UIRI Awards
Jul 09, 2014
The third Uganda Responsibility Investment (URI) awards ceremony was held at the Imperial Royale Hotel, recently and 50 companies, government entities and distinguished individuals were awarded. Among the companies and institutions that were recognised were; Roko Constructions, Pro Plan Partners, K
What Uganda responsible investment is all about
By Brian Mayanja
The third Uganda Responsibility Investment (URI) awards ceremony was held at the Imperial Royale Hotel, recently and 50 companies, government entities and distinguished individuals were awarded. Among the companies and institutions that were recognised were; Roko Constructions, Pro Plan Partners, Kyagalanyi Coffee and Aptech Computer Education. The companies were picked from the sectors of insurance, banking ICT, the academia, manufacturing, construction and non-governmental organisations.
During the function, President Yoweri Museveni urged the business local community to take advantage of the growing production of maize and fresh fruits in the country. He asked them to start processing units. Public Opinions organised and managed the 2014-2015 URI Awards.
It is spear heading the campaign in Uganda and Africa to enable business communities to promote and uphold international best practices and standards. The ceremony was organised to recognise investments in Uganda and Africa which have contributed towards the attainment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by upholding and promoting international best practices and standards.
The practices include quality products and services, respect for internationally proclaimed rights of workers, environmental protection and conservation. Others practices are productive corporate social responsibility, zero tolerance to corruption, payment of taxes and employment of indigenous people. Public Opinions sent a total of 10,000 questionnaires to different companies’ staff as well as internal assessment forms to company chief executives seeking their views on their companies’ contribution to internationally proclaimed rights for workers, like the elimination of discrimination in respect of occupation and employment. The public is also involved in selecting best performing companies and institutions. URI is a brain child of a partnership between Public Opinions and UIA.
Among the individuals recognised at the ceremony, was President Yoweri Museveni, who received “the most admired political investor since independence award.” He was also presented with an award to recognise the Uganda People’s Defence Forces as the “best Government institution.” Premier Minister Amama Mbabazi also received “the best Government personality” award.
On his part, Mbabazi said Government was taking steps to improve the effi ciency of its institutions like the Uganda Investment Authority and Uganda Revenue Authority, to facility the private sector. “The private sector should align their goals to Vision 2040 in order to transform Uganda from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years,”he said. Other winners were Gen Salim Saleh, Rtd Gen Aronda Nyakairima, minister of internal affairs. Both were awarded in absentia.
The 2014-2015 Uganda Responsible Investment Awards recognised winners in different categories, like the best airline company of the year, cement manufacturer of the Year, courier company of the year and the best audit and accounting fi rm of the year
PRO PLAN PARTNERS WIN AWARD
By Vision reporter
Richard Batte, a businessman in Mukono Municipality hired local builders to construct his rental houses. But before the builders started to construct the houses, they advised him to take the architectural plan for approval. When he went to municipal authority to approve his architectural plan, it was rejected. Trying to find out the problem, Batte was told the architectural plan for his rentals had some many errors. “I was told that the plan was done by unprofessional architects. And the municipal physical planning committee refused to approve it. I spent sh6m on an architectural plan,” he says. Batte is not alone.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) recently announced to demolish many buildings in the city suburbs because of poor architectural plans. Owners of illegal structures were given notice to stop construction. The city physical planning committee recommended the demolition of illegal structures. Davy Mugamba, the Principal Partner Pro Plan Partners Limited, however, advises those planning to construct buildings to always look for credible architectural firms, to design their plans. “Pro Plan Partners is one of the firms ready to deliver comprehensive architectural services of high quality for wide range of projects, varying from repetitive prototypes in remote locations,” he explains.
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The Pro Plan Partners receive their award
Established in 1991, the fi rm, Mugamba says, in-fi eld expertise and resources, which enables it to provide practical appropriate professional services in architectural consultancy. Pro Plan Partners Limited is a firm of architects, planners, interior designers and project management consultants registered in Uganda. The architectural fi rm is engaged in the three primary disciplines of architecture, planning and project management. Mugamba also says, the fi rm is engaged in the sector of education.
The projects Proplan is handling, the on-going construction of primary school facilities at 21 schools under the Karamoja Primary Education Programme (KPEP) upon completion and Tertiary Programme (PPET) at 13 institutions spread through the region. Both programmes are funded by Irish Aid.
Kyagalanyi Coffee sets up $12m plants
Established in 1992 upon the liberation of the coffee market, Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd is the oldest coffee exporter in Uganda.The firm which employs over 120 workers procures Arabica and Robusta coffee from all regions of the country.
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