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KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Authorities in Rwanda on Monday rejected U.S. calls for the withdrawal of troops and missile systems from eastern Congo, saying they are defending Rwandan territory as Congo carries out a "dramatic military build-up” near the border. The U.S. State Department in a statement Saturday criticized the worsening violence caused by M23, describing it as a “Rwanda-backed” armed group. That statement also urged Rwanda “to immediately withdraw all Rwanda Defense Force personnel from the (Congo) and remove its surface-to-air missile systems." M23 is one of more than 100 armed groups active in eastern Congo, seeking a share of the region’s gold and other resources as they carry out mass killings. After being largely dormant for a decade, M23 resurfaced in late 2021 and has since captured wide parts of eastern Congo.

Persons: FLDR, Rwanda “, U.N, Goma Organizations: —, Monday, Rwanda's Foreign Ministry, Rwandan, U.S . State Department, Rwanda Defense Force, Rwandan Foreign Ministry Locations: KAMPALA, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Congolese, United States, Africa's Great Lakes, Congo’s North Kivu’s, Goma

☆ Eddy Kenzo, Uganda’s first Grammy nominee, recounts his journey from sleeping on the streets to global stardom
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Vanessa Offiong | Daniel Renjifo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

I’ve always known that I’ll make it in music because I could feel the creativity in me. But I knew that one day if I ever went into a studio, I would produce good music. Eddy Kenzo (center) pictured here in Uganda with members of the Ghetto Kids dance group, during a music video rehearsal in 2023. Eddy Kenzo, pictured here attending the 65th edition of the Grammy Awards show on February 5, 2023, became Uganda's first-ever Grammy nominee last year. A Grammy nominee is a Grammy nominee.

Persons: Miriam Makeba, Eddy Kenzo, Uganda’s, Matt B, ”, Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza, Kenzo, CNN’s Larry Madowo, Larry Madowo, I’ve, Badru Katumba, ’ I’ve, It’s, Matt Winkelmeyer, Matt, Greg Organizations: CNN, Best, Big Talent Entertainment, Uganda National Musicians Federation, Getty, EK, The Recording Academy Locations: Uganda, Kampala, AFP, Chicago, Los Angeles

Local officials have previously reported starvation deaths in their districts, but Ethiopia’s federal government has insisted these reports are “completely wrong”. Only a small fraction of needy people in Tigray are receiving food aid, according to an aid memo seen by The Associated Press, more than one month after aid agencies resumed deliveries of grain following a lengthy pause over theft. Just 14% of 3.2 million people targeted for food aid by humanitarian agencies in Tigray this month had received it by Jan. 21, according to the memo by the Tigray Food Cluster, a group of aid agencies co-chaired by the U.N.’s World Food Program and Ethiopian officials. Aid agencies are also struggling with a lack of funds. A third aid worker said the food aid pause and the slow resumption meant some people in Tigray have not received food aid for over a year.

Persons: Jan, “, ”, Ethiopia’s, Getachew Reda Organizations: Associated Press, Food Program, Ethiopian, AP, WFP, Children's Locations: KAMPALA, Uganda, Tigray, Amhara, U.S, Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s Afar, Oromia

☆ Uganda Says Judge's Dissent From World Court Ruling on Israel Does Not Reflect Its Position
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda has distanced itself from an opinion written by a Ugandan judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dissenting from the panel's ruling in South Africa's genocide case against Israel, and said the remarks do not reflect Uganda's position. "The position taken by Judge Sebutinde is her own individual and independent opinion, and does not in any way reflect the position of the government of the republic of Uganda," the government said in a statement issued late on Saturday. It added that the east African country supported the position of the Non-Aligned Movement on the conflict that was adopted at its summit in the Ugandan capital this month. The movement was formed officially in 1961 by countries opposed to joining either of the two major Cold War-era military and political blocs. Sebutinde was one of only two judges who issued dissenting judgements while 15 voted for the emergency measures which covered most of what South Africa had asked for in the case.

Persons: Julia Sebutinde, Israel, Judge Sebutinde, Sebutinde, Elias Biryabarema, William Maclean Organizations: International Court of Justice, Israel Locations: KAMPALA, Uganda, South, Gaza, Africa

☆ UN's Guterres Condemns Israel for 'Heartbreaking' Killings in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Elias BiryabaremaKAMPALA (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday denounced Israel for the "heartbreaking" deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and called it unacceptable to resist statehood for the Palestinian people. "Israel's military operations have spread mass destruction and killed civilians on a scale unprecedented during my time as secretary-general," Guterres said at the opening of a summit of the G77+China in the Ugandan capital Kampala. The Middle East is a tinder-box, we must do all we can to prevent conflict from igniting across the region." Israel's campaign has killed more than 25,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities on Sunday, and displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million people from their homes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Saturday to push back against U.S. President Joe Biden's remarks about Palestinian statehood after the war against Hamas ends.

Persons: Elias Biryabarema, António Guterres, Israel, Guterres, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Frances Kerry Organizations: Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA, United Nations, Hamas, U.S, Aligned Movement, NAM Locations: Gaza, China, Ugandan, Kampala, Israel, South Africa, Iran, Turkey, Cuba, India, Vietnam

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Tanzania on Monday announced it had withdrawn approval for neighboring Kenya's flagship carrier Kenya Airways to operate a passenger service between the countries beginning next week. A statement from the Tanzanian Civil Aviation authority said the move was in response to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority denying Air Tanzania the approvals it needed to operate all cargo flights between the two countries. The statement said the ban on Kenya Airways passenger flights will start on Jan. 22. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesKenya has previously blocked the importation of milk from Uganda and farm produce from Tanzania. Tanzania has restricted importation of onions to Kenya, leading to skyrocketing prices for the essential commodity.

Organizations: —, Monday, Kenya Airways, Tanzanian Civil Aviation, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Air, Tanzanian, East African Community, Kenya, East African Court, Justice, Uganda National Oil Co Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, — Tanzania, Air Tanzania, Tanzania, Uganda, Mombasa, Kampala

☆ Parenting tips from a dad who’s fostered 36 kids — by himself
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Right now, he's caring for kids aged two, three, seven, eight, 10, 17 and 19 years old, three of whom are his adopted children. "I grew up [the] poor of the poorest," Mutabazi told CNBC by video call. Becoming a solo foster fatherIt wasn't until he was 43 that Mutabazi became a foster dad. Now, on top of being a foster dad, he runs the Now I Am Known Foundation, where he does room makeovers for teenagers. Mutabazi told CNBC.

Persons: Peter Mutabazi, Peter Mutabazi Peter Mutabazi, Mutabazi, James, —, Peter Mutabazi Mutabazi, …, Ryder, Anthony Organizations: CNBC, Compassion, Foundation, Mutabazi Locations: Uganda, Kampala, Rwandan, U.S, Worth, Ethiopia, China, Brittany, United States, Oklahoma City

☆ A 70-year-old woman in Uganda gave birth to twins she conceived via IVF
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Safina Namukwaya, 70, gave birth to boy/girl twins at a hospital in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. AdvertisementA 70-year-old woman, who delivered twins on Wednesday, has become one of the oldest moms in the world, a hospital in Uganda said. "One day, a young boy said I had been cursed by my mother to die without a child," Namukwaya said. Namukwaya told the interviewer that she had been "very sick" due to her double pregnancy and had spent nearly all her "savings" on healthcare. AdvertisementShe told NTV that the twins were "in the hands of God" and that "every child comes with a blessing."

Persons: Safina, Doctors, —, Safina Namukwaya, Namukwaya, she'd, Edward Sali Organizations: Service, Women's Hospital, Fertility, NTV Locations: Kampala, Africa, Uganda, India

Survivors recounted executions and looting in Ardamata, which they said were carried out by RSF and allied Arab militias. The RSF developed from Arab militias known as the Janjaweed that helped Sudan's army crush a rebellion in Darfur in the 2000s. Atta said the UAE had funnelled unspecified supplies to the RSF through Uganda, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad. Sudan's army, Chad and the CAR did not immediately respond to requests for comment. While the UAE backed Sudan's aborted political transition after the 2019 overthrow of Omar al-Bashir, it has remained publicly quiet on the war.

Persons: El Tayeb, Yassir al, Atta, RSF, General Abdel Fattah al, Burhan, Omar al, Bashir, Nafisa Eltahir, Khalid Abdelaziz, Maha El, Elias Biryabarema, Aidan Lewis, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Sudanese, United, Rapid Support Forces, Army, UAE, General Intelligence Service, Reuters, Central African Republic, Wagner Group, CAR, Thomson Locations: West Darfur, Adre, Chad, Ardamata, Arab, El, Rights CAIRO, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Darfur, Omdurman, Sudan, Chadian, Amdjarass, Uganda, Chad's, Ndjamena, Russia, Khartoum, Maha El Dahan, Dubai, Kampala

☆ Uganda to borrow $150 mln from China's Exim after World Bank halts funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A worker is seen near a sign of the Export-Import Bank of China at the venue for the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKAMPALA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Uganda is preparing to borrow $150 million from China's Export Import Bank (Exim) to help expand its internet infrastructure, the finance ministry on Monday. A junior finance minister and the minister for information asked lawmakers on Monday to authorise the debt, the finance ministry wrote on X, the social media platform. Uganda is in negotiations with Chinese export credit agency SINOSURE and Exim Bank for a loan to finance the construction of a pipeline to help Uganda export its crude oil to international markets. The World Bank, traditionally Uganda's biggest development lender, halted loans to Uganda after President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act which hands out tough sentences including death for a range homosexual activities.

Persons: Stringer, SINOSURE, Yoweri Museveni, Elias Biryabarema, Hereward Holland, William Maclean Organizations: Export, Import Bank of China, China, REUTERS, Rights, China's Export Import Bank, World Bank, Exim Bank, Bank, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Rights KAMPALA, Uganda

☆ Sub-Saharan Africa just hit 100 World Heritage Sites. UNESCO says that’s not enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

At the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in September, UNESCO announced five new locations had joined the list of World Heritage Sites, taking sub-Saharan Africa’s total over 100 for the first time. Rwanda’s first two World Heritage Sites were named among 42 new entries worldwide. Vegetation in Rwasenkoko, Nyungwe National Park, one or Rwanda's two new UNESCO World Heritage Sites. CNLG/Courtesy UNESCOThere are currently 1,199 World Heritage sites, benefitting from the conservation agreements and tourism that come with that status. One is that some nations were slow to ratify the 1972 World Heritage convention, allowing them to submit applications for World Heritage status.

Persons: CNN —, Rwanda’s, Bale, Vande weghe, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, There’s, ”, Eloundou Assomo, –, Yonas, Assomo, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, World Heritage Committee, UNESCO, Heritage, World, Getty, “, World Heritage Fund Locations: Nyamata, Eastern, Odzala, Republic of Congo, Saharan Africa, Africa, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Guinea, Bissau, Liberia, Sao Tome, Principe , Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwasenkoko, Gisozi, Rwanda, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Uganda, Buganda, Kasubi, Kampala, Ethiopia, Bissagos

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The extension of the U.S. program allowing sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to U.S. markets is expected to be high on the agenda of the U.S. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade forum that will begin in South Africa on Thursday. AGOA is U.S. legislation that allows sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market provided they meet certain conditions, including adherence to the rule of law and the protection of human rights. In May, Biden threatened to remove Uganda from AGOA and impose sanctions following the passing of a controversial anti-gay law. They also called on the forum to be held in a different country to send a message to South Africa about the impact of its close ties to Moscow. An inquiry appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa has since cleared South Africa of supplying Russia with arms.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Joy Basu, Joe Biden, ”, John Stremlau, AGOA, Ebrahim Patel, Biden, Ofwono Opondo, Yoweri Museveni, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa, ___ Rodney Muhumuza Organizations: U.S, U.S ., African, Congress, Republicans, Central African, Republican, Democratic Locations: JOHANNESBURG, U.S, U.S . Africa, South Africa, Johannesburg, Niger, Uganda, Central African Republic, Gabon, Africa, South, AGOA, U.S . South Africa, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Kampala

☆ American Couple in Uganda Accused of Torturing Boy Plead Guilty to Lesser Charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The charge of aggravated child trafficking carries the death penalty in Uganda while aggravated child torture draws a maximum sentence of life in prison. Mackenzie Leigh Mathias Spencer pleaded guilty to inflicting cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment for which she was sentenced to a fine of 3.36 million shillings or two years in prison. Nicholas Spencer admitted one count of child neglect for which he was fined 1.5 million shillings or six months in jail. The couple also pleaded guilty to staying illegally in the east African country and working without permits. Both were also ordered to compensate the child with 50 million shillings each.

Persons: Nicholas Spencer, Mackenzie Leigh Mathias Spencer, Alice Kyomuhangi, David Mpanga, Kyomuhangi, Mpanga, Elias Biryabarema, George Obulutsa, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Reuters Locations: KAMPALA, U.S, Uganda, South Carolina, Kampala

☆ Airtel Uganda doubles bonus shares ahead of IPO close
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Elias Biryabarema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KAMPALA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Airtel Uganda said it has doubled the amount of bonus shares for potential investors, to boost participation in its initial public offering (IPO) set to close on Friday. The firm launched its share sale on Aug. 29 and set the share price at 100 Ugandan shillings. Airtel is selling 20% of its equity in a move aimed at raising 800 billion Ugandan shillings ($213 million). Results of the IPO are expected on Oct. 30, while shares will be listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange on Oct. 31, according to a prospectus. When the listing completes, Airtel Uganda will be the second listed telecoms company on Uganda's stock exchange after MTN Uganda (MTNU.UG), majority owned by South Africa's MTN Group (MTNJ.J), which listed in December 2021.

Persons: Elias Biryabarema, Giulia Paravicini, Hereward Holland, David Evans Organizations: Airtel, Uganda Securities Exchange, MTN Uganda, South Africa's MTN, Thomson Locations: KAMPALA, Airtel Uganda

☆ Uganda police say suspected rebels kill three in national park
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Elias Biryabarema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing RightsKAMPALA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A Ugandan national and two foreign tourists have been killed in an attack by suspected Islamist rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in a national park, the police said on Tuesday. The ADF began as an uprising in Uganda but has been based in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the late 1990s. "We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The national park's western boundary is the shore of Lake Edward, which separates Uganda from Congo. Last week, ADF fighters killed at least one man and injured another when it ambushed a truck in western Uganda.

Persons: Stringer, Fred Enanga, Enanga, Lake Edward, Bashir Hangi, Yoweri Museveni, Meddie Nkalubo, Museveni, Elias Biryabarema, George Obulutsa, Estelle Shirbon, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Secondary, Allied Democratic Forces, REUTERS, Rights, Ugandan, ADF, Democratic, Islamic State, Park, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rebels, Thomson Locations: Mpondwe, Uganda, Rights KAMPALA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Queen Elizabeth, Lake, Congo, Kampala

World Bank project documents will make it clear that LGBTQ Ugandans should not face discrimination and that staff will not be arrested for including them, Victoria Kwakwa, the bank's head for eastern and southern Africa, told Reuters. She declined to give a timeline for assessing the measures' efficacy and moving to a decision on whether to resume new funding for Uganda. When the World Bank suspended new funding, Ugandan officials accused the development finance institution of hypocrisy, saying it was lending to countries in the Middle East and Asia that have the same or harsher laws targeting LGBTQ people. The World Bank's portfolio of projects in the East African country was $5.2 billion at the end of 2022. Reporting by Rachel Savage and Jorgelina do Rosario, Editing by Andrew CawthorneOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ashley Karungi, Victoria Kwakwa, Kwakwa, Rachel Savage, Jorgelina, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Bank, Reuters, Rights, World Bank, International Monetary, Uganda, Government, Thomson Locations: Kulambiro suburb, Kampala, Uganda, MARRAKECH, Morocco, Africa, Marrakech, East, Asia, Rosario

They are mostly looking for secondhand clothing, sifting through underwear for pairs that seem new or trying on shoes despite getting pushed around in the crush. Despite the popularity, secondhand clothes are facing increasing pushback. And we get all documents for that.”The Green Shops are environmentally friendly because they recycle used clothes in bulk, he said. Not surprisingly, many people would rather buy used clothing, she said. Abdulrashid Ssuuna, who tries to persuade customers in the market to stop by his brother’s used clothing business, said a ban would deny him a livelihood.

Persons: —, “, Yoweri Museveni, ” Museveni, Uganda —, Kalungi, ”, ” Kalungi, Allan Zavuga, ” Zavuga, Abdulrashid Ssuuna, Ssuuna, Tadeo Walusimbi, ” Walusimbi Organizations: Downtown, U.S . Agency for International Development, East African Community Locations: KAMPALA, Uganda, East Africa, U.S, Africa, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Washington, In Uganda, China, Germany, Kampala, Ugandan

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s President William Ruto sought $1 billion more in loans from China Monday, despite rising public debt that has now reached $70 billion in the Eastern African country, according to National Treasury figures for 2022/2023. President Ruto was was one of a number of global leaders in Beijing to attend the tenth anniversary meeting of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the ambitious plan that aims to connect Africa, Asia and Europe through massive infrastructure and energy projects. Kenya has been struggling with ballooning public debt, with $6 billion owed to Chinese creditors, according to national data. However, it’s not clear if President Ruto and his delegation will be granted a restructuring or extension of the interest payments. Last week, legislators tabled a motion asking the government to reveal details of all the loans it had accumulated since President Ruto came into power in September 2022.

Persons: — Kenya’s, William Ruto, Ruto, Hussein Mohammed, “, ”, SGR, Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya SGR, Aly Khan Satchu, it’s, ” Satchu Organizations: National Treasury, Initiative, Kampala, Kenyan Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, China, Beijing, Africa, Asia, Europe, Mombasa, Nairobi, Uganda, Central Africa, Turkish, Congo, Satchu

☆ Once homeless, Peter Mutabazi opens his home to kids as a single foster dad
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Mutabazi is not married and belongs to a rare group – federal data shows that only about 3% of foster parents are single men. After playing outside, Peter Mutabazi serves his foster kids ice cream in their Charlotte, North Carolina, home. Sean Mcinnis/The Charlotte Observer/ZumaHe blurs the faces of his foster kids to maintain their privacy. Mutabazi says it’s not easy being a single dad and relies on a community of other foster parents to help. At the same time, foster kids also need space to process feelings that they’re not ready to share, Fleisher says.

Persons: Peter Mutabazi’s, Mutabazi, “, …, ”, Anthony, Peter, ’ ” Mutabazi, ‘, ’ ” Anthony, who’d, Isabella, Luke, Peter Mutabazi, Sean Mcinnis, Isabella’s, it’s, he’d, Young Peter, he’s, White, ’ ”, ’, Anthony a, Peter Mutabazi Mutabazi, they’ve, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, who’ve, “ It’s, who’s, –, Charlotte, Zuma, “ Foster, Fleisher, they’re, You’re, He’s, Simba peed, Simba, It’s Organizations: CNN, Department of Health, Human Services, Charlotte Observer, Makerere University, Oak Hill College, Master’s University, Compassion International, Costco, Boston Child Study Locations: Kampala, Uganda, Charlotte , North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, East Africa, India, Worth, London, Santa Clarita , California, White, Los Angeles

Yes, according to a Ugandan company that's buying banana stems in a business that turns fiber into attractive handicrafts. TEXFAD also takes material from a third party, Tupande Holdings Ltd., whose trucks deliver banana stems from farmers in central Uganda. Such items are possible because “banana fiber can be softened to the level of cotton,” Okello said. Working with researchers, TEXFAD is now experimenting with possible fabric from banana fiber. While it is now possible to make paper towels and sanitary pads from banana fiber, the company doesn't yet have the technology to make clothing, he said.

Persons: —, mush, John Baptist Okello, David Bangirana, TEXFAD, Muganga, ” Muganga, ” Okello, Faith Kabahuma, ”, ___ Rodney Muhumuza Organizations: Agriculture Organization, Associated Press, Tupande Holdings Ltd, Uganda Bureau, Statistics Locations: MUKONO, Uganda, Ugandan, East, Food, matooke, Sheema, Kampala, TEXFAD, Europe

CNN —Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was arrested at Entebbe International Airport near the capital Kampala on Thursday as he returned to the country, according to his party the National Unity Platform. The National Unity Platform (NUP) said in a social media post that Wine was “violently arrested upon his return to Uganda. Opposition frontrunnerWine, a popstar-turned-politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was the main opposition frontrunner in the presidential elections in January 2021 and lost to President Yoweri Museveni. Wine rejected the election results, saying he had evidence of fraud and intimidation. “The Security Agencies will take all necessary measures to ensure that individuals involved in illegal activities are arrested and brought before the courts of law.”

Persons: Bobi Wine, “, ”, Wine, Robert Kyagulanyi, Yoweri Museveni, Museveni, ’ Organizations: CNN, Wine, Uganda Police Force, Entebbe International, ” Police Locations: Entebbe, Kampala, Uganda, Magere

☆ What Uganda’s war on second-hand clothes means for fashion
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sarah Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Camille Delbos/Art In All of Us/Corbis/Getty ImagesSo Kolade turned to something that was available in abundance: second-hand clothes. “I have declared war on second-hand clothes to promote African wear,” the President said during the opening of 16 factories at an industrial park late last month, according to Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor. Ugandan fashion house Buzigahill give new life to second-hand clothes through patchworking and splicing pieces together. According to the Uganda Dealers in Used Clothing and Shoes Association, there are a huge number of jobs directly and indirectly involved in the second-hand clothing supply chain. “It is clear that the second-hand clothing trade is broken because the firsthand clothing trade is broken,” said Ricketts.

Persons: Bobby Kolade, Camille Delbos, Kolade, patchworked sweats, Yoweri Museveni, Martin Kharumwa, ”, Corti Paul Lakuma, Bales, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Uganda’s, Buzigahill, Liz Ricketts, Ricketts Organizations: CNN, The, Fashion, Ugandan, Daily Monitor, East African Community, Policy Research, Greenpeace, Bloomberg, Getty, European Union, European Environment Agency, Uganda Dealers, Association, European Locations: Berlin, Kampala, Entebbe, Uganda, Turkey, China, East, Europe, East Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ugandan, Accra, Ghana, Africa, Kantamanto, California

☆ Uganda leader says air strike killed fighters of IS-allied rebel group in Congo
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni attends a session of the Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 28, 2023. The strike was carried out in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo on Sept.16 and intelligence gathered after the strike had confirmed members of group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), had been killed, he said. In December 2021 Uganda launched an operation in eastern Congo against ADF but the group still carries out attacks both against civilians and military targets in Congo and Uganda. In June this year 42 people, mostly students, were massacred at a school in Kasese in western Uganda -- another attack Uganda blamed on ADF. The rebel group is widely believed to seek to establish an Islamic rule in the east African country.

Persons: Yoweri Museveni, Mikhail Tereshchenko, Nkalubo, Museveni, Elias Biryabarema, Clelia Organizations: Agency, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Islamic, Allied Democratic Forces, ADF, Thomson Locations: Russia, Africa, Saint Petersburg, Rights KAMPALA, Islamic State, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kampala, Uganda, Congo, Kasese, Uganda's

☆ Emata, a startup offering loans to farmers in East Africa, just raised $2.4 million with this 14-slide pitch deck
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Emata, a Ugandan startup that provides loans to farmers in East Africa, has raised $2.4 million in funding. It's also fundamentally unfair as farmers need capital to grow but a lot of money goes to people with connections, not the best farmers." Kampala-based Emata wants to be tech first in its offering and uses WhatsApp as a loan origination platform, given its popularity in a region where cell data is at a premium. The company claims it grew 7x in 2022 and could point to strong metrics when dealing with investors having already dispersed over $1 million in loans. Funding will go towards expanding the company's tech offering and looking into new verticals.

Persons: Bram van den Bosch, It's, Klarna, Niklas Adalberth's Norrsken, Draper Richards, Marcus Boström, van den Bosch, Emata Organizations: African Renaissance Partners, Zephyr Acorn, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Locations: Ugandan, East Africa, Uganda, Kampala

☆ Bidi Bidi, one of the world’s largest refugee camps, is getting a groundbreaking new arts center
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Bidi Bidi Music & Arts Centre, which is currently under construction, will be a low-slung, light-filled brick and steel amphitheater that also houses an acoustic recording studio and music classroom. As the global refugee population has soared in recent years, reaching over 35 million in 2022, some temporary camps like Bidi Bidi have transitioned into permanent city-like settlements. The Bidi Bidi settlement quickly reached maximum capacity in 2016 and has since transitioned into a permanent settlement. But beyond practical use and sustainability, De Kestelier wants Bidi Bidi residents to have a new building that feels like their own. “When people give it a name, they own it more.”Erezenio is hopeful that Bidi Bidi, and other settlements like it, will see more projects that provide refugees with “tools for success” in addition to more immediate needs.

Persons: Bidi, Bidi Bidi, Hassell, LocalWorks, Hassell Xavier De Kestelier, ”, De Kestelier, Zex, Nachson Mimran, Mawa Zacharia Erezenio, Erezenio, Sina Loketa, To.org, there’s, De, that’s, ” De Kestelier, “, Kestelier Organizations: CNN, & Arts Centre, London, Records Locations: Yumbe, South, Kampala, stoke, Kyebando, Bidi, South Sudan, Ghent, Belgium

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