The first transplant of a pig heart genetically modified for acceptance into human bodies raises hopes for a new solution to donor organ shortages | THE INDEPENDENT | For the first time, a human has been given a transplant of a pig’s heart. David Bennett, 57, had the operation in …

Central banks to develop their national switches to access payment system and ensure seamlessly transfer funds Africa | THE INDEPENDENT | The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, African Export-Import (Afrexim) Bank, and other partners have unveiled the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in a bid to boost …

Rise in imports, commodity prices, COVID-19 variant could impact recovery Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda’s economy underperformed in 2020 as coronavirus pandemic lockdown took toll on economic activities. The economy is projected to grow by 3.5-3.8% in the FY2021/22 and 5.5-6.0% in FY2022/23, before increasing to 6.5-7.5% in …

Experts blame ‘weak’ govt, disjointed policies Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In a new paper titled ‘The political economy of reviving industrial policy in Uganda,’ Pritish Behuria; a Professor in Politics, Governance and Development at The University of Manchester, attempts to explain why Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU), a …

No more begging for foreign financing that only would be awarded if we abandon fossil fuels COMMENT | NJ AYUK | For more than a year, the African Energy Chamber has been pushing back against steadily building pressure to halt new foreign investments in Africa’s oil and gas industry. To …

  Here’s what you can do to support your partner and boost your own health | ROSIE SHROUT | You might already know stress can affect your own health, but what you may not realise is that your stress – and how you manage it – is catching. Your stress …

It is projected that under the AfCFTA, extreme poverty will significantly decline across the continent COMMENT | ZION ADEOYE | Established in 2018, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents perhaps Africa’s biggest opportunity for the next few decades in its battle against poverty of all forms; energy and …

A dichotomy of emotions and indigenous elements on canvas   Two naked human figures stand next to each other with the nubile female figure on the left having her head bowed. She seems to be immensed in the act of pouring a milky substance mixed with red from a pot …

UK, Ireland and UNICEF support COVID-19 fight in schools | THE INDEPENDENT | As schools in Uganda reopen after a prolonged period, the UK and Ireland have partnered with UNICEF to support two key activities which aim to support safe and sustainable reopening. The focus will be on school-based surveillance …

Free trading under the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade Area started in January 2021. One year later, several aspects of the trade pact are being successfully implemented as negotiations are ongoing in other areas. Kingsley Ighobor interviewed the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene and here are …