Africa’s largest oil refinery goes live in Nigeria as the continent’s largest oil producer seeks to cut fuel importation costs. The refinery promises to turn Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter of refined oil. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | In a ceremony attended by heads of …
Read More »Elections to test Muhoozi relationship with Kagame
How Rwanda’s support for Muhoozi could influence 2026 campaign Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Rwanda goes to the polls in 2024 with President Paul Kagame widely expected to stand in his fourth election. In that election, all eyes will be on a maverick Ugandan army officer, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and …
Read More »Media freedom and democracy
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In July 2022, BBC Africa Eye released a documentary on gang activity in northwestern Nigeria. The programme, The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara, examined the raids on villages, abductions and murders that have plagued swaths of the country. Notably, it included interviews with so-called bandits, who …
Read More »Electric fence rekindles love for elephants
Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Elephants used to be a nuisance for most residents living in the farming village of Kyenzaza in Kirugu sub-county in Rubirizi, one of the seven districts that border Queen Elizabeth National Park. But, following the construction of an electric fence along the park boundary in …
Read More »Playing politics with the Budget
Experts speak on 2023/24 allocations, taxes, borrowing COVER STORY | ISAAC KHISA | The government’s plan to spend more money next financial year which it hopes mainly to borrow because it cannot raise it otherwise, has led to accusations that “it is playing politics with the budget”. “Our government should not …
Read More »Most east African refugees are hosted close to borders – it’s a deliberate war strategy
Camp location and restrictions, along with dense refugee settlements, give rebel groups valuable access to refugee camps for exploitation Kampala, Uganda | KARA ROSS CAMARENA | There are close to 4 million people living in refugee camps across Africa. Of the more than 300 camps, nearly 70% are situated within 30km-50km …
Read More »Africa’s debt financing in the spotlight as Rwanda makes case
Rwanda’s successful Eurobond repayment serves as a reminder that there is resilience in African bond markets, despite the “perfect storm” of COVID-19, high inflation and trade disruptions SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | In the face of economic challenges, Rwanda has achieved a significant milestone by successfully repaying its $400 …
Read More »Africa must invest in critical mineral value chains now
Experts say global energy transition will happen with or without Africa Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | As the global shift towards a cleaner renewable energy order picks up pace, mining experts on the continent are rallying African governments to focus more on developing bankable mining projects if they are to …
Read More »British explorer John Speke and the River Katonga floods
Why Speke was surprised by River Katonga 160 years ago, and its implications now COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | The roads and bridges unit from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) will over the next three weeks attempt to restore the bridge over River Katonga that collapsed on May 11 …
Read More »The supply chain problems created by a war in Khartoum go well beyond Sudan
Conflict in Sudan between rival military interests is not only impacting the country’s people. It also threatens the country’s fast-growing agriculture sector as well as its natural resources – including oil, gold and gum Arabic. Fizzy drinks and candy manufacturers the world over should be worried. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD …
Read More »