Grace Namugaaju

👩🏾‍💻CPA | 🖤Travel

[CEO East Africa Magazine @CEOEastAfrica]

Nearly two decades ago, Nigerian banks made a triumphant entry into the Ugandan market, promising to shake up Uganda’s banking sector.

Today, they’re barely holding on. GTBank has slipped into Tier II, and UBA is surviving on government securities.

https://t.co/aJIHHAyxO7

[Betty @bettymudondo03]

Education & Gender Equity: Do Policies Align with Practice?
Catch this thought provoking discussion on #PeoplesParliament
This Saturday | 6:00 PM | Only on @ntvuganda
Tune in and be part of the conversation.

[NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda]

Introducing @bettymudondo03, our newest news anchor! Keep watching our well-researched news bulletins to stay informed about the latest stories in real-time.
#NTVNews

[Betty @bettymudondo03]

I’m honored to begin a new chapter in my career, working together with an amazing team @NationMediaGrp @ntvuganda @DailyMonitor @933kfm

[NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda]

Showing: #NTVTonight
Today marks a special day as we introduce a new member to our news team @bettymudondo03. She will be gracing your screen moving forward alongside @smujjawa30 on the sign language.

Stream: https://t.co/gwrR1MV6l4
#NTVNews

[Grace Namugaaju @namugaaju]

@ntvuganda Omg her Voice!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 best best of all! 🥰🥰🥰

[NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda]

Something exciting is happening! We're thrilled to welcome a new face to our news team. Stay tuned as our dynamic and insightful anchor, joins us soon with fresh perspectives and compelling stories. Don’t miss it!

[Words @wordsporn]

ubuntu

[Victor @victormatara]

Nairobi - Cape Town

Day one ☝️

📍 Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪

[Victor @victormatara]

Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 to Cape Town South Africa 🇿🇦 Notes.

What you will need to travel using a car
- Passport
- Yellow Fever Card
- Car Logbook ( make several copies) ...carry your original logbook & keep it safe. Don’t leave it at any border point.
- Driver’s License
- Comesa Insurance (was helpful in Malawi & Zambia)

........
1. Driver's License and International Driving Permit (IDL):

Throughout the journey, I used my Kenyan driver's license and did not encounter any requests for an International Driving Permit (IDL) at any border crossing.

2. Carnet de Passage: We did not use a Carnet de Passage during the trip. Unnecessary when travelling South. We didn't see its significance at any of the border crossings.

3. Car Breakdowns: Luckily, our car did not experience any breakdowns throughout the entire trip. We only needed regular servicing.

4. Car Services: We had three car services during the journey. The first service took place in Nairobi before we embarked, the second in Maseru, and the final one in Cape Town on our return leg.

5. Covid Certificate: Interestingly, we were not asked for a Covid certificate at any of the border crossings.

6. Road Conditions:

It's important to note that certain road stretches on the trip had extremely poor conditions with numerous potholes.

Specifically, the Nakonde-Kapiri Mposhi stretch in Zambia, the Katima Mlilo-Livingstone stretch in Zambia, and the Salima-Nkhotakota-Rukuru-Chiweta stretch in Malawi had particularly challenging road conditions. However, roads in South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania were generally good and enjoyable to drive on.

- While driving in Namibia always keep your lights on during the day, as failing to do so could result in a fine of 1000 Namibian Dollars. The authorities argue that this is a safety measure aimed at reducing accidents.

Experiences
...
South Africa 🇿🇦 : South Africa is an advanced country ( miles ahead) with beautiful landscapes, especially in the Western Cape region. The hype about South Africa is real. Arguably the most advanced country I have ever visited in Africa.
...
Namibia 🇳🇦: Namibia is a stunning country although internet speeds were quite slow during our visit. Their deserted roads might come as a surprise.
..
Botswana 🇧🇼: The Pula country! Botswana is known for its abundant elephant population, and the architectural diversity in Gaborone fascinated us.
..
Lesotho 🇱🇸: The kingdom on the hill

- Interestingly, their currency has the same value as South Africa.

....they have the most beautiful women on the whole continent ..trust me on this one 😅
...
Tanzania 🇹🇿: Tanzania stood out for its exceptional hospitality, good roads, and affordable food.

Zambia: Zambia offers plenty of food options, but be prepared for toll roads and fees.

Zimbabwe 🇿🇼: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is a must-visit! Would pay to see those falls for the first time again.
...
Malawi 🇲🇼: People were kind and welcoming, and Lake Malawi is a spectacular sight!

- They have the cheapest internet rates...( Airtel Malawi to be specific )
..
Kenya 🇰🇪: Kenya has the best internet, which you will definitely miss as you travel further south.

Border Crossings Charges

......
Tanzania 🇹🇿: Zero, East Africans travelling in Tanzania for less than 7 days pay absolutely nothing.
.....
Zambia 🇿🇲

Here are the costs that we incurred crossing into Zambia- Tunduma to Nakonde ( a tiring and hard-to-navigate-through border post)

1. Interpol charges - 200 Kwacha per car (Ksh. 1400)

2. Road poll charges - 20 USD per car (Ksh. 3000)

3. Car search and scan - 100 Kwacha per car (Ksh. 700)

4. Carbon tax - 370 Kwacha per car if the car is higher than 1500ccs. (Ksh. 2590)

5. Council levy - 50 Kwacha per car (Ksh. 350)

Agent facilitation fee: 650 Kwacha.. like Ksh 4550.. an agent here is inevitable.
.....
Botswana 🇧🇼

Charges for entering into Botswana via the Kazungula Border ( a seamless border this one..)

Road Permits

- National Road Safety Fund - 50 Pula

- Motor Vehicle Insurance- 150 Pula

- Road Transport Permit - 270 Pula

Kazungula Bridge Toll Fees: 150 Pula

Total cost for entering a car into Botswana: 620 Pula equivalent to Ksh 6,820.
......
South Africa 🇿🇦

Charges for entering: ZERO

Kopfontein Border Post is one of the fastest border posts I have ever used in my life. Kind staff too 🤝
.......
Lesotho

Visa-Free for Kenyans...

We used Maseru Bridge Border Post… Another seamless border crossing 🤝

Charges: paid 80 Rands… equivalent to about Ksh 670.
......
Namibia

Entered using Noordoewer Border Post.

Another seamless border crossing 🤝

Road Charges: 371 Namibian Dollars equivalent to Ksh 3300.

Unrelated: The Namibian Dollar has the same value as the South African Rand.
.....

Malawi

Here are the charges for entering a car into Malawi:

- Processing Fee: 20,000 Malawian Kwacha
- Carbon Tax: 8,000 Malawian Kwacha
- Toll Fee: 20 USD, paid in cash. I bought the 20 dollars at 46,000 Malawian Kwachas. 🤦‍♂️

- 1 Kenyan shilling is equivalent to 10.56 Malawian Kwachas.

A very expensive border border crossing.

📍Entered using Mwami/Mchinji One Stop Border Post.
......

All in all, the trip to the South is worth every coin 💯

Would I do it again? Absolutely! Can’t wait to explore the Eastern side of South Africa especially Mpumalanga, Durban & many more!

Africa is diversely beautiful! Let’s explore it!

Graphic © @WanjikuReports

[Kuteesa Tumwiine🇺🇬 @de_enginiya]

DRIVING SAFELY ON THE ENTEBBE EXPRESSWAY!
Hello Ugandans, a common misconception is that the left lane on the expressway is for slow cars and the right lane for fast moving cars, WRONG!

[Mumba Kalifungwa @MumbaKalifungwa]

When you become a CEO, your technical abilities are not in question, and what's left is how well you deal with people. 70% of being a CEO is managing stakeholders, so I encourage anyone with this vision to develop and master good people management skills early enough.

[Andrew Lokenauth @FluentInFinance]

How does the 16th largest bank in America collapse in 48 hours? Can this happen to your bank too?

I've worked in Banking for 10 years so let me explain WHY the Silicon Valley Bank failure happened, and how it impacts YOU:

[Anthony Natif @TonyNatif]

Dear @UG_Airlines, national carriers are symbols of pride. They celebrate & showcase the best of what nations have to offer to the world. They’re usually money losers & tax payers take the hit. It helps soften the blow if you supported local bznss & reduced the capital flight.

[Wantate Ismail M @wantate_ismail]

Haruna Sentongo brother to Ham Kiggundu loses suit against Orient Bank now I & M Bank Ltd.

The High Court has ordered Business Man Haruna to repay Orient Bank 10.38Bn worth of Mortgages.

[Mujuni Raymond @qataharraymond]

After filing your returns properly then you drive through the industrial area potholes!

[Dr. George @GeorgeAnagli]

This is someone who has served his country. 👏🏽

[Hunadi @Hunamashego]

Dear 25 and 26 year Olds...

I was your age when 5 years ago when I had lost a baby, unemployed, frustrated, angry, bored and even thinking I wasn't worthy of anything. At 30, I'm still trying to figure things out but God came through for me in so many ways, I went back to...

[Rama Omonya 🌽 @rama_or]

“Accidents don’t have a formula” , so they say. May be, may be not! As you have seen, accidents have increased and will continue. It could be me or you or a loved one. In my 20+ years of driving , these are my thoughts and advise. Please read!! Help @PoliceUg to help you

[Masculine Ego @MasculineEgo_]

I spent 23 years as a shy person, now I can teach you how to be confident in just 2 minutes: