As we wrap up the week, here are the top stories from Africa. Kenyan President William Ruto has dismissed several ministers following weeks of violent protests over high taxes.
In Uganda, a TikToker has been sentenced to six years in jail for insulting President Museveni on social media. Nigeria mourns as at least 10 people were killed in an attack by suspected gunmen in Benue State.
Additionally, Ireland has revoked visa-free access for South African and Botswana citizens, impacting travel to the country.
Check out all the top stories below:
UGANDAN TIKTOKER JAILED 6 YEARS FOR INSULTING PRESIDENT MUSEVENI
A 24-year-old Ugandan man was sentenced to six years in prison for using his TikTok account to spread hate speech and false information about President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son.
On Wednesday, Entebbe Chief Magistrate Stellah-Maris Amabilisi sentenced Edward Awebwa to six years in prison. Awebwa was arrested for using his TikTok account, “Save Media Uganda,” to share a video insulting the first family.
Awebwa was also accused of spreading false information about a tax increase. In delivering the sentence, Chief Magistrate Stellah-Maris Amabilisi emphasized the need to respect the Presidency and stated that this ruling aimed to prevent similar incidents.
“The accused is pleading for mercy but he does not look remorseful at all for his acts…he is a person who was aware of what he was doing and the court had an opportunity to even see the video, the language that was being used was really vulgar.
“The court is of the opinion that the accused deserves a punishment which will enable him to learn so that next time he will respect the president, the first lady and first son,” said Amabilisi.
Adding: “…the court sentences the accused as follows; six years imprisonment for each of the four accounts, with the sentences to run concurrently at Kigo Upper Prison.”
KENYAN PRESIDENT FIRES MINISTERS AFTER WEEKS OF DEADLY PROTESTS

On Thursday, Kenyan President William Ruto addressed the nation, announcing the dismissal of almost all his Cabinet ministers and pledging to form a new, leaner, and more efficient government after weeks of protests over high taxes and poor governance.
During his address, he also dismissed the attorney general, announcing that ministries would be run by their permanent secretaries and that his decision came after listening to the people and consulting to form a broad-based government.
In recent weeks, Kenya saw unrest, with protesters storming parliament on June 25 after a finance bill proposed tax increases. Over 30 people died in the protests, which have now turned into demands for the president’s resignation.
Ruto stated that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, a key political ally, would remain in office.
AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE KILLED IN AN ATTACK BY SUSPECTED GUNMEN IN NIGERIA
Late Tuesday, suspected gunmen attacked a local community in Nigeria’s south-central state of Benue, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people, according to a statement by a local government official on Wednesday.
Phillip Ebenyakwu, head of the Agatu local government area in Benue, informed the media that gunmen attacked the Olegumachi community on Tuesday night, causing extensive damage. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the attackers looted houses, stole food and livestock, and set fire to at least seven homes.
COURT RULES LIFE ESIDIMENI DEATHS WERE DUE TO NEGLIGENCE
A judge concluded in the Life Esidimeni inquest that former Gauteng MEC for health Qedani Mahlangu and the former head of Gauteng’s mental health services, Makgabo Manamela, were responsible for the deaths of psychiatric patients who were moved from private facilities to unlicensed NGOs in 2016.
This tragic incident, which has haunted the country for years, resulted in the deaths of at least 144 mentally ill people after they were moved from a psychiatric hospital to non-governmental organizations and other facilities, where they succumbed to conditions like pneumonia, dehydration, diarrhea, and food aspiration.
The patients were relocated after the provincial health department in Gauteng ended its contract with Life Esidimeni Psychiatric Hospital in 2015.
Pretoria High Court judge Mmonoa Teffo ruled that Qedani Mahlangu, the provincial health minister at the time, terminated the contract “despite numerous expert advice and warnings from professionals,” leading to avoidable deaths.
KENYAN COURT ORDERS STATE TO PAY FAMILY OF KILLED PAKISTANI JOURNALIST ARSHAD SHARIF
A Kenyan court has ruled that the government must pay over $78,000 to the family of a well-known Pakistani journalist who was killed by police in Nairobi in 2022.
Arshad Sharif, a TV journalist who fled Pakistan due to threats, was killed in Nairobi in October 2022.
On Monday, the court in Kajiado, where Arshad Sharif was killed, ruled that the use of deadly force against the Pakistani journalist was “arbitrary, un-proportional, illegal, and unconstitutional.” The court ordered the state to pay 10 million Kenyan shillings ($78,000) to his family.
Kenyan officials claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.
BURKINA FASO JUNTA CONSIDERS NEW DRAFT LAW TO CRIMINALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY

Burkina Faso’s military junta announced it has adopted a draft of an amended family code that criminalizes homosexuality.
Burkina Faso, one of the few West African nations allowing same-sex relations, is moving to criminalize homosexuality, joining the majority of African countries where such relations are punishable by death or lengthy prison terms.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Burkina Faso’s junta announced the adoption of the amended family code draft during a weekly council of ministers led by interim military leader Ibrahim Traore.
“From now on, homosexuality and related practices are prohibited and punishable by law,” Interim Justice Minister Edasso Rodrique Bayala said in a Presidency statement on the meeting.
For the law to take effect, it must pass a parliamentary vote and be promulgated by Traore.
KENYA TO BUILD 13 TRAIN STATIONS WITHIN NAIROBI METROPOLITAN AREA THIS YEAR
Kenya is set to build 13 new commuter rail stations in the Nairobi Metropolitan area.
This was announced by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a visit to the stations under construction.
Murkomen stated that the construction of the 13 commuter train stations is expected to finish by September 2024, followed by the launch on October 1, 2024.
Amongst the 13 stations, there will be ones in Kitengela and at Kenyatta University (KU).
This move by aims to reduce traffic congestion, curb carbon emissions, and facilitate the free movement of people.
BANK OF ZAMBIA PLANS TO DISCONTINUE CHEQUES
The Bank of Zambia (BoZ), the central bank, stated on Tuesday that it is engaging stakeholders in talks about discontinuing the use of cheques in business transactions.
Besnat Mwanza, the bank’s assistant director of Communications, clarified that despite social media reports claiming a decision has been made, the bank is currently in discussions with stakeholders about phasing out cheques.
Media reports indicate that the central bank plans to phase out checks next year due to declining usage, long processing times, and security concerns, favoring electronic payment methods.
An official announcement will be made once this becomes official.
AFTER (27-20) DEFEAT BY SPRINGBOKS, IRELAND NO LONGER VISA-FREE FOR SA AND BOTSWANA CITIZENS
South African and Botswanan citizens will now have to obtain a visa before traveling to the Republic of Ireland from Wednesday, 10 July 2024 as announced by Irish Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
The Minister also stated that nationals of both countries would need a transit visa if they planned to transit through Ireland on their way to other countries. The Irish Department of Justice cited this is due to Ireland receiving many asylum applications from Botswana and South Africa.
Both countries are considered safe for asylum seekers, exempting them from visa requirements due to low risk of persecution or violence.
“This is a carefully considered decision which will bring Ireland into closer alignment with the Schengen Area in respect of both of these countries and into line with the UK in respect of South Africa,” said McEntee.
ZAMBIA HIT BY MORE COVID-19 CASES DURING COLD SEASON

Zambia saw an increase in COVID-19 cases after the recent cold season, health authorities reported on Monday. Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo stated that out of about 3,070 tests conducted between May and June, 2.4 percent were positive, up from the previous months’ 1.5 percent positivity rate.
Masebo reported that COVID-19 cases have been detected in six of Zambia’s ten provinces, with Lusaka Province recording the highest number, bringing the total to 4,770 cases from January to June this year.
SOUTH AFRICAN SOLDIER KILLED IN DRC

In a tragic incident on Monday, a South African soldier was killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when a hand grenade exploded near their sleeping quarters at a base in Beni, a city in northeastern DRC, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) reported on Tuesday.
Per the issued statement:
“It is not clear what caused the hand grenade to explode, however, a SANDF board of inquiry including the United Nations officials will be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The SANDF is arranging to repatriate the soldier’s remains to South Africa, with Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga offering condolences to the soldier’s family.
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