Paris, France | AFP | The coronavirus pandemic could nearly double the number of people around the world facing acute hunger, the UN’s World Food Programme warned Tuesday. “The number of people facing acute food insecurity stands to rise to 265 million in 2020, up by 130 million from the 135 million in 2019, as …

Paris, France | AFP | Half of the world’s school and university students affected by class closures because of the coronavirus outbreak — from pre-primary to university level — do not have access to a computer for home-schooling, the UN’s educational agency said Tuesday. Highlighting “startling digital divides” between the rich and poor, a UNESCO …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has suspended the importation of second-hand clothes and shoes in what it says is a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In a statement on Tuesday, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) said “used footwear and used textiles that as a precautionary …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | With the global oil prices trading cheaper than a bottle of mineral water, analysts are saying it raises severe questions on the ability for Uganda to have its oil out of the ground any time soon. On Monday, April 20, 2020, a barrel of oil …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Makerere University hospital is set to start conducting coronavirus –COVID-19 tests, making the institution the second in the country to conduct such tests. Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe says they have already received 40,000 testing kits from donors. In a virtual press conference …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A couple in Wakiso district has been arrested on allegations of killing their daughter during a domestic fight. Denis Ssegujja and his wife Madrine Namala were arrested on Monday night after neighbours tipped police that their daughter Maria Nasozi had been accidentally killed in their …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Women Members of Parliament have demanded that the government freezes interest on loans acquired by people in the informal sector. The legislators under their umbrella group the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) on Tuesday tabled demands for the government to consider. “As the government …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has asked the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to withdraw an advert of an antimalarial beverage called Artavol. In an advert, popular radio personality Crystal Newman is featured taking the tea containing a beverage which they say helps in the prevention …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hundreds of motorcyclists have turned up at police stations in Luweero district to claim their motorcycles that were confiscated during operations to implement presidential directives on COVID-19. The motorcycles had initially been restricted from operating beyond 2 pm. However, President Yoweri Museveni extended their …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kabale and Rukiga district COVID-19 taskforces are struggling to implement the President’s directives. The taskforces have failed to control burials and gatherings in bars as one of the preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, President Yoweri Museveni issued a ban …