Addis Ababa , Ethiopia | Xinhua | The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement can potentially position African economies stronger in the face of future global shocks such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a senior United Nations trade policy expert said on Wednesday. Speaking exclusively to Xinhua, David Luke, Coordinator …
Read More »South Africa beer manufacturers appeal to lift alcohol sales ban
Johannesburg, S.A. | Xinhua | The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) on Wednesday appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift the blanket ban on alcohol sales to save the livelihoods of some people. The BASA, which comprises the Craft Brewers Association, Heineken South Africa and South African Breweries, said they …
Read More »World Bank projects global economy to grow by 4 pct in 2021 with widespread vaccination
Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | The global economy is on track to grow by 4 percent in 2021, assuming vaccination for COVID-19 becomes widespread throughout the year, the World Bank Group said in its latest Global Economic Prospects released on Tuesday. “The global economy appears to be emerging from one of …
Read More »BYABAKAMA: Voters will not be allowed to witness vote counting
▶ No voters at polling stations during counting ▶ Voters without masks will be turned away Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Voters will not be allowed to witness the counting of votes at polling stations due to COVID-19 standard operating procedures. This is according to the Electoral Commission. Justice Simon Byabakama, the …
Read More »Curfew will not affect credibility of vote – NRM MPs
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A section of Members of Parliament from the National Resistance Movement has dismissed concerns from the opposition who claim that the night-time curfew will jeopardize the credibility of next week’s elections. Ugandans will be heading to the polls on the 14th of January to …
Read More »UK into new lockdown, tougher battle ahead against COVID-19 pandemic
London, UK | XINHUA | Millions of Britons woke up Tuesday to face new strict lockdown measures requiring them to stay indoors as COVID-19 infections continue to spiral upwards. Announcing the lockdown, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson …
Read More »ACODE asks gov’t to fast track disaster management law
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new report has urged the government to fast-track the Uganda National Disaster Preparedness and Management Act, draft Bill. The report compiled by Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) analyses the performance of district COVID-19 task forces in Uganda. As part of the response …
Read More »School reopening: Inspectors call for change in social distance guidelines
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As the Ministry of Education and Sports prepares for full reopening of education institutions, school inspectors say it will be impossible to reopen for all classes if the two-metre class social distance rule is not dropped. In October last year, the government developed Guidelines …
Read More »Parliament approves loans worth UGX 18.6 trillion in 2020
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Last year Parliament approved loans to the tune of 18.69 trillion Shillings, according to the report detailing the business transacted by the House in the year 2020. The approved loans are up from the 6.15 trillion Shillings that legislators approved in 2019. According to the …
Read More »Car boot sales are illegal – KCCA
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The emerging car-boot Ugandan entrepreneurs can still enjoy a free ride in the market but all indications are that it will not be long before authorities start demanding their pound of flesh. The car boot sales businesses which propped up during Covid-19 pandemic March to August, are …
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