Doing so will require a new educational philosophy and investing in basic digital infrastructure. COMMENT | HANAN MORSY | Key features of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) – accelerating digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, robotics, and 3D printing – have obvious and important implications for education, employment, and the …

Private firms undertake the bulk of R&D but governments fund it and must offer it direction COMMENT | DANI RODRIK | Innovation is the engine that drives contemporary economies. Living standards are determined by productivity growth, which in turn depends on the introduction and dissemination of new technologies that allow …

They are serious political actors, not mere acentric characters | ANAÏS ANGELO | All-powerful presidents are an essential part of a stereotypical representation of African politics controlled by a few individuals, rather than by institutions. This view has been reinforced by a literary tradition sanctifying the biographies of “great men” …

An the hurdles for the opposition trying to unseat him | SAKWA M JAMES | In 2021, at least 15 million Ugandans will queue in their respective polling stations to choose their preferred leaders, and as always the greatest attention will focus on the presidential race. The last time this …

August infections are highest so far, but September could be worse Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Government officials are warning of likelihood of a return to a harder lockdown if the numbers of COVID-19 infections continue going up very fast. The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, on …

Making sense of ‘crossing’ MPs Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | Kyadondo East MP Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was four years old when the current parliament system under President Yoweri Museveni’s government was set up in 1986. Now Bobi Wine appears set for a major role as …

Lebanon’s only way out must tackle sectarianism and corruption | NABEEL KHOURY | According to the old Phoenician legend, Lebanon dies but repeatedly rises from the ashes. After historic fires, foreign invasions, and civil wars, this adage seems to ring true, especially for the Lebanese who have always thought of …

Local scientists join other Africans using international connections to boost their countries’ virus-fighting capabilities. | LINDA NORDLING | In February, Prof. Moses Joloba, a Ugandan microbiologist who usually works on tuberculosis diagnostics, received an unusual offer from a collaborator in the United States. The collaborator’s institution, Case Western Reserve University …

Ugandan firm makes smartphones with thermometer for battle against COVID-19 | THE INDEPENDENT | As Uganda continues to ease the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, new procedures are being put in place to reduce the possible spread of the virus. Along with social distancing, hand sanitisation, and wearing masks, temperature screening is …

The company executives say focus on digitization will drive growth of business going forward Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | MTN Uganda has reported a 9.1% increase in net profit to Shs442.6billion for the first six months of 2020. According to company’s latest interim results, the performance was driven by …