Author: Agencies

Blessed with an array of minerals necessary for the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and a tropical forest that is important for the absorption of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is faced with a conundrum. To extract its exceptional array of rare mineral deposits quickly and on the cheap or to choose the slow but environmentally sustainable way of mining. Traditionally, wise financial decision-makers will always choose first mover advantage, as money received now is usually better than ammounts made in the future. For DRC, which hosts large deposits of…

There was a fall in consumer demand during January dropping the headline to 49.5 compared to the December reading of 53.1. Readings below 50.0 are indications of deterioration of private sector operating conditions. Christopher Legilisho, Economist at Stanbic Bank said releasing the Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) said: “Surprisingly, the Ugandan Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) eased in January as new orders and output reflected subdued consumer demand. The private sector may well have lost momentum in January. Further, backlogs declined due to less consumer demand.” The Stanbic PMI is compiled by S&P Global from responses to monthly questionnaires sent to…

The Albertine Rift and Congo Basin continues to withstand environmental degradation, as the resource-constrained population in these areas have exploit the land, while dealing with climate change challenges. To support the communities dealing with the effects of climate change, Environmental Defenders working with Tera FM came up with the KILIMO awards intended to reward and boost the morale of individuals and organisations coming up with innovative solutions preserving the Congo Basin and Albertine landscapes. The Kilimo Environmental Prize is awarded to individuals, groups or leaders from the Mahagi territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda’s Albertine region winners…

With the world on the brink of irreversible climate change induced crises, it is imperative to preserve biodiversity hotspots such as the Congo Basin and the neighbouring Albertine region. Described as the world’s second biggest lungs, the Congo Basin helps absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, which in turn slows down the rate at which the world is warming. The Albertine landscape plays a similar role, albeit to a smaller extent than the Congo Basin. Together these two landscapes are helping to slow down the reality of climate-induced extreme natural disasters and novel diseases that could soon become the new…

As the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) gears up for the 44th commemoration of the Tarehe Sita on February 6th in the greater Masaka region, Stanbic Bank Uganda has donated an assortment of medical equipment to the entity to boost maternal health services. Stanbic Bank’s contributions included 10 delivery beds, 100 Mama Kits and 2,000 fruit tree seedlings. The bank will also deliver sports kits for the Marathon on February 5th. While handing over the donation, Diana Ondoga, the Manager of Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank said: “We were here in 2023 when we delivered two incubators and had…

From November 25 to December 10, 2024, Environmental Defenders celebrated Sixteen Days of Activism, to raise awareness and build support for ending violence against women and girls. The importance of these sixteen days cannot be underestimated for Environmental Defenders operating in the Albertine Rift region, which spans Greater Virunga and Ituri landscapes, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Murchison-Semliki terrain in Western Uganda. It should be an anomaly for Environmental Defenders to commemorate sixteen days of activism, but in a warming world, where, food, water and firewood scarcity is common, women face different forms of violence, as…

A new federal report from a group within the Department of Health and Human Services found that one alcoholic drink per day could raise the risk of negative health effects like liver cirrhosis and several types of cancer. The findings of the January 14 report, which apply to males and females, come after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, issued new guidelines for alcohol consumption. The surgeon general’s recommendation suggests that even moderate alcohol consumption could raise the risk of at least seven types of cancer. Dr. Murthy added that alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, should include warning labels about potential cancer risks, a change…

Since 2019 when it opened its doors, Terra Radio FM has brought together a diverse range of communities in Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Located in Kolokoto village, Ituri Province at the Uganda-DRC border, a slow rising sun punctuates the welcoming and healthy air at Terra FM’s reception when this journalist visits on a Friday morning. Inside the studios, Oscar Kacwinyrwoth and Boaz Mungunuti, presenters on Good Morning Africa programme that airs every day from 6am to 11am, are discussing topics critically relevant to societal development. The duo recaps world events and centres their discourse…

Mariam Wangadya, the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), held a meeting with United States (US) Ambassador to Uganda William Popp, focused on enhancing Uganda-US collaboration in the promotion and protection of human rights. The meeting held at the US Mission in Kampala on Wednesday. During her visit, Wangadya signed the official condolence book in memory of the late US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024. In her condolence message she said: “On behalf of the UHRC, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of President Jimmy Carter. His unwavering commitment to human…

The monthly Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which provides a measure of prevailing private sector outlook, dropped to 53.1 during December compared to the 55.7 reading posted in November in 2024. Christopher Legilisho, Economist at Stanbic Bank said, “Stanbic Bank Uganda PMI data for December reveals sustained strong private sector growth, with businesses budding in optimism about present and future economic conditions. Private sector business conditions expanded for the ninth consecutive month due to strong sustained customer demand resulting in an expansion in output and new orders despite a dip in employment for a second month in a row.” “The…