Loan Performer (LPF) is a first-class management information system for Microfinance businesses. It is user friendly, affordable, efficient, cost effective, full of features and its support is excellent. Crystal Clear Software, a company on the 3rd Floor of King Fahd Plaza, Kampala Road intends to make LPF the standard for microfinance. LPF has been on the market for 10 years. Over 200 micro-finance organisations have obtained this software. Loan Performer has established itself as a secure, trustworthy and reliable micro-finance software. In 2003, it was rated “Best Value for money” by the Consultative Group to assist the poor (CGAP – World Bank); 2004 it won the prize for “Best Software Development” from Uganda Investment Authority (UIA); 2005 it was recognized as the “Number One Exporter of ICT exports” by Uganda Export Promotion board (UEPB) and also received the African SMME Award [for Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises] in the Information, Communication and Technology sector from the African Centre for Investment Analysis of the University of Stellenbosch, Capetown, South Africa. (Below are 21 benefits (@www.loanperformer.com):
It supports different micro-finance methodologies: Individual Lending, Village Banking as well as Solidarity Group Lending.
You can track shares, deposits and loans and it is integrated with a general ledger accounting module. LPF also has an assets module and a debtors/creditors module.
You can define up to 100 different Savings and 100 different loan Products
Group loans can be tracked at group level as well as member level.
You can use it in a centralized environment or on the counter in your branches.
The multi-language facility makes it possible for one user to work with an English interface while another has a French, Spanish or Russian interface, both working with the same database.
Loan Performer has user definable fields for clients and loans so that you can filter reports according to your own criteria.
You can analyse loans according to business sector, client type, loan fund, branch, location, business sector, geographical area (4 levels), credit officer, loan product, loan size, gender classes, loan cycle or your own user-definable categories.
LPF comes with more than 150 first class reports that can be exported to DBF, Excel and PDF format. It is complaint with CGAP’s reporting requirements.
The PMT tool (used in Uganda) is integrated in LPF
Interest on loans can be calculated either as flat rate or on declining balance, amortised or discounted, either all up-front or in equal installments.
Loans can be repaid in cash, by check, from the clients’ savings account or by bank transfer.
Loan Performer can import client data, savings transactions and financial transactions from file (TXT, XLS or DBF) making database conversion a lot easier
Loan Performer can produce loan contracts by linking it to MS Word.
Loan Performer can print notification letters for arrears and add penalties for defaulters automatically
Loan Performer’s General Ledger can produce Balance Sheets and Income and Expense Statements.
Loan Performer can be linked to an external accounting package and export financial transactions.
You can analyse your profitability/ costs by period, branch, savings or loan product or donor.
Loan Performer is password protected. It has 10 user-levels and each menu item can be disabled for each level. Each menu item can be re-labeled.
Loan Performer also comes with a cash module, making cash reconciliation a whole lot easier.
Loan Performer comes with an excellent windows help file
17 July 2008
07 July 2008
You are a (URA)… Developer of Uganda!
As you diligently pay your taxes (both local and customs), you are a developer of this country together with URA. Set up on 5 September 1991 under the Uganda Revenue Authority Statute (now Act) No. 6 of 1991, URA not only operates as the central body to assess, collect and account for Government Tax Revenue but also enforces related laws.
Its vision is to collect revenue that will fully finance the Ugandan Government’s recurrent and development expenditure by attaining a tax to GDP ratio of at least 24%.
Uganda Revenue Authority’s mission is to maximize central government tax revenue while optimizing resource utilization by ensuring a fair and equitable tax administration with a highly motivated and professional staff. Core values include excellence in service, superior customer care and respect for the individual.
The broad objective of URA is that they are charged with the responsibility of providing the foundation for development through revenue mobilization to: finance current and capital development activities; Increase the standard of living of all Ugandans and reduce poverty in addition to Increasing the ratio of revenue to GDP to a level at which Government can fund its own essential expenditure. During the 2008 PSFU (Private Sector Foundation Uganda) & MTN Trade Facilitation Exhibition at Lugogo on Friday 27 June, URA Commissioner Richard Kamajugo (AC-Trade) conveyed absent Commissioner General (CG) Allen Kagina’s remarks saying that today, URA contributes a very large percentage (above two thirds) of government’s expenditure.
Service delivery has been harmonized and organized into regions [central, eastern, northern & south western] each headed by a manager, one for customs and one for domestic taxes.
For further information about their services, please contact Public and Corporate Affairs Division on Telephone No. 0414 334416/7 or 0414 317012/5 (Toll Free 0800117000)
Its vision is to collect revenue that will fully finance the Ugandan Government’s recurrent and development expenditure by attaining a tax to GDP ratio of at least 24%.
Uganda Revenue Authority’s mission is to maximize central government tax revenue while optimizing resource utilization by ensuring a fair and equitable tax administration with a highly motivated and professional staff. Core values include excellence in service, superior customer care and respect for the individual.
The broad objective of URA is that they are charged with the responsibility of providing the foundation for development through revenue mobilization to: finance current and capital development activities; Increase the standard of living of all Ugandans and reduce poverty in addition to Increasing the ratio of revenue to GDP to a level at which Government can fund its own essential expenditure. During the 2008 PSFU (Private Sector Foundation Uganda) & MTN Trade Facilitation Exhibition at Lugogo on Friday 27 June, URA Commissioner Richard Kamajugo (AC-Trade) conveyed absent Commissioner General (CG) Allen Kagina’s remarks saying that today, URA contributes a very large percentage (above two thirds) of government’s expenditure.
Service delivery has been harmonized and organized into regions [central, eastern, northern & south western] each headed by a manager, one for customs and one for domestic taxes.
For further information about their services, please contact Public and Corporate Affairs Division on Telephone No. 0414 334416/7 or 0414 317012/5 (Toll Free 0800117000)
Government’s Gift to Exporters
Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has since June 2005 been implementing the Second Private Sector Competitiveness Project (PSCP II). This is a 5 year World Bank – Government of Uganda project aimed at creating sustainable conditions for enterprise creation and growth. Under its three components – Developing infrastructure and financial services; Enhancing enterprise competitiveness; and Improving the business environment – the project’s various innovative activities are intended to increase value addition, support linkages between enterprises and improve skills for MSMEs. To make this happen, PSFU is working together with Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda Law Reform, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.
“A powerful, distinctive, and appealing national brand in case of the country or company brand, is one of the most valuable gift a government can give to its exporters. Today, branded exports are one of the most potent ways of building and sustaining company and subsequently national image.” The Business Branding Linkages (BBL) Programme is aimed at capturing more value from profit margins associated with branding and marketing.
The expected outcome is that our products will be differentiated from those of our competitors thus making it more difficult for them to compete for our customers. We expect to attract a higher price for our products. This will enable us to communicate with our products using consistent messages and build a positive image for our businesses and our nation.
How is the PSFU going to support this initiative? The program will identify sectors/ firms in the country suitable for branding or with potential to attract incremental benefits as a result of branding and assist them on a cost share basis by: (i) Hiring branding consultants to assist the firm/ sector undertake market analysis in international and regional markets and identify products, market segments where Ugandan producers could successfully penetrate. (ii) Developing branding strategies or campaign. (iii) Working with identified firms/ sectors to the creation of new brands/ sub brands and improve the quality and efficiency along the value chain in order for them to meet the required quality and quantity requirements. (iv) Providing support in respect of the brand related costs arising out of the recommended branding strategy i.e. advertising, marketing campaigns, design of materials/ packaging and creation of branding stories.
Eligibility is based on whether the applicant is privately-owned and is not fully or partially owned by Government; The applicant is carrying out business in the MSME sector with a potential for export to regional or international markets in any category apart from production of weapons, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and gambling; Companies are in compliance with tax and requirements; Cost share basis grants are up to a maximum of USD 100,000
© PSFU Exporters & Importers Directory 2008
“A powerful, distinctive, and appealing national brand in case of the country or company brand, is one of the most valuable gift a government can give to its exporters. Today, branded exports are one of the most potent ways of building and sustaining company and subsequently national image.” The Business Branding Linkages (BBL) Programme is aimed at capturing more value from profit margins associated with branding and marketing.
The expected outcome is that our products will be differentiated from those of our competitors thus making it more difficult for them to compete for our customers. We expect to attract a higher price for our products. This will enable us to communicate with our products using consistent messages and build a positive image for our businesses and our nation.
How is the PSFU going to support this initiative? The program will identify sectors/ firms in the country suitable for branding or with potential to attract incremental benefits as a result of branding and assist them on a cost share basis by: (i) Hiring branding consultants to assist the firm/ sector undertake market analysis in international and regional markets and identify products, market segments where Ugandan producers could successfully penetrate. (ii) Developing branding strategies or campaign. (iii) Working with identified firms/ sectors to the creation of new brands/ sub brands and improve the quality and efficiency along the value chain in order for them to meet the required quality and quantity requirements. (iv) Providing support in respect of the brand related costs arising out of the recommended branding strategy i.e. advertising, marketing campaigns, design of materials/ packaging and creation of branding stories.
Eligibility is based on whether the applicant is privately-owned and is not fully or partially owned by Government; The applicant is carrying out business in the MSME sector with a potential for export to regional or international markets in any category apart from production of weapons, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and gambling; Companies are in compliance with tax and requirements; Cost share basis grants are up to a maximum of USD 100,000
© PSFU Exporters & Importers Directory 2008
Making Money by Giving it out…
You have to be a very crazy guy to think that lending people money will earn you more. Okay, there is a spiritual principle pastors always preach that “givers get more…” but honestly [I’m not saying Don’t Give!], that is a foolish risk unless you are guaranteed interest in the payback, however un-Islamic that is. However, there are people who make money-lending their career. These are professional loan sharks, sharp and loaded to the teeth. Bayport Financial Services is registered in Mauritius but has roots in South Africa which also has the largest operation followed by Ghana [Coincidentally, its Ugandan branch is near the South African High Commission]. Other countries where Bayport’s financial consultants can be found include Tanzania and Zambia.
Moody Johnson (Country Operations Executive – COE Uganda) while speaking at Grand Imperial Hotel Kampala said, “Bayport’s 2010 vision is to operate in all countries in Sub-Saharan Africa…” Bayport is a credit finance (cash) and loans provider (Biggest clients are Government and Government employees). You need to have a steady monthly income to get a loan which is not collateral based. “Bayport is not a charity but a capitalist profit-oriented company.” I guess now you can see how some folks give to get much more. Charles Mbire of MTN is the Board Chairman and all the other directors are whites (Boers).
A Bayport agent’s “vision should be how to make money”. The only way you can do it is to become an investor; deliver a certain amount of output before you are paid. The minimum requirement, ie the least to achieve in delivering is 12 Million from which you get a commission of only 2 % which is 240,000 UgX. Loans are usually 500,000 UgX, so you are required to write one deal per day and write out loans. The Minimum Revenue of service is 600,000 UgX (30 % average tax, NSSF 10 %). Agents pay withholding tax to government (Used to be 4 %, then 6 % but is now 10 %. You don’t have to pay NSSF). Unfortunately, agents are not employees. “You give 100 % and your employer doesn’t pay you above 5 % in the capitalist world.” To strike a balance, they say that there is “no exploitation”, I hear. As a Bayport agent, you pay your employer to give you a life, afterall he is “giving an opportunity to make money from which you can be paid. Knowing people is a liability on you. You have to be an intelligent thief! If you don’t give out money, it doesn’t come back to you.”
There are three important things to consider in this business: First, a client who needs money; Secondly, Affordability Calculations: The client must be employed; and finally the Transactor. Minimum requirements for a transactor include a month’s training by the COE or any other official twice a week for 4 weeks. On-job training takes place 3 days a week. You get tools and skills to make money. Skills impartation is mandatory training unlike field training where you can do your own things. There are five deals for disbursed money and you can do one deal per week, for instance a teacher can take a loan of 900,000 UgX. You become an agent in the second month with an advance of 60,000. You can write eight deals worth 400,000 UgX for a month (Two deals per week) with a 60,000 advance and 5 % of 4 Million. You put in four hours per week and earn 460,000 UgX net. In the third month, the requirement goes up to 8 Million with a 100,000 investment, Can you meet the challenge?
Moody Johnson (Country Operations Executive – COE Uganda) while speaking at Grand Imperial Hotel Kampala said, “Bayport’s 2010 vision is to operate in all countries in Sub-Saharan Africa…” Bayport is a credit finance (cash) and loans provider (Biggest clients are Government and Government employees). You need to have a steady monthly income to get a loan which is not collateral based. “Bayport is not a charity but a capitalist profit-oriented company.” I guess now you can see how some folks give to get much more. Charles Mbire of MTN is the Board Chairman and all the other directors are whites (Boers).
A Bayport agent’s “vision should be how to make money”. The only way you can do it is to become an investor; deliver a certain amount of output before you are paid. The minimum requirement, ie the least to achieve in delivering is 12 Million from which you get a commission of only 2 % which is 240,000 UgX. Loans are usually 500,000 UgX, so you are required to write one deal per day and write out loans. The Minimum Revenue of service is 600,000 UgX (30 % average tax, NSSF 10 %). Agents pay withholding tax to government (Used to be 4 %, then 6 % but is now 10 %. You don’t have to pay NSSF). Unfortunately, agents are not employees. “You give 100 % and your employer doesn’t pay you above 5 % in the capitalist world.” To strike a balance, they say that there is “no exploitation”, I hear. As a Bayport agent, you pay your employer to give you a life, afterall he is “giving an opportunity to make money from which you can be paid. Knowing people is a liability on you. You have to be an intelligent thief! If you don’t give out money, it doesn’t come back to you.”
There are three important things to consider in this business: First, a client who needs money; Secondly, Affordability Calculations: The client must be employed; and finally the Transactor. Minimum requirements for a transactor include a month’s training by the COE or any other official twice a week for 4 weeks. On-job training takes place 3 days a week. You get tools and skills to make money. Skills impartation is mandatory training unlike field training where you can do your own things. There are five deals for disbursed money and you can do one deal per week, for instance a teacher can take a loan of 900,000 UgX. You become an agent in the second month with an advance of 60,000. You can write eight deals worth 400,000 UgX for a month (Two deals per week) with a 60,000 advance and 5 % of 4 Million. You put in four hours per week and earn 460,000 UgX net. In the third month, the requirement goes up to 8 Million with a 100,000 investment, Can you meet the challenge?
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