Bujumbura, Burundi | AFP | Burundians voted Wednesday in tense elections to replace their long-ruling president, despite a coronavirus outbreak that the East African nation has largely ignored. The election comes after five years of turmoil sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, which unleashed unrest that left …
Read More »Little hope ahead of polls as Burundi economy hit by virus
Bujumbura, Burundi | AFP | Five years of political crisis have battered Burundi’s economy, and there is little hope of a turnaround ahead of elections next week, as feeble signs of recovery have been dashed by the coronavirus crisis. The country’s last election in 2015, which saw President Pierre Nkurunziza seek …
Read More »Benin set for controversial local poll despite virus
Cotonou, Benin | AFP | Benin gears up to hold local elections without key opposition parties Sunday as the authorities push ahead with the vote despite the coronavirus threat and calls for a delay. The West African nation of 11 million on Monday rolled back a raft of restrictions aimed at …
Read More »A motion of infamy
COMMENT | David Mafabi | Last Thursday, the Parliament of Uganda passed a so-called “Motion of Displeasure” directed at the President of Uganda for, amongst other things “making disparaging remarks against the Speaker and the Parliament of Uganda”! Another charge was, to paraphrase, disregarding “the doctrine of separation of powers”! …
Read More »Malawi opposition leaders file bids for election re-run
Blantyre, Malawi | AFP | Malawi’s two main opposition figures on Wednesday presented nomination papers for a re-run in July of elections that saw President Peter Mutharika controversially returned to office. The southern African country made history in February when its top court overturned last year’s vote and called for fresh …
Read More »What elections could look like in COVID-19 conditions
COMMENT | Crispin Kaheru | Imagine an election held during the ‘lockdown’ times of Covid-19. To begin with, people would have to practice social distancing. Candidates’ nominations would not be as flamboyant as they always are – with many people accompanying the candidate to the nomination center. The traditional campaign rallies would …
Read More »Lumumba rejects calls to extend NRM registration exercise
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Justine Kasule Lumumba the Secretary-General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has rejected calls to extend the party’s registration exercise. Last week, the party embarked on a countrywide exercise to register new members, remove ineligible ones as well as inform members of their voting …
Read More »Makindye DP leaders drag party to court over halted polls
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least 32 leaders from various levels in the Democratic Party- DP structures in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality have sued the party leadership for halting internal elections. They contend that the DP Secretary General, Dr. Gerald Siranda arbitrary halted the elections in Makindye on grounds that …
Read More »Concerned citizen wants 2021 elections suspended over coronavirus fears
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A concerned citizen wants court to suspend the 2021 Elections general elections over fears of the Coronavirus pandemic. Abbey Mgugu in documents filed before the Civil Division of High Court on Thursday afternoon by his lawyers of Sanywa, Wabwire and Company Advocates, says that Uganda …
Read More »Inside the American election
Why populists like Bernie Sanders fool themselves when they promise to change the way America works THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | As the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries in the USA gather momentum, candidates have made healthcare a central issue in their elect-ability. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth …
Read More »