Beijing, China | AFP | China has mobilised its army and fast-tracked tests in the global race to find a coronavirus vaccine, but its labs also have an image tarnished by past health scandals to overcome. Six months after the first cases emerged in the city of Wuhan, China has moved quickly to develop a …
Read More »Fresh virus cluster in China raises fears for pandemic control
Beijing, China | AFP | Lockdowns were imposed in parts of Beijing on Saturday to try and prevent the spread of a new coronavirus cluster, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead even for places where outbreaks are under control. It came as Brazil claimed the unenviable position of having the second-highest …
Read More »Cardboard cut-outs and Zoom parties: the new normal for Premier League fans
London, United Kingdom | AFP | From cardboard cut-outs in the stands to Zoom watch parties, the return of the Premier League will be a bizarre experience for locked-out supporters. The English top-flight resumes behind closed doors on Wednesday, with fans forced to adapt to an unsettling new normal due to …
Read More »Tightrope act for Canada circus students facing unemployment
Montreal, Canada | AFP | Students soon to graduate from Montreal’s esteemed National Circus School expect months of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has closed shows around the world and thrust their career prospects into doubt. Head upside down, feet pointed to the sky, Antino Pansa balances on a …
Read More »Keep your hat on… designers face tough times without Ascot payday
London, United Kingdom | AFP | From dress designers to hat makers to the hospitality sector, Royal Ascot is usually a lucrative source of income for a whole industry connected with one of Britain’s most feted social and sporting events. However, Queen Elizabeth II will be absent this year, dresses will …
Read More »From furlough to free-to-air: Premier League becomes a political football
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The green light for the Premier League’s return owes much to a political will for the national game to lift spirits in the country hardest hit by coronavirus in Europe. Suspected and confirmed deaths from coronavirus in Britain passed 50,000 according to analysis from the …
Read More »Gov’t to enhance digital, distance learning amidst COVID-19
Kampala, Uganda| AFP | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said government is discussing the possibility of having distance learning as the world battle the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Museveni was today speaking at the reading of the 45 trillion shillings national budget. The President said he is glad that the …
Read More »Gov’t delays taxes worth UGX 129.4 billion in business relief
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija has announced the postponement of taxes worth 129.4 billion as a short term emergency relief measure to businesses affected by coronavirus pandemic. The taxes postponed include corporate income tax, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and presumptive tax, which …
Read More »WHO warns pandemic accelerating in Africa
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The speed the new coronavirus jumped from 100,000 to 200,000 confirmed cases in Africa shows just how quickly the pandemic is accelerating on the continent, the World Health Organization said Thursday. According to an AFP tally, Africa topped the 200,000 mark on Tuesday. “It took 98 days to reach the …
Read More »Industrial sector grew by 2 percent- Kasaija
Budget 2021 summary Resource envelope Sh45.5 trillion Revenue Sh21.8 trillion Uganda GDP Sh138 trillion Uganda GDP rate +3.1% Electricity output 1254MW Paved roads 5600km National IT backbone, 49 districts Internet bandwidth $70/Mbps UDB 1trillion injection Domestic arrears pay 673bn VAT …
Read More »