Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary and Secretary to Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi has outlined budget opportunities in the UGX 72Trillion Budget for the Financial Year 2024/25, urging private sector players to take advantage of them. This, he said while delivering a keynote speech during the …

COMMENT | Olivia Nalubwama | Years ago, probably after the sun-kissed year of 1986, I heard a story that tickled me. Dear reader, I present to you an embellished version of the story. One Sunday, a preacher stood at the church pulpit, looking back at the expectant congregation. Unbeknownst to the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Constitutional Court in Kampala has dismissed a petition in which religious and political actors had challenged the closure of places of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down in 2021. The court presided over by five Justices led by Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja has …

An aggressive push into new routes and increased frequencies by local carriers, mostly in African markets, is buoying air traffic and passenger numbers, propellilng them beyond pre-pandemic levels to new historical highs. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African airlines are likely to cross the 100 million passengers mark for …

 In a move inspired by Europe’s Schengen Visa, African nations are expanding their regional visa programs to streamline multi-country travel experiences. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa is moving towards a multi-country visa system, with individual countries and regional blocs working to remove their borders to promote intra-Africa tourism. …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parents hoping for a reprieve from the ever-skyrocketing school fees in public and government-aided schools will have to wait. The government has in the past promised to increase funding to the education sector so that it gradually offers free education. While universal primary and …

NEW YORK | Xinhua | President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua on Wednesday held talks here with Daisy Veerasingham, president and CEO of the Associated Press (AP). The AP is an important partner of Xinhua, and the two sides have maintained an amicable relationship for a long time, said …

NEW YORK | Xinhua | President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua on Wednesday met here with Paul Bascobert, president of Reuters, on promoting cooperation and topics of mutual interest. Building upon bilateral cooperation in nearly 70 years, the two sides have seen frequent high-level exchanges and new developments in …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa has been named Laity Canon along with financial expert Vivian Igundura and Naboth Muhairwe, a renowned lawyer. Archbishop of the Church of Uganda  Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu announced the three at the 15th Kampala Diocesan Synod Meeting …

An Indian port operator’s investment in Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port is the latest evidence of growing competition among global investors for a foothold in Africa’s port sector, highlighting Africa’s emergence as a player in global trade. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Indian multinational port operator Adani announced early …