The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has hailed the cooperation between Uganda and France in the areas of trade, investment and diplomatic relations as a formidable uniting factor that ought to be fostered for further growth.

“We are looking forward to increasing the trade volumes between our two countries and the European Union in general. We hope that the newly established chamber will also contribute to reduction of the balance of trade which stood at US$57 million in favor of France, according to 2023/2024 figures,” said Tayebwa.

Tayebwa made the remarks while speaking at an event to commemorate Bastille Day, held at the residence of the French Ambassador to Uganda on Friday, 12 July 2024.

The Bastille Day is a French national anniversary celebrated every 14 July to commemorate the 1789 storming of the Bastille, a major event of the French revolution.

According to Tayebwa, the recent establishment of the French Chamber of Commerce in Uganda on 04 July 2024, will galvanise the operations and impact of French companies in the country.

He called for more investment by French companies in the areas of agro-industrialisation and agribusiness, mineral beneficiation of oil and gas, and tourism development.

“Uganda is ready to continue improving the investment environment to attract strategic investors and ensure good return on their investment. French companies in Uganda numbering over 40, are today reputed to employ around 3,000 Ugandans and directly contributing strongly to revenue through taxation,” Tayebwa said.

He also commended France’s key role in maintaining peace and security as a member of the United Nations Security Council, and called for its support for the African position at the Council.

“Uganda believes that Africa should have a bigger voice on the Security Council. In this regard, Uganda would welcome France’s positive voice and support for the African position in the framework of the ongoing discussions on the reform of the UN Security Council,” he said.

The French Ambassador to Uganda, Xavier Sticker, highlighted the impact of investments by French companies in Uganda, noting that their turnover currently exceeds 2 per cent of Uganda’s GDP in sectors like energy, infrastructure, logistics, transport, engineering and agriculture.

“In 2023, they invested US$1.6 billion which is 53 per cent of the total foreign direct investment in Uganda. Over the next three years, they plan to invest US$4.1 billion (Shs16 trillion), according to the results of a survey by France’s foreign trade advisers in Uganda,” Sticker said.

He also noted support worth more than €800 million from French Development Agency (AFD) in sectors like water and energy, including planned delivery in December 2024, of a major water treatment plant and network that will supply water to a million Ugandans from the border with Tanzania to Mbarara.

The French Ambassador lauded the Uganda-France partnership for peace and stability in East Africa.

“This is illustrated in particular by the cooperation between the UPDF and the French forces stationed in Djibouti, in support of peace operations in Somalia and the Democratic of Congo. France also supports Uganda’s generous refugee policy and also provides food aid to Karamoja and West Nile,” said Sticker.

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

From 07 to 14 July, the Civilian Operations Commander, Mr. Stefano Tomat, conducted a visit to Somalia, underscoring the EU’s commitment to supporting Somali institutions in enhancing security and governance. The visit focused on strengthening the Somali Police Force and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders. He used the opportunity to visit EUCAP Somalia’s Field Offices in Bossaso and Hargeisa, and to meet with Somali counterparts.

The Civilian Operations Commander met with several national and international high-ranking officials, such as the Minister of Internal Security, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Somali Police Force Commissioner, the State Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, the Attorney General Office and the United Nations Special Representative to the Secretary-General.

Partnerships and cooperation were key themes during the visit. Discussions centred around strengthening ties between EUCAP and Somali counterparts, reiterating the EU’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s security sector and governance. Additionally, attention was drawn to the National Maritime Security Architecture and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, funded by EUCAP Somalia, which the Civilian Operations Commander visited in Mogadishu. Progress on the Anti-Piracy Law and the Criminal Procedure Code was also recognized, alongside discussions on the Mission’s assistance to the Attorney General’s Office Maritime Crimes Unit.

A key focus was EUCAP Somalia’s role in supporting the Somali Police Force, including the Federal Darwish operational capabilities and training. The Mission remains committed to enhancing the Somali Police Force’s command, control, and communication capabilities and collaborate with the European Union Training Mission (EUTM Somalia) to strengthen interoperability between the Somali Police Force and the Somali National Army.

During the visit, Mr. Tomat also took the opportunity to visit EUCAP Somalia’s Field Offices in Bossaso and Hargeisa. He commended mission personnel for ongoing Mission activities and engaged with Mission Members on their daily operations, working, as well as living conditions.

The visit by the Civilian Operations Commander reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Somali maritime and police sectors, as well as promoting the rule of law, while fostering strong partnerships with Somali and international counterparts through an EU integrated approach in alignment with the EU-Somalia Joint Roadmap.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia).

In the dynamic landscape of global finance, credit rating has a significant influence on the economic prospects of nations. For African countries, the transparency of credit rating methods is not just a technical issue, but a critical factor for better engagement and communication with rating agencies.

Despite the continent’s vast potential and the diversity of its economies, countries often face risks that are perceived as disproportionate, affecting their ability to access affordable financing, attract investment and achieve sustainable development.

To address these issues, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) hosted a workshop in Accra. The three-day event, which ran from July 9 to 12, 2024, brought together stakeholders from Ghana, Zambia, and major credit rating agencies, including S&P Global and Moody’s, to discuss the credit rating methodologies.

The workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence these ratings and to identify actionable steps that African countries can take to enhance their creditworthiness.

“By bringing together diverse stakeholders, we can foster a deeper understanding of credit rating methodologies and work collaboratively to improve the financial stability and economic prospects of African nations,” said Sonia Essobmadje, Chief of Section on Innovative Finance at the ECA.

The workshop included closed sessions with credit rating agencies, where participants engaged in simulations of sovereign credit rating exercises and interactive Q&A sessions.

Ms. Essobmadje explained that “These activities were designed to demystify the rating process and provide practical insights into how countries can better present their economic data and policy measures to rating agencies.”

McBride Nkhalamba, Acting Director of Governance and Specialized Reporting at APRM, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “Consistency in policy communication and transparent reporting are imperative in fostering investor confidence and mitigating potential rating downgrades.”

Mr Nkhalamba pointed out that the APRM’s technical support missions had identified gaps in institutional coordination and communication that need to be addressed to improve credit ratings. He underscored the importance of the recently established African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), describing it as “essential for developing assessments that truly reflect the unique economic and political landscapes of African nations,” adding that “this is a critical step towards achieving financial stability and fostering sustainable growth across the continent.”

Ms. Essobmadje also emphasized that “to improve credit ratings, African countries need to maintain sound fiscal policies, enhance transparency and governance, and actively engage with credit rating agencies to provide accurate and comprehensive economic data.”

ECA and APRM have been at the forefront of supporting African nations in their efforts to achieve fair and accurate credit ratings. Through expert meetings and collaborative efforts, the two organizations have equipped countries with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complex landscape of sovereign credit ratings.

Twice a year, ECA and APRM jointly produce a report assessing the credit rating landscape across the continent. This report evaluates progress, identifies challenges, and provides strategic recommendations to improve creditworthiness.

Delegates from Ghana and Zambia took part in the workshop and shared their experience in dealing with rating agencies particularly in the context of their respective debt restructurings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

To tackle the prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), Zimbabwe is gearing up for a nationwide mass drug administration (MDA) campaign set to commence this September. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with crucial technical and financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Higher Life Foundation, this initiative targets the eradication of schistosomiasis (bilharzia), soil transmitted helminths (intestinal worms), and lymphatic filariasis (LF) across the country.

As part of the preparations, a training of trainers’ workshop was conducted in Bulawayo from 17-19 June 2024, targeting 90 health workers from all the country’s districts. These trainers will play a pivotal role in cascading their acquired expertise throughout their respective districts, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to disease management and treatment.

“This training is part of the planning process for the upcoming MDAs, which will be intense given that we already have the medication required,” said Dr Isaac Phiri, MoHCC Epidemiology and Disease Control Acting Director.

The integrated MDAs follows a meticulous population and community-based survey conducted in 2021. This survey identified districts with low treatment coverage for schistosomiasis, intestinal worms, and LF, thereby pinpointing areas where intervention is urgently required. The prevalence of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis in Zimbabwe were estimated at 22 % and 5.7 %. Fifty-three (53) districts were found to be endemic for SCH and 5 were found to be endemic for STH. In 2015, 39 districts were identified to have Lymphatic Filariasis. Only two (2) rounds of LF MDAs were implemented (2016, and 2017), with the country embarking on confirmatory mapping in 2021. The first phase identified 16 priority districts for mapping, among these selected districts only two (2) came out positive for LF endemicity. The programme plans to conduct further confirmatory mapping in the remaining 23 districts. With a targeted outreach to approximately 5 million children, the upcoming campaigns will significantly curb the spread of these diseases, improving overall public health outcomes nationwide.

“The training was very helpful, and the timing allows us to cascade these to our peers and also be ready for the campaign,” said Mordecai Chephiri, a Health Promotion Officer from Kariba District.

To ensure the campaign’s success, the MoHCC received a critical donation of medicines from the WHO. The donation included 3,631,000 Praziquantel tablets to cover 1,815,500 people, for albendazole 8,789 boxes of 200 tablets to cover 1,757,800 people and for Ivermectin 6,116 bottles of 500 tablets. WHO’s support extends beyond medication, encompassing vital roles in the planning stages, advocacy and communication efforts, and providing supervisory guidance throughout implementation.

Zimbabwe adopted the new WHO guidelines advocating for decentralized service delivery to combat these debilitating diseases directly at the ward level. This strategic shift not only improves access to treatment but also strengthens efforts in areas heavily affected by lymphatic filariasis (LF). With WHO’s recent support in developing a comprehensive Neglected Tropical Diseases Master Plan reflecting these changes, Zimbabwe is now pioneering the use of triple therapy (Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazepine, and Albendazole – IDA) to eliminate LF as a public health threat. Additionally, informed by recent nationwide mapping of Soil Transmitted Helminths  and Schistosomiasis , Zimbabwe will implement the new WHO guidelines of administering medication at the ward level.

“The new WHO guidelines for triple therapy to eliminate LF and ward-level administration of medicines are positive steps towards decentralizing provision of services in line with universal health coverage goal and a great step towards eliminating these diseases,” said Dr Mkhokheli Ngwenya, WHO Zimbabwe Acting Team Lead, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organzation (WHO) – Zimbabwe.