Uganda loses its shs38 billion to trading illicit cigarettes in 2021

President Roopun urges students to develop critical minds in technologicy-driven society

Mauritius: Addressing secondary school students in the context of the prize-giving ceremony for the Science Quest 2023 competition held today at the Côte d'Or National Sports Complex, the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, encouraged them to explore the opportunities of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in an increasingly technological-driven society.

Dominica: DBS’ Focus on Government and Development programme emphasises on hurricane safety tips

Dominica: DBS Radio station Dominica launched their Focus on Government and Development programme yesterday (Thursday), in which their major focus was on discussing plans and policies in place to improve lives. The weekly programme, which is broadcasted on Thursday, was hosted by Dion Dieron Smith this week.

Mauritius Prez Roopun graces Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematics Contest Gold Award Ceremony

Mauritius: The winner of the seventh edition of the Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematics contest, Noor Mohamed Yasin, a student of the Royal College Curepipe, was awarded the Srinivasa Ramanujan Gold Medal, along with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, during a ceremony held yesterday afternoon, in Ebène.

Free State acting Premier Ketso Makume attends launch of DESTEA

South Africa: The Acting Premier of the Free State province, Ketso Makume, joined MEC for DESTEA and Thabo Meeko for the launch of the Organised Youth Business Pitching Programme.

Africa: As per the research of British American Tobacco (BAT) officials, Uganda lost their shs38 billion to trading illicit cigarettes in 2021.

Bat organized a workshop on illicit trade at Hotel Africana in Kampala organized by Uganda Breweries Limited; Billy Tsuma (right), the BAT Fiscal Affairs Engagement Manager for East Africa, stated that much of the cigarettes consumed in the same period Uganda were as a result of illegal trade.

Advertisement

According to Tsuma, “Cigarettes are one of the most trafficked goods, reducing governments’ earnings. In the last quarter of 2021, 24% of the cigarettes smoked in Uganda resulted from illicit trade and shs38 billion which was supposed to go URA was lost.”

Furthermore, he stated that now it is difficult to stop Ugandans to consume cigarettes because these are the fast consumer goods that they bring from retailers, especially in the morning and evening time, they prefer to consume.

By accounting for 24% of the cigarettes on the market, the Ugandan government failed in excise earnings, which led to lessening income collected from legitimate cigarette sales.

As per the official’s statement, most illegal cigarette manufacturing is done locally, whereas 49 percent were smuggled from neighbouring countries.

As per the sources, the biggest driver of the illegal tobacco trade is tax-evaded cigarettes, which carry with fake tax stamps, cigarettes are exported that are not sold in their p[roper destination market and cigarettes smuggled into Uganda.

As per the statement of ‘Joanita Menya‘, the Managing director for Unilever Uganda, during the campaign, all the illegal goods and products should carry a toll on individuals, companies and governments.

Advertisement

“It costs reputation for businesses and companies. Companies like Uganda Breweries and Unilever are known for quality, but we lose out on reputation every time there are counterfeits because it loses our trust. After all, those products come cheaper than genuine, said Menya.”

Furthermore, they stated that “We have lost the Geisha and Sunlight factories here, but the parent company in the UK decided to pull out of Uganda due to counterfeits. Because the businesses were not making optimal investments, they chose to pull out of Uganda. This essentially means we are losing out as a country in terms of investment opportunities but also on jobs.”

As per the trade minister, those illegal goods is growing day by day due to a number of factors.

According to ‘Joseph Lubuulwa’, the Brand Protection Manager for Uganda Breweries Limited, “many people prefer to go for alternate goods which are cheaper and in most cases, these are goods which are not genuine. The fact that illegal trade is profitable because of not paying taxes and being unregulated but people are earning has seen this vice grow.”

President Roopun urges students to develop critical minds in technologicy-driven society

Mauritius: Addressing secondary school students in the context of the prize-giving ceremony for the Science Quest 2023 competition held today at the Côte d'Or National Sports Complex, the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, encouraged them to explore the opportunities of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in an increasingly technological-driven society.

Dominica: DBS’ Focus on Government and Development programme emphasises on hurricane safety tips

Dominica: DBS Radio station Dominica launched their Focus on Government and Development programme yesterday (Thursday), in which their major focus was on discussing plans and policies in place to improve lives. The weekly programme, which is broadcasted on Thursday, was hosted by Dion Dieron Smith this week.

Mauritius Prez Roopun graces Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematics Contest Gold Award Ceremony

Mauritius: The winner of the seventh edition of the Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematics contest, Noor Mohamed Yasin, a student of the Royal College Curepipe, was awarded the Srinivasa Ramanujan Gold Medal, along with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, during a ceremony held yesterday afternoon, in Ebène.

Free State acting Premier Ketso Makume attends launch of DESTEA

South Africa: The Acting Premier of the Free State province, Ketso Makume, joined MEC for DESTEA and Thabo Meeko for the launch of the Organised Youth Business Pitching Programme.

Free State hosts Netball world cup in Bloemfontein

South Africa, Free State: The Free State Provincial Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, in partnership with the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture under the guidance of Minister Zizi Kodwa, invites members of the media to the Netball World Cup post 50 days countdown celebration.

Botswana VP Tsogwane Council heads to fight HIV

Botswana: National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) Council, chaired by His Honour Slumber Tsogwane, the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, held its meeting this morning in Gaborone.