NEWS ANALYSIS

Paris, France | AFP |  The costs of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa could double to almost $60 billion annually just 13 years from now, as obesity fuels an explosion of the disease, a report said Thursday. In 2015, the overall diabetes cost in the region was nearly $20 billion (18 …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | The president of Africa’s most populous nation was last seen in public two months ago and since the start of 2017, he’s been outside the country more than in it. Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari left for London on May 7 to receive medical treatment for an undisclosed …

Why government imposed 15% tax on betting winners but cut that of betting houses    Kampala, Uganda |Julius Businge| There is continued debate surrounding the recent move by government to impose 15% withholding tax on winnings from gambling and the reduction in income tax on betting houses by 15% to …

Versailles, France | AFP |  President Emmanuel Macron on Monday promised a “profound transformation” of French politics, proposing to slash by a third the number of MPs, and telling lawmakers he would call a referendum if they do not agree. In his first address to members of the National Assembly …

Why President told world leaders not to undervalue his hospitality Kampala, Uganda |Ronald Musoke| When President Yoweri Museveni successfully convened a meeting of world leaders in Kampala for the first ever UN-backed Refugee Solidarity Summit on June 22-23, his mission was half accomplished. Top on the summit agenda was how …

Doha, Qatar | AFP | A deadline was approaching Sunday for Qatar to accept 13 demands by several Arab states in return for lifting a de facto blockade. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain, cut ties with Qatar on June 5 and issued their demands on June …

ANALYSIS: Anger, anxiety, unease over Buganda monarch’s fights over land Kampala, Uganda| Andrew S. Kaggwa | Buganda kingdom Prime Minister, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga could be punished with a sacking over court cases over land involving his boss, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Muwenda II. At least that is what some of …

Defiant members plot to oust party president Kampala, Uganda |Agather Atuhaire| It appears nothing and nobody is these days simple or innocent in Uganda’s biggest party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). But it is a reality that the leaders; from Party President Mugisha Muntu to Secretary General Nandala Mafabi …

Hong Kong, China | AFP |  A landmark visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hong Kong left little doubt that Beijing views the city as a destabilising hotbed of unacceptable political dissent that must prove its loyalty, analysts said Sunday. His three-day trip to celebrate 20 years since Hong …

  Kampala, Uganda | Michael O’HAGAN | AFP |  For the last decade Ugandans have known two presidents: Yoweri Museveni, the country’s long-time ruler, and musician Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a. Bobi Wine, a.k.a. His Excellency the Ghetto President. But in a surprising turn the 35-year-old music superstar — who was just three when Museveni took …