Washington, United States | AFP | The United States has begun taking blood samples from across the country to determine the true number of people infected with the coronavirus, using a test that works retrospectively, according to reports. The new tests are based on serological surveys, which differ from the nasal swabs used to determine …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Parliament Appointments Committee has rejected the re-appointment of Dr Johnson Byabashaija as the Commissioner-General of the Uganda Prisons Service on the basis of old age. The same committee also rejected the appointment of James Mwanje, as his deputy, on the same grounds. Both Byabashaija …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new breed of desert locusts has invaded Kumi district, causing destruction to farmers in the area. The insects raided the country for the second time through Amudat district on Saturday and spread to the districts of Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk and Moroto by Monday morning. In …

Washington, United States | AFP | Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump finally spoke by phone Monday, both sides confirmed, ending days of teasing and squabbling between the presidential election rivals to discuss the national coronavirus upheaval. The call marked a rare moment of unity for the country seven months before election day and …

Paris, France | AFP | When bestselling French novelist Leila Slimani — the author of “The Perfect Nanny” — admitted that she felt “a little like Sleeping Beauty” contemplating the coronavirus lockdown from the comfort of her country home, she hit a very raw nerve. Class tensions — never very far …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Lawyer Male Mabirizi has dragged the government to the East African Court of Justice for de-registering his suit. In his petition, Mabirizi states that on March 20th 2020, he filed an application challenging the directive issued on March 18th by President Yoweri Museveni in which among …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Close to 2,000 prisoners could be released in a move to decongest the facilities as one of the control measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Commissioner-General of the Uganda Prisons Services, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, says they have written to the Attorney …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bank of Uganda has said Uganda’s economy will only expand by 3-4% this financial year, half the earlier projection of 6% as the impact of coronavirus hits home. In the April 2020 monetary policy statement, BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile noted that this is because …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | People living with HIV/Aids in Bunyoro sub-region are protesting the presidential directive requiring them to get clearance from their area LC 1 chairpersons to use private transport so as to get medication from various health facilities. Last week, the affected people said they want …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The coronavirus pandemic is not only causing havoc around the world but is obviously going to affect the electoral processes of many countires and gifting some long time leaders a chance to keep hold onto power. One of the countries whose electoral roadmap is …