On Wednesday 24 August, Angola will head to the polls. The two frontrunners are current president, João Lourenço, from the MPLA, who will be seeking his second term in office and Adalberto Costa Júnior, representing the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). These two groups have had a rivalry that has dominated Angola’s politics since independence in 1975 and battled for power during a civil war that ended in 2002. While it’s been the MPLA in power for nearly half a centur...
Aug 23, 2022•13 min
A recent survey of more than 4,500 young people in Africa, aged 18-24, found more than half of them are thinking about emigrating in the next few years. Many participants said they believed that because of the lack of opportunities, they could only improve their lives by leaving the continent. Others cited security and poor healthcare as reasons for wanting to move abroad. So, on a recent trip to his home country of Uganda, Alan Kasujja sat down with a group of young people at the Uganda Christi...
Aug 22, 2022•12 min
Last week, the Sierra Leone government introduced two new laws that have been hailed by some NGOs as ' the most progressive land reform laws in the world'. These new laws will give communities the power to block mining, farming and industrial projects on their land, restrict the amount of years companies can lease land for and will ban industrial development in ecologically sensitive areas. Currently over 20% of Sierra Leone's land is leased to foreign businesses for mining, large-scale agricult...
Aug 19, 2022•17 min
In recent years Uganda has made great progress in treating patients with kidney failure. They can now receive dialysis at several hospitals, which can sustain their health for many years. But for those who need a kidney transplant, they have no option but to travel overseas. Doctors at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala have been working to make transplants possible on Ugandan soil. But with no legal framework for organ donation in place, changing the law is also part of their plans. #...
Aug 18, 2022•21 min
Kenya’s electoral commission has named William Ruto as the winner of last weeks presidential election. However, four of the seven commissioners have refused to back the result. And Raila Odinga, Mr Ruto’s challenger for the top job, has rejected the result. He says he will challenge the election in the courts. So, what will happen next? And what does it mean for Kenyans? #AfricaDaily
Aug 17, 2022•18 min
Zama Zamas are young, mostly illegal miners who are taking advantage of the mining industry in South Africa. They have been in the news recently after being linked to a series of violent crimes. On yesterday’s episode, Mpho Lakaje heard about the gang rape of eight women near Johannesburg, which the Zama Zamas have been linked to. He also heard that this is not the first such violence they have been accused of. On today’s episode, Mpho hears from South Africa’s National Police Commisioner to hea...
Aug 16, 2022•13 min
The term Zama Zama is a slang word in isiZulu, one of South Africa's official languages and loosely translates to ‘someone who is trying’ or a ‘hustler’. They are young miners, largely illegal, who take advantage of the lucrative mining industry in South Africa. They are back in the news after a gang rape of eight women near Johannesburg. The women had been shooting a music video at an abandoned mine, when they were attacked by a group of men, both locals and police say are the Zama Zamas. So wh...
Aug 15, 2022•17 min
Kenya’s presidential election has been dominating the headlines this week. And while we still don’t know there results, there’s still plenty to talk about. The Kenyan constitution gives all citizens living overseas the right to vote in elections. This year their options have been expanded, with embassies in 12 countries opening their doors for people to cast ballots. But that has still meant long and expensive journeys for people wanting to cast a ballot. And although around four million Kenyans...
Aug 12, 2022•20 min
With a population of 15 million, Lagos is the biggest city on the continent. But by the end of the century, it’s predicted to become the most populous city in the world. And it isn’t the only rapidly growing city in Africa. It’s predicted that by the turn of the century, Africa will be home to 13 out of the 20 biggest cities. And many of these will be megacities - urban centres with a population of more than 10 million people. But what will life be like in these places? And can we cope with such...
Aug 11, 2022•15 min
Two of East Africa’s big countries and economies have voiced ambitious plans to get in on the electric vehicles revolution. Only last week Kenya Power announced it’s investing in a network of charging stations for electric vehicles across the country. In a recent interview with Africa Daily, Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni revealed his country had started to assemble their own electric vehicles to reduce their reliance on imported fuel. But despite these plans, a few challenges remain, for ex...
Aug 10, 2022•15 min
The World Health Organisation is sounding the alarm – obesity is on the rise. Latest figures from the WHO show that more than 1 billion people in the world are obese – meaning they have abnormal or excessive body fat. In Africa, numbers are rising too. One in five adults in Kenya, Libya and South Africa are predicted to be obese by December 2023. Earlier this year Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, called this rise in obesity on the continent a ‘ticking time bomb’. So why is ...
Aug 09, 2022•12 min
Polygamy is said to be legally recognised in more than 25 African countries. But though the practice is not legalised in the rest of the continent, you still get situations where a man has more than one wife. And so recently when an MP in Ivory Coast suggested a bill to legalise polygamy, it caused a commotion. And the debate continues. He says if polygamy is legalised, women will be better protected. However women’s rights groups argue this is not the case. Today we are asking how is polygamy d...
Aug 08, 2022•15 min
After a week back in his home country of Uganda, Alan has spoken to people from all walks of life. He’s met people struggling to get by, doctors trying to make a difference and students trying to decide whether to build a life there or move overseas. In the second part of his interview with President Museveni, Alan focuses on the questions Ugandans are asking about the future. Can the government bring the cost of living under control? What is the role of the opposition? And who does Mr Museveni ...
Aug 05, 2022•14 min
Last week Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, visited Uganda’s capital. He met with President Museveni as part of a tour to bolster support among African countries. Uganda is one of many countries on the continent that have refused to condemn the war in Ukraine. But on Thursday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield – the US ambassador to the United Nations – is visiting the country. She is likely to deliver a very different message to Mr Museveni. Amid all the high profile visits, Alan is also in town....
Aug 04, 2022•17 min
While 2000 of the world’s languages are African, African languages are barely represented in technology. Part of the reason for this is that many of these African languages are classed as 'low-resource'. This means there is a lack of data existing for these languages - and this is the data needed to teach machines how to speak and understand them. As a result, technology has been unavailable to large swaths of the continent. However, there are signs that things are starting to change. This year,...
Aug 03, 2022•13 min
Kenya, one of Africa's leading economies, will be electing a new president on 9 August. The main contenders seeking to replace President Uhuru Kenyatta are his deputy William Ruto and his long-time rival, now turned ally Raila Odinga. The election comes at a hard time for many Kenyans who are facing a surge in the cost of living, unemployment and severe climate change challenges, among others. But whoever takes over and becomes Kenya’s fifth president will also work to make sure Kenya remains a ...
Aug 02, 2022•15 min
Alan is on the road in his home country Uganda. Last week he visited Kampala’s markets – talking to customers concerned at a spike in the cost of food. Many prices have more than doubled in recent weeks – whether it’s for sweet potatoes, a bag of cement or a litre of petrol. It’s meant people choosing to drive less as they struggle to balance their budgets. Now, in a discussion recorded live in front of an audience in Kampala, Alan asks whether there is a solution to the cost of living crisis? P...
Aug 01, 2022•20 min
When Alan arrived in Kampala this week, the first thing he noticed was fewer cars on the road. With petrol prices rising, people are thinking twice about using their cars. And the impact is being felt in the markets too. The cost of staple food has shot up in recent months, with some prices almost doubling. So, in the first of two episodes looking at the cost of living, Alan went down to the market to find out how people are adapting to price hikes. Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)...
Jul 29, 2022•18 min
Political dynasties are an ongoing debate as Kenya elects a new president on August 9. President Uhuru Kenyatta will leave office after 10 years in power. He comes from a strong political legacy. His father was Kenya’s first president after independence – Jomo Kenyatta. Among those vying to replace him are also familiar names on the Kenyan political scene. The main contenders are Raila Odinga, whose father, Oginga Odinga, was Kenya’s first vice president. The other main man in pursuit of the hig...
Jul 28, 2022•17 min
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is in Ethiopia today. It’s the last stop on a tour trying to bolster support amongst African countries. Much of the continent has been badly affected by grain shortages caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. But Mr Lavrov denies the country’s role in the global food crisis. And Moscow is keen to strengthen ties with this continent where many countries have been reluctant to take sides and condemn the war in Ukraine. On Tuesday Mr Lavrov was in Uganda, where Af...
Jul 27, 2022•15 min
While he’s on tour in South Africa, Alan noticed that taverns are making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. When he visited one in Soweto, he found a warm, welcoming pub at the centre of the community. But he heard that there aren’t as many people drinking there as usual. It seems they have heard reports of shootings at taverns across the country. Just five minutes up the road, sixteen people were killed by gunmen a few weeks ago – the most deadly mass shooting since democracy in the count...
Jul 26, 2022•20 min
This episode contains frank discussion about underage drinking, as well as subjects like sexual assault and abuse. ********************************************************************************************************************************** “In the neighbourhood I come from, drinking is very popular. Maybe it’s the way people are brought up. They don’t see it as a big problem. But obviously it is from what has happened.” Uma, 17 years. Last month, 21 teenagers died at a tavern in the city o...
Jul 25, 2022•20 min
Cycling is popular in Africa. Wherever you travel across the continent, the young and old are commuting on bikes. Countries like Rwanda, Cameroon and Burkina Faso have their own tours. But it seems to be an uphill climb for African riders to make it to the top of the most famous cycling competition; Tour de France. Very few Africans have made it to the Tour and no African has won the competition. Louis Meintjes is the highest African finisher at the Tour de France twice finishing 8th. And he’s o...
Jul 22, 2022•15 min
“People can’t go to work, can’t cook. We aren’t even sure if the water that’s brought in by trucks is clean. Enough is enough.” Residents of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa have been dealing with water shortages for months. A long drought and ageing infrastructure are both impacting on supply – with around 30% of water being lost because of leaking pipes. And it’s not the first time South Africa has dealt with a crisis of this nature. A few years ago, residents in the coastal city of C...
Jul 21, 2022•16 min
Malaria is still one of the biggest killers for children under five in Africa. But in Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous island part of Tanzania, there have been huge efforts by the government and development partners since the early 2000s to eliminate the disease. Their efforts have seemingly paid off and in the last decade, Zanzibar has maintained a malaria prevalence rate below 1%. It is particularly impressive when just across the island on mainland Tanzania, the rate of malaria remains much high...
Jul 20, 2022•14 min
Africa Daily is on the road in Africa… first stop: South Africa. And Alan has arrived just in time for Mandela day – a celebration of the former president’s birth. When Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994, he was a hero in his own country, and an inspiration across the world. But 28 years after the fall of apartheid, some, particularly those who are younger than 28, are beginning to question Mandela’s legacy. The South Africa of today is struggling...
Jul 19, 2022•19 min
After 18 months of recording the podcast in his spare room, Alan Kasujja is on the road with Africa Daily… and his first stop is Johannesburg. Alan wants to hear from people, out and about, and - as luck would have it – he’s arrived just in time for a special day: Nelson Mandela’s birthday, when the legacy of the former President and anti-apartheid hero is celebrated. As South Africa’s new President in 1994, Mandela faced the massive challenge of bringing black and white South Africans together....
Jul 18, 2022•20 min
The National Football League – NFL – touched down in Ghana recently, with their event called “NFL Africa: The Touchdown”. At present, the NFL says there are over 100 players of African descent in the league. But what’s a sport known as America’s game, which only has professional teams in the United States doing on the continent? The American football league was in Accra scouting young African talent. Could the next NFL superstar come from Africa? Alan Kasujja has been speaking with two men who k...
Jul 15, 2022•17 min
Mali and Ivory Coast have been locked in a dispute since the beginning of the week when news broke of the arrest of 49 Ivorian soldiers at the airport in Mali’s capital Bamako. Mali accused the soldiers of being illegally in their country, calling them mercenaries. Ivory coast insisted the soldiers were part of a UN peacekeeping mission, which has been in Mali since 2013. The mandate for the UN mission has been to support Malian authorities in their fight against Islamist militants and insecurit...
Jul 14, 2022•12 min
Casamance has seen a long-running conflict between the Senegalese government and rebel groups, which want independence. This unrest in Senegal's coastal region of Casamance has been ongoing since 1982. The last attempt at a peace deal was in 2004 and in 2014 the leader of the rebel movement declared a unilateral ceasefire. But some fighting keeps happening in the area. Casamance is separated from the capital, Dakar, by The Gambia. It is home to numerous ethnic groups, including Christians, while...
Jul 13, 2022•17 min
