By Katongole Kiwanuka – Voters in most parts of Kampala have turned out at the presidential and parliamentary polls on Friday in larger numbers than in past elections, according to the chairperson of the Electoral commission, Eng. Badru Kiggundu. The voter turnout at today’s polls may even be higher than the turnout for the 2006 presidential elections, according to other election observers and analysts in Kampala. “The turnout has been good so far in most parts of the country,” Kiggundu said while visiting polling stations in Nakawa division (Kampala). People have expressed more interest in voting this morning. The voting... Continue Reading
By Nangayi Guyson – Cairo – Egypt’s new military rulers on Sunday dissolved a parliament dominated by the ruling party of former president Hosni Mubarak and suspended the constitution, two days after he was overthrown in a popular revolt, state TV said. The legislative body was seen as illegitimate following elections last year that were marred by widespread allegations of fraud and gave Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP) an overwhelming majority. The military rulers that took over when Mubarak stepped down Friday and the caretaker government also set as a top priority the restoration of security, which collapsed during the... Continue Reading
By Nangayi Guyson – Cairo – Embattled President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down as president of Egypt handing power to the military, Vice-President Omar Suleiman made an announcement on state TV. A source close to the government told AFP that Mubarak left Cairo with his family on Friday but his destination was not immediately clear. “Mubarak has left Cairo with all his family,” the source said, but refused to say whether the president had left the country or was headed to his residence in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Mr Mubarak’s resignation, comes on the 18th day of... Continue Reading
By Nangayi Guyson in Kampala Uganda – The US government has lifted up its criticism of Egypt’s leadership after two weeks consecutive days of protests against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak. The US Spokesman Robert Gibbs said they had yet to take the “necessary steps” the country’s people needed to see. The protests in the capital Cairo on Wednesday spread to the parliament and there are reports of widespread industrial action, and also protests outside Cairo. The Associated Press (AP) news agency reports that the capital also saw protests by state electricity workers and museum workers on Wednesday. However, Egypt’s most... Continue Reading
By Nangayi Guyson – President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria has said state of emergency will be lifted in the “very near future.” quoted as saying by local media. The announcement comes after growing pressure from the country’s opposition groups, some of whom have been inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. The opposition has reportedly been planning to hold a protest march in Algiers next week. Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika During Thursday’s meeting, Mr Bouteflika also reportedly urged the cabinet to adopt measures to promote job creation and said Algeria’s TV and radio should give airtime to all political parties. According... Continue Reading
