Kampala, Uganda | Michael O’HAGAN | AFP | For the last decade Ugandans have known two presidents: Yoweri Museveni, the country’s long-time ruler, and musician Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a. Bobi Wine, a.k.a. His Excellency the Ghetto President. But in a surprising turn the 35-year-old music superstar — who was just three when Museveni took …
Read More »Duterte’s quotable year as Philippine president
Manila, Philippines | AFP | With abusive tirades against critics and light-hearted comments about rape, Rodrigo Duterte cemented himself as one of the world’s most outspoken leaders during his first year as Philippine president. As Duterte marks one year in office on Friday, here are some of his more memorable …
Read More »Room service? Xi takes over Hong Kong luxury hotels
Hong Kong, China | AFP |China’s President Xi Jinping will want for nothing during his three-day visit to Hong Kong after taking over two entire luxury hotels with more than 1,300 rooms between them. The glitzy harbourfront Grand Hyatt and Renaissance, in the business and commercial district of Wan Chai, …
Read More »Indian minister pees in open, sparks row
Indian minister mocked for urinating in public New Delhi, India | AFP | A government minister was mocked on social media for urinating in public despite the prime minister’s flagship public hygiene drive as pictures of the embarrassing incident were splashed over front pages Friday. The Times of India said …
Read More »Blow for Kenyatta as Kenya delays early oil export by three months
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya has delayed plans to export its first oil in June by three months to better negotiate revenue sharing with the local community, the country’s energy minister said Thursday. The announcement comes after reports in local media of security challenges in the arid northwestern Turkana …
Read More »Governor tells ill Nigerian president Buhari to quit
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday faced a fresh call to quit, nearly two months after he left the country on indefinite sick leave. “I want to say that it’s time that the president throws in the towel and resigns and allows his country to …
Read More »‘Ransomware’ wave seemed aimed at old flaw and Ukraine
San Francisco, United States | AFP | A global wave of cyberattacks on Tuesday exploited an already patched vulnerability in Windows software and appeared to have Ukraine as a primary target, according to computer security specialists. The first reports of trouble came from Ukrainian banks, Kiev’s main airport and Rosneft, …
Read More »LIVE: Kyadondo East by-election
Kampala, Uganda | Godfrey Ssali | Voters in Kyadondo East go to the polls today to elect a new Member of Parliament (MP). Voting ends at 4pm, after which tallying starts. The Kyadondo seat fell vacant in April following a Court of Appeal ruling that upheld an earlier ruling by the High Court which …
Read More »Sir Ketumile Masire State Funeral today
Botswana’s third President Festus Mogae has described Sir Ketumile’s leadership as “democratic to a fault.” Former President Mogae described Sir Ketumile Masire, Botswana’s second post-independence leader who died last week, as humble, considerate and very humorous. “His obsession was farming and food production,” he said at a memorial service to …
Read More »MPs question government over Constitutional Review Commission
Kampala, Uganda | PWATCHUG| A section of Members of Parliament have tasked government to explain its delay to appoint a Constitutional Review Commission to oversee an overhaul of amendment of the constitution. Buliisa County MP, Stephen Mukitale Birahwa, while raising a matter of national importance recently, told the House that …
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