Category: English

Source: APO

Every day across Uganda, health workers face life-or-death emergencies: a child struggling to breathe from severe pneumonia, a mother experiencing postpartum haemorrhage, a victim of a road traffic crash, or a patient arriving with severe asthma or diabetic complications. In many of these situations, survival depends on what happens in the first few minutes of care.

Recognizing the urgent need to improve emergency care, the Ministry of Health, with technical and financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO), WHO Foundation Laerdal Foundation and partners, [IS1.1][KK1.2]has launched the Acute Care Transformation through Basic Emergency Care (ACTxBEC) Initiative, a nationwide effort aimed at strengthening frontline emergency care services and reducing avoidable deaths.

The initiative seeks to improve the ability of health workers to recognize, assess and manage life-threatening conditions quickly and effectively, while strengthening the systems that support emergency care across Uganda.

Why emergency care matters

Uganda faces a growing burden of acute illnesses and injuries. More than half of the 855.6 emergency cases per 100,000 population recorded in the 2024/25 financial year were trauma-related. At the same time, pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five, while postpartum haemorrhage continues to be a major cause of maternal deaths. Road traffic injuries also claim thousands of lives every year.

Many of these deaths can be prevented through timely triage, early recognition of severe illness, rapid stabilization, effective teamwork and prompt referral.

Evidence from previous implementation of the BEC course developed by WHO, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM) shows that strengthening emergency care skills can significantly improve patient outcomes. Studies in Uganda and other low- and middle-income countries found reductions in hospital mortality ranging from 34% to 50% after implementing the programme. 

Scaling up lifesaving emergency care

At the heart of ACTxBEC is a commitment to ensuring that health workers across Uganda have the skills and support needed to provide timely, quality emergency care when every second counts. The initiative combines self-paced online learning with hands-on training, team simulations, workplace drills and ongoing mentorship, helping health workers strengthen their competence, confidence and teamwork in managing life-threatening emergencies.

Over the next three years, the initiative will be rolled out in 200 health facilities across 85 districts, reaching approximately 2,400 healthcare providers. Participating facilities will establish trained champions to lead regular simulation exercises, mentoring and continuous learning, ensuring that skills are maintained long after the initial training is completed.

Beyond training, the initiative will use routine data and quality improvement approaches to strengthen emergency care systems and inform future policy and practice. By 2028, Uganda aims to have 200 health facilities better equipped to provide timely, safe and effective emergency care, contributing to lower hospital mortality and better outcomes for patients facing critical illness and injury.

Uganda is one of four countries implementing the ACTxBEC Initiative, alongside Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania. The multi-country programme provides an opportunity to generate evidence on how strengthening emergency care through training, simulation, mentorship and continuous learning can improve clinical outcomes. Lessons from the four countries will help inform future efforts to strengthen emergency care systems across the region and beyond.

A shared commitment to better care

The launch brought together government officials, health professionals, academic institutions and development partners committed to improving emergency care services in Uganda. The Ministry of Health is leading implementation through a national coordination mechanism, while WHO is providing technical support and oversight. The African Federation for Emergency Medicines and the Emergency Care Association of Uganda are supporting the implementation of the BEC courses in health facilities.

“When we manage emergency as well, we prevent 50% of the poor outcomes.  I am glad that our partners are standing with us in this endeavor, which makes our health systems more resilient for everyone,” said Dr Charles Olaro, Director General for Health Services and the Chair of the National Coordination Committee for the ACTxBEC initiative, speaking on behalf of the Hon Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi.

Speaking at the launch, the WHO Representative to Uganda, Dr Kasonde Mwinga highlighted the transformative potential of strengthening emergency care systems.

“Every day, children, mothers and families face medical emergencies where survival depends on the quality of care delivered in the first few minutes. The Acute Care Transformation Initiative is an investment in the skills, systems and teamwork needed to ensure that when emergencies happen, lifesaving care is available where and when it is needed most,” Dr Mwinga stated.

Investing in universal health coverage

Beyond improving emergency services, ACTxBEC is expected to contribute to Uganda’s broader health goals, including Universal Health Coverage, quality of care and health system resilience. Strong emergency care systems not only save lives every day but also improve preparedness for outbreaks, disasters and other public health emergencies. 
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that access to timely, quality emergency care is essential to a resilient health system.

As Uganda embarks on this ambitious scale-up, the message is clear: the knowledge and tools to save lives already exist. The challenge now is ensuring that these life-saving skills reach every health facility, every health worker and every patient who needs them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has handed over 100 operating licences to compliant taxi operators in the City of Tshwane, reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring public transport operators operate legally and that the backlog of operating licence applications is addressed.

The licences were issued to operators affiliated with various taxi associations in Tshwane during a handover programme held at the Department’s Tshwane Regional Offices on Thursday.

This is a result of the Department making significant progress in improving and streamlining internal administrative and operational processes to improve turnaround times 

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, said the Department was intensifying efforts to ensure that compliant taxi operators receive their operating licences and that the public transport sector is fully compliant with regulatory requirements.

“We are committed to ensuring public transport operators do so legally. We have started issuing operating licences to taxi and other operators across the province, and we will continue with these weekly handover programmes covering different regions of Gauteng,” said the MEC.

The MEC said the Department was making progress in its efforts to eradicate the operating licence backlog and urged operators whose applications remain outstanding to engage directly with the Department.

“We are appealing to taxi operators who are not yet legal: kindly visit our offices to either apply or verify your status. We want to assist so you become compliant and operate legally.”

This is a call by the Department for operators to take responsibility for their status verification and ensuring they are in possession of valid documentation every time they are operating.

“We are appealing to operators who have received their operating licences to check their status with the Department and ensure they have the necessary documentation in their vehicles. We are engaging with traffic authorities to ensure that vehicles with valid operating licences are not impounded for that reason, unless there are other contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act,” said the MEC.

The Department said the regular issuing of operating licences is part of its broader intervention to address the backlog, improve regulatory compliance and create a more orderly and legally operated taxi industry in Gauteng.

The MEC reiterated that the responsibility to operate legally is shared between government and operators, with the Department committed to processing applications while operators must ensure they meet the necessary regulatory requirements.

 “As Department of Roads and Transport in Gauteng, we will continue to work to ensure taxi operators conduct their business legally. We are addressing the backlog, and we are committed to ensuring that compliant operators receive their operating licences,” the MEC said.

The Department will continue rolling out operating licence handover programmes in different regions of Gauteng in the coming weeks.

– on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO – Report:

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in three new justices to the Supreme Court of Ghana, charging them to uphold sound judgment, integrity, intellectual courage, and a strong commitment to justice.

The ceremony took place on Thursday at the Presidency’s Banquet Hall.

The newly elevated justices are Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokunwa Bernasco-Essa, a former Court of Appeal Judge; Justice Edward Amoako Asante, former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice; and Justice Anthony Forson Jr., a seasoned private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

Their appointments bring the total number of justices sitting on Ghana’s highest court to 17.

Administering the statutory oath, President Mahama reminded the jurists that the judiciary’s authority depends entirely on the faith of the Ghanaian public, not on physical force or political power.

“The authority of the Court does not rest on force or political power. It rests on the confidence and trust of the people, confidence and trust that every matter brought before it will be determined independently, impartially, and strictly according to the law,” President Mahama stated.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the rule of law, the President said judicial independence protects citizens’ rights rather than serving as a personal privilege for judges.

“Judicial independence is not a privilege granted to judges for their personal benefit, but a protection afforded to citizens so that their rights may be determined fairly, even when the issues before the courts are difficult, unpopular, or politically sensitive,” he added.

President Mahama expressed confidence in the newly sworn-in justices, noting that their diverse backgrounds in private practice, regional courts, and the appellate bench will enhance the apex court’s capacity.

Speaking on behalf of the new appointees, Justice Sophia Bernasco-Essa thanked the President and the nation, pledging their collective resolve to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure notes the announcement from the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure on the department’s intention to issue a Request for Information for the redevelopment of the Telkom Towers complex through a public-private partnership model, which would include a rehabilitate-operate-transfer approach.

The committee recognises the importance of turning dormant state assets into productive public infrastructure. However, any proposal involving public funds must be approached with full fiscal discipline. The committee Chairperson, Ms Carol Phiri, said the Minister must ensure that every rand government is expected to spend under this proposed arrangement falls strictly within the approved budgeted allocation for Public Works and Infrastructure over the current Medium Term Expenditure Framework period.

The estimated cost of the Telkom Towers redevelopment, stated to be between R1.8 billion and R2.2 billion, cannot be treated as a public relations opportunity before Parliament and the public are assured that the funding implications have been properly assessed, budgeted for and tested against the affordability requirements that must guide any public-private partnership. These factors must be established before such announcements are made.

Everyone shares the objective of ensuring that government assets are used productively to generate income for the state. If such redevelopments can also create additional jobs, that is even more commendable. The committee’s concern is not with the objective of putting public assets to productive use, but rather with ensuring that this is done transparently, affordably and without avoiding accountability for previous failures.

The Chairperson is concerned that the Minister’s media announcements create the impression that he alone brings solutions where others have failed. This is not the case. “The build-operate-and-transfer model now being presented is the product of work initiated by the National Treasury in cooperation with, among others, former Minister Sihle Zikalala. While some people work collectively to advance solutions for the state, others appear too eager to step into the limelight and claim victories as their own,” said Ms Phiri.

The committee is also deeply concerned that the Minister knows there have been material irregularities in the procurement of the Telkom Towers complex. He also knows that the department has not properly brought this matter to finality through a transparent and complete forensic investigation.

“We must work according to the law and the Constitution. The PFMA [Public Finance Management Act] is clear. Where the state has suffered losses in the procurement of assets, those losses must be determined, the money must be recovered and the people responsible must be held to account,” said Ms Phiri.

Ms Phiri said the committee has tried to get a copy of the forensic report from the Minister. He must openly share information on how his department has been unable to get forensic investigating companies to perform this task properly. That information is essential if Parliament is to understand why the investigation has not been concluded and what must be done to bring it to finality.

For this reason, the committee has consistently asked for the forensic report on the investigation into Telkom Towers to be made available. The Minister’s continued refusal to share it undermines Parliament’s oversight work and delays the concrete action required to correct what went wrong.

It is therefore puzzling that the Minister appears to be using the public-private partnership announcement to sideline the incomplete forensic investigation. Redevelopment cannot be used to distract from accountability. Before any new model is advanced, the department must first provide concrete evidence that losses have been quantified, recovery processes have begun and those found responsible for wrongdoing are being brought to book.

The Chairperson is concerned that the Minister’s announcement is premature, and incorrect in timing and manner. This is because the accountability process has not been completed and Parliament has not been furnished with the information it requires to perform its constitutional oversight role.

The committee will continue to insist that fiscal prudence, transparency, recovery of public funds and consequence management must come before any attempt to present Telkom Towers as a successful reform project. South Africans deserve both the productive use of public assets and full accountability for the failures that caused those assets to become dormant and costly in the first place. 

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

Behind every Peace Support Operation are stories of resilience, sacrifice and service – stories that often remain unseen without the dedication of journalists working in challenging environments. In AUSSOM Sector 2, Sergeant Naomi Lihavi plays a vital role in documenting those experiences and bringing the realities of the mission to the world.

Serving as a Journalist and Camerawoman under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Sgt Lihavi uses photography, videography, and storytelling to highlight the work and sacrifices of peacekeepers operating in Somalia.

Sgt Lihavi joined the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in 2021, turning a lifelong passion for cinema and storytelling into a professional career within military media operations. 

“My passion for cinema inspired me,” she explained. “I loved watching movies and writing stories, and later I pursued journalism as a career. I joined the KDF as a media practitioner to tell unique military stories through media.”

Within the mission, Sgt Lihavi’s responsibilities extend far beyond simply taking photographs. Her work involves documenting operations, producing visual content, writing stories and monitoring media coverage related to the mission.

“My role as a journalist is basically coverage,” she said. “I do photography, videography, story writing and additionally, I do media monitoring.”

Her work helps showcase the daily efforts of the personnel serving in Somalia while also preserving important moments from the mission’s operations and community engagements.

Operating as a journalist in a mission environment comes with significant risks and emotional demands. Sgt Lihavi says security concerns remain one of the biggest challenges while covering field operations.

“The operating environment has presented various challenges,” she explained. “There are security challenges because safety is not guaranteed, especially during patrols. You cannot do coverage at your own comfort, so getting the desired shot becomes difficult.”

In addition to operational risks, the harsh environment and emotional impact of witnessing traumatic scenes add further pressure to the job.

“The climate is harsh and not always conducive for coverage,” she says. “And there is also the trauma that comes from witnessing difficult scenes and actions. However, we try to manage that through counseling and adequate training.”

Despite the challenges, Sgt Lihavi greatest achievement has been the opportunity to tell meaningful stories that reflect realities of peacekeeping operations and sacrifices of those serving in Somalia.

“I am very proud of the stories that I have told as a journalist,” she said. “Stories of resilience and sacrifice that have contributed to a better and more stable Somalia.”

Through her lens and storytelling, Sgt Naomi Lihavi helps give a human face to AUSSOM’s mission – capturing moments that inform, inspire and preserve the experiences of those working toward peace and stability in Somalia.

As AUSSOM continues its mandate, media practitioners like Sgt Lihavi remain essential in documenting the mission’s impact and ensuring that the voices and sacrifices of the personnel are not forgotten.

– on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Source: APO – Report:

Minister of Public Service, Honourable Moeketsi Mots’oane, has warned public servants that poor service delivery could undermine efforts to secure better salaries for civil servants.

Hon. Mots’oane issued the warning during a meeting with public servants held at the District Administrator’s Office grounds in Botha-Bothe.

He said whenever he presents salary structures and requests for salary increments in Parliament, he is also expected to present performance reviews demonstrating that public servants are performing well.

He said without evidence of improved performance, it becomes difficult for him to advocate for salary reviews.

Honourable Mots’oane said it had become a norm for some public servants to underperform or fail to perform their duties altogether, making it difficult for those advocating for salary increments to make a strong case.

“The purpose of my visit to public servants is to take their views on how they would like to see this country in the future, to understand the situations that they are faced with and how best to solve the challenges,” he said.

He said upon assuming responsibility for the ministry, he was informed that one of its mandates was to ensure the welfare of civil servants.

“When I got to this Ministry, I was told that another mandate of the ministry is to make sure that the welfare of the civil servants is good so that when I demand performance, I will be knowing that the houses they stay in are in good condition for someone to live in.

“We need to make sure that public servants outside of the city do not feel neglected,” he said.

Public Service Deputy Principal Secretary, Mr Ntsu Shale, said performance contracts should be prioritized by all ministries to assess whether they are achieving their targets.

He also raised concerns about some public servants who do not perform their duties, saying this sometimes delays processes, particularly when employees retire.

Meanwhile, Department of Culture’s Mr Sehlabala Mokolobetsi told the Minister that a lack of resources was among the reasons some civil servants fail to perform to the expected standard.

He said his office has broken desks and chairs and lacks a heating system or heaters, yet employees are expected to report for duty every day, even during cold weather.

Mrs Malebotho Lehae from the Ministry of Home Affairs also complained that her office has only two permanent staff members who are expected to lead a team of approximately 150 employees without adequate resources.

She said the system used to recruit the 150 staff members was also affecting their work because some employees report for duty without the necessary knowledge or training.

The Minister also announced that Public Service Day 2026 will be celebrated across all districts.

He concluded his visit by inspecting government houses and offices to assess their condition.

– on behalf of Government of Lesotho.

Source: APO

The Ninth Meeting of the First Session of the Eleventh Parliament convened following the winter recess.

”There is a substantial amount of work to be undertaken, particularly the consideration of Bills and reports from Parliamentary Committees”

This was said by the Clerk of the National Assembly Adv. Lebohang Maema, King’s Counsel (KC), in an interview with the Agency.

Adv. Maema indicated that the Water Resources Management Bill and the Tax Administration Bill, as well as the operationalisation of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution Act, 2025, are among the key matters that still need to be finalised, noting that consequently, there is a substantial amount of work ahead for the National Assembly.

The National Assembly adjourned in June 2026 for the winter recess.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.