The News Today

Brussels, Belgium | AFP |  EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called for all sides in Gabon to reject violence as the country descends into chaos following presidential elections. “The official announcement of results has plunged Gabon into a deep crisis,” Mogherini said in a statement. “It is important for …

Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Angry protesters torched Gabon’s parliament Wednesday after President Ali Bongo was declared winner of what he claimed was a “peaceful and transparent” election, but which the opposition said was fraudulent. It only took a few minutes for the announcement to sink in before several of …

Parliamentarians will have to wait until after September 9 to debate Nakifuma MP Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko’s private members bill to amend the constitution. The bill aims to extend the retirement age of judges and judicial officers by five years and open the restricted two term tenure of the Electoral Commissioners. Debate on the …

Unexpected outcomes from Burundi’s trade ban on Rwanda Burundi’s July decision to ban exports to its northern neighbor, Rwanda, is brewing trouble for both economies; the question is whether the embattled leadership in Bujumbura can afford to pay that price. The export restrictions on Rwanda were imposed in July by Burundian …

Former Central Police Station DPC Aron Baguma has been charged and remanded to Kigo Prison. He faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery and  kidnap. In company of his lawyer Abraham Mpumwire, ASP Baguma turned himself in at Buganda Road Court at 2.15pm on Tuesday and appeared before  Grade One Magistrate Joan Aciro. …

Uganda on Tuesday issued oil production licences to the French group Total and British company Tullow. Energy Minister Irene Muloni said first oil production is now expected in 2020. Experts say the government hopes to earn $1.5 billion a year from oil exploitation, particularly from taxes, royalties and a 15% share of the benefits …

Adjumani, Uganda | AFP | The international community must respond to the refugee crisis caused by fighting in South Sudan in the same way it responded to the crisis in Europe, the UN refugee chief said in Uganda on Monday. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says 88,533 people have fled …

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (2nd-L) poses with his fellow Foreign Ministers L-R: Kenyan Foreign Secretary Amina Mohamed, Somalia Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer, South Sudan Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol, Sudan Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, and Uganda Foreign Minister Sam Kahamba Kutesa after a meeting and working lunch that …

Bujagali sale goes bad: President Yoweri Museveni’s push to cut the cost of power from the 250 MW Bujagali dam has put him at the centre of a fight with investors and technocrats at the Energy Ministry over the sale of a stake in the dam project writes Haggai Matsiko …

Japan has promised to provide a $116 million loan to improve Kampala metropolitan infrastructure. Japan is already involved in several projects aimed at improving the road network in Kampala, including building fly-overs. Japanese Prime Minister, Chinzo Abe gave the assurances at a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at the  6th Tokyo …