Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has announced the release of about Shs93 billion to districts, cities and municipalities across the country, being the final payment from the Uganda Road Fund for this financial year.

Broken down, each of the 135 districts, 11 cities and 41 municaplities will receive Shs500 million.

Among tasked MPs with supervising the usage of the funds. “I hope you will go to your constituencies and monitor the funds,” she said in her communication to the House at the start of plenary on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.

The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, confirmed the release, which he said comes on the backdrop of complaints on the state of mainly feeder roads.

MP Francis Mwijukye (FDC, Buhweju County) cautioned against use of the funds to maintain district road equipment, saying that would ‘eat’ into funds meant for badly needed road works.

In her communication, the Speaker also condemned a news report which published unsubstantiated allegations against Parliament and MPs, with specific regard to the ongoing rationalisation process.

“MPs legislate for their constituents, for the people; nobody was bribed…how can you bribe the whole House? What did they want to achieve? Do they want the public to hate Parliament?” she said.

A section of the media carried reports of alleged impropriety on the part of MPs, which Speaker Among said made no specific references, but all the same flashed an alarmist headline which could tarnish the reputation of MPs.

She called for fair and professional reporting on Parliament by the press.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

The United States calls on all armed forces in Sudan to immediately cease attacks in El Fasher, North Darfur. We are alarmed by indications of an imminent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces and its affiliated militias. An offensive against El Fasher city would subject civilians to extreme danger, including the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons who have taken refuge there. The United States is deeply troubled by credible reports that the RSF and its affiliated militias have razed multiple villages west of El Fasher. We also condemn reported indiscriminate aerial bombardments in the region by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their continued limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid access.

The leaders of the SAF and RSF and their affiliated militias face a choice – escalate the violence and perpetuate the suffering of their people while risking the disintegration of their country, or cease attacks, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and prepare in good faith for negotiations to end this war and restore power to the people of Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Department of State.

Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday (24 April, 2024) visited the Vatican, where he was warmly received by Pope Francis as part of his working visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican State.

This landmark meeting underscores Ghana’s commitment to strengthening ties with the global community and fostering diplomatic relations on an international scale.

The historic encounter took place in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, where Dr. Bawumia had the distinct honour of meeting with Pope Francis. Accompanied by the Second Lady Hajia Samira Bawumia and other government officials, Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Vatican symbolised Ghana’s dedication to engaging with global leaders on matters of mutual importance.

During their meeting, discussions between Dr. Bawumia and Pope Francis centered on strengthening diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Vatican.

The discussions were cordial, cementing the positive relations between the Holy See and Ghana.

Key areas of focus during the meeting included the political and socio-economic landscape of Ghana, with particular attention given to collaboration in fields such as education and healthcare. These discussions underscored Ghana’s commitment to advancing its socio-economic development and fostering partnerships with international stakeholders to achieve common goals.

In addition to meeting with Pope Francis, Dr. Bawumia also engaged in talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. Their discussions further cemented the strong ties between Ghana and the Vatican and explored avenues for cooperation on various issues of mutual interest.

One notable aspect of the discussions was the exchange of views on current international issues, particularly focusing on security challenges facing West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

Vice president Bawumia is expected to return to Ghana on Thursday, 25 April 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, chaired a session on Tuesday at the ministry headquarters in the capital city of Mogadishu, gathered with the ministry’s department directors and the Permanent Secretary, focusing on implementing strategic reforms to enhance operational efficiency.

During the session, Minister Fiqi unveiled ambitious plans to modernize archival and consular services, emphasizing digitization and efficiency enhancements, incorporating cutting-edge technology to meet evolving needs. Emphasizing the significance of bilateral and multilateral relations, he outlined strategies to strengthen political, security, economic, and social bonds, while establishing comprehensive dossiers on issues and agendas related to regional and international politics.

Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi stressed the importance of meticulous documentation by advocating for the archival of outcomes from external engagements, ensuring thorough follow-up and implementation. He also championed innovation and productivity as essential pillars for achieving diplomatic success, ultimately reinforcing Somalia’s global standing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Federal Republic of Somalia.