Category «Business»

Inflation rate drops

Inflation has further dropped from 5.3% in December last year to 4.9%in this month. This is according to the new inflation rates released this morning by the Uganda bureau of statistics. According to the director micro economics statistics Dr. Chris Mukiza the decline comes as a result of the decline in the prices of energy, fuel and utilities. Mikiza says the drop is good news to the economy since it shows that our currency is steadily stabilizing. Mukiza however noted that in terms of Centre inflation rates, Masaka registered the highest headline inflation rate of 7.2%from 6.8%in December 2012. This was driven by the high price of alcohol beverages rent and charcoal in the district.

Mobile money to be regulated

The Uganda Communications Commission is set to release guidelines on the management of mobile money services this year. This follows public outcry over lack of a regulatory framework under which mobile money services are carried out, creating a gap for fraud. According to the Executive Director of the Commission Godfrey Mutabazi, mobile money services are a basic necessity in people’s daily lives that requires immediate attention. Speaking to KFM, Mutabazi says there is need to have guidelines to guard against further fraud as the law is formulated.

Experts warn on treasury raid

Economic experts are warning of a possible reversal of the inflation trend following news of government raiding the national treasury to refund stolen aid money. Uganda’s development partners including Norway, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark last October took the decision to freeze aid transfers after a forensic audit by the Auditor General unearthed evidence of financial scam at the OPM. At least 60bn shillings meant for recovery and development activities in northern Uganda and Karamoja was reportedly swindled, prompting the angry donors to demand for a refund of their stolen cash. Now government is reported to have returned 21 billion shillings to the Swedish government that was swindled from the Office of the Prime Minister, without the approval …

BOU recalls old currency notes

The Bank of Uganda has recalled all the 1987 currency notes. Addressing the media this morning, the Deputy Governor, Louis Kasekende said the notes include the 1000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 shilling notes printed before 2010 including the 10,000 Chogm notes. Kasekende says commercial banks are required to cease issuing of the said notes with immediate effect. He says the withdrawal process is expected to continue until March 30th 2013, after which the affected currency notes will no longer be acceptable as legal tender. He explains that between March 30th and May 30th 2013 commercial banks will exchange the old currency notes at full face value. He adds though, that beyond that date, the notes will be exchanged at a …

Aid cuts could affect economy:Mutebile

The Governor of Bank of Uganda Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile has warned of a possible reduction in the country’s economic growth rate as a result of the aid cuts by different donors. According to Mutebile, the aid cuts will reduce the potential growth rate of the economy by about 0.7%. The European Union, the World Bank, the UK, Ireland, Austria and other countries have suspended up $300 million, earlier promised in budget support. Announcing the Central Bank Rate for the month of December, Mutebile asked government to cut down on its expenditure in a bid to mitigate the problem; Mutebile said it’s too early to tell what will happen, but adds that government will have to choose areas where expenditure will …