11 August 2025 Experts recommend referral and business networking as the perfect remedy to Non-tariff barriers, the main hindrance to trade within the East African Community member states. Despite EAC member states signing the Customs Union Protocol which provides for elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers , traders and business operators within the EAC still face restrictions , mainly during importation of goods and services originating from other partner states. The National Director Business Network International Diana Ninsiima Kibuuka says under the referral system a trader needs to identify good business owners to collaborate with in a given EAC member state in order to penetrate that market Speaking during this year’s BNI East Africa Convention 2025 held at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo, Ninsiima said many firms have signed agreements to collaborate across borders. Ninsiima says says in the last 10 years they have closed business worth 220 million shillings with their membership now reported to be over 600. Speaking, the Executive Director at BNI Kenya Lillian Gachoki says BNI opens doors for members in the EAC region. She reports that in Kenya , the network has grown to over 550 members. Gachoki says they want BNI members across the EAC region to work towards building and supporting the regional economies. Story by Wycliffe Sebunya
11 August 2025 A total of 55,991 candidates start writing the July-August examinations for the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment board starting today. Executive Secretary Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment board Onesmus Oyesigye says that given the unique nature of competence based assessment the board has deployed 2,259 practical assessors to conduct on-spot practical assessment of candidates Oyesigye says that as part of inclusive technical training the board has registered a total 123 candidates with special needs . Oyesigye warns all candidates against involvement in any form of examination malpractice. Story by Rose Namale
11 August 2025 Individuals seeking to contest for presidency of the Country start picking nomination forms starting today and will run for two weeks until 10th September 2025. The Electoral Commission says presidential aspirants are required to submit forms comprising of their supporters’ signatures for effective verification before nominations. All the presidential aspirants are now required to file lists of supporters’ signatures from two thirds of the total districts in Uganda by getting not less than 100 registered voters. They are also required to pay 20 million shillings nomination fees. Political parties are required to write to the commission introducing the presidential aspirants or agents to avoid confusion. Simon Byabakama Mugenyi is the chairman of the Electoral Commission says presidential candidates can pick the forms , their agents or political party. Byabakama notes that the physical picking of forms will help the commission to document the aspirants. In the meantime, Individuals seeking to contest for parliamentary seats, District Chairmanship and Mayoral seats are also starting to secure nomination forms The Electoral Commission Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi says the parliamentary , LC5 and mayoral aspirants will secure their nomination forms from the Commission’s website. Story by Juliuc Ggayi
11 August 2025 Experts recommend referral and business networking as the perfect remedy to Non-tariff barriers, the main hindrance to trade within the East African Community member states. Despite EAC member states signing the Customs Union Protocol which provides for elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers , traders and business operators within the EAC still face restrictions , mainly during importation of goods and services originating from other partner states. The National Director Business Network International Diana Ninsiima Kibuuka says under the referral system a trader needs to identify good business owners to collaborate with in a given EAC member state in order to penetrate that market Speaking during this year’s BNI East Africa Convention 2025 held at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo, Ninsiima said many firms have signed agreements to collaborate across borders. Ninsiima says says in the last 10 years they have closed business worth 220 million shillings with their membership now reported to be over 600. Speaking, the Executive Director at BNI Kenya Lillian Gachoki says BNI opens doors for members in the EAC region. She reports that in Kenya , the network has grown to over 550 members. Gachoki says they want BNI members across the EAC region to work towards building and supporting the regional economies. Story by Wycliffe Sebunya
11 August 2025 A total of 55,991 candidates start writing the July-August examinations for the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment board starting today. Executive Secretary Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment board Onesmus Oyesigye says that given the unique nature of competence based assessment the board has deployed 2,259 practical assessors to conduct on-spot practical assessment of candidates Oyesigye says that as part of inclusive technical training the board has registered a total 123 candidates with special needs . Oyesigye warns all candidates against involvement in any form of examination malpractice. Story by Rose Namale
11 August 2025 Individuals seeking to contest for presidency of the Country start picking nomination forms starting today and will run for two weeks until 10th September 2025. The Electoral Commission says presidential aspirants are required to submit forms comprising of their supporters’ signatures for effective verification before nominations. All the presidential aspirants are now required to file lists of supporters’ signatures from two thirds of the total districts in Uganda by getting not less than 100 registered voters. They are also required to pay 20 million shillings nomination fees. Political parties are required to write to the commission introducing the presidential aspirants or agents to avoid confusion. Simon Byabakama Mugenyi is the chairman of the Electoral Commission says presidential candidates can pick the forms , their agents or political party. Byabakama notes that the physical picking of forms will help the commission to document the aspirants. In the meantime, Individuals seeking to contest for parliamentary seats, District Chairmanship and Mayoral seats are also starting to secure nomination forms The Electoral Commission Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi says the parliamentary , LC5 and mayoral aspirants will secure their nomination forms from the Commission’s website. Story by Juliuc Ggayi
