East Africa – KMAUPDATES

Jul312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: IKEA Foundation contributes $3.5 million to support Food and Agriculture Organization”s (FAO) work with refugees and host communities in eastern Africa

Initiative seeks to increase self-reliance of vulnerable populations and lay the groundwork for increased agribusiness investmentROME, Italy, July 30, 2020/ -- A $3.5 million dollar contribution from the IKEA Foundation will support efforts by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to empower refugees and their host communities in one of the world's largest displacement crises. The partnership will help vulnerable populations in Kenya and Uganda to generate a reliable source of income, by helping them to cultivate in-demand crops and connecting them to market opportunities.Eastern Africa is currently home to one the world's largest displacement crises: estimates indicate there are currently more than 1.9 million refugees living in Kenya and Uganda alone. Most of...

Jul152020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

The one-stop border post between Tanzania and Kenya, a symbol of East-African integration

AFRICA

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, July 15, 2020/ -- Naftali Elude Mzota, a driver for the Impala Shuttle Company in Tanzania, has been driving between Tanzania and Kenya for over 23 years. Asked about the difficulties of crossing the border, Mzota sighs. "Customs clearance used to be a real challenge here, because there were two borders. You had to go through at the Tanzanian immigration office, and then repeat the exercise on the Kenyan side. It used to take between one and a half and two hours," he said, smiling. "That's all changed now. When passengers arrive, it doesn't matter which side they come from, a single checkpoint does all the administration and they are able to carry on across the border." The land border between these two East African countries, now has just a single ...

Jul142020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Thousands on social media demand for the resignation of the Health Minister for breaking COVID-19 Preventive Measures

HEALTH

Kampala, Uganda --- Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng has lately come under fire over what critics have termed as "insufficient precautionary measures" to curb the spread of coronavirus in Uganda. The minister has been accused of not observing the social distancing as one of the measures introduced and advocated for by her ministry. The accusation, however, surfaced at the time when the minister was eying the Lira District woman MP seat in the 2021 polls. Trouble started on Friday when Dr Aceng launched the distribution of face masks in Aromo Sub County in Lira District. "When I went to the venue where she (Dr Aceng) was launching the distribution of face masks, people were crowded and it was only the minister wearing face mask," Ms Joy Atim Ongom, the incumbent Lira District Woman...

Jul122020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

East Africa holds its ground as Africa’s fastest growing region, despite COVID-19 disruption

AFRICA

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 12, 2020/ --COVID-19 curbs East Africa’s growth, but still the strongest in the continent; Report calls for transition to higher value-added activities to build resilience to shocks. Economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed East Africa’s growth projection for 2020 down to 1.2 percent, a rate that outstrips other African regions and is forecast to rebound to 3.7 percent in 2021, according to the African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) East Africa Regional Economic Outlook 2020. The projection is under the baseline scenario that assumes the virus is contained by the third quarter of this year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the region’s economic growth was projected at more than 5 percent, well above continent’s average of 3.3 percent and ...

Jun272020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Kenya: Nairobi leads in Covid-19 cases

CORONAVIRUS

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 27, 2020/ -- The government of Kenya yesterday announced 178 more positive cases of coronavirus from 3,918 samples tested in the last 48 hours. This brings the total number of positive cases in the country to 5,385. Cumulatively the Ministry of Health has carried out 155,144 tests so far. All the positive cases are Kenyans except three who are foreigners, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Health, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, announced today. “Out of today’s positive cases 123 are males and 55 female while the youngest is a one-year-old infant, and the oldest is 76,” she said. Nairobi, is leading with 100 cases followed by Kajiado with 21 cases. Migori 17 cases, Kiambu 16, cases, Busia 8 cases, Mombasa 7 cases...

Jun262020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

County Covid-19 response readiness to determine re-opening of economy, President Kenyatta tells Governors

AFRICA

NAIROBI, 26th June 2020 – Yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta told Governors that the decision to re-open the country's economy will be informed by the level of preparedness by the devolved units to respond to Covid-19 infections. The President said the decision will largely be determined by the counties capacity to effectively respond to new cases of Covid-19 imported into their territories. "County readiness to respond to new imported cases of infection will largely determine our national readiness to re-open the country as a whole. H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya with the governors during the conference "I say this because the nation is the sum total of all the 47 counties. If the counties have met the necessary thresholds, then the nation will be ready to re-ope...

Jun242020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Supporting East Africa’s Young Professionals: A webinar presented by the African Energy Chamber

AFRICA

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24, 2020/ -- The voice of young professionals in the energy industry in East Africa will present an important and timely discussion through a webinar hosted by the African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org). The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a seismic shift in the oil and gas sector and has brought into the fore the “great crew change”. The African Energy Chamber webinar will give young Africans a voice in the energy sector and ensure that their views are heard and taken seriously. ‘It is important to listen to young professionals who represent the future of our industry in Africa and even globally’, said Elizabeth Rogo, President of the African Energy Chamber East Africa. “Africa has great talent and this is why we at the chamber believe that nations shoul...

Jun242020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – East Africa: People seeking safety are trapped at borders due to COVID-19 measures

AFRICA

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 24, 2020/ -- A coalition of international, national, and refugee-led organizations in the Horn, East and Central Africa (HECA) have today called on governments in the region to reopen borders for asylum seekers. The organizations are calling on governments to put in place measures that manage the current health emergency while ensuring asylum seekers can seek protection. Countries in the HECA region host approximately 4.6 million refugees and asylum seekers and have a long history of receiving asylum seekers and providing them with protection. Before the pandemic, the countries continuously received new people seeking safety and protection from violence and conflict, political persecution, or other threats to their lives. States started closing th...

Jun202020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Government Starts nationwide payout for Older Persons

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda --- The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development through the Expanding Social Programme has in a new nationwide arrangement commenced issuance of monthly grants to older persons above 80 years. The Programme, started in 2010 in 15 district on a pilot basis, had to-date covered only 64 districts. However, while speaking at this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations in Mbale, President Yoweri Museveni promised that the Programme would be rolled out to cover the entire country. This promise came to pass on Thursday as the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze presided over the commencement of nationwide payments during an event held at the Kabarole district headquarters. Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Dev...

Jun202020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Bad Black insists that the government will pay her

Entertainment

KAMPALA - We all know Shanita Namuyimbwa, alias Bad Black, has always been in the news for all reasons money or scandals over money. Not at any one time did we ever see her doing voluntary work, and certainly this was not about to start, not even during COVID-19. During a press conference on Monday, Black made it clear to the government that the only advert she accepted to do for no pay was the one sensitizing Ugandans to put on masks. However, in a press statement released by Ministry of Health on Saturday, it was revealed that Bad Black did not sign any form of agreement that she would be paid for the advert sensitizing women against truck drivers. Well, Black has issues with this, too. She says her commitment and trust towards the government was enough to bind the two p...

Jun192020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

A new trade deal between Kenya and the US will be a win for Africa, President Kenyatta says

AFRICA

NAIROBI, 19th June 2020 –President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday sought to dispel fears that the ongoing trade talks between Kenya and the United States will undermine the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). The President said Kenya's trade deal with the US will instead assist the continent by creating a reference upon which other African nations will negotiate bilateral arrangements within the AfCFTA framework going forward. "Kenya will be the first under the new AfCTA so we are going to be trailblazers in this and we hope that others will also follow through," President Kenyatta said. President Kenyatta spoke today at State House, Nairobi during a webinar hosted by the Atlantic Council under the theme," strengthening US-Africa ties through trade". The Atlantic Cou...

Jun152020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus: Rwanda Receives Personal Protective Equipment and Medical Equipment from Ruling Family of Dubai

CORONAVIRUS

KIGALI, Rwanda, June 15, 2020/ -- Rwanda received over 300,000 pieces of personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical equipment from H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid A1 Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Junta A1 Maktoum. DP World and One&Only hotels in Rwanda assisted w ith the logistics of the delivery of these items from Dubai. “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the First Lady. Sheikha Hind, are determined to do their bit to support the people of Rwanda during this difficult time. They are very focused on extending their assistance and friendship to help others battling this aw ful pandemic," said H.E. Mohammed Al Shaihani. Executive Director and CEO of the Investment Corpora...

Jun142020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

More reshuffles at KCCA as Peter Kaujju resigns

AFRICA

Mr Peter Kaujju has resigned from his job of Manager Communications, Public and Corporate Affairs at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and joined electricity distributor UMEME as head of Communications. In a May 30, 2020 letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service, Ms Catherine Bitarakwate, a copy which Daily Monitor has seen, Mr Kaujju noted that he will cease being an employee of the city authority by July 1, 2020.The letter is also copied to KCCA's acting executive director and the Minister for Kampala affairs. Mr Peter Kaujju has resigned from his job of Manager Communications, Public and Corporate Affairs at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Mr Kaujju has worked at KCCA for nine years after joining in April 2011.Hitherto joining KCCA, Mr Ka...

Jun142020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Six injured as Police helicopter crashes in Meru

INTERNATIONAL

NAIROBI, KENYA --- A police helicopter crashed at Kithoka area in Meru on Saturday morning. The cause of the early morning accident is yet to be established. “The two pilots and four passengers aboard the ill fated aircraft are receiving medical attention at Meru Level V Hospital,” the National Police Service said on Twitter. They are Lydia Ligami (Regional Police Commander); Jonah Kirui (Regional DCI); Gilbert Magut (Regional NIS Coordinator) and Isaiah Mukoru (Eastern Regional Coordinator). Kenyan army personnels trying to attend to the injured passengers and pilots at the scene of the crash According to a police report, Ligami is said to have complained of body pain but had no physical injuries while Kirui sustained a slight injury on the elbow. Magut suffered head in...

Jun132020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Maj. Gen. Kasirye Gwanga finally laid to rest

INTERNATIONAL

KAMPALA — Maj. Gen. Kasirye Gwanga who passed away on Monday was on Friday June 12 been laid to rest at Nkene Village, Manyi Sub-county, Mityana District. Locals were prohibited at from attending the “scientific burial” —forcing them watched his send-off on televisions and other online channels. Maj Gen Kasirye Ggwanga, 68, died at Nakasero Hospital where he had been admitted. Gen Kasirye Ggwanga received a thirteen-gun salute, usually accorded to army officers from the rank of brigadier and above. The army conducted all the ceremonies, including digging and building the grave. The brown coffin, draped with the Uganda flag, was lowered into a white grave. UPDF soldiers lifting Maj Gen Kasirye Gwanga's coffin The UPDF brass band played somber music. Several bigwigs ...

Jun132020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Museveni names Lukwago’s deputy as the director of gender at KCCA

AFRICA

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Deputy Lord Mayor, also Makindye East councillor Hajat Sarah Kanyike Ssebaggala named the Director of Gender, Community service, and production at KCCA. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Deputy Lord Mayor, also Makindye East councillor Hajat Sarah Kanyike Ssebaggala named the Director of Gender, Community service, and production at KCCA. Hajat Sarah Kanyike was appointed by president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the ongoing restructuring at the Authority. Makindye East councillor Hajat Sarah Kanyike Ssebaggala at unveiling of roads construction recently A source at KCCA said that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was shocked and worried for president Museveni to fish from his office. Lord Mayor Lukwago summoned a scientific zoom meeting...

Jun132020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Kenya Rugby Union statement on Paul Feeney

Sports

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 13, 2020/ -- Paul Feeney has left his role as Kenya Rugby Union (https://www.KRU.co.ke/) Technical Director by mutual consent. Paul was working mainly with the men’s sevens squad,Shujaa as well as the other national squads. He left the role at the end of April this year owing to the uncertainty around the COVID-19 situation and the need to be at home with his family in New Zealand. Pau Feeney Under his management, Shujaa won the 2019 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens in Johannesburg,South Africa, a result that secured qualification to the 32nd Olympic Games which will now take place in Tokyo, Japan in 2021. He also guided the Kenya Morans to cup final victory at the 2019 Tusker Safari Sevens. It is unfortunate he has been unable to complete the ongoing se...

Jun122020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Coronavirus – Rwanda: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Approves an Additional US$111.06 Million Disbursement to Rwanda to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic

CORONAVIRUS

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 12, 2020/ -- The IMF approved US$111.06 million (SDR80.1 million), a second disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) bringing the total IMF COVID-19 emergency support to Rwanda to US$ 220.46 million to help urgent balance of payment needs stemming from the pandemic; Rwanda’s economy has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with weaker domestic demand losses of revenue, and a sharp decline in exports and remittances; The additional resources under the RCF will help alleviate pressing financing needs, including for health, social protection, and supporting the most impacted sectors and vulnerable groups. The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the disbursement of $111.06 million (SDR80.1 mi...

Jun122020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Let’s leverage on innovative potential of our youth in Covid-19 fight, President Kenyatta urges African counterparts

INTERNATIONAL

NAIROBI, 12th June 2020 –President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged his African counterparts to tap into the innovative abilities of the continent's youth as they roll out Covid-19 mitigation and recovery strategies. The President said the youth are Africa's biggest resource adding that young people's creative minds and immense energy can be utilized to boost Coronavirus response measures. "I also wish to reiterate that the biggest resource at our disposal is our own people and especially the youth. "Indeed, we need to harness the digital revolution and innovation witnessed during this pandemic as a catalyst for post COVID-19 economic revival, and which is key in creation of jobs for our youth," President Kenyatta said. The President spoke last evening at State House, Nairobi dur...

Jun122020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

AMISOM mourn the Passing of the President of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza

AFRICA

Mogadishu, 12th June 2020—The African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, has learnt with sadness about the death of the President of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza. “On behalf of the mission, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the government, the people of Burundi and the bereaved family. Through the Burundi Contingent in AMISOM, President Nkurunziza worked tirelessly with the AU to bring peace and security to Somalia. Like many leaders of the countries that contribute both human and material resources to the stabilization of Somalia, the late President believed in the ideals of a reconciled, secure and prosperous Somalia”, said the SRCC and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira. “The passing of President Nkurunziza is incredibly sad for all of us in AMISOM. Th...