Friends For Peace In Africa

Fighting in Eastern DR Congo prompts refugee influx into Rwanda

On May 6, after more than one week of intense fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has led to the displacement of approximately 6,000 people, the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) announced that it had temporarily suspended military operations against allies of rebel leader and indicted war criminal Jean Bosco Ntaganda. The International Criminal Court accuses Ntaganda of recruiting child soldiers for the same rebel group as Thomas Lubanga, who in March became the first person to be convicted of war crimes at The Hague.

Why murder, rape, extortion, carjacking, robbery are on the rise

Hardcore crime is on the increase, according to statistics from the Criminal Investigations Department.

Apart from security, experts are concerned that despite police’s increased funding and recruitment over the years—hitting the mark of an over 40,000 strong force and demanding about Shs 600 billion for its budget this year—the force is struggling with crime. The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, which covers Kampala district, parts of Mukono and Wakiso districts, is the most hit.

Murders on the rise as gangs terrorise Kampala, Kiira, Mukono

Annet Kayondo died in the most brutal way a young woman could die. It is believed she was on her way to work at 6am on April 3 when her attacker or attackers pounced on her in Kigandazi Zone in Bweyogerere, a busy suburb of Kampala city.

Kayondo was attacked along the narrow mud road as she scurried in the semi-darkness of dawn. A lot is still shrouded in mystery. But it is believed she was raped, beaten, and left for dead.

Political interference cited in appointments as government committee pockets billions to pre-qualify Chinese firm

If constructed, the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Dam will be the biggest dam in the country. For now however, the project that should have started in the 1990s faces further delays. In the latest sign of ineptness, the team overseeing it is fighting over appointment of a manager who has promised to sort out the mess.

As rising food and oil prices drive inflation up, BOU expert cries for oil

Bank of Uganda expects no good inflation news anytime soon. Its experts are worried that in the months ahead food prices will continue to go up and global oil prices will remain unstable, forcing up all other costs in the economy, and forcing inflation to rise. This is the reason why BOU has chosen to maintain a tight monetary policy, holding the Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 21 percent for the third consecutive month, despite public clamours for a reduction.