PM Nabbanja pledges pothole-free Kampala roads

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja used the return of the Kampala City Festival yesterday to promise pothole-free roads to the thousands of city residents who attended.

Ms Nabbanja said road construction works in the city are ongoing and assured residents that Kampala will soon be free of dust and potholes.

‘Road network in the city has improved. I know you like good roads, but potholes will soon become history. The President directed that city roads, including the flyover, Jinja Road, and city centre, from Kubiri to Luweero, Nateete, Masaka, Busega, Mityana, be worked on. Works on roads in the industrial area are ongoing. We have also secured funds to work on Mubende Road,’ she said.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Ms Sharifah Buzeki, and the Minister of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Ms Minsa Kabanda, among other guests. Residents have long complained about the poor state of city roads, prompting the city authority to direct contractors to work both day and night.

Recently, officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport met with contractors whose projects had stalled due to delayed payments. The two sides agreed that the contractors would resume work as the government seeks funds to clear the outstanding arrears. Ms Nabbanja also told city residents that President Museveni had directed an increase in Parish Development Model funds allocated to city Saccos to match the growing population.

During his recent tour of Kampala, the President pledged to raise the amount given to PDM beneficiaries from Shs1 million to Shs3 million. The festival was organised by KCCA.

The KCCA Executive Director, Ms Buzeki, praised the Cabinet and President Museveni for approving the return of the festival.

She revealed that the proportion of tarmacked roads in the city is set to rise from the current 35 percent to 87 percent, while garbage collection will increase from 55 tonnes to 185 tonnes.

Air pollution levels, she added, are expected to drop from 40 microns to 25 microns. Ms Buzeki further added that the city plans to revive bus transport, create more work opportunities for residents, and position Kampala as a key tourist destination for East Africans and visitors from beyond. The last city festival was held in 2019.

The festival drew more than 500 exhibitors who gathered at the Kololo Independence Grounds to showcase their products. KCCA uses the festival to celebrate culture, unity, innovation, and social life.

By 7am, exhibitors from the business community and food vendors, who had set up their stalls a day earlier, had already arrived to display and sell a variety of goods and services. The event began with a float procession flagged off at Buganda Road by Ms Buzeki.

The procession moved through Kyaggwe Road, Kampala Road, and the Railway Grounds before heading to Kololo for the main celebrations.

Although an afternoon downpour briefly interrupted the event, organisers described it as a sign of blessings. Festivities continued into the night, with revellers entertained by various performances.

Iteso Cultural Union seeks mining royalties

The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) is demanding a share of mining royalties from Busia District, accusing local leaders of ignoring their community. Busia, a multi-ethnic district in eastern Uganda, is rich in minerals such as gold in Tiira Town Council and Mawero in Buteba Sub-county, tin in Lunyo Sub-county, plus large deposits of sand and stone for construction.

Mr Chas Omella Itogot, an ICU minister, said the Iteso migrated to Busia around 1750, intermarried over generations, and now speak Samia/Lugwe. However, he said they are being left out of mining benefits.

‘All discussions on minerals are centred on the Samia/Bagwe and their cultural head (Obwenengo bwa Bugwe), while wishing Iteso away,’ Mr Itogot said during a stakeholder engagement workshop on mining and rural electrification in Busia District on Wednesday last week.

He added: ‘About 20 percent of the people in Busia District are Iteso, gold was discovered in an Iteso area, and the people who were displaced were Iteso. So, when talking about mining royalties, talk about Obwenengo bwa Bugwe and the ICU because there are Iteso in Busia District.’

The engagement was convened to clarify government positions on mining royalties, regulation of artisanal mining, and rural electrification and power reliability, among other issues in Busia District.

Mr Stephen Wasike Mugeni, the LC5 chairman, described Mr Itogot’s concerns as ‘genuine’, saying the intention was not to exclude anybody.

‘The area was gazetted and there is somebody in charge. If it is about royalties aimed at equal distribution between the ICU and Obwenengo bwa Bugwe, I have no problem with that.’

Mr Mugeni called for the payment of royalties on gold and an adjustment in its distribution to Busia District (15 percent), Obwenengo bwa Bugwe (five percent), the sub-county or town council (five percent) and land owners (five percent).

He also sought the amendment of Regulation 45(a) of Schedule 2 (Fees and Other Payments) to the Mining (Licensing) Regulations 2023 to delete the words ‘except gold’.

‘Schedule 3 to the Mining and Minerals Act, Capt 159 should be amended to include a five percent share for the gazetted cultural institutions where they do exist like the Obwenengo bwa Bugwe in Busia District,’ Mr Mugeni said.

Mr Mugeni further proposed the creation of Busia Mining Company Limited, with capital worth $200 million (Shs680 billion), to generate more than $600 million (Shs2 trillion) in annual revenue over the next 40 years.

‘We demand a grant of 4.5 percent shareholding from the 15 percent shareholding of Wagagai shares held by the Uganda National Mining Company in line with Section 178(1) and Section 20(1) of the Mining and Minerals Act Cap 159.’ He also called ‘unfair, unconstitutional, and discriminatory’ sections of the Mining and Minerals Act, Cap 159.

Ms Agnes Alaba, the commissioner for mines in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), said currently, royalties on gold are zero-rated and not on board, adding that the government’s strategy is to stimulate investment. ‘There are already investors on board, but investment isn’t flowing,’ she said.

In a speech read for her by Ms Alaba, Ms Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary in the MEMD, said they want to identify practical and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the mining and energy sectors in the district.

Residents homeless as storm sweeps through Busia

A devastating storm swept through parts of Busia District, leaving over 100 residents homeless and causing widespread destruction.

Homes were torn apart, property damaged, and families displaced as strong winds and heavy rains battered the area for hours.

Local authorities are assessing the damage and appealing for emergency support to aid affected communities.

Ms Rehema Nankya, 40, a resident of Sigalame B, Busia District who was one of the affected persons, said the storm blew off the roof her hut.

‘Dark clouds formed, then a drizzle turned into a violent downpour. The wind was deafening, and hailstones pounded everything. I ran inside, but moments later, the roof was gone,’ Ms Nankya said.

The storm flattened homes and farms in Sigalame A and B, Busyechira, Munaka, Hutale, Sifuyo, and Buyukha villages.

Annet Makhoha, 60, said they had prayed for rains to revive their crops, but the storm brought disaster instead.

‘We have no food or shelter now,’ she said.

Ms Demitria Makhoha, 61, said it was the worst storm she had witnessed since 1979, with all her family’s houses and gardens destroyed. Opio Yuda of Sigalame A counted at least 40 homes damaged in his village alone.

Mr Paul Wafula of Sigalame B, whose family of eight spent the night in the open, fears a looming food crisis.

‘This is the third destructive storm in just one month,’ he said.

Last month, other areas across Busia District, including Masafu, Dabani, Buyanga, Busime, Lunyo, Lumino, Masinya, and Masaba were also hit by similar weather events. Villages in Rukaka Parish, Busime Sub-county, such as Bulukuyi, Busahi, Ndegero, and Buhanga, also suffered crop and property damage.

Ms Alice Namudde of Lumuli Village said hailstones destroyed cassava gardens and stripped mango trees bare. In Lunyo Sub-county, villages in Nalwire Parish saw widespread destruction. Masafu Sub-county villages including Busedu, Mawanga, and Bukalikha were similarly affected.

Mr Gabriel Mukisa from Bukalikha said, ‘We wait so long for rain, but when it comes, it’s destructive.’

While some residents blamed the storms on witchcraft and curses, others believe the changing weather is a clear sign of climate change.

Mr David Egesa from Bwaniha noted a shift in rainfall patterns over recent years.

‘We used to have two regular rainy seasons. Now the rain is either absent or too extreme,’ he said, adding that farmers are now turning to drought-resistant crops like cassava and sorghum.

Ms Aggrey Mirembe, a senior district agricultural officer, said delayed planting and crop failure due to erratic weather are becoming more common.

Mr Jimmy Ngolobe, the district natural resources officer, attributed the worsening conditions to climate change and environmental degradation.

‘Rising temperatures and declining rainfall are a result of widespread destruction of wetlands and forests. We must prioritise restoring these ecosystems to stabilize our climate,’ he said.

Outrage over Kitubulu forest land giveaway

A new controversy has erupted over the government’s decision to allocate part of Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve in Entebbe to a Chinese investor for building government offices and a shopping mall.

This move has sparked outrage among environmentalists, policy experts, and local leaders.

The $500m (about Shs1.7063t) project, spearheaded by Mr Paul Zhang, the head of Tian Tang Group, is part of a broader plan championed by State Minister for Investment and Privatisation, Ms Evelyn Anite, who said it is aimed at creating an ‘alternative capital city’ in Entebbe.

Ms Anite confirmed that the government had allocated about 150 acres of Kitubulu forest land to Tian Tang Group for what she described as a ‘government campus’, a complex meant to host ministries, departments, and agencies currently renting space in Kampala.

‘The government has allocated land in Entebbe to Chinese investors for the construction of modern facilities, including a five-star hotel, hospital, conference centre, and housing estates,’ Ms Anite said.

‘Unless you are in a government-constructed facility, your office will have to move to Entebbe. The aim is to decongest Kampala,’ she added.

Mr Zhang said construction is expected to commence next month, describing Entebbe’s proximity to the international airport as a ‘strategic advantage’ for investors.

‘Some time ago, I approached the minister with a proposal to build an international conference centre along with other amenities such as hospitals, international schools, and modern housing in Entebbe,’ Mr Zhang said.

‘We believe this will transform Entebbe into a modern administrative hub. He added that his company was facilitated through the minister’s office and was later introduced to President Museveni, who approved the allocation. In July, more than five developers expressed interest in acquiring parts of the forest. The National Forestry Authority (NFA) reportedly issued licences to various private developers to establish eco-lodges within the forest.

During a meeting convened by Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rululinda, and attended by the Katabi Town Council Mayor, NFA, and the developers, the forestry body acknowledged that it had allocated sections of the forest reserve to various developers.

Local leaders protest

The decision has angered Entebbe authorities and environmental activists who accuse the government of sacrificing a vital ecological asset for short-term commercial gain. Kitubulu is a protected central forest reserve, gazetted under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, and managed by the NFA.

It is one of the few remaining natural habitats on the shores of Lake Victoria, providing a crucial buffer zone that helps maintain water quality and biodiversity. Mr Rululinda condemned the move, saying Entebbe leaders were not on consulted about the allocations.

‘We are not allowing this forest giveaway, that’s clear. It is disrespectful that no one from NFA has ever come to discuss with us or even inform us of any plans regarding this forest,’ he said.

‘We are appealing for the cancellation of all land titles and letters issued in connection with this forest because we are determined to put up a spirited fight to ensure nothing of this sort happens in Entebbe,’ he said.

He added that Kitubulu was not a naturally grown forest but one planted by the people of Entebbe decades ago.

‘This forest was planted by our people, and we had hoped it would be preserved for posterity. Whoever claims to have bought land in that forest has been duped because we will not allow any developer to take over,’ he said.

Mr Rululinda added that his office had written several letters to NFA seeking clarification, but had received no response. ‘All the letters we have seen authorising activities in that forest are coming from NFA. We appeal to them to cancel all permissions because this forest is not for destruction,’ he added.

NFA defends allocation

When contacted, Mr Emmanuel Mangiraguha, the executive director of NFA, defended the authority’s decision, saying the plan for Kitubulu allows for ‘wise use’ through eco-tourism.

‘The forest management plan talks about conservation through wise use. The best way to save Kitubulu is through sustainable utilisation, and eco-tourism is one of those approaches,’ Mr Mangiraguha explained.

He added that developers were given strict conditions before being allowed to operate within the forest.

‘Every developer is required to carry out environmental and social impact assessments, and all this was done,’ he said. Environmentalists, however, insist that the government must suspend all ongoing allocations and conduct a comprehensive environmental audit.

They argue that converting a protected forest reserve into commercial property sets a dangerous precedent. They warn that clearing Kitubulu could worsen flooding in Entebbe, accelerate wetland degradation, and undermine Uganda’s commitments under international environmental conventions.

As the debate rages on, Kitubulu, once a quiet, lush green forest hugging the shores of Lake Victoria, has become the latest battleground in Uganda’s escalating struggle between conservation and commercial development.

Efforts to reach out to State Minister for Water and Environment, Ms Beatrice Anywar for a comment on the ongoing developments in Kitubulu forest were futile as she never picked up our repeated phone calls to her by press time yesterday.

Beyond cancver treatment: Accessing palliative care in Uganda

As cancer prevalence and other life-limiting illnesses continue to rise in Uganda, palliative care has become a critical service for alleviating suffering, managing pain, and improving quality of life.

Unfortunately, many patients and families still believe that palliative care is limited or unavailable. In reality, Uganda has made remarkable strides in integrating palliative care into the health system, with multiple access points across the country.

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), working with national and regional partners, is committed to ensuring that patients and their families know where and how they can receive these essential services.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a holistic approach that goes beyond medical treatment.

It relieves pain and other symptoms while also addressing psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional needs. It is not restricted to end-of-life care; it can begin early in the course of an illness, even alongside curative treatment.

UCI, together with partners such as the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) and the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU), continues to advocate for accessible, affordable, and high-quality palliative care for all Ugandans. Through PCAU, palliative care is now available in more than 100 districts across Uganda.

Services are offered in many public health facilities, including national and regional referral hospitals, district and general hospitals, and Health Centre IVs.

This expansion means that even in rural areas, patients may find palliative care closer to home. Families are encouraged to ask at their local health units whether such services are offered.

Specialist organisations

In addition to hospital-based care, Uganda has several hospices and specialist organisations offering comprehensive palliative care. Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU), operating in Kampala, Mbarara, and Hoima, provides outpatient care, home visits, psychosocial and spiritual support, and outreach clinics.

HAU also produces oral liquid morphine in partnership with the Government of Uganda, ensuring access to essential pain relief.

Rays of Hope Hospice in Jinja City serves the Busoga region with home-based palliative care and outreach services. Kabale Christian Care in southwestern Uganda offers holistic palliative services alongside psychosocial support and cancer care assistance.

Joy Health Centre and Hospice in Mbale provides specialist outpatient and inpatient palliative care, home visits, and end-of-life support. Many of these organisations extend their services to patients’ homes, making care more accessible to families who cannot travel.

The role of APCA

The African Palliative Care Association, headquartered in Kampala, plays both a continental and national role in strengthening palliative care.

APCA supports advocacy, training, and policy development, ensuring that palliative care is prioritised in national health systems. Its close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, PCAU, and UCI helps expand service availability and improve quality standards.

Uganda is one of the first African countries to integrate palliative care into its public health system. Public service structures now include positions for palliative care specialists in national and regional hospitals.

Nurses and clinical officers trained in palliative care are authorised to prescribe oral liquid morphine, making pain relief more widely accessible.

Partnerships between the government and NGOs like HAU ensure local production and distribution of affordable morphine, bringing services closer to patients and reducing the financial burden of travelling long distances for care. Patients and families can access palliative care by checking with local facilities such as Health Centre IVs, district hospitals, or regional referral hospitals to inquire about services. They can also contact hospices and specialist organisations directly for information and home-based services.

PCAU maintains an updated directory of accredited facilities across Uganda, while APCA supports regional palliative care initiatives and can link patients to service providers.

Oral liquid morphine, a key pain relief medication, is available in public and NGO facilities, often free of charge.

Challenges

Despite the progress made, only about 11 percent of Ugandans who need palliative care currently have access to it. Some health centres lack trained staff, and awareness among patients and communities remains low. Myths that palliative care is ‘only for the dying’ also discourage timely uptake, leaving many to suffer unnecessarily.

UCI’s role

At UCI, palliative care is integrated into the treatment journey for cancer patients. The institute partners with APCA, PCAU, and Hospice Africa Uganda to expand referral networks and trains healthcare workers in palliative care and pain management. It also advocates for policy and system strengthening to ensure that no patient is left behind.

Nigerian Breweries calls for homegrown regulatory solutions

Nigerian Breweries Plc has urged the Federal Government to adopt homegrown regulatory solutions that support industrial growth, warning against the proposed introduction of foreign tax stamps on excisable goods.

The company said the plan could duplicate existing monitoring systems, increase production costs, and hurt consumers, stressing the need to strengthen local compliance frameworks instead.

Speaking during a media parley in Lagos, Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uzodinma Odenigbo, said the industry already operates under robust excise monitoring mechanisms, making a foreign tax stamp unnecessary.

‘Our industry is one of the most compliant in Nigeria. Customs officers have dedicated workstations in our breweries; FIRS monitors production through e-invoicing, and we use the Excise Reporting System for real-time data. Introducing a foreign tax stamp is unnecessary, costly, and counterproductive,’ Odenigbo said.

He explained that beer production in Nigeria is highly capital-intensive, with full traceability from manufacturing to retail.

According to him, the proposed tax stamp system, already proven problematic in other African countries, could drive up operating costs, increase product prices, and hurt consumers.

He said: ‘In Tanzania, productivity dropped by 40 per cent after tax stamps were introduced, while Mozambique recorded a 20 per cent decline. These are clear warning signs. When costs rise, consumers ultimately bear the brunt.

‘What we need are solutions tailored to Nigeria’s realities, not imported models that ignore our environment’.

Odenigbo maintained that both the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) already have digital systems that guarantee transparency in excise collection. Importing a foreign-managed technology, he warned, could trigger capital flight and expose the sector to external dependencies.

‘We should strengthen local compliance structures instead of replacing them. Foreign systems come with high costs and long-term maintenance risks,’ he said.

According to him, the company and other manufacturers under the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are engaging government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Finance, FIRS, and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to demonstrate that current monitoring mechanisms already ensure full visibility and accountability.

‘Our objective is to work collaboratively with government to design policies that enhance competitiveness rather than weaken it,’ Odenigbo explained.

He also commended the media for its role in driving public understanding of regulatory and economic issues, describing journalists as ‘critical partners in national development.’

Speaking on the company’s sustainability agenda, the company’s Sustainability and CSR Manager, Oluseye Olokun, highlighted ongoing environmental and social initiatives under its global ‘Brew a Better World’ framework.

He said the company’s sustainability efforts are anchored on three pillars, including environmental impact reduction, social investment, and responsible consumption, aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions in production by 2030, and across the value chain by 2040.

‘We are decarbonising our operations through solar expansion in our breweries and are targeting 100 percent renewable energy in our Lagos and Ama plants,’ he said.

Olokun added that four of the company’s operational sites, including Lagos and Kaduna, are located in water-stressed regions, prompting the launch of a water balancing project that has already seen the planting of over 300,000 trees, with a target of one million by 2030.

Beyond environmental initiatives, Olokun said the company continues to empower local communities through entrepreneurship and social development. Since the launch of the Nigerian Breweries Empowerment Programme in 2019, over 2,300 beneficiaries, he said, have received vocational training, start-up tools, and business support.

Earlier this year, the company, he noted, commissioned an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Kaduna to further strengthen youth empowerment and skills development.

Olokun also disclosed that the Heineken Africa Foundation, in partnership with Nigerian Breweries, is investing pound 2.25 million over three years to support smallholder farmers in Nigeria, enabling them to transition from subsistence to commercial production.

‘Our sustainability strategy is not just about the environment; it’s also about people, prosperity, and resilience,’ he said.

As part of its responsible drinking campaign, the company, he said, continues to promote moderation through nationwide initiatives such as ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Olokun added that all NB products now carry clear labels indicating ’18+ only,’ ‘Not for pregnant women,’ and ‘Don’t drink and drive,’ as part of efforts to enhance consumer awareness and safety.

Reaffirming Nigerian Breweries’ leadership in Nigeria’s manufacturing space, Odenigbo said the company, established in 1946, will mark 80 years of operations in 2026, maintaining about 65 per cent market share and over 55 per cent share of voice.

He cited the company’s acquisition of Distell Wines and Spirits in 2023 as part of its diversification drive, with local production now taking place at its Ibadan brewery.

‘Our reusable glass bottles and crates remain central to our circular economy model, but theft and destruction undermine our sustainability goals. We urge the public to help protect this shared resource,’ he said.

Odenigbo concluded by reaffirming the company’s commitment to continued engagement with stakeholders, noting that partnership and transparency will remain central to its long-term growth.

‘From the Maltina Teacher of the Year to our renewable energy investments – these are examples of how we are brewing a better world. Partnership with purpose is what has taken us this far, and it’s what will take us into the future,’ he said.

Polaris Bank emerges best digital bank for fifth consecutive year

Polaris Bank has been adjudged for the fifth consecutive time as the best in digital banking, underlining the bank’s cutting-edge technologies and transformative customer experience.

The bank was also at the weekend voted the best bank in lending and general ecosystem for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for the fourth consecutive year.

Polari Bank reaffirmed its dominance in the digital banking space by clinching the ‘Digital Bank of the Year’ and ‘Best Bank for MSMEs’ awards at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Speaking on the double recognition, Managing Director, Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, said being adjudged the best for the fifth consecutive year underscored the bank’s industry leadership, customer trust, and unwavering commitment to innovation and inclusion.

He dedicated the awards to the bank’s customers and employees.

‘Winning the Digital Bank of the Year for the fifth time and Best Bank for MSMEs for the fourth time is both humbling and inspiring. It validates our belief that true innovation begins and ends with the customer. Our mission has always been to use technology as an enabler of opportunity – to make banking not only easier but transformative. These awards belong to our customers, our people, and every partner who believes in our vision,’ Lawal said.

He further assured that Polaris Bank will continue to invest in digital infrastructure, as it did recently with a seamless core banking application upgrade, enhance financial inclusion, and deliver consistent, integrated experiences across all customer channels.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the bank, Chief Digital Officer, Polaris Bank, Dele Adeyinka described the recognition as an affirmation of the bank’s people-centered digital transformation journey.

‘This award is a celebration of our customers, whose trust and engagement inspire every innovation we create. VULTe is more than a platform; it is a community of empowered users who bank, borrow, save, and grow with ease. Every update and every feature we roll out reflects our commitment to making banking smarter, simpler, and more inclusive for every Nigerian,’ Adeyinka said.

He noted that Polaris Bank continues to redefine digital banking in Nigeria through bold innovations, customer-centric solutions, and sector-shaping initiatives.

According to him, with an unrelenting focus on financial inclusion and customer empowerment, the Bank’s digitally led strategy has transformed how Nigerians access, manage, and grow their finances.

At the heart of this transformation is VULTe, Polaris Bank’s flagship digital platform, which has recorded phenomenal growth and activity in 2025. Within the first eight months of the year, the platform handled an extraordinary volume of transactions, reflecting the deep trust, widespread adoption, and scale of Polaris Bank’s digital ecosystem. More than just enabling seamless banking, VULTe continues to power the financial backbone of businesses and individuals across Nigeria.

Far beyond being another banking app, the upgraded VULTe 3.0 stands as a best-in-class digital banking solution. It integrates AI-powered features that personalize user experiences, automate engagement, and enhance operational efficiency.

Since its initial launch in 2021, Polaris Bank has maintained a culture of continuous improvement, upgrading features based on real customer feedback to elevate user experience and set new industry standards. This agile approach ensures that VULTe is not only keeping pace with the global digital economy but is also leading the charge in Nigeria.

Polaris Bank equally recognizes that MSMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and has deliberately deployed digital solutions to empower this vital sector. In the second quarter of 2025, the Bank launched a major funding initiative to empower professionals in the creative industry through strategic partnerships with Woodhall Capital (UK), the Lagos State Government, and the British Government. In the months that followed, the Bank expanded its support to hundreds of small and medium enterprises across various sectors, with a strong focus on providing financing to women-owned and women-led businesses in education, fashion, and other key industries. These interventions underscore Polaris Bank’s enduring commitment to inclusive growth and gender empowerment.

Through simplified applications, digital credit assessments, and integration with VULTe for Business, SMEs enjoy faster and easier access to working capital, free from the traditional bottlenecks of banking. This approach is turning business survival stories into success stories across Nigeria.

BusinessDay has long celebrated innovation and corporate leadership, and Polaris Bank’s story exemplifies both. With VULTe 3.0, the Bank has built Nigeria’s most agile AI-driven digital banking ecosystem. By placing customer feedback at the core of product evolution, Polaris ensures that every innovation addresses real needs. Through digital credit expansion and data-driven insights, the Bank is directly fueling economic growth and empowering Nigeria’s entrepreneurial base.

In Nigeria’s banking and financial sector where many promise transformation, Polaris Bank continues to deliver measurable, customer-validated results. Through its digitally led initiatives, relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction, and strong contributions to SME growth, Polaris Bank is not merely adapting to the digital age – it is defining it.

First lady donates 21 shuttle buses to OAU

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has fulfilled the first phase of her pledge to her alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with the donation of 21 new shuttle buses to the institution.

According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the gesture is part of a total pledge of 50 buses aimed at modernising OAU’s internal transport system.

The vehicles were delivered exactly one year after Mrs. Tinubu announced the donation.

Olarewaju said the initiative began in October 2024 when the First Lady, during the 50th birthday of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, expressed concern over the heavy reliance on commercial motorcycles within the campus. Describing the situation as ‘unbefitting of a 21st-century world-class African university,’ she pledged to provide safer, modern alternatives.

The first batch of white shuttle buses arrived on October 10, drawing excitement from students and staff as the vehicles were unveiled and test-driven by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adebayo Bamire and other management members.

Prof. Bamire hailed the donation as ‘a luminous act of benevolence that illuminates OAU’s path toward excellence.’ He said the buses will replace unsafe motorcycles, connect lecture halls, hostels, and offices, and ‘revolutionise our internal mobility with comfort and safety.’

The vice-chancellor added that the initiative would also promote environmental sustainability and inclusivity for persons with mobility challenges. He urged other alumni to emulate Mrs. Tinubu’s example by supporting the university through endowments, mentorship, and innovation.

He described the First Lady’s gesture as ‘a timely intervention that sets a powerful precedent for philanthropy in education.’

Madagascar’s president warns over attempted coup

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina’s office said yesterday an attempt to seize state power illegally was underway, a day after troops from an army unit sided with anti-government protesters.

‘There is an attempt to seize power at this time in the territory of the republic, in complete violation of the constitution and democratic principles,’ a presidential statement said yesterday.

In a video statement on Saturday, troops from the Army Personnel Administration Center (CAPSAT), a military unit instrumental in Rajoelina’s rise to power through a 2009 coup, declared its support for the anti-government protests that began last month.

‘This country is facing a collapse of basic services, security forces must not follow blindly unlawful orders,’ they said.

Today, CAPSAT officers, in a video message, said that they will take control of the armed forces, saying: ‘From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army – whether land, air or the navy – will originate from CAPSAT headquarters.’

’Nigeria losing N900b annually to trade inefficiencies’

The country is losing an estimated N500 billion to N900 billion every year in unrealised revenue, duplication, and productivity losses due to the continued absence of a functional National Single Window (NSW) for trade facilitation, the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has revealed.

The maritime research and policy advocacy group said the staggering losses stem from fragmented digital systems, overlapping agency functions, and weak coordination among government institutions, factors that continue to make neighbouring ports in Cotonou, Lome, and Tema more competitive.

SEREC made this known in its latest bulletin titled ‘Nigeria’s Path Toward Seamless Cargo Clearance – The Imperative of a Functional National Single Window’.

The organisation described the planned launch of the NSW by January 2026 as a potential turning point for Nigeria’s trade efficiency and customs modernisation drive.

According to SEREC, the NSW initiative, spearheaded by the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), could mark Nigeria’s transition into a globally competitive logistics hub, but only if governance integrity, interoperability, and inclusivity are prioritised over bureaucratic dominance.

‘The absence of a unified Single Window continues to drain the economy of between N500 billion and N900 billion annually through inefficiency, administrative duplication, and lost productivity,’

‘Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in the digital integration race when smaller ports in the subregion are already ahead,’ SEREC warned.

The group noted that while Nigeria has transitioned through multiple electronic trade systems – from Asycuda to PAAR/NICIS I and II, and now the B’Odogwu platform – none has delivered the long-promised seamless cargo clearance process. It said persistent system downtimes, weak inter-agency collaboration, and limited stakeholder consultation have hindered progress.

Drawing lessons from Singapore’s globally acclaimed TradeNet system, managed by CrimsonLogic, SEREC urged the government to develop a homegrown, integrated electronic trade network tailored to Nigeria’s operational realities. It said the Singapore model succeeded because of institutional coordination, trust, and shared commitment to trade facilitation rather than revenue competition.

SEREC commended the Federal Government for establishing an Independent National Single Window Secretariat, describing it as a step in the right direction, but warned that its oversight must remain neutral and transparent to prevent sectoral dominance.

It called for clearly defined engagement rules, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs), and a focus on trade facilitation outcomes rather than just revenue collection. The group also urged a shift away from overreliance on foreign consultants toward empowering local experts who understand Nigeria’s Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) trade model.

Highlighting the economic stakes, SEREC presented verified fiscal data showing Nigeria Customs’ remarkable revenue growth – from N3.2 trillion in 2023 to N6.105 trillion in 2024, representing a 90.4 per cent increase. As of mid-2025, Customs had already collected N3.68 trillion, or 55.9 per cent of its N6.58 trillion target, which was later revised upward to N10 trillion by the National Assembly.

However, the group stressed that despite these figures, ‘efficiency leakages, compliance gaps, and bureaucratic overlaps’ still erode the full potential of customs operations, especially amid low import volumes.

According to SEREC’s projections, a fully functional NSW could boost Customs revenue by 10-20 per cent annually, generating between N600 billion and N1.2 trillion in additional income; reduce cargo dwell time by 35-45 per cent, saving the private sector an estimated N300-N400 billion annually in logistics and demurrage costs; and cut overall trade transaction costs by 20-25 per cent, significantly improving the country’s global logistics competitiveness ranking.

In addition, SEREC estimated that a robust NSW ecosystem could create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in ICT, logistics, and data management, while attracting $2-$3 billion in private sector investment within five years. This, it said, could expand the maritime sector’s GDP contribution by up to 1.5 per cent

Despite these projections, the group cautioned that the success of the NSW would depend not on technological sophistication but on governance integrity, inter-agency coordination, and genuine stakeholder inclusiveness.

‘The success of Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda hinges not on the sophistication of its software but on the integrity of its governance and the inclusivity of its design. The National Single Window must be pursued as a national economic reform – not merely an automation project,’ it stated.

The group urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, freight forwarders, terminal operators, shipping lines, and the trading community, to commit to a culture of **efficiency, transparency, and mutual trust.

‘Trade facilitation must come first; revenue will follow efficiency. Only then can Nigeria’s ports become truly competitive within the West African subregion,’ it added.

SEREC reaffirmed its support for the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and the NCS, urging them to ensure that the B’Odogwu platform evolves into a durable and interoperable digital foundation capable of sustaining the forthcoming NSW regime.