Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | AFP | Tanzanian President John Magufuli has promised this year’s general election will be “free and fair” and invited international monitors to observe proceedings amid concerns of a democratic crackdown in the East African nation. Magufuli’s long-ruling CCM party won 99 percent of seats in local …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Search Committee for Principals and Deputy Principals at Makerere University has reviewed the process of appointing Heads of Colleges at the institution. In the review, the search committee has adopted three members of the public to help in selecting the next heads of units. …

Beijing, China | AFP | A new SARS-like virus has killed nine people in China, infected hundreds and reached as far as the United States, with fears mounting about its spread as hundreds of millions travel for Lunar New Year celebrations, which start Friday. Many countries have stepped up screening of …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Outgoing US Ambassador Deborah Malac has urged the Ministry of Health to equally pay attention to other diseases that continue ravaging communities as they focus on emerging infections, HIV and malaria. She said during the four years she has been in the country, she has …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The UN agency devoted to ending AIDS as a public health threat is calling on top politicians and governments across the world to ensure the right to quality healthcare is upheld, and not just a privilege to be enjoyed by the wealthy. UNAIDS executive director …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parliament has approved the nomination of Solomon Silwany, the Bukooli Central Member of Parliament and Safia Naluke Juuko, the National PwD representative in Parliament as the new backbench commissioners. The two will sit on the Parliamentary Commission, the highest decision-making organ of Parliament. It is …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parliament has launched an application that will among others help the public track proposed Bills and directly submit petitions for consideration. The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga launched the web-based and mobile application named ‘Uganda Bungeni’ at the on-going parliament week departmental exhibitions. Bungeni is a Swahili …

Kampala, Uganda | Patricia Akankwatsa | The first ever social media festival is scheduled to take place this Saturday January 25 th at the Silver Springs Hotel Gardens Bugolobi under the theme ; redirecting social media to impactful communication and social networking engagements. Amon Baita, the marketing head, Social Media FestUg says …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has closed several bakeries belonging to top supermarkets around Kampala for failure to adhere to health standards. The bakeries include that of Capital Shoppers in Ntinda and Nakawa branches, Tuskys supermarket Ntinda and Nansana branches, and Mega Standard on …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The People Power movement has reportedly lost trust in Bosmic Otim, a popular musician and member of the pressure group in Acholi sub region over his suspicious alliance with the National Resistance Movement-NRM party. Trouble for Bosmic started after his photo with president, Yoweri Museveni …