Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Rent-a-room giant Airbnb said Tuesday that it had provided accommodation for 1.2 million visitors to Africa over the last year — double the previous year as tourism expands across the continent. The website now offers more than 100,000 accommodation options in Africa, global public affairs …

Beirut, Lebanon | AFP | Syria’s war has spiralled into a complex multi-sided conflict since it began with anti-government protests in March 2011, drawing in regional and international powers including the United States and Russia. Here is a breakdown of the forces involved in the war, which has killed more than …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who was shot and critically injured at his home last month, is now out of intensive care, his party CHADEMA said Tuesday. Lissu, who was attacked on September 7, left the unit at a hospital in Nairobi last week, after having …

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The president of Democratic Party Norbert Mao has said that he will write to the Government Chief Whip to allow him address the NRM Parliamentary caucus. Mao who addressed a press conference at the party head quarters noted that he is responding to the whip …

United Nations, United States | AFP | South Sudan’s government has shown little interest in a new regional peace initiative that the United States has described as a final chance to end the war, the UN peacekeeping chief said Tuesday. The UN Security Council has thrown its weight behind the drive …

  INTERVIEW: Kodey Rao is the managing director of Bidco Uganda Limited, the producer of edible oil.  He spoke to The Independent’s Isaac Khisa about the country’s edible oil industry and the future outlook. What is the assessment of edible oil consumption in the country at the moment? Edible oil …

My first impressions of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, largely agreed with the ‘Singapore of Africa’ analogies I’ve heard and read about. Things are efficient, orderly and extremely clean. Rwanda | Jaco Maritz | The difference between Rwanda and some other East African countries can be likened to removing yellow-tinted sunglasses after …

To see young people oblivious of the issues but in leadership is not good for the country COMMENT | Yoweri Kaguta Museveni | Again, I congratulate our young friend, the Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, for his recent election in Kyadondo North.  I also notice that he is quite …

THIS WEEK: Pastor Kakande grilled over farming in wetlands Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The lady justice Catherine Bamugemereire land commission of inquiry has ordered re known pastor Samuel Kakande of the Kampala Synagogue Church to get off the shores of Lake Victoria. Kakande who has been growing rice …

THIS WEEK: MPs refuse Age limit consultation cash Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | After Speaker Rebecca Kadaga asked MPs to consult with their voters, the parliamentary commission is said to be planning to facilitate each MP with Shs20million to fund their activities in the constituencies about the tabled constitutional …