NEWS ANALYSIS

Moscow, Russia | AFP | After turning the tide on the ground in Syria with his country’s military might, Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to cement his authority by forging an unlikely peace deal. The Kremlin strongman on Thursday announced a new truce and talks between Damascus and rebel …

Kerry warns Israel settlements threaten democracy Washington, United States | AFP | In a stern parting shot, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Israel on Wednesday that building settlements on Palestinian land threatens the country’s very future as a democracy. Less than four weeks before President Barack Obama leaves …

Beni, DR Congo | AFP | The official explanation for a two-year wave of massacres in a restive corner of DR Congo centres on a shadowy rebel group accused of having ties to the global jihadist underground. But some basic details about the alleged killers of more than 700 victims …

Following the withdraw of the Russian-led consortium RT Global Resources, from the oil refinery construction in July, the government is looking for a new investor to partner in the project by mid-2017 This year marked a decade since the government announced the discovery of commercially viable oil and gas resources …

Sixth Uwezo survey finds learning outcomes consistently low More children are going to school today. This is one of those achievements that the government picks on to show how they have transformed the country from education being a privilege of a few to being accessible to all. But, every time …

Non-performing loans more than doubles to 7.7 %, Crane Bank sinks As 2016 comes to an end, it is clear that it has been a year in which the banking industry choked on surging losses on the back of bad loans. One of the biggest banks; Crane Bank, suffered a …

Professors show why Museveni will win Cracks are developing in President Yoweri Museveni’s relations with the West, according to a group of academicians and civil society leaders in Kampala. They cite a growing forcefulness in criticism from the donors and Museveni’s equally forceful response to them. One such case is …

Attacks on security installations, poverty, transition politics mark 2016 2016 might easily go down as one of the most challenging years in recent times for President Yoweri Museveni. The year recorded the highest number of attacks on security installations in the west, north, and central and saw growing sympathy for …

Paris, France | AFP | Hijackings like the one on Friday of a Libyan plane have become relatively rare since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States led to increased security. The hijackers who diverted the plane on Friday to Malta released everyone onboard and surrendered. A …

Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Russia’s ambassador to Ankara was shot dead in a brazen attack by an off-duty Turkish policeman at an art exhibition on Monday in what both sides branded an “act of terror” aimed at damaging their improving ties. The assassination, by a lone gunman shouting “Allahu …