Lancaster, UK | THE INDEPENDENT | A Lancaster University alumna has been awarded a life-changing prize for literature. Dr Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi has been awarded the 2018 Windham-Campbell Prize in Fiction, which includes a grant of $165,000 (Sh603 million) to support her writing. Jennifer, a Ugandan novelist and short story …

Nairobi, Kenya | PSCU | President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga have resolved to work together to unite the country. Addressing the Press after they held talks at Harambee House, Nairobi, today, President Kenyatta and  Odinga said time has come for the country to stop allowing political differences …

The Hague, NETHERLANDS | THE INDEPENDENT |  Six new judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been sworn in at a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague (Netherlands) on Friday. Judges Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Luz del Carmen Ibañez Carranza (Peru), , Tomoko Akane …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The top stories in this week’s The Independent. COVER STORY Security: How sacking Kayihura, Tumukunde leaves Museveni weaker. THE LAST WORD The fall of Kayihura: Why the firing of the IGP has more to do with Kampala-Kigali relations than crime in Uganda. EDUCATION Failing …

Lagos, Nigeria | AFP |  A Nigerian plane made an emergency landing in Ghana after smoke was detected in the cabin, officials said Friday, in the latest incident to hit domestic and foreign airline operators. The aircraft, owned by Arik Air, was travelling from Lagos to Accra on Tuesday when …

Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | Raila Odinga, who was recently inaugurated as Kenya’s “People’s President”, has in a surprise move met President Uhuru Kenyata in Nairobi. According to Nzoika Waita, the chief of staff in the office of the president, “Kenyatta has reached out to Opposition Leader Raila Odinga. …

Seoul, South Korea | AFP | The stunning announcement that US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold an unprecedented meeting is the latest and most astonishing step forward in a flurry of diplomacy. The two and their respective allies fought each other to a …

  Mityana, Uganda | PPU | President Yoweri Museveni has said that women are the base of society and, therefore, should not be marginalized. Museveni made the remarks during the celebrations to mark International Women’s Day held at Busuubizi Core Primary Teachers’ College in Mityana district on Thursday. This year’s …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  Zimbabwe’s ex-leader Robert Mugabe sent shockwaves through the party he dominated for decades when he posed with the retired general who will take on the ruling ZANU-PF in this year’s election. Mugabe grinned broadly in the posed photo, standing beside brigadier general Ambrose Mutinhiri, …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Thursday turned out to be a dramatic day on the Ugandan broadcasting scene, with women MPs, artists and several public officials featuring as programming was adapted for Women’s Day. Out of the studios, several institutions and brands also stepped up their messaging as they …