Browsing: News

A recent report reveals that while Uganda’s agricultural sector generated UGX 5.5 trillion in 2019/2020, most farmers earn too little to contribute to a social insurance scheme. With incomes that fluctuate seasonally and remain unstable, many small-scale farmers struggle to save. The study suggests targeting high-income crops like bananas, coffee, and sugarcane for initial insurance schemes, while offering flexible, subsidized contributions to make social insurance accessible.

Uganda is set to receive over $600 million in aid from the World Bank and French Development Agency to overhaul its waste management infrastructure in Kampala. With the city producing 600 metric tonnes of waste daily and recent disasters like the Kiteezi landfill tragedy, this funding aims to implement safer, more sustainable disposal practices and prevent future crises.

Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo has emphasized the need for a political solution to the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo’s North Kivu region. During a meeting with Irish Ambassador H.E. Kevin Colgan, the minister revealed plans for a summit in Kampala, aimed at fostering dialogue among conflict parties. The discussion also highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Uganda and Ireland, with both nations exploring new avenues for collaboration.

The 2024 UNAIDS report reveals a disturbing shift in the global HIV landscape, with more new infections occurring outside sub-Saharan Africa than within it for the first time. As 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2023, challenges in prevention, declining condom use, and significant funding gaps highlight the need for urgent global action.

In a significant shift in media consumption, newspapers are no longer the primary news source for East Africans. A recent report highlights that in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, radio and TV have emerged as the dominant mediums. While newspapers have lost their former prominence, radio remains the main news source for Tanzanians and Ugandans, followed by TV and word of mouth. In Kenya, TV leads, surpassing both radio and print. Social media is also gaining traction, particularly in Kenya. This transformation reflects broader changes in media consumption patterns across the region.

A recent report highlights the pivotal role of mobile money in advancing financial inclusion across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, despite significant disparities in formal banking access. Kenya leads with the highest bank account ownership, while mobile money remains crucial in all three countries. The report also uncovers regional challenges in public services, such as healthcare access and improved water supply, with Tanzania notably lagging behind in rural areas. Despite these hurdles, citizens across the region express strong national pride, though their sense of identity varies significantly between countries.

Economic challenges, particularly inflation and the high cost of living, dominate public concerns across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, according to the Sauti za Wananchi report. The decade-long study reveals that citizens in these East African nations are increasingly worried about their economic futures, with unemployment, food insecurity, and governance issues also ranking high.

In a landmark ruling, the High Court criticized Parliament’s handling of UGX 1.7 billion in controversial “ex-gratia” payments to political leaders, highlighting significant procedural flaws and accountability lapses. The ruling calls for disciplinary action against the Clerk to Parliament and proposes new measures to prevent misuse of public funds in the future.

A new study by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) reveals that households engaged in cane growing in Uganda are generally more food secure than their non-cane-growing counterparts. However, the findings also highlight significant food insecurity challenges, particularly in regions like Bunyoro and Busoga. The study emphasizes the importance of effective land use and coordination between farmers and millers to ensure that the economic benefits of cane growing do not come at the cost of food security.

A recent study by the Economic Policy Research Centre highlights a troubling rise in non-communicable diseases among Ugandan children, largely attributed to unregulated fast-food advertising. The research emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations on child-directed marketing and front-of-pack labeling to combat the increasing rates of childhood obesity and poor nutrition.