Politics-News

On Monday 12th January 2026, the Uganda Electoral Commission held a briefing with international and local election observers ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The meeting brought together observers from various organizations, including local observer group GEOM (Global Election Observation Mission), the observers from East African Community (EAC) delegation led by its Secretary General Ms. Veronica M. Nduva, Observers from COMESA, the African Union (AU), diplomats representing their countries in Uganda, and officials from other international organizations.

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced on Wednesday that they have seized full control of the country, appearing on state television to declare the suspension of national institutions following days of political tension.

In an official statement, the military high command said it had “assumed the full powers of the State of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.” The officers claimed the takeover was triggered by what they described as “an ongoing plan” to destabilize the nation by attempting to manipulate electoral results from last week’s contentious presidential vote.

Tanzania Drops Independence Day Festivities Amid Growing Protest Calls Over Election Violence

Tanzania has announced the cancellation of its upcoming Independence Day celebrations, following increasing public pressure and calls for nationwide protests over deadly violence linked to last month’s disputed general elections.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba confirmed on Monday that the annual celebrations, scheduled for 9 December, will not take place. He said that the budget allocated for the event would instead be redirected toward repairing infrastructure destroyed during the post-election unrest.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says 17 South Africans who joined mercenary groups fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war are now trapped in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

According to government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the men, aged between 20 and 39, contacted South African authorities asking for help to return home.

President Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into how these men were recruited into what he called “mercenary activities.” Officials have not confirmed which side of the conflict they were fighting for.

Many Ugandans are celebrating the election of Zohran Mamdani as the new mayor of New York, expressing pride in his Ugandan roots and calling him “one of us.”

Mamdani, 34, was born in Uganda and holds dual nationality. His election has sparked excitement across Uganda, especially among young people who see him as a symbol of hope and inspiration.

Journalist Angelo Izama, who mentored Mamdani during a teenage internship at one of Uganda’s leading newspapers, told the BBC that “there’s a lot of excitement in Uganda about his rise, especially because of his young age.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been re-elected with 97.6% of the vote, the Tanzanian Electoral Commission announced on Saturday. The landslide victory follows a tense election marked by the exclusion of major opposition figures, low voter turnout, and violent protests.

The final results, released three days after polls closed, confirmed what many observers had already expected. Most of Hassan’s main challengers were barred from running or detained months before the vote, leaving her with minimal competition.

For the second consecutive day, residents of Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, have taken to the streets in protest following the announcement that President Paul Biya has secured a controversial eighth term in office.

Security forces have been heavily deployed across multiple neighborhoods, as demonstrations turned violent amid growing anger over the 92-year-old leader’s re-election.

Reports from the city describe barricades, burning tires, and live gunfire, as clashes broke out between protesters and police. Public transport has been halted, and many businesses remain closed as residents fear further escalation.

Polling stations are set to open this Saturday in Ivory Coast, but the excitement of a democratic exercise is being eclipsed by mounting political tension. The nation, West Africa’s economic anchor, is bracing for a presidential election widely expected to hand 83-year-old incumbent Alassane Ouattara a controversial fourth term.

The final days of campaigning have seen President Ouattara, in power since 2011, appeal directly to the country’s massive youth demographic. He touts his administration’s strong economic growth and massive infrastructure development, urging young citizens to vote for the candidate committed to their future.

President of the Republic of Rwanda  Paul Kagame on Friday commissioned more than one thousand new officers at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, officially welcoming them into the Rwanda Defence Force. The graduates completed different military training programmes and were all awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant during the ceremony attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, military officials and families of the cadets.

In his address, President Kagame reminded the new officers that their achievement comes with responsibility. “No one should think that just because we are making progress, there is room for complacency. We are not where we want to be yet, the journey is still long. There is still a lot of work to do, and it still requires your service and resilience.” He emphasised that Rwanda expects full commitment from its young generation of officers.

President Paul Kagame has praised Egypt as a strong partner for Rwanda, as the two countries signed new cooperation agreements during his official visit to Cairo on Tuesday 23rd September 2025.

President Kagame was received by his host, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, before the two leaders presided over the signing of agreements covering investment promotion, water resource management, reciprocal land allocation, and urbanisation.

Speaking at a joint press conference, President Kagame said the new pacts represent another milestone in the growing partnership between Rwanda and Egypt.