From 11 to 13 March 2024, the IAEA facilitated a national workshop and a high-level meeting in Kampala to discuss nuclear law and raise awareness among officials. This initiative supports Uganda’s efforts to adhere to the relevant international legal instruments under IAEA auspices and improve its current national legal framework set by the 2008 Atomic Energy Act. Gathering more than 20 officials, the national workshop covered all main areas of national and international nuclear law. Over the course of three days, participants and experts engaged in discussions about the international legal frameworks for nuclear safety, security, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage.

“This workshop is very relevant for the national legal framework of Uganda, and it puts us in a safe place” said Honorable Minister Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. “We feel confident to move forward together with the IAEA”.

This mission helped to generate an exchange between experts and participants, not only on the main areas of nuclear law, but also about the current national legal framework to identify gaps and areas to be strengthened to support a nuclear power programme. This event aimed at informing and raising understanding of the importance of adhering to the relevant international legal instruments and the elements of comprehensive national nuclear legislation, as well as deepening collaboration between the IAEA and Uganda. The mission focused on the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its Amendment, the relevant nuclear liability instruments adopted under IAEA auspices, and the legal framework for IAEA Safeguards.

The meeting gathered high level representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Atomic Energy Council, and the Chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

This event was carried out within the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme under the Interregional Technical Cooperation project for legislative assistance.

This event was also conducted with the support of the United States through the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) Fund, the Nuclear Security Fund, extrabudgetary funds under the project “Promote and Enhance Implementation of the Legal Instruments Relevant to Radioactive Waste and Sources” and the project “Improving the Understanding and Implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Safety”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

President William Ruto has urged institutions of higher learning to adopt innovation and emerging technologies to enhance access to affordable education.

The President said the government is prepared to support universities offer online and virtual learning.

He said this would not only enrich the country’s human resources but also foster an inclusive knowledge society.

“We must continue striving to meet the ever-growing demand for higher education, focusing on elevating those at the bottom of the social and economic pyramid through access to quality education,” he said.

He noted that the implementation of a 100,000km fibre optic network project countrywide is proceeding well and will support online learning, e-commerce and digital jobs.

The President made the remarks during the charter award ceremony for Tangaza University and Management University of Africa at State House Nairobi.

President Ruto emphasised that institutions of higher learning play a crucial role in the country’s economic transformation.

“Today, we stand united under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, a bold initiative that leverages our human resources to spur rapid economic growth and enhance the productivity of our labour force,” he stated.

With the award of charters to the two private universities, he said, Kenya now has 64 chartered universities, solidifying the country’s status as a regional hub for higher education.

“This reaffirms our commitment to practical applied learning that prepares leaders across all sectors,” he added.

President Ruto said Kenya’s investment in education has produced a globally competitive workforce that attracts investors, supports the country’s robust service sector and sustains an expansive diaspora.

“Education has enabled Kenya to secure global opportunities as evidenced by the record diaspora remittances of KSh671 billion last year, surpassing traditional exports,” he explained.

At the same time, the President directed the Commission for Higher Education to ensure that institutions of higher learning adhere to the highest standards of integrity.

“The Commission for Higher Education has an almost sacrosanct mandate to ensure that our education, a tool for sharpening our most important resource, our human capital, meets the best standards possible,” he asserted.

The President said the government is intensifying efforts to curb fake university degrees and certificates.

“We are going to be firm in ensuring that only the qualifications acquired from recognised institutions will be accepted,” he declared.

The President said the government has developed a new university funding model to address gaps in the government sponsorship programme.

This new model, he explained, ensures that students from vulnerable backgrounds receive the highest scholarship allocation, ensuring that no one is left behind.

“It is the only way we can ensure an inclusive society and equitable sharing of burdens,” he concluded.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the government is committed to the development of tertiary and university education.

He explained that the Commission for University Education has taken Tangaza University and the Management University of Africa through a rigorous process to ensure they adhere to set standards and regulations.

During the event, Prof Edward Etengu was installed as the Chancellor of Tangaza University, and Dr Reuben Musyoka Mutiso the Chancellor of the Management University of Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

US State Department’s “Eritrea 2023 Human Rights Report” once again peddles, with higher pitch this time round, a litany of its usual, fallacious and long-discredited accusations against the country.

The overarching issue is of course whether the US has, in the first place, the credentials for an exclusive and innate legal and moral right to proselytize to, and indict, the whole world on matters of “human rights and governance”.

This is indeed the cogent reason why the Annual Report is mostly shrugged off as an anachronistic and banal exercise that does not elicit serious response by most countries most of the times.  That is in fact what we have done in the past Still reminders might be useful from time to time.

In this perspective, the Embassy of the State of Eritrea to the US categorically rejects the report’s content, methodology, narrative, and its inherent and obvious ulterior motives. Indeed, there is nothing new in the nature of the report that shows any departure from the predictable vitriol against Eritrea.

But in dwelling on the recent War of Insurrection that raged in Ethiopia, the Report once again illustrates that it is not the welfare of the Eritrean people or the issues of regional peace and stability on the basis of legality that matter most to the United States.

As it was the case in past decades when US Administrations compromised Eritrea’s inalienable national rights on the altar of their overriding geo-strategic interests, the current preoccupation and primary priority of the Biden Administration remains the singular and dogged pursuit of these objectives at the expense of enduring peace, stability and meaningful cooperation in our region.

In this perspective and the disingenuous packaging aside, the Report only accentuates the prevailing, misguided, and unwarranted US policy against Eritrea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

A thriving creative economy fuels innovation, jobs, and economic growth across Africa. Recognizing this potential, the African Union and Google Africa join forces to launch the #DiscoverMyAfrica Shorts Challenge, a month-long campaign of the continent’s rich diversity, heritage, and vibrant spirit.

In celebration of Africa Month,YouTube creators across Africa are invited to share short videos capturing their unique perspectives using the #DiscoverMyAfrica hashtag. The challenge encourages them to showcase various facets of African life, from music and art to food, fashion, and local landmarks. A curated playlist of African-inspired music on YouTube Music fuels inspiration and accompanies these creative expressions.

This initiative goes beyond celebration. As Ms. Chido Mpemba, AU Youth Envoy, states, “#DiscoverMyAfrica empowers African youth to share their stories and rich cultural heritage globally.” By providing a platform for African voices, the challenge fosters cultural exchange and positions Africa as a hub of creative energy. It’s about unlocking the vibrant future of Africa’s creative landscape, aligning with the vision of a digitally-enabled Africa harnessing its cultural wealth for economic growth and social progress.

“YouTube is committed to supporting the diverse voices and talents that make up Africa’s creative landscape,” said Addy Awofisayo, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa at YouTube. “These initiatives provide valuable resources and platforms for African filmmakers, musicians, and content creators to share their stories and connect with global audiences.”

In addition to the challenge Google – African Union partnership will further celebrate Africa Month with a series of programs designed to elevate African musicians and creators. The “Up Close With” series, a platform where African music’s brightest stars get up close and personal about their music and journey, will feature intimate conversations and live performances by Grammy-nominated superstars Musa Keys (South Africa) and Ayra Starr (Nigeria). These exclusive sessions will offer a rare glimpse into the artistry and creative processes of these celebrated musicians, with live performances of their chart-topping hits. The sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the artists’ YouTube channels, allowing fans worldwide to experience the magic.

The #DiscoverMyAfrica Challenge is part of the African Union’s collaborative effort in driving innovation through strategic partnership with Google, through the Office of the Youth Envoy, Make Africa Digital (MAD) initiative. The MAD initiative is implemented under the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030 which envisions an “integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa that improves the quality of life of Africa’s citizens “The MAD initiative, launched in 2023 has been domesticated in six countries – Ethiopia, Madagascar, Ghana, South Sudan, Senegal and Zambia, reaching over 4000 young Africans with innovative skills to leverage the digital economy. The #DiscoverMyAfrica Shorts Challenge will further emphasize the innovative prowess of young Africans through talent, music and story-telling.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).