Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has said that it does not know the cost of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine despite ordering for two million doses. According to the ministry of health officials, the government has only budgeted for the vaccination process to cost an estimated 1.4 …
Read More »GAVI: Learning from 2020, renewing hope for 2021
COMMENT | DR SETH BERKLEY | What a year this has been! The devastating impact of COVID-19 has affected us all, and few will look back on 2020 with fond memories. With around 1.7 million deaths, more than 76 million confirmed cases and a global economic impact that the World …
Read More »Fort Portal mayor wants street parking contractor kicked out
Fort Portal, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Interim Mayor of Fort Portal Tourism City Rev Willy Kintu Muhanga has written to the City Clerk, asking him not to extend the contract of the street parking. The said contract was awarded by Fort Portal Municipal Council in August 2019, to …
Read More »AfCFTA can position African economies stronger against COVID-19
Addis Ababa , Ethiopia | Xinhua | The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement can potentially position African economies stronger in the face of future global shocks such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a senior United Nations trade policy expert said on Wednesday. Speaking exclusively to Xinhua, David Luke, Coordinator …
Read More »South Africa beer manufacturers appeal to lift alcohol sales ban
Johannesburg, S.A. | Xinhua | The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) on Wednesday appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift the blanket ban on alcohol sales to save the livelihoods of some people. The BASA, which comprises the Craft Brewers Association, Heineken South Africa and South African Breweries, said they …
Read More »World Bank projects global economy to grow by 4 pct in 2021 with widespread vaccination
Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | The global economy is on track to grow by 4 percent in 2021, assuming vaccination for COVID-19 becomes widespread throughout the year, the World Bank Group said in its latest Global Economic Prospects released on Tuesday. “The global economy appears to be emerging from one of …
Read More »BYABAKAMA: Voters will not be allowed to witness vote counting
▶ No voters at polling stations during counting ▶ Voters without masks will be turned away Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Voters will not be allowed to witness the counting of votes at polling stations due to COVID-19 standard operating procedures. This is according to the Electoral Commission. Justice Simon Byabakama, the …
Read More »Curfew will not affect credibility of vote – NRM MPs
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A section of Members of Parliament from the National Resistance Movement has dismissed concerns from the opposition who claim that the night-time curfew will jeopardize the credibility of next week’s elections. Ugandans will be heading to the polls on the 14th of January to …
Read More »UK into new lockdown, tougher battle ahead against COVID-19 pandemic
London, UK | XINHUA | Millions of Britons woke up Tuesday to face new strict lockdown measures requiring them to stay indoors as COVID-19 infections continue to spiral upwards. Announcing the lockdown, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson …
Read More »ACODE asks gov’t to fast track disaster management law
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new report has urged the government to fast-track the Uganda National Disaster Preparedness and Management Act, draft Bill. The report compiled by Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) analyses the performance of district COVID-19 task forces in Uganda. As part of the response …
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