Category: English

Source: APO

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The usually quiet church compound in Mundri has turned in a bustling hub of activity with more than 4,000 people crowded together in makeshift shelters.

These families have sought sanctuary at the site after being forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives during military confrontations between armed forces in Greater Mundri a few months ago.

Thirty-eight-year-old Aida Stephen is among those struggling to support her family in dire conditions.

Her youngest child clings to her side, traumatized by the experience, as she explains the challenges they face.

“It is very difficult to survive. We must hustle to fetch water and collect firewood. We are working for the host community harvesting cassava just to feed our children,” she says.

“Our shelters are damaged and collapse when it’s raining. We don’t know what to do. We don’t know whether peace will come or not.”

For many families, reaching Mundri in the eastern part of Western Equatoria meant walking for days.

“It took us seven days to get here because our children were struggling to travel such a long distance. We faced a lot of hardship and were lucky to reach here without anything bad happening to us,” explained Elizabeth Joy.

Peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have visited the site, meeting displaced families and local leaders to assess urgent needs and encourage dialogue to prevent further violence.

“During our interaction, we identified many protection concerns,” said Thomas Bazawi, UNMISS Protection, Transition and Reintegration Officer. “We are also engaging with authorities, including the County Commissioner, to try and organize a peace dialogue to improve security and create the conditions so that people can safely return home.”

While these efforts are underway, the families remain in limbo. They are not alone in this struggle which is familiar to hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese across the country who are caught in the catastrophic crossfire of persistent violence and victims of the political failure to secure peace.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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“Information is the backbone of communication. When the public lacks accurate information, rumors and misinformation can quickly spread and create conflict.”

This warning from civil society leader Bol Deng Bol reflects growing concern among community leaders in South Sudan’s Jonglei, where peace actors are intensifying efforts to counter hate speech and strengthen peaceful coexistence between communities.

A dialogue supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is geared towards reducing hostilities between Nuer internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Dinka host communities in Bor.

“The idea is to build trust and have constructive engagements that strengthen unity and social cohesion among those who have traditional grievances. If underlying drivers of conflict are addressed, communities will feel encouraged to resolve disputes peacefully” explained Khalif Farah, Civil Affairs Team Leader, UNMISS Bor.

The initiative also focuses on encouraging joint activities that bring together youth, local authorities, and community leaders.

For their part, youth leaders in Bor say they are playing an active role in strengthening communication between communities. “We are validating what we discussed over the past two days,” said Thon Jacob Kuany, speaking on behalf of Bor youth representatives. “The aim is to produce a final document that will guide everyone involved in the peace activities.”

According to Mr. Kuany, youth groups are developing a communication framework that will assign focal points along different routes to improve coordination and prevent misunderstandings that could escalate tensions. This framework will also guide participation in upcoming peace initiatives, including a planned marathon intended to promote unity among communities.

Another recommendation: the formation of joint peace committees representing different ethnic groups across Bor town, as well as measures to support youth engagement and strengthen community policing.

Access to reliable information will remain critical in the bid to prevent rumors and hate speech, particularly during times of political tension, say civil society representatives, who also emphasized the need to protect civic space and press freedom.

Organizers are hopeful that candid and constructive conversations will help reduce violence by strengthening early warning mechanisms and improving coordination between community leaders, youth groups, and local authorities. But, as community leaders point out, lasting stability in Jonglei will depend on communities themselves taking ownership of reconciliation efforts and rejecting messages of division.

The programme comes amid concerns about a potential spillover of tensions following clashes in neighboring counties such as Pigi, Ayod, Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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A lack of specialists at the Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital has seen new borns and pre-mature babies moved to other facilities which exposes them to serious health risks.

The Acting Executive Director of the hospital, Dr Sam Ononge revealed that the facility cannot provide specialised care to over half of the babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  

Enonge who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 added that these pre-mature babies require specialised attention that the facility cannot offer, forcing them to seek care at Mengo and Nsambya Hospitals. 

“Forty-five percent of our babies who are admitted in the NICU are pre-terms, less than 32 weeks and they require to be checked in their eyes. We don’t have a specialist doctor to check these babies’ eyes,” he said. 

He warned that the situation puts the babies at risk of long-term complications.

“The danger is that the baby may survive but later become blind which is a disability,” he said adding that, ‘the babies sometimes get exposed to cold and infections during transfers’.

The absence of key specialists has also forced the hospital to refer new-borns requiring surgery to the Mulago National Referral Hospital, a process Dr Ononge described as equally risky.

Looking ahead, the hospital plans to establish a paediatric centre and expand its In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services. 

Dr Enonge said the facility has already delivered IVF babies and will start accepting donors to support the programme.

Ononge added that the staffing in the intensive care unit is low with a few nurses handling more patients than recommended.

“As we stand now, we are like one nurse to six babies which is unbearable. The staff are getting burnt out and you can easily make mistakes when providing services,” he added.

Dr Ononge urged Members of Parliament to push for an increase in staffing levels to at least 60 per cent.

The Committee Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Gorreth Namugga called for full funding of the hospital and prioritisation of specialists saying, ‘if government can provide finances to other sectors, the women’s facility should be a priority’.

Namugga also cautioned against completely waiving fees for patients who cannot afford care.

“Let it be subsidised but do not completely waive it because it can be misused,” she said.

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

Source: APO

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Families and children in Tawila in North Darfur, one of the hardest to reach areas of Sudan, have received a life-saving boost after Save the Children delivered 30 metric tons of medicine and nutrition supplies following a challenging three-week road trip, Save the Children said.

The shipment, transported from Port Sudan, is expected to support over 80,000 children and 57,000 adults in Tawila and is enough to keep 20 health facilities and mobile clinics serving displaced communities running for six months. 

Tawila is home to more than  650,000 internally displaced people, most of whom fled violent attacks in North Darfur’s Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps last year. Displaced families are largely dependent on humanitarian agencies for health and nutrition services.   

Part of a larger drug consignment that arrived in Port Sudan from Nairobi, the shipment took three weeks to reach Tawila, crossing extreme desert terrain, perilous routes, and a volatile security environment.  This is Save the Children’s fourth consignment to Tawila since February 2025 and the first since a massive influx of displaced people in October 2025.

The delivery that arrived on Wednesday last week includes essential drugs such as antibiotics to treat respiratory infections, fluids, multivitamins, topical medications, ear and eye drops, and treatment for malnutrition. It also includes antibiotics to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tract infections, as well as medication for cholera. 

Save the Children said this delivery was crucial because health facilities in Tawila were dangerously low on medicines just as thousands of displaced families arrived. Urgent restocking was essential to prevent the collapse of maternal and child health services and to address the escalating malnutrition, famine risk, and disease outbreaks in overcrowded displacement sites. 

Dr. Bashir Kamal Eldin, Health & Nutrition Director of Save the Children in Sudan, said: “This delivery comes at a critical moment as humanitarian needs continue to escalate across Darfur, where large-scale displacement and limited access to healthcare are placing children at extreme risk. 

“With this shipment now in Tawila, Save the Children will refill essential medical stocks and support health facilities serving displaced populations. The delivery also strengthens preparedness for future humanitarian access to other areas of North Darfur, including El Fasher, once conditions allow for safe humanitarian movement. 

“We know that timely access to these supplies can mean the difference between life and death for thousands of displaced families.”  

After nearly three years of conflict, Sudan is facing the world’s largest displacement crisis, with more than 12 million people – one fifth of the population – forced from their homes. About 5 million children are displaced.

Save the Children remains committed to delivering life-saving health and nutrition services across Sudan, including mobile clinics, maternal healthcare, and treatment for malnourished children. However, humanitarian organizations cannot meet these growing needs alone. Sustained support from donors and partners is critical to ensure uninterrupted supply chains and enable humanitarian actors to reach communities in the hardest-to-access areas. 

Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and provides programming for children and families affected by conflict, displacement, extreme poverty and hunger. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

Source: APO

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The Shadow Minister of Education, Hon. Gonzaga Ssewungu, has expressed concern over the rising cases of market fires in Kampala causing widespread losses.

Reports indicate that a fire outbreak at Katwe Market destroyed more than 700 businesses, with property worth millions of shillings reduced to ashes on 15th March 2026.

Hon. Ssewungu, who is also the MP for Kalungu West County demanded that government explains and provides a report about the fires.

“Could we know what is happening with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)? A lot of fires are happening and people are losing properties and money. Even in Jinja,” he asked.

According to Ssewungu, many people are constructing storage buildings in Kampala but the buildings do not have fire hydrants.

He suggested that the KCCA installs fire hydrants in the markets and arcades as a way of controlling the fires.

Speaker, Anita Among, who presided over the plenary sitting on Tuesday 17 March 2026 guided that the House should appropriate accordingly so that KCCA can address the challenges it faces.

She further interested the MP to analyse the report produced by the Committee on Presidential Affairs highlighting the challenges faced by KCCA.

Representing government, the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, committed to take the matter before the KCCA leadership and the Minister for Kampala.

Relatedly, the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, petitioned government to clarify why KCCA arrested vendors who were demolishing parts of a building, later the authority demolishing the building themselves.

The Shadow Minister for Kampala and Lord Mayor-elect, Hon. Ronald Balimwezo, backed Ssenyonyi’s concerns, saying, “We need a thorough report from the Minister. Two lives were lost, and I personally spoke to the Executive Director, who confirmed issuing a demolition order to the developer, yet no one has taken responsibility.”

He requested the Speaker to set up a committee to investigate the issue.

Speaker Among however guided that there was no need to set up a committee since KCCA would appear before the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises.

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

Source: APO – Report:

BWH Hotels (https://apo-opa.co/4uyD3GL), a leading global hospitality enterprise including WorldHotels™ (https://apo-opa.co/4uzDlgu), Best Western® Hotels & Resorts (https://apo-opa.co/3NbqMr0) and SureStay® Hotels (https://apo-opa.co/4lHsm0A), announced today its renewed commitment to the African continent as the group prepares to participate in the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa  (www.FutureHospitality.com/Africa), taking place from 31 March – 1 April, 2026. The company will once again be represented by Wytze van den Berg, VP International Operations, BWH Hotels and his team, who will contribute to key discussions on hospitality investment and growth across the region.

Strong Momentum Across High Growth Markets

BWH Hotels continues to see rising confidence and sustained investor interest across African markets, driven by increasing regional stability and strong long-term inbound travel projections. “Investor confidence comes with predictability. While the world is filled with uncertainties, we are seeing growing trust and confidence across many African countries,” said van den Berg. “The continent’s future projected tourism numbers are promising and reinforce investor appetite across key markets.”

The company highlights Ethiopia, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco as markets showing particularly strong development momentum, supported by a wave of new pipelines and hotel projects, especially in Northern Africa.

Record Pipeline Growth in Morocco and Egypt

Morocco and Egypt are now the two fastest‑growing development markets in Africa. “In the past year, we have signed more than 25 new pipeline properties in Morocco, and we are actively working on a dozen additional projects in Egypt,” noted van den Berg. “These two markets are rapidly accelerating and represent major growth engines for our brand family across Africa.” This expansion supports BWH Hotels’ strategy to broaden its portfolio including Best Western Hotels & Resorts and WorldHotels, offering diverse development opportunities for different market segments—from upscale and upper‑midscale properties to soft‑branded luxury.

New Openings Strengthen Regional Presence

Strategic expansion across Africa continues with four new hotel openings planned for this year, strengthening the group’s footprint in key regional markets. The growth includes two new properties in Nigeria, one in Ethiopia, and one in Tanzania—reflecting the brand’s commitment to supporting Africa’s dynamic tourism and business‑travel sectors. In Nigeria, the Best Western Premier McDons Skye Hotel and the Best Western Plus Ambience Hotel Ikeja represent the group’s upscale and upper‑midscale offerings, combining modern design, international service standards and locally inspired hospitality. These openings underscore BWH Hotels’ long‑term investment in Africa and its mission to deliver high‑quality accommodations in fast‑growing destinations.

Hotel Highlights

Best Western Premier McDons Skye Hotel, Owerri, Nigeria

• Upscale, contemporary hotel designed for both business and leisure travelers
• Rooftop bar and restaurant offering panoramic city views
• Stylish guestrooms with premium bedding, modern technology and workspace-friendly layouts
• State-of-the-art fitness center and outdoor pool
• Flexible meeting and event facilities equipped with advanced AV solutions
• Convenient access to major commercial districts and transport links

Best Western Plus Ambience Hotel – Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

• Upper-midscale hotel situated in one of Lagos’ key business hubs
• Modern, comfortable rooms featuring ergonomic design and high-speed connectivity
• On‑site restaurant serving international and Nigerian cuisine
• Well-equipped meeting room ideal for small corporate gatherings
• Fitness center and relaxation areas for business travelers on the go
• Proximity to Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Ikeja City Mall

Looking Ahead to FHS Africa 2026

As BWH Hotels prepares for FHS Africa, the company aims to further engage with investors, developers and hospitality leaders to drive conversations around sustainable hotel growth, brand diversification and the longterm outlook for African travel demand. “We are proud to once again participate in FHS Africa, which remains a critical platform for shaping the future of the continent’s hospitality sector,” concluded van den Berg. “Africa continues to be a priority region for BWH Hotels, and we look forward to contributing our insights and strengthening our partnerships across the continent.”

– on behalf of Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa).

About BWH^® Hotels:
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western^® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay^® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 18 brands across every chain scale segment, from luxury to economy, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.

*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline. 

Source: APO

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Ireland on the occasion commemorating Saint Patrick’s Day and the National Day. Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. 

According to a Foreign affairs release, in his message to H.E. Mr. Michael D. Higgins, President of the Republic of Ireland, President Boakai conveyed sincere best wishes to the Government and People of Ireland, on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Liberia and in his own name.  “As we join you in celebrating this historic milestone in your national existence, we reflect on the longstanding and cordial relations subsisting between our two nations as we jointly strive towards the attainment of a changing world and international development,” President Boakai stated.

 He further stated that his country being a member of the comity of nations, Liberians are elated that both nations remain committed to supporting actions that uphold world peace and security.The Liberian Leader recommitted his nation to the bond of friendship and cooperation, particularly as the Irish Government under the watchful eyes of President Higgins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Source: APO

In the rapidly evolving digital economy of Nigeria, where fintech companies have seen a 70% growth in just one year, a quiet revolution is taking place that goes beyond mobile wallets and transaction volumes. At the heart of this shift is the PalmPay Purple Woman program, a program designed to bridge a stark reality: women currently represent only 17% of Nigeria’s tech workforce.

For many, the barrier to entry into technology is as much psychological as it is technical. “I’d seen the tweets, heard the buzz, but to me, tech just meant ‘hacking and coding,’” says one participant in a recent first-hand account. “I never imagined it was a space I could truly belong in”.

This participant was one of 100 women selected for a competitive 3-day masterclass 2025 cohort. What began as a “quietly terrified” leap of faith transformed into a career pivot. After the intensive training, she became one of only ten women selected for a high-stakes, six-month internship within PalmPay’s internal teams.

Unlike traditional “coding bootcamps,” the PalmPay Purple Woman program recognises that a thriving fintech ecosystem requires diverse talent. The program provides specialised training in;

• Technical Tracks: Software Engineering, Data Analysis,  and UI/UX Design.
• Operational Excellence: Product Management, Digital Marketing, and Human Resources.
• Economic Resilience: Personal Financial Management and Workplace Policy.

For the aforementioned participant, the path led to the Human Resources department, where she now manages hiring, onboarding, and payroll. “Interning in HR was more than I ever imagined,” she notes. “I am learning aspiration, resilience, and responsibility”.

The program which is in its third year, is indeed impacting careers and lives as participants are equipped to thrive even in a male-dominated corporate world.

• Cumulative Reach: In the past 3 years, the program has empowered approximately 250 young women.
• Direct Employment: It has facilitated 20 internships to date, moving women directly from classroom theory to the fast-paced environment of Africa’s #1-ranked fintech company by Financial Times x Statista Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2025.
• Knowledge Driven Masterclass: Every year, the shortlisted women are empowered with knowledge to thrive at work and life.

A key component of the international appeal is PalmPay’s unique corporate culture, which seeks to dismantle traditional African corporate hierarchies. The program introduces participants to a “no door” policy, where interns can walk directly up to the Managing Director to pitch ideas.

“It completely shifted the vibe—less hierarchy, more collaboration,” the intern shared. “It makes the workplace feel open, empowering, and far from toxic”.

As Nigeria cements its status as a leading emerging tech hub, the Purple Woman program serves as a blueprint for how market leaders can build sustainable, inclusive growth. By focusing on both “hard” technical skills and “soft” organisational leadership, PalmPay is ensuring that as the sector scales, the faces behind the technology are as diverse as the millions of customers they serve.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PalmPay.

About PalmPay:
PalmPay is a leading emerging markets-focused fintech platform committed to driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money. PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products including mobile payments, embedded credit, savings and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network. Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users and connects over a million businesses through its network of agents and merchants. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh..

For more information, visit www.PalmPay.com