Africa: All of Africa Today – June 3, 2025

 Ugandan Army Foils Attack On Religious Shrine As Pilgrims Gather

The Ugandan authorities have called for calm after loud explosions near the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, which attracts thousands of Christians each year to honor the memory of Ugandan Christians who were killed for refusing to renounce their faith. Two people were killed by attackers whom the Ugandan army describes as “terrorists”. An army statement said it was an “intelligence-led operation” that foiled the planned attack, and that “security services are on heightened alert to ensure the Martyrs Day celebrations proceed without disruption”.

 Kenya’s Former Deputy President Slams ‘Growing Intolerance For Dissent’ 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cited the arrest and charging of software developer Rose Njeri as a “troubling sign” of the state’s willingness to “target youth and innovation”.
Njeri was arrested on May 31 after she created the Civic Email, an online platform designed to facilitate public objections to the proposed Finance Bill by enabling citizens to send feedback directly to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Parliamentary Finance Committee.

Human Rights Groups Demand Release of Detained Nigerien Activist Moussa Tiangari

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), urged Niger’s authorities to immediately release civil society activist Moussa Tiangari, who was arrested on December 3, 2024, at his home in Niamey by men claiming to be policemen. On January 3, 2025, the Niamey High Court charged him with terrorism-related offences, including criminal conspiracy and plotting against the state, charges that could carry the death penalty. Tiangari was remanded to Filingué prison, where he remains arbitrarily held in pretrial detention. He has not been interviewed on the merits of the charges against him before a judge.

Gabon to Ban Raw Manganese Exports by 2029 

Gabon has announced a ban on unprocessed manganese exports, set to take effect on January 1, 2029. The move formed part of a broader strategy to industrialise the economy, increase local value addition, and reduce poverty by upskilling the workforce and boosting tax revenues. French company Eramet, which owns Gabon’s largest manganese mining company, Comilog, acknowledged the government’s decision and pledged to maintain the 10,460 jobs it supports via its transport arm, Setrag. Countries such as Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania are also limiting raw material exports and encouraging domestic refining and processing to maintain more value from their mineral wealth. Manganese is a key ingredient in steelmaking and increasingly in electric vehicle batteries. It is a major export for Gabon, along with oil and timber.

Rwandan Anti-Trafficking Efforts Repatriate Over 100 Victims in a Year

The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) reported that 105 Rwandans were repatriated between June 2024 and May 2025 after falling victim to human trafficking, shedding light on the primary causes, methods used by traffickers, and government efforts to combat the crime. RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira said victims were lured with false promises of high-paying jobs abroad, only to be subjected to forced labor or criminal activities. He said that a growing number of educated and informed individuals are now among the victims, countering the belief that only the uneducated are targeted. Murangira urged Rwandans to question offers they feel are too good to be true, especially deals offered by strangers.

Bill Gates to Channel Most of $200bn to Africa Over Next 20 Years

Microsoft founder Bill Gates announced that most of his fortune would be spent on improving health and education in Africa over the next 20 years. Speaking in Addis Ababa, the 69-year-old philanthropist said that, by unlocking human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity. He also urged Africa’s young innovators to explore how to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare on the continent. He said that his decision to give away 99% of his wealth, inspired by Warren Buffett and others, aimed to ensure he would not be remembered as someone who “died rich.” Gates also praised African governments that prioritise the health and well-being of their citizens and called for more investment in primary healthcare. The Gates Foundation said it had three priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions of people out of poverty.