Sydney, Australia | THE INDEPENDENT | The ordination of Lawrence Zimbe at St Brendan’s Church in Annandale has underscored a growing religious and diplomatic bridge between Australia and Uganda. The Most Rev. Danny Meagher presided over the ceremony, which drew a capacity crowd, including 15 priests and 10 seminarians. Among …

Nigeria’s growing natural hair industry includes enterprising professionals like Happiness Okorie, who recently styled Chimamanda Adichie’s hair. For years, Okorie had suffered from burns on her scalp due to using harsh relaxers. Then one day, she said ‘no more!’. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Happiness Okorie’s dream came true …

COMMENT | ALEX ATWEMEREIREHO | The defining challenge of the 21st century is not technological capacity, economic growth, or political power; it is whether humanity can sustain life on a planet it is rapidly degrading. Environmental protection has moved from the margins of policy debate to the very centre of global …

  Golfert takes First-Ever Hole-in-One Car Prize in Stanbic Match Play History Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & PHILLIP CORRY | It was a momentous occasion marked by buzz and excitement on the greens as the 2026 Stanbic Match Play Challenge qualifiers teed off at Entebbe Golf Club, delivering a historic …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Known for its work in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy among young people, Reach A Hand Uganda took a different approach this time around. On February 14, 2026, the organisation turned its focus to older persons through a special event called ‘Threads …

MUNICH, Germany | Xinhua |  European leaders at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) have called for greater strategic autonomy, reflecting growing anxieties over a fractured international order and a widening rift in transatlantic relations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted on Saturday that Europe faces “a distinct …

After years of rapid expansion driven by mobile money, Africa’s digital credit market is entering a regulatory phase. Governments across the continent are formalising loan apps through licensing and conduct standards to curb abuses without stalling access to credit. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Regulators are reasserting control over …

KIEV | Xinhua |  The next round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia will be held on Feb. 17-18 in Geneva, Moscow and Kiev confirmed on Friday. The Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s state news agency TASS reported, citing Kremlin …

GOMA, DR Congo | Xinhua | Vivian van de Perre, acting head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO), met with leaders of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in Goma on Friday to discuss a ceasefire monitoring mechanism. The meeting comes as diplomatic efforts intensify …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | South African actor, producer, and media entrepreneur Thapelo Mokoena has held a masterclass for Ugandan filmmakers under the Africa Film Forum, an initiative of the iKON Awards. The masterclass formed part of his official visit to Uganda ahead of the iKON Awards “Beyond Borders” …