Summary

  • Ugandan judge finds seven people guilty over 2010 World Cup bombings

  • Mugabe pardons female prisoners to ease overcrowding

  • Ghana student in US spelling competition final

  • Kenya court rules on father's names on birth certificates

  • Transgender reality show pulled in Africa

  • Nigeria militants attack oil facility

  • Get Involved: #BBCAfricaLive WhatsApp: +44 7341070844

  1. Scroll down for Thursday's storiespublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    We'll be back tomorrow

    That's all from the BBC Africa Live page today. Keep up-to-date with what's happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or checking the BBC News website

    A reminder of today's wise words:

    Quote Message

    The antelope says that if you stay at one spot in the forest for far too long, you will become thirsty."

    An Ewe proverb sent by Gideon Gadri in Accra, Ghana.

    Did you have any idea what the proverb meant? Matthew Wakeling on our BBC Africa Facebook, external page said: "I guess it means that one needs to move if they want something."

    Click here to send us your African proverbs.

    And we leave you with a photo of residents using donkeys to travel through flooded streets in the Somali town of Beledweyne, around 325km (200 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu:

    Residents use donkeys to travel through flooded streets in Beledweyne, north of Mogadishu on May 26, 2016.Image source, AFP
  2. Senegal's Casamance forests 'may disappear by 2018'published at 18:09 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Villagers sit 08 November 2007 under a tree in Elinkine, nestled in the deep mangroves on the mouth of the Casamance River, in Senegal's southern province of the same nameImage source, AFP

    Senegal's heavily forested southern region of Casamance will have no tree cover left by 2018 if illegal logging driven by Chinese demand is not addressed, the AFP news agency quotes a Senegalese ecologist as saying.

    Haidar El Ali, a former environment minister and now head of the environmental group Oceanium, said at a conference in Dakar that the loggers' activities had "reached a point of no return".

  3. Ghana's spelling whizz-kidpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Ghanaian teenager Afua AnsahImage source, AP

    Ghanaian teenager Afua Ansah has qualified as one of 45 finalists for the 2016 Scripps National Spelling competition held in the US.

    The 14-year-old had the second-highest score on the written test and went on to easily spell “hauberk” and “senescent“, reports Ghana’s Peace FM, external.

    “It felt incredibly exciting, it was beyond my wildest dreams,” the website quoted her as saying.

    “I feel like an ambassador of Ghana so I am proud to carry the flag of my country at the finals.”

    The next round of the competition takes place this evening.

    Her goal is to make the top 10, the Associated Press news agency reports.

    It is one thing knowing how to spell the words, but do you know their meaning?

    Definitions:

    • Hauberk: a long defensive shirt, usually of mail, extending to the knee
    • Senescent : growing old; aging.

  4. Eritrean artist on migration within Africapublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Eritrean artist Dawit Petros explores the idea of migration in a new exhibition in London, but he tells BBC Africa’s Jenny Horrocks that his photographs, video and sound installations do not centre on the story so often peddled by the Western media of migrants travelling to Europe.

    Rather, they reflect on the larger number of Africans migrating within the continent:

    Media caption,

    In his new exhibition, Eritrean artist Dawit Petros explores the idea of migration

  5. Bird flu outbreak in Cameroonpublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Randy Joe Sa'ah
    BBC Africa, Yaounde

    Chickens in West AfricaImage source, AFP

    Government officials have reported an outbreak of bird flu which has been generating panic among poultry owners.

    At least 15,000 birds have died of the virus in a single poultry complex in the capital, Yaounde, the country’s epidemic surveillance network says.

    This is the second outbreak since 2006 when the poultry sector was devastated.

  6. Furore over cars for Zuma's wivespublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Milton Nkosi
    BBC Africa, Johannesburg

    President Zuma (C) and the first ladies, Nompumelelo Ntuli (L), Thobeka Madiba and Sizakele Khumalo taken parliament in Cape Town in 2009Image source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Mr Zuma is seen here with three of his four wives

    South Africans are wondering how serious President Jacob Zuma is about austerity after it emerged this week that the state had spent about 8.6m rand ($550,000; £374,000) on new cars for his wives over the past three years.

    In response to a parliamentary question from the opposition this week, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said the police had spent close to $230,000 alone on luxury cars for Mr Zuma's four wives this year - despite a call for citizens to tighten their belts as South Africa's economy struggles to meet growth targets.

    President Zuma and Bongi NgemaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    President Zuma married six times - most recently Bongi Ngema in 2012

    Mr Nhleko said a total 11 vehicles for Mr Zuma's wives had been purchased out of the police budget:

    • Four Range Rovers bought in 2013 for $60,000 each
    • Two Land Rover Discovery worth $40,000 each bought in 2014
    • Two Audi Q7s bought in March this year for $40,000
    • And three Audi A6s also bought in March this year for $50,000 each.

    Can this expenditure be justified? Read my blog to find out

  7. Niger's 'Tuareggae' starpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Omara Moctar aka "Bombino" is a Tuareg musician from Niger who calls his blend of traditional Tuareg and reggae rhythms "Tuareggae".

    The Tuareg people were once declared by both Niger and Mali as enemies of the state.

    The musician, who's on tour in the US, tells the BBC's Julian Keane his thoughts on Tuareg culture and nationhood:

    Media caption,

    Bombino is on a mission to highlight Tuareg culture and use music to promote peace

  8. Analysis: Uganda’s marathon terror judgementpublished at 17:26 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Catherine Byaruhanga
    BBC Africa, Kampala

    Judge Alphonso Owiny-Dollo took seven hours to read his judgement at the Uganda World Cup bombings trial today - he took no break.

    He found seven of the 13 suspects guilty of terrorism, murder and attempted murder.

    Ugandan Isa Luyima was singled out as the mastermind of the twin blasts in the capital, Kampala.

    He recruited some of the people who were convicted here today and that he planned the attacks, as far as securing a safe house in Kampala.

    Five other people were found not guilty of various charges, including Kenyans Omar Awadh Omar and Suleiman Mbuthia.

    In custody for six years, today they can walk free.

    This is the first major trial in East Africa of people believed to be behind al-Shabab attacks outside Somalia.

    And the big police presence today in Kampala is a reflection of how the region has had to tighten up security in the last few years because of the terror threats.

  9. 'All female prisoners' released in Zimbabwepublished at 17:19 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Zimbabwe has freed 139 women from its biggest female jail after President Robert Mugabe pardoned them, a prison spokeswoman has said, the Associated Press news agency reports

    Only two women serving life sentences remained in the jail, Priscilla Mthembo is quoted as saying. 

    All male minors were also being released, she added.

    Mr Mugabe issued the pardons to end over-crowding in Zimbabwe's prisons (see our 08:53 post).

  10. get involved

    Get Involved: Was it right to chop I am Cait?published at 17:11 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    TV Personality Caitlyn Jenner accepts the award for outstanding reality program for 'I am Cait' onstage during the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 2, 2016 in Beverly Hills, CaliforniaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Caitlyn Jenner's show has been scrapped

    Our Facebook readers, external are sharply divided over the decision by South African entertainment company MultiChoice to axe reality TV show I am Cait in Africa (see our 14:04 post). 

    Mwela Chibula Mudenda says: 

    Quote Message

    Just as well, the show is boring, maybe the slot can be taken by something more relevant and interesting."

    Michael Malama Snr supports the axing, but for a different reason: 

    Quote Message

    About time. We can't be dumping our morals in the name of entertainment... [Zimbabwe's President Robert] Mugabe should be dancing, right about now."

    Walker E Chikuta, external

    Walker E Chituka has the opposite view:

    Quote Message

    I've watched the show two or three times and found it harmless... I don't believe it has any direct impact on Africa's problems, such as bad governance, corruption or poverty."

     And Sibusio Mjamisto Jama sarcastically comments:

    Quote Message

    It will be nice if the Nigerian government can also censor Drug Cartel movies because the impact of such movies to Nigerians is well known all over the world."

  11. John Paintsil’s assault case delayed by strikepublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Thomas Naadi
    BBC Africa, Accra

    John Painstil of Ghana controls the ball during a between Ghana and Togo in London, England - 2006Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    John Painstil was axed from South African side Maritzburg earlier this year

    Former Fulham and Ghana international footballer John Paintsil was due to appear in court today in Ghana's capital, Accra, on charges of assault, but the case could not be heard because of an ongoing strike by court workers.

    He is accused of assaulting two police officers and stealing his wife’s car.

    The trouble began when police tried to quiz the former Black Stars player after his wife filed a complaint about her stolen vehicle.

    He has denied stealing it, saying he bought her the car.

    Paintsil is alleged to have lost his temper during the interrogation and assaulted two police officers.

    He was detained on Tuesday and later granted bail, Accra police spokesmperson Effia Tenge said.

    In 2013, the footballer was arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife and assaulting a neighbour who attempted to rescue her.

    However, he faced no charges as his wife denied she had been assaulted and said it had been a misunderstanding.

  12. Kenyan man was 'shot dead'published at 16:06 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Odeo Sirari
    BBC Africa, Nairobi

    A Kenyan protester who police said died of a head injury after falling in the western city of Kisumu on Monday died of a gun shot wound, with the bullet penetrating his heart, a post-mortem has revealed. 

    This backs up the view of fellow opposition protesters and a local journalist who said the man was shot by police.

    At least three people died in Kisumu and the town of Siyaya on Monday after police tried to break up protests called by the opposition to demand the appointment of a new electoral commission ahead of next year's poll.

    Police target protesterImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Rights groups accused police of using excessive force against protesters

  13. UN court to rule on East Africa border disputepublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    A UN court says it will hear in September a maritime border dispute between Somalia and Kenya which could decide which of them owns potentially lucrative oil and gas reserves.

    Somalia took the case to the International Court of Justice, saying negotiations had failed to resolve differences with Kenya. 

    The disputed ocean territory stretches for more than 100,000 sq km (38,610 sq miles).

  14. Kenya passes new anti-doping lawpublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Abdinoor Aden
    BBC Africa, Nairobi

    Kenya's parliament has unanimously approved changes to anti-doping legislation in a bid to end cheating in athletics. 

    Parliament was in recess, but was recalled for a special session today to ratify the changes in order to regain the confidence of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). 

    Earlier this month, Wada's compliance committee said that Kenya was "non-compliant" with global anti-doping rules, raising fears that its world famous athletes could miss August's Olympic Games in Rio . 

    As of January 2016, 18 Kenyan athletes were suspended for doping. The best known is Rita Jeptoo, who has won the Boston and Chicago marathons. 

    Rita JeptooImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Rita Jeptoo won the Boston Marathon on three occasions

  15. Who is Caitlyn Jenner?published at 15:21 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Clare Spencer
    BBC News

    In case you are in the dark about who Caitlyn Jenner is, here are some key facts about the American TV personality: 

    • She is being followed in the reality TV series I am Cait through her journey to becoming transgender
    • Before becoming a woman, she was Bruce Jenner, the step dad to Kim Kardashian - also reality TV personality
    • As Bruce she featured in the reality TV series Keeping Up With The Kardashians
    • Kim Kardashian became famous when a sex tape emerged of her having sex with Ray J, a singer who is the brother to the more famous US singer Brandy
    • Previous to this, Bruce won gold at the Olympics for the decathlon.

    Bruce Jenner of the USA celebrates during his record setting performance in the decathlon in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, CanadaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Bruce Jenner took part in the 1976 Olympics in Canada

  16. Tanzania expels 'unqualified' college studentspublished at 14:55 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Sam Murunga
    BBC Monitoring

    Thousands of university and college students in Tanzania are in danger of being expelled after the authorities discovered a major scam involving the enrolment of unqualified students.

    Education Minister Joyce Ndalikacho has announced the dissolution of the board of the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) and suspended other senior officials.

    The country's Guardian , externaland Citizen, external newspapers say the government has already expelled 489 students who had been admitted to St Joseph University and given government loans even though they did not "even qualify to pursue a certificate in teaching".

    The government has since closed the university's campuses in northern and southern Tanzania.

  17. Uganda terror trial - final verdictspublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 26 May 2016
    Breaking

    Patience Atuhaire
    BBC Africa, Kampala

    • Seven people on trial in Uganda for the twin 2010 World Cup bombings have been found guilty of terrorism,76 counts of murder and attempted murder
    • Five people have been acquitted of those charges - and Dr Kalule Suleiman has also been acquitted of an extra charge of aiding and abetting terrorism 
    • Another man, Muzafar Luyima, who was facing charges of an accessory to terrorism after the fact was also found guilty.
    • In total there are eight guilty verdicts and five acquittals.

    The court has been adjourned until tomorrow when the judge will  sentence them.

  18. 'Fatalities' at DR Congo protestpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    A police officer and a protester have been killed in clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma, a UN official has said, Reuters news agency reports. 

    The policeman was killed by stone-throwing protesters while the demonstrator was shot dead, said Jose Maria Aranaz, director of the UN's DR Congo-based Joint Human Rights Office, Reuters reports. 

    Two others were injured by gunfire, he added. 

    A Human Rights Watch researcher has been tweeting from Goma, saying the security forces opened fire on protesters:

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  19. Uganda terrorism verdicts: Seven guilty, five not guiltypublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    The BBC's Patience Athuhaire in court in Kampala says there have been two more acquittals - Dr Ismail Kalule and Abubakari Batematyo.

    The judge is now moving on to the murder charges, having dealt with those of terrorism, says journalist Michael O'Hagan who tweeted these photos of the two men:

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    Terrorism verdicts so far:

    • Seven guilty
    • Five not guilty.

    Twelve of the suspects were charged with terrorism, belonging to a terrorist group and 76 counts of murder (including that of the two bombers) and attempted murder.

    Earlier, the judge cleared them all of belonging to a terrorist group as al-Shabab was not listed as one in 2010.

    A thirteenth man is accused of aiding and abetting terrorism.

  20. Transgender show pulled in Africapublished at 14:04 British Summer Time 26 May 2016

    Caitlyn Jenner speaks during the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria on Saturday, May 14, 2016, in New YorkImage source, AP
    Image caption,

    Caitlyn Jenner is an American television personality

    Leading South African-based entertainment company MultiChoice says it will no longer broadcast I am Cait, a reality TV show about the transgender journey of Caitlyn Jenner, previously known as Bruce Jenner, in order to abide by "regulatory environments" in Africa, and because of "concerns" raised by some of its customers. 

    The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ordered that the show be pulled, effectively censoring it for African viewers, South Africa's Channel 24 entertainment site reports, external

    Condemning the decision as  "shocking censorship", its columnist Thinus Ferreira wrote: 

    Quote Message

    While I Am Cait contains no violence, nudity or sex on a pay-TV channel that viewers can block with a parental control function, the show about the transgender journey of Caitlyn Jenner contains ideas that Nigerian authorities don’t want people to be exposed to.

    Quote Message

    Nigeria's broadcasting censorship board has now effectively started a precedent where the one country's programming banning decisions directly impacts what viewers in other countries, including South Africa, can and can't see."

    Nigeria's officials have not yet commented. 

    In a statement, MultiChoice said:   

    Quote Message

    MultiChoice recognises the importance of respecting the views of a number of its customers and all regulatory environments within which its service operates.

    Quote Message

    After careful consideration, MultiChoice would like to inform its valued subscribers that the show will no longer air on the channel across our platforms."

    I am Cait was was shown on E! Entertainment Television on DStv channel 124 and GOtv channel 26.