Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | African nations fighting the novel coronavirus face a foe as stealthy and dangerous as the microbe itself: misinformation and apathy, fuelled by deep distrust of government. Bogus news and indifference to official warnings are emerging as giant obstacles in a region where poor healthcare infrastructure, …

Paris, France | AFP | Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: – US Senate passes huge rescue package – The US Senate unanimously approves the nation’s largest-ever rescue package, a $2 trillion lifeline to suffering Americans, depleted hospitals and an economy ravaged by the pandemic. The measure must …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Trade Minister, Amelia Kyambadde has said shops, arcades, supermarkets, boutiques, and salons are expected to remain open with people able to walk in and order whatever goods they want. This comes after a misconception that these were also among those ordered to cease operations …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Stanbic Bank has announced after-tax-profits of 259 billion Shillings for 2019 up from 215 billion Shillings in 2018, cementing its position as the most profitable bank in the country. In the financial results published on Thursday, Stanbic said the money it lent to customers …

Blantyre, Malawi | AFP | Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima has filed a lawsuit against President Peter Mutharika after he refused to fire the electoral commissioners who oversaw last year’s failed election, his lawyer said Thursday. A battle has been raging for months between the opposition and head of state over the May 21 vote, …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new digital learning tool has been unveiled to keep children learning from the comfort of their homes in the wake of coronavirus disease. The platform named Kolibri, has been enriched with content approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in Science and Mathematics …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA has set up a team of experts to respond to community alerts and carry out patient assessments for coronavirus infection. In a press statement issued Thursday, KCCA says it has set up Division Rapid Response Surveillance Teams comprising Doctors, Clinicians, …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis was reported Thursday to have tested negative for the novel coronavirus after a person in his residence was said to have contacted COVID-19. Several Italian newspapers with reputable sources in the Vatican said the Italian clergyman who got sick had lived for …

Kampala, Uganda | Godfrey Ssali | A section of MPs have advised President Museveni to cushion the economy against the effects of Covid-19 with a stimulus. The Stimulus, MPs led by Kampala Central’s Muhammad Nsereko said, includes the stay of all loan repayments, lowering of the Central Bank lending rate, as well …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Makerere University has arrested more than 70 youth found allegedly loitering at the main campus. They were picked from different parts of the university following a two-day operation, according to Jude Masingano Eliphaz, the officer in charge of operations at the main …