Africa Daily

This week campaigning in Ghana comes to an end as candidates make their final arguments in an election where every vote counts. For most people, Ghana’s economic turmoil has been at the top of concerns. In 2022 the Central Bank lost $5 billion in one year. The government asked the International Monetary Fund for a bailout and there have been accusations that the economy has been mismanaged High inflation has left many unable to afford basic goods, levels of unemployment are rising and hundreds of thousands of people have been pushed into poverty. So the next government will have the daunting task of easing hardship for millions and getting the economy back on its feet. In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja will be looking at what’s gone wrong and how the two main presidential candidates- Mahamudu Bawumia and John Mahama- plan to fix it.

There will be a lot more on Ghana’s elections from our sister programme Newsday. James Copnall will be broadcasting live from the capital Accra on Friday morning- the day before polls open.

In today's podcast, we are looking at life for people with Down Syndrome in Africa. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome; they’ll have an extra copy of chromosome 21, making 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It alters the development of the body and brain, leading to delays in areas like speech.

In Africa, people with the condition often face additional barriers, a shorter life expectancy because of limited healthcare, delayed diagnosis, and scarce support systems. Opportunities for education and employment can also be hard to come by which exacerbates the stigma they experience.

So, what can be done to begin to change this?

Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja hears from Eunice Koros, a Kenyan mother, and her son Ivan Kiprono, a 26-year-old man with Down Syndrome who works at their family factory. He also speaks to David Maxwell, Project Manager for the Down Syndrome Association of Ghana, who shares how witnessing his sister’s life with the condition inspired him to advocate for change.

Last week the Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, appeared before a military court in Kampala, following his arrest in Kenya. His wife said he’d been abducted and driven overnight across the border into Uganda.

He denied charges including the illegal possession of firearms and negotiating to buy arms abroad, and objected to being tried in a court martial, saying that if there were any charges against him, he should be tried in a civilian court.

But Dr Besigye’s case is far from unique.

Over the decades hundreds of civilians have been tried in Uganda's military courts, despite Uganda’s Constitutional Court ruling against the practice. So why does it continue?

For Africa Daily Alan Kasujja speaks to director of Public Information for Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Brigadier Felix Kulayigye, and with human rights lawyer Agather Athuhair who has campaigned against the use of the courts for civilians.

African negotiators at the COP29 left deflated and disappointed with the $300 billion deal reached at the summit, saying it fell short of their expectations.

Delegates from the continent at the summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, had called on rich nations to commit $1.3 trillion per year to help poor countries address climate change.

But after two weeks of intense negotiations a deal was reached, with rich nations agreeing to pay $300 billion annually to poorer countries.

But some expressed relief that a deal, at least, had been struck.

In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Uganda’s ambassador to the UN Adonia Ayebare, who was the lead negotiator for The Group of 77 plus China, representing the interests of 134 developing countries.

Producer: Peter Musembi

“The warrant signals to Israel, it signals to the supporters of Netanyahu [that] you have moved out of the realm of approval of a very great number of nations” – Professor Emeritus André Thomashausen, University of South Africa On the 21st of November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Mohammed Deif, a military commander of the Islamist group, Hamas, has also been added to the ICC’s list, even though Israel previously said he was killed in an airstrike in July. ICC judges say there are “reasonable grounds” that the three men bear "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. These relate to the on-going conflict in the Gaza Strip, in the Middle East. But Mr. Netanyahu has rejected the warrants, describing them as “anti-Semitic”. In a statement, the ICC says the office of its prosecutor received a referral of the situation in the State of Palestine. It came from South Africa, Comoros, Djibouti and several other nations worldwide. So, today Alan Kasujja wants to know why South Africa, a country which has long been campaigning to end the war in Gaza, wants senior Hamas and Israeli leaders arrested. Guests: Zane Dangor, Director General of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Professor Emeritus André Thomashausen of the University of South Africa

"I was hoping that by 9 months I will be a mother, but then they told me that I will carry the baby for at least 1 year and 5 months. So, I did not understand."

A year-long investigation by the BBC's Africa Eye team has exposed how fraudsters in Nigeria are targeting women struggling with infertility with the promise of miracle babies in exchange for hundreds of dollars.

Vulnerable women are tricked into believing they’re pregnant and told delivery of their baby won’t happen without payment for an expensive drug. The film discovers a network of deception and exploitation involving the illegal trafficking of babies.

BBC reporter Ebere Ekeopara went undercover to expose one clinic in Anambra state, in southeastern Nigeria. She spoke to Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja about the stories of women convinced to carry “pregnancies” for over a year.

Mozambique’s government has banned protests and restricted internet access amid post-election unrest that has left several people dead and injured.

The unrest follows last month’s disputed presidential election, won by the long-ruling Frelimo party, which denies opposition claims of vote-rigging.

Opposition leader, Venâncio Mondlane, went into hiding after his lawyer and aide were shot dead while preparing to challenge the results.

BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke with Mozambican journalist Fernando Gonçalves about the crisis and its impact on ordinary citizens.

“We don’t have clear legislation (for) the carbon market that can guarantee the rights of local communities and indigenous people.”

The Congo Basin forest is known as the “lungs of Africa” because of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide – around 1.5 billion tons each year.

It also provides food and income for indigenous and local populations in the six countries it spans.

And this week, at the COP 29 climate conference, it’s being discussed as an example of a carbon sink which can help the world prevent further global warming – and be part of global carbon credit trading. So why – with the forest in urgent need of protection from deforestation - do some activists say Carbon trading is NOT the answer?

Presenter: Alan @Kasujja Guests: Ève Bazaiba, DRC Environment Minister. Bonaventure Bondo, a forest campaigner with Greenpeace Africa.

“I ask myself, where will I be after graduating? And looking at ownership of a house, it seems like a farfetched dream that could never materialize” – First time Namibian voter Rivaldo Kanongo Kavanga On the 27th of November, the citizens of Namibia will choose a new president in an election expected to be the most competitive since independence in 1990. The ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) is fielding veteran politician Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah who is tipped to become the country’s first female president. Land reform is one of the key election issues. Government statistics show that the white population still own 70% of agricultural land while the indigenous majority remain marginalised. Namibia attained its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, with liberation hero Sam Nujoma becoming its first head of state. Before South Africa’s occupation, Namibia was under German colonial rule. In 2021, the European country apologised for the killings of 65, 000 Herero and 10, 000 Nama people, pledging to fund development projects worth more than a billion dollars.

In today's Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to people in Namibia about whether this election will address the question of land reform.

Eritrea is the worst place to work as a journalist in the world and is one of the most repressive countries on press freedom. In the latest World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, Eritrea was ranked last out of 180 countries. Since 2001, the government has banned all independent media outlets, leaving only state-controlled media under the Ministry of Information. That year, about 11 journalists were arrested and put in jail without trial in a crackdown against the country’s first independent newspaper. Half of them have since died while the rest, including journalist Dawit Isaak, languish in prison. Mr Isaak is now considered to be one of the world's longest detained journalists. He was recently recognised with the prestigious Edelstam prize in Sweden for his commitment to freedom of expression. His daughter Betlehem Isaak will be receiving the award on his behalf today. Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to her about campaigning for her father’s release and what she believes needs to be done to make this happen.

“You should not put too much expectation on your young ones, especially those from a humble background. They have their own lives to live.” Femi Olayanju.

“Parents put themselves on hunger strike so they can abolish poverty from their families. And then this child grows up and comes back to say ‘I’m sorry I can’t take care of you’. That’s insensitive.” Abosede Sodiq ___________________________________________________________________________ It’s always been an expectation: when children reach adulthood in Africa they should ‘look back’ and care for their parents – especially as they age and can no longer work themselves. But in Nigeria some young professionals – from Gen Z - are pushing back against this, saying they’re struggling to manage financially themselves with the spiralling cost of living. They say too many parents treat their children as their ‘pensions’ expecting them to support them financially, even if they themselves don’t have the resources, and even if they gave them little care when they were children. For today’s Africa Daily Alan Kasujja hears the opinions of three Nigerians from different generations. And it’s a discussion which certainly gets passionate!

In 2018, Nigeria passed the Not Too Young to Run bill, opening doors for younger candidates by lowering the age limits to hold office. This movement was meant to bring a shift, a break from the old ways of using power. But did it?

Last month Nigerian MP Alex Ikwechegh, was caught slapping and intimidating a taxi driver who had delivered food to his house. Ikwechegh, aged 42, is one of Nigeria’s youngest MPs, he was brought to office by the Not Too Young to Run movement. The taxi driver filmed the incident and the video went viral, sparking outrage.

Many Nigerians hoped younger leaders would leave behind the misuse of power and bad behaviour seen in politicians in the past.

In today’s Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at the controversy and the questions incidents like this raise for young politicians in Africa.

Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has just made history.

She’s become the first Kenyan-born woman to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Moving from Kisii in Kenya to the US Huldah faced challenges, including navigating the immigration system to prevent her family’s deportation.

Amid Donald Trump’s re-election as the 47th president, she is focused on amplifying minority voices and empowering immigrant communities.

She joins trailblazers like Somali-born Ilhan Omar, in reshaping the political landscape.

BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja explores her motivations, challenges and the growing influence of African women in US politics.

“If you’re poor in Kinshasa, you are going to stay single, even to the day you die.”

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s traditional for a man to pay a dowry to the family of the woman he wants to marry. But in recent years the cost has spiralled – with some parents asking for thousands of pounds, or even items like flat-screen TVs.

And there are also fees to be paid by those wanting to get legally married after their first traditional marriage.

The rising expense has meant many couples are choosing not to get married at all – leading churches and the government to launch a campaign last year called ‘projet marriage’ in an effort to encourage people to tie the knot.

It’s involved some mass-weddings to help those who otherwise couldn’t afford to marry, and the government is trying to push a bill through parliament to place a limit on fees and dowries.

For Africa Daily, Sara Menai speaks to one of the couples who got married in a mass wedding this summer, and Léonnie Kandolo, Minister of Gender, Family and Children, who says marriage is vital for protecting the interests of women.

Producer: Njoroge Muigai

The COP 29 climate summit has been christened the finance COP - and negotiators will seek to agree on a new goal for how much money richer countries should be paying to poorer countries to help them adapt to climate change.

A new fund to be known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is replacing the $100 billion a year fund which was meant to have been paid out from 2009 to 2022 but which hardly took off. As the latest summit got underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators for the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) have demanded a “scaled up, new, additional, and easily accessible climate finance.” They say more than US$ 1trillion is needed by 2030 to help them adapt to climate change, money they want as grants instead of loans. In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to the negotiator leading the LDCs at COP29, Evans Njewa from Malawi. He also hears from some Malawians about how money paid in as part of the Loss and Damage Fund has helped them recover from the effects of Cyclone Freddie which hit the country last year. For more on this, you can listen to The Climate Question podcast from next weekend.

Producer: Peter Musembi.

“Women are getting more empowered to know their rights… the law is there, violence is a crime, but following through and reporting is also a problem because of the way we are brought up to think that women are supposed to be subservient and bear it all.”

Martha Koome describes herself as a defender and advocate for women’s and children’s rights, and in 2020, she was runner-up for the ‘United Nations Person of the Year’, in recognition for her work in this field. But Chief Justice Koome has also come under a lot of scrutiny from critics of Kenyan’s judiciary – who say she has failed to properly investigate and tackle allegations of bribery and corruption.

Today on the podcast, Alan Kasujja discusses these criticisms, her plans for courts across Kenya specialising in gender-based violence, and asks how a girl who grew up in a family of eighteen in rural Kenya ended up as one of the country’s most powerful women.

“Tug at my jacket – tell me what needs to be done.”

Later today, Botswana’s newly-elected president, Duma Boko, will be inaugurated in Gaborone – but he still found time this week for a discussion of his agenda with Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje.

In a wide ranging discussion he talks about signing a new deal with global diamond giant De Beers, how he wants to help people to become entrepreneurs, and why he wants to grant permits to undocumented Zimbabweans to make the system more ‘orderly’ and to allow Batswana to acquire more skills.

He also argues that politicians need to be more accessible if they are to do their jobs.

In today's podcast, we explore the tradition of bridal counselling in Zambia.

Before marriage, elderly women share tips on how to run a home, how to look after the husband, how to look after the children, how to resolve conflict and there are lessons about sex too.

For many, this training is a way to strengthen a marriage, but for some women it’s meant lasting harm. ‘Bride of Zambia’ is a short film which tells the story of a young Zambian-American woman who reluctantly has this counselling ahead of her wedding after arguing with her mother about the merits of this practice.

It’s a story that’s resonated with some women in Zambia, sparking conversation on social media about a tradition that’s rarely discussed in public. In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to the film's director, Tisa Chigaga, and to Samfrosa Chibwe, a woman who says watching the film brought up memories of the counselling she received before her wedding.

Alan also speaks to Tisa’s mother, Mwila Chigaga, to share an elder’s perspective on why she still considers this a vital tradition.

This week Botswana’s president-elect Duma Boko will be inaugurated in an event that’s expected to be attended by dignitaries from across the continent.

The 54-year-old lawyer and his Umbrella for Democratic Change beat Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party, which had been in power for 58 years.

When he officially takes over as the country’s president, Mr Boko will be hoping to create jobs particularly for young people who’ve been agitating for change. But some are still wondering how he managed to beat Mokgweetsi Masisi by such a big margin.

In this episode, Alan Kasujja attempts to understand what exactly went wrong for Mr Masisi and his Botswana Democratic Party.

Guests: Mmapula Molapong and Tendai Mbanje

Last month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded Nigeria victory in a forfeited 2025 Nations Cup qualifier against Libya, and fined Libya $50,000.

It came after an investigation found that a plane carrying the Nigerian squad had been deliberately redirected to the wrong airport – where the Super Eagles were left for nearly 20 hours without food, water or internet access.

The incident has yet again exposed the unorthodox – and unsporting - tactics which are often used against visiting teams in African football.

So why has psychological and physical intimidation been allowed to continue?

Presenter: Mpho Lakaje

Guests: Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, and Isha Johansen, former president of Sierra Leone Football Association, and a member of FIFA’s council, and the CAF executive committee.

The 2024 US election, set for Tuesday November 5, could have major implications for African economies and African communities in the United States.

As Africa’s global significance grows, the election may reshape US engagement in areas like investment, health, security, and climate policy. On one side, former President Donald Trump has pledged to prioritise domestic issues, which could mean a reduction in US aid and military presence abroad. In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris has focused on climate action, strengthening international partnerships, and expanding social programs.

South African broadcaster, Redi Tlhabi, joins Alan Kasujja to explore what’s at stake for Africa and why this election matters for African nations, leaders, and communities in the US.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guest: Redi Tlhabi

After two years of conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) finally put a stop to the fighting between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Both sides agreed to work together to find lasting solutions, including the restoration of constitutional order in Tigray.

Two years on, some say the Ethiopian government is downplaying the seriousness of the current situation in the country - while aid agencies warn of significant food shortages and humanitarian needs.

BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal who was recently in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, for 6 days.

Today Alan Kasujja sits down with Ghanaian artist, Israel Derrick Epeti, to discuss the environmental disaster that’s caused by illegal mining. Mercury is being used to extract gold by miners digging on a massive scale in forests and farms across the west African country. The 26-year-old artist recently visited the town of Twifo Praso to see for himself how the Pra River is polluted by chemicals. “I was able to paint with the water on my canvas. That’s how bad it was”, he tells Alan. He further says “if this is not curbed, it will affect each and everyone in the country. We might need to import water from outside”. According to the Institute for Security Studies, galamsey, a term used in Ghana to describe illegal mining, involves large firms operating against the law. It is carried out by Ghanaians and foreigners, including Chinese and West African nationals from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. The government has introduced a variety of interventions to stop the problem, including the deployment of the army.

“The stigmatisation extends to the fact that in some cultures, there’s a presumption that if an elderly person is talking bizarrely or behaving unusually, they’re suspected of being witches or wizards or something like that.”

Three and a half million people are currently estimated to live with dementia in Africa.

Dementia is an umbrella term use to describe neurological conditions which lead to the loss of memory, language, and the ability to think clearly. People can start to struggle to get dressed. They can forget things they’ve known all their lives: how to get home, or even who their loved ones are. And it can affect their behaviour.

But there’s been very little research done on African patients. And studies - especially using genetics - have been heavily reliant on Caucasian populations. This is why a group of scientists in Africa have set up the Africa Dementia Consortium to improve the research and knowledge of Dementia in Africa.

Mpho Lakaje speaks to one of the scientists involved, Professor Njideka Okubadejo, a Professor of Neurology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, as well as Sseku Safic from the Mount Meru Hospital in northern Tanzania, who has set up the only memory clinic in the country.

“We sit on some of the best grains in the world… things that can grow in really tough environments and give you harvests several times a year.”

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia but was adopted by a Swedish couple and taken to Sweden as a small child after his mother died of tuberculosis.

After travelling across Europe and to Japan for his training, he rose to prominence as a chef in the US - cooking for the rich and famous including Barack and Michelle Obama, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. He's recently opened a restaurant in Addis Ababa – to add to those he already runs in New York City and elsewhere.

And now he's on a mission to get people to eat more African grains like millet, teff, and sorghum - arguing they’re more sustainable, climate resistant and nutritious.

For Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje talks to him about his passion for African grains as well as what influenced him in his journey to becoming a successful businessman and chef.

"I started out life not being acutely aware of being blind. I was more aware of what I could do as opposed to the reality of being blind and the accompanying limitations."

Nigerian musician Cobhams Asuquo has produced for some of Africa’s biggest stars and become a celebrated musician himself. In today’s Africa Daily, Cobhams talks to Alan Kasujja about turning obstacles into opportunities.

He's been using his platform for an even greater cause—advocating for childhood immunisation. With the release of No More Zero Dose, an anthem featuring stars like Timi Dakolo and Omawumi, Cobhams is trying raise awareness about the millions of children in Africa who still lack access to vaccines.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guest: Cobhams Asuquo

The killing of two high-ranking members of the Podemos political party in Mozambique has sent shock waves through the country.

Elvino Dias and Paul Guambe were murdered in a hail of bullets in the capital Maputo in the early hours of the 19th of October.

The leader of the Podemos party, Venancio Mondlane has accused the ruling Frelimo party of being behind the killings, a charge the government denies.

The murders happened ten days after the country voted in national elections, a process that the government says was free and fair, and which opposition parties say was marred by election rigging. Frelimo won the election with 70% of the vote, and Podemos came second with 20%.

So at a time of political tension, Africa Daily's Mpho Lakaje examine how this double murder could affect the political landscape of Mozambique.

Guests: Dr Jussuf Adam, an academic in Mozambique who studies the contemporary history of his country, and Dr Edson Cortez, Director of the Public Integrity Centre, a civil society organisation in Mozambique.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi will be looking to secure another term in office when his nation votes in a national election next Wednesday. His predecessor and former boss, Ian Khama, is also in the picture. He won’t be running for office, but he’s throwing his weight behind the Botswana Patriotic Front, an opposition party he helped to establish. The southern African nation, which has a population of over two million people, relies heavily on diamond mining to drive its economy. While it’s known for being one of the least corrupt nations in Africa, it currently faces all sorts of economic problems. Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Mmapula Molapong and Professor Zibani Maundeni

Professor Thuli Madonsela was South Africa’s Public Protector from 2009 to 2016. She’s famous for taking on former president Jacob Zuma over his misuse of public money. She received death threats for doing her job.

Abideen Olasupo, is Nigerian and belongs to the next generation of anti-corruption activists who believe Artificial Intelligence will empower young people to hold those in public office accountable. He’s developed ‘My AI Factchecker’, a tool which allows people to verify the factual accuracy of information.

They were brought together at the recent One Young World summit in Montreal, Canada.

So what can the new generation of corruption activists learn from someone like Thuli Madonsela? And is AI going to be a help or hindrance for the next generation? They answered these questions and more in a discussion with Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje.

"We tried so many shelters, and we were like rejected. It’s like, it’s not for migrants, it’s not for migrants!” Lebanon is caught in a devastating conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, a powerful Shia Muslim political party and armed group. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, residential buildings, and shelters, has been destroyed, displacing over a million people across the country. Among those most affected are Lebanon’s roughly 250,000 migrant domestic workers, primarily from African and Asian countries including Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Sierra Leone. Many of these workers, who were already living in precarious conditions under the Kafala system which leaves them heavily reliant on their employers, have now been made homeless and are desperately seeking shelter, food, and safety. For Africa Daily, Muthoni Muchiri speaks with Mariam Bai Sesay, a former domestic worker and Enu, the deputy director of Egna Legna Besidet, an organisation that provides legal aid, housing assistance, and food relief to the workers.

"From time to time my parents will ask me: 'Hey why do you look like this'?... But they'll never ask me directly because I try my best to conceal it."

In Somalia, alcohol is completely banned because of Sharia law. It’s also frowned on by many people on religious grounds. Those caught using it are arrested and fined or imprisoned – and dealers caught with large amounts are named and shamed on TV.

But its sale is also highly lucrative in a country with high unemployment – meaning there are plenty of people willing to risk smuggling and selling it. Smugglers have to drive hundreds of kilometres from Ethiopia trying to evade Al Shabaab militants and clan militiamen in order to get the alcohol to Mogadishu. But on the way they pass through border towns where there’s increasing concern about the impact of drinking.

For today’s Africa Daily podcast, Peter Musembi speaks with a young drinker and Yusuf Warsame, a community leader from Galdogob – a town on the border with Ethiopia.

Today Africa Daily's Mpho Lakaje sits down with multi-award winning South African musician Nhlanhla Mafu of the popular Afro-pop group, Mafikizolo.

Our guest shares her journey with hearing loss, which has been devastating to her, considering the nature of the industry she's in.

This comes as Africa is facing a growing hearing loss crisis, affecting 49 million people and costing the continent $27 billion each year.

The World Health Organisation predicts this number could rise to 54 million by 2030.

Key causes include a shortage of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, limited access to hearing aids, and untreated diseases due to unequal healthcare.

So, what's the solution? How best can African countries respond to this crisis?

Presenter: Mpho Lakaje. Guests: Dr. Mukara Batamuliza Kaitesi and Nhlanhla Mafu.

“He is the reason my father sacrificed everything we had - just for him to throw it all away and come back!” Gambian migrants frequently risk their lives to reach Europe in hopes of a better life, only to be sent back home. These returnees don’t just face the disappointment of a failed journey - they often return to a cold reception from families and communities. Families often sell their personal belongings, land and even livestock, sacrificing everything to fund these dangerous journeys. BBC Africa Daily’s Muthoni Muchiri speaks to Gambian filmmaker Cherno Jagne, whose short film ‘The Backway’ dives into this emotional and often overlooked side of migration.

“They made me, a woman who’s over 80, crawl the street in front of soldiers laughing and shouting and hurling abuse.”

Today on the podcast we hear stories from the people of Omdurman from the BBC’s Mohanad Hashim, who was born and raised in the city. Sudan has been embroiled in a war since the army and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (or RSF), began a vicious struggle for power in April 2023, leading to what the UN has called one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. It says more than 20 thousand people have died, with millions becoming refugees.

Just over a month into the war - in May 2023 – the RSF took military control of Omdurman. But in February this year the army recaptured it, giving Mohanad the opportunity to return to his home city for the first time in three years with a BBC team.

For Africa Daily, he tells @mpholakaje of his response to finding his home and city in ruins – and of hearing tales of brutality and pain from family, friends and neighbours.

Before you listen to this episode, please be warned we will be discussing incidents that are highly distressing. Some of the explanations could upset some listeners.

Abortion laws vary across Africa, leading to many cases of unsafe abortions. Sub-Saharan Africa records over 6 million unsafe abortions annually according to the African Institute for Development Policy. The maternal death rate from unsafe abortions in Africa remains among the highest globally, underscoring the urgent need for clearer laws and better access to safe care. In Uganda, abortion is illegal unless the mother’s life is at risk, which has meant that many there resort to unsafe terminations. Despite significant funding for post-abortion care, women and healthcare workers in Uganda remain reluctant to seek or offer help due to societal and religious pressures. Activist Moses Odongo, whose 14-year-old cousin Christine died in an attempt to terminate her pregnancy, talks to Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje about what happened to his cousin.

Before you listen to this episode, please be warned we will be discussing incidents that are highly distressing. Some of the explanations are graphic and could upset some listeners. Today Mpho Lakaje sits down with Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile who had a horrifying experience when she went for an abortion facility in Johannesburg. It came after she was raped in 2009 and opted not to keep the baby. She explains to our presenter why women risk their lives by opting for an unsafe abortion even though terminating a pregnancy is legal in South Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions in the world, contributing to around 7% of maternal deaths in the region. In countries like Egypt, Madagascar, and Congo, abortion is completely illegal. On the other hand, South Africa, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau permit the termination of pregnancy within certain time frames.

“I have no intention of resigning from this job. I’ll fight till the end. I have no doubt that I will get justice.”

This week in a historic vote the National Assembly voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

281 MPs voted in favour and 44 against, making him the first Kenyan deputy president go through an impeachment process.

Gachagua, who has served alongside President William Ruto since 2022, was expected to remain in his job until the next election in August 2027. However, his political career may be cut short.

He’s been accused of corruption, undermining the president, and promoting ethnic division. He denies all the charges and described them as “outrageous” and “propaganda”’.

Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje spoke with BBC reporter Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi to discuss what this impeachment could mean for Kenyan politics.

Dikembe Mutombo, the legendary basketball player from the DR Congo, died last month aged 52 from brain cancer.

He was a giant of a man and giant of the game of basketball, winning many awards from the NBA as an all-star defensive player.

He was also committed to using his influence to nurture basketball talent in Africa, and also bring about change through education, healthcare and humanitarian projects.

We look back on his life with two people who knew him well: Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League, and Roger Muntu, an old friend.

Presenter: Mpho Lakaje

Ramatou Nombro is a doctor living in Mali. She started her job with high hopes of wanting to help people in need in her country.

But when she began working in a psychiatric department, she found herself battling against the odds. Not only has she struggled to keep up with her workload, during some months, she hasn’t received her wages. She has now decided to leave her profession.

In today's episode of Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje speaks to Ramatou and looks at what needs to be done to protect the mental health of Africa’s healthcare workers.

"Men are predisposed not to talk—that’s what we grew up knowing, especially African men." Research shows that hormonal differences between men and women influence how they handle stress. However, experts also point out that societal expectations often prevent men from showing vulnerability or expressing their emotions openly. Men tend to delay seeking professional help, while women are more likely to reach out for support sooner.

This prolonged stress can lead to serious physical and mental health problems, sometimes with fatal consequences. According to the World Health Organisation, male suicide rates are significantly higher than those of women globally, with Africa having the highest rate in the world. Presenter: Alan Kasujja. Guests: Thomas Kwaka Omolo, Dora Kemirimo Okuja and Dr. Chido Rwafa-Madzvamutse.

While there’s no doubt that the internet has taken the human race forward, it has its dark side. If left unregulated, it can be exploited and used for the wrong reasons, like stealing money from people or to even compromise a country's security. This is why many governments across Africa say they require laws to counter what's often referred to as cybercrimes, to protect their citizens. But in countries like Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini, Botswana and Lesotho, there's a serious push back against some of these laws. Human rights activists argue that they will lead to the arrests of journalists who are investigating government corruption. In Malawi news reporter McMillan Mhone was arrested by the country’s Cyber Crimes Division in Blantyre. Presenter: Mpho Lakaje

Guests: Former editor of Lesotho Times Herbert Moyo, Lesotho’s Communications Minister Nthati Moorosi and Botswana’s independent journalist Mmapula Molapong

Presidential candidates have been campaigning and making their case for why they believe they should be the next president of Mozambique.

The independent candidate Venancio Mondlane has caused the most excitement, especially amongst young voters.

But most commentators don’t expect him or the other two opposition candidates to win.

It’s assumed that the candidate of the ruling party, Frelimo, Daniel Chapo, will be the next president. Frelimo have been the ruling party for since independence, almost 50 years ago.

In today’s Africa Daily Mpho Lakaje has been looking at the big election issues.

Ghana has made a major leap toward gender equality with the passing of its Affirmative Action law, after nearly three decades of delays and political promises.

The law aims to increase women's representation in leadership positions, setting a goal of 50% by 2030. However, questions remain about its enforcement and the impact it will have ahead of the upcoming elections.

Will this law bring real change to who holds power in Ghana, or will it face further challenges in implementation?

BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Ghana’s Gender Minister, Dakoa Newman, on what the new law means for women in leadership.

In today’s podcast, we hear the fascinating story of Nigerian rapper Samuel Morrison, better known as Yung Sammy, who found success as a hip hop artist in India.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Sammy moved to Delhi at 12 and developed his passion for music. Now fluent in Punjabi, Gujari, and Haryanvi, he’s using his multilingual talent to captivate audiences across India.

Yung Sammy’s story is one of perseverance, embracing a new culture, and thriving in an unexpected environment. So how did a young Nigerian man become a rap sensation in the heart of India?

“I look good and no-one else has it”. In Zimbabwe the trade in second hand clothing is booming. Sold in markets or just out of the back of cars or from homes, the clothes are popular with those struggling with the cost of living, but also with those who just want good quality affordable fashion. But the clothes are imported illegally and no tax is paid. Many shops also sell cheap, but poorly made, imports from China. Manufacturers in the country say they just can’t compete and recently one firm, Truworths, went into corporate rescue to protect it from bankruptcy, while other firms have also closed their doors. So is it time to ban the import of second hand clothes from the west? And could that be enforced? Presenter: Alan @Kasujja Reporter: Ish Mafundikwa @tallish Guests: CEO of Truworths Bekithemba Ndebele, market stall holder Winnie, and shoppers Kimberley Dube and Gamu Mpofu.

“One of them said: ‘but you have your ovaries so you can have a surrogate mother to carry a baby for you. I was like, ‘really?’"

Joyce Wanjala-Lay is a former Member of Parliament in Kenya. Her son was born through surrogacy with the help of a friend, and in the years since she’s campaigned for the procedure to be recognised in law.

Rwanda has recently made such a change – meaning the legal mother of a child can be the genetic egg donor rather than the woman who gives birth.

For today’s Africa Daily Alan Kasujja speaks to Joyce and lawyer Florida Kabasinga who worked to get the law changed in Rwanda.

“You catch the flu time and again. Once the weather gets this bad, guaranteed, we get sick” - Calvin Takesure, South African resident On the weekend of the 21st of September 2024, several provinces of South Africa were hit by a heavy snowstorm. Motorists travelling on the N3, one of the national roads towards the coastal city of Durban, were stuck in traffic and forced to sleep in their vehicles. Tragically, two people lost their lives as a result of hypothermia. At the same time, other parts of the country experienced freezing weather conditions, leaving people who either live or work on the streets severely affected. All of this is happening at a time when Southern Africa is experiencing a devastating drought. Today Alan Kasujja attempts to understand why the region is hit by extremely dry and wet weather conditions simultaneously. Guests: Lehlohonolo Thobela, Sanele Nkosi, Calvin Takesure and Pholane Polite

When president Samia Suluhu Hassan came into power in 2021 she lifted a ban on political rallies imposed by her predecessor the late John Magufuli, and promised the 4 Rs: reconciliation, resilience, reforms and rebuilding.

But now, as the country heads towards elections - this year and next - fear is growing.

Just under 3 weeks ago, an opposition official Ali Kibao, was abducted, killed and his body doused in acid. A number of other activists have disappeared. And the two most senior opposition leaders have been arrested – twice – on the eve of planned protests.

For today’s Africa Daily podcast, Alan Kasujja speaks to one of them, Freeman Mbowe, leader of the main opposition party CHADEMA.

He also speaks to former BBC journalist Salim Kikeke for context of what has been happening in the country.

Today on the podcast we meet a young Nigerian who’s made it her mission to revive the tradition of weaving – especially for women. Florentina Agu, the founder of luxury brand Hertunba, blends modern fashion with vibrant traditional Nigerian textiles, hoping to inspire more women and young people to consider making their livelihoods from this ancient craft. Between the 1970s and 1990s, Nigeria’s textile sector enjoyed its golden years, but in recent years the industry has declined due to economic challenges and restrictive government policies. Textile weaving has been integral to Nigerian culture since pre-historic times, reflecting heritage, identity, and storytelling. In this episode, we journey through history, exploring the rich symbolism of Nigerian fabrics, learning more about hand-weaving techniques, and discussing how to keep these textile traditions alive for future generations.

Presenter: Alan @kasujja Guest: The_florentyna (instagram)

Albinism is an inherited condition that affects the production of melanin. People born with the condition have fair skin, hair and eyes.

Superstitions about the body parts of people with albinism have led to violent attacks.

In 2008 Tanzania appeared to be the epicentre of these superstitions and attacks. Anyone living with albinism there lived in fear. The BBC’s former Tanzania correspondent Vicky Ntetema’s reporting on the brutality of the attacks - maiming and beheadings - brought global attention to what was happening there.

Over the past 16 years, attacks in Tanzania have reduced significantly but the recent increase in violence against people with albinism in Madagascar suggest the problem has not gone away.

In today’s episode Africa, Daily’s Alan Kasujja speaks to journalist Raissa Ioussef in the capital Antananarivo and to Ikwonponsa Ero, the Managing Director of the African Albinism Network.

The Mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency in August 2024. Since then, more than 29,000 cases and 738 deaths have been reported across 15 Africa Union member states, according to the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC).

Despite some progress, such as the delivery of 200,000 vaccines to the DRC, challenges remain in getting the vaccines to the most affected communities. The outbreak has also evolved from a health crisis into a wider issue affecting businesses and livelihoods.

Alan Kasujja speaks with BBC Africa Health Correspondent Dorcas Wangira and Monique Gieskes, Managing Director of Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), the DRC's largest industrial palm oil producer with over 10,000 employees.

“I hated myself so much. But now I have the courage to love myself and see myself beyond this virus.”

Singing a song in class with the words ‘Aids is a killer disease’ when none of your classmates know you’re HIV positive…

Telling friends your status and then finding people are afraid to touch you…

Being told by young men that you’re ‘lucky’ they will date you.

Two young women from South Africa and Kenya who were born with the virus share an emotional discussion about how these experiences impacted on their childhood and mental health. Nomonde Ngema is a 21 year old HIV activist from KwaZulu-Natal who shares videos on TikTok about her daily life managing her illness. Jerop Limo is a 24-year-old activist from Kenya.

Both are currently in New York to speak to world leaders as part of the UN’s Summit of the Future – before the General Assembly debates start next week.

They’ve both decided to speak openly about their status and experiences to help other young people with the virus know they’re not alone.

According to the World Health Organisation there are about 1.5 million children under the age of 14 currently living with HIV.

Today Alan Kasujja sits down with Dan Marokane, the recently appointed CEO of South Africa's national power supplier, Eskom. He wants to understand how the new boss has been able to halt power cuts that have been devastating to both the economy and the wellbeing of all South Africans. These electricity problems started towards the end of 2007. Then president Thabo Mbeki apologised and admitted that he should have listened to the leadership of Eskom who warned his administration about future power shortages. Alan also hears from two women who run a hospice that looks after children in the east of Johannesburg. They share heart breaking stories of what happens to the babies whenever there are power cuts. Guests: Katlego Foster, Lyn Crooye, Chanda Nxumalo and Dan Marokane

China is now Africa’s biggest trading partner, with 20% of exports going to China and 16% of imports coming from there, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting earlier this month, President Xi Jinping promised $50 billion for African development, including military support and new jobs. While this partnership boosts development, it’s also raising worries about debt, dependency and power imbalances. BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to experts Dr. Faith Mabera and Dr. Folashadé Soulé to break down these complex relations.

Hunger. It’s not just a horrible feeling… it also has a massive impact on how a child performs academically and how productive they will be as an adult.

A new Gates Foundation report “The Race to Nourish a Warming World” calls malnutrition the world’s worst health crisis - with more than 400 million children not getting the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

Many of those children are in Africa - and one organisation trying to tackle child hunger is Food4Education. Since 2016 they have provided over 50 million meals in primary and secondary schools in Kenya. The cost to the parent in Nairobi is just 5 Kenyan shillings – that’s 3-4 US cents per plate.

So can other African countries learn lessons?

Today Alan speaks to Wawira Njiru the organisation's founder, as well as Stella Mose, a mother of two children who eat the meals, and who is also employed as manager for Tap2Eat - a payments system which enables kids to pay for their school meals electronically.

“I have eaten elephant meat. I have eaten hippo meat. I think what is food depends on where you are” – Romeo Muyunda, Namibia’s Department of Environment, Forestry and Tourism The drought, which became worse earlier this year, has seen crops being wiped out and animals dying across Southern Africa. As a result, 68 million people have been affected, with some now facing hunger. It’s reached a point where countries like Namibia are now resorting to slaughtering wild animals such as hippos, elephants and zebras, to feed their people. But animal rights groups are up in arms saying this will lead to all sorts of problems in ecosystems. Presenter Alan Kasujja and producer Mpho Lakaje take a closer look at several countries across the region to see which ones are badly affected. They also hear from Romeo Muyunda of Namibia’s Department of Environment, Forestry and Tourism as well as John Stegling from Botswana’s Department of Meteorological Services.

Rebecca Cheptegei had just returned to her training base in Kenya from Paris, where she had competed in the women’s marathon at the Olympics. The following Sunday she and her two daughters aged 11 and 9 arrived home from a church service. Her ex-boyfriend was waiting at her home with a jerry can of petrol. He poured it on Rebecca and set her on fire as her children watched. She died four days later. Two other elite female athletes have died under similar circumstances in recent years in Kenya, with their male partners facing charges. Alan Kasujja speaks to one of the first people Rebecca’s children called, Caroline Atieno the pastor of God’s Dwelling Ministry Kiungani. He also speaks to Kenya’s former Sports Minister Professor Hellen Sambili about her concerns for the wellbeing of female athletes.

“Dream big! You can achieve your wildest dreams as long as you work hard and get yourself in school.”

Nicknamed ‘the Beast’, Tendai Mtawarira is the most-capped prop to have played for the Springboks.

Born in Zimbabwe, his talent at rugby was quickly spotted and he was offered a bursary as a teenager to train with the Sharks in South Africa. In 2008 he was called up to play for the national squad as he’d lived in the country for enough time.

But in 2010 he was barred from playing because of a controversy over his nationality. It took the intervention of Archbishop Desmond Tutu before he was able to play for the team again.

He also struggled sometimes as a big, aggressive child. And so - now he’s retired from rugby - his new passion is helping children and young adults reach their potential, through his ‘Beast Academy’ and also as an Unicef ambassador.

Alan Kasujja speaks to the Beast – just back from a trip with Unicef to South Sudan – but also with a young South Sudanese woman whose journey has taken her from cattle camp, to street child, to finally becoming an ‘inspirator’ who helps other young people to realise their goals.

NOTE: Correction made at 0645 GMT changing UNHCR to Unicef.

"The pilot told us, ‘Don’t go back...either you will be raped or killed at the airport if you go back.’"

Safia Omer, a former member of Somalia’s national women’s basketball team, vividly remembers the day she knew she couldn’t return home.

In 1991, as civil war erupted in Somalia, Safia and her teammates were in Ethiopia for a tournament when they were warned that it was too dangerous to return. Stranded for 10 days at the airport, Safia eventually sought refuge in the United States, mirroring the fate of many Somalis who fled the escalating violence.

Today, Somalia continues to struggle with insecurity and violence from the extremist group Al-Shabab, preventing many from returning home.

But each summer, Somalis from around the world make their way to Ashland, Oregon where they reunite to share stories, reminisce, and of course, play basketball.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja. Guests: Abdiaziz Guled, Safia Omer, and Abukar Shiino

You may not have heard of the African Initiative before…

It’s a Russian media organisation - established exactly a year ago – which defines itself as an “information bridge between Russia and Africa”. It has offices in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

But it also stands accused of targeting African journalists - and the public - with disinformation.

So what is the end goal for Russia’s African Initiative?

Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Fauziyya Tukur of the BBC’s global disinformation team, and foreign affairs expert, Raymond Mujuni.

“My uncle passed away, his wife, his three sons, I lost my best friend, and a lot of people in Derna lost someone that they know.”

On the 11th of September 2023 two dams burst in the hills above the city of Derna in Libya. Millions of tonnes of water were released in a catastrophic flood which killed thousands of people in the city. Whole neighbourhoods were swept away. Eastern Libya had been affected by heavy rain from Storm Daniel the day before, but the dam walls should have held firm, and a subsequent legal investigation jailed officials for failing to maintain them.

One year on we speak to someone who was there about how she survived, the tragedy which still affects the whole city, and how she is rebuilding her life.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guest: Mariam Al-Ghythy, a medical student from Derna

Egypt has offered to send 10,000 soldiers to Somalia to assist the country with peacekeeping operations. However, this seems to have unsettled Ethiopia which has said it could not “stand idle while other actors take measures to destabilise the region.” Ethiopia has been a key ally of Somalia in its fight against the militant group, Al-Shabaab.

So what exactly has caused these tensions? And what has the Ethiopian Grand Renascence dam got to do with all this? Alan Kasujja has been exploring for Africa Daily.

The people of Tunisia are expected to elect a new president in October. But the build-up to the election has been marred by controversy with key political leaders being arrested and some journalists leaving the country. It all started in July 2021 when president Kais Saied suspended parliament and sacked the prime minister. These events were triggered by anger over the government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the economic and social turmoil. President Saied defended his decision to dissolve the government saying he acted in accordance with the constitution. But now he has, once again, come under fire after sacking 19 cabinet ministers. Some say he’s attempting to cling on to power. But he denies this, saying his move was necessary for the sake of Tunisia’s national security. Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Amine Snoussi and Dr. Yusra Ghannouchi

“Within just five years we lost almost 20 metres of the shoreline and it does not seem to be slowing with time.”

Climate experts say up to 60% of Africa’s coastal land could disappear within the next 50 years due to coastal erosion resulting from sea-level rise. In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja discusses the impact of this on coastal communities, and what they need to do to avert the worst possible scenarios.

He speaks to Saida Idris, a resident of Kipini village on the Kenyan coast where 10 kilometres of dry land have been lost to the sea and a thousand people forced to relocate over the last decade.

Conservationist George Odera, who witnessed the changes as they unfolded in Kipini for over a decade, shares expert opinion.

And International development consultant and former Principal Environmentalist at the African Development Bank, Dr Hany Shalaby, gives an overview of how coastal erosion is manifesting along the Mediterranean shorelines in North Africa and on the seven thousand kilometre-long West African coastline.

The 36-acre landfill is the only landfill serving the whole of Uganda’s capital – Kampala. A city that’s home to an estimated four million people.

It collapsed after weeks of relentless rain. The city authorities have reportedly been trying to find a new site for years. Many victims were living in unsafe conditions. An investigation has been ordered into years of neglect.

Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Ugandan Earth Observation expert Ivan Bamweyana and renowned lawyer David Mpanga.

A couple of weeks ago Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja spoke to two farmers in Nigeria and Tanzania about the challenges around farming in Africa. They talked about deteriorating soil quality, rising prices, insecurity and unreliable weather patterns. This week these issues will be discussed at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 summit which will be held in Rwanda’s capital Kigali. Heads of state, politicians, farmers, and agricultural businesses will be there to look at ways of making the production and distribution of food more sustainable and secure. And the message this year is that young people and women must be at the heart of this. In today’s episode Alan Kasujja speaks to two experienced agricultural experts who explain how African farmers can farm more productively and affordably.

“More than ever, the people of Burkina Faso need to remain united around the defence and security forces.”

A video showing scores of civilians shot dead in the ditches they were digging - was released by an Al Qaeda-linked group active in Burkina Faso earlier this week. It was apparent proof of a major attack it said it had conducted in the northern village of Barsalogho on Saturday.

It’s believed at least 100 people were killed, but the government hasn’t confirmed numbers. But what is clear is that it’s one of the worst attacks by Jihadist fighters the country has ever suffered.

The government often doesn’t acknowledge such attacks, but this time ministers were filmed visiting victims in hospital. They condemned the attack and called on the public to support the army in its fight against the insurgency. The leader of the military regime, Ibrahim Traore, came to power in a coup in 2022 promising to reconquer all rebel held areas - and last year declared a "general mobilisation" of the population.

But will this attack make civilians even more fearful of aiding the military?

Presenter: Alan @Kasujja Guest: Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst with Control Risks.

“I always say to them (South Africans), these foreign nationals are developing your country. Why can’t you see that? The main guy who owned this shop was always helpful, especially to the old ladies here in our area.” – Samuel Makgowa, South African landlord Earlier this month, shops belonging to foreign nationals were, once again, shut down indefinitely in the township of Soweto in South Africa. It's a campaign sponsored by anti-migrant group, Operation Dudula. It came after a South African man was wounded during an alleged altercation with an immigrant who runs a grocery shop. But week-long raids and demonstrations against Somalis, Bangladeshis and Pakistani shop owners, only drew small crowds. Alan Kasujja speaks to reporter Mpho Lakaje who's been on the ground to understand the issue better. Guests: Zandile Dabula, Samuel Makgowa and Daphne Phakathi

“As a person living with disability, sport gives you the purpose and the inspiration to move on with life because when you see someone who is physically worse off than you doing better than you, you get inspired and want to do more."

The Paralympic games start today in Paris, just over two weeks after the Olympic games ended in the French Capital. Over 4,400 athletes with various forms of disabilities will be competing in 22 sports for 549 gold medals. Africa has just over 300 para athletes representing 44 countries from the continent.

Kenya’s Asiya Mohammed Sururu will be competing in para rowing, a sport not accessed by many in Africa despite the abundant natural water bodies on the continent. The 32-year-old lost both her legs after she was run over by a train at the age of two.

In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja talks to Asiya about the challenges African para athletes face beyond their physical disabilities.

“It becomes scary when you see people that would normally smile at you - and all of a sudden you see so many people on the streets making those kind of chants. And you think, 'wow, what has been going on underground? This is the city that I used to know. Why should I now be extra watchful? What exactly is going on?'” - Toyyib Adelodun, Nigerian migrant in the UK The world watched in shock as police cars were destroyed and shops and properties belonging to foreign nationals targeted in the UK, earlier this month. The riots were triggered by the killing of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event for children in Southport, northern England. False rumours were spread on social media that the teenager charged with the murders was a Muslim migrant. There were similar events in the township of Soweto in South Africa recently. Shops belonging to African immigrants were forced to shut down, after a foreign national was accused of attacking a local resident. Alan Kasujja attempts to find out if these are isolated incidents or if there is a political ideology driving them. Guests: Professor Bongani Ngqulunga, Toyyib Adelodun and Wallace Musonda

"If not now, then when? And if you don’t do it, who else will?”

Those are the two questions Sara Sabry suggests all woman ask themselves when they’re thinking through a big move… and finding they don’t have the confidence to follow it through.

And she should know. The Egyptian mechanical and biomedical engineer was the first African woman in space when she blasted off in Blue Origin’s New Shepherd rocket in 2022. She’s the founder of Deep Space Initiative, an organisation with the mission to make space and the study of space more accessible– and she dreams of one day being part of a community living on the moon and eventually ‘retiring on Mars’.

But is space travel and research really something for Africa to invest in when there are so many other priorities?

Alan Kasujja hears her thoughts.

We all know that Africa is getting hit hardest by climate change - even though the continent contributes less than 4% of global emissions. BBC’s Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke with Kulthoum Omari Motsumi, Africa’s lead negotiator in global climate talks.

Kulthoum is on the front line, making sure Africa’s voice is heard and fighting for the support it deserves. She talks about the unique challenge of representing 54 countries with different needs and how they’re pushing for real action in the global climate battle.

“The cost of food will just go higher and higher, because farmers like myself cannot afford to invest in farming and can’t even have their capital back at the end of the season.” More than 300 million people faced acute hunger in 2023 according to the World Food Programme. The UN body said this was caused by a number of issues including global warming, insecurity and conflict, and food and energy price inflation. Africa is home to millions of small farmers who are key to feeding the continent… so what are the issues they’re facing and how can they be helped? Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja speaks to two farmers: Crescentia Mushobozi, the founder of Tanzania Viable Farms, and Gabriel Eze, the founder of Rural Farmers Hub in Nigeria, who both work to improve the lives and yields of farmers.

With thanks to the African Food Systems Forum's 'GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize'.

“If the leadership of the minibus taxi sector is prepared to be patient and invest in research and development, absolutely, they stand a chance” – Dr. Mathetha Mokonyama, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

When international e-hailing services Uber and Bolt arrived in South Africa about a decade ago, they claimed a massive chunk of the metered taxi market.

This left local taxi operators fuming, with tensions leading to the loss of life in some parts of the country.

But now, South Africa’s main taxi associations, the National Taxi Alliance and the South African National Taxi Council, are responding with innovation of their own.

They call it Shesha, a downloadable app that enables you to order a ride from the comfort of your home.

So, today our presenter Mpho Lakaje is on the road, testing the new local service.

He attempts to find out if it stands a chance against well established players with deep pockets.

Guests: Rebecca Phala, Irene Hlabangwane and Dr. Mathetha Mokonyama.

Just over four months ago Senegal elected a new president.

After a tumultuous start to the election- Bassirou Diomaye Faye was declared the winner and became at 44 years old Africa’s youngest head of state.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko promised a radical break from the past, an Afrocentric and nationalist agenda.

They vowed to fight poverty and corruption. To create jobs for young people, contracts for gas, oil, fishing and defence would be renegotiated to get a better deal. And there would be an end their currency the CFA franc, which is pegged to the euro and backed by former colonial power France.

So what’s happened since they were elected?

Alan Kasujja has been hearing from people on the streets of Dakar and speaking to El Malick Ndiaye, Senegal's Minister for Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport.

It started with the horrific killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event for children in the seaside town of Southport, in northern England.

After false rumours were spread on social media that the 17-year-old charged with their murders was a Muslim migrant who’d arrived by boat a few years before, a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant protests spread across the UK. Cars were set on fire, immigrant-owned-businesses were destroyed, and the police attacked. A hotel housing asylum seekers had its windows smashed and a video went viral showing rioters stopping cars to see if the drivers were ‘white enough’ to be allowed to pass through safely.

In response, there were a number of massive counter-protests against racism – and the UK government promised swift and tough justice would follow. So far, more than 1,100 people have been arrested and more than 600 charged. But has this helped to reassure Africans and people of African descent living in the UK?

Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC Arabic's Reda El Mawy, and Mohammed Idris, a Sudanese business owner living in Belfast, whose shop was destroyed in the attacks.

The funeral of former president of Confederation of African Football Dr Issa Hayatou is taking place today in Garoua, northern Cameroon.

Hayatou died aged 77 last week in Paris, where he’d been receiving dialysis for kidney problems.

His name was synonymous with African football for nearly three decades.

He served as president of Caf from 1988 to 2017.

He is credited with expanding Africa’s participation at the World Cup and secured the financial security of African football.

But he is also criticised by others for hanging onto power- and during his tenure he faced a number of controversial allegations.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Steve Vickers, Harare-based sports journalist and Amaju Pinnick, former president of Nigeria football Federation (NFF).

“These MPs were never advocates of violence. They were speaking inside the chambers of parliament. They have never joined any mass action on the streets” – Thantaza Silolo, Swaziland Liberation Movement Eswatini’s former Members of Parliament, Mduduzi Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested following the anti-monarchy riots that claimed dozens of lives back in 2021. Mabuza is currently serving 25 years while Mthandeni Dube was given 18 years. They are now appealing their sentences. But human rights groups and pro-democracy activists say the pair were “silenced” for calling on King Mswati to introduce reforms. This has been denied by the government of Eswatini. Over the years, the southern African country has been marred by political dissent, with sections of the population calling for democracy. Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Alpheous Nxumalo, Eswatini government spokesperson and Thantaza Silolo of the Swaziland Liberation Movement

“It’s a clarion call to action. It’s a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our effort to eliminate this threat.” Africa’s leading health body - Africa CDC – has declared the rapidly rising cases of Mpox in East Africa a public health emergency. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 14,000 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most affected country. And more cases are being recorded in other African countries - including a number, like Uganda and Kenya, which are seeing the disease for the first time. So what should the global response be to what’s been called the ‘most dangerous’ strain of the disease yet? Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Dr Jean Claude Udahemuka of the University of Rwanda, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, and Ampeire Christiana, Jadrine Komukyeya, and Herbert Ssekatawa.

Less than 50% of the world’s population have access to diagnostics, according to statistics from the medical journal, The Lancet.

That drops to 20% when it comes to Africa, where the diagnostic gap is most severe at the level of primary health care. According to The Global Health Fund, Africa bears a quarter of the global disease burden and endures over 100 health emergencies a year.

In this episode of the Africa Daily Podcast, Peter Musembi explores what needs to be done to address that acute gap in diagnostics in Africa.

Guests: Zambian health worker Constance Mudenda and Dr Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President in charge of Africa for Roche Diagnostics.

The number of women using modern contraception in sub-Saharan Africa has nearly doubled to 66 million, thanks to methods like hormonal implants and injections reaching even remote areas.

Community health workers play a crucial role, often delivering contraceptive injections and birth control pills door-to-door.

Global health agencies have expanded family planning services to reduce child mortality and improve the education of girls. Recently, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) called on low-income countries to increase funding for reproductive health, and 44 governments have committed to raising their contributions annually.

Presenter: Mpho Lakaje. Guests: Felicia Issah and Dr. Claudette A. Diogo.

Not long ago, huge demonstrations took place in Kenya against President William Ruto’s plan to increase taxes- he eventually overturned his decision. But despite this, protests in Kenya continue- yesterday police used teargas to disperse pockets of protestors from Nairobi Central Business district. Across the continent, demonstrations have taken place in both Nigeria and Somalia too. Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja has been looking why so many people have taken to the streets.

“If South Africa was that hostile towards African immigrants, I would expect that people would stop coming. If South Africa was such a deadly place to be an African national, then why would you still be seeing South Africa top the charts on the lists of immigrants flocking here?” - Makone Maja, Institute of Race Relations Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old model based in Cape Town will be among the ten women who will be hoping to walk away with the Miss SA crown, this Saturday. But her participation has been rejected by some, questioning her nationality. She was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother who has Mozambican roots. The Patriotic Alliance, a party led by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says it’s planning to interdict Chidimma from participating in the contest. But there are many others who’ve thrown their weight behind the 23-year-old. They include political parties like Rise Mzansi and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. Alan Kasujja attempts to find out why this issue is dividing South Africans.

UPDATE: On Thursday afternoon Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa contest. Her decision follows accusations from the Ministry of Home Affairs that her mother may have committed fraud and identity theft to obtain South African citizenship.

Not too long ago we spoke with Benin’s former Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, Luc Gnacadja, about the challenges and strategies for planning African cities. He told us that he considers Africa’s biggest city, Lagos, to be the least climate resilient city on the continent. Africa has suffered disproportionately from climate change, and this is set to continue- scientists predict that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades. But will urban populations cope? In today's episode, we explore one man's plan to address this.

James George, a Nigerian architect, and founder of HTL of Africa. He spoke to Alan Kasujja about his vision for the design and building of more climate-resilient cities, starting with Lagos.

South Sudanese citizens will finally get to vote in an election at the end of this year.

This will be the first time a democratic process will have been carried out since Independence in 2011. But the basic preparations for such an event do not seem to have got off the ground yet.

So will the politicians of a country that has suffered years of civil war, and is still affected by inter-communal violence, have the ability to pull together and get the process started? And will the difficulties of weak state institutions, a lack of census data and logistical problems be overcome? These are some of the questions to explore as South Sudan looks forward to the 22nd of December, the date set for its first election.

Guests: BBC reporter Nichol Mandil in Juba, and Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, the chair of the National Elections Commission.

Surfing looks amazing fun – seeing a surfer crouched on a board riding a big wave at speed must be an incredible feeling.

But it’s not a well-known sport in Africa, despite nearly 40 countries on the continent having coastlines, with waves breaking along hundreds of miles of beaches.

Four African surfers did make it to the current Olympic games, from South Africa and Morocco. But their ratio of three men to one woman is a good illustration of the fact that it’s a male dominated sport in Africa.

So today we’re going to talk to two pioneering female surfers about why they surf, and what challenges they’ve overcome to become women who surf.

Guests: Maryam el Gardoum, a champion surfer who runs Dihya Surf School, the first female-led surf school in Morocco, and Dihya Nasri, who is known as the only female surfer in Algeria.

“It’s unacceptable for a member who was a veteran and he was a former president, to have started a new political party. Of course he knew that he was violating the ANC’s rules” – Snuki Zikalala, president of the ANC’s Veterans League The relationship between South Africa’s African National Congress and its former president Jacob Zuma appears to have come to an end. Zuma was officially expelled by the party last month, following a disciplinary hearing. It comes after he established Umkhonto Wesizwe Party, which claimed almost 15% of the vote at this year's national election. On Thursday, the ANC’s Secretary General Fikile Mbalula reiterated that Zuma’s matter had now been finalized and that he was no longer the party’s member. Although it’s not clear if Zuma will appeal, he earlier insisted that this was far from over. Zuma is a popular but also controversial figure who’s known for staging sensational political comebacks. Alan Kasujja sits down with two ANC veterans Tony Yengeni, who represented Zuma at his disciplinary hearing as well as Snuki Zikalala, a critic of Zuma’s. To unpack all these political developments, Alan hears from Professor Daryl Glaser from Wits University in Johannesburg.

Hidden behind the fearlessness displayed by Kenyan youths during recent anti-government protests could be a mountain of mental health challenges.

A mental health expert says this is linked to the extra responsibilities young people are having to take up in a continent where the median age is 19.

But while mental health awareness is high among the youth, access to mental health services remains limited.

In this episode of Africa Daily Alan Kasujja talks to Tom Osborn- the founder of the Shamiri Institute which uses a peer-based model to support young people in navigating their mental health challenges.

He argues that the growth in activism among the youth – often honed on social media – is intrinsically linked to the mental health of young people.

We also hear from young people on their mental health experiences.

Last year, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to lift Somalia's arms embargo, a decision that is now under scrutiny.

The embargo had aimed to limit weapon deliveries to the Somali government and security forces, preventing them from reaching warlords.

A recent ambush in Abudwaq, central Somalia, has some people debating whether lifting the embargo restriction was a mistake.

During the attack, a convoy of weapons transported by Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) was intercepted by a clan militia, resulting in at least 10 deaths and the weapons reportedly falling into villagers' hands.

The government say they are committed to recovering these weapons before they potentially end up with Al-Shabaab.

Presenter: Mpho Lakaje. Guests: Samira Gaid and Abdishukri Haybe

“Why were they born in Europe? Their parents were escaping the economic realities of Africa. We need to work on ourselves. We need to work more as Africa in order to keep this talent here” – Brian Wesaala, Football Foundation for Africa In recent times, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been captivating football lovers around the world with his talent. He played a critical role when his national team, Spain, won this year’s European Football Championship. But Morocco and Equatorial Guinea are now claiming the 17-year-old megastar. That’s because his mother is originally from Equatorial Guinea while his father is from Morocco. So, today Mpho Lakaje sits down with Ntsako Mkhari, the anchor and reporter for South African TV news channel eNCA and Brian Wesaala, the founder and CEO of Football Foundation for Africa.

He attempts to understand if African countries should claim players who were born in Europe.

“A lot of people were mocking me. People would send pictures to my mum saying ‘is there something wrong with your son? We’ve seen him in traffic hawking watches’”. For a lot of African people, luxury goods are synonymous with international brands. They believe that high-quality products can only come from abroad. Today in the podcast, Africa Daily’s Muthoni Muchiri speaks with Anthony Dzamefe of Caveman Watches who quit his job working for a hotel collecting tourists to set up his own business. He ended up learning how to fix and then make quality watches – and now counts celebrities like Beyoncé and Angelique Kidjo amongst his clientele. But at the beginning he says customers would reject his watches after they found out they were made in Ghana.

The Olympic Games officially open in Paris today.

Over three billion people around the globe are expected to watch the world’s best sportsmen and women compete for 329 gold medals in 32 sports over 18 days.

The continent will be fully represented with all 54 countries taking part. So, what can Africa expect from the games and who are the athletes to watch?

Peter Musembi has been finding out from Malawian swimmer Tayamika Chang’anamuno and Ugandan sports journalist Darren Darren Allan Kyeyune who’s covering the games.

An investigation by BBC Verify has revealed that over 2 million people in the northern part of Ethiopia are at risk of starvation due to drought. The need for food aid has forced many to remain in camps for displaced persons.

The Tigray region is still dealing with the aftermath of a bitter two-year war with the federal government that ended in 2022.

BBC reporter Girmay Gebru led the investigation and spoke about what he uncovered with Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja.

“The initial investment is quite high, but looking long-term into many development projects, I think it is an investment worthwhile” – Professor Otlogetswe Totolo Botswana is building its very first space satellite. Known as Bot-Sat-1, it is being developed by scientists and engineers at Botswana International University of Science and Technology in the town of Palapye. The southern African country is looking to use images produced by this technology in town planning, mining, farming and other areas of commerce. Alan Kasujja sits down with Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo and Dr. Dimane Mpoeleng who are at the heart of the project. He tries to understand if the satellite is worth the millions of dollars spent to develop it.

“That will be a miracle on its own because when I started taking ARVs I began with 20 tablets.”

In June, the US drug company Gilead announced that a trial of its HIV drug Lenacapavir had got a 100% success rate.

The drug - a twice-yearly injection – can be used to protect people from catching the virus, but also to treat those who have it.

But the question of pricing remains – with people in poor countries unable to afford the current price tag of $40,000 per person per year. One analysis has suggested it could be mass produced as a generic drug for about $40 per person per year.

In this episode of Africa Daily podcast Peter Musembi speaks to Dr Moupali Das who oversees the development of HIV prevention drugs at Gilead – and also gets reaction with two people living with HIV.

‘The Apartheid Killer’ is the latest investigation from the BBC Africa Eye team. Filmed over four years, it tells the story of Louis van Schoor, an ex-police officer turned security guard who in the late 1980's terrorised and killed at least 39 people in the South African city of East London. All of his victims were black and the youngest was just 12 years old. He was finally arrested in 1991. But was released from prison after just over a decade in jail. More than 30 of Louis van Schoor’s killings are still categorised as ‘justifiable homicides’ by police today. In his version of events, he’d caught the people he killed breaking into the white-owned businesses he was employed to protect and says he acted “within the law.” In today’s episode, Mpho Lakaje speaks to Marlene Mvumbi, the sister of a man murdered by van Schoor and the co-director of ‘The Apartheid Killer’ freelance filmmaker and journalist Isa Jacobson.

“I have lived with HIV for 25 years out of 50. I just turned 50, and I was diagnosed in 1999 at the age of 25 with HIV.”

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has significantly impacted African countries south of the Sahara. By late 2001, over half of the world's HIV cases were in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNAIDS, the organisation advocating for accelerated and effective global action on the HIV pandemic, is leading efforts to eradicate the virus by 2030.

They will hold their 25th conference next week.

In today’s Africa Daily Alan Kasujja speaks to Friedel Dausab, a gay man living in Namibia who remembers a time when treatment was unavailable, that changed for him in 2002, and Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS.

In a viral video from South Africa, drivers are seen eagerly stopping to donate money to Ayanda Msweli, founder of The Bucket Initiative.

This grassroots effort is capturing hearts by building houses for impoverished families.

South Africa faces a severe housing crisis, with a backlog of 2.3 million units affecting 12 million people, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, high construction costs, and limited affordable financing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified poverty and homelessness, making initiatives like Ayanda’s crucial.

Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje has been hearing more about these efforts and their origins from Ayanda as well as Sunday World senior journalist Mawande AmaShabalala.

Women in Tanzania face immense hurdles in accessing education, employment and financial services.

Despite these challenges, Tanzanian women are incredibly resilient. Many are the backbone of their families and communities, often juggling multiple roles as caregivers, breadwinners and entrepreneurs.

Yet, they face systemic barriers that keep them from achieving financial independence.

President Samia Suluhu took office in 2021 with promises to prioritize initiatives promoting gender equality, tackling violence against women and boosting economic empowerment.

However, there's still much more to do. Lydia Charles Moyo, the founder of ‘Her Initiative’, is leading efforts to empower women through technology and digital inclusion.

Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja has been hearing more about these efforts from Lydia as well as Elizabeth, a beneficiary of her work.