Ugandans in Iraq bring sh41b monthly
Sep 05, 2009
UGANDA has started reaping big from the export of labour mainly to oil rich countries in Asia and South Sudan.
UGANDA has started reaping big from the export of labour mainly to oil rich countries in Asia and South Sudan.
State minister for labour, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, on Wednesday told MPs that the over 12,000 Ugandans working in South Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were remitting US$7m (over sh14b) into the country monthly.
He said this financial year sh500m has been allocated to monitor conditions under which these Ugandans are working and exploring more jobs outside Uganda. The MPs were, however, not happy about how Ugandan workers were being mistreated by foreigners in the country.
NSSF to get permanent home
Otaala also responded to questions raised by MPs during a debate on the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). He said his ministry is responsible for policy issues concerning in the fund while the finance ministry handled financial management issues.
Otaala disclosed that the Ministry of Gender is considering a proposal to liberalise the social security sector and find a permanent home for the National Social Security Fund. However, all is not well in NSSF. Recently, it lost a $8.8m (about sh20b) case to Alcon International, a construction company that was contracted to build the 19-storey Workers’ House.
‘Uganda has one State House’
Over the years MPs have expressed concern over the lack of an official residence for the Vice-President. At one time, the committee responsible inspected possible properties, but their efforts did not yield any results.
During a debate on the report of the presidential affairs committee Latif Sebaggala (DP) proposed that the VP should be given one of the two State Houses as an official residence.
However, the Minister for the Presidency, Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya, clarified that the country only has one state House, which is found in Entebbe. She said the one at Nakasero, Kampala, is a State Lodge, which the President uses when he is out of station. “We don’t have any to allocate to the VP,†she said. Wabudeya urged the Ministry of Public Service to find money to provide a residence for the Vice-President.
MPs want CMI land exchangeed for Land at Mombasa port
The disputed Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) land at Kitante should be swapped for land at Mombasa port in Kenya to make exporting and importing of goods easier. Defence and Internal affairs committee vice chairman Pirir Abura told Parliament that the committee was in agreement with the swap deal, though there are concerns about the alleged ownership of the CMI land by city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia. Last year, the Government agreed to give the land on Yusuf Lule Road to the Kenyan government in exchange for land in Mombasa.
Emorimor funds taken back
Funds meant for the construction of a palace for the Teso Cultural leader, Emorimor Augustine Osuban Olemukan, have been returned to the consolidated fund, Parliament heard.
The funds were returned after the Emorimor failed to fulfil conditions set by the Government. These included; presenting an approved architectural and structural plan and the title deed in the names of the institution according to Pherry Kabanda, the vice-chairperson of the committee on Gender, Labour and Social development. The Government last financial year allocated sh250m to construct a palace for the Emorimor.
State minister for labour, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, on Wednesday told MPs that the over 12,000 Ugandans working in South Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were remitting US$7m (over sh14b) into the country monthly.
He said this financial year sh500m has been allocated to monitor conditions under which these Ugandans are working and exploring more jobs outside Uganda. The MPs were, however, not happy about how Ugandan workers were being mistreated by foreigners in the country.
NSSF to get permanent home
Otaala also responded to questions raised by MPs during a debate on the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). He said his ministry is responsible for policy issues concerning in the fund while the finance ministry handled financial management issues.
Otaala disclosed that the Ministry of Gender is considering a proposal to liberalise the social security sector and find a permanent home for the National Social Security Fund. However, all is not well in NSSF. Recently, it lost a $8.8m (about sh20b) case to Alcon International, a construction company that was contracted to build the 19-storey Workers’ House.
‘Uganda has one State House’
Over the years MPs have expressed concern over the lack of an official residence for the Vice-President. At one time, the committee responsible inspected possible properties, but their efforts did not yield any results.
During a debate on the report of the presidential affairs committee Latif Sebaggala (DP) proposed that the VP should be given one of the two State Houses as an official residence.
However, the Minister for the Presidency, Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya, clarified that the country only has one state House, which is found in Entebbe. She said the one at Nakasero, Kampala, is a State Lodge, which the President uses when he is out of station. “We don’t have any to allocate to the VP,†she said. Wabudeya urged the Ministry of Public Service to find money to provide a residence for the Vice-President.
MPs want CMI land exchangeed for Land at Mombasa port
The disputed Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) land at Kitante should be swapped for land at Mombasa port in Kenya to make exporting and importing of goods easier. Defence and Internal affairs committee vice chairman Pirir Abura told Parliament that the committee was in agreement with the swap deal, though there are concerns about the alleged ownership of the CMI land by city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia. Last year, the Government agreed to give the land on Yusuf Lule Road to the Kenyan government in exchange for land in Mombasa.
Emorimor funds taken back
Funds meant for the construction of a palace for the Teso Cultural leader, Emorimor Augustine Osuban Olemukan, have been returned to the consolidated fund, Parliament heard.
The funds were returned after the Emorimor failed to fulfil conditions set by the Government. These included; presenting an approved architectural and structural plan and the title deed in the names of the institution according to Pherry Kabanda, the vice-chairperson of the committee on Gender, Labour and Social development. The Government last financial year allocated sh250m to construct a palace for the Emorimor.