Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | Rwanda announced Wednesday it was scrapping an 18 percent value added tax on sanitary pads to make them cheaper for girls who are often forced to skip school during their periods. The country becomes the latest to drop the controversial tax which has increasingly infuriated women …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | The Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa says she is pursuing Members of Parliament to realize quorum and pass the resolution on the motion seeking parliamentary approval for creation of 15 cities. The cities include Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Masaka and Mbale. Others are Lira, …

Zurich, Switzerland | AFP | Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, told AFP on Wednesday that he had opposed awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, but that he has a “clear conscience.” Blatter said he is willing to testify to French prosecutors about the 2010 vote in favour of …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | Electoral Commission has asked court to dismiss an application challenging its failure to include Ugandan inmates and citizens in the diaspora in the electoral processes on grounds that the suit is incompetent. Electoral Commission lawyers led by Hamid Lugolobi told the Civil Division High …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | Uganda requires US$ 6 billion approximately Shillings 22 billion for implementing her national climate change plan under the Paris Agreement, State Minister for Environment Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu, has told parties to the agreement. She was speaking at this year’s United Nations’ Framework Convention …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) Coordinator, Gen. Mugisha Muntu has revealed that this time the opposition has got fertile ground to defeat President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with his NRM party come the 2021 elections if a strong alliance is formed. Gen. Mugisha Muntu …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | The Criminal Division of High Court will next month start hearing a case in which Matthew Kanyamunyu and two others are accused of murdering child activist, Kenneth Akena. Kanyamunyu is jointly charged alongside his Burundian girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari and his elder brother, Joseph Kanyamunyu. …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | The government is rejecting loans from the World Bank in favour of those from China. This is according to the National Economy Committee of Parliament. According to Syda Bbumba, the committee chairperson, while meeting officials from the World Bank recently they said that they …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | Oxfam assessment on humanitarian funding flows to local and national actors in Uganda has revealed a 700 billion shillings increase in the last two years. The assessment released by Oxfam’s humanitarian policy advisor, Anita Kattakuzhy, in Kampala on Tuesday shows that United Nations and …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | The Committee on Gender has been given 7 days ultimatum to scrutinize the mismanagement of the external recruitment agencies monitoring fund. Parliament on Tuesday debated a motion by Western Youth MP Mwine Mpaka to inquire into the fund which charges Ugandans who seek employment …