The International Monetary Fund says Kenya will become East Africa's biggest economy next year, passing Ethiopia. The change comes after Ethiopia greatly lowered its currency value last July. The IMF predicts Kenya's economy will reach $132 billion in 2025, higher than Ethiopia's expected $117 billion. Ethiopia's currency drop helped unlock a $3.4 billion IMF loan package with extra support from the World Bank. The Ethiopian birr fell by more than 55 percent compared to foreign money.
Countries make their money worth less to sell more goods overseas, fix trade gaps, and manage debt. A cheaper currency makes exports cost less worldwide, helping businesses sell more products abroad. It also makes foreign goods cost more at home, pushing...
South African leaders canceled a planned tax increase after strong opposition from their government partners. The African National Congress wanted to raise VAT, but the Democratic Alliance fought against it, even asking courts to step in. The tax hike would have started within days before officials changed course. The finance ministry stated they made this decision after talking with political parties, but warned about money problems ahead. The government might need other taxes or spending cuts to fill a 75 billion rand gap.
Many South Africans feel relief as they already struggle with high living costs. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had pushed for the increase to help poorer households. His plan faced pushback from various groups...
Kenya court officials refused to stop prison cadet hiring but said the case needs fast handling. Two prison workers filed papers asking to block the process they call unfair. Peter Agoro and Henry Muriithi speak for 600 colleagues who feel left out despite having proper training. The Kenya Prisons Service started looking for new cadets through newspaper ads on April 17. People can apply until April 30.
The workers say the job rules keep out current staff who earned college degrees and want promotions. They believe these jobs should go to people already working there instead of outsiders. They claim the rules changed to demand Master's degrees from regular officers when Bachelor's degrees worked before. Their lawyer, John Wangai, asked...
Police locked up an 18-year-old student for pretending to be businessman Hamis Kiggundu. Ruth Nandase appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi with her partner in crime, Babu Maniharah. Both said they did not commit the crimes of impersonation and cheating. The pair comes from Bugabwe village in Iganga district. They heard their charges on Wednesday.
Prosecutors claim Nandase, Maniharah, and others posed as Kiggundu from Hamis Enterprises Ltd. between 2023 and February 2024. They allegedly tricked people in Kampala Central Division with this false identity. One victim, Shafic Kawooya, lost about $13 when another suspect promised him a loan. Karim Serugo from Hamis Enterprises spotted a fake TikTok account of his boss. Police...
Uganda wants creators to protect their ideas through patents. The government made this appeal at the recent National Development Policy Forum in Kampala. Relief Minister Hilary Onek shared how he lost money when he failed to patent his design for the Karuma hydropower station. A Norwegian company received $3 million instead. He urged everyone to patent their innovations.
National Planning Authority head Dr. Joseph Muvawala highlighted how creative industries add value to economies worldwide. These sectors contribute about 3.1% to global GDP and provide 6.2% of jobs globally. He called for specific data on how much Ugandan creatives contribute to the national economy. Better legal frameworks, market access, archiving systems, and...
Uganda President Museveni wants to protect cell towers against thieves. Yesterday, he met with American Tower Uganda officials at the State House and promised to declare telecom towers critical national infrastructure. This step aims to stop vandalism that harms communication across the country. Museveni also plans to connect tower cameras to the police security system.
"I will give an order to the police for camera networks on these towers, linked with existing police surveillance," Museveni said. He supports harsh penalties for vandals, suggesting no bail for criminals caught damaging towers. He asked telecom companies to install cameras themselves. He also recommended using materials thieves find less attractive, like concrete...
Uganda offers a good place for business investment among East African nations, according to Finance Minister Henry Musasizi. He spoke at an investment breakfast meeting with U.S. business leaders in Washington, D.C. earlier this week. The country holds regular elections every five years. People from many cultures live together peacefully in Uganda, where about 45 million citizens make their home.
When investors invest in Ugandan ventures, they gain access to markets with one billion customers. The government promises special protections for those who invest there. Uganda runs its economy on free-market ideas. The nation belongs to the East African Community, which has eight member countries. Officials want more Americans to start...
President Museveni thinks taking care of soldiers helps make armies strong. He talked about how groups of volunteers became a powerful national army despite having little money. He said armies can work well even with low pay if children attend school for free, families have homes, medical help comes at no cost, and spouses receive easy loans for small companies. He shared these ideas when meeting Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the State House, Entebbe, on Thursday. Youssouf leads the African Union Commission after winning an election.
The new chairperson joined a special meeting about African troops helping Somalia. The meeting runs from April 22 through April 25 at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala. Leaders want to check how peace efforts work in...
Jazz grew from African American roots in New Orleans, mixing blues with West African beats. It became known worldwide for bringing people together through music. This style found new life in Uganda, where local sounds blend with jazz freedom. The music helps grow Uganda's creative businesses. The dfcu Jazz in the Pearl festival shows Uganda joining global jazz culture.
Jazz matters to Uganda because African rhythms connect directly with local music traditions. Ugandan musicians share many musical patterns with jazz artists elsewhere. The music gives Ugandan artists ways to honor their history while still reaching international listeners. Jazz offers Uganda a shared African heritage through music. The style helps Uganda join worldwide...
