n TOURISM
n TRANSPORT
Tz regulators ponder amphibious bus use
Court clears Umubano sale PAGE 3
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VOL. 9, ISSUE 26 FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 3, 2014
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Three leaders gripped by speed BY JOHN SAMBO nKAMPALA, UGANDA –Leaders in East Africa will soon launch the Central Corridor Infrastructural Projects to incorporate Tanzania and Burundi, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said. The Central and Northern infrastructural Corridors will cover all the member states of the East African Community with the ultimate objective of minimising delays in the movement of goods and people across the region. Speaking during the 4th Northern Corridor Infrastructural Summit in Kampala, President Kenyatta stressed the need to fast-track the central infrastructure corridor with the ultimate goal of linking all the EAC member countries. “A journey of one thousand miles starts with one step. The new central corridor will link waterways and power initiatives in the region,” The President said. He pointed out that regional leaders are concerned primarily with improving infrastructure in the region and easing the movement of people and goods. The President said a lot of progress has been made in removal of non-tariff barriers to allow free movement of TO PAGE 2
President Kenyatta (C) said the new central corridor will link waterways and power initiatives in the region after discussions with President Museveni (L) and President Kagame (R) PPU Photo
Agriculture cash inflows rebound BY PAUL TENTENA nKAMPALA, Uganda—Investment in agriculture has rebounded following long years of steady decline, according to the latest update from the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) published last week. Agriculture was the fastest growing sector by investment
value while finance, real estate, insurance and business services recorded the largest planned capital investment,” Dr. Frank Ssebowa said. He said the outlook is positive considering the public investment in infrastructural development this financial year and the next. “Once the much needed TO PAGE 2
Russians eye Tz gas blocks nMOSCOW, Russia—Gazprom, one of the world’s biggest energy companies, is evaluating the prospect of bidding for one of Tanzania’s off-shore gas blocks. The government has put to tender licenses for seven blocks in the deep-water shelf and the application period expires in the middle of May. According to media reports here, the Russian interest is brought on by the market demands in East Asia and the possibilities of getting into the Tanzanian gas industry on the ground floor rather than a latecomer. To date, the British and Norwegians are setting the pace and have already mooted construction of a large gas plant near Lindi. “Most likely, one or even a few plants manufacturing liquefied gas will be built in Tanzania. The current orientation is towards the Asian market, so Gazprom will become very close to the Indian market which is potentially very capacious,” Ivan Bagramov, a leading analyst at the Institute of Energy and Finances was quoted by Voice of Russia. The Tanzanian gas industry began its active development only recently. Nevertheless, the country has already opened its doors to such leaders of the world oil and gas sector as Exxon Mobil, Statoil, Shell and Petrobras. Tanzania’s prospective gas resources are about 2trln cubic metres. Western companies are planning to build a plant manufacturing liquefied natural gas with a capacity of 10 million tons a year. Tanzania has a large export potential due to both its great gas resources and a favourTO PAGE 2
Burundi puts into Rwanda to get $23m action Vision 2025 solar power complex BY CLAUDINE NIZIGIYIMANA nBUJUMBURA, Burundi—The government together with development partners, mainly the UNDP, has developed and is implementing the ‘Burundi 2025’. According to Dr. Gervais Rufyikiri, the Second Vice President, “This is the strategic framework for growth and fight against poverty, with a primary mission to trigger accelerated growth by promoting a favorable global environment for sustainable develTO PAGE 2
BY AGNES BATETA nKIGALI, Rwanda—A new solar power plant that can generate 8.5MW is being built with help from the Dutch firm, Scatec Solar Company and Norway’s Gigawatt Global Cooperatief at a cost of $23.7million. Norfund is putting up a considerable part of the cash. Basically solar energy involves channeling the sun’s rays onto panels that heat up and transform this heat into electricity. TO PAGE 2