Category: Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria — 18 April 2026 (NPA) — Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate, Bobi Wine, has been recognised as a Leader in Courage and Innovation (2026) by the Renew Democracy Initiative in New York City.

Now in exile in the United States, the politician dedicated the award to Ugandans who, he said, have been killed, unlawfully detained, or forcibly disappeared in the struggle for a better nation. He noted that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

Bobi Wine also acknowledged fellow honourees, including former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton; Chrystia Freeland, economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada; and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a former NASA astronaut, commending their contributions to democratic causes. “Uganda shall be free,” he said.

Meanwhile, the opposition figure condemned what he described as the unlawful detention of Fauzia Natabi, the wife of his personal assistant.

According to him, Natabi was held incommunicado for over 35 days after her alleged abduction before being presented at the Chief Magistrate Court in Kanyanya, where she was charged and remanded to Kasangati Prison. He described the charge—allegedly threatening a stranger via phone—as “laughable,” noting that it came shortly after authorities denied having her in custody.

Bobi Wine further raised concern over the disappearance of another activist, identified as “Gen. Blue Tick,” who was reportedly abducted on 9 April while heading to a vigil in Mutungo. He said her whereabouts remain unknown, with authorities yet to provide any explanation.

He argued that the incidents reflect a broader pattern of abductions and official denials aimed at silencing opposition voices.

“We must never give up the fight until we are all free,” he said, reiterating calls for the release of political detainees and the return of missing persons.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said colonial-era tax laws impoverished Nigerians through fragmentation, multiplicity, and inconsistencies, but assured that ongoing reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja, the President emphasised that the new tax system, which became fully operational in January, is designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, advancing national development goals.

“On my inauguration day, I made a solemn pledge that we will move Nigerians from the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope. Today, I stand before you to reaffirm that these words were not rhetoric; they were a covenant with the Nigerian people,” Tinubu said.

He commended the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, for completing the edifice in 30 months, noting that it provides a conducive working environment for 3,000 staff, along with modern facilities including a data centre, clinic, auditorium, training halls, gym, and library.

“We are not gathered here merely to commission an edifice. We are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey: the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institutions. No serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system,” the President added.

Tinubu also praised the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, for leading efforts to modernise colonial-era tax laws into “manageable, realisable, and understandable levels.” He assured that the reforms are designed to simplify the system, eliminate distortions, and create a fair, transparent, and investment-friendly environment.

“The early results are encouraging and fantastic. We are witnessing improved fiscal stability, stronger foreign reserves, a more efficient trade ecosystem, and increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, citing improvements in fuel supply and economic stability. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the reforms for aligning rules, institutions, and incentives within a single framework.

In his remarks, NRS Chairman Adedeji described the commissioning as “the culmination of a defining institutional journey,” noting that over 60 fragmented tax laws have been streamlined into a coherent framework. He highlighted revenue growth from ₦6.8 trillion five years ago to ₦28.7 trillion in 2025, alongside strengthened fiscal governance and the launch of the National Single Window for trade.

Delivering a goodwill message, Guan Shuai, Managing Director of China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CECC), praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda has repositioned Nigeria’s economy for foreign direct investment.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Ononuga has described Mr Peter Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and presidential aspirant, as “peripatetic, opportunistic and inconsistent,” following Obi’s televised remarks on his political trajectory.

Ononuga’s comments came in response to Obi’s interview with Arise Television, where the former Anambra State governor outlined his movement from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later to the ADC. Obi said he left APGA due to destructive governance by his successor, and departed PDP over what he termed “transactional politics” and entrenched corruption.

Obi argued that critics who questioned his exit from PDP were themselves complicit in the party’s failings, likening their actions to “setting fire to a house” in hopes of consuming him politically. He insisted he would not remain in any party that compromises integrity, declaring: “You cannot use the process of yesterday to build tomorrow.”

Pressed on whether he would leave ADC if corruption emerged, Obi said he would not hesitate, stressing: “I am in ADC with the same people, some of whom I left PDP and other parties, but we are going through the same process. If that process is again compromised, I will speak out.”  He added, “If I have to move, I don’t have a long time in politics. But if I have a long time, I will do it twenty times. I cannot be talking about something new while being part of the process. You cannot use the process of yesterday to build tomorrow.” 

The former Labour Party candidate said he has never been involved in rigged primaries or bribing the judiciary. “I’ve never been involved in any form of rigged election at the primary level or at the election itself.  I have never been part of paying people in the judiciary anywhere to give me judgment.” 

He added that he had no dealings with the former INEC chairman, noting, “I expected him, as referee, to do his job. But I cannot be preaching change and doing it wrongly,” he punctuated.

KAMPALA, Uganda — 13 April 2026 (NPA) — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has declared that his administration will not tolerate corruption, pledging decisive action against officials found guilty of graft.

Speaking after an evening session at a leadership retreat in Kyankwanzi, Museveni criticised leaders and members of parliament, urging them to reject bribery and uphold integrity in public service.

The president also acknowledged the contributions of government partners, including Rt. Hon. Hassan Omar of Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance, who stressed the importance of overcoming fragmented markets and policies to advance Africa’s prosperity.

“Retreats like these are important for renewing commitment to our mission of national transformation. I congratulate the MPs on the successful retreat,” Museveni said.

Despite repeated pledges, corruption continues to undermine Uganda’s governance and service delivery. In April 2026, the Inspectorate of Government announced the recovery of 335 million shillings from 62 public officials who had misappropriated funds, part of a wider crackdown on irregular use of government resources. The IGG also ordered officials in Jinja City to refund 33 million shillings after investigations revealed breaches of accountability. These recoveries highlight both the persistence of graft and the government’s intensified enforcement efforts to safeguard public resources and restore trust in state institutions.