implications for families and communities. A report authored by Phionah Namuliira and Hildah Namuleme, published on the ERPRC website, underscores the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that while strides have been made, substantial efforts are still required to confront the underlying socioeconomic determinants of this challenge. According to data from the 2022 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), infant mortality stands at 43 deaths per 1,000 live births, a decline from the previous figure of 54 deaths per 1,000 live births recorded in 2015/16. Nonetheless, this rate…

His goals, assists, and silky skills have come in handy as Kitara FC edges closer to their first major title in the Uganda top-flight football division. This is Paul Mucureezi, the former midfielder for Mutundwe Lions, KCCA FC, Mbarara City FC, and Vipers SC. As Kitara FC’s midfield maestro, Mucureezi has scored 10 vital goals (across all competitions) and provided numerous assists for the Masindi-based team this season. Paul Mucureezi’s significant contributions have propelled Kitara FC from preseason underdogs to top contenders for the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title. The club is also in the finals of the Stanbic Uganda…

LUCAS MUSISI Over 25,000 youth and adolescents are poised to benefit from a Shs 84.1 billion Uganda-UN joint adolescent and youth program. This initiative is set to impact eight districts: Yumbe, Terego, Kotido, Moroto, Kampala, Lamwo, Kiryandongo, and Namayingo. The program’s focus areas include social protection, adolescent health, skilling and economic empowerment, and climate, peace, and security. Participants will receive training that empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights. UNICEF reports that Uganda has the second-youngest population in the world, with over 78 percent of its citizens under the age of 35, a…

LUCAS MUSISI KAMPALA – Salaam Bank Uganda has been named the Best New Islamic Bank in 2023 at the esteemed Islamic Finance News (IFN) Global Awards 2024. This accolade was given in recognition of the bank’s dedication to offering innovative and customer-focused Shariah-compliant financial solutions. It also acknowledges the bank’s substantial contributions to the advancement of the Islamic finance sector in Uganda, according to officials. The award ceremony took place on the evening of Thursday, April 25, in Dubai. The event saw other notable winners including Standard Chartered Bank, which secured the best Islamic Investment category, HSBC, winner of the…

LUCAS MUSISI Nkumba University clinched the title of the 2023/24 Pepsi University Football League, triumphing over UCU with a commanding 3-1 victory in the final showdown held on Saturday, April 19 at the MTN Phillip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo. It’s been a journey of perseverance for Nkumba, who have been part of the league since its inception in 2012. Now, they stand tall as the reigning champions of the University Football League. Kenneth Ssebaduuka, Ismael Lubega, and Isaac Musuga emerged as the heroes for Nkumba, each contributing crucial goals that sealed the fate of Uganda Christian University (UCU) in the…

LUCAS MUSISI Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, delivered an insightful analysis on Friday, April 12, at the Ministry of Finance headquarters, providing an update on the state of the economy and the expenditure limits for Quarter 4 FY 2023/24. Ggoobi highlighted the sustained trajectory of economic recovery in the first half of the year, attributing it partly to the continued implementation of growth-enhancing government programs and a rise in private sector activity. During the period under review, the economy exhibited notable resilience, as evidenced by the GDP growth rates of 5.3% and 5.5% in the first and…

LUCAS MUSISI The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), with the support of the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance (MoICT&NG), has successfully launched the Online Business Registration System (OBRS), a transformative platform funded by the Government of Uganda. The OBRS, accessible at www.obrs.ursb.go.ug, represents a major advancement in streamlining the process of business registration, insolvency practice, and management services in Uganda. Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary, emphasized the system’s accessibility and efficiency, noting that “entrepreneurs and business owners can now access registration services anytime, anywhere, with just a few clicks.” This development marks a significant shift in…

LUCAS MUSISI In 2024, Bangladesh emerged as a significant overseas market for Uganda’s tourism industry, according to the MTWA Statistical Abstract released by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities. Moving up from the 7th position in 2022, Bangladesh claimed the top spot among the top ten potential tourism overseas markets for Uganda in 2023. Other countries like Australia and Belgium maintained their rankings in both 2022 and 2023. “Australia, and Belgium retained the same positions in both years. Nepal and South Korea rose in their rankings in 2023 when compared with 2022 while Italy, Turkey, Denmark and Sweden fell,”…