Showbizuganda

Tag: OPM

  • Government remains committed to long-term solutions in Kampala says Hon. Lillian Aber

    Government remains committed to long-term solutions in Kampala says Hon. Lillian Aber

    The State Minister for Refugees Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Lillian Aber together with Mr. Alex Kakooza, the Permanent Secretary of the Ofiice of the Prime Minister, yesterday morning briefed the press on Government’s response to the floods that affected traders in Downtown Kampala, particularly along Nakivubo Channel, Ssebana Road, Allen road and surrounding business areas that suffered significant property damages.

    Government acted swiftly through emergency drainage interventions that enabled floodwaters to be cleared and business operations to resume.

    Under the leadership of H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Government has provided UGX 20 billion as ex-gratia support to assist affected traders. A transparent assessment and verification process is being undertaken to ensure that the support reaches the rightful beneficiaries based on documented losses.

    The Office of the Prime Minister is coordinating a multi-sectoral committee to implement this Presidential directive, working closely with traders’ representatives to guide verification and the disbursement process.

    Government remains committed to long-term solutions including drainage improvement, stricter enforcement of building regulations, environmental restoration, and strengthened disaster preparedness to build a safer and more resilient Kampala.

    “I appeal to the traders to remain calm as we expedite the process of data verification,” Hon. Lillian Aber said.

  • Uganda remains committed to providing protection and opportunities to refugees says Hon. Lillian Aber

    Uganda remains committed to providing protection and opportunities to refugees says Hon. Lillian Aber

    The State Minister for Refugees Relief and Disaster Preparedness in the office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Lillian Aber has today chaired the 25th Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) Steering Group Meeting at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

    The meeting brought together key stakeholders including government ministries, development partners, UN agencies, and humanitarian actors to review the progress of CRRF implementation in Uganda.

    The minister said their discussions focused on strengthening coordination, deepening refugee inclusion in national service delivery systems, and advancing sustainable solutions that benefit both refugees and host communities.

    The meeting also reflected on the need to scale up investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, livelihoods, and environmental protection, while reinforcing partnerships that support Uganda’s progressive refugee policy.

    Uganda remains committed to providing protection and opportunities to refugees, and again Hon. Lillian Aber reaffirmed the government’s dedication to working closely with all partners to ensure a more resilient and self-reliant future for both refugees and host communities.

    Hon. Lillian Aber also doubles as the current Woman MP and also Woman MP elect for Kitgum District (to serve her second term in the office).

  • Minister extends support to Bulambuli disaster victims

    Minister extends support to Bulambuli disaster victims

    The Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hon. Lillian Aber has visited Bulambuli District and on behalf of Government extended support to 24 households affected by recent landslides in the District. The victims are being accommodated at Namisuni Sub-county headquarters.

    The minister said Landslide is still a big challenge in the Bugisu Sub-region.

    “Today, I was in Bulambuli District and I held a stakeholder meeting following the incident that occurred on Sunday 26th of October 2024 leaving over 464 households affected. They are apparently being sheltered at the sub-county headquarters awaiting relocation to the land that was procured by the government in Bulambuli District,” Hon. Lillian Aber said.

    She called on local leaders to mobilize people who are leaving along areas which are already spotted with cracks to kindly accept and join the team being relocated to the secured safety zone.

  • Uganda remains committed to her open door policy on refugees says Hon. Lillian Aber

    Uganda remains committed to her open door policy on refugees says Hon. Lillian Aber

    The State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hon. Lillian Aber has said Uganda remains committed to her open door policy on refugees.

    The Minister said this while chairing the 22nd Comprehensive Refugee Response Forum (CRRF) steering group meeting with Hon. Magezi Raphael held at Kabira Country Club.

    Hon. Aber said adapting this multi-stakeholder approach will hasten our efforts to attain sustainable and durable solutions to the protracted refugee crises we are currently facing.

    “I appreciate efforts from all Donors and partners in refugee response as we continue to follow up on the pledges Global Refugee Forum (GRF),” Hon. Lillian Aber said, adding that Uganda remains committed to her open door policy.

  • Minister Lillian Aber hails Saudi Arabia Kingdom after the humanitarian assistance

    Minister Lillian Aber hails Saudi Arabia Kingdom after the humanitarian assistance

    The State Minister for Relief, Refugees and Disaster Preparedness Hon. Lillian Aber has appreciated the Saudi Arabia Kingdom for humanitarian assistance extended to Congolese refugees in Nakivale.

    This morning, The ambassador of Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HE. Mohammed Bin Khalil Faloudah together with the team from Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relife Center, donated 12,700 food boxes which entails sugar, salt, maize flour, rice, beans, cooking oil to Congolese refugees in Nakivale.

    “I would like to extend my gratitude to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and appeal to other humanitarian agencies to join efforts in the implementation of our refugee policy,” Hon. Lillian Aber said after receiving the humanitarian assistance today morning.

  • “Engage in productive things rather than blame games,” – Hon. Lillian Aber tells politician

    “Engage in productive things rather than blame games,” – Hon. Lillian Aber tells politician

    A few days ago, the Minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Dr. Lillian Aber, officially commenced the relocation of 242 households from disaster-prone areas in Bududa to the safer Bunambutye Resettlement Site in Bulambuli District.

    In her address during the exercise, Dr. Lillian Aber called on politicians in the Elgon sub-region to focus on life-saving initiatives rather than holding onto cultural practices or engaging in blame games, particularly as the government undertakes essential efforts to relocate communities from disaster-prone areas. Below is the full statement from the Minister on the exercise;

    “Today, I launched a resettlement program for 1,650 people affected by landslides in Bududa. The government has provided each of the 271 households with 10 million shillings, and GiveDirect International has added 7 million shillings, bringing the total assistance per household to 17 million shillings in cash, along with 2-acre plots of land in Bulambuli. We are set to relocate the first group of 242 individuals while preparing the remaining victims for the next phase. I want to thank the members of Parliament from Bududa and the local leaders for their teamwork. However, I urge some leaders who are spreading misinformation about the resettlement plan to stop. If another catastrophe occurs, I will hold them accountable. Office Of Prime Minister Uganda remains committed to implementing this program as directed by His Excellency the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni”.

  • Standard Chartered commits USD1 billion to finance companies, donates Ugx 133 million in Uganda, 3-month repayment holiday and an extension on the tenure of loans of up to 12 months on Personal Loans & Mortgages

    Standard Chartered commits USD1 billion to finance companies, donates Ugx 133 million in Uganda, 3-month repayment holiday and an extension on the tenure of loans of up to 12 months on Personal Loans & Mortgages

    Standard Chartered Bank has announced a donation of Ugx 133 Million to Uganda Red Cross (Ugx 113 million) and Uganda Bankers Association(Ugx 20 million) to support the fight against COVID 19 locally.

    The Bank revealed that it has committed USD1 billion globally to finance manufacturers and distributors in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare providers helping tackle Covid-19 on preferential terms in the form of loans, import/export finance or working capital facilities that they use for day-to-day business operations to help them tool up, and help existing manufacturers get their products to market.

    The preferential financing will also be extended to non-medical companies that have volunteered to add this capability to their manufacturing output – goods in scope including; ventilators, face masks, protective equipment, sanitisers and other consumables. The Bank will help companies switch into these hugely in-demand items, assist them get their processes up and running more quickly; and at the same time, ensure that existing manufacturers and service providers get the support they need. All financing will be subject to companies having received regulatory approvals to manufacture the goods.

    Albert Saltson, the CEO – Standard Chartered Ugandacommenting on the various interventions said;

    “In line with the Bank’s brand promise – Here for good, we are committed to going beyond banking to stand with our clients and staff in this uncertain time. Our priority is their wellbeing and safety as well as ensuring that the clients access financial services and business continuity support. To support the fight against COVID 19 we are extending Ugx 113 million to Uganda RedCross Society and contributed Ugx 20 million to Uganda Bankers Association relief efforts. Globally, we have unveiled a $50 million fund to help our affected communities.  $25 million will be availed to provide emergency relief in our most affected markets while an additional $25 million will be used to help communities recover from the economic impact of the virus. We know this is not an easy time for all our stakeholders, but we are committed to support them in every step of the way as the situation evolves.”

    In line with the Bank’s brand promise – Here for good, the Bank is committed to going beyond banking to stand with itsclients and staff in this uncertain time. The Bank’s priority is the wellbeing and safety of its staff and clients as well as ensuring that the clients access financial services and business continuity support. To ease the financial impact of Covid 19, the Bank has announced various initiatives to support its Corporate and Retail clients which include;

    • Offering a 3-month Repayment holiday for our individual clients – where clients can request for a 3-month repayment holiday on their personal loans or mortgage loans.
    • Offering an extension on the tenure of the loan of up to 12 months, personal or mortgage loans to help reduce monthly payments.
    • Continuous sensitization of its employees and clients on preventive measures of Covid 19 and also ensuring that hygiene measures are observed in its branches and ATMs.
    • Under its Digital Solutions, Standard Chartered Bank;
    1. Waived its digital transactions fees – The Bank waived charges on Bill Payments, money transfers between Standard Chartered accounts and Wallet to mobile money transfer to MTN and Airtel Money to facilitate use of non-cash transactions.
    2. Encourages its clients to continue using digital banking platforms which include; Online Banking, SC Mobile App and USSD *266#. Its Straight2Bank (S2B) platform is also available for businesses and corporates to make transfers, bulk mobile payments receive deposits from mobile wallets, process salaries, tax payments and utilities. For clients who must make physical transactions at their branches, they remain operational at their Speke Road, Lugogo and Jinja branches which open between 09.00am to 3.00pm.
    3. Rolled out its Standard Chartered Agent Bankingenabling its clients to deposit or withdraw money at any Standard Chartered Authorized Agent or any bank agent with an agent banking handshake logo.
    4. Enabled its clients to utilise flexible signature methods and flexible delivery methods for their instructions and to facilitate their business continuity.

    With Standard Chartered Bank’s international network, clients can access a wide range of experts and resources providing them with real time advice, insights and guidance on how they can protect and prepare their businesses for the volatility of COVID-19 as well as manage risks and adjust their banking needs.  This support is also extended to the Bank’s vendors whose invoices can now be submitted online for payments to be made during the lockdown period. The bank is also supporting its vendors’ business continuity by supporting them to safeguard their wellbeing and that of their employees.

  • Ham donates UGX 100m to COVID-19 Response Team

    Ham donates UGX 100m to COVID-19 Response Team

    Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu aka Ham through his charity arm ‘Ham Foundation’ has donated UGX 100 Million Shillings Cash of food relief to the Government of Uganda.


    He has emphasised that all Ugandans should adhere to the guidelines set by The President and Ministry Of Health in the current struggle for survival against the deadly COVID-19.

    “This is not time for worrying about money and loses but for protection of life and assurance of survival,” Ham said.

    He called upon fellow businessmen and other Ugandans to give a helping hand to the government during this hard time.

    “May God have mercy on Humanity, Our motherland Uganda and the whole world at Large,” he added.

  • SK Mbuga gives government 40 tonnes of food for COVID-19 relief

    SK Mbuga gives government 40 tonnes of food for COVID-19 relief

    City tycoon and property mogul Sulaiman Kabangala Mbuga aka SK Mbuga has come out to the rescue of Ugandans by donating 40 tones of food to government to be given out to Ugandans in the wake of COVID-19 global pandemic.

    The tycoon said at the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you have accomplished but also about who you have lifted up, who you have made better.

    “It’s about what you have given back, let us help each other is such situation because there is need to,” he said.

    Mr. Mbuga gave 40 tonnes (40,000kg) of maize flour to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) towards helping people who have been affected by the coronavirus shutdown in the country.

    The food was donated through his SK Mbuga Foundation and STV Uganda. He handed them on Saturday to Anti-Coronavirus National Taskforce Team.

    He pledged to continue giving more assistance towards the needy.

    Mbuga appealed to Ugandans to heed President Yoweri Museveni’s advice on how to avoid the disease from spreading.

    He said the President exhibited a humble gesture and showed love to Ugandans by coming out to make immediate interventions to save lives.

    “We must listen to the President’s advice of keeping a social distance and washing hands using water and soap or sanitizers all the time,” he said.

    “After analyzing the critical situation in the country, I decided to donate food to save fellow Ugandans affected by this shutdown,” he said.

    The loaded tycoon who owns STV Uganda, Sky Apartments, hospital and a host of other property in Kampala said he was trying to look for means of using Mobile Money to send to some families especially the neediest.

    “I’m just waiting to see whether it will work out to send some Mobile Money to some families so that more people can be helped out,” he said. Big up to you Mr. Mbuga for that good gesture.

  • OPM to prosecute its Staff found guilt in Kyangwali land wrangles

    OPM to prosecute its Staff found guilt in Kyangwali land wrangles

    Hon. Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Management, Eng. Hillary Onek, shares a light moment with leaders and residents of Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, after addressing their issues of land conflicts and insecurity.
    He ordered Police to arrest any wrong elements causing chaos and sabotaging the resettlement exercise in Kyangwali.
    He assured the people that government is committed to investigating any allegations of land grabbing, and all those involved will face the arm of the law.
    He also urged the people to desist from blaming every problem on OPM as an office. He said that  OPM is a huge office with hundreds of employees,  some of whom may be indisciplined, and should be blamed as individuals.
    He warned that any staff under Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) found responsible for land problems in Kyangwali after  the investigations , will be prosecuted.