KAMPALA, Sept 19 (Reuters) – Uganda’s public debt has escalated significantly, increasing by 26.2% during the 2024/2025 financial year, as revealed in the finance ministry’s annual public debt report released on Friday. The total public debt climbed to $32.3 billion in the twelve months leading up to June, up from $25.6 billion in the previous year. This surge is largely attributed to the government’s intensified domestic borrowing to finance its expansive infrastructure projects in sectors such as energy and transportation. President Yoweri Museveni’s administration has been heavily investing in these areas, leading to a rapid accumulation of debt. The central bank and other financial experts have expressed concerns that the rising debt servicing costs are depleting resources essential for critical sectors like education and health. The report highlighted that domestic borrowing grew by 52.7%, significantly outpacing the 6.2% increase in external credit. This shift towards domestic borrowing has not only inflated the nominal debt stock but also escalated the cost of debt due to higher yields demanded by the local market. Consequently, the country’s debt as a percentage of GDP rose to 51.3% from 46.9% in the previous period. The report underscores the challenges Uganda faces in balancing its ambitious development goals with sustainable financial practices.
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Zimbabwe lifts 2025 growth forecast on tobacco harvest, gold price rally
Zimbabwe’s economy is poised to grow by 6.6% in 2025, surpassing the earlier forecast of 6%, according to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. This upward revision is attributed to a robust tobacco harvest and a surge in global gold prices, which have significantly bolstered the country’s agricultural and mining sectors. Speaking at an economic conference on Friday, Ncube highlighted that the agricultural recovery, particularly in tobacco and maize production, has been a key driver of this growth. Additionally, the rally in gold prices has enhanced mining revenues, further contributing to the economic uplift. Last year, Zimbabwe’s economy grew by a modest 2%, hampered by an El Niño-induced drought that severely impacted crop yields and hydropower generation, necessitating grain imports. However, the current recovery in agriculture and favorable commodity prices have set the stage for a stronger economic performance this year.
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Three dead in Australia after Optus glitch disrupts emergency calls
A critical technical failure during a network upgrade at Optus, Australia’s second-largest telecommunications provider, has resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, disrupted emergency call services, leaving hundreds of customers in South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory unable to connect with emergency services. During welfare checks, authorities discovered three fatalities in households where attempts to make emergency triple zero (“000”) calls had failed. Optus CEO Stephen Rue expressed profound regret and offered heartfelt condolences to the affected families during a press conference on Friday. Rue emphasized that the company is conducting a thorough investigation into the failure and will publicly disclose the findings once completed. This incident follows a series of setbacks for Optus, including a $12 million fine for a nationwide outage in 2023 and a significant cyberattack in 2022 that compromised the data of nearly 9.5 million Australians. Rue, who assumed leadership in November 2024, vowed to address the systemic issues and restore public trust in the company.
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Intel’s Nvidia deal expected to be a mixed blessing for Asian chipmakers
In a landmark move, Nvidia has announced a $5 billion equity investment in Intel, positioning itself as one of Intel’s largest shareholders with an approximate 4% stake. The deal, unveiled on Thursday, includes a collaborative effort to develop PC and data center chips, signaling a significant shift in the semiconductor industry. While Intel’s shares surged by 23% following the announcement, the implications for Asian chipmakers like TSMC and Samsung Electronics are more nuanced. Analysts suggest that Intel’s potential revival could alleviate U.S. regulatory pressure on foreign competitors, even as it intensifies long-term competition. TSMC, which currently dominates the AI chip market for U.S. companies, saw its shares dip by 1.6%, while Samsung’s shares fell by 1%. The partnership could bolster Intel’s next-generation manufacturing capabilities, a critical factor given its recent struggles. However, the deal also raises concerns about the future of TSMC’s business with AMD, a key competitor to Intel and Nvidia. As the U.S. government pushes for domestic semiconductor production, the dynamics of the global chipmaking industry remain uncertain, with Intel’s resurgence potentially reshaping the competitive landscape.
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Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa plans to cut 600 jobs, newspaper reports
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is considering reducing its workforce by over 600 employees, according to a report by Business Day. The announcement, attributed to Dominique Martin, spokesperson for the Food and Allied Workers Union, follows the company’s issuance of retrenchment notices on September 2. The union has expressed strong opposition to the proposed layoffs, which are part of CCBSA’s broader organizational adjustments in response to shifting industry dynamics. While consultations with the union are ongoing, no final decision has been reached. CCBSA, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa—the eighth-largest Coca-Cola bottling partner globally by revenue—has not yet publicly commented on the matter. This development adds to South Africa’s economic challenges, as other major companies like Ford Motor South Africa, Glencore, ArcelorMittal South Africa, and Goodyear South Africa have also recently announced workforce reductions.
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Significant rise in civilian killings in Sudan conflict this year, says UN human rights office
The United Nations Human Rights Office has raised alarm over a sharp increase in civilian fatalities in Sudan during the first half of 2025, attributing the surge to escalating ethnic violence. Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Friday, Li Fung, a representative from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sudan, described the situation as dire, stating, ‘Every day we are receiving more reports of horrors on the ground.’ According to a newly released report by the OHCHR, at least 3,384 civilians lost their lives between January and June, with the majority of the killings occurring in the Darfur region. The report underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the growing humanitarian crisis in the country. The UN has called for immediate action to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life.
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Indian sugar mills to miss export quota, ship around 775,000 tons, sources say
India’s sugar exports are projected to drop below 800,000 metric tons this season, significantly missing the government’s 1 million-ton quota. This decline is attributed to increased supplies from Brazil, which have driven global sugar prices to their lowest levels in over four years, making Indian shipments less competitive. Trade and government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that mills have so far contracted to export around 750,000 tons, with approximately 720,000 tons already shipped. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, exports are unlikely to exceed 775,000 tons by the end of the season on September 30, 2025. The slowdown in exports has been exacerbated by Brazilian sugar trading at more than $25 cheaper than Indian supplies, coupled with rising domestic prices in India. Traditionally, Indian sugar has held a competitive edge in Asia due to lower freight costs, but recent market dynamics have shifted the balance. With only a handful of export deals in recent weeks, mills may request the government to allow the export of the remaining 200,000-plus tons in the new season starting October 1. Despite the current challenges, India’s sugar output is expected to rise in the upcoming season, thanks to favorable monsoon rains, potentially improving export prospects. India, the world’s largest sugar producer and consumer, has been a key exporter to countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, averaging 6.8 million tons annually over the past five years.
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Saudi pact puts Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella into Middle East security picture
In a significant geopolitical move, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have solidified their alliance through a landmark defense agreement, signed on September 17, 2025, in Riyadh. The pact, termed the ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,’ underscores a deepening partnership between the two nations, particularly in the face of escalating regional tensions. While the specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed, analysts suggest it effectively combines Saudi Arabia’s financial resources with Pakistan’s formidable military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan, the sole nuclear-armed Muslim-majority nation, has historically maintained its nuclear doctrine focused on deterring India, its long-standing adversary. However, the agreement has sparked speculation about Riyadh’s potential access to a nuclear shield, a development that could significantly alter the security dynamics of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, increasingly wary of Israel’s military actions and Iran’s nuclear ambitions, appears to be seeking alternative security assurances beyond its traditional reliance on the United States. The pact also reflects a broader trend of Gulf states diversifying their defense partnerships amid waning confidence in U.S. commitments to the region. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for fostering stronger economic and strategic ties. Meanwhile, the agreement has drawn attention from neighboring countries, including India and Iran, who are likely to assess its implications for regional stability. As the Middle East navigates a complex security landscape, the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact marks a pivotal moment in the region’s evolving geopolitical alliances.
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Indonesia’s surprise rate cut, growth gambit put rupiah in the crosshairs
Investors are growing increasingly anxious about the independence of Bank Indonesia (BI) as President Prabowo Subianto pushes for aggressive economic growth, raising fears of a potential rupiah selloff. The central bank’s unexpected rate cut this week, which caught markets off guard, has intensified concerns that BI may be succumbing to political pressure to stimulate the economy at the expense of currency stability. This move comes amid broader global worries about the erosion of central bank independence, a trend highlighted by recent attacks on the U.S. Federal Reserve by former President Donald Trump. Since taking office last year, Prabowo has championed populist spending plans aimed at boosting Indonesia’s growth rate from 5% to 8%. However, investors fear that these policies could undermine fiscal credibility, worsen the current account deficit, and fuel inflation. The rupiah has already depreciated by 3% this year, making it Asia’s worst-performing currency. Analysts warn that while BI’s rate cuts may support growth, they risk destabilizing the currency, especially given Indonesia’s heavy reliance on imports and foreign capital. The central bank has cut rates by 150 basis points over the past year, with further reductions expected. Market participants are also concerned about a ‘burden-sharing’ agreement between BI and the government, which could expand the bank’s mandate and potentially politicize its operations. Despite Indonesia’s relatively stable macroeconomic indicators, the widening gap between short- and long-term bond yields reflects growing investor unease. Experts emphasize the need for clear communication and policy measures to restore confidence in BI’s independence and Indonesia’s economic management.
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From Sudan to Ukraine: Why Colombian mercenaries keep fighting foreign wars
In the desolate plains of Sudan, where a brutal civil war has left the nation in ruins, a small convoy of makeshift militarized vehicles gathers. Amidst the chaos, the sounds of vallenato—traditional Colombian folk music—echo from a car radio, a stark reminder of the presence of Colombian mercenaries in this distant conflict. Their involvement has recently come under intense scrutiny after Sudan lodged a formal complaint with the UN Security Council, accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of financing and deploying these mercenaries to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group opposing the Sudanese military. The UAE has denied these allegations.
