allafrica.com
@allafrica Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:28:14
Minister of Education Urges Private Schools to Stop Hiring Government Teachers
[Nile Post] Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sports, has called on private school proprietors to cease employing government teachers, citing concerns about their ability to effectively serve in dual roles.
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@allafrica Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:28:14
Ssemakadde Moves to Block Private Prosecution Over Alleged Insult
[Nile Post] The private prosecution accuses Ssemakadde of "insulting the modesty of a woman," an offence under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act. The alleged victim is the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo.
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@allafrica Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:28:15
Poverty Is Not Possible in Uganda - Museveni
[Nile Post] President Museveni further revealed how through his wealth creation message in the 1960s, managed to transform the lives of the people of Ankole and now they are living a prosperous life.
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@matookerepublic Tue, 03 Dec 2024 06:18:35
Indomie recognized as the Most Preferred Noodles Brand in East Africa at the East Africa Brand Quality Awards
Indomie Instant Noodles has been honored as the Most Preferred Noodles Brand in East Africa at the prestigious East Africa Brand Quality Awards (EABQA) held on 29th November 2024 at the Golf Course Hotel. This recognition solidifies Indomie’s position as a trusted and beloved household name across the region. This marks the third time Indomie […] The post Indomie recognized as the Most Preferred Noodles Brand in East Africa at the East Africa Brand Quality Awards first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:03:00
Dr. James Mwangi joins World Bank Group High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs to champion youth employment in Africa
Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings, has been appointed as one of 14 global leaders to the World Bank Group’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs. This prestigious appointment acknowledges his transformative contributions to society, extending far beyond the banking sector. “I’m honored to have been asked to serve on the […] The post Dr. James Mwangi joins World Bank Group High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs to champion youth employment in Africa first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:13:13
NIRA increases National ID replacement fees from Shs50K to Shs200K as mass enrollment and renewal plans kick off
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced an increase in the cost of replacing damaged national identity cards, raising the fee from Shs50,000 to Shs200,000. The same fee will apply for correcting errors on ID details if the mistake was made by the cardholder. NIRA spokesperson Osborn Mushabe clarified that applicants seeking replacements […] The post NIRA increases National ID replacement fees from Shs50K to Shs200K as mass enrollment and renewal plans kick off first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@observer Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:08:08
International lawyers body expresses concern over Uganda’s limited participation
Almudena Aldama, the president of the International Bar Association (IBA), has expressed concern over the limited participation of Ugandan and other African lawyers in the global body. The IBA, which advocates for the promotion and defense of the rule of law, is the largest and most influential organization for legal practitioners worldwide. With over 90,000 members across 200 bar and law associations in 172 jurisdictions, it brings together attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, advocates, judges, full-time law professors and students. IBA members enjoy networking and business development opportunities, access to free webinars, discounts on conferences, and access to digital content, including the IBA directory of members. In an exclusive interview with The Observer, Aldama revealed that while there are 56 bar associations in Africa, only 20 are members of the IBA. Of the 90,000 lawyers who belong to the IBA, only about 1,000 are from Africa, with just 76 from Uganda. “The IBA’s mission is to promote and advance the rule of law globally, while fostering unity and connections among legal professionals worldwide “We have a strong regional approach, with activities in Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and Africa,” Aldama said. She said: “There are over 12 million lawyers around the world. Imagine if we could all connect; it’s so important that we share the same views and goals.” Aldama acknowledged that the IBA’s presence in Africa remains underrepresented. “We realized that the number of African members is not as high as we would like. Of the 52 bar associations in Africa, only 20 are part of the IBA. There’s a clear gap,” she said. She noted that the number of African speakers at IBA conferences has also dwindled. In Paris, 46 speakers from Africa participated, but that number dropped to just 20 in Mexico. “Africa is a unique continent, with a population of 1.2 billion and numerous jurisdictions. It faces specific challenges, such as poverty and the rule of law. We need to make sure Africa is well-represented in our discussions.” Aldama emphasized the importance of hearing African voices in IBA projects. “We want to know what the African legal profession needs from the international community. It would be invaluable for the African legal profession to have international visibility, and the IBA is the perfect platform for that because we are a truly global organization.” “We say we are the global voice of the legal profession, but that voice will not be complete unless we integrate the perspective of the African legal profession,” she added. “Africa needs more IBA activities tailored to its unique needs and challenges.” In a bid to increase membership in Africa, the IBA has adopted a strategic plan to enhance its presence on the continent and attract more members. To address the barriers that prevent African lawyers from joining the IBA, the association is focusing on three main areas. MEMBERSHIP FEES The IBA plans to reduce membership fees. Currently, the full membership fee is £334 (about Shs 1.5 million) per year, with discounts available at £200 (Shs 937,441). General membership is £178 (Shs 834,323), with a discounted rate of £108 (Shs 506,218). The IBA hopes that lowering fees will make membership more accessible. Aldama pointed out that organizing events for the legal profession in Africa is challenging due to logistical issues, such as the high cost of travel and visa restrictions. “We are working to establish a streamlined process for African members and bar associations to facilitate visa applications and enable easier participation in IBA events,” she said. She added that the IBA is exploring the possibility of establishing a physical office or secretariat in Africa to strengthen connections between African lawyers and the global legal community. “We are also considering setting up a network of academics across the African region. While lawyers are often too busy with their practice, academics can dedicate more time and offer valuable insights into IBA projects,” Aldama explained. Looking ahead, the IBA will continue to host conferences on the African continent, including one in Johannesburg in 2025. Aldama expects strong participation from African legal practitioners as well as bars from other jurisdictions with interests in Africa. geofreyserugo1992@gmail.com {loadposition inarticle}
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@observer Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:11:53
New report to guide in ensuring workers benefit from opportunities
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, has released a report highlighting the challenges and opportunities in Uganda’s platform economy. Titled “Platform Work in Uganda: Promoting Decent Work for All,” the study, conducted in collaboration with Makerere University, surveyed 647 platform workers across sectors including taxi services, delivery, online freelancing, and e-commerce to understand the landscape of digital labour platforms in Uganda. The report identifies key opportunities, challenges and gaps in current policies. During the report launch last week at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Kampala, Raymond Wasukira, a senior labour officer, who represented the Gender ministry permanent secretary, stated, “The findings of this report will guide us in addressing the gaps in Uganda’s economy to ensure that workers benefit from decent and equitable opportunities.” He added that collaboration between government, platforms and stakeholders is key to achieving this goal. Evans Lwanga, the chief technical adviser for ILO Prospects Uganda, echoed similar sentiments. “This report highlights the need for urgent policy interventions to ensure platform workers in Uganda are not left behind in the digital economy,” he said. KEY FINDINGS The report highlights that digital labour platforms have seen consistent growth since 2015, with 18 local and international platforms currently in operation. Although location-based services such as Uber, Bolt, SafeBoda, and Jumia are gaining popularity, the report indicates limited adoption of online freelance platforms due to the digital divide. The report further reveals that that platform workers are predominantly young (ages 28-32) and well-educated, even in traditionally low-skilled sectors. While freelancers earn higher hourly wages compared to conventional workers, significant income insecurity remains, the report notes. Additionally, earnings among platform workers vary considerably by sector and gender, with women earning less than men. A significant gender gap exists within freelance work, with men earning an average of Shs 16,472 (US$4.4) per hour for total work compared with Shs 11,075 (US$3) for women. Women earn almost 35% less than men, and this could partly be due to the occupational segregation of tasks as women are disproportionately concentrated in lower-paying fields like writing and administrative support, while men dominate in tasks such as IT and data analysis. The report notes that while the majority of men (86%) believed that they received fair compensation for their online work, only 57% of women reported the same. This aligns with the findings that men tend to earn more, underscoring a significant pay gap between genders. Long working hours are alarmingly prevalent, with taxi drivers and delivery workers working an average of 75 to 79 hours per week. The demanding and often unpredictable nature of platform work takes a toll on workers’ well-being, as they are often stressed. According to the report, freelancers work an average of 46 hours per week, with women working slightly more (50 hours) than men (45 hours). However, a significant portion of this time (10 hours) is unpaid, dedicated to activities like searching for tasks (67%), researching clients (38%), unpaid self-study (38%), client communication (29%) and profile- building (24%). The survey findings reveal that the majority of workers transitioned to platform work from other jobs. This is primarily due to a lack of available jobs or a desire for better income and skill development opportunities. This transition from previous jobs is evident in the taxi (81%), and delivery (77%), with a smaller but still significant proportion in online freelancing (43%). While one-third of these workers in the taxi and delivery sectors previously worked in related fields, the remainder transitioned from different sectors. Freelancers typically came from salaried positions in various fields. About 58% of the sellers transitioned to the e-commerce marketplace and social media platforms from other jobs and one-third of them worked in related fields. The challenges outlined in the report include, lack of social protection for many workers, such as health insurance and pensions, and the prevalence of algorithmic management practices, which restricts workers’ autonomy and increases stress. Common issues also include account deactivations and unpaid tasks that have an impact on their earnings and livelihoods. Despite the informal support available through social media, there is minimal organised advocacy for worker rights, indicating a need for greater collective action and unionization. RECOMMENDATIONS To ensure decent work conditions for platform workers, the report recommends several policy reforms. Establishing clear legal frameworks to classify workers and define employer responsibilities, guaranteeing the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining, and introducing tailored social security mechanisms for platform work. Addressing occupational safety and health (OSH) risks specific to platforms and enhancing data protection and ensuring transparency in algorithmic processes are the other key recommendations. As Uganda’s digital economy continues to grow, this report accentuates the urgency of implementing fair and inclusive policies. These findings are timely as the ILO gears up for deliberations on promoting decent work within the platform economy during the upcoming 2025 and 2026 International Labour Conferences. geofreyserugo1992@gmail.com {loadposition inarticle}
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@kfm Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:10:52
Guinea rights groups say 135 killed in stadium crush
BY REUTERS Some 135 people were killed in a crush at a soccer stadium in southeast Guinea on Sunday, a local group of human rights organisations said, sharing an estimated death toll more than twice as high as the official toll of 56. A controversial refereeing decision sparked crowd violence and tear gas volleys from police during the match in the town of Nzerekore, leading to a deadly scrum as spectators tried to flee. A collective of human rights groups in Nzerekore region said on Tuesday its higher estimate was based on information from the hospital, cemeteries, witnesses at the stadium, families of victims, mosques, churches, and the local press. “We now estimate 135 people died at the stadium, mostly […] The post Guinea rights groups say 135 killed in stadium crush first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@matookerepublic Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:41:22
Speaker Among rejects requests for release of MPs’ and Parliament staff salary report
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has declined requests from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and the Ministry of Public Service to release a detailed report on the salaries of Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff. Among said that Parliament operates as an independent body and instructed the Attorney General to remind these agencies that […] The post Speaker Among rejects requests for release of MPs’ and Parliament staff salary report first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@kfm Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:25:12
Is the banking sector crumbling?
Parliament recently tasked the government to explain how Bank of Uganda’s accounts were allegedly hacked, resulting in the theft of approximately Shs60 billion. Is the banking sector on the brink of collapse? In this episode of the KFM Hot Seat show, Judith Atim delves into this pressing issue with a panel of experts: economist Francis Muhiire, Dr. Aisha Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, the GROW project coordinator, and Mr Simon Kaheru. Listen to the episode below; The post Is the banking sector crumbling? first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@kfm Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:47:29
Namibia elects Nandi-Ndaitwah as first female president
BY REUTERS Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has been elected president and will be the country’s first female leader, results released by the country’s electoral commission showed on Tuesday. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is the current vice president. Her victory will extend SWAPO’s 34 years in power since it led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. She received roughly 57% of valid votes in the presidential race, according to a breakdown given by the Electoral Commission of Namibia. Nandi-Ndaitwah needed to secure more than 50% of the votes to secure a win. “The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said after being declared president-elect. She joined SWAPO in the 1960s when it was fighting […] The post Namibia elects Nandi-Ndaitwah as first female president first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@allafrica Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:53:15
From Local Solutions to Global Innovations - Inside the Border Breakers Festival Vision
[Nile Post] In a world facing shared challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and health crises, impactful solutions often spring not from global power centers but from local communities.
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@kfm Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:30:32
Speaker, AG block access to MPs’ salary information
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka have instructed the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, to withhold documents related to Members of Parliament’s salaries from the Ministry of Public Service and theEqual Opportunities Commission. This directive follows recent requests from both entities to the Clerk for detailed salary information of individual MPs. Among has rejected the requests. “The Uganda Parliamentary Commission is a stand-alone, we do not belong to Equal Opportunities. We are not civil servants for Public Service to start asking for salaries of Members of Parliament,” Among said on Tuesday. The Attorney General informed Parliament that he will brief the Commission’s leadership on their mandate and responsibilities, emphasizing that inquiring into MPs’ salaries is […] The post Speaker, AG block access to MPs’ salary information first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@allafrica Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:18:19
Kaziimba Asks Ugandans to Remain Steadfast in Service to the Country At Ursb Thanksgiving
[Nile Post] The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has held its annual thanksgiving prayers, a spiritually enriching event led by Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.
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