The Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is seeking an additional Shs23.7 billion to settle tax obligations for 120,000 tablet computers procured for the upcoming national population census scheduled for May this year.

The tablet computers cost Shs132 billion. 

With the Executive Director of UBOS, Chris Mukiza, at the forefront, alongside officials from the finance ministry, they appeared before the Committeeon Finance, Planning and Economic Development to present their Ministerial Policy Statement on Wednesday, April 03, 2024.

In August, UBOS purchased 38,000 tablets priced at US$540 each and 82,000 tablets at US$164 each, which are set to be used by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Electoral Commission after the census.

Despite UBOS’s plea for a tax waiver, the finance ministry opted for a deferral, prompting concerns about future compliance with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) requirements. 

Mukiza warned of potential disruptions to UBOS operations, adding that it is still a struggle for some of their consignments to get through customs. 

“At customs, for each consignment to come, we have to write and they do a provisional release. They have given us up to September 2024, and so they may come and close Statistics House,” he said.

The Minister of State for Finance, Amos Lugolobi, remained firm, stating that granting waivers would establish an undesirable precedent for other entities. 

“The minister wrote and said this one we shall accommodate. He delayed the payment of the tax. He does not need to be unnecessarily worried,” Lugolobi said.

However, the committee chairperson, Hon. Amos Kankunda, expressed solidarity with UBOS, asserting the need to alleviate the bureau’s tax burden. He pledged the committee’s cooperation with the government to resolve the issue, emphasising UBOS’s vulnerability within its reporting structure to the Ministry of Finance.

Hon. Mpindi Bumali (Indep., PWDs) questioned the cost and types of the tablets and whether they will be sold or given out in the future.

According to Lugolobi, the tablets will be used by three entities of UBOS, NIRA and EC, and that the procurement was sanctioned by Cabinet especially because it will not be used only once.

“This is a synchronised approach, Cabinet had to put the three together including NIRA, UBOS and Electoral Commission to synchronise their approach on the procurement of these devices. They all belong to government anyway,” he said.

Meanwhile appearing before the same committee, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) led by its Executive Director, Benson Turyame, has called on the committee to consider additional funding of Shs13.6 billion increasing the coverage of procurement audits, monitor the implementation of local content in in Public procurement among others.

The projected budget for the authority is Shs24.1 billion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Kenya and Ghana have signed seven agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.

President William Ruto said the MoUs, including some signed by business associations from Kenya and Ghana, are aimed at facilitating trade and investment between the two nations.

The goal, he said, is to expand opportunities for business, the private sector and peoples of the two nations.

Other MoUs include cooperation in science and technology, tourism, education, governance and defence.

“During my discussions with President Nana Akufo-Addo, we have noted that these agreements are significant in the evolution of our diplomatic ties, which stand on warm and cordial, dynamic and impactful historic collaboration,” he said.

He made the remarks during a press conference at President Akufo-Addo’s office after the two leaders held talks during President Ruto’s State Visit to Ghana.

President Ruto commended Ghana’s decision to remove visa requirements for all Africans by the end of the year, a move aimed at enhancing the continent’s integration.

“This commitment aligns with one of the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area to create a single market in the continent and to drive economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication,” he said.

Kenya, too, did away with visa requirements for visitors from all countries in January this year.

President Ruto pointed out that the free movement of people has contributed to growth in trade, investment and tourism between Kenya and Ghana.

He said the two nations will use the opportunities provided by the Africa Continental Free Trade to further boost trade between Kenya and Ghana.

“President Akufo-Addo and I are encouraged that under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, our two countries have taken bold measures to explore these opportunities,” he said.

In October 2022, the President flagged off the inaugural shipment of Kenyan tea from Nairobi to Ghana.

“On 23rd September, 2023, Kenyan-made Chloride Exide batteries worth about KSh9.3 million landed in the Ghanaian Port of Tema, while Little Cab, a taxi-hailing service from Kenya, is now also operational in Ghana,” he added.

President Ruto said the two nations are determined to collaborate in tackling internal conflicts, wars, terrorism and violent extremism, aiming to safeguard peace and stability and thus promote regional development.

“It has become clear in our discussions that we have to redouble our efforts to silence the guns in Africa as a vital condition for economic growth,” he said.

The President said through the unity of African leadership, the continent stands a better chance of effectively implementing its climate action agenda.

He said the first-ever Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi last September served as a platform for the African leadership to define a clear common position in the global climate action discourse in the run up to COP28 last December and beyond.

The two leaders also discussed institutional reforms at the African Union aimed at making the continental organisation fit-for-purpose and for the effective implementation of Agenda 2063.

This includes the need to restructure the African Union organs, conclude the division of labour between the AU Commission Organs, Specialised Agencies and Regional Economic Communities, as well as the need to streamline the agenda of the Pan-African Parliament to cover strategic issues.

President Akufo-Addo committed to support Kenya’s candidature for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission 2025-2028.

At the same time, President Ruto assured Ghana of Kenya’s support for the candidature of Ms Shirley Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General for the period 2024-2029.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

The administration of the Central Region, in cooperation with the Research and Documentation Center, provided training on documentation and archive management to 180 employees.

Mr. Bereket Taddese, the head of human resources in the Central Region, stated that the training aimed to enhance the employees’ capacity to ensure proper documentation and management of documents, and to deliver timely and efficient service to clients.

Mr. Tekie Keleta, the head of administration and finance in the region, highlighted the importance of the training in facilitating the daily operations of administrations at all levels and called for the program’s sustainability.

Ms. Azieb Tewolde, the Director-General of the Research and Documentation Center, expressed the center’s readiness to contribute to the effort to develop the employees’ capacities in this area.

The trainees expressed their determination to apply the knowledge gained from the training in their work and to provide timely and efficient service to clients.

Mr. Fesehaye Haile, the Governor of the Central Region, encouraged the trainees to bring about fundamental changes in the documentation and archive management system.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is set to conduct a high-level sensitization mission at selected borders within the region aimed at reviewing the performance of the various One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).

Scheduled to commence on 9th April, 2024, the mission underscores the EAC’s commitment to fostering cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and improving cross-border procedures.

The primary objective of the mission is to follow up on the performance of OSBPs, identify areas for improvement, and assess the implementation of agreed action plans. Through engagement with various stakeholders including Officers in Charge of the OSBPs; customs, immigration, standards, and port health officers; as well as representatives of other border agencies, cross-border traders, and local government authorities, the EAC Secretariat aims to address challenges and streamline processes at these critical facilities.

Selected borders and mission dates are as follows:

Nimule/Elegu, South Sudan side – 9th April, 2024
Mutukula/Mutukula, Uganda side – 12th April, 2024
Rusumo/Rusumo, Rwanda side – 15th April, 2024
Kobero/Kabanga, Burundi side – 16th April, 2024
Namanga/Namanga, Tanzania – 19th April, 2024

The mission will take place at the respective OSBPs ensuring comprehensive coverage and engagement.

The EAC Secretariat underscores the significance of continuous sensitization and capacity-building efforts at EAC borders. Similar missions are planned for other OSBPs in the months of June and July 2024, reaffirming the commitment to enhancing awareness and compliance with cross-border procedures.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community.