Karuma, Isimba power raises new questions Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | On the face of it, Uganda’s sole national electricity distributor, Umeme Ltd, has a stronghold on the sector. It has seven more years on its concession, has recently posted stellar financial and operational performance, and – with workers’ …
Read More »Auditor General lists weak government departments
Auditor General lists weak government departments | Political will to do things is zero, says civil society NAADS (corruption), Ministry of Finance (domestic arrears, funding shortages) Public universities (unapproved salaries) Local governments (low absorption), URA (tax exemption follow-up, low targets, missed royalties gold) Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development …
Read More »Chad president reshuffles ministers
N’Djamena, Chad | AFP | Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno on Friday evening reshuffled the government, including the replacement of its public security minister, officials said. In office since a reshuffle on December 25, public security minister Amadai Abdelkerim is to be replaced by Ahmat Mahamat Bachir, it was announced …
Read More »DR Congo minister urges punishment after police violence
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | DR Congo’s minister for human rights on Tuesday called for the prosecution of police who opened fire on anti-government protestors at the weekend, in a crackdown condemned by the EU and UN. Six people were killed, scores injured and dozens arrested, according to the …
Read More »Kadaga tasks government on fake academic documents
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has expressed concern over increased fake academic documents applicants are using to apply for various public service jobs. Kadaga said as the chairperson of the Parliament Appointments Committee, she was overwhelmed with several cases of forged qualifications by …
Read More »Sweden proposes tougher rape laws after #MeToo wave
Stockholm, Sweden | AFP | The Swedish government proposed on Thursday a law that would make any involuntary sex rape, even without explicit threats or violence, after the country was rocked by the #MeToo campaign denouncing sexual harassment and assault. “The incidence of sexual offences is increasing in Sweden, with younger …
Read More »Rwanda targets 563MW of power
Deal signed with World Bank Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Bank Group and the Government of Rwanda have signed a $125 million Financing Agreement for the First Programmatic Energy Sector Development Policy operation. is a concessional loan designed to boost companies in involved in the energy generation sector under …
Read More »Guinea president confirms February 4 local elections
Conakry, Guinea | AFP | President Alpha Conde of Guinea has given the green light for local elections to be held on February 4, 2018, the first such vote for the country’s 342 voting districts since 2005. Conde signed a decree released late on Monday that notified the National Independent Electoral …
Read More »THIS WEEK: Government requests to borrow as parliament resumes
THIS WEEK: Government requests to borrow as parliament resumes Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Plenary resumed on Nov.28 after members of parliament returned from their constituencies where they had been consulting their voters on the proposed constitutional amendment bill to remove presidential age limits from the current 35 to 75 …
Read More »Government offers licenses to 11 firms to operate in Free Zones
Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Uganda’s balance of payment deficit has remained wide for some time now but there are signs that the gap will soon be reduced as the government issues licenses to developers in Free Zones. Free Zones are geographic areas where raw materials and goods may be …
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