Experts say the interest rates are very high Kampala, Uganda |Isaac Khisa| Micro-credit is fast becoming a darling to millions of Uganda’s population following the rollout of new credit windows between financial institutions and telecom firms. But financial experts are worried that the new products may not create as much …
Read More »Slow insurance growth in Uganda
Slow insurance growth, but Industry executives expect business to pick up Kampala, Uganda| Isaac Khisa| Uganda insurers recorded a 3.6% growth in premiums in 2016, their slowest growth rate in five years, citing harsh economic environment, slow implementation of infrastructural projects and reduced private sector credit. Full year industry performance …
Read More »BUSINESS: Tax hike in Kampala
Traders say increase in taxes, fees, will increase the cost of doing business The cost of living in Kampala is set to rise if the City Authority Council passes the new proposal seeking to slap new taxes and hike the existing ones on various services in a bid to raise …
Read More »Deal on US$2.3bn standard Gauge Rail near
Kenya-Uganda in final discussions with Chinese bank The Uganda government, which plans to start construction of a multi-billion dollar rail project to Kenya, has to wait until its neighbour agrees to extend the railway line to the border at Malaba for the financier to avail the funds, according to the …
Read More »Hope Murera: Africa’s insurance industry
Africa’s insurance industry need fewer players to offer better services-Zep Re CEO Hope Murera It is six months since Hope Murera was appointed the chief executive officer of the Nairobi based-Zep Re (PTA Reinsurance Company) that is charged with the task of promoting trade, development and integration within the Common Market …
Read More »Uganda’s 2017/ 18 budget
Business leaders want economic reforms to boost the economy Planned government borrowing and increased taxes to fund the Shs29 trillion budget for financial year 2017/2018 have left investors and business leaders worried about the coming year, ahead of the budget announcement next week, an informal survey by The Independent has …
Read More »Rockefeller Foundation to boost Uganda’s electricity access
The Foundation plans to replicate the Smart Power India initiative in Africa starting with Uganda and Kenya The Rockefeller Foundation plans to create a Smart Power Africa initiative on the continent starting with Uganda and Kenya, according to its President Rajiv J. Shah. Shah, who was in Uganda on May …
Read More »AVIATION: Open the East African skies
Aviation experts say the Open Skies initiative will increase passenger traffic and increase connectivity in the region Flying from Entebbe to Nairobi is generally considered as a massive undertaking. This is because a passenger has to pay an average of US$400 (Shs1.4million) for a return ticket for a journey that …
Read More »Nakumatt embarks on Shs51.1billion cost cutting drive
Two outlets to be closed in Kampala in the new plan Regional retail chain, Nakumatt Holdings, is targeting Ksh1.5billion (Shs51.1bn) in cost cuts annually with the closure of several branches across East Africa starting this month. The chain has already closed Katwe outlet in Kampala over accumulated rent arrears estimated …
Read More »Trade ministry bows to pressure, allows duty free rice imports
Trade ministry bows to pressure, allows duty free import of unprocessed rice Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives now says it has allowed the duty-free import of up to 50,000 metric tonnes of unprocessed rice, commonly known as ‘brown rice’, to boost supplies and check prices amid a fall …
Read More »