Uganda: 2007 Will Be Good, BATU Predicts

Source from:  New Vision (Kampala) January 19, 2007 01/24/2007

BRITISH American Tobacco Uganda (BATU) is optimistic about its performance in 2007 but officials could not commit themselves on whether this is the year the cigarette maker shows a profit for the first time in three years. Two consecutive loss-making years have weighed down BATU's share price on the Uganda Securities Exchange to Thursday's close of sh470 from its sh1,000 listing price in 2000. Serhat Eroglu, the leaf director, said on Thursday that positive performance would be supported by the increase in the number of contract farmers from 29,000 to 40,000 and improved quality of tobacco. "We are taking all necessary actions to change direction. I can not tell you the exact period, but I can tell you that with the good response we are receiving from tobacco farmers, this will be a good year for BATU," he asserted. Eroglu was speaking during a Uganda Securities Exchange "Facts behind the figures" media conference at Workers House. "If we can have a good control on illicit trade, can get more tobacco from farmers and process it and sell it, then we will be able to make profit, but these are long stages." He revealed that about 10-15% of the market is awash with illicit cigarettes. Eroglu said over 18.6 million sticks of Supermatch cigarettes, originating from Kenya, were impounded last year. BATU officials said the company's annual results would be released at the end of February. Enditem 37. Rwanda: BAT Donates Computers to Nyamagabe Youth The New Times (Kigali) January 19, 2007 The British American Tobacco Rwanda (BAT-Rwanda) on January 16 donated ten computers to the youth of Nyamagabe District to improve on their information and communication technology skills. The function to handover and install the computers was held at Nyamagabe Youth Centre and attended among others by the BAT Director General, Luc Badibanga, Africare-Rwanda country representative, Bill Obura, area military officers, district officials and hundreds of youths. In his speech, Badibanga recommended Africare for the initiative to integrate the youth through behaviour change programs run at the centre. "BAT has a policy of assisting the community through education initiatives among other community support activities and we are proud to have continued support for youths in Rwanda," Badibanga said, adding that BAT is ready to support all socio-economic development activities for a better future welfare of all Rwandans. He added, "Supporting the youth through education is among our several initiatives to express our role in supporting the Government's development strategies for vision 2020." Badibanga further said that the computer and ICT initiatives would assist the youth to access information especially on issues concerning HIV/Aids and assist the community to get general information on development and current events in the country. He encouraged the community to share information and skills in development to change their economic status. "There is need to promote information access among the youths and the use of ICT should be shared to seek development and behaviour change as a way of fighting issues like HIV/Aids and poverty among the youths," he commented.On his part, the district Mayor, Alphonse Munyentwari commended BAT-Rwanda and Africare for initiatives towards ameliorating the welfare of the youth and supporting development programmes of the Government. "These computers came after Africare requested BAT-Rwanda to support the youth centre with computers. We are delighted to see donors coming to help our youths and I believe these computers will change and improve the activities of the youth in remote areas," Munyentwari, said. Munyentwari pointed out that the youth are the focus of development for the district and support from Africare and BAT was vital to the growth and development of the youth activities for the two existing youth centres in the area. "These computers have been seen as machines for the rich but now we have them and let's use them to change our lives because the offer is important in our development strategy and we are grateful for the support," He commended. He however cautioned the youth on the dangers of HIV/Aids to the general development of the country and urged them to consider seriously the lessons received from the centre. Enditem