A SHOCK IN THE ROYAL FAMILY

In early January, 2020 the British Royal family was shaken to the core as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would step down as royals from the world's oldest monarch.

Prince Harry and Markle after meeting Queen Elizabeth in January
Photo:Gettyimages

These revelations come as a result of the a times harsh treatment Meghan has received from the British press. British tabloids like the Sun have published stories of how she us trying so hard to act like the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's wife. There have been even reports suggesting she is being targeted because she is from a biracial background with a White father and Dark mother.
Whatever the case behind their abdication, the Duke and Duchess have undoubtedly left a void in the family. They now plan to settle in Canada and work so as to be able to earn their own money without reliance on state funds.

THE CORONA VIRUS SCARE IN THE VATICAN

Pope Francis tested negative for the Coronavirus, this came after the Holy Father had to skip the Ash Wednesday mass because of a cold he has been battling.

Pope Francis coughed as he led mass on Sunday
(VaticanMedia)

These fears arise because Italy is the most affected country outside China with over 2000 people having been infected by the deadly virus. At the time of writing, Italy was the first country in Europe to go on lockdown with all of its occupants being told to isolate themselves for a minimum of a month. Italy has now been joined by France, Germany and U.S.A in adopting the social distancing policy.

2020 SET FOR MORE TAXES

The Ministry of Finance of Uganda released the 2020/2021 budget framework in December 2019 and it indicated that the amount of money from external donors will reduce and the general budget will be cut from shs 40.48 Trillion to shs 39.64 Trillion, upon release, the Minister of Planning, David Bahati explained that because of reduced external support, the public will have to cope with increased taxation to finance the budget.

Ugandans in urban centers may have to deal with increased commodity prices to cope with the rise in taxation intended to fund this year's national budget.

SUPPRESSION OF OPPOSITION

Ugandan opposition leaders like Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi are being strangled out of view with charges like sedition and treason being placed on them anytime they air views that contrast those of the ruling government.

 Besigye visits Kyagulanyi in Rubaga Hospital after he was beaten up by alledged Government operatives in early 2019
Photo;ObserverUg

ETHIOPIA'S AMBITIOUS AFFORESTATION PROJECT.

Ever since Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed came into office, he has spearhead great projects and in 2019, he kicked off a massive afforestation plan which brought together 23 million people in the African country as 353,633,600 trees were planted according to the Technology Minister, Gutahun Mekuria.

Ethiopians take part in the national tree planting day on 28th July, 2019 in the capital,Addis Ababa
Photograph: Micheal Tuwelde

LOCUSTS PUT MILLIONS AT RISK OF STARVATION

The UN declared the recent infestations of locusts in Africa as the "worst" in a quarter of a century and this is no hyperbole as this swarm of locusts carries the potential of destroying food that can feed 35,000 people in one day which is now putting over 25 Million people at the risk of starvation in 15 countries.

A UPDF soldier sprays a plantation infested with locusts in Moroto,Uganda

SYRIA REFUGEE CRISIS

With over half of the pre-war population either displaced or dead. An estimated 22 Million Syrians have had an awful life ever since the war begun. With now over 12 Million of them displaced, many of them have gone to neighboring Lebanon, Iran and over 3 Million have moved to Turkey where they have flooded the urban cities and created culture tensions which has led to many racist attacks on the Syrian refugees.

A group of Syrian refugees storm the beaches of Turkey as they flee tensions in Damascus,Syrian