Category: Africa

Source: APO

A meeting to review progress in eradicating harmful practices and ensuring children’s rights in the Southern Region was conducted in Mendefera on 5 August.

At the meeting, in which members of committees overseeing activities to eradicate harmful practices from the region’s 12 sub-zones took part, reports were presented on the progress registered thus far and the challenges encountered.

Noting that the objective of the committees aimed to eradicate harmful practices that negatively affect the health of women, particularly female genital mutilation and underage marriage, by raising public awareness, Mr. Qaleab Tesfaselasie, Director General of Social Services in the region, said that awareness-raising activities involving about 148,000 people had been conducted over the past six months.

Mr. Qaleab went on to say that the awareness-raising activities focused on the psychological, physical and legal consequences of harmful practices. He called on the public to strengthen its participation in efforts to nurture a healthy and productive society.

The participants conducted extensive discussions on the reports presented and adopted various recommendations, including conducting sustained awareness-raising activities and taking corrective measures against those who continue to practice harmful traditions.

Noting that harmful practices cannot be eradicated within a short period, Mr. Habteab Tesfatsion, Governor of the Southern Region, called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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A clearer picture of what lies beneath the Mascarene Plateau is now within reach after Cabinet approved a landmark agreement to undertake a new seismic survey of the jointly managed maritime area shared by Seychelles and Mauritius.

The decision was announced on Thursday by Vice-President Sebastien Pillay during a press briefing at State House, following yesterday’s Cabinet meeting chaired by President Dr Patrick Herminie.

Cabinet approved Seychelles entering into and signing, jointly with Mauritius, a Multi Client Seismic Survey Agreement with Viridien for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of geological and geophysical data within the Joint Management Area of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Mascarene Plateau Region.

Addressing the media, Vice-President Pillay stressed that the agreement does not authorise oil or gas drilling, but rather the collection of scientific data that will provide a clearer understanding of what lies beneath the seabed.

“The purpose of the survey is to acquire geological and geophysical information that will enable Seychelles and Mauritius to better assess the potential of the Joint Management Area. It is an important step in ensuring that any future decisions are based on sound scientific evidence,” the Vice-President said.

He explained that the initiative forms part of a process that began more than a decade ago, following the establishment of the Joint Management Area after Seychelles and Mauritius successfully secured international recognition of their joint sovereign rights over the extended continental shelf of the Mascarene Plateau.

The Joint Management Area, covering approximately 396,000 square kilometres, remains the only jointly managed extended continental shelf in the world and is administered by the two island states under a unique bilateral treaty.

Vice-President Pillay noted that this is not the first attempt to undertake a seismic survey in the area. A previous procurement process did not materialise, requiring both governments to restart the process before selecting Viridien to undertake the Multi Client Survey.

Under this model, the company will finance the acquisition of the seismic data and recover its investment through the future licensing of the data to interested parties. This approach enables Seychelles and Mauritius to obtain valuable geological information without bearing the full cost of the survey.

The information collected will provide a detailed picture of the geological formations beneath the seabed and help determine whether the area contains hydrocarbon resources or other geological features of economic interest. The survey itself, however, involves no drilling or extraction activities and is limited to scientific data acquisition.

Vice-President Pillay said the agreement represents another important milestone in the responsible management of Seychelles’ ocean resources and reinforces the government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, regional cooperation and the sustainable development of the blue economy.

He added that all activities undertaken under the agreement will be subject to applicable environmental safeguards and international legal standards to ensure the marine environment is protected throughout the survey process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.” 

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About Energy Capital & Power:
For a decade, ECP has built a reputation as the leading organizer of high-level energy events across Africa and the Caribbean, connecting governments, investors and industry leaders to accelerate investment and project development. Over $25 billion in deals have been facilitated at ECP events, with over 3,500 global organizations and 30 government partners convening to advance strategic dialogue and partnerships. Learn more at www.EnergyCapitalPower.com

Source: APO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan have launched a new chapter in Uganda–Tanzania energy cooperation following the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating regional petroleum infrastructure, industrialisation and cross-border trade.

President Museveni, who arrived in Dar es Salaam yesterday for a two-day working visit, was today received by President Samia at State House, where the two Heads of State held a tête-à-tête to discuss matters of mutual interest and ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two leaders later witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and Vitol Bahrain E.C. to jointly develop the Tanga Regional Energy Hub.

The partnership builds on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and is expected to transform Tanga into a regional hub for petroleum storage,brefining, logistics, trading and distribution. It will also complement Uganda’s oil and gas projects, including the Hoima refinery, while enhancing energy security, expanding export opportunities and strengthening trade across East and Central Africa.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Monica Musenero, described the agreement as a powerful demonstration of regional cooperation and a reflection of the long-held vision of the two Presidents to build a united and prosperous Africa. “For a long time, Your Excellencies have advocated for a united Africa driven by common interests and shared trade. While we often speak about these aspirations, action speaks louder than words, and today we are privileged to witness a giant step towards joint development with our sister nation,” Dr. Musenero said.

She welcomed Vitol Bahrain into the partnership, saying collaboration between the two governments and the private sector would accelerate regional economic transformation. Dr. Musenero said the projects under the partnership go beyond infrastructure development and are strategic instruments for industrialisation. “These are not merely infrastructure projects. They are strategic investments that will create jobs for our young people, deepen regional trade and strengthen the logistics systems that support our economies,” she said.

She stressed that Uganda remains committed to maximizing value from its petroleum resources through downstream industries rather than exporting raw commodities. “We must ensure that we are not simply trading these resources as commodities. “We need to extract greater value by developing secondary and tertiary industries, building the knowledge economy and creating high-skilled jobs in engineering, operations, maintenance, laboratory analysis and management,” she added.

Dr. Musenero revealed that feasibility and front-end engineering design studies for the proposed refined petroleum products pipeline and storage terminal are progressing well and are expected to be completed later this year. She also disclosed that feasibility studies for the proposed natural gas pipeline linking Uganda and Tanzania are at an advanced stage and are expected to be concluded by October 2026.

Beyond petroleum, she highlighted progress on the planned Uganda–Tanzania 400kV electricity interconnector, noting that Uganda concluded negotiations with the World Bank in March before securing US$250 million in financing in June for its section of the project. According to Dr. Musenero, the transmission line will increase electricity exchange between the two countries, strengthen the Eastern Africa Power Pool and create new opportunities for electricity trade with Southern Africa. She reaffirmed that Uganda’s planned 60,000-barrel-per-day Hoima refinery remains central to the country’s industrialisation agenda, emphasising that it complements rather than competes with the Tanga Regional Energy Hub.

“The hub is complementary. Together, these projects will strengthen regional energy security while enabling East Africa to retain more value from its petroleum resources,” she said. Dr. Musenero added that the successful implementation of EACOP has demonstrated Uganda’s and Tanzania’s ability to deliver complex cross-border projects, boosting investor confidence and paving the way for future regional investments.

Tanzania’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Deo Ndejembi, described the agreement as another historic milestone in the growing energy partnership between the two countries, saying it marks the beginning of a new era of regional energy integration. “The story we celebrate today did not begin in 2026. It began several years ago when Tanzania and Uganda made the courageous decision to deepen cooperation in the petroleum sector,” Hon. Ndejembi said.

He noted that while EACOP laid the foundation for regional collaboration, the Tanga Regional Energy Hub represents the next phase by creating value through refining, petroleum storage, logistics, trading and industrialization. “As EACOP approaches completion, Tanzania and Uganda are not asking what comes next. Instead, we are answering that question together,” he said.

In one of the ceremony’s standout remarks, Hon. Ndejembi said: “EACOP transports molecules. The Tanga Regional Energy Hub transforms those molecules into prosperity.” He said the proposed hub has the potential to attract investments exceeding US$20 billion, making it one of the largest integrated energy infrastructure developments ever undertaken in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing concerns over Uganda’s planned Hoima refinery, Hon. Ndejembi stressed that the two projects are strategically complementary. “Uganda’s decision to develop the Hoima refinery reflects its sovereign objective of maximising value from its petroleum resources through domestic refining and industrial development. Tanzania fully supports that ambition,” he said.

He added that the proposed bidirectional multi-product pipeline linking Uganda and Tanzania will allow refined petroleum products to move efficiently in either direction according to market demand, opening wider export opportunities for Uganda while strengthening energy security across East Africa. Hon. Ndejembi said the agreement marks the beginning of a broader journey towards building a competitive regional energy market capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and positioning East Africa as a global energy player.

President Samia later hosted President Museveni at a state luncheon in honour of his visit.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

The internal sports competitions of the Eritrean Air Force, which will be underway for over a month, commenced on 5 August.

Noting that the internal sports competitions of the Eritrean Air Force are developing from time to time, Maj. Gen. Teklay Habteselasie, Commander of the Eritrean Air Force, said that the programme attests to the growth of sports activities being carried out at the national level. He also commended those who coordinated the successful sports competitions.

Maj. Amanuel Tesfagergis, Promotional and Information Staff Officer of the Air Force, noted that the internal sports competitions are conducted every two years and involve football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, target shooting and other sports. Eight clubs comprising participants of both genders are taking part in the competitions.

Maj. Amanuel went on to say that the objective of the sports competitions is to provide the Air Force’s ‘Kinfi’ Club, which participates in the sports competitions of the Eritrean Defence Forces, with competent athletes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

The Commissioner General of Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, has assured MPs that inmates requiring specialised care that the prisons service cannot provide, are allowed access to their personal doctors.

AUDIO: Byabashaija

Appearing before the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on Thursday, 06 August 2026, chaired by Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, Byabashaija was responding to concerns raised by MPs.

The concerns included the health and medical treatment of high-profile remand prisoners, including veteran Opposition politician, Dr Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.

Kampala District Woman MP, Hon. Shamim Malende sought answers on the access to medical services by Besigye.

“How is Uganda Prisons service dealing with the issue of health complications that prisoners encounter. Some prisoners enter prison when they are on strong medication and they have personal doctors that they usually have access to, but I see when they are in prison they only access medication in prison which is not adequate,” she said.

AUDIO: Hon. Malende

Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West) said: “Erias Lukwago has strong medical reports from Mulago National Referral Hospital and they have given very pertinent observations about his health, but maybe what you are informing the Judiciary is not matching with what is coming from the hospital.”

However, Byabashaija said that prisoners have access to their own physicians and have been going to the facilities of their choice.

“A person who is not yet convicted can have access to his personal physician. We can even take you to facilities of your choice. We have been taking one of these inmates for specialised tests at his doctor’s clinic,” he said.

He added that the prison is flexible in ensuring prisoners are in good health and they rely on the doctor’s recommendations.

“If we cannot handle your condition, the doctors determine where you should be referred. We can take you to Mulago or any other appropriate health facility,” he said.

Byabashaija also raised concern over prison congestion which he says is being driven largely by prolonged delays in the criminal justice system, with some inmates spending as long as 12 years awaiting trial.

He said prisons continue to receive inmates committed for trial by the High Court but with no timeline for when their cases will be heard.

“When somebody is committed to the High Court for trial, the Director of Public Prosecutions has already examined the file and decided the case should proceed to trial. Nothing happens after that. We have to wait for the court to call the person,” he said.

He added that, “the person who has waited the longest in our custody has been there for 12 years waiting for his trial to be fixed. Is that justice?”

The Commissioner General said the Uganda Prisons Service regularly notifies both the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions about inmates who have overstayed on remand through quarterly submissions known as Prison Form 30.

He also called for greater use of non-custodial measures for offenders who do not pose a threat to society.

“We should not have people charged with small land matters in prison. Prison should be reserved for people who are a danger to the security of the population,” he said.

Responding to concerns about inmates suffering from mental illness, Byabashaija said prisons often receive suspects who have never undergone psychiatric assessment before appearing in court.

He said Uganda Prisons Service has established a special ward for mentally ill inmates within the prison system and receives psychiatric support from Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital.

To provide better care, he says the service is finalising plans to construct a specialised mental health facility for prisoners at Butabika Hospital.

Relatedly, Byabashaija revealed that the proposed relocation of Luzira Maximum Security Prison remains a concept as they are yet to secure an investor with the capacity to undertake the project.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

The Eritrean community in Qatar held its 10th congress in Doha on 31 July under the theme “Together for a Bright Future.”

At the congress, in which a number of nationals participated, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, Eritrea’s Ambassador to Qatar, commended the community’s participation in and contribution to national development programmes. He also called on the community to strengthen its organizational capacity and mutual support.

​​The participants conducted extensive discussions on the activity report presented and adopted various recommendations. They also adopted future programmes and elected a new executive committee.

Commending the active participation demonstrated at the meeting, Ambassador Ali Ibrahim called on the participants to support the newly elected executive committee in all its activities. He also called on the committee to encourage nationals to strengthen their participation in national affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

A fire broke out during the night of Tuesday into Wednesday, August 5, in the Tamende neighborhood of Beni, following a suspected electrical short circuit in a beverage warehouse. Thanks to the swift intervention of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) fire brigade, the blaze was contained before it could spread further to nearby homes.

According to the city’s Civil Protection services, the fire started in a warehouse storing highly alcoholic beverages, which fueled the rapid spread of the flames. Despite the scale of the incident, no casualties were reported.

However, the material damage was extensive. Jean-Paul Kapitula, the Civil Protection Coordinator for the Beni region, said that a large quantity of beverages was destroyed and that the warehouse was completely engulfed by the fire.

Before specialized emergency responders arrived, Civil Protection teams, supported by volunteers and local residents, worked to contain the fire. Members of the community took part in the initial response by bringing water and sand to help prevent the flames from spreading.

MONUSCO’s intervention reinforced these efforts. According to Jean-Paul Kapitula, the Mission’s fire engine reached the scene less than twenty minutes after the fire broke out, covering the twelve-kilometre distance between Mavivi Airport and downtown Beni.

“MONUSCO’s intervention reinforced and completed the preliminary work carried out by Civil Protection and the volunteers. Once again, its response was swift and effective,” he emphasized.

In light of the recurring fires in the city, the Civil Protection official renewed his call for strengthening local disaster response capacities. He urged the relevant authorities and their partners to equip the city of Beni with a fire engine capable of meeting the population’s needs.

“MONUSCO has already done a great deal for us. However, it is now essential for Civil Protection to have its own response equipment so that it can react quickly to emergencies and better protect residents,” he appealed.

Beyond emergency response, Jean-Paul Kapitula also praised the ongoing cooperation between MONUSCO and the Civil Protection services, particularly in community awareness campaigns aimed at preventing risky behaviors that are often the cause of fires.

Since the beginning of the year, the city of Beni has recorded fifteen fires. This situation highlights the urgent need to further strengthen prevention mechanisms, public awareness initiatives, and local emergency response capacities in order to better protect people and their property.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).