NEWS ANALYSIS

More students are joining technical institutions, many more might be simply falling off Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | A growing number of students is increasingly opting out of Advanced Level education stirring mixed reactions amongst educationists and officials at the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), The Independent reveals. Speaking during …

The new move will see the lender venture into non-banking business Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Uganda’s largest lender, Stanbic Bank Uganda, is finalising plans to become a Bank Holding Company (BHC), a step that would enable it access funding more easily but also tighten capital requirements and regulatory oversight. …

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopia’s governing coalition is facing an unprecedented tussle behind closed doors as it seeks a new prime minister after Hailemariam Desalegn’s shock resignation from the helm of Africa’s fastest growing economy. With opposition parties enfeebled, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition wields …

NMS innovates as critics call for improved forecasting drug needs Kampala, Uganda | FLAVIA NASSAKA | A Feb.12 Ministry of Health announcement that expired drugs to the tune of 1500 tons in stores at 6619 health facilities across the country would be incinerated has incensed many. Critics wonder how such a …

The government is yet to decide on whether or not to terminate the motor vehicle inspection deal Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | The Uganda government is in a fix. Suspend and cancel the contract awarded to the Switzerland based firm, SGS, to carry out a motor vehicle inspection and possibly …

Niamey, Niger | AFP | Tens of thousands of supporters of Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou marched in the capital Niamey on Sunday after a number of opposition protests against the 2018 budget, which they say favours big business. Wearing t-shirts and brandishing banners in the colours of the ruling party, …

Finance under attack over Shs.750 bn fresh borrowing, faces tough IMF Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | Matia Kasaija and his team at the Finance Ministry find themselves in a very tight corner as they look for Shs29.2 trillion to finance a new budget. Previously, finding cash did not present …

Sebagoro, Uganda | AFP | A daily flotilla of wooden canoes makes the 10-hour eastward crossing of Lake Albert ferrying hundreds of refugees from DR Congo’s latest spasm of violence to the safety of Uganda. The repurposed fishing vessels come to Sebagoro beach crammed with the bedraggled and dispossessed survivors …

Brighton, United Kingdom | AFP | Arsene Wenger has grown used to defending himself in recent years but the Arsenal manager’s grip on his position has never seemed less secure ahead of Sunday’s clash with Brighton. A crushing 3-0 loss against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday intensified …

Tanzania: Everyone is scared By TZ | AFRICAN ARGUMENTS | On 16 February, Akwinlina Akwiline was on her way to university in Dar es Salaam. She was reportedly heading to the National Institute of Transport, where she was a student, in order to hand in a letter that would allow her …