Uganda's Constitutional Court has upheld the country's controversial anti-homosexuality law, which imposes life imprisonment and the death penalty on those involved in certain same-sex acts.

But the court did weaken the legislation, saying that parts of it violated constitutional rights.

Sections that criminalise behaviour such as allowing gay sex to happen at one’s property, failing to report acts of homosexuality and giving someone a terminal illness through gay sex are to be struck.

"We decline to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in its entirety, neither will we grant a permanent injunction against its enforcement," lead judge Richard Buteera said during the ruling on Wednesday.

The petitioners say they will appeal against the ruling.

The petition to overturn the law was brought by a collective of Ugandan academics, human rights activists, lawyers, journalists, legislators and religious leaders.

They argued that the law violates fundamental rights provided in the constitution, such as the right to privacy and freedom from discrimination.

They added that the law breached the country's commitments under international human rights laws.

Despite such concerns, the law has enjoyed broad support in the country. Lawmakers have accused opponents in the West of trying to pressure Africa into accepting homosexuality.

Jose Tembe
BBC News, Maputo

Image source, Getty Images

Mozambique’s agriculture ministry has banned the import of dog breeds considered to be dangerous.

The decision is aimed at combatting the numerous dog attacks that have been reported all over the Southern African country.

Dog bites are common in Mozambique. In the first half of last year, around 9,000 people were bitten, a reduction of 21% from 2022.

Some of the attacks have ended in serious injuries, amputations and even death.

The ban affects 26 breeds, including pit bulls, Rottweilers, bull terriers, bullmastiffs, German Shepherds, and Boerboels.

The measure however excludes dogs used by public security agencies, private security companies and disaster and rescue services.

Guide dogs and companion dogs for disabled people are also exempt.

All banned breeds that are already in the country, as well as their cross-breeds, must be registered with the authorities within 60 days.

Nigeria's restive north-western Zamfara state has imposed a curfew along its borders with Sokoto and Katsina states in a bid to curb escalating cases of kidnapping in the area.

Movement will be restricted between 19:00 and 06:00 local time, the state's Commissioner for Information and Culture was quoted by local media, external as saying.

“This is to tackle the incessant kidnapping of travellers along the Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua highway," Alhaji Mannir Haidara added.

Cases of kidnapping for ransom have surged in north-western Nigeria, where armed gangs, locally referred to as bandits, target villages, schools, and travellers.

Last month, dozens of schoolchildren were abducted but later rescued in Kaduna state.

The criminal gangs continue to carry out mass abductions and demand hefty payments to release victims, even though ransom payments are outlawed in Nigeria.

Read more:

• Kidnapped Nigerian schoolboy recounts daring escape from bandits
• Nigeria's kidnap crisis: Inside story of a ransom negotiator

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Sudan has suspended three pan-Arab TV stations, accusing them of "unprofessional reporting and harmful publishing".

The stations - United Arab Emirates (UAE)-owned Sky News Arabia and Saudi-owned Al Arabiya and Al Hadath - have reported extensively on Sudan's year-long civil war.

The suspension was prompted by the broadcasters' "lack of commitment to the required professionalism and transparency" and failure to renew their licences, Information Minister Minister Graham Abdel Gader was quoted by Sudanese media, external as saying.

Sky News Arabia’s suspension also stemmed from "harmful publishing", according to the Paris-based Sudan Tribune.

Both Al Hadath and Al Arabiya said they were not officially informed of the suspension and regularly renew their licences.

Relations between Sudan and the UAE have deteriorated after the Sudanese army and Western media accused the UAE of supplying weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS) called the media suspensions a "clear violation of freedom of expression and the press".

A child bride in Ghana who was married to a 63-year-old traditional priest is 15 and not 12 as earlier reported, the country's Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister has said.

"My latest information, which you obviously have, is that she is almost 16...July somewhere she will be 16," Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng said in an interview with Ghanaian radio station Citi FM on Tuesday, external.

Mr Boateng added that although the girl was older than initially reported, she was still a minor and his ministry would work with other agencies to protect her rights.

The chief of Nungua traditional area, where the ceremony was held, told Citi FM that the girl was 13.

In Ghana it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to get married.

Public outrage erupted after footage of Saturday's customary wedding was shared on social media.

On Monday, police said they had identified and tracked down the young bride and that she would be under their protection as they investigated the controversial marriage.

The office of the influential priest, who serves an indigenous community in the capital, has continued to defend the ceremony, saying it was an engagement and the girl is not expected to perform marital duties yet.

Members of the community in Nungua are part of the Ga people, who live along the south-eastern coast of Ghana.

In Ga culture, the selection of chiefs, high priests and wives of the high priest is believed to be a spiritual process.

Specific families are responsible for nominating someone for these roles to serve the gods.

In this case, the girl comes from one of the families who by tradition must provide a bride for the high priest.

For the family, it is an honour - though in most cases the chosen candidates for these roles are adults.

Read more:

• Ghana child bride under police protection after marriage to priest

Image source, AFP

At least 10 civilians have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during an attack officials believe was carried out by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, reports say.

The rebels set fire to a health centre, looted shops and burned down houses in the village of Mangodomu on Tuesday, according to Emmanuel Kathembo Salamu, the mayor of the city of Mangina in North Kivu province.

"The army is in contact with the enemy. Psychosis reigns here," the mayor was quoted by local media as saying.

A patient at the health centre was reportedly among those killed during the attack.

The DR Congo army is yet to comment on the raid.

The ADF was originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s by people disgruntled with the government's treatment of Muslims.

But after being routed by the army, remnants of the group fled across the border to the DR Congo.

Since then, the Ugandan and Congolese armies have launched a joint military operation against the ADF.

Thomas Naadi
BBC News, Dakar

Image source, Senegal Presidency/X

The newly inaugurated president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has named the leader of the biggest opposition party as his prime minister.

Ousmane Sonko is President Faye's political mentor and the two had been imprisoned just before the March elections.

They were granted amnesty, alongside many other political prisoners, by the outgoing President Macky Sall.

"A few hours after taking office as the president of Senegal, his excellency Faye has appointed Sonko prime minister," the presidency posted on X, external.

Mr Sonko had originally been named as the opposition's presidential candidate until he was arrested and ruled ineligible to stand - a move that sparked mass protests.

During campaigns both Mr Sonko and Mr Faye outlined radical political and economic reforms, including national reconciliation after months of turmoil sparked by their jailing.

In his inauguration speech on Tuesday, President Faye said Senegal would become a country of hope with a strengthened democracy.

Read more:

• Senegal election offers hope to frustrated young Africans

Our African proverb of the day:

Click here to send us your African proverbs.

That's all for now from the BBC Africa Live team - we're back on Wednesday.

There'll be an automated service here in the meantime, plus you can find the latest updates on the BBC News website or listen to our Focus on Africa podcast.

A reminder of Tuesday's wise words:

And we leave you with this photo of South African singer Tyla meeting fans in Johannesburg:

Image source, AFP

Image source, Getty Images

Former President Jacob Zuma has filed an appeal against South Africa's electoral commission, which last week barred him from standing in forthcoming elections.

The 81-year-old served as president from 2009 until 2018, when he had to step down because of corruption allegations.

He was convicted and received a 15-month prison sentence in 2021 for contempt of court - and the constitution says anyone who has had a prison sentence of longer than 12 months is not eligible to run for election.

Since then, having left the governing African National Congress (ANC), he has joined the new uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party ahead of May's general election.

The AFP news agency reports that court papers filed on his behalf argue that the electoral commission "had no valid reasons to violate the political rights of [former] President Zuma".

Nigerians face soaring electricity bills if the government goes ahead with plans to scrap its subsidy for 15% of consumers.

Doing so would save the public purse $2.6bn (£2bn) but only heap more pressure on millions of people struggling under a cost-of-living crisis.

The move was announced by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday, as a way to ease pressure on public finances.

He did not say when the rate would go up, but said rates had last been reviewed in 2020.

The superstar said a prank story that he had been arrested in Kenya was "extremely irresponsible".

Amin Elsheikh says: "I feel lucky to be alive. But millions still stuck in Sudan are not so lucky."

Paul Njie
BBC News

Gabon's transitional president, Brig Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, has hinted at the possible creation of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission to address atrocities in the country's past.

The military junta "reserves the right to analyse the merits" of such a commission, he said to loud applause on Tuesday while opening a forum about the transition to civilian rule.

Gen Nguema and his military government are accused of excluding key opposition figures from these month-long talks, where more than 100 parties will debate a new constitution and a timeline for the transitional government.

His remarks about a truth process come amid growing calls for justice for 2016's post-election violence, when then-President Ali Bongo was controversially re-elected in disputed circumstances.

After a preliminary probe into the incident, prosecutors from the International Criminal Court decided not to pursue a formal investigation for crimes against humanity. If Gabon's military junta does decide to launch a truth, justice and reconciliation commission, it is likely to re-open a painful wounds.

"The timeframe of a transition seems, to me, far too narrow to establish responsibility for each event," said Gen Nguema on Tuesday. It is unclear if his statement is an indirect request for more time in power, or more time to get a commission up and running.

As things stand, elections have been promised for August next year.

Arthur Wharton left Preston North End to become the world's first black professional footballer.

Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service newsroom

Talks have begun in Gabon over the country's transition to civilian rule.

Representatives from more than 100 political parties are taking part in what's being called an Inclusive National Dialogue.

The process was initiated by the country's military leader Brig Gen Brice Oligui Nguema and will be chaired by the Archbishop of Libreville, Jean Patrick Iba-Ba.

The military forced out President Ali Bongo in August last year after an election beset by accusations of fraud.

It has since promised a transition to democratic rule.

More about Gabon:

• A simple guide to last year's coup
• Gabon gets paid to protect its rainforest

• Ali Bongo: The playboy prince kicked out of power
• Gabon's strongman Gen Brice Oligui Nguema

The 12-year-old married the 63-year-old traditional high priest in an elaborate customary ceremony.

Image source, Getty Images

"I have never been arrested by anyone for any crime in any country in the world," Davido has told fans on social media.

It followed speculation that he was under arrest in East Africa. That had led to a "barrage of calls", says the Nigerian singer, and he's now threatening legal action against whoever started the rumours.

"I successfully completed my scheduled shows in Uganda and Kenya and have since returned home to Nigeria," added the statement on Tuesday.

Others clearly agree that the shows were a success, with Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper calling his Kololo show a "timeless hit wave".

So good was the performance, the paper said the star's late touchdown at Entebbe airport and failure to join a press conference were all but forgotten.

BBC World Service

Maryse Condé, the French-Guadeloupean author, who wrote about slavery, colonialism, sexuality and African dictatorships in more than 20 novels, plays and essays, has died aged 90.

Born Maryse Boucolon in the Pointe-à-Pitre in the 1930s, she went on to marry the Guinean actor Mamadou Condé and moved to his home country, then to Ghana, Mali and Senegal.

Among her most celebrated novels are Ségu and Hérémakhonon - which means "Waiting for Happiness" in the west African Malinke language.

The latter novel follows a Paris-educated Guadeloupean woman, who realises that her struggle to locate her identity is an inner journey, rather than a geographical one.

Ms Condé was awarded France’s Legion of Honour in 2004. She also won an alternative to the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2018, when the Swedish academy award was halted over a rape scandal.

The victory of President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, shows that elections can bring change.