Chef-artist Editha Singian presents watercolor masterpieces

Editha Singian, better known as simply Tita Edith in the local food industry, has spent long years of her life building a career in culinary arts – and she has successfully done so.

So, when she ‘retired,’ she finally gave herself the opportunity to pursue her other interests, and one of them was art. She studied the basics, and then unleashed her overflowing creativity and let her art define itself in the form of watercolor painting.

Tita Edith’s newfound artistic fame led her to mount four solo exhibits – the first at 25 Seeds in Angeles City, Pampanga, where 28 out of her 32 paintings on exhibit were sold on opening day; the second at Sanso Art Gallery in San Juan City; the third at Café Fleur in Poblacion, Makati City; and the fourth at Novotel Hotel in Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Most recently, she was one of the six featured artists in MoCAF, or Modern and Contemporary Art Festival, a three-day event held at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. The festival featured over 50 local and international galleries, with major local names like Ysobel Art Gallery and Fundacion Sanso sharing the floor with international exhibitors from Singapore, Spain, and Japan.

Highlighted showcases included glass sculptors, such as Philippine royalty RAM (Ramon, Ana, and Michael Orlina), alongside solo contemporary spotlights and a unique pop/graffiti collaboration between Imao and Tarantadong Kalbo.

Now on its fifth edition, MoCAF partnered with Art Caravan for the first time to display and frame physical prints of digital illustrations. This finally gave screen-native creators a prominent physical platform to celebrate their art.

Beyond traditional canvas and sculpture, though, the event also showcased fashion, handmade crafts, jewelry, and lifestyle products from Filipino makers as beautiful pieces of such art filled the hallways and courtyards of the venue.

Tita Edith participated in MoCAF upon the invitation of Art Manille Gallery, and she showcased three watercolor masterpieces of hers- ‘Ethereal Blooms,’ ‘Whispers of Joy,’ and ‘Soul in Bloom.’

‘It was my first time at MoCAF, and I feel deeply privileged for the immense exposure MoCAF provided. It’s an honor to have my watercolor collections showcased in the company of the Philippines’ most iconic artists and sculptors,’ said the chef-artist, who is now preparing to mount her fifth solo exhibit.

Group urges lawmakers to reverse cuts to DepEd’s 2027 budget

A civil society group has urged lawmakers to reverse cuts to several programs under the proposed 2027 budget for the Department of Education (DepEd) and direct more resources to learners and communities facing barriers to education.

Education-Network (E-Net) Philippines lamented the drop in DepEd’s budget from P1.01 trillion in 2026 to P973.40 billion in 2027.

‘We are deeply concerned that programs intended for learners and communities already facing the greatest barriers are among those being reduced,’ E-Net said in a press release on Monday.

Under the proposed budget for next year, funding for Special Needs Education (SNED) will fall by about 18.5 percent, from P1.043 billion in 2026 to P849.98 million in 2027.

Funds for Indigenous Peoples Education were slashed by more than half, from P154.436 million to P76.168 million.

Additionally, the group noted that funding for Madrasah Education decreased from P521.615 million to P504.282 million, while the allocation for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) was reduced from P897 million to P722 million.

‘Last Mile and GIDA Schools also falls far short of need from P3 billion in 2025, funding is down to P1.91 billion in the FY 2027 NEP – a 36.3% reduction,’ it also said.

According to E-Net, these budget cuts move in the opposite direction of what is needed to reach out-of-school children and youth, as well as adults who were unable to complete basic education.

‘E-Net calls for P5 billion for ALS to reach at least one million learners, together with stronger support for flexible learning options, working adults, Community Learning Centers (CLCs), and recognition of prior learning and another P5 billion dedicated and earmarked allocation for Last Mile and GIDA schools for classrooms and other essential facilities, connectivity, learning resources and equipment, and teacher and personnel deployment,’ the press release read.

The group also stressed that Last Mile Schools, CLCs and Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) ‘must have clear, dedicated and trackable budget lines.’

E-Net also raised concerns over gaps in learner protection, mental health and learning recovery in the proposed 2027 budget.

‘The FY 2027 NEP has no clearly identifiable dedicated funding for responsive and preventive learner-protection programs, despite continuing violence, bullying, cyberbullying and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and the need for functioning Child Protection Committees, reporting, referral and case-management systems,’ it said.

Moreover, the group sounded the alarm over the proposed cut in the School-Based Feeding Program from P25.695 billion to P11.431 billion, which is more than half of its FY 2026 allocation.

E-Net said an education budget cannot be called adequate if programs serving learners who face the greatest barriers are reduced.

Jobs under 2027 DepEd budget

Meanwhile, E-Net welcomed the allocation for 1,800 School Counselor Associate I positions but said it is far below the scale of need across the public school system.

‘More critically, there are no dedicated program support funds for Regional Offices, Schools Division Offices and schools implementing the School Mental Health Program,’ it further said, pointing that school personnel must be supported by resources for counseling, psychosocial support, prevention, referral and capacity-building.

The group likewise flagged that no new teaching items, Administrative Officer II positions or School Principal I positions as well as the zero allocation for the ARAL Program.

‘E-Net proposes funding for 15,000 additional teaching positions, together with stronger administrative and school leadership support,’ it said.

The group also called on the Congress to adequately fund teacher welfare and Magna Carta benefits, including the Special Hardship Allowance, fair and timely compensation for teaching overload or overtime pay, mental health and psychosocial support, transfer allowances for reassigned teachers, and deployment and relocation support for personnel serving in Last Mile and GIDA schools.

Senate sets Sara Duterte impeach trial schedule for September – November

The schedule of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte from September to November was set by the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday.

Presiding officer and Senator – judge Francis Escudero announced the trial schedule in the following months as follows:

Trial from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, plenary at 3 p.m.

September 8, 9

September 14-16

September 21-23

September 28-30

Whole day trial

October 1, 2

October 5-9

October 12-15

No trial to make way for 2027 budget hearings

October 16 to November 8

No trial for budget debates in plenary

November 9 to 18

After the Senate defends its version of the 2027 budget, the impeachment trial will return to its ‘regular programming’ on November 19, 20, or November 24.

Duterte’s trial schedule coincides with that of the second regular session of Congress, as well as its hearings on the 2027 national budget.

’Nigeria needs stronger investment in agricultural processing’

From your experience working with farmers in Osun State, and other parts of Nigeria, what are some of the biggest challenges currently affecting agricultural producers, particularly smallholder farmers?

From our work with farmers in Osun State and other parts of Nigeria, the biggest challenges for smallholder producers include limited access to affordable finance and quality inputs, inadequate storage and post-harvest infrastructure leading to high losses, poor rural road networks that raise transport costs, and price volatility combined with weak market information. Climate variability and limited extension support further constrain productivity and incomes.

Nigeria has enormous agricultural potential but still imports several commodities and processed agricultural products.

What do you believe needs to change for Nigeria to move from being primarily a producer and exporter of raw commodities to becoming a major processor and value-added agricultural economy?

Nigeria needs stronger investment in processing infrastructure, consistent power supply, and supportive policies that encourage local value addition, rather than raw exports. Improved access to finance for agro-processors, skills development, quality standards enforcement, and better linkage between farmers and processors are essential. When local processing becomes competitive, more of the value will be retained in the economy and employment will expand beyond primary production.

Commodity prices can be highly unpredictable, while issues such as transportation, storage, access to finance and inadequate infrastructure also affect agricultural businesses. How does Kehtol manage these challenges and protect both its farmers and its business?

We manage price volatility through careful market monitoring, diversified commodity portfolios, and forward planning with buyers. On operational challenges, we prioritise efficient logistics partnerships, basic aggregation and storage points to reduce losses, and selective use of available financing tools. By maintaining close relationships with farmers and transparent pricing, we help buffer them against extreme fluctuations while protecting our own margins through disciplined cost control and multi-crop operations.

How important are partnerships with local farmers and farming communities to Kehtol’s operations, and what initiatives, if any, does the company have to improve farmers’ productivity, income and access to markets?

Partnerships with local farmers and communities are central to our model. We work directly with farming groups in and around Osogbo, providing market access, quality feedback and, where possible, practical support that improves productivity and income. These relationships give us reliable supply and give farmers a more predictable outlet. We continue to explore ways to strengthen these links through better coordination and shared value.

With growing global demand for Nigerian agricultural commodities, particularly cocoa, cashew and other exportable crops, what opportunities do you see for Kehtol in the international market?

Growing global demand for Nigerian cocoa, cashew and other export crops presents clear opportunities. We see potential to increase volumes of high-quality, traceable produce, strengthen relationships with international buyers, and position Kehtol as a reliable supplier of Nigerian origin commodities. Expanding our export footprint while maintaining quality and consistency will allow us to capture more of this demand.

Looking at the next five years, what are the major plans for Kehtol Global Investment Company Limited?

Over the next five years our priorities include expanding our farming and aggregation operations, increasing export volumes, and exploring limited processing or value-addition activities where feasible. We also aim to deepen partnerships with farmers and end-users while remaining focused on the core commodities that play to our strengths. Disciplined growth and operational excellence remain the guiding principles.

Nigeria to lead Africa in real estate growth through 2029 -Report

Nigeria is projected to record the fastest real estate market growth among major African economies over the next five years, driven by rapid urbanisation, growing population and rising demand for housing, according to industry market projection.

The report projects Nigeria’s real estate market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9 percent between 2025 and 2029, ahead of Kenya at 5.1 percent, Rwanda at 3.6 percent, Ghana at 3.4 percent and South Africa at 3.0 percent.

Despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, foreign exchange pressures and risks associated with property title documentation, Nigeria received a 5/5 rating for overall investment appeal, placing it ahead of other major African property markets.

Nigeria and Kenya also jointly recorded the strongest growth-speed rating, scoring 4/5.

The report attributed Nigeria’s strong investment outlook largely to its huge market size, rapid urbanisation, persistent housing shortages and the potential for relatively high investment returns.

On regional market performance and rental yields, the report said Nigeria remains one of the continents’ most attractive property markets.

Southern African markets recorded the strongest gross rental yields at about 10 percent, followed by Zimbabwe at 9.2 percent and Cameroon at 9.1 percent.

Nigeria ranked fourth, with an estimated 8.0 percent gross rental yield, supported by strong housing demand, rapid urban growth and a shortage of adequate residential accommodation.

The report, however, noted that investment activity in Nigeria remains concentrated in selected high-value locations.

It identified Lagos, particularly the Lekki corridor and Eko Atlantic, as the country’s major property investment hotspots, where demand for high-end residential, commercial and mixed-use developments continues to attract investors.

In Kenya, Nairobi continues to benefit from strong demand for residential and logistics properties, while Kigali in Rwanda is attracting increasing interest in mid-market mixed-use developments, supported by relatively efficient urban planning.

South Africa, meanwhile, continues to attract investors looking for lower-risk opportunities and greater regulatory stability.

Although the country recorded the lowest growth-speed rating among the markets assessed, at 2/5, it maintained a relatively strong 4/5 investment appeal rating, reflecting the maturity of its property market and institutional environment.

The report highlighted the broader growth potential of Africa’s real estate sector, noting that the continent currently represents only a small proportion of global property wealth despite its rapidly expanding population and urban centres.

The global real estate market is currently estimated at $650.4 trillion, according to the projections.

Asia remains the dominant market, accounting for 41.8 per cent, valued at approximately $272.1 trillion. Europe follows with 27.8 percent, or $180.9 trillion, while North America accounts for 20.2 percent, valued at $131.2 trillion.

South America represents 2.8 per cent, or $18.4 trillion, while Australia and Oceania account for 0.8 per cent, valued at $5.1 trillion.

Africa currently accounts for about 2.7 per cent of global real estate value, estimated at $17.6 trillion.

Industry observers said the relatively small share does not necessarily reflect a lack of potential but points to significant room for expansion as African cities urbanise and demand for housing, offices, retail facilities and infrastructure increases.

The report projects that Africas real estate market will expand at an annual rate of 5.58 per cent between 2025 and 2029, more than twice the projected global average growth rate of 2.69 per cent.

Court stops Ogun govt from transferring Isheriland to Kasumu family

The Ogun State High Court in the Isheri/Ojodu Judicial Division has granted an interim injunction restraining the state government and other respondents from transferring, selling, entering or otherwise dealing with a 184.751-hectare parcel of ancestral land measuring approximately 458.529 acres in Warewa Town, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Justice A.A. Babawale made the order following an ex-parte application filed in suit HCO/370/2026, with Filing No. OGUN/AFF/101994/2026, by Oba Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade, the Olofin of Isheri, on behalf of himself and the Olofin Chieftaincy Family.

The monarch approached the court over alleged moves by the Ogun State Government and other parties to transfer the disputed ancestral land to the Kasumu family through a proposed settlement arrangement.

The five respondents are the Attorney-General of Ogun State, the Registrar of Titles, Ogun State, the Surveyor-General of Ogun State, Otunba Habeeb Kasumu, also known as Limson, and Mr Bolaji Kasumu, with the two Kasumu respondents described as beneficiaries of the Estate of Alimi Ayinde Kasumu.

The disputed property is situated within the designated two-kilometre corridor acquisition along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Warewa Town in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The parcel is identified under Survey Plan No. LC.9691(OG), drawn by the Surveyor-General of Ogun State.

In a sworn affidavit filed before the court, Oba Bamgbade alleged that officials of the Ogun State Government were taking secret steps to finalise a settlement agreement that would give ownership of the 458-acre communal land to the Kasumu family.

The Olofin maintained that Warewa Town is an integral part of the historic Isheri land and was founded centuries ago by his ancestor, Ogunfuminire. He therefore argued that the reigning Olofin of Isheri is the customary overlord of the ancestral territory and that any transfer of the land without his consent would be illegal and could cause permanent damage to the community.

The monarch was represented by O.A. Olasewere, A.O. Balogun, Oladipo Olasewere and H.K. Salaudeen of Rooftop Chambers.

His legal team sought the court’s intervention to prevent any settlement agreement or transaction from being concluded in respect of the disputed property before the substantive issues are determined.

Justice Babawale, in the interim order, restrained the Ogun State Government and its agencies from signing or implementing any settlement agreement concerning the property covered by Survey Plan No. LC.9691(OG).

The respondents were also restrained from transferring the land to the Kasumu family or any third party.

The court further stopped all five respondents from selling, entering upon, occupying, developing, transferring, alienating or otherwise dealing with the disputed property pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

The interim injunction effectively preserves the status quo over the 184.751-hectare property while the parties return to court to present their respective positions on the ownership and control of the land.

The order also prevents any of the respondents from taking steps capable of changing the status of the property while the matter remains before the court, thereby protecting the disputed land from any immediate sale, transfer or other transaction.

The case has now brought the question of ancestral ownership and customary control of the Warewa portion of Isheri land before the Ogun State High Court, with the Olofin of Isheri seeking to stop what he considers an unauthorised transfer of communal ancestral property.

However, the interim injunction does not amount to a final determination of ownership of the land or conclusively settle the competing claims of the parties. The court has only preserved the property pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

Intermediate Games will expose athlete-poaching states – Yusuf Alli

Nigerian Olympian and sports administrator Yusuf Alli says the maiden National Intermediate Games, branded EKO 2026, will serve as a litmus test for states genuinely investing in grassroots sports development-while exposing those relying on athlete poaching to boost medal counts.

Scheduled to run from October 1 to 15 in Lagos, EKO 2026 will feature athletes aged 15 to 18 competing across 28 sports. Organizers expect more than 14,000 athletes from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to participate in the inaugural edition.

Alli, a member of the organizing body, emphasized that the competition is designed to bridge the gap between youth and senior levels.

‘This will expose states,’ Alli said in an interview. ‘States that just go and buy athletes for festivals-this will show the ones that have really been training. I know for sure that states like Edo and Lagos train athletes very well, and it will show.’

He noted that the Games shift the focus from short-term medal totals to identifying states with sustainable development pipelines. Talent scouts will monitor the event to track promising contenders.

‘We are looking for extra-talented athletes who may not have everything right now, but have potential for the future. Those are the ones we want to concentrate on,’ Alli added.

He maintained that the ultimate measure of Eko 2026’s success will not be the final medal table, but the number of young talents identified, developed, and retained as they transition into senior competition.

Where is the money in the 2026/27 budget?

Nearly three months after Uganda’s 2026/27 national budget was officially unveiled at a Parliament sitting held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, local businesses are still searching for tangible opportunities.

For traders such as Baker Bahasha, a general merchandise dealer, the budget plan to deliver specific economic outcomes looks hazy.

For Ms Jennifer Aber, a sim-sim and groundnuts processor, the national budget remains an alien document.

Further north, the disconnect between the budget and its actual beneficiaries turns into frustration.

Mr Moses Ajiku, a farmer in West Nile, argues that the budget fails to address his immediate realities: market access and storage facilities.

His peers across the region echo the same sentiment, trapped between a lack of buyers, poor storage, and rising production hurdles.

While farmers fight logistics, urban traders are battling the taxman. Kampala’s textile and garment dealers say they are suffocating under the burden of excessive taxation.

For example, textile industry players alone contend with seven core categories of taxes and levies, including customs duty of either 35 percent or $2 per kilogram-whichever is higher.

‘If you add on all import duties, VAT [Value Added Tax] and different types of withholding taxes, the total effective tax burden on the textile industry players is 90 to 95 percent,’ explains Mr Bahasha, who also serves as the research and policy advocacy officer at the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA).

He continued: ‘This is why textile and garment players oppose certain import taxes and kilogram-based valuation methods because they significantly inflate import costs and squeeze profit margins. So, for an ordinary trader, this budget does not speak to us.’

Investment frontiers

Agriculture is transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial, export-led production.

There is high demand for commercial horticulture, greenhouse farming, vegetable cultivation, and certified seed multiplication. Grain milling, fruit juice concentration, and dairy processing remain open for investment.

Logistics and infrastructure

Severe shortages persist in specialised cold-chain logistics, modern warehousing, and animal feed manufacturing.

Coffee sector expansion

Coffee remains Uganda’s premier economic engine. In the calendar year 2025, the country exported a record-breaking 8.7 million bags, generating $2.5 billion in earnings.

Investment opportunities lie in massive supply gaps existing beyond the farm, specifically in regional crop aggregation, industrial roasting, domestic branding, and direct-to-market export channels.

Oil, Gas, and ancillary services

With commercial oil production slated to begin, the sector is projected to drive 5.5 percent of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.

Backed by a Shs473.51 billion budget allocation in FY 2026/27, a cumulative $20 billion in investment is moving into the ecosystem. Capital is hovering around the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the Uganda Refinery Project, and the Kabalega Industrial Park.

This influx is creating high demand for local suppliers in engineering, heavy fabrication, construction, specialised transport, hazardous waste disposal, industrial catering, and corporate hospitality.

Manufacturing, industrial parks

Armed with a Shs1.03 trillion budget allocation, the government is expanding serviced industrial parks and export processing zones. Import substitution and regional export markets offer viable opportunities for steel fabrication, pharmaceuticals, textiles, construction materials, eco-friendly packaging, and electronics assembly.

Energy and green investments

The FY 2026/27 budget pivots toward climate-resilient and low-carbon infrastructure. Entry points include electric mobility (E-mobility) solutions, commercial solar installations, off-grid mini-grid development, and solar-powered agricultural irrigation systems.

Digital economy

To harness the potential of the youth tech demographic, the government is focusing on expanding the digital economy and tapping into Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

The ICT programme has been allocated nearly Shs514 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, primarily to develop infrastructure to drive digital employment.

While Uganda’s ICT sector contributes about 7 percent to GDP, digital adoption across government and business remains fragmented.

However, this gap presents a massive marketplace.

Supported by nearly 30 percent internet penetration, 14.2 million internet users, and 47.5 million mobile subscriptions, the private sector is seeing rapid growth in software development, graphic design, digital marketing, data management, online freelancing, and customer support.

Creative sector

The creative industry is another high-potential avenue aimed at tackling double-digit youth unemployment. The government has committed to deepening investments in this sector to drive Uganda’s next phase of economic transformation, building on existing financing and copyright reforms.

The industry is projected to employ over one million Ugandans, driven by private sector opportunities in film production, music, photography, fashion, and digital content creation.

The success of these initiatives hinges heavily on execution.

Mr Julius Mukunda, a budget and policy analyst, notes that realising these opportunities depends on effective programme implementation and business access to finance.

While Mr Mukunda, who is also the executive director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), believes the budget provides a solid foundation for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, he stresses that actual implementation remains the decisive factor.

Funding opportunities

The Government has unveiled significant investment opportunities and funding allocations within the Financial Year 2026/27 national budget, heavily targeting agricultural productivity and affordable credit access.

Government investments in animal health systems, specifically local vaccine production, are projected to boost livestock productivity.

The livestock sub-sector remains one of Uganda’s fastest-growing agricultural segments, currently contributing approximately 4.5 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Budget analysts highlight rising commercial opportunities in dairy farming, poultry, goat rearing, beef production, and animal feed manufacturing.

Parish Development Model

Under the ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM), the government has cumulatively disbursed Shs4.4 trillion across 10,589 parishes.

According to official performance data, this initiative currently supports over 4 million households engaged in primary agriculture, livestock, poultry, and value-chain enterprises.

Expansion of agricultural finance

To accelerate economic monetisation, the government has allocated an additional Shs2.49 trillion toward wealth-creation programmes for FY 2026/27.

This builds on previous agricultural and enterprise financing schemes, which have injected over Shs3 trillion into agribusinesses in recent years.

Specific budgetary capitalisations for key financial facilities include: Uganda Development Bank (UDB), which was allocated an additional Shs442.2 billion to expand long-term development financing.

The Presidential Initiative on wealth and job creation (Emyooga) was granted an additional Shs100 billion and Small Business Financing Programmes and Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) each receiving an additional capitalisation of Shs47.6 billion.

Then there is the Large-Scale Commercial Farmers Financing Scheme with Shs41 billion to support farmers cultivating over 50 acres of grains and animal feeds.

Then, there is Micro-Targeted and Alternative Credit Channels in urban trade. The Microfinance Support Centre, the institution responsible for scaling it, codenamed it ‘Katale Loan Facility’.

It is being piloted across major Kampala hubs, including St. Balikudembe (Owino), Nakawa, Kalerwe, Busega, Nakasero, and Ggaba markets. This facility provides traders with working capital loans at a fixed annual interest rate of eight percent.

For startups and major infrastructure projects, the government is promoting alternative financing mechanisms outside traditional banking.

These non-traditional frameworks include venture capital, private equity, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Islamic Sukuk financing, and broader capital markets development.

Current uncertainty

Global shocks aside, Uganda’s official economic pulse is racing, according to the government.

The Finance Ministry reports low inflation, a steady shilling, and accelerating growth.

But does paper progress reach the pocket?

For households looking to outpace last year’s ledger, the Shs84.3 trillion 2026/2027 national budget points to a few specific pockets of opportunity.

Jinja hospital oxygen plant breakdown disrupts services

Jinja Regional Referral Hospital has been forced to spend heavily on transporting medical oxygen from outside the region after its oxygen plant broke down about four months ago, disrupting the facility’s ability to meet its own needs and supply other health facilities.

The plant has the capacity to produce up to 250 cylinders of oxygen a day, enough to meet the needs of the referral hospital and support lower-level health facilities across the region.

However, hospital director Dr Yayi Alfred said the prolonged breakdown has forced the hospital to transport oxygen from Namanve and Kayunga.

‘We hire trucks at Shs750,000 per trip, and we do that two to three times a week. This is costly for the hospital to sustain,’ Dr Yayi said.

He said the breakdown has also deprived lower-level health facilities of a reliable source of oxygen, forcing them to travel to Namamve and other areas to obtain the essential medical gas.

Dr Yayi, who is also the hospital’s senior executive consultant, said urgent intervention was needed to restore the plant so that it could resume supplying the referral hospital and surrounding health facilities.

He said the equipment is serviced by Global Gases, but the need to source spare parts from outside Uganda has contributed to delays in restoring the plant.

The concerns were raised on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a visit to the hospital by Parliament’s Health Committee, led by its deputy chairperson, Mubende MP Grania Nakazibwe.

The committee was assessing the state of health services at the facility.

Jinja City Woman MP Sarah Lwansasula said the prolonged breakdown of the oxygen plant was a concern given its importance to the hospital and other health facilities that depend on it.

‘Oxygen is a very critical service that should not remain unavailable for long,’ she said.

Lwansasula said the committee had asked hospital authorities to provide details of the service providers responsible for repairing the equipment and the authorities they were engaging to restore the service.

She said the explanation that spare parts and technical services had to be sourced from outside Uganda highlighted the need for locally available service providers.

‘If we can find providers within Uganda who can provide such services, it is much better,’ she said.

She said Parliament would continue pushing for increased funding to address challenges affecting health service delivery at the referral hospital, including the repair and maintenance of critical equipment.

Jinja West MP Timothy Batuwa Lusala, who is also a member of the committee, said that although transporting oxygen from Kampala to Jinja is costly, the arrangement has ensured that patients who require oxygen continue to receive it.

Patients who may require oxygen include critically ill patients, premature or sick newborns, mothers undergoing surgery, and people with severe pneumonia, respiratory failure or other conditions that cause low blood oxygen levels.

CT scan also down

The facility also faces challenges with its CT scan, which has been non-functional for about two months, forcing patients to seek the service from private facilities at a higher cost.

About Jinja Regional Referral Hospital

Established in 1930 to serve World War II veterans at Kimaka Barracks, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital was upgraded to a General Hospital in 1968 and became a Regional Referral Hospital for Busoga in 1995.

The hospital has a 500-bed capacity across its Main and Nalufenya Children’s campuses and operates 19 departments.

It serves 11 districts and Jinja City, with a catchment population of about 4.5 million people, while providing technical support to 10 general hospitals and 19 Health Centre IVs.

The hospital is severely understaffed, with 408 staff against an approved requirement of 1,261, representing about 32 per cent of the required workforce.

It handles about 12,000 general outpatients, 9,000 specialised outpatients and 3,000 admissions each month, and conducts about 500 deliveries, including 170 caesarean sections.

ABC Trade and Investment signs MoU with All-China Environment Federation

ABC Trade and Investments Ltd., has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All-China Environment Federation (ACEF).

The partnership establishes a collaborative framework aimed at accelerating new-energy development, water management, and environmental protection projects across Sri Lanka.

The agreement bridges advanced Chinese engineering capabilities, equipment, technical expertise, and investment resources with ABC Trade and Investments’ local operational strength, market insight, and project implementation skills. By pairing international technology with on-the-ground execution, the initiative is designed to address Sri Lanka’s long-term environmental and civil infrastructure priorities.

A statement said ABC Trade and Investments’ as a leading home-grown conglomerate in Sri Lanka’s ICT distribution and diversified business landscape.

The MoU signing took place during the China-Sri Lanka Environmental and Energy Exchange and Cooperation Meeting at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Grounds in Colombo, held under the theme ‘Empower Green Development, Jointly Build a New Pattern of China-Sri Lanka Environmental and Energy Industry.’

ABC Trade and Investment Ltd., Director/CEO Amalrajah Jayaseelan said: ‘ACEF gives us access to a wider network of Chinese environmental and engineering capabilities, while we bring an understanding of local requirements, regulations, and implementation realities. Our focus is now on identifying the right technologies, adapting them to local conditions, and developing practical projects that address real needs in water, clean energy, and environmental management.’

The scope of the cooperation spans a broad spectrum of environmental applications. Priority areas identified for immediate project development include integrated urban and rural water supply and drainage systems, domestic sewage treatment upgrades, industrial park wastewater management, village drinking water purification, distributed renewable energy installations, and clean energy systems linked directly to water infrastructure.

The partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both organisations. ACEF brings a vast network of Chinese enterprises operating across environmental protection, water engineering, renewable energy, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) investment. ABC Trade and Investments contributes a nationwide service infrastructure and specialised expertise through its Water Science Division, which provides end-to-end management spanning consultation, solution design, equipment supply, installation, commissioning, and long-term Operation and Maintenance (OandM).

The MoU establishes a structured, long-term cooperation framework under which individual commercial and technical projects will be identified, evaluated, and contracted independently. By matching proven environmental technologies with local realities, ABC Trade and Investments and ACEF aim to build practical, scalable infrastructure solutions that support sustainable development throughout Sri Lanka.