Kim Kardashian West, left, and Kanye West. Photo AP
Ugandan officials say Kanye West and his wife, the reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, have arrived in Uganda on a private visit.
Information Minister Frank Tumwebaze said late on Saturday that West's visit is "an endorsement of our tourism resources." Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said on Twitter that the American rapper was traveling with his wife.
They are reportedly vacationing in a luxury safari lodge with a view of the River Nile in the northern part of the East African nation.
Their presence in Uganda is seen as a coup for official tourism promoters, who recently were criticised by the president for allegedly not doing enough to promote Uganda's natural attractions. - Associated press/The National
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will provide funding to assist 6,240 vulnerable small-scale farmers in rural Tanzania impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The IFAD grant will help farmers access inputs, provide market linkages and access agricultural and market information to improve their productivity and increase their resilience.
Growth in Tanzania's agricultural sector was projected to decline from 5 per cent in 2019 to 2 per cent in 2020 due to the recent locust infestation and the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline in growth has resulted in a number of negative impacts including high cost of inputs and limited access to markets with small-scale farmers bearing the brunt.
Through its Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF), IFAD will provide US$ 882,841 as part of its COVID-19 response in Tanzania. At this time when the COVID-19 crisis threatens to push another 500,000 Tanzanians into poverty, the grant aims to minimize the impact on livelihoods, resilience and food security. It will target farmers - half of whom will be women and 30 per cent youth, as well as agro-dealers, off-takers and extension officers in Dodoma, Njombe, Simiyu, Singida and Unguja regions.
Despite the myriad of challenges they encounter, including low yields, crop cultivation remains the main economic activity for most small-scale farmers in Tanzania. To help boost their productivity, the grant will distribute 23,650 kilograms of bio-fortified maize seeds, 14,460 kilograms of sunflower seeds and 971,000 seedlings of fruits and vegetables. In addition, the grant will help safeguard the gains made under the Marketing Infrastructure, Value Addition and Rural Finance Support Programme (MIVARF) - an IFAD supported project that closed in 2020 – by using its existing agro-input distribution system to reach the targeted farmers.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the vulnerability of our food systems. To ensure we build a sustainable and resilient food system, we need to recognize the role small-scale farmers play and empower them to access inputs, information and markets for their produce," said Francesco Rispoli, IFAD Country Director for Tanzania.
A file image of Royal Air Force( RAF) Honorary Commodore, Veronica Pickering on June 30 2021 in England
FILE
A Kenyan has once again been honoured abroad. Veronica Pickering is the first black woman and Kenyan to be appointed Royal Air Force (RAF) Honorary Air Commodore.
For over a century now, the Royal Air Force has defended the skies of Britain as well as expanding the nation's power and influence around the world. The air commodore is a one-star rank and is an air officer rank distinguished to a few since the air force's inception towards the end of World War 1 in 1918.
Mid last month, the UK government has flown out 15 dogs and cats back to Scotland after the animals were left stranded in Kenya. This was after visiting families were forced to leave their pets in Kenya following a ban by the UK government on travel to red list countries.
After negotiations between the families owning the pets and army officials, the UK agreed to fly the dogs back to Royal Air Force (RAF) Brize Norton.
The aerial warfare faction (RAF) works with both local and international partners to patrol airspaces, respond to threats, prevent conflict, and provide assistance where instructed.
Veronica Moraa Pickering was born in Kenya and moved to England with her parents in the late ’60s. She has accumulated over 25 years' worth of experience as a social worker, children's guardian.
Moreover, she has served as an International Child Protection Consultant for the UN (United Nations) and many NGOs(Non-Governmental Organizations) across Africa.
A photo of Veronica Pickering in England during a past function.
NOTTINGHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Veronica currently lives in North Nottinghamshire working as an Executive Coach and Mentor with a number of companies and organizations across the United Kingdom (UK).
Often described as altruistic, she actively supports multiple Nottinghamshire charities and institutions. For many years she has been a strong supporter of arts and wildlife conservation efforts. Veronica is married to Nottinghamshire-born Artist Roy Pickering. She has earned recognition from Kenya's High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK).
"Congratulations @vkpickering on being the first black woman and Kenyan to be appointed RAF Honorary Air Commodore. You definitely are making history. You will notch another first when you take up a royal appointment as High Sheriff in 2023. Pongezi sana," wrote Manoah Esipisu on his Twitter timeline.
Kenya's High Commissioner to the UK Manoah Esipisu.
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