This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
At least 10 people lost their lives in a devastating fuel truck explosion in western Uganda on Sunday, August 18, 2019. The truck, which had lost control, rammed into three cars, causing a massive fire that claimed the lives of nine people. Another body was trapped under the truck and was yet to be retrieved.
Meanwhile, in Tanzania, a court has set the hearing of an economic crime case against journalist Erick Kabendera for August 30, 2019. Kabendera was charged with money laundering, tax evasion, and leading organized crime.
On a separate note, Sudan's opposition Freedom and Change Alliance has submitted a list of five candidates for the joint sovereign council. The Transitional Military Council (TMC) has also selected its five candidates, and consultations are ongoing to select the 11th member.
Kenya has lost one of its music legends, John Ng'ang'a, also known as John De'Mathew, the 'King of Kikuyu music.' He died in a car crash on his way back from an event in Thika, 45km north-east of Nairobi.
Another tragic incident has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a measles outbreak has claimed the lives of 2,700 children. The outbreak, which is the biggest in over 10 years, has affected 23 out of 26 provinces.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has called on African countries to present a united front during the Climate Action Summit to be convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres next month.
Finally, Nigeria's state oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has awarded crude-for-product swap deals to 15 companies, following a tender for the deals.
