The Federation of International University Sports – FISU has already released draws for the September 2018 World University Netball Championships scheduled to take place at Makerere University.

Over eight netball teams from eight countries have already confirmed participation.

The draws based on the FISU ranking were made at the headquarters of international university sports, based on the University of Lausanne campus this week.

The games are scheduled to take place between September 17 and September 21.

South Africa won the last edition in Miami, USA where Uganda finished fourth after being beaten to the bronze by Australia.

The Ugandan team will have three experienced players of the She Cranes Betty Kizza, Mary Nuba and Joan Nampung. The trio represents Nkumba University.

The World University Netball Championships is a women’s indoor tournament with a maximum of 12 teams competing.

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Emmerson Mnangagwa, centre, takes his seat at his presidential inauguration ceremony in Harare. Photograph: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as president of Zimbabwe today becoming the country’s second leader since independence from white minority rule in 1980.

Mnangagwa took his oath of office in front of tens of thousands of jubilant Zimbabweans who had gathered at a stadium in Harare, after greeting the crowd with a raised fist.

People sung and danced in the stands and raised banners reading “Dawn of a new era” and “No to retribution,” even as human rights activists began to report worrying details of attacks on close allies of the former first lady, Grace Mugabe, and their families. Mnangagwa himself has warned against “vengeful retribution.”

READ ALSO:Zimbabwe’s economic situation very alarming – IMF

Mnangagwa is a 75-year-old liberation war veteran and stalwart of the ruling Zanu-PF party. He was sacked as vice-president by Robert Mugabe two weeks ago, trigging a political crisis that culminated in Mugabe’s resignation on Tuesday.

Senior members of the ruling Zanu-PF party had wanted 93-year-old Mr Mugabe to attend the inauguration of Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man who deposed him, in an attempt to portray a natural transfer of power rather than change at the top initiated by a military coup.

Who is Mnangagwa

He is widely known as “the Crocodile”, a liberation war nickname that may have stuck because it suited his reputation for ruthless cunning.

He was born on 15 September 1942 in east Zimbabwe, where relatives remember him as an “active and confident” boy,

He completed his “O” and “‘A” levels while in prison through correspondence where he spent 10 years following which he enrolled for a law degree. In 1972 he sat for his final LLB examinations with the University of London.

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After independence he was a stalwart of the Zanu-PF party, which he now leads, and was one of Mugabe’s closest aides, cycling through roles including spymaster and security chief, and administering the well-stocked party coffers before being made vice-president.

He fell out of favour, and was ousted along with supporters from his “lacoste” faction, when his own presidential ambitions crossed those of Mugabe’s wife, Grace – but the split was very recent.

His political summary

• 1988 – 2000 Mnangagwa was Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Leader of the House.
• 1995–1996 He was appointed Acting Minister of Finance for 15 months.
• 1996 and was also Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs for a short period
• 2000–2005 was Speaker of the House of Assembly
• 2005–2009Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities
• 2009-2013 Mnangagwa became Minister of Defense in the national unity government
• 2013 Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs
• 2014–2017First Vice President of Zimbabwe
• November, 24^th sworn in as the second president of Zimbabwe

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Government spending and foreign debt are too high and it needs structural reform, Zimbabwe mission chief Gene Leon said.The once-thriving economy is now seen as a regional basket case.

“The economic situation in Zimbabwe remains very difficult, Immediate action is critical to reduce the deficit to a sustainable level, accelerate structural reforms, and re-engage with the international community to access much needed financial support,” Mr. Leon said.

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Arrears to the World Bank, African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank, among other reforms, for the IMF to consider future financing request from the country should be put on board, he added.

Zimbabwe has not been able to borrow from international lenders since 1999 when it started defaulting on its debt and has $1.75 billion rand in foreign arrears.

Mugabe, 93, resigned on Tuesday after nearly four decades in power

Robert Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for 37 years, stepped down earlier this week under pressure from the military and his own Zanu-PF party.

His policies, including disastrous land reforms and printing too much money, are blamed for the calamitous state of Zimbabwe’s economy.

On Thursday, Zimbabwe’s main opposition called for deep-rooted political reform to dismantle the repressive apparatus that sustained Mr Mugabe’s regime.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said it was cautiously optimistic that a Mnangagwa presidency would not “mimic and replicate the evil, corrupt, decadent and incompetent Mugabe regime”, reported AFP news agency.

It is unclear whether Zanu-PF will govern alone ahead of scheduled elections next year, or whether a coalition government of national unity that includes opposition groups will be formed.

New ZANU-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to be sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president on Friday.

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Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

After Zanu-PF vowed to impeach President Mugabe and replace him with ex-vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been fired two weeks ago, President Mugabe in his rambling televised speech to Zimbabwe on Sunday refused to resign as president.

The 93-year-old said he had met with the nation’s security force command before speaking to the nation, but vowed to stay in power.

While acknowledging the struggles and criticisms that led the nation’s security forces to seize power, and the pressure for him to resign, Mugabe said he will preside over the ZANU-PF congress in December however it’s not clear how Robert Mugabe can preside over Zanu-PF’s congress next month, following his dismissal as party leader.

ALSO READ:Robert Mugabe in first public appearance since Zimbabwe’s military coup

The leader of Zimbabwe’s influential war veterans said plans for impeachment would go ahead as scheduled. “That speech has nothing to do with realities. We will go for impeachment and we are calling people back to the streets,” said Chris Mutsvangwa.

The leaders of the military takeover will issue a statement today.

Impeaching the president would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Zimbabwe’s parliament, which is due to resume on Tuesday. But it is a clear indication that if Parliament holds a vote on his future, they will have the numbers to impeach him.

ALSO READ:Zimbabwe military puts country on lockdown

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Robert Mugabe at the graduation

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has appeared in public for the first time since the army’s takeover earlier this week. Mugabe, who was believed to be under house arrest, attended a university graduation ceremony in Harare on today, where he was welcomed by a cheering crowd of supporters.

Dressed in a blue academic gown and hat, he entered the ceremony venue surrounded by security personnel, and announced the opening of the event after joining the crowd in singing the national anthem.
Mugabe’s surprise appearance came after soldiers took control of the headquarters of the state broadcaster ZBC and blocked access to government offices on Wednesday, while denying it was part of a coup against Mugabe’s government.

ALSO READ:Zimbabwe military puts country on lockdown
According to an army statement broadcast on Zimbabwe state television on today, military leaders were “engaging with the Commander-in-Chief President Robert Mugabe on the way forward and will advise the nation of the outcome as soon as possible”.

Earlier The army said the aim of the military intervention was the arrest of criminal elements around Mugabe. It also suggests that if they have anyone in place to take over, it will probably take some time. This will not happen immediately, possible not before the ruling party’s conference in December.”Significant progress has been made in their operation to weed out criminals around President Mugabe,” the statement said, adding that the military had arrested some while others remained at large.

The president appeared at the university without his wife, Grace Mugabe, whose whereabouts are still unknown.Her rapid political rise had alarmed many who feared she could succeed her husband after he fired his longtime deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, last week. That firing set off the military’s moves, and Mnangagwa is expected to lead any new government.

ALSO READ:Mugabe ‘trying to buy time’ to negotiate his exit

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ALSO READ: Mugabe held at his home, says South African president

A section of Ugandan members of parliaments have come out to analyze the situation in Harare.  The minister of state for Urban Development also Buzaaya county MP, Isaac Isanga Musumba,  faulted the Zimbabwean leader  for the military move saying that President Mugabe needed to be sensitive to the population he has been leading since some of the people were a generation of liberation from colonial rule .

Zimbabwe awaits next steps after military takeover

Busiro East MP, Medard Segona, believes that the army takeover of power from Mugabe who has been Zimbabwean president for 37 years was uncalled for since the military has been part of the group running down the country.

Segona stated that as an instrumental figure in the African Union, Mugabe should be advised by the continental body to step aside to allow a new government to access power peacefully.

Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko notes that what is taking place in Zimbabwe should serve as a  learning lesson to other African leaders who use the state sovereignty to man the state institutions as own properties.

Mugabe now aged 93, has dominated the impoverished country’s political scene since independence from the UK. His health has detoriated in recent years with critics accusing his wife Grace of usurping the presidential powers.

The military has seized control in Zimbabwe but has said President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, is safe.

RELATED: Zimbabwe military puts country on lockdown

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President Mugabe and Wife

There is a heavy presence of military and no sign of police on roads leading to the central business district of Harare on Wednesday‚ after the Zimbabwe National Army announced taking over the country just after midnight.

Students writing exams at the University of Zimbabwe were turned away and the campus cleared.

“We were meant to write at 9am and that didn’t happen. Those staying on campus were also told to leave‚” said a final year accounting student.

Some people were sceptical about going to work after the army in its statement said‚ “we urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movements”.

“It’s new to us and we can’t risk our lives‚” said a school teacher who didn’t go to work.

Illegal foreign currency traders on the streets are operating below the radar fearing unruly elements could take advantage of the situation.

The recently named Robert Mugabe International Airport is under military watch.

The United States embassy in Harare has issued a statement advising American tourists and expatriates in the country to keep a low profile.

“US Citizens in Zimbabwe are encouraged to shelter in place until further notice‚” read the statement.

The British foreign office also advised the same.

Other parts of the country are calm as events unravel in the capital.

In a statement‚ the military sent messages to everyone from the police and courts to political parties and churches.

“To the other Security Services: We urge you to cooperate for the good of our country. Let it be clear that we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be met with an appropriate response‚” the military statement read.

“To both our people and the world beyond our borders: We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of Government. What the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political‚ social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.”

source: www.timeslive.co.za

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The mirror states that the 19-year-old is a replacement for the injured Saphir Taider who had to withdraw from the Algerian squad.

Bennacer only made his senior debut for Algeria in September, 2017 after switching international allegiance in July.

The former France under-18 international joined Arsenal from Ligue 2 side Arles-Avignon in August 2015 after turning down a move to Manchester City.

Bennacer has made only one senior appearance for Arsenal, appearing in a loss to Sheffield Wednesday in the cup in the 2015/16 season but he is a regular for their U23 team.

Algeria begin their tournament against Zimbabwe on Sunday, 17th, January and possess Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez,Islam Slimani and Adlene Guedioura in their squad.

They also take on Tunisia and Senegal in Group B and are among the favourites for the tournament

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The draw will involve 16 finalists and will be heavily represented during the ceremony in Libreville at the ASMG Tent in Stade de l’Amitie.

Uganda will be represented by Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic and Commissioner for physical Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports Omara Apita after ending a 38-year wait for a place in the African Nations Cup finals.

The Uganda cranes achieved this by securing a 1-0 win over the Comoros Islands in Kampala on 4th September 2016 to qualify as one of the best runners-up in the 13 qualifying groups for the 2017 African Cup of Nations.

A statement by  FUFA Communications Manager Ahmed Hussein confirmed that Micho and  Omara Apita will represent the nation in Gabon.

“FUFA will be represented by both Cranes Head coach Milutin Sredojevic and Commissioner for physical Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports Omara Apita in Gabon” said Hussein

‘Delegations of the 16 finalists at the draw will also conduct a familiarisation tour of the four cities where stadium, Hotel and training grounds are located for 2017 AFCON Finals’, he added.

Uganda is the best ranked country in the East African region and will hope for a good draw.

AFCON 2017 Pots

Pot 1: Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria

Pot 2: Tunisia, Mali, Burkina Faso, DR Congo

Pot 3: Cameroon, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt

Pot 4: Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Guinea Bissau

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