How Besigye’s wife negotiated a deal between Museveni and Kagame Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On Dec. 03 2019, Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of the United Nations Aids (UNAIDS) programme, was at the airport in Kigali, Rwanda, when she received a telephone call. She was told President Paul …
Read More »Africa’s low coronavirus rate puzzles health experts
Scientists identified Algeria, Egypt and South Africa as the most likely to import new coronavirus cases into the continent | THE INDEPENDENT | Whether it’s a matter of faulty detection, climatic factors or simple fluke, the remarkably low rate of coronavirus infection in African countries, with their fragile health systems, …
Read More »Africa Isn’t Ready for Currency Unions
West African political leaders recently announced that the CFA franc – a currency created by France in 1945 for its colonies and still used by 14 African countries – will be replaced this year by a new currency pegged to the euro called the eco. COMMENT |Célestin Monga | But …
Read More »Drivers of expensive cars are more dangerous to pedestrians
Individuals of lower status may emphasise more with the pedestrians | MOTORING GURU | The more expensive a car is, the less likely the driver is to stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the road. The race and sex of the person trying to get across the road may …
Read More »Kampala Biennale is Back
Biennales are major international contemporary art exhibitions mostly conceived in cities around the world and our dusty Kampala happens to have its own. ARTS | MATT KAYEM | Once again, it’s another chance for the international art spotlight to project its blaring light on Kampala. Running for its fourth edition …
Read More »History explains election violence
Kenya and Zambia tell the story of why first multiparty elections after authoritarian rule turn violent in some countries COMMENT | Johan Brosché, Hanne Fjelde and Kristine Höglund | Why do the first multiparty elections after authoritarian rule turn violent in some countries but not in others? That’s the question …
Read More »The SDG imperative for business
The financing gap to achieve the SDGs; between $500bn and $1.2tn, is beyond what many states can deliver COMMENT | KARNIKA YADAV | There is only one road left to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for Africa for 2030 and that’s through sustainable businesses. The sluggish progress to …
Read More »Coronavirus quarantine could spark an online learning boom
However, there are no mandatory standards for online education | CARLO PERROTTA | The spread of the coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 is a public health emergency with economic and social ramifications in China and across the world. While the impacts on business are well documented, education is also facing …
Read More »Treated clothing cuts malaria, anaemia cases in kids
However, the preventive clothing may increase the cost of treatment | THE INDEPENDENT | Insecticide treated protective clothing could cut malaria infections in children under five by half while also reducing anaemia rates, a study suggests. During the study, the clothing, which contained permethrin insecticide, was sewn as a hooded …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Discrediting elections
Why the opposition playbook carries risks Malawi recently held its breath as the Constitutional Court took ten hours to painstakingly read out its verdict on the highly controversial 2019 presidential elections. When it finally became clear that the judgment would nullify the election of President Peter Mutharika, jubilant opposition supporters …
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