Find out information about Coronavirus in Uganda. More here.

Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa’s approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Northern Uganda continues to empower communities to uplift themselves. Ayabatwa’s CSR in this case is based on food security, income-generation, afforestation and access to clean water. 

1. FOOD SECURITY 

Ayabatwa’s company based in Northern Uganda established the Arua Organic Agricultural Centre (AOAC) which demonstrates to communities best practices in food production. 

Crucially, AOAC teaches farmers continuous farming even where rains are scarce. Solar-powered irrigation is now operational, which permits the growing of over 15 different food crops.

A key aspect is to keep these crops well mulched helping the soil to retain more moisture, keeping the temperature low and increasing the soil fertility.

Overall, encouraging and supporting farmers not only to improve food security but also to generate incomes is central. For example, a small farm can produce more than required to sustain a family. By adopting good agricultural practices farmers produce excess food thereby helping to improve Uganda’s food security.

2. INCOME-GENERATION

Farmers are continuously sensitized to expand their income portfolio and not depend only on cash crops. These are several initiatives in this regard. In the case of bee-keeping, 9 apiaries were installed in all regions where farmers learn best practices in bee-keeping. Second, farmers are assisted to grow their own mini forests. A small forest can produce enough wood for domestic consumption and provide extra income every year by selling construction material and charcoal.

3. AFFORESTATION 

In the area of afforestation, 2.4 tree seedlings per year are given to farmers free of charge. Farmers are taught that tree planting goes together with cash crop growing. Tobacco. Native tree species and fruit trees are supplied to the farming communities. 

4. PROVIDING CLEAN WATER SOURCES TO COMMUNITIES

Shallow wells are constructed for communities – providing clean water access to over 15,000 people in the Arua region. This also ensures that children don’t travel long distances to fetch water from rivers thereby undermining their education and their future. 

Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa and his companies remain fully committed to the CSR path they have practiced over the years, namely, giving a hand to local communities as they lift themselves from poverty. 

Find out information about Coronavirus in Uganda. More here.

By Our Reporter

On a Friday like this one, many of us would be gearing up for some great weekend fun. At the strike of 5pm, we would shut down our computers as we make those phone calls, send messages, drop pins so our buddies can join us, party hard, and later flood our social media timelines with ‘the weekend that was” photos of us having the time of our lives, letting off some steam after a long week on the grind.

However, that is not the case today as we have all taken a step back into our homes to wait for the world to heal. But who says we can’t have fun at home? We can do several things to help calm our raving waves of boredom as we stay home and stay safe. And yes! Music, like they say, heals the soul! It even gets better if you are an MTN TIDAL user!

The Tidal team at MTN, together with both local and international artistes have put together the most entertaining and groovy music playlists to keep you entertained while at home. On the Tidal app, you will find more lockdown playlists than you can consume. And the best part is there is something for everyone! And there is a play list for any mood; Partying, working, exercising, meditation, children’s music and of course the most amazing praise and worship music.

So while we keep indoors, let us live a little and turn up the music with TIDAL!

In case you didn’t get the memo, it is Friday. So feel the weekend set in as it should be. Get ready to unwind and kick off the “work” stress you could have gotten from the work days at home. Grab your favorite drink (thankfully we can order these) and sit back, chill and connect your phone to your speaker as you get the latest dance party playlists off tidal that will help with setting the mood. Don’t get shy to dance like you would if you were on a night out with the girls or the boys. Let’s look at the bright side, this time round, you won’t have to worry what time to order the Uber or how you get home. Absolutely no stress!

Stay home, but don’t forget to stay fit and in shape with TIDAL.

We wouldn’t want you to return to office after this lockdown out of shape simply because all you did was eat, sleep and eat some more. For long many have said work outs not only help in keeping the body fit and in shape rather can also be used as a stress reliever. It is no secret that workouts and music go hand in hand like bread and butter. Let Tidal’s invigorating work out playlists get you breaking a sweat as you whip yourself into shape. The world is waiting to meet your new hot body!

What is Sunday without some Inspirational music form TIDAL?

Your answer is as good as mine. Just another ordinary day. So make yours count by ending the week on a good soothing happy note. Close the week and start the new week in a good emotional place by streaming the best inspirational and gospel playlists from Tidal. So don’t miss out. Plug in and get spirit filled as you sing along in adoration of God as we pray and continue to intercede having faith that our creator will heal the world and rid us of this pandemic.

To catch up on all this fun, all you have to do is download the Tidal app from your google play store and get a free trial subscription. If you already have the app, just dial *165*66# and get a subscription of your choice and get grooving already. If you are street smart like me, then you already know that the subscription that comes with streaming data is the best! Go have a blast.

Thank God Its Friday!

Find out information about Coronavirus in Uganda. More here.

By Staff Writer

More than two-thirds of over 4,500 Africans reached by GeoPoll across 12 nations have reported they are self-quarantining to prevent the risks and spread of coronavirus.

Yet, as Africans retreat into their homes, they are worried about food and their economies to almost as great a degree as they are worried about the global pandemic.

In a survey administered remotely through GeoPoll’s mobile-based research platform, it was found that 80 per cent of respondents were frightened about coronavirus spreading in their countries, but 71 per cent said they were also ‘very concerned’ about its economic impact.

The degree of health fears in each nation appeared related to the level of quarantine now in place. For while 63 per cent of Africans believe they are at risk of contracting the virus, Rwandans judge themselves to be at the lowest risk, at 37 per cent, in a situation where 90 per cent have self-quarantined.

Conversely, in countries such as Mozambique and Zambia, which report lower rates of self-quarantining, citizens feel far more vulnerable, with over 80 per cent in each of these countries believing they and their families are at risk.

Such fears across nations with limited ICU capacity and often scant supplies of oxygen has wrought other changes of behavior, with 54 per cent of respondents increasing hygiene and hand washing, and 50 per cent avoiding public places.

There are also rising concerns over food supplies. Most of the Africans polled reported that they were shopping for food less often, while just 20 per cent reported that all food markets around them are currently operational. Additionally, more than 85 per cent of respondents in the DRC, Rwanda and Kenya have worried in the last seven days that they would not have enough to eat.

“A health crisis such as coronavirus hitting vulnerable populations can have devastating effects on development, food supplies and resources. Reliable data is needed to accurately track on-the-ground situations, and using our remote mobile methodologies GeoPoll was able to gather valuable information quickly and safely,” said Nicholas Becker, GeoPoll CEO.

“Some governments in Africa have been proactive about lockdowns in order to prevent the virus from quickly spreading through densely populated areas, but coronavirus is already present in many African nations, and this study shows there is a fear that the worst is yet to come.”

There is a growing concern that many nations in Africa are poorly prepared for a pandemic as easily transmissible as COVID-19. This has triggered widely different approaches and very different levels of public support. In Rwanda, 81 per cent of respondents believe their government has done enough to stop the spread of the virus, as do 60 per cent in Uganda, but in Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya, less than a third are confident enough has been done.

To download GeoPoll’s full report and view an interactive dashboard of results, please visit this page: GeoPoll Report: The Impact of COVID-19 Across Africa.

ENDS

About GeoPoll

GeoPoll is a leader in providing fast, high quality research from areas that are difficult to access using traditional methods. Using mobile-based, remote methodologies including SMS, voice calls, and online modes, GeoPoll facilitates projects that aid in disaster response, assess food security, demonstrate demand for new projects, and more around the world.

GeoPoll combines a robust mobile surveying platform that has the ability to conduct research via multiple modes with a database of over 250 million respondents in emerging markets around the globe. Strengths lie in GeoPoll’s ability to target extremely specific populations, deploy surveys in multiple countries, and provide expert guidance on how to collect accurate, reliable data through the mobile phone. For more information visit www.GeoPoll.com.

Find out information about Coronavirus in Uganda. More here.

By Staff Writer

On 9th June 2020 aka Heroes Day, Uganda will reward one man that holds a special place in the lives of many people.

That man is none other than Timo of Ntinda Rolex. If you have lived a life worth a tale, then you should be familiar with the Rolex guy at the Naalya-Kiwatule stage in Ntinda next to Stanbic bank.

And I repeat, if your life has not been merely about waking up, force-feeding, going to work, and returning home in the evening, then you must agree that Timo should be one of the award recipients on this year’s heroes day.

If not for Timo, many would have been declared dead because of starvation. Yet, he made it a point to feed the lost and hungry of Kisasi, Kiwatule, Naalya, Namugongo, Ntinda, name them all. It is here that you will meet all Uganda’s celebs from their night travels. Here you will meet Uganda’s music Artistes, the socialites, the slayqueens, all United by one thing, Timo’s Rolex.

And if you do not know Timo then you have lived a half-baked life. I am not sure you’re even alive.

So allow me on behalf of everyone to say; “thank you Timo…” It is people like you that keep the magic within Uganda… You move the wheels of our nightlife…

You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you:

Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub

Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze

Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell

Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell