East Africa: electrifying interest in renewable energy 0

SOURCE:Afronline

 

CAPE  TOWN – Various countries in East Africa are making gradual progress in moving from a solely carbon-based electricity network to a cleaner power grid.

“We are not there yet, but countries are starting to take the bull by the horns,” said Mark Hankins. As a renewable energy consultant he has worked in the field of rural electrification and renewable energy in East and Southern Africa for the past two decades.

The main driver behind the development is rising electricity prices, Nairobi- based Hankins explained. “In East Africa the energy prices are two to five times higher than in South Africa. This is highly unfavourable for both the industry and consumers.”

Hankins was one of the delegates who attended the 2010 edition of the Africa Energy Week, a four-day event hosted by state-owned enterprises and companies and which took place in Cape Town from Sep 27-30.

Close to 150 international energy experts, government officials, representatives of international oil and gas companies and other stakeholders attended.

Another reason behind the growing East African focus on renewable energy is that the electricity demand is outstripping grid supply, partly due to rapid economic growth.

“There are the diamond, agriculture and oil industries – all sectors that are expanding and need more energy,” Hankins explained.

“Various governments in East Africa realise that the

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Uganda:Museveni to stand for re-election

Museveni,His SOn,and His Wife who is also a minister Africafrique and agencies Already one of Africa's longest serving leaders, Museveni was elected unopposed in front of more than 15,000 party members to face off against retired Colonel Kizza Besigye, already nominated by a coalition of opposition parties. "His excellency President Yoweri Museveni has passed unopposed as party chairman and our flag-bearer for the 2011 presidential elections and so he remains our chairman and our candidate," said Felicitus Magomu, chairperson of the NRM electoral commission. Mr Museveni, 65, rose to power in Uganda in 1986 when his National Resistance Army (NRA) insurgents seized power from a short-lived military junta. He embraced a no-party model of democracy meant to eliminate the sectarianism that plagued postcolonial Ugandan politics, while foreign donors praised his prudent and liberal economic management. In the past decade, however, support at home has fallen and relations with the West have frayed because of mounting accusations by the opposition and rights groups that his leadership has turned autocratic and corrupt. Political analysts say Mr Museveni, whose share of the vote has dwindled at each of the last three elections amid allegations of increased rigging, could face his stiffest challenge yet if the opposition coalition holds together. The fragility of the opposition Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) was highlighted last month when one of the five parties withdrew in a dispute over a demand to replace the Electoral Commission. Colonel Besigye, who was Museveni's field doctor during the NRA's bush war and one-time close political ally, ran against Museveni in 2001 and 2006. He heads the Forum for Democratic Change party. Observers say Col Besigye has seized on oil as a galvanising issue, with the government embroiled in a tax dispute with British oil explorer Heritage Oil after the sale of its Uganda assets to Tullow Oil. "The main opposition candidate, Kizza Besigye, has put the Museveni government on the defensive in its oil policies, playing on nationalist and anti-corruption themes that resonate in urban areas where the president is weakest," said Philippe de Pontet, Africa director at the Eurasia Group in a research note. The run-up to next year's ballot coincides with heightened security fears after Somali rebels carried out a suicide bomb attack on the Ugandan capital Kampala in July, killing at least 79 people.

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RWANDA IN THE DARK AS THE KENYAN STAR SHINES:Kenya ranked best country in East Africa

Prime Minister Raila and President Kibaki

Published in The Standard
By Kipchumba Some
Two years after Kenya sunk to her lowest point and was being mentioned alongside failed states like Somalia and Sudan, international community has expressed its faith in the country.
Kenya has been ranked among the best 100 countries by an internationally reputed magazine, Newsweek. It was ranked the best country in East Africa, eighth in Africa and 87th overall, out of 194 UN countries.
Coming just days after embarking on a journey of national renewal by passing the new Constitution, the ranking is an image booster for the country internationally.
In it’s first ever such ranking, the latest issue of Newsweek placed Kenya above East African neighbours Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia. East Africa’s most hyped nation, Rwanda, was not listed.
At position 67, Tunisia is the leading African country followed by Morocco, Egypt, Botswana, South Africa, Algeria and Ghana, in that order.
The magazine used several factors including quality of life, economic dynamism, education, healthcare, transparency and political environment in the ranking.
Finland emerged the overall winner with world’s superpower, the US, ranked eleventh. Switzerland was second overall, followed by Sweden, Australia and Luxemburg.
None at top tenIn its editorial Newsweek stated: "The list shows the best countries tend to be small, rich
and safe. It also shows there are many plenty of ways to look at it."
Although no African country made it to the top ten, the continent can take solace that its countries appeared alongside the best in the world.
Other African countries that featured in the list include Madagascar, Senegal, Mozambique, Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria and Burkina Faso in that order. Most of these countries are synonymous with dictatorship, conflict and corruption.
Were it not for the local political turmoil, Kenya would have possibly ranked better as alluded to by Newsweek’s Rana Foroohar who wrote: "Our list represent a snapshot of how countries looked in 2008 and 2009, rather than a historic or predictive view — a country like Thailand or Kenya, for example, may have scored higher on political stability two years ago than it would today."
Northern African countries excelled in indices such as education, health, economic competitiveness and quality of life.
South Africa and Ghana have ranked high because of the competitive economies, transparency and political stability. The two recently held peaceful elections and smooth transfer of power.
Instil dictatorshipRwanda, which has drawn plaudits for its booming economy, must have been left out based on democracy and transparency indices. President Paul Kagame has been accused of trying to instil dictatorship in the country.
On education, Finland once again topped followed by South Korea. Analysis by Mona Mourshed and Fenton Whelan of McKinsey consultancy group must be encouraging to President Kibaki for his 2003 flagship Free Primary Education programme.
"First, get children in to school early. High-quality pre-schooling does more for a child’s chances in school than any other educational intervention," they stated.
Among upper-middle-income countries, former Soviet-bloc states ruled the roost. Kazakhstan was first followed by Poland, Cuba and Latvia. Lithuania was sixth, Russia seventh while Bulgaria was tenth.
Explanation behind this performance is that these countries place high priorities on science and math subjects. Kenyan students have been performing dismally in these subjects in national exams.
On healthcare system success, Japan took the lead.
On transparency, where African countries are not known to shine, none of them makes to the main list of analysis. This is mainly because the analysts looked at the vice in the main markets.

Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga 'has head operation'

Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga has had an operation to remove fluid on the brain, doctors say, after initial reports he had been hospitalised for exhaustion.

Neurosurgeon Oluoch Olunya, who carried out the operation, said he was recovering in the Nairobi Hospital.

"I'd like to assure the country he is actually well," he said.

The BBC's Peter Greste in Nairobi says Mr Odinga, 65, has been one of Kenya's most energetic politicians.

In recent months, he has been campaigning particularly hard to win support for a new constitution, with no questions about his physical fitness.
RAILA ODINGA - THE STORY SO FAR
Continue reading the main story

* Prime minister since 2008
* Joined power-sharing government in deal to end violence after saying he was robbed in 2007 poll
* Son of Kenya's first vice-president
* Ethnic Luo
* Joined and left numerous different political formations

Odinga: Kenya's king-maker

So our correspondent says Tuesday's statement from his press spokesman came as something of a surprise.

He had said Mr Odinga, was fit to work but had been advised to rest.

Mr Olunya said the prime minister had checked himself into hospital on Monday afternoon, complaining of a headache and fatigue.

He said there had been a build-up of pressure, which was relieved when some fluid was removed through a small opening in the skull.

Mr Olunya said the pressure might have been caused by him hitting his head while in a car three weeks ago.

"He is sitting comfortably in his room," he told journalists, adding that the prime minister should be fit to leave hospital in five days' time.
Shaky coalition

Until now, most of the questions about the health of Kenya's political leaders have been directed at President Mwai Kibaki, our correspondent says.

He disappeared from public view shortly after he was first elected in 2002, and rumours persisted that he had suffered a stroke.

His staff, however, consistently denied he had suffered anything beyond minor health issues.

Mr Odinga has been prime minister since 2008 under a deal brokered to end months of violence after his supporters claimed he had been cheated of victory by allies of President Kibaki.

The coalition government remains shaky but both men are campaigning in favour of the new constitution ahead of a referendum due in August.

Rwanda repression rises ahead of poll -watchdog

KIGALI (Reuters) - Insecurity and political repression are on the rise in Rwanda in the run-up to August's presidential ballot which incumbent Paul Kagame is widely expected to win, rights group Human Rights Watch said.

The New York-based watchdog said the murder of a critical journalist, the arrest of a second opposition leader and the detention of dozens of opposition party members were attempts to muzzle dissent ahead of the poll.

"The security situation is rapidly deteriorating," Rona Peligal, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "With only 45 days left before the election, the government is lashing out to silence its opponents and critics."

Authorities deny involvement in the murder of reporter Jean Leonard Rugambage, who had linked Rwandan security services to the shooting of an outspoken general in exile in South Africa.

"The government of Rwanda might have its disagreements with journalists, like other governments, but we do not kill them," government spokeswoman and foreign affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo told Reuters by text message.

"We have requested a thorough investigation of this case and will do everything to find the culprit."

Rugambage, an editor at the banned Umuvugizi newspaper, was gunned down on June 24 outside his home in the suburbs of the capital Kigali.

Bernard Ntaganda, leader of a branch of the Social Party Imberakuri, was arrested on Thursday on charges including attempted murder and ethnic "divisionism", police said. Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, a presidential aspirant for the United Democratic Forces party, was arrested in April.

THOROUGH INVESTIGATION

The government rejects accusations by Rugambage's senior editor Jean-Bosco Gasasira, that it was behind the murder. International rights groups have asked for an independent probe into the killing to ensure other journalists can work safely.

Gasasira fled to Uganda when his paper, alongside another critical outlet, was suspended in April for insulting the head of state, sowing discontent in the army and causing panic.

Umuvugizi published an online article on Thursday blaming the government for the attempted murder of ex-army chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa in South Africa on June 19. Rwanda's two main internet service providers have blocked the paper's website.

The government has boosted the number of army patrols around the capital at night in response to a series of deadly grenade attacks since the beginning of the year.

Regional analysts say the arrest of top military officials, the flight of a former chief of staff and a high-profile reshuffle in the army in recent months may indicate a growing schism in the central African country's leadership.

"Freedom of expression is already severely restricted in Rwanda, but the death of Rugambage is a further chilling blow to investigative journalism and, more broadly, to freedom of expression in the country," Peligal said.

Rwanda accused of intimidation ahead of election

Rwanda accused of intimidation ahead of election
Monday, 28 June 2010 10:28

Hereward Holland

The international community has heaped praise on Rwanda for its rapid socioeconomic recovery after the trauma of genocide 16 years ago, its stability and its bold vision to become a middle-income country by 2020.

Tourism has become the country's largest source of foreign exchange earnings, generating $175 million in 2009.

Some diplomats say President Paul Kagame’s strong leadership and desire to bring in foreign investment makes for quick decision-making and efficient use of aid, although nepotism remains an issue.

He has also set out an ambitious roadmap to transform the nation of around 10 million people into an IT hub and middle income nation.

Foreign diplomats and sources close to the government say deepening rifts within the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) risk undermining the nation's stability.

But while the World Bank may have voted Rwanda the most improved business reformer globally, rifts within the ruling elite and regional insecurity threaten the investment climate.

But his critics accuse him of being authoritarian and stamping on press freedoms and argue social cohesion and development have come at the expense of free speech. Rights groups say there has been a crackdown on critical media and increasingly vocal opposition parties.

In April, two private local-language newspapers were suspended for “insulting” the head of state and “inciting unrest”.

The government says the ban, which runs until after August's presidential election, was not politically motivated. Media watchdogs called it a veiled attempt at censorship.

Rights groups accuse the government of intimidating opposition parties, harassing their leaders and impeding their registration.

Victoire Ingabire, leader of the unregistered United Democratic Forces party, is awaiting trial on charges of crimes linked to genocide.

Ingabire has declared her intention to contest the August 9 ballot but cannot be a candidate until her party is registered.

There are concerns that brewing resentment among the opposition, elements of the political elite and parts of the population could foster political instability further down the line.

Political analysts say the divisions are partly connected to the privatisation of government and party assets into the hands of Kagame and his inner circle.

Regional analysts say parts of the banking, tea plantation, coffee, tobacco and mineral exporting businesses are now in the hands of people close to Kagame and the RPF elite.

The Rwanda Development Board denied any government assets had been sold off to the RPF elite.

Meanwhile, Kagame's war on graft has seen former political associates locked up.

The arrest of two senior army officials in April, following a dramatic reshuffle of the military hierarchy, underscored the tensions and erosion of trust at the top. Analysts say the generals' detention -- one for abuse of office, the other for immoral conduct -- is part of a crackdown on critics of Kagame's centralisation of party financing and political power.

Diplomatic sources say the arrest of Congolese Tutsi rebel Laurent Nkunda has also fuelled tensions within the ruling elite. A UN panel of experts reported in 2008 that the RPF had supported Nkunda's rebel war in easten Congo.

However, Rwanda's seizure of Nkunda last year heralded a new era in relations between the tiny central African nation and its giant neighbour.
For years the two accused each other of backing the other's rebel factions. What happens to Nkunda could still influence the extent to which relations thaw.

Congo wants him extradited for war crimes and treason but analysts say Rwanda would be reluctant to let him go, fearful of what Nkunda might divulge about his relationship with Kagame's administration.

Rwandans will vote in an August 9 presidential poll which Kagame is widely tipped to win.

Security has been tightened in Kigali in the last four months with armed patrols in the city at night. Diplomats forecast a largely peaceful ballot which is unlikey to affect Rwanda's investment climate.

But there have been grenade attacks across the country. One person was killed and dozens wounded in Kigali in May in the latest of a series of mysterious attacks.

Kagame's administration has linked them to a former army chief in exile who has denied any involvement. More attacks risk tarnishing Rwanda's stable and secure image and deterring tourists.

At the heart of Central Africa, Rwanda depends on the stability of its neighbours for the safe passage of its goods along east Africa's main trunk routes.

All of its petrol, diesel and heavy oil, which fuels its electricity generators, must be transported by road from the coastal cities of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Post-election violence in Kenya in 2008 blocked the region's main trade arteries for weeks. The turmoil sent food and fuel prices in Rwanda surging and inflation peaked around 23 percent in December 2008.

2008 Q1 dollar exports to Europe, Rwanda's largest market, dropped by one third against the previous quarter and 15 per cent versus the previous year.

Reuters

The “Messiah” who is putting Kagame to the test

The “Messiah” who is putting Kagame to the test
From the East Africa's Independent Media Review

She remains determined and hopeful in her dream to become Rwanda’s next president and possibly the first-ever female head of state in the volatile Great Lakes Region of Africa. But if hope is her charisma, she must know by now the road to this feat is potentially very rough.


Victoire Ingabire, 42, is the chairperson of the yet to be registered Unified Democratic Forces (UDF), a coalition of Rwandan opposition parties with members in Rwanda and abroad. She returned to Rwanda only last month, after 16 years of exile in the Netherlands, to register her party and get ready for the August presidential elections.


She has since proved a constant pickle to spin doctors in Kigali who have been running a series of hate stories against her and the party she represents, in a manner, only reminiscent of the hate media days that characterised the country prior to the genocide (see threat to sue).
The government leaning and sole English daily in the country, The New Times, has consistently run very critical commentaries about her, some so nasty and badly written the authors’ names had to be concealed according to inside sources at the paper.


But while this is probably what Ingabire will have been told to expect the day she made the decision to go back to Rwanda and prepare to contest for the top seat in the land, events from the last couple of weeks after her arrival have left many wondering whether the country’s media industry may have learnt anything from its distasteful past.


One would think that having witnessed the awful manner in which publications like Kangura and radio stations like RTLM were used in pre-genocide times to spread hatred among Rwandans, media practitioners in today’s Rwanda would be the last to resort to hate campaigns and dehumanisation. Not so says one Felix Muheto.


In an editorial that appeared in January 21 of The New Times, one Felix Muheto, who it has to be noted is a pseudo name for a leading Kigali spin doctor, imperially questioned Ingabire’s credentials as a presidential candidate in a manner that casts doubt as to whether journalism in Rwanda has changed for better or worse post genocide.


“Mrs. Victoire Ingabire, in her Parmehutu nostalgic mind thought it wise to start her ill-fated struggle for the country’s highest office by seeking her ideological ancestors’ blessing for another revolution.


“Well! Is she the messiah who is going to cleanse them of their confessed sins for participating in genocide while planning to involve them into another?” he wrote.


Muheto’s stinging allegations were even considered so important that The New Times, which maintains is an exemplary and constructive media house, published his opinion as an editorial.


Patrick Bigabo, a journalist and former employee of The New Times who currently is in private business, says it is not a failure to learn from the past but a concerted desire to hustle free speech.


“It has nothing to do with preserving what we have achieved over the years. Truth is, Kigali has been caught pants down. Ingabire is viewed as a threat and so to counter her resurgence, the only tool is to attack. They will go to any level to make it extremely difficult for her,” he says.
And go for her they have. Immediately after arriving in Rwanda on January 16, Ingabire headed to the genocide memorial at Gisozi on the outskirts of the capital Kigali where she delivered a speech. The government says her speech aimed at evoking arguments of a double genocide, Ingabire’s camp maintains her speech was honest and aimed at challenging critical thinking and looking at Rwanda’s history “objectively”.


Whatever the case, Ingabire’s arrival and subsequent speeches in Rwanda appear to be making Kagame’s government run scared. Otherwise why would Muheto and the lot find themselves pre-occupied with criticising and literally demonising a lady who many agree stands no chance of winning the August election?


There is little chance her party will get registered. Her mother has already been accused of playing a role in the 1994 genocide and was sentenced in absentia by the Gacaca court of Butamwa. Even Ingabire’s camp is aware the government is trying to use this against their presidential hopeful.
A recent communiqué from a party member, Chris Nzabandora noted: “In a healthy democracy, discussion should be focused on issues not individuals. Ms. Ingabire is in Rwanda to defend a program not her own personal interest. The New Times is trying out cheap propaganda to imply that genocide ideology is a family rooted crime, to which every family member is answerable. This is not true.”

Ingabire Attacked
That a presidential hopeful was attacked by youths and his aide beaten up so severely to the extent he had to be rushed to hospital calls into question whether the government is ready and willing to provide security to aspirants. There is rumour too that the attack was an inside job by some elements within the establishment keen at sending Ingabire a message that she either gives up or prepares to face similar or even worse incidents. This argument is corroborated by the inconsistencies in the reports of events as told to different media outlets by Police spokesman Supt Eric Kayiranga.


While he told Reuters that Ingabire was beaten up by youth angry at her politics, he told Africa Confidential on phone that the five men police being held by police over the matter confessed they wanted to steal her bag and had nothing to do with Ingabire as a politician.
But speaking to Reuters, Gregory Mthembu Salter, a research associate at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said the attack may reflect a need for Rwanda to uphold freedom of speech better.
Rwanda has often been criticized for its continued limits on freedom of speech, press freedom and rule of law, which the government vehemently denies. The coming presidential election will be a stern test to the establishment in Kigal

Rwanda increases troops at border between Uganda and Rwanda

Rwanda increases troops at border

By Robert Muhereza

Posted Monday, June 28 2010 at 00:00

The Uganda Peoples Defence Force has called for calm following the heavy deployment of troops by Rwanda at its border with Uganda.

The UPDF 2nd Division spokesperson, Capt. Robert Kamara, said Uganda’s border with Rwanda is safe.
“The UPDF is not bothered by the deployments and the movements of the Rwanda army because we don’t control them. Ours is to guarantee the security of our people by ensuring that our border is safe. There is no need for any worry or panic,” Capt. Kamara said at the weekend.

Panic
The Chairman of Butanda Sub-county in Kabale District, Mr Banett Champion, yesterday said the recent deployment of the Rwandan troops near the border has caused panic among residents.
“Hundreds of Rwandan soldiers are seen patrolling along the border in the areas adjacent to my sub-county. I was told that in the past they used to carry out their night patrols at 8pm but now they are doing it at 6pm. The people here are worried,” Mr Champion said.

The Kabale deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Shafique Ssekandi, said the deployment of Rwandan troops on the border is the right of the Rwandan government that should not scare the Ugandans.

“Don’t be scared of the Rwandan deployment because they are doing it on their land,’’ Mr Ssekandi said.