Rough around the edges, but still an eco-friendly car made in Uganda

" In October 2007, 11 students from Makerere University teamed up with counterparts from at least 27 leading technology research universities and colleges worldwide to create an eco-friendly car that was showcased in the World Design Capital, Torino, Italy last September.

A year later, a second group of Makerere students, some of whom did their internship at Indian car maker, Tata, this time decided to go it alone and produce a “poor man’s car” to help ease transport in Uganda’s rural areas.
And last Friday, during the University’s Stakeholders’ Conference, the students showcased the fruits of their efforts; a fuel conserving vehicle akin – in fuel consumption at least – to Tata’s latest phenomenon, the Nano car. "

(Image source: monitor.co.ug)

The Daily Monitor's Gerald Bareebe writes.....

The mysteries of Africa: Filming 'Detective Agency,' the stars discovered a continent's sweet secret

"I loved the fact that it was a representation of Africa that wasn't filled with strife," she says. "Yes, there are a lot of terrible things going on in that part of the world, and other parts of the world, too, but we need to be aware that in these same place that there are people who go about their lives."

(Image source: nydailynews.com)

Scott agrees. "I'm proud that I had the opportunity to show people from another side of Africa," she says, "because we tend to see only the poverty in Africa or the HIV in Africa when the reality is yes, those things are there, however, there's also a beauty that cannot be contained or explained."

Click here for full article by Joe Dziemianowicz AND Patrick Huguenin

Modest cabaret divides Morocco

( Image Source: bbc.co.uk )
"The city's monuments, history, scenic location and - yes - nightlife attract millions of people every year.
It's not quite Moulin Rouge but it is racy for Morocco.
Tourism is a big part of Morocco's economy, and this regular influx of foreigners, combined with a slow change in Moroccan society, encouraged the cabaret owners to set up here.
It probably would not have been possible a few years ago. "


The BBC's James Copnall writes .....

Rwanda Rising: A New Model of Economic Development

"Kagame's strategy relies on wealthy and powerful friends to lure private investment, train a new generation of managers, build a globally competitive economy, and wean the country off foreign aid.

Even as troubling questions remain about Kagame's involvement in the region's ongoing conflicts, this unpaid, business-savvy team is marketing the brand called Rwanda."

Fast Company's Jeff Chu explores how "Fifteen years after the genocide, the small African country has embraced a new model of economic development. "

Full Article here ...

Celebrity Mountain

"Cheryl Cole and co were not the only stars of Comic Relief's Kilimanjaro climb. This famous mountain is also now enjoying a turn in the spotlight - but climbing it is no joke, says mountaineer Ed Douglas"

Click here for full article

Riches of Somaliland remain untapped

"Until Somaliland gets official international recognition it cannot exploit its rich reserves of natural resources.
Although agriculture is the most successful industry, surveys show that Somaliland has large offshore and onshore oil and natural gas reserves. "

The BBC's James Melik writes....

Maggie Gee's Take on Kampala

"Why Kampala? My first visit to Kampala was six years ago, when the Cheltenham Festival sent me there to write a story. I have been back several times while writing two comic novels, My Cleaner and, most recently, My Driver, set in Uganda. I fell in love with Kampala's balmy climate, freshened by big rainstorms, the gorgeous flowering trees and the friendly people. "

Full artice here: Maggie Gee's "Kampala, Uganda: My Kind of Town" (Daily Telegraph)

Africa can survive global crisis - IMF

"Demand for African commodities has declined as the global economy has slowed, reducing export revenues and straining African balance of payments.
"They can weather a certain amount of the storm," Mark Plant, deputy director for African development at the IMF, told Reuters in an interview late on Friday.
"They should use reserves to continue spending in key areas to make sure the demand in the economy from the government is a bit higher and it essentially props up the economy during the short term fluctuation," he said.
The IMF has projected growth in sub-Saharan Africa will slow to 3.3 percent this year, half of the 6.3 percent it forecast in October."

Click here for full article (Reuters)

Hope continues to return to Northern Uganda

"Hope continues to return to northern Uganda with students improving their performance as registered in the Senior Six examination results released last week.

Most schools and leaders across the region celebrated the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination results less than three years since the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels (LRA) stopped their heinous atrocities in the region"

Tabulations by Daily Monitor show that out of 3,659 students who sat for the exams in Acholi and Lango sub-regions, 2,294 secured at least two principle passes, the threshold mark for joining university and other tertiary institutions.


The Daily Monitor's Paul Amoru writes....