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Ugandan President Museveni blames ‘foreign powers’ for country’s high cost of living

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The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has blamed the high of living being experienced in his country on ‘foreign powers’ who have caused an ‘artificial problem leading to the higher cost of products’ in the East African country.

In the past six months starting from November last year, Ugandans have been forced to spend higher amounts than normal for basic necessities like fuel, food items, among other commodities.

But while addressing the country on Monday in a nationwide broadcast on how to survive the high cost of living, President Museveni accused European countries as being responsible for the scarcity.

The President advised the people that it was time to stop depending on those he called “mistake makers” in “Europe, the United States and Russia who have caused the high prices.”

“The Russians have blockaded the Ukrainian ports. And I hear within the ports, there are 25 million tons of wheat, the petroleum, and even the fertilizers,” he said.

“Remember, the fertilizers are also a problem because they are produced by Russia, I hear. If these people, if they are a bit humble. … We need to advise our friends, the bazungu (whites) to please, find other ways of how to solve these problems.”

Museveni also dismissed calls for him to cut taxes on commodities such as fuel, saying such cuts will have a ripple effect on the economy which will only cripple it.

As a solution, Museveni urged Ugandans to be frugal in their purchases of imported goods, stop depending on “rainfall agriculture,” increase production and use locally made materials.

Museveni added that Ugandans will need to be patient until the country starts its own oil production in 2025 for prices to go down, which may also decrease the cost of living.

Metro

Nigerian Army reveals names of soldiers killed by youths in horrific attacks

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The Nigerian Army Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Monday night, revealed the identities of the 16 soldiers who were killed
by attackers while on a peace mission to the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State last week Thursday.

The soldiers comprising of a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, a Captain, and 12 other rank and file soldiers, were serving with the 181 Amphibious Battalion and were on a peace-keeping mission to quell community clashes in the Bomadi LGA of the State when they were abducted and subsequently killed.

In the statement issued by the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the soldiers were on a rescue mission to Okuama community to free a hostage identified as Anthony Aboh, who was allegedly abducted over a lingering land dispute between the two communities, when they were ambushed and killed.

“The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024,” the statement said.

“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.

“The reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.”

In a post in its X account, the DHQ shared their photos and names of the fallen soldiers.

Their names are:

– LT COL AH ALI, COMMAND OFFICER 181 AMPHIBIOUS BATTALION NIGERIAN ARMY

– Maj SD Shafa (N/13976)

– Maj DE Obi (N/14395)

– Capt U Zakari (N/16348)

– SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974)

– Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274)

– Col Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853)

– LCol Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844)

– Lal Sole Opeyemi (17NA/760719)

– LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290)

– LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653)

– LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191)

– Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079)

– Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911)

– Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162)

– Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079)

– Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795)

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Zimbabwe in food shortage as El Nino drought strikes harder

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Residents of the Zimbabwean community of Buhera are waiting in groups outside a primary school, hoping to be called by name to collect life-saving gifts of grain, peas, and cooking oil following a situation of below-average rainfall caused by El Nino once more this year, according to Francesca Erdelmann, the country director of the World Food Programme for Zimbabwe.

“We are grateful, but the food will only be enough for one month,” said Mushaikwa, 71, who lives with her elderly husband, as she trudged away with her bag of grain. “My crops are wilted.”

Since former president Robert Mugabe took over farms held by white people in 2000, Zimbabwe has been unable to feed itself. This disruption in production has resulted in severe drops in productivity, leaving many Zimbabweans dependent on food help to survive.

A drought brought on by El Nino that has affected several countries in southern Africa has made the situation worse. Though the actual figure may be higher, the government has projected that 2.7 million people will go hungry this year.

Poor harvests in drought-ravaged areas, where people depend on small-scale farming for sustenance, have resulted in food shortages that have put over 20% of Zimbabwe’s population at risk of starvation.

El Nino is a regular and natural weather phenomenon that warms regions of the Pacific and modifies global weather patterns. It affects different areas differently. Erdelmann said during a press conference that it makes a big difference when the rains don’t fall or come late.

A cabinet minister told journalists that the government is debating whether to impose a state of emergency. A natural weather phenomenon known as El Nino is linked to a change in wind patterns and higher ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific.

It usually lasts nine to twelve months, happens every two to seven years on average, and can cause extreme weather, including tropical cyclones, protracted droughts, and ensuing wildfires.

“When you drive around, you will see that many crops have wilted,” said World Food Programme acting country director Christine Mendes in Buhera, about 220 km (140 miles) southeast of the capital, Harare.

In four areas that are vulnerable to drought, WFP has assisted 270,000 individuals between January and March; nonetheless, Mendes stated that more funding will be required to feed even more people.

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