Paris, France | AFP | A son of Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso has not been charged in a French probe into the assets in France of the families of several African leaders, his lawyer said Friday, although his name has been cited in the investigation. A lawyer …

Juba, South Sudan | AFP |  South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Friday dismissed international calls for compromise with his foes to break a deadlock that threatens a ceasefire in their six year war. Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar are under increasing pressure to resolve their differences by February …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new cancer machine has been officially commissioned at Uganda Cancer Institute. The machine will enable the institution to receive up to 30,000 cancer patients annually and run with two cobalt 60 radiotherapy machines. Costing a million dollars, the machine is a donation from …

Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Three Chinese nationals in Mukono have been isolated after returning from China two weeks ago. This is to make sure they are free of COVID-19 coronavirus. The Ministry of Health Spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona, says that they have decided to isolate them as a preventive …

Mbarara, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mbarara veterinary authorities have disposed of more than 1000 kilograms of pork because of African swine fever. The pork was impounded from Pork Slaughter House in Kekombe in Kakoba Division on Wednesday. Dr. Moses Amanyire, the Veterinary Officer Mbarara Municipality, says the impounded pork was found …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The World Bank has today released the 14th Uganda Economic Update which has focused on social protection systems in Uganda and proposes a more effective approach to reduce vulnerability and to support more inclusive growth. The report indicates that the coverage and design of social …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | These are the top stories in this week’s THE INDEPENDENT. COVER STORY New curriculum: Controversy over creating generation next Uganda THE WEEK UCC changes: Eng. Irene Kaggwa replaces Mutabazi as UCC Executive Director THE LAST WORD Uganda’s politics of fiction: How political competition in our …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | When Cyril Ramaphosa took office as South African president two years ago, the media coined the term “Ramaphoria” to describe the giddy expectations he had stoked. Those heady days now seem firmly in the past. Ramaphosa, 67, has been praised for turning the page …

San Francisco, United States | AFP |  The Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp said Wednesday it now has more than two billion users around the world, as it reaffirmed its stand on the need for strong encryption to protect privacy. WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook in 2014, has grown into one of …

S.Sudan’s Kiir returns home as diplomats call for urgent compromise Juba, South Sudan | AFP |  President Salva Kiir returned Wednesday from talks on South Sudan’s future to organised crowds calling him a hero, as diplomats warned time was short to strike a deal for peace. Kiir and his long-term …