Author: Lucas Musisi

LUCAS MUSISI In the latest edition of the World Bank’s Uganda Economic Update, disconcerting statistics shed light on the educational landscape in Uganda. Merely 60 percent of children who embark on primary education manage to persevere until the culmination of P7. This attrition rate underscores a significant challenge in sustaining consistent educational participation among Ugandan youth. Furthermore, the report highlights that only 17 percent of young adults aged 25 to 34 have attained at least one grade of secondary education, indicating a considerable gap in educational attainment beyond the primary level. A deeper analysis reveals that financial constraints serve as…

LUCAS MUSISI KAMPALA – The just-released 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) presents a comprehensive snapshot of Uganda’s socio-demographic landscape. Conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the report sheds light on various aspects of education, family planning, health, and gender dynamics within the country. Education remains a significant concern, with approximately 13 percent of the total population classified as illiterate, according to the UDHS. Gender disparities persist, with nine percent of women and four percent of men lacking formal education. The report attributes this gap to factors such as the Universal Primary Education program, which has facilitated…

LUCAS MUSISI In an electrifying turn of events for the Uganda Cranes, UK-based defender Nathan Asiimwe has been called up for his debut appearance with the national team. The promising 19-year-old, currently showcasing his defensive skills at Charlton Athletic in the English Football League One, joins the squad as they gear up for their high-stakes international friendlies against Comoros and Ghana on March 22 and 27. Coach Paul Put has revealed a dynamic 27-player roster, poised to bolster the Cranes’ lineup. The squad is a blend of local talent and international flair, featuring goalkeepers Tom Ikara of BUL FC and…

LUCAS MUSISI Kampala: Betty Amongi Ongom, the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, has underscored Uganda’s renewed commitment to advancing gender equality through targeted initiatives aimed at empowering women economically. Speaking at a media briefing preceding the International Women’s Day celebrations on March 8, 2024, held at the Boma Grounds in Katakwi District, Amongi Ongom emphasized the pivotal role of economic empowerment in fostering women’s participation in the nation’s development trajectory. With women comprising 51.2 percent of Uganda’s population, as delineated in the 2014 census, and the female demographic surging to 24.5 million in 2023, the government is cognizant…

LUCAS MUSISI KAMPALA –The Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Bill of 2023, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at regulating and supervising the use of human-assisted reproductive technology, has been a subject of significant debate and discussion among medical professionals, policymakers, and the public alike. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), HART includes all fertility treatments in which either eggs or embryos are handled. In general, HART procedures involve surgically removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries, combining them with sperm in the laboratory, and returning them to the woman’s body or donating them to another woman. The bill…

LUCAS MUSISI KAMPALA – In the latest release of the World Bank’s Uganda Economic Update for December 2023, concerns are raised over the sustainability of Uganda’s fiscal consolidation efforts due to challenges in revenue collection. Despite government endeavors to narrow the fiscal deficit, driven by a decline in development spending and increased recurrent expenditures, revenue collection remains stagnant at 14 percent of GDP, falling short of targets outlined in the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy (DRMS). The fiscal consolidation strategy primarily hinges on reducing development spending, raising doubts about the government’s ability to uphold its commitment to a deficit of 3…

LUCAS MUSISI KAMPALA-C-Care IHK Hospital and Kampala Audiology & Speech Centre have collaborated to conduct 34 cochlear surgeries since 2017, providing hope and restoring hearing ability to individuals in Kampala. On March 2nd, 2024, two children regained their hearing following successful procedures at C-Care IHK, a pioneer in cochlear implant surgeries in Uganda. These surgeries, carried out in partnership with Kampala Audiology and Speech Centre (KASC) and Medel, coincided with World Hearing Day, eliciting joy among the beneficiaries and their families. Cochlear implant surgery entails implanting an electronic device in the ear to enhance or restore hearing ability, particularly for…

LUCAS MUSISI KAMPALA – Refugees in Uganda encounter a complex array of challenges, stemming from various sources. These difficulties are compounded by dwindling funding for refugee programs and the growing unpredictability of weather conditions. In response to this pressing situation, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated collaborative efforts with the government of Uganda and other key stakeholders. Their aim is to facilitate the transition of refugees and host communities from reliance on humanitarian aid to self-sufficiency in meeting their nutritional needs. One significant initiative in this endeavor is the Self-Reliance Model, which has secured substantial funding exceeding…

Bank lends out Shs 691 billion to 201 Projects Nationwide  BY LUCAS MUSISI On February 29th, 2024, in Mubende, Uganda, the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) revealed substantial growth metrics for the year 2023, showcasing a robust expansion in gross loan disbursements and total assets, alongside the initiation of new programs aimed at bolstering private sector endeavors. Over the course of 2023, UDB sanctioned funding totaling UGX691 billion to underpin 201 projects nationwide. The institution’s unaudited 2023 results disclosed an 8% surge in assets, escalating from UGX1.52 trillion in 2022 to UGX1.64 trillion in the preceding year. This uptick was propelled…

LUCAS MUSISI Kampala, Uganda –The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has announced its active participation in the upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This significant event, set to take place from November 30th to December 12th, 2023, is expected to gather global leaders and key stakeholders in a united effort to tackle the challenges of climate change. Tasked with the responsibility of managing the nation’s scarce and non-renewable resources, UIA is gearing up for an aggressive promotional campaign at COP 28. The Authority aims to secure climate-related investment deals worth…