Julian Mwine's Blog

Official Launch of AGOA Exporters Association, 2019 (Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives) US President Joe Biden has signalled his intention to terminate Ugandan exports to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This decision, rooted in allegations of human rights violations, has the potential to reshape Uganda's economic landscape and its relationship with one of its most significant trade partners. Understanding AGOA The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is not just another piece of legislation; it represents a cornerstone of US-Africa trade relations. Approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2000, AGOA's primary objective was to provide a much-needed boost to the economies of sub-Saharan Africa. By enhancing economic relations between the United States and the region, it aimed to create a win-win situation: African countries would gain better access to the vast US market, and the US would strengthen its economic ties with a r

Theodor Herzl (seated with a beard behind the table) with journalists at the 6th Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland in 1903. The Uganda Proposal was presented at this conference. (Source: National Photo Collection of  Israel) The ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict has rekindled a series of "what if" scenarios in some sections of Uganda's media, social media platforms, and public discourse. Central to these discussions is the hypothetical establishment of a Jewish state in present-day Uganda. This article seeks to clarify the misconceptions surrounding the so-called "Uganda Scheme" and provide a comprehensive look into the historical intricacies of the proposal. The Misunderstood "Uganda Scheme" The term Uganda Scheme  or Uganda Proposal has, over the years, misled many into believing that Uganda was once considered a potential site for a Jewish homeland. In reality, the proposed territory was situated in the British East Africa Protectorate, which corr

In the intricate tapestry of global geopolitics, Africa, particularly the Sahel region, has emerged as a focal point of shifting power dynamics, notably encapsulated by France's dwindling influence in its former colonies. The departure of French troops from key former colonies like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has not only sparked celebrations among the local populations and newly established military regimes but also ushered in a period of uncertainty and potential recalibration of alliances and power structures. A Legacy Entwined with Shadows from the Past France's historical and often tumultuous relationships with its former African colonies have been punctuated by narratives of exploitation, interference, and neo-colonialism. Despite President Emmanuel Macron's endeavours to navigate the murky waters of France's colonial history and forge pathways towards reconciliation and partnership, the nation's influence on the continent has been on a perceptible decline

Kenyan policemen caught up in a riot in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as imagined by Midjourney On Monday, the United Nations Security Council approved the deployment of a Kenya-led multinational military force to Haiti, a Caribbean nation grappling with rampant gang violence and general lawlessness. The UN resolution, crafted by the United States and Ecuador, garnered 13 affirmative votes, while China and the Russian Federation abstained. It sanctions the force to be stationed in Haiti for a year, subject to a review after nine months. Notably, this mission is not a U.N. operation and will be financially supported through voluntary contributions, with the U.S. committing up to $200 million. Other countries, such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda, have also pledged to send personnel. The UN vote came approximately a year after the Haitian prime minister requested the urgent deployment of an armed force. The anticipated outcome is the suppression of escalating gang violence and t

On September 27th 2023, the Confederation of African Football President, Patrice Motsepe, announced in Cairo that East Africa's “Pamoja Bid” had been successful . The announcement meant that Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania would be the joint hosts for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).  This historic decision marked a transformative moment for East African football and the broader CECAFA region because it had been 47 years since an East African nation – Ethiopia, to be precise – had hosted the continental football tournament.  The 2027 AFCON will not only be the first to be hosted in the CECAFA region since then but it will also be the first edition co-hosted by three distinct nations. The significance of this shared hosting will be felt in many areas. Not only does it provide a platform to enhance regional unity, but it also magnifies the cultures and capabilities of the three original members of the East African Community.  Moreover, the collaborative nature of the event is an

The Predominance of English in AI   Did you know that most generative AI projects predominantly focus on the English language? This dominance of English in the realm of AI research and development has inadvertently resulted in a lack of diversity, hindering AI technology's ability to understand and generate in other languages. By directing so much emphasis on English, we are inadvertently curbing the potential of AI to serve a global, diverse audience. The Importance of Linguistic Diversity in AI Expanding the scope of research and development to include multiple languages is crucial. Not only will this foster better communication across cultures, but it will also promote inclusivity and accessibility. Non-English speakers, after all, should be equally entitled to benefit from AI advancements. Diversifying AI can help bridge linguistic divides, encouraging a richer cultural exchange. Such diversity can address the unique needs and preferences of global communities, leading to the c

The journalist of the future? A ground-breaking study from the JournalismAI initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has shed light on the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and the world of news. Surveying over 100 media houses spanning 46 nations, the report offers a comprehensive look into how AI, particularly generative AI (genAI) like ChatGPT and Google Bard , is reshaping journalism. Conducted between April and July 2023, the survey revealed a promising statistic: 73% of news outlets see genAI as a transformative tool for the industry. A significant 85% of those surveyed, encompassing journalists, tech experts, and newsroom leaders, have dabbled with genAI for diverse tasks, from coding and image creation to crafting concise summaries. The allure of AI in journalism isn't just about automation. Many respondents highlighted AI's potential to liberate journalists from mundane tasks such as transcribing interviews or

Leaders of the Niger coup at a rally of coup supporters. Courtesy Anadolu Agency  In the past few years, Africa has seen a concerning rise in military coups, marking a significant departure from a period of relative democratic stability. This trend, particularly pronounced since 2020, has seen abrupt leadership changes in several nations due to military interventions. The implications of these coups for democracy, governance, and international geopolitics are profound and demand a comprehensive analysis. A Brief Overview of Recent Coups From Gabon to Niger , Burkina Faso to Sudan , and Guinea to Mali , the continent has experienced a series of coups. Historically, post-independence Africa was no stranger to military interventions. However, the early 2000s saw a decline, making the recent surge reminiscent of the instability many African nations faced in the decades following independence. Factors such as poverty, poor economic performance, and previous coups often set the stage fo

Kenyan President William Ruto addresses the media during the Africa Climate Summit. Photo: Presidential Communication Service, Government of Kenya The inaugural Africa Climate Summit , held from 4th to 6th September in Nairobi, concluded with a resounding call to action. World leaders, international organisations, and civil society converged to discuss the continent's unique position in the global fight against climate change. The summit culminated in the Nairobi Declaration, a document that will serve as Africa's negotiating stance at the upcoming COP28 summit . The three-day event, hosted by the Kenyan government and the African Union, saw participation from global figures including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina. Their collective message was clear: Africa is central to the global climate solution. Africa's Unique Position Kenya's President Wil

Map of the major language families of Africa (Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)   Natural language processing (NLP) is a rapidly evolving field, with applications ranging from chatbots to voice recognition systems. However, for a long time, the focus of NLP research has been primarily on widely spoken languages like English, leaving behind the rich linguistic diversity of Africa . There are many challenges faced by researchers in Africa's NLP landscape but there are also some promising initiatives that are working to bridge the gap. The Challenge of Limited Data One of the most significant challenges in African NLP research is the scarcity of training data for African languages . Most available data for NLP models comes from widely spoken languages, such as English, which makes it difficult to develop effective AI tools for African languages. This limited data poses a significant obstacle to progress in this field. Linguistic Diversity Adds Complexity Africa is home to a vast array