Burundi’s opposition leader Agathon Rwasa has been elected as a deputy speaker of parliament, despite strident criticism of recent legislative and presidential polls.

There has been a political crisis since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would run for a third term.

Mr Rwasa withdrew from this month’s presidential election and described Mr Nkurunziza’s victory as “a joke”.

He now says he will “play the game” to bring peace, AFP news agency reports.

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Mr Rwasa supported the protests that began in April, against Mr Nkurunziza’s third-term bid in which more than 70 people have died in clashes with the police.

There was also a failed coup attempt in May.

Mr Rwasa’s opposition coalition also called for a boycott of June’s parliamentary elections, but with its name on the ballot paper it still won 21 seats.

There is a faltering negotiation process, chaired by Uganda that is aimed at solving the crisis.

Mr Rwasa took up his seat in parliament to some surprise on Monday saying that as the talks were still going on it was worth participating in the political process.

Fellow opposition leader Charles Nditije said Mr Rwasa’s move betrayed those who died during the protests.

He was elected as one of parliament’s deputy speakers with the backing of MPs from Mr Nkuruniziza’s CNDD-FDD party.

The BBC’s Prime Ndikumagenge in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, says that it is difficult to see what Mr Rwasa’s strategy is.

But the opposition leader may now have more influence on the politics of the country in his new post, he says.

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Dar es Salaam-President Yoweri Museveni has been honoured by the University of Dar es Salaam for his noble contribution in the application of knowledge to solve problems.

Museveni was awarded a certificate of Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa and decorated by Prof. Rwekaza Mukandala the University Vice Chancellor.

Mukandala was accompanied by  Prof. Pius Yanda (Pan Africanism), Prof. Florens Luoga (Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic), Prof. Cathbert Mimambo, Pius Yanda (Environment Climate), Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi (Dean of Ceremonies) and  Prof. Agnes Mwakaje (University Proctor) at a colourful ceremony held at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The award is one of the highest decisions by the University Senate.

“The award is in recognition of your notable contribution in the application of knowledge to solve real problems. Despite the immense challenges which the Republic of Uganda and its people are facing in the aftermath of wars and civil conflicts, you have endured and managed to hold the country together and ensure peace and order,” Prof. Luoga said.

Prof. Luoga said under Museveni’s leadership, Uganda is settling and tribal politics that posed a serious threat to a united Uganda have been harnessed.

“Your approach is managing and controlling the HIV/AIDS pandemic is lauded as one of the most effective national responses to the pandemic in the continent,” he said.

Prof. Luoga said successive governments after Idi Amin grappled without success to bring under reign the hyperinflation that collapsed the Ugandan economy but it is Museveni’s commitment and strong leadership that has salvaged the Uganda economy and today it is ready for integration within the East African Community.

“It cannot be denied that your excellence stands as a stabilizer of the nation and a champion of change,’’ said Prof. Florens Luoga.

The President was donned by Prof. Pius Yanda with an academic gown, Prof. Penina Mlama donned President with the appropriate hood, Prof. Agnes Mwakaje placed the cap and Prof. Rwekaza S. Mukandala presented to the President certificate of the Doctor of Literature.

Museveni said it was a great honour for the University to recognize his humble contribution and. He said that he chose to study in Dar es salaam University because of the political atmosphere President Mwalimu created for East African Integration and for the political movement. He noted that students and academicians helped them a lot to solve many problems in Uganda.

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President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to embrace growth and development at all levels. 

The President, who is also the National Chairman of the NRM party, was yesterday addressing over 1000 NRM Women’s League members from all districts of Uganda at State House Entebbe.

The group led by Mrs. Susan Muhwezi, was told by Museveni that the NRM party came to power to solve problems that had failed previous governments.

He said the NRM government has achieved several milestones since 1986 including destroying sectarianism and concentrating on the country’s interests in order to achieve peace and stability.

Further, Mr Museveni said the country has now achieved minimum economic recovery through economic stability and has managed to promote physical-infrastructure development, social economic development and improved education and health services.

He said the country has now achieved total peace as a result of a disciplined and capable Army, the UPDF which is one of NRM’s greatest achievements.

The President urged the NRM Women’s League members to take advantage of government programmes such as NAADS and Operation Wealth Creation to engage in income generating projects so as to improve their standards of living at household level.

The meeting was attended by the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, NRM Deputy Secretary General Richard Todwong and all NRM women Members of Parliament.

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Media experts from all over the world will converge in South Africa for a symposium organized by international award-winning station, Radio 786, a leading broadcaster in the country.

According to a release, the symposium to be held on September 10 under the theme ‘Bolstering the African Voice – A chance for African media stakeholders to shape the continent’s future’ will focus on media networking, dialogue and collaboration.

“The symposium will bring together international experts from America, the Pacific, Latin America and Africa and offer an exciting opportunity to network, dialogue and collaborate in media development. Stakeholders are also invited to submit papers for presentation at the symposium,” a release by the African Press Organisation indicates.

Professors Seif Dana (University of Wisconsin-Parkside (US); Steven Friedman (Universities of Rhodes and Johannesburg); Peter Alexander (University of Johannesburg and Anti-Apartheid activist who also doubles as the President of the Pan African Psychology Union (PAPU) Professor Saths Cooper will present papers at the symposium at the

Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town.

“In an era of the African renaissance and with renewed interest in Africa from both the east and west, Africa should be telling its own story. As the media landscape develops, African media must develop their own model to reflect the aspirations, ideals and challenges of the continent. The Radio 786 Media Symposium offers the opportunity to develop this strategy and borrow from the expertise of fellow media in other parts of the world,” the release states further.

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