News - Pison Public Relations

‘Blue Weekends’ back with a bang

Stanbic Bank is set to resume ‘Blue Weekends’ a promotional campaign that allows customers to pay for services with Visa card and enjoy discounts at designated places.

Between Thursday April 26^th to Sunday April 29^th Game Stores, Gabz Lounge, Le chateau, Piato, Master Supermaket and Karvelli are the selected outlets where customers can swipe their cards through Stanbic Bank’s Point of Sale terminals.

According to Stanbic Bank’s Head of Marketing, Daniel Ogong, the bank has made consistent efforts to digitize its platforms. He said, “Years of experience have given us an understanding of our customers’ needs and the ability to provide products that fit into their lifestyle. Our goal with this campaign is to promote a cashless economy; something we believe can be achieved through the increased usage of Visa cards already in our customer’s possession.”

Commenting on the advantages of using the Visa card during the campaign Daniel Ogong said, “We want to tap into the growing trend of customers who are looking for the convenience of instant payments. Customers who transact during the campaign will receive a variety of discounts from participating outlets. We intend to provide a flexible and secure experience where our customers do not have to hold cash all the time.”

The campaign will run every last weekend of each month at selected outlets

25th April 2018/0 Comments

Qatar Airways pens Sponsorship deal with AS Roma

Qatar Airways has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Italian football club AS Roma, further strengthening the award-winning airline’s commitment to Italy. The agreement, the largest ever signed by the club, will see Qatar Airways become AS Roma’s Main Global Partner, with the airline’s logo to adorn the team’s shirts through the 2020-21 season.

The partnership will also enable Qatar Airways to engage with millions of the club’s fans worldwide, and help Roma reach millions of potential new fans across the globe. Qatar Airways will be only the seventh shirt sponsor in the club’s 90-year history.

The agreement also further strengthens Qatar Airways’ commitment to Italy. The airline currently flies twice a day to Rome and Milan, as well as daily to Venice and Pisa. Qatar Airways last year announced the acquisition of 49 per cent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy. Meridiana, Italy’s long established privately owned airline, entered into an exciting new phase of growth and development with its new identity as Air Italy last year.

Additionally, the airline earlier this month celebrated its partnership with the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Rome, where the airline was represented as the Official Airline Partner of the 2018 CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ.

Last month, Qatar Airways signed a five-year partnership agreement with leading German football team FC Bayern München AG, by which the award-winning airline will become an FC Bayern München platinum partner until June 2023, further highlighting Qatar’s role as a global leader in sports.

Qatar Airways believes in the power of sport in bringing people together, and sponsors many top-level sporting events around the world, including leading German football team Bayern München AG as well as the Formula E electric street racing series. Qatar Airways is also the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, which includes 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

Qatar Airways proudly flies one of the youngest fleets in the sky, featuring the world’s most technologically-advanced and environmentally friendly aircraft. The airline operates a fleet of more than 200 modern aircraft to a network of more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

The airline is continuing its ambitious expansion plans, and will launch a host of exciting new destinations this year, including Langkawi in Malaysia, Da Nang in Vietnam, Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain.

As well as being voted Skytrax ‘Airline of the Year’ in 2017 by travellers from around the world, Qatar’s national flag carrier also won a raft of other major awards at last year’s ceremony, including ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.

25th April 2018/0 Comments

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What Ugandan Entrepreneurs learnt from Germany

Small and Medium Enterprises constitute 99.95% of all companies in Germany. There are 3.67million SMEs in Germany employing 68% of the working population of the country. The SME sector is thriving in this part of the world with an annual turnover of up to 500m Euros, SMEs are arguably among the biggest contributors to the GDP of the republic of Germany.

SMEs in Uganda and Germany are not fundamentally different in terms of philosophy. However, the degree of success these entities have scored over the years compared to their Ugandan counterparts, presents us with numerous lessons.

Heads of over 30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda recently visited Germany and Turkey on a 10-day familiarization trip organized by KCB Bank Uganda Business Club. Below are the lessons learned from the trip.

Family Businesses; 95% of the SMEs in Germany are family businesses, even the big names like BMW and Liebherr were started by families. Family businesses in Germany have got a “we” philosophy that is ingrained in all the family members as opposed to the “I” philosophy in our Ugandan entities. This ideology enables these SMEs to be handed over from one generation to another, and they embrace a “work in progress” approach, every member at the helm of the company gives it his best and passes it on to the next one in line. Every family member has got a responsibility to ensure that business survives and does not collapse in his time. Nobody works to satisfy his own needs but to fulfill the ideology of the founding father.

Brand resilience; Germany SMEs build Brands not personal empires. A brand like Schussenrieder, have survived since 1183 and today it is one of the most popular brands of beer in Bavaria Germany. Brands have the capacity to live on long after their founders but personal empires don’t. Ugandan SMEs must embrace the registration of their trade names and endeavor to grow them with a connotation of quality and reliability, this is how Germany has built strong brands.

Technical education; University Degrees are good but to build sustainable SMEs everyone in the business must have the know how of the primary business the entity deals in. SMEs in Germany provide training for more than 1.2 million youth constituting 89% of all trainees in the country. Liebherr a market leader in the manufacture of Mobile and crawler cranes has got a fully-fledged apprentice ship department on their more than 10 acre manufacturing complex, for students as young as 15 years learning to create breath taking technological breakthroughs in the engineering arena. We need to embrace this approach in every line of business we are doing as SMEs, our young ones should be exposed to the primary business before they are elevated to management positions in the organization, and this is the sure way to create sustainable and resilient brands.

Succession Planning; Bavaria, Germany is well known for its good brands of beer and milk production. One farmer running a modern dairy farm with 85 heads of cattle single handedly with state of the art technology, confessed that “this farm has been running in the family for the last 50 years” he learnt the trade from his father and he was training one her daughters to care for the animals in preparation of her taking over from her father. Irrespective of the profession one has taken at college or University, he pays allegiance to the family trade, this way everyone is a producer in Germany from lawyers, teachers, doctors, bankers mention it. This how Germany has managed to maintain a high GDP.

25th April 2018/0 Comments

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Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Finances US$192 Million Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed City in Afghanistan April 24, 2018 11 0

His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan, inaugurated the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) financed Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed City Housing Complex in Afghanistan. Located in the Qasaba district of Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, ADFD contributed an estimated US$192 million to the social housing development project.

Aimed at increasing the supply of affordable accommodation options in the country, the crucial project encompasses 3,330 residential units. Including extensive infrastructure works such as roads, water, and electricity networks and support services, the project seeks to elevate living standards for its residents through its power stations that generate 22 megawatts of energy with minimal downtime.

Present at the event were His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, His Excellency Saif Al Shamsi, Charge d’affaires at the UAE Embassy in Afghanistan, His Excellency Sadat Mansoor Nader, Afghan Minister of Urban Development and Housing, and several high-ranking Afghan officials.

Al Suwaidi, said: “In line with the directive of the UAE leadership to support the Afghan government’s housing development goals, the construction was funded by the ADFD-managed Abu Dhabi government grant earmarked for Afghanistan. Not only will this crucial project provide adequate housing for thousands of Afghan citizens, it also will go a long way in bolstering the country’s social housing sector.

ADFD is committed to supporting the Afghan government in overcoming the challenges facing Afghanistan, reaching the country’s desired development goals, and achieving long-term prosperity.”

Moreover, His Excellency Sadat Mansoor Nader praised the efforts of the UAE in implementing humanitarian and development programmes in Afghanistan. He noted that the 53.8-hectare project will provide housing options to suit the lifestyle of Afghan families.

Since it first commenced supporting development projects in Afghanistan in 1977, ADFD has allocated US$325 million towards the development of 14 projects that contributed to the economic and social development of the country.

ADFD is a national organisation owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Established in 1971, its purpose is to help emerging countries by providing concessionary loans to finance sustainable development projects alongside other long-term investments and direct contributions. ADFD manages Abu Dhabi government grants and monitors the course of the relevant projects. It has invested AED80 billion in development projects across 88 countries.

24th April 2018/0 Comments

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Uganda Breweries announces 800 million Scholarship and Water Projects for Northern Uganda

Uganda Breweries Limited last Thursday April 19, 2018 announced a water and education initiative aimed at potentially transforming livelihoods of the communities of Acholi sub region in Northern Uganda.

Construction of 16 boreholes

In addition to the 15 Boreholes commissioned in 2014, the brewery under its water of life initiative has commenced construction of 16 more boreholes for the sorghum farming communities in Agago, Amuru, Gulu and Nwoya districts in Acholi sub region, Northern Uganda. The project costing UGX 480M will benefit approximately 4,800 beneficiaries across the four districts who have been struggling to access water. For example Gulu District faced severe water shortage after Oitino dam dried up due to the prolonged dry spell leaving the municipality with a water shortage.

Provision of 20 University Scholarships

Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) will also offer scholarships to 20 young, bright but less privileged students from the farming communities in Acholi sub region in Northern Uganda Under their skills for life initiative.

The scholarships to technical institutions are for deserving students from the farming communities in Northern Uganda. 12 bursaries will go to girls and 8 to boys. The scholarships are aimed at giving the youth practical skills that can be utilized to generate income and employ others from within the communities.

Under this project, Uganda Breweries will pay total fees of up to UGX 348,117,000 for the students to study from Daniel Comboni Vocational Institute and Kitgum Technical Institute. Successful scholars will each receive a complete university scholarship package inclusive of tuition, books, accommodation and a monthly stipend.

“Water is a critical natural resource that we all cannot do without. By drilling these boreholes within our farming communities, our farmers and the communities around them will have access to clean and safe water, which will ensure a healthier community.” Said Dr. Alan Shonubi The UBL board chairman at the launch.

“We also believe that by bringing this water closer to the community, we are freeing up time for everyone to engage in other productive initiatives that will improve livelihoods. With water nearby, we expect the farmers’ yield will greatly improve to better their food source but also improve their chances of earning more when the grain is sold. We also ask that with the time that is freed up in looking for water, our youth enroll in the vocational institutions within the region so that they acquire a skill that can sustain them for life and in turn contribute to the improvement of the communities in which they live” Dr. Shonubi added.

“The demand for clean and safe water in East Africa is increasing every single day and we should all acknowledge the importance of fulfilling this demand. This access is fundamental to health and community development and we are proud of playing a role in growing the nation,” Andrew Cohen, the CEO EABL said.

Dr. Alan Shonubi, UBL Board Chairman emphasized the need for corporate companies to play a part in developing skills and talent of the current generation in order to secure a sustainable future.

“The UBL scholarship program offers that special opportunity to the nation’s brightest scholars who are less fortunate. It gives the scholars an opportunity to build a better future not only for themselves but also for the community.”

He noted that UBL seeks to address the issue of gender inequality and women empowerment which is why they allocated 60% of the scholarships to girls.

Over the last 17 years, Uganda Breweries Skills for Life programme has awarded over 200 university scholarships across East Africa, with 40 of them from Uganda.

Uganda Breweries has previously had a number of projects in Gulu. UBL in 2014 sank 20 boreholes in the three districts of Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum and Apac. The project cost over UGX 365M and benefits 14,000 people.

24th April 2018/0 Comments

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Coca-Cola releases global anthem ahead of the 2018 fifa world cup

Coca-Cola has officially released the 2018 FIFA World Cup global anthem dubbed “Colours” created in partnership with global music superstar, Jason Derulo.

A true collaboration between Coca-Cola and Jason Derulo, “Colours” celebrates all of the vibrancy and excitement that comes with the arrival of the world’s biggest football tournament.

A localized version has been created by 2017 Coke Studio artist Tugume Wycliff, most commonly known as ‘Ykee Benda’ to uniquely celebrate Uganda’s passion for football. Other top artists include; Diamond Platnumz, South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest, Ethiopia’s Sami Dan and Mozambique’s Lizha James have also worked on localized versions to depict the colours and styles of their different countries.

Ricardo Fort, VP of Global Sports Partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company said, “We know that the FIFA World Cup is a global cultural and social phenomenon. Every four years, people are drawn to this event from all over the world due to the excitement and platform it provides. We believe that music and football are intrinsically linked by the passions they evoke so we are excited to welcome Jason to the team and can’t wait to bring this upbeat anthem to the world ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™”.

Coca-Cola Uganda Brand Manager Ms. Miriam Limo expressed pride at the international recognition that this global endeavor has created for Ykee Benda and the other local artists.

“Providing a platform for renowned as well as upcoming and less mainstream artists to collaborate musically is the backbone of Coke Studio and we at Coca-Cola are always proud to see one of our local artists get recognized internationally. Having 2017 Coke Studio representative Ykee Benda participate in such a global project signifies the impact that the Coke Studio initiative has not only on the participating artists but also on Africa and the rest of the world,” she noted.

‘Ykee Benda’ is a Ugandan musician and producer, who is signed on to Badi Music Label. Some of his popular songs include Kyenkyebula, Munakampala, Farmer and Malaika. He made his debut on Coke Studio Africa 2017 in the Big Break Segment collaborating with Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe) and Mr. Bow (Mozambique). That same year, he went on to win Breakthrough Artist and Best Collaboration of the Year in the Zzina Awards.

“Colours” will become the sound track to fans’ excitement for the tournament, as it begins playing across the world in the build up to the kick off.

Jason Derulo added, “I was honored to work with Coca-Cola to create an anthem celebrating every team and their fans. ‘Colours’ represents the different flags and cultures from around the world, and will get everyone moving to a unifying beat. I’m excited to finally tell the world about this partnership as the excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup.”

24th April 2018/0 Comments

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Emirates sqoops four accolades at Business Traveler Middle East Awards

Emirates won four accolades last night at the Business Traveler Middle East Awards 2018. The airline was crowned Best Airline Worldwide, Airline with the Best Business Class, Best First Class Airport Lounge in the Middle East and Airline with the Best Cabin Crew , a testament to its commitment to meet and exceed customer expectations in the air and on the ground. Emirates has won Business Traveler Middle East’s Best Airline Worldwide award five years in a row.

The awards celebrate the region’s best in business travel and hospitality and the ceremony was attended by key travel industry executives.

Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates, said: “It’s an incredible honor to know our customers appreciate the experience we deliver and Business Traveler Middle East’s recognition demonstrates our commitment and efforts to provide exceptional service, while continuing to build on the products our customers have come to know and love. We would like to thank our employees who work hard day in and day out to deliver the best experience possible to our customers. To receive the award for ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ five years in a row is truly gratifying, and we don’t take these awards lightly, and will continue innovating to remain ahead of the game and ensure we always deliver a consistent experience throughout the customer journey.”

Emirates has launched a number of significant product and service enhancements over the past year. The airline recently launched its game-changing, fully enclosed private suites inspired by Mercedes-Benz in First Class that have floor to ceiling sliding doors, sleek design features, soft leather seating, high-tech control panels and mood lighting.

On its existing 10 aircraft of Boeing 777-200LR, Emirates invested over US$150 million to refurbish its fleet. The Business Class seats are now even more spacious – reclining to a fully flat sleeping position with several lighting options and a mini-bar. The airline’s award winning in-flight entertainment ice now offers over 3,500 channels, including over 700 movies from around the world and regionally inspired cuisine is offered on-board across all cabins.

Emirates enhanced A380 Onboard Lounge features an airier look and feel, reconfigured seating arrangements around the iconic bar with private yacht-inspired décor, as well as new high-tech touches.

Emirates’ state-of-the-art First Class Lounge facilities at Dubai International Airport Concourses A, B and C – boast a total seat capacity of over 2,500. Concourse B lounges recently completed a US$ 11 million makeover, serving premium members the highest standards of comfort. The airline also expanded its global network of lounges to 41 dedicated Emirates Lounges in 2017.

The airline’s international team of over 23,000 cabin crew come from over 135 countries, and speak more than 60 languages. Crew members are trained to provide the very best inflight service and Emirates on-board experience.

Earlier this month, Emirates was awarded the Best Airline in the Middle East in the 2018 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice® Awards for Airlines. In addition to clinching the region’s top award, the airline also garnered 4 other awards including Best Economy Class Middle East, Best First Class Middle East, Travelers Choice Business Class – Middle East and World’s Best Airlines – Top 10.The award was based on thousands of reviews Emirates received from the Trip Advisor community over the past twelve months.

Emirates is the world’s largest international airline, with an extensive network that has grown to offer its customers a choice of 159 destinations in 85 countries across six continents. It operates one of the world’s youngest modern wide-body fleets, and is the first and only airline in the world to operate a fleet of all Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft for its passenger flights.

24th April 2018/0 Comments

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Finablr launched in UAE

UAE-based businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty announced the creation of “Finablr”, a new holding company which, subject to regulatory approvals, will consolidate his global portfolio of financial services brands under one single umbrella. Incorporated in the UK, Finablr will provide strategic direction and oversight for the category-leading brands across its network.

Finablr also seeks to drive financial enablement and empowerment by accelerating customer-focused technology innovation through R&D efforts, industry ecosystem engagements, investments and potential acquisitions. As a diversified network, Finablr will combine the cumulative industry expertise of its trusted network brands including UAE Exchange, Travelex, Xpress Money etc. to deliver innovative-technology-driven and market-leading experiences. As a platform of complementary capabilities, the Finablr network will facilitate seamless and connected experiences for individuals and enterprises.

With over four decades of industry experience, 18,000+ employees, and handling more than 150 Million customer transactions annually, the Finablr network brands boast an impressive global footprint. Collectively touching over a billion lives through its retail stores, agents and digital channels, the Finablr network brands have a direct presence in 45 countries and a network reach across 165 countries. Technology innovation and integration into the new economy is key to Finablr’s growth strategy.

In its efforts to embrace new technologies that transform the way customers and businesses engage, Finablr is setting up Innovation Hubs (i-Hubs) across its global network. i-Hubs will identify disruptive trends in the industry and implement innovations that deliver enhanced business benefits to its network of brands. Through its investment arm, Finablr will seek to acquire capabilities that complement its portfolio through inorganic pursuits. The Finablr investment arm will continue the inorganic pursuits on behalf of its network brands, including strategic investments and acquisitions plans (of USD 250-300 Million) announced by UAE Exchange.

Finablr has also announced the intent to rebrand the non-UAE operations of UAE Exchange as “Unimoni. Short for “Universal Money”, Unimoni will offer a broad spectrum of financial services and will build on the brand equity and legacy of UAE Exchange.

24th April 2018/0 Comments

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5 Things that Make Uganda the Most Beautiful Country in Africa

Are you looking for a awesome travel experience in Africa, and the world at large but not certain yet which country to visit? Uganda is a very incredible destination with lots of amazing attractions and features and would definitely recommend it for your next safari tour in Africa. You will be surprised by the weather, friendly people, lakes, wildlife, birds, primates, landscape and much more. Perhaps it’s another great destination in Africa that offers exciting life time gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. I believe it’s one of the most beautiful to visit for gorilla tracking safaris.

Security

Of course without the Permanent Peace and Stability, nothing much would be known about the beauty of Uganda.

Under the Wise Command of H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, UPDF has restored peace in Uganda. For the last 30 years, the Country is stable making it easier for the tourists to access any corner of Uganda.

Great Weather

If you want to enjoy a holiday vacation under the sun and in a warm serenity, Uganda is famous for having the best sunny days even during the so called rainy seasons. Its only in Uganda where it shines immediately after rain and the country is all year destination since nothing ruin your tour holiday. When the country’s cool weather, you will definitely enjoy your Uganda safari tour each day of your stay even though you chose to travel in April, May and November the known rainy season months.

Safe & Secure

The first concern that some people have when they think about Uganda is that it might not be safe. Surely the country is safe and secure for travel and tourism in any corner of the country. Just go ahead and plan your visit to Uganda and enjoy your trip in any part of the country provided it’s your best place of interest.

Exotic & Unique Culture

Where else can you find friendly and welcoming people than in Uganda? Though the country is known for mountain gorillas, culture and the friendly people is another interesting travel aspect that every traveler enjoys while in Uganda. The people’s culture in Uganda is unique and you get a memorable Uganda safari tour when you combine your travel interest with a cultural excursion. There is too much living history in the present, many amazing cultural dances, songs, and way of life. When you head out for a culture tour its really new adventure of a life time.

Amazing Mountain Gorillas

There is much more to see and enjoy on a Uganda gorilla safari tour to Bwindi, Mgahinga National Park the two spectacular gorilla homes in Uganda. Mountain gorillas are endangered primate species that live in forested vegetation of Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable. When you chose to explore the beautiful gorilla parks, the hilly landscape, forest habitants and the complete guidance of park rangers make the trek one in a million. No wonder its Uganda’s top tourist attraction that inspire thousands to visit the country. However, if you want to track gorillas and hike volcanoes, or track golden monkeys just go for a gorilla tour to Mgahinga National Park.

Delicious Food

You will be surprised that whatever you chose to taste or eat in Uganda is delicious provided it’s prepared by lodges or hotels that have good history in the travel world. Even snack taste great. But avoid eating foods or things sold on the streets for hygiene purposes and good health. There are plenty of dishes and foods including local, Italian, Indian, English and much more. The saddest time is heading back home and lives behind the delicious cuisines.

24th April 2018/0 Comments