NEWS ANALYSIS

How Museveni family politics plays out Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | In December 2022, President Yoweri Museveni flew to London with a business delegation en route to the U.S. Africa summit in Washington D.C. In his delegation was one individual who loomed large: his son-in-law Odrek Rwabwogo. Rwabwogo’s presence on …

Although it is a large crude oil producer, country has faced challenges supplying its citizens with refined oil products Lagos, Nigeria | AGENCIES | The world’s largest single train refinery was on May 22 commissioned in Nigeria. The $20 billion giant refinery was built by the Dangote Group which is owned …

Africa bank lists economy among best in Africa COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT | Just days to the June 14 reading of the national budget in parliament, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has listed Uganda among countries whose good GDP growth performance is expected to make Africa the second fastest growing …

A new era of virtual universities is revolutionising learning in Africa, through accessible, tech-driven platforms. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | West Midlands Open University (WMOU) is Nigeria’s first private virtual institution to “go live”, part of wave of openings that is sweeping the continent. The country’s National University Commission …

Washington, US | XINHUA |  The debate over the debt ceiling in the United States is creating rampant uncertainty and risks an immediate economic recession, financial crisis, and hardships for American families and businesses, according to U.S. experts. Despite reaching the 31.4 trillion U.S. dollar debt limit in January, discussions …

Nancy Karigithu is one of seven contenders pitching for the top job at the International Maritime Organization. If successful in the July elections, Karigithu would be the first African and first female elected in IMO’s 75-year history. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | Nancy Karigithu, a globally recognised maritime expert …

Africa’s largest oil refinery goes live in Nigeria as the continent’s largest oil producer seeks to cut fuel importation costs. The refinery promises to turn Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter of refined oil. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | In a ceremony attended by heads of …

How Rwanda’s support for Muhoozi could influence 2026 campaign Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Rwanda goes to the polls in 2024 with President Paul Kagame widely expected to stand in his fourth election. In that election, all eyes will be on a maverick Ugandan army officer, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In July 2022, BBC Africa Eye released a documentary on gang activity in northwestern Nigeria. The programme, The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara, examined the raids on villages, abductions and murders that have plagued swaths of the country. Notably, it included interviews with so-called bandits, who …

Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Elephants used to be a nuisance for most residents living in the farming village of Kyenzaza in Kirugu sub-county in Rubirizi, one of the seven districts that border Queen Elizabeth National Park. But, following the construction of an electric fence along the park boundary in …