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A health worker attends to an mpox patient on August 19, 2024 at a treatment centre in Munigi, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo 

September 13—The head of the African Union’s health agency has called on Western countries to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and not abandon Africa amid an ongoing mpox outbreak.

Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said on Thursday that 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases had been recorded in the past week, just a week after his agency and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a continental response plan.

“In one week, we lost 107 [people]. It’s too much. It’s not acceptable,” he said as he emphasised the need for stronger cross-border surveillance.

Mpox was declared an international emergency in August by the WHO, concerned by a surge in cases of the new clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the outbreak.

The Africa CDC has said it is short of a $600m target to tackle the disease now present in 14 nations on the continent.

Kaseya called on Western nations to help meet the funding goal “to show that they learned from COVID”.

“We don’t want to come back again tomorrow to say, you again abandoned Africa,” he said during an online briefing.

Some African Union member states have already contributed to the six-month response plan budget, a step that Kaseya lauded as showing ownership by the continent.

Criticism was levelled at Western nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with claims they abandoned Africa by hoarding vaccines or by prioritising shipments to richer nations.

“As we know, the trust was broken between Western countries and Africa. It’s really time for solidarity,” said Kaseya.

Global issue

According to the latest figures from the DRC’s Ministry of Health, there have been nearly 22,000 cases and 716 deaths linked to the virus recorded since January.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted last month that the number of cases has been rapidly increasing, although deaths remained relatively low until recently. The surge in cases follows the WHO’s declaration of outbreaks in 12 African nations as a global emergency.

So far, some 200,000 vaccine doses have been delivered to the DRC by the European Union, along with about 50,000 from the United States.

Several hundred thousand more doses have been pledged by European nations, Kaseya said, in addition to about three million promised by Japan.

He did not provide further details, including on when the vaccines might be delivered.

Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

It belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox, but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills and body aches. People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.

In testing for the disease, men recorded the highest positivity rate at 63 percent, while children under the age of 15 were at 41 percent.

Kaseya said there was a need for increased testing and resources to support it, adding that the continent was not testing enough and that it “cannot rely on only confirmed cases for decision-making and response.”

The director-general announced that he would be travelling to DRC to receive the vaccine when the roll-out is expected to begin in the first week of October, to demonstrate to both “the African people and the Congolese people that the vaccine is safe”.

Africa CDC urges Western countries to boost funding for mpox response

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NUP Condemns Attack on Headquarters by NRM Funded Alien Skin and Gang

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) has condemned an alleged attack on its headquarters in Kavule, Makerere, reportedly orchestrated by controversial singer Alien Skin and his associates. According to a statement released by the party, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at approximately 3:15 a.m.
The statement alleges that Alien Skin’s group unlawfully entered the party’s premises, threatened the security guard on duty, and vandalized the walls with provocative graffiti. NUP expressed deep regret over these actions, describing them as reminiscent of tactics used by individuals deployed in the past to destabilize efforts for political reform in Uganda.
“It is regrettable that these brothers have learned nothing from those who the regime and other detractors have used against the people in the past, including Sipapa, Sobi, Zebra, Kitatta, among others,” the statement read.
The party noted that such incidents tend to spike as Uganda approaches elections, suggesting that certain groups are allegedly being used to derail the opposition’s agenda through acts of provocation and violence.
NUP urged Alien Skin and his associates to reflect on their actions, warning that history has repeatedly shown how individuals used to disrupt political struggles often face repercussions and lose public favor over time.
“The struggle for a better Uganda cannot be derailed by such antics. We call upon all Ugandans to remain vigilant and united in the face of intimidation and provocation,” the statement concluded.
This attack has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition supporters and human rights activists, who see it as part of a broader campaign to stifle dissent in the lead-up to elections. Meanwhile, calls for accountability and an impartial investigation into the incident are growing louder.
Alien Skin has yet to comment on the allegations, and efforts to reach him for a statement were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
NUP STATEMENT
This morning at 3:15am, a team led by musician Alien Skin attacked the National Unity Platform Headquarters at Kavule. They violated the premises, threatened the security guard on duty and used graffiti to draw provocative things on our walls. It is regrettable that these brothers have learnt nothing from those who the regime and other detractors have used against the people in the past, including Sipapa, Sobi, Zebra, Kitatta, among others. It is sad that each time we’re approaching elections, there is always a group willing to be used to engage in crimes against the people. We hope they will do some introspection before time catches up with them.

NUP Condemns Attack on Headquarters by NRM Funded Alien Skin and Gang

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NUP : Museveni Apologist Alien Skin and Gang Target Uganda’s Main Opposition Party Head Officers

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) has accused popular musician Alien Skin of leading an attack on its headquarters in Kavule early Saturday morning.
“This morning at 3:15 a.m., a team led by musician Alien Skin attacked the National Unity Platform Headquarters at Kavule. They violated the premises, threatened the security guard on duty, and used graffiti to draw provocative things on our walls,” read the statement issued by NUP.
NUP released a cctv video footage showing Alien Skin’s gang emerging from three cars to attack the party’s offices.
The party condemned the attack, describing it as a recurring tactic used by detractors to destabilize opposition activities, particularly during election periods.
Drawing parallels to controversial figures associated with past political violence, NUP stated:
“It is regrettable that these brothers have learnt nothing from those who the regime and other detractors have used against the people in the past, including Sipapa, Sobi, Zebra, Kitatta, among others. It is sad that each time we’re approaching elections, there is always a group willing to be used to engage in crimes against the people. We hope they will do some introspection before time catches up with them.”
Incidents
The alleged vandalism comes just weeks after Alien Skin and his entourage were accused of storming Nsambya Hospital.
In that incident, hospital operations were disrupted, and staff reportedly faced threats and intimidation, sparking widespread condemnation.
Alien Skin was jailed over the violence meted out against doctors at the hospital before being released on bail.
Alien Skin, once celebrated for his contribution to Uganda’s music industry, has increasingly been linked to politically motivated aggression.
While Alien Skin has not responded to the allegations, the incident has reignited debate about the role of artists in Uganda’s politics.
Authorities have yet to comment on the matter, but pressure is mounting for a swift and transparent investigation.
As the 2026 general elections approach, incidents like this raise concerns about the political climate and the potential for heightened tensions in the coming months.

NUP : Museveni Apologist Alien Skin and Gang Target Uganda’s Main Opposition Party Head Officers

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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice

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A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.

Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice

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