Africa

Uganda Rolls Out Vehicle Monitoring System to Combat Crime and Manage Traffic

Uganda Rolls Out Vehicle Monitoring System to Combat Crime and Manage Traffic

Uganda has announced the implementation of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), aimed at enhancing traffic management and combating crime involving motor vehicles. The Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Works and Transport will partner with the Joint Stock Company to provide the service. With motor vehicle ownership in Uganda rising to approximately 2,145,988 vehicles as of July 3, 2024, the ITMS project seeks to address the increasing challenges associated with this growth, including crime, road traffic accidents, and registration forgeries. The system is designed to provide real-time tracking of all vehicles, aiding in the quick identification and response…
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Uganda President Museveni Meets Ethiopian Military Chief Jula

Uganda President Museveni Meets Ethiopian Military Chief Jula

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda hosted Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, and Her Excellency Etsegenet Bezabih, the Ethiopian Ambassador, at State House Entebbe. During their meeting, President Museveni discussed the historical errors committed by past Ugandan administrations and highlighted the corrective measures taken by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). President Museveni outlined the philosophical, ideological, and strategic mistakes made by previous governments, emphasizing how the NRM has successfully addressed these issues. He detailed the shift in focus towards wealth creation initiatives at the grassroots level, aimed at alleviating poverty and…
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Uganda Begins Direct Bulk Importation of Petroleum Products Through Kenya

Uganda Begins Direct Bulk Importation of Petroleum Products Through Kenya

The Ugandan government has initiated the direct bulk importation of petroleum products, marking a significant shift in its fuel supply strategy. The first consignment, carried by Mt. Navig 8 Martinez, arrived with 58,000 metric tonnes of petrol in Mombasa, imported by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) since its establishment in 2015. This new government initiative through UNOC aims to lower petroleum prices by streamlining distribution to oil marketers within Uganda, effectively locking out many previous importers. Uganda selected Kenya over Tanzania for its modern oil handling infrastructure, following the launch of the KSh40 billion new Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT)…
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Zambia: 71 year old  blind woman killed by an elephant

Zambia: 71 year old blind woman killed by an elephant

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has killed an elephant that recently caused the death of a 71-year-old blind woman. Principal Wildlife Police Officer for Sioma district, Joseph Nyambe, reported escalating human-animal conflicts leading to villagers fleeing their homes and camping in schools. Nyambe confirmed the severity of the situation upon arrival in Mambolomoka. He explained that despite warning shots, the aggressive elephant charged at officers, prompting them to shoot it. District Commissioner Mubita Siyamana thanked the government for quickly deploying officers to address the conflict, which is attributed to climate change-induced drought driving elephants into villages in search…
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Uganda: Soldier Arrested for Allegedly Killing Four Family Members in Mayuge District

Uganda: Soldier Arrested for Allegedly Killing Four Family Members in Mayuge District

Birivumbuka Herbertson Robert, a soldier attached to the Special Force Command (SFC), has been arrested for allegedly killing four family members and injuring others in Namale village, Kabayingire parish, Buwaya sub-county, Mayuge District. The incident occurred on June 29, 2024, when Private Birivumbuka escaped from his place of work and proceeded to Namale village. There, he allegedly shot four close family members dead and injured several others. After committing the offence, he returned to his unit in an attempt to avoid suspicion. However, his unit had already detected his absence, and upon his return, he was arrested as the prime…
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Emerson Partners with MSTelcom to Provide Advanced Industrial Automation in Angola

Emerson Partners with MSTelcom to Provide Advanced Industrial Automation in Angola

MSTelcom, a subsidiary of the Sonangol Group, has chosen Emersonto provide the company’s full automation portfolio for energy and industrial customers in Angola, further advancing the country’s objectives of leadership in hydrocarbon production. Emerson, a global leader in automation technology and industrial software, announced their collaboration aimed at expanding MSTelcom’s ability to provide engineering services to energy and industrial customers. The alliance enables MSTelcom to provide the latest automation technologies to help the firm’s clients improve energy production, equipment availability, production optimization, safety and environmental sustainability. Automation is increasingly seen as a key enabler for leaders like Sonangal to maximize…
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ATMIS hands over Abdalla Birolle Military Base to Somali Army

ATMIS hands over Abdalla Birolle Military Base to Somali Army

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has handed over the Abdalla Birolle Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF). The military base, previously under the responsibility of ATMIS Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), is the fourth to be transferred as part of the Phase Three drawdown. The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (DSRCC), Siyuvile Bam, presided over the handover of the base. ATMIS Sector Two Commander Brig. Seif Salim Rashid transferred control to SNA representative Major Muhudin Ahmed. At the symbolic event were representatives from the United…
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Newly Deployed African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Military Staff Officers Conclude Induction Training

Newly Deployed African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Military Staff Officers Conclude Induction Training

Newly deployed military staff officers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have concluded a five-day mandatory induction training to familiarise themselves with the peace-support operations and mandate. At the opening ceremony on Monday, the Acting ATMIS Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, said the training was important to integrating the officers, given their critical roles in supporting the Mission’s military operations. “I urge you to embrace the values of professionalism, teamwork, and integrity. Remember, your role is not just about performing tasks, but also upholding the highest discipline standards,” said Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka. “ATMIS is a…
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Uganda: Finance Ministry on the spot over equity in bailing out companies

Uganda: Finance Ministry on the spot over equity in bailing out companies

Legislators on the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises have tasked the finance ministry to present documentation on the criteria used in granting bailouts to companies in financial crises. According to the committee chairperson, Hon. Medard Sseggona, companies belonging to foreign investors have mostly benefitted from bailouts compared to companies belonging to Ugandan investors. “What is the legal and policy framework on which you base to determine who should benefit from your bailouts and who should not? You are helping AYA but you are not helping Sembule who has invested in development of your technology and skills,” said…
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Sierra Leone Bans Child Marriage

Sierra Leone Bans Child Marriage

Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted landmark legislation to ban child marriage last week, marking a significant step in the nation's efforts to protect young girls and promote gender equality. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, which criminalizes marriage for anyone under the age of 18, aims to shield girls from a practice that has long violated their rights and hindered their development. Child marriage is a pervasive issue in Sierra Leone, where 30 percent of girls and 4 percent of boys are married before turning 18. In rural areas, the rates are even higher, and approximately 800,000 girls are currently…
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