Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Pope Francis has declined to apologize for the abuse of indigenous Canadians at church-run boarding schools, drawing a polite rebuke Wednesday from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In an open letter, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote: “After carefully considering the request and extensive dialogue with …
Read More »Shell accuses ex-exec over Nigeria oil deal
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Shell has filed a criminal complaint in the Netherlands against a former employee in connection with a 2011 oil deal in Nigeria, a company spokesman said Wednesday. News of the complaint, which was filed last week, comes at the same time the energy giant is facing …
Read More »US says others should pay bigger share of UN peacekeeping bill
United Nations, United States | AFP | US Ambassador Nikki Haley told countries at the United Nations on Wednesday they need to “step up” and pay a bigger share of the multi-billion-dollar bill for peacekeeping operations. The largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping, the United States last year negotiated a $600 …
Read More »American DiCarlo becomes first female UN political chief
United Nations, United States | AFP | Long-serving American diplomat Rosemary DiCarlo was on Wednesday appointed to become the first woman to head UN political affairs, one of the most high-profile positions at the world body. DiCarlo will replace Jeffrey Feltman, another American who held the post of under-secretary-general for …
Read More »Egypt votes for third day with eyes on turnout
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Egyptians voted Wednesday on the third day of a presidential election guaranteed to hand a second term to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, leaving turnout as the only contest. The election commission announced that voting was being extended by an hour to 2000 GMT after warning people who …
Read More »COMMENT: Hate speech and media freedom
Whereas Amazing Grace FM has a right to protest against closure, it should apologise to those it offended COMMENT | HERBERT LUGABA | I have been following developments surrounding the closure of Amazing Grace Radio for airing a sermon by a one Nicholas Niyibikora, which many considered insulting and derogatory to …
Read More »Pan African sentiments in art
Mzili, Ndema, Karungi showcase ideology Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In recent times, there has been an urge by artists working on the African continent and the diaspora to evoke a Pan African spirit into their art. In Uganda, two events have evidently explored this concept: `Another RoadMap for Africa …
Read More »COMMENT: New ways to finance infrastructure
To increase emerging markets’ share of infrastructure investment, the world needs more `patient capital’ COMMENT | JUSTIN YIFU, HAVARD HALLAND & YAN WANG | Lawmakers in the United States have introduced legislation that, if enacted, would create a new development finance institution (DFI) to replace the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Unlike …
Read More »MP Raphael Magyezi on age limit Bill
Kampala, Uganda | AGNES E. NANTABA | The Igara West Member of Parliament, Raphael Magyezi is the brain behind the controversial constitutional Amendment Bill No. 2 that was largely known as the Age Limit Bill. The bill was passed on December 20, and had the president assent to it on January …
Read More »UN strengthens role of DR Congo mission in elections
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council on Tuesday tasked its huge peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo with helping to prepare elections meant to end President Joseph Kabila’s rule. The council unanimously adopted a resolution presented by France that renews the mandate for …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price