NEWS ANALYSIS

The claim that democracy fares better in the West than in Africa is a mistake | STEVEN FRIEDMAN | One day, if they follow instructions, Africa’s new democracies will grow up to be “real” like those of Western Europe and North America. This assumption makes little sense – but it …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | A lesbian church leader lights pink, yellow, and purple candles and passes them around to worshippers as they pray for a court decision that will mean they no longer have to live a lie. “The Lord is in control,” she says, as swaying congregants yell out “Victory!” and a musician …

Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday. Here are three things we learned from a hard-fought Anfield stalemate: Klopp frustrated by Bayern again Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was back in conflict with Bayern after spending …

  Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Jude Ezeanyagu woke up last Saturday morning and texted guests the final reminders about his wedding the following week in Delta state, southern Nigeria. Then he got a reply. “My friend texted me back, ‘Have you not seen the news? They’ve shifted the elections’,” …

New York, United States | AFP | Once dismissed by many as a fringe candidate with wacky socialist ideas, Bernie Sanders campaigned to the brink of the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and has now set his sights on the White House once again. Sanders, a 77-year-old US Senator from …

Paris, France | AFP | Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain all extended their respective league leads in Spain, Italy and France, while Bayern Munich warmed up for their Champions League clash at Liverpool with a narrow win. As Kylian Mbappe continued his remarkable goalscoring form and Mauro Icardi watched Inter Milan from the stands, AFP …

Berlin, Germany | AFP | Germany vowed Monday to prosecute German IS fighters but warned that it would be “extremely difficult” to organise the repatriation of European nationals from Syria, after US President Donald Trump called on allies to take back alleged jihadists. Syria’s US-backed Kurdish forces, which are battling Islamic State group jihadists in …

Why putting money on Kasaija not Bahati is smart Kampala, Uganda | DAVID AJUNA | On Jan.20 David Bahati, the minister of state for Finance made an announcement that has shaken the betting industry in Uganda and attracted international attention. Bahati who was speaking at an event in Rugarama, in …

National Coordinator Kamugisha accused of embezzling funds to acquire property Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Blaise Kamugisha, the National Coordinator of Crime Preventers has in a short time reportedly bought himself four cars, a house, a farm, a shop in Kikuubo; the business hub of Kampala, and prime plots …

Under the spotlight: the law and big money Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | After ending its public hearings into Bank of Uganda’s closure of seven commercial banks, attention is shifting to the recommendations the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE), is set to make. It …