Uganda people has the best way of Entertainment: Dance

One of the most revealing methods to communicate the spirit and soul of Africa, African music is almost often accompanied by another art form, such as poetry, ritual, or dance. Ugandan Journalist Emmanuel Katto confirms they understand rhythm. Some tribes utilize dance and song to impart history and social concepts using a style akin to modern theatre. Most of the time, dances were intimately associated with spirituality, ancestor worship, and religion. 

It is important to remember that socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds interact within various groups in Uganda. As per Emka aka Emmanuel Katto each tribe or society has its own unique set of religious ideals. Communities organize all rituals, including dances, to worship or placate the gods, to ask for a bountiful crop before planting, on a midsummer or midwinter celebration, or simply to mark the beginning of a new lunar phase. or if rain was required. The people prayed to the gods for procreation, or they tried to placate or subdue the demons. To commemorate the circumstance and to give thanks to the gods, Emka of Uganda says everyone was asked to attend. 

These dances are part of daily life; they are ancient customs passed down from generation to generation with a rich cultural background. Emmanuel Katto of Uganda, a local journalist says they can be part of a ceremony or ritual to thank the gods; a local social gathering, such as a wedding party or funeral ceremony for a notable individual; a courtship dance to unite newlyweds; a ritual dance for a boy becoming a man; or they can just be a get-together before a party. Another way to convey joy is via dance. 

The East African nation's identity has long included a strong and varied dance culture. Traditional music is still prevalent despite the fact that young people prefer western music, and the expanding tourist sector has especially fostered the ongoing preservation of cultural heritage. 

The following list of top performing tribes and their associated dances described by Emka Emmanuel Katto includes:  

The Ekitaguriro dance of the Banyancore tribe 

This dance is performed by tribal members to symbolise the Ankole people's devotion to livestock.  

The Ekizino dance of the Bakiga tribe 

The "court dance" was a tradition among the Kigezi people while the monarch was deciding a dispute inside the realm.  

 Muwogola, Baakisiima, and Nankasa dances from the Buganda tribe 

The largest tribe in Uganda is called Buganda, and these dances were first performed at the court of the Buganda ruler. 

Dances from the Irongo, Nalufuka, and Tamenaibuga tribe of the Basogo 

These dances are performed by tribal members in eastern Uganda to symbolise peace and harmony. 

The Mwanga dance of the Bagishu tribe 

This dance is performed by the Bamasaba people of the eastern Ugandan highlands during the ritual circumcision.  

The Akembe dance of the Iteso Tribe 

It is a courting dance from the Teso area of eastern Uganda that is accompanied with mellow music.  

Dances of the Runyege tribe of the Batooro 

When it's time to select a companion, young members typically perform this ceremonial dance from western Uganda.  

The Adungu dance of the Alur people 

The young boys and girls of the tribe do this dance, which entails a rhythm of leaping. 

Gaze dance of the Lubgara tribe 

Young people execute this Lubgara traditional dance, which is like that of their neighbours in the Congo. 

The Bwola dance of the Acholi tribe 

Older men and women in northern Uganda do this circle dance to symbolize the kingdom's high wall. 

A Ugandan journalist, Emmanuel Katto, says Uganda has the potential to attract foreign direct investment.

When the name “Africa” comes to our minds, images of forests, resources, and minerals hit our minds, and some might just utter the name of Cape Town in support. Well, Africa is a big continent consisting of 54 countries, Uganda is one of them, known as the “Pearl of Africa” due to its lavish landscape, forest, wildlife, and mineral reserve.   

Emmanuel Katto Uganda, also known as Emka Emmanuel Katto or Emka Uganda is a local journalist from Uganda, who used to cover the ongoing news in the continent especially Uganda. Minerals such as Iron Ore, Gold, Diamond, Platinum, Tin, Uranium, Cobalt, Limestone, and many more are found in an abundant quantity. Some of the prominent gold mines of Uganda include Buhweju-Mashonga, Busitema Gold Mine, Amonikakinei Gold Mine, and Kisita Gold Mine.   

As per the report of Ugandan Officials, approximately 31 million metric tonnes of gold ore had been discovered in the country so far. Possibly resulted in 320,128 metric tonnes of refined gold, estimated at around US $12 trillion (about $37,000 per person in the US). Such discovery of gold holds the capability to make a surge in investment for the region.   

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Solomon Muyita, most of the gold in Uganda is found in Kamaroja, Moroto District, Busia, and Central and Western parts. The abundance of gold found in Uganda perhaps makes Uganda a fortunate country comprising wealth, which holds the capability in attracting foreign direct investment.   

Uganda hereby has a lot of potential in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with its expansion in gold alone. A proper regulation and systematic approach in the processing of minerals can lead to enhancement in the FDI.   

Uganda must focus on factors such as improved business environment, infrastructure development, marketing, and investment promotion, strengthening law and regulatory frameworks, political stability and governance, and skills development and education to attract and increase foreign direct investment.  

It is important to note that attracting FDI is a long-term process and there should be consistency in implementing the above strategies.  Uganda, hence, should follow an improved investment climate for FDI. 

Uganda can fight and reduce poverty to change the economy of the country asserts Emmanuel Katto

Uneven land distribution and a complicated system of land tenure in Uganda have made inequality worse. Emmanuel Katto, Uganda’s local journalist explains, household sizes, unequal access to education, unequal access to work prospects, urbanization, and generational poverty are further variables. All of these obstruct the fair allocation of resources and access. 

In addition, international financing institutions are concerned about Uganda's government debt levels, which have increased significantly. 

In Uganda, poverty is primarily regarded as the inability of certain citizens to meet their fundamental necessities says Emka aka Emmanuel Katto. Those who are below the poverty line, which is set at 2.50 US dollars, are living in extreme poverty.  

More than 8 million individuals are thought to be living in poverty right now. According to reports, Uganda's poverty rate continues to increase daily. Even while the Ugandan government has implemented a variety of steps to combat the steadily expanding number of poor people, the truth is that they have failed. 

As per Emka of Uganda, the Ugandan government at the time distributed "Entandikwa" small loans to young people to help them launch small enterprises, however it's possible that the youth of Uganda used the funds to have fun rather than invest in any growth during that campaign. 

Giving cash is a fantastic method to make someone wealthy enough to address immediate difficulties, but it won't last forever if the recipient isn't taught how to handle their money or how to place any value on it. 

Illiteracy is Uganda's biggest problem and the main factor contributing to its poverty point out Emmanuel Katto. Because of the high rates of illiteracy, unemployment has emerged as a sickness, and the instant one loses their job, they are well on their way to poverty. 

One person believes that the best strategy for completely eradicating poverty in Uganda is education. Since illiteracy continues to be a key contributor to poverty in Uganda, we must confront it head-on if we are to effectively address the issue. 

If only we could begin educating Uganda's youngest citizens—the tiniest kids who live in isolated areas without access to school says Emmanuel Katto. The Ugandan government at the time distributed "Entandikwa" small loans to young people to help them launch small enterprises, however it's possible that the youth of Uganda used the funds to have fun rather than invest in any growth during that campaign. 

Giving cash is a fantastic method to make someone wealthy enough to address immediate difficulties, but it won't last forever if the recipient isn't taught how to handle their money or how to place any value on it. 

Illiteracy is Uganda's biggest problem and the main factor contributing to its poverty. If we decided that each of us would at least pay for one child to return to school, it would be obvious that we would be raising an educated generation who would be capable of starting their own business and supporting themselves. 

We may still carry out widespread sensitization for the adults who cannot be brought back to school. just to impart knowledge on how to launch and run small enterprises. To conduct courses that teach individuals how to best develop themselves, we can engage in various collaborations with small-scale lenders. 

Agriculture should receive more attention. Given that there is more undeveloped land in rural areas than in urban ones, people there should be encouraged to choose farming. Agriculture is one industry that will always be in demand; a farmer can never fail to make at least a livelihood from it. 

Otherwise, we can work together to battle Uganda's poverty and ensure that everyone has access to a life asserts Emmanuel Katto that is just and fair and meets at least all his or her necessities. 

Agriculture in Uganda is the major source of Livelihood.

In Uganda, agriculture still provides most of the country's income quoted in the report of Emmanuel Katto, a local journalist f Uganda. The largest percentage of the working population is involved in agriculture, forestry, and fishing (65%), according to the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2016/17. Among those who are employed, 70% of women work in agriculture, compared to 58% of men. 

In addition, a greater percentage of men (46%) than women (28%) worked in paid employment, accounting for 38% of all people in employment. The greatest portion of employment (36%) was in the agricultural industry. 

Uganda Agriculture is the right place to invest 

The agriculture sector in Uganda offers a variety of extremely lucrative investment options for both collaborations and investments with a profit motive says Emmanuel Katto of Uganda. 

Uganda, one of the 55 members of the African Union, has continuously accelerated agricultural growth and was named one of the top 20 nations for meeting the CAADP's (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Growth Program) development goals. 

The Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan, which may be accessed from the home page of this website, as per Emka (Emmanuel katto) explores the additional investment potential that the transition brings. 

Uganda is a trustworthy location for investment and a fierce competitor on the global market, with noteworthy success recorded in PPPs and a consistent growth in government investment each fiscal year. 

Crops that have steady Growth 

Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cassava's combined output climbed from 5,196,810 tons in 2016 to 5,862,280 tons in 2017, representing a 12% rise. The generally constant rainfall was credited with this favorable change. 

Plantain banana output climbed from 4,530,880 tons in 2016 to 4,803,000 tons in 2017, a 6% rise. This was ascribed to the generally consistent weather and the usage of plant components says Emka Uganda that were resistant to disease. 

Between 2016 and 2017, the output of the four main pulses—beans, field peas, cow peas and pigeon peas—increased by almost 14%, with beans playing a substantial role in that growth.  

From 2016 to 2017, the output of the main oil crops, such as soybeans, peanuts, and sunflower, grew by 19% overall. The greater usage of better seeds and improved extension services offered to farmers were credited with this. 

Emmanuel Katto Says Uganda's Mining Resources Are Its Development Pillar.

Globally, mining is a common industry that frequently takes place in undeveloped, fragile, and rural areas, including many indigenous lands and territories. According to local Ugandan Journalist Emmanuel Katto, when correctly managed, it can create jobs, encourage innovation, and attract significant amounts of investment and infrastructure. If mining is not managed effectively, it may also bring about environmental degradation, population displacement, inequality, and growing violence.

Emka aka Emmanuel Katto asserted that the artisanal miners of small and medium-sized firms, which make up the majority of the Development Minerals sector, are socioeconomically disadvantaged as a result of the COVID 19 Pandemic's unprecedented business disruptions and shocks. 

• By 2003/2004, it has provided Uganda with foreign cash through the shipment of minerals like copper. Further progress has been made using the exchange obtained.

• Ugandans now have career options, says Emka Uganda, thanks to the mining industry. More than 15,000 people are said to be employed in the sector now, up from thousands in the 1970s when the Kirembe copper mine employed Bakiga and Bakonjo in order to raise their level of living.

• For example, Kasese, Kirembe, and Katwe towns arose as a result of the copper and salt mining in Uganda, which enables urbanisation. Additionally, the development of Masindi and Hoima owing to oil extraction, as well as the settlements of Tororo and Hima from the mining of limestone.

• The sector contributes to the creation of vital transportation, energy, educational, and healthcare infrastructure. Due to the efforts of Kirembe Mines Secondary School in Kasese and the Jinja-Kampala-Kasese railway line for the transportation of copper, asserts Emmanuel Katto, Uganda will continue to flourish.

• The establishment of the mubuku irrigation project in Kasese to create a steady supply of food for the Kirembe mine employees is explained by the fact that the mining sector serves as a market for agricultural goods of food to feed the mine workers.

• It has prevented overdependence on the agriculture sector and contributed to the economic diversification of Uganda. This denotes a growth in the country’s income, foreign exchange, and overall development.

• It has enhanced Uganda’s connections with countries that import minerals, like China and the USA says Emka. Political stability and increased trade between nations have resulted from this.

• By granting mining corporations licenses and charging miners, the mining business has brought in a sizable sum of money for the government coffers. The money raised has been utilized to open schools and medical facilities.

• It has caused Uganda to become more industrialized, with businesses like Hima and Tororo cement using limestone as a raw material.

• By luring international visitors to Uganda to buy copper, iron ore, salt, and other commodities, says Emmanuel Katto mining has bolstered the country’s tourism industry and generated foreign cash.

Uganda Environment depends upon the Climate Risk Management team to provide peaceful environment.

Why Indians find it attractive Conflict regularly broke out between herders and villages over access to water and pasture for animals in the Karamoja area of northern Uganda.  

A movable fenced cattle camp built up by pastoralists during the dry season, Mr. Emmanuel Katto, a local Ugandan journalist, claimed that "we sometimes experienced drought for 90 days." Conflicts frequently result from a race for natural resources, which causes the trees to dry out, the water table to drop, and the sources to diminish. 

According to historical statistics, climate change is making this issue worse by prolonged the dry season, which is when violence is most likely to occur, said Mr. Robert Bagyenda, project manager for USAID Uganda's environment and natural resources management program. As per Emmanuel Katto, he is a member of the mission group tasked with establishing stability and sustaining livelihoods in Karamoja as part of the USAID Securing Peace and Promoting Prosperity (EKISIL) Activity.  

The USAID EKISIL program, which stands for "peace" in the Karamoja language, launched climate risk management (CRM) initiatives in the Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, and Moroto districts to improve communities' access to and management of water and pasture.  

Based on an examination of these acts and key informant interviews from the case study, Emka Uganda explain these following advantages that quantified: 

• Prevented the yearly loss of 10,000–20,000 head of cattle, valued at between $1.7 million and $3.4 million in dollars. 

• More than 2 million animals have freer access to water and grazing grounds each year, together with 30,000 pastoralists. 

• 180 temporary employment, 4,050 trees were planted, nine community members received training in contracting procedures, and 15,000 hectares of degraded land were repaired because of the Kobebe Dam Peace Dividend initiative. 

• 600 hectares of productive land that had previously been dangerous to reach due to war are being resettled. 

• "Our livestock have multiplied," claimed Ms. Natalina Moru Achia, a representative of the Women's Peace Forum, which collaborates with USAID EKISIL. "There is no restriction on movement due to insecurity." 

In keeping with USAID's 2016 CRM strategy, these actions—described in a 2021 case study—enabled official and informal institutions to peacefully manage and share communal natural resources, including by creating agreements, rules, and resource management procedures at the community and governmental levels.  

The significance of long-term natural resource planning that accounts for increasingly extreme droughts, increased climatic unpredictability, and the possibility of conflict owing to resource shortages was highlighted by taking CRM into account while designing activities says Emmanuel Katto of Uganda. The CRM measures taken by the Activity raised the value of cattle, enhanced access to natural resources and arable land, and strengthened management and productivity of animal watering facilities, particularly the 2.3 million cubic meter Kobebe Reservoir. Indirectly, these measures increased women's participation in commerce, economics, and peacebuilding possibilities, diversified household income-generating alternatives, and decreased conflict by bringing people and institutions together. 

Types of businesses in Africa: An overview.

Africa is a continent which is home to a diverse range of businesses across various sectors. A local journalist from Uganda, Whose name is Emmanuel Katto also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka Uganda,  You may have heard a lot regarding the types of businesses carried out in Africa but Emmanuel Katto Uganda will tell me more about it. To know more please scroll down.

The primary activity or business that is done in Africa at a large scale is agriculture or agribusiness. Agriculture plays a vital role in many African economies as its contribution. Activities such as agricultural farming, livestock farming and food production and distribution fall under this category.

Africa is also rich in natural resources, so mining activity is pretty common here. Minerals such as gold, diamond, copper, iron ore and limestone are found at large. This business involves mining, extraction, refining and exports of the mineral to other countries.

The manufacturing and the industrial sector in Africa produce a wide range of products such as garments, automotive parts and consumer goods and many more. This sector of the business creates jobs, export profit and the development of industries in Africa.

Information Technology and Communication, Africa has so far witnessed rapid growth in information and communication technology. For example, development in IT, Internet and e-commerce can be seen in recent times as well. It gives us a reflection of a digitally thriving economy.   

Financial services like the development of commercial banks, investment institutions, investment companies and firms and fintech start-ups etc, provide financial, insurance and banking services.

Africa is also a tourist destination spot. The natural beauty of the savannas, culture and the wide range of biodiversity attracts tourists that boost the economy of Africa.

Education in Africa has also improved in recent times, the infrastructure gap has also been addressed and now education and training businesses are also flourishing in Africa. This includes schools, colleges, universities and e-learning. This kind of business has been addressing the quality of education in Africa.

So, in conclusion, we can say that there are a variety of businesses in Africa that represent the different economies of different regions. The businesses also reflect the cultural perspective as well. A trend of entrepreneurship or start-ups can also be seen in Africa, attracting innovative ideas and minds building innovative technology depicting the development of Africa.

Growth and Progress of African Countries.

Where African countries are standing today when the world is constantly moving ahead with growth and development. A local journalist from Uganda, Whise name is Emmanuel Katto also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka Uganda,  He told me more about the recent growth and progress in African countries. To know more please have a look below.

African countries in recent years have experienced significant economic growth and development which is higher than that of the past.

Ghana is the fastest-growing economy in West Africa. This country is known for its activities concerning gas, mining, agriculture etc. The country has led many economic reforms that have resulted in attracting foreign direct investment. The ease of doing business and governance system is favourable here.

Ethiopia is the fastest-growing economy in Africa. According to the reports, the rate of growth here is above 10% which is higher than any of the values from the past. A very positive growth in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure development and investment can be seen in Ethiopia. The investment is also expanding to the middle class, perhaps a sign of a growing economy.
 
Kenya is seen as a country where tremendous growth has been noticed in technology and finance and agriculture. The significant development in Kenya has made it a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Rwanda has also achieved significant growth despite the genocide in 1994. The country has led economic reforms and implementation of governance which is quite developed and working for the welfare of the people. Rwanda has also focused on tourism, infrastructure and IT concerning the country’s overall development.

There is also a significant development in Senegal. This country has mainly focused on economic diversification along with infrastructure development. The growth in tourism, agriculture and energy in Senegal in Africa has attracted foreign direct investment, which is a very necessary factor for a country’s growth.

In conclusion, we can say that although these countries have made significant growth over time but there are some issues like income inequality, unemployment and the gaps of infrastructure which has to be addressed. Due to COVID-19 which had a tremendous impact on some African countries, where the government with other international bodies must ensure sustainable growth strategies for the welfare of people and the growth of the countries.

Uganda: A Land of natural treasures

Uganda, often referred to as the "Pearl of Africa," is a country known for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife is a beautiful country that is located in East- Africa, a landlocked country. A local journalist from Uganda, Whose name is Emmanuel Katto also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka uganda from Uganda, He told me more about my beautiful country. Please scroll down to know more.

Uganda is a land of natural treasure, it is rich in natural resources, that contribute to the overall development of the country’s economy.

In Uganda, minerals such as copper, cobalt, gold, limestone, iron ore, tin, tungsten etc, are found in abundant quantity. Minerals thus, are leading or contributing the industrial development.

Oil and gas are also found in Uganda, it is mainly found in Lake Albert. The oil and gas in this lake are in the early stage of development which will be full-fledged developed in future.

Uganda is rich in fertile soil that is very ideal for agriculture, hence coffee, tea, maize, millet and fruits and vegetables and fruits production take place at a large scale. The production also goes for export after feeding the population, which is a good sign for the development of any country.

It is also home to many water resources since Uganda is home to several lakes such as Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, and Lake Kyoga. There are also several rivers and wetlands in Uganda. These are helpful in irrigation, hydropower generation and transportation.

Uganda also has a subsequent forest that occupies around 30% of the land. The forests are maintaining the ecosystem in Uganda along with the biodiversity. It is also resulting in timber and non-timber forest products.

Uganda is also home to rare and endangered species such as chimpanzees, elephants, lions and giraffes etc.

Gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, and garnets are found in abundant quantity in Uganda, which has contributed country’s jewellery industry and export.  

In conclusion, we can say that Uganda is rich in natural and wildlife resources, variety of minerals are found here. It is home to many natural products and comprises rivers and wetlands, due to the land fertility agriculture production is also adequate here. It has a subsequent forest as well as biodiversity. So, it will be not wrong in saying that Uganda is the land of natural treasures.

The education system of Africa Things you should know

We know how important is education for all, it is the basic right of any child. A local journalist from Uganda Whose name is Emmanuel Katto, also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka Uganda. He told me more about the education system of Africa.

In recent times there have been significant improvements in the education system of Africa, but many parts still lack access to education. Factors such as poverty, limited infrastructure, distance to schools etc are the barrier to access to education for the child.

The quality of education is also missing in various regions of Africa. Overcrowded classrooms, outdated curriculum and lack of qualified teachers and inefficient learning resources etc. are the reasons that are hindering the learning outcomes. Gender disparities also play a role in limited access to education for a specific gender. Due to traditional practices and early or child marriage girls were and still facing issues with access to quality education.

Despite a lot of challenges in the education system of Africa many works are taking place to improve the condition of the educational system of Africa. Efforts are made to train teachers through some initiatives and programs and to provide ongoing professional development opportunities to attract and retain qualified teachers.

According to the latest State of Global Education Update, 9 in 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read and understand a simple text at the age of 10. This implies the condition of education in Africa.

According to the UN sub-Saharan region of Africa has the highest number of education exclusions globally, nearly 60% of youth of age 15- 17 are not in school.

In rural areas, access to education is quite hard due to poverty and other factors. Children don’t tend to go to school rather than running away from the schools resulting in high dropout rates.

However, things are coming back on track and students are going to school, regions such as Seychelles, Tunisia consist of schools that are engaging for the children. The dropout rate is quite high in rural than in urban, but it is improving in recent times.

Since education is a universal human right of a child, the child should be having access to education- a quality education.

Government must take appropriate steps in collaboration with international bodies to promote education in Africa. The government should promote girls' education campaigns or child education campaigns to spread awareness across the continent.

Mining- Resources of African countries.

Africa is rich in natural resources, which is a resource-rich continent. A local journalist from Uganda Emmanuel Katto also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka Uganda. He gives me more insight into Africa regarding the resources. 

Africa is incredibly rich in natural resources. It contains a natural gas reserve of gas and oil which is 10% of the world’s total oil reserve. 

 

It has a vast reserve for minerals such as gold, diamonds, platinum, copper, iron ore and uranium. As said that this continent is a significant producer of oil and natural gas unlike Nigeria, Angola and Algeria which are the leading producers of the same. 

 

According to recent reports around 200 million hectares of land in the sub-Saharan region comprises uncultivated lands that can be put to use which will boost the economy of Africa in production. 

This continent is also home to vast timber production due to its forest area, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon and Gabon are leading in timber production. Botswana is home to gem diamond, which is a local producer in Africa, that focus on export and is one of the largest suppliers of diamonds its competitor is Angola but the quality of diamond from Botswana is rare and hard to find. 

Tanzania is the fourth richest country in Africa that produces around 10% of Africa’s total gold. Tanzanite mineral is also found in Tanzania which adds up to 58 billion dollars in the country’s economy. 

 

Nigeria is the biggest producer of oil producers in the world which is in Africa. Natural resources such as natural gas, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, zinc etc. are found in Nigeria. Nigeria contributes around 10% to the country’s GDP. 

 

Angola, a country in Africa is the richest country in the world in terms of natural resources, reserves of petroleum, diamond, copper, gold and magnesium. According to the reports around 1.5 barrels of oil is produced in a day in Angola. Research also shows that Angola’s economy is one of the largest growing economies in the world. 

 

As we have seen that Africa has a tremendous mineral reserve, but despite having so much of possibilities and being rich in resources, the people are poor here. Due to the government system, terror and political instability the country’s development is hindered. There is a need to build collaborative support from government and other international bodies along with community engagement to stabilize the normal condition in Africa concerning terror, political instability and other factors so that there will be no barrier on Africa’s way to development. 

Environmental Degradation and Africa's Worry.

Environmental Degradation and Africa's Worry. The environment or ecosystem is a very crucial part or an element of nature that support living. A local journalist from Uganda, Whose Name is Emmanuel Katto also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka Uganda, . he told me about the condition or situation of the environment in Africa today and how the ecosystem is now. To know more please scroll down.

Although Africa is a resource-rich continent when the question is about the environment or ecosystem of the continent, the impression is not that good.

Humans for greed have done almost to mother nature to the extent that now mother nature is crying. Africa is facing or is at an alarming threat of environmental degradation. This situation is having so much impact on Bio-Diversity and its population and natural phenomenon.

The Sub-Saharan regions of Africa are undergoing serious environmental issues such as deforestation, soil degradation or erosion and wetland degradation, etc. Efforts to deal with these issues have turned handicapped by real failure.

Factors such as demographics, a heavy burden of foreign debt, etc, have evolved as a threat to the environment.

Some of the prominent reasons such as rise in the rate of deforestation for logging, agricultural expansion, and fuelwood collection which has led to the cut or clearing of the forest area for timber extraction and commercial agriculture and expansion leading to soil erosion and increasing carbon dioxide, affecting the ecosystem.

According to recent reports illegal mining in Ghana is threatening the forest area which is a serious threat to the environment. 

Degradation of land is yet another factor in Africa, the barren land problem and unsustainable agricultural practices leading to the degradation of the fertile soil is posing a threat to the land resource.

Water scarcity is also an emerging issue in Africa by the industrial activities and inadequate wastewater treatment and improved disposal of waste, creating the environmental hazard.

There are some other reasons such as the illegal wildlife trade which is affecting the endangered species or bio-diversity of Africa, leading to the ill health of the environment.

Some other reasons such as climate change which is also playing a major role in degrading the environment, a gap in rainfall, drought, and famine are the outcome of climate change. Air pollution on the other hand is affecting the health of the people in Africa due to pollution from industry and vehicle emissions.

In conclusion, it can be said that the environmental condition of Africa is not that good. The government must work with the domestic as well as international communities to address this issue. Initiatives such as afforestation, proper disposal of waste, enhancing water resource management, promoting the usage of renewable sources of energy, and running awareness campaigns will help cop with these issues.

Agriculture in Africa: Some crucial points to Ponder.

You may have heard about Africa and about its agricultural activities which support its economy, it employs a significant portion of the population. A local journalist from Uganda, whose named Emmanuel Katto also known as Emmanuel Katto Uganda or Emka Uganda,  he will tell us some of the crucial points regarding agriculture in Africa. 

 

As we know that Africa is a resource-rich country, where agriculture is also a primary activity. It is a crucial sector in Africa where the majority of the workforce is engaged in farming-related activities. It contributes significantly to the country’s GDP and provides a livelihood for rural communities. 

 

The average economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is frequently outpaced by that of the world. According to IMF, the total GDP of the region estimated is $2 trillion in 2022 with a forecast to rise to $2.9 by 2026. 

 

In a recent report, scientists at the National Agriculture Research Institute in Uganda are turning farming waste into biodegradable seedling pots, such initiatives also play a vital role in reducing plastic waste. These seedlings will help in sustaining nutrients back to the roots of the plants. The bag is a bio-degradable bag that will not harm the environment. 

 

Africa is also well known for its agricultural products. It is known for its coffee production which is a high-quality coffee beans known as Arabica coffee beans. Ghana and Nigeria are the prominent producers of cocoa, which is a key ingredient in chocolate and confectionary products. 

 

Many agricultural products such as maize, banana, mango, pineapple, rice, millets, sorghum, cashew nuts etc are produced in Africa. 

 

Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi are famous for their tea production. Africa is also famous for palm oil production, Nigeria and Ghana are famous for palm oil production. Like these resources, there are more agricultural products that Africa produces. 

 

Since the whole world is facing the issue of climate change, as it has impacted agricultural production as well in Africa. But Africa has shown a potential in the output of the agricultural production and if adequate measures are taken by the government in tackling the climate change issue then things will be restored as well as the agricultural life will be back to normal.

The education system of Africa Things you should know

We know how important is education for all, it is the basic right of any child. I will tell you more about the education system of Africa. 

In recent times there have been significant improvements in the education system of Africa, but many parts still lack access to education. Factors such as poverty, limited infrastructure, distance to schools etc are the barrier to access to education for the child.

The quality of education is also missing in various regions of Africa. Overcrowded classrooms, outdated curriculum and lack of qualified teachers and inefficient learning resources etc. are the reasons that are hindering the learning outcomes. Gender disparities also play a role in limited access to education for a specific gender. Due to traditional practices and early or child marriage girls were and still facing issues with access to quality education.

Despite a lot of challenges in the education system of Africa many works are taking place to improve the condition of the educational system of Africa. Efforts are made to train teachers through some initiatives and programs and to provide ongoing professional development opportunities to attract and retain qualified teachers.

According to the latest State of Global Education Update, 9 in 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read and understand a simple text at the age of 10. This implies the condition of education in Africa.

According to the UN sub-Saharan region of Africa has the highest number of education exclusions globally, nearly 60% of youth of age 15- 17 are not in school.

In rural areas, access to education is quite hard due to poverty and other factors. Children don’t tend to go to school rather than running away from the schools resulting in high dropout rates.

However, things are coming back on track and students are going to school, regions such as Seychelles, Tunisia consist of schools that are engaging for the children. The dropout rate is quite high in rural than in urban, but it is improving in recent times.
 
Since education is a universal human right of a child, the child should be having access to education- a quality education.

 Government must take appropriate steps in collaboration with international bodies to promote education in Africa. The government should promote girls' education campaigns or child education campaigns to spread awareness across the continent.

Climate change a serious concern for Africa.

We all know that climate change is a serious threat worldwide today. 

You might have heard about the problem of climate change in Africa and how it is affecting the lives of people and the natural vegetation. Even the ecosystem is disturbed by climate change. Now that there is a change in weather patterns, there is an uneven distribution of rainfall in Africa that is making Africa more vulnerable in the world.

Cyclone Freddy's impact is clearly visible in the loss of life in Africa. It arrived in February 2023 and lasted for approximately five weeks. The affected countries include Madagascar, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Is climate change swallowing Africa? This can be better understood from the below points:

• 1.      Changing weather patterns or changing rainfall patterns in Africa are leading to natural calamities like draughts, floods, and storms. These will lead to losses in agriculture and water scarcity, leading to infrastructure and economic losses.

• 2.      There will be a downfall in agriculture, and food security will be an important concern. Since Africa’s economy is mostly agricultural-based, a rise in temperature, draught, storm, etc. will destroy the crops and livestock production, which will impact the lives of small-scale farmers.

• 3.      The water scarcity due to the melting of the snowpacks will impact the lives of the people, leading to health hazards and eventually conflict.

• 4.      There is also a health risk due to climate change. The extreme heat waves will lead to vector-borne diseases like fever, dengue, or malaria.

• 5.      The economic impact can be seen. Agriculture tourism, or tourism in biodiversity, including forest savannas and coastal areas, will be under threat due to climate change, ultimately leading to migration and displacement of people.

  António Guterres, Secretary General of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said, "Humanity is on thin ice, and that ice is melting fast." He further added, "The climate time bomb is ticking." He is referring to the threat that climate change has caused and is still making it worse. The rise in temperature and reduction in global precipitation are threats to humans. This had to be taken care of at the earliest, or the results could be even worse. He was exclusively referring to Africa here.

Climate change a serious concern for Africa

We all know that climate change is a serious threat worldwide today. I’m Emka Uganda, a local journalist from Uganda. I will tell you how Africa is drowning in climate change.

You might have heard about the problem of climate change in Africa and how it is affecting the lives of people and the natural vegetation. Even the ecosystem is disturbed by climate change. Now that there is a change in weather patterns, there is an uneven distribution of rainfall in Africa that is making Africa more vulnerable in the world.

Cyclone Freddy's impact is clearly visible in the loss of life in Africa. It arrived in February 2023 and lasted for approximately five weeks. The affected countries include Madagascar, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Is climate change swallowing Africa? This can be better understood from the below points:

1.       Changing weather patterns or changing rainfall patterns in Africa are leading to natural calamities like draughts, floods, and storms. These will lead to losses in agriculture and water scarcity, leading to infrastructure and economic losses.

2.       There will be a downfall in agriculture, and food security will be an important concern. Since Africa’s economy is mostly agricultural-based, a rise in temperature, draught, storm, etc. will destroy the crops and livestock production, which will impact the lives of small-scale farmers.

3.       The water scarcity due to the melting of the snowpacks will impact the lives of the people, leading to health hazards and eventually conflict.

4.       There is also a health risk due to climate change. The extreme heat waves will lead to vector-borne diseases like fever, dengue, or malaria.

5.       The economic impact can be seen. Agriculture tourism, or tourism in biodiversity, including forest savannas and coastal areas, will be under threat due to climate change, ultimately leading to migration and displacement of people.

  António Guterres, Secretary General of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said, "Humanity is on thin ice, and that ice is melting fast." He further added, "The climate time bomb is ticking." He is referring to the threat that climate change has caused and is still making it worse. The rise in temperature and reduction in global precipitation are threats to humans. This had to be taken care of at the earliest, or the results could be even worse. He was exclusively referring to Africa here.

According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation, 278 million people were facing hunger or famine in 2021. 22 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya have faced food insecurity or a food crisis, and this is expected to rise to 26 million in mid-2023.

The US has announced billion-dollar assistance to tackle the situation and additional humanitarian relief as well. In conclusion, we can say that a multidimensional approach is needed to tackle climate change. Transitioning to renewable sources of energy can be done with the help of technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There should be practises for water management. The government should make proper use of funds and work together with its citizens for sustainable development rather than conflict.

What stopping Africa in developing in 21st Century?

You may have heard or read a lot of things about Africa, but today I will share with you some key information regarding what’s happening in Africa in recent times and its development.

The history of a nation is quite important because it actually forms the pillar or base for its development. Many of you might be aware of the history of Africa, and many of you might not.

Well, think about the continent that has abundant resources or the continent that is rich in resources and is habituated by the poorest people. We can see the slavery system in the history of Africa; this continent was in the net of colonialism. The Portuguese were the first to use Africa’s slaves for sugar plantation purposes on the coast of West Africa, gaining more output and production. This has created a legacy of inequality, exploitation, and even corruption at large, whose footprint can be seen in today’s era as well. Although people pay little interest when the talk is about history, it is a crucial element for any country. Africa has a type of barbaric history consisting of slavery, torture, trafficking, exploitation, etc.

A country’s development is measured by its per capita income, but when we look at the per capita income of Uganda, according to a recent report, the average monthly income of people in Uganda is on average $63–$64. Which is comparatively very low as compared to other developing countries in the world.

Factors such as corruption, political instability, poverty, lack of infrastructure, innovation, inequality, and unemployment, which is at a high rate in the countries of Africa, the literacy rate is also quite low, at just around 79% in Uganda, followed by an average of 71.25% in Madagascar and around 75% in Rwanda, which is also a slow pace in terms of development.

The GDP is also quite low in Africa; there is a steady rise in the GDP of Uganda by 1.3%, followed by approximately 3.8% of the overall GDP in 2022, which is quite slow and hinders the growth of such a resource-rich nation.

Although in recent times many international non-profits have collaborated with the government to make a positive impact on the development of the nation, strategic methods for reducing poverty and unemployment, bringing innovation, and making things more transparent can be a possibility or a necessity to make a positive impact in Africa.

Emmanuel Katto | Poverty in Africa

 A country is marked as developed, developing and underdeveloped based on many factors. Country’s per capita income, GDP or NFIA (Net Factor Income from Abroad) and export and import are the crucial factors that actually measures this. Although Africa is very rich in natural resources and minerals such as gold, diamond and uranium etc. exist here.

Now the question arises despite having so much of resources why Africa is poor? The answer is due to corruption, lack of management system, people here do not have access to healthcare and of course education. These are some of the parameters of development which Africa lacks basically. Since Africa is exporting to UK, South Africa and many other countries as well but it is poor just because of above listed reasons.

Due to several reason said above large population of the countries are falling on below poverty line, the vast population of the country just live on $2 on daily basis. Talking about the poverty in Uganda even it is worse here. Only about 21.4% of the population is living below national poverty line. Several factors are common in Uganda as well like, limited access to education, corruption, political instability and lack of management etc. causing these nations to be poor.

Emmanuel Katto who is well-known entrepreneur and a business leader, his views also expressed positive thoughts and optimistic view in eradicating poverty from Uganda. He also expresses for the eradication of poverty from other counties of Africa as well. Emmanuel Katto is himself was and still working in order to create more business ideas in order to generate employment for the workforce in Uganda and other countries as well.

Despite all the concerns of poverty efforts are being made by the government of Uganda to address the poverty of the country along with some international non-profit organisations, working together in order to reduce poverty and to promote sustainable development across the country.

Emmanuel Katto | Resources in Africa

Africa’s resources are the backbone of their economic growth. The land in Africa is very fertile and there is timely rainfall as well. Minerals in Africa varies from region to region. Minerals such as gold, diamond, uranium and also iron ore are found Africa in an excessive manner being the source of revenue for this country.

Nigeria and Angola are the two countries that are rich in oil and gas resources. Africa is very high in resources. Agriculture is the main activity followed by the Africans since the land is quite fertile and cocoa, tea and coffee is produce at a large scale. Natural resources such as river, since Afrcia is home to some of the rivers like Nile, Congo and Niger etc.

Uganda also produces number of natural resources such as sugar, tea, coffee, fish and livestock rearing as well. Other resources such as millets, cotton, tobacco, beans etc. are also produced. So altogether Africa is having adequate resources. Referring to export done by Uganda it mainly export the agricultural goods such as cotton, coffee, fish etc. Uganda mainly exports to Kenya, Sudan, UAE, Germany and South Africa. Africa also have an extensive forest region and it consist of largest tropical rainforest in the world.

Despite having abundance of resources and extensive forest these countries still faces challenges in maintaining or harnessing them leading to sustainable development. Issues such as corruption and poor management system is hindering the development of this country. However things are much better from previous time as now steps are being taken by the government to address these issues or concern. Even when question of managing the resources were asked to Emmanuel Katto or we can say Emka of Uganda, he also have an optimistic view on the sustainable development of the resources with regards to overall development of Africa.

Emmanuel Katto Views On Education Of Africa.

Education system of India is diverse and varies from countries and regions. Many challenges are there faced by the African countries. The access to education is quite limited. There is absence of quality education in Africa. Children especially girls have limited access to education, perhaps it is because of varied factors such as poverty, early marriage and the attitude of culture towards education.

There are other factors such as lack of quality education in many schools in Africa. Many of the schools lacks the basic resources as textbooks, qualified teachers and teaching materials. Even in some African countries the curriculum is not adequate or relevant for the students which can create a barrier in the academic development of the children and may also act as a barrier in their workforce or countrymen process.

Despite there are numerous challenges in the education in Africa, we can see some positive things happening in the life of the children. Many African countries have made progress in providing the quality education to the children. Girl children are also being encouraged now for education, teacher are being trained and even we can see education reforms are being run to provide quality education and even the infrastructure is getting developed.

Although much work need to done for making the education much better and children friendly. Uganda a country in Africa is also facing challenges in education but the government lay emphasis on education as a basic human rights. Today we can see that Uganda hold a very innovative approach in education. The primary schools here are effective making children in a number literate and the infrastructure is also playing a key role in motivating children to attend schools. Since Uganda’s economy is not developed as compared to west and other developed nations but the government of Uganda is making all the effort to provide the education to children, so that they can become wise countrymen.

Emmanuel Katto views were also laid in the emphasis of the education as a basic right of children. Emmanuel Katto who is a well-known entrepreneur and business leader and a professional engineer from Uganda. Overall we can see that the condition of education system of Africa is not that developed but in modern time things are a little settled and can see improvements is coming all the way in education in Africa and its countries like Uganda.

Lion King: Amazing images of real life 'Mufasa' recreates famous scene in Uganda from Disney movie.

Wildlife photographer William Burrard-Lucas, 31, captured the special moment in the Kideopo Valley in Uganda.

 

At a glance, you could be forgiven for mistaking these spectacular pictures for stills from Disney's The Lion King.

But, believe it or not, the images don't show Mufasa, ruler of Pride Rock.

In fact, everything about the snaps is 100% real.

The big cat, known by rangers and local guides as Spartacus, was spotted prowling the Kideopo Valley in Uganda.

Surveying his territory, the majestic male adult lion was seemingly struggling to see his vast land - and so jumped on to a large rock to get a better view.

Wildlife photographer William Burrard-Lucas, 31, captured the special moment.

William is the founder of Camptrations - a company dedicated to developing products for remote and camera trap photography.

He aid a few members of Spartacus' pride were nearby but the dominant lion was keeping an eye on a rival pack.

It was just a few minutes before sunset and William was parked in his 4x4 hoping to catch a clear shot of the dominant male lion – but the long grass was in his way.

William said: “Over to my right was a beautiful kopje [small hill] and I was thinking to myself it would be an incredible shot if he would just go and sit on top of it.

“Well he must have heard my thoughts because the next thing I knew, he was up and heading in that direction.

“I willed him to keep going and I was pinching myself as he started to climb," the photographer added.

"He plonked himself down exactly where I had hoped and then looked at me with his regal gaze. I couldn’t believe my luck.

“There were some lions in the distance that he was keeping an eye on," he continued. "The rock gave him a good vantage point.

“It is so rare that a wild animal actually does what you want it to.

“In front of me was a scene that looked like it was straight out of The Lion King.”

Will, from Beaconsfield, Bucks, took the shots in November last year, but they have recently come to wider attention after being picked up on social media.

Read More : https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/lion-king-amazing-images-real-5639810

NASA-Funded Scientist Uses EO Imagery and AI to Improve Agriculture in Uganda

Catherine Nakalembe, the Africa program director for NASA Harvest, leads efforts to map crop conditions and build early warning systems for weather events by developing tools like maps, dashboards, apps and radio to make satellite insights accessible and useful for local farmers and policy-makers across Eastern and Southern Africa.

The programme is executed with local partners, policymakers and researchers to develop tools best suited to the local farmers and increase agricultural production.

One of NASA Harvest’s projects is Helmets Labeling Crops, a ground data collection effort underway in Kenya, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, which involves taking pictures of fields from cameras mounted on motorcycle helmets or cars. The ground data is then used to analyse satellite data to accurately assess food insecurity and climate change. A related NASA Harvest effort called Street2Sat transforms these images into large datasets of georeferenced labels, with information on location and crop type. This data trains algorithms to recognise specific crops like maize or sugarcane, parse the photos to predict which crops are shown, and then turn that data into crop type maps and other tools for individual farmers or national crop monitoring initiatives.

According to Catherine Nakalembe, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, more investment is needed to ensure partners across Africa can leverage earth observation, ground data, and artificial intelligence to improve food security, and despite growing interest in satellite imagery as a tool for addressing food security, there isn’t sufficient donor funding to ensure regions like East and southern Africa can benefit.

The NASA Harvest programme is a food security and agriculture project that monitors crops from space and uses a combination of satellite imagery and data from the ground to help farmers and policymakers on the continent make more informed decisions.

 Know More  : https://africanews.space/nasa-funded-scientist-uses-eo-imagery-and-ai-to-improve-agriculture-in-uganda/