A church in Uganda, Phaneroo Ministries, has achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest applause.

In celebration of the church’s ninth anniversary, members of Phaneroo Ministries in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, gathered for a special event known as “Clap For Jesus.” During this extraordinary event, the congregation embarked on a continuous clapping session that lasted for an astounding 3 hours and 16 minutes, all while maintaining an average sound level of 88.5 dB. To qualify for the Guinness World Record, they had to sustain a sound level above 80 dB throughout the entire duration.

A total of 926 participants came together to create this thunderous applause. Guinness World Records issued a statement confirming that they successfully met the required sound level criteria.

Grace Lubega, the leader of the church, explained that the purpose of “Clap For Jesus” was to unite people in a spirit of thanksgiving and celebration. The event was conducted with great enthusiasm, with stewards ensuring that participants continued clapping without any breaks.

This extraordinary achievement was not only witnessed by those present in the hall but also livestreamed to a wider audience. Observers from Uganda’s standards agency and the national basketball governing body closely monitored the event to verify its authenticity.

In accomplishing this remarkable feat, the Ugandan church surpassed the previous record of two hours and five minutes, held by Clark Stevens and The Festival of Awesomeness in the United Kingdom in 2019.

Phaneroo Ministries church’s achievement of setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest applause is a testament to their unity, celebration, and unwavering faith.

Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown has been hit by power cuts after Turkey’s Karpowership switched off the electricity supply due to an unpaid debt of around $40 million, the energy minister said on Friday.

Minister Kanja Sesay told Reuters that the outstanding amount “was accrued over time because the government subsidises more than half the cost the ship charges per kilowatt hour”.

He said the government had to spend more on the subsidy because it charges consumers in the weak local Leone currency, one of worst performing against the dollar in which it pays the power provider.

A government commission has been set up to review consumer electricity tariffs which could double.

Karpowership, one of the world’s largest operators of floating power plants and part of the Karadeniz Energy Group, signed deals in 2018 and 2020 to provide electricity to Sierra Leone’s state power utility.

The company has made similar deals with several Africa countries that are struggling with electricity supply.

Karpowership could not be reached for comment.

The company says on its website that it had deployed around 65 megawatt power generation capacity to Sierra Leone since 2020 and has been supplying 80% of its total electricity needs.

Sesay said the switch-off by Karpowership had reduced electricity supply to the capital by 13%. Electricity is now being rationed in the capital with homes and business going without electricity for hours daily.

Karpower is one of three sources of electricity to the city – the other two includes the country’s hydro dam, and power from the from an interconnection with Ivory Coast which also supplies Guinea and Liberia.

Sesay said Karpower supply is mostly needed during the dry season when water levels at its dam are low. Dependence on the firm is reduced during the rainy season. The country is currently at the peak of its May to November rainy season.

Rwandan authorities have arrested a suspected serial killer following a gruesome discovery of over 10 corpses buried in a pit within his Kigali residence. The 34-year-old suspect allegedly targeted his victims, both men and women, whom he met in bars and then lured to his rented accommodation on the outskirts of the Rwandan capital.

According to Thierry Murangira, the spokesman for the Rwandan Bureau of Investigation (RIB), the suspect’s modus operandi involved enticing victims, particularly prostitutes, to his residence, where he would rob them of their phones and personal belongings. Subsequently, he would strangle his victims and bury their remains in a pit dug within his kitchen.

While local media sources reported finding more than 10 bodies, an anonymous RIB source revealed that 14 victims have been counted thus far. However, the exact number of victims will be determined through forensic investigations, as confirmed by the RIB spokesman.

Notably, the suspect had been previously arrested in July on charges of rape and robbery but was released on bail due to a lack of evidence. The ongoing investigation eventually led to a search of his home, resulting in the grim discovery of the buried bodies in the kitchen pit.

The suspect has reportedly confessed to learning his methods by studying videos about notorious serial killers. In some cases, he allegedly dissolved his victims in acid. He also meticulously selected victims who were less likely to have close family or friends to inquire about their disappearances.

The apprehension of the suspected serial killer serves as a significant development in the ongoing investigation, shedding light on the heinous crimes committed and providing closure to the victims’ families.

Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, marked its 55th independence anniversary with a grand celebration attended by King Mswati III and various dignitaries. The festivities took place at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, where cheering crowds gathered to commemorate the occasion.

Addressing his people, King Mswati III used the platform to extend a message of unity and peace to the African continent. He acknowledged the power struggles and conflicts that have affected parts of Africa, particularly in the northern region, and stressed the importance of preserving peace. The monarch emphasized that such conflicts hinder progress, including initiatives like the African Free Trade Agreement, and called for prioritizing peace on the continent.

One notable guest at the event was Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who embarked on a four-day visit to Eswatini. President Tsai highlighted the significance of the occasion and the enduring partnership between Eswatini and Taiwan, which has spanned more than five decades and has been instrumental in fostering progress and development.

During the visit, Eswatini and Taiwan signed agreements, further solidifying their diplomatic ties. It’s worth noting that Eswatini is Taiwan’s last declared ally in Africa, as most African countries have established diplomatic relations with China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory.

The celebrations in Eswatini not only marked a historic milestone in the nation’s history but also underscored the importance of diplomacy, cooperation, and peace in the broader African context.

In a move aimed at fostering closer ties and easing travel restrictions between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), both countries have reciprocally lifted visa requirements for their respective citizens.

This significant development was formally announced by the Directorate General of Migration in the DRC, and it officially took effect on September 1, 2023. The change in visa policy coincided with Kenya’s own decision to waive visa requirements for Congolese nationals visiting Kenya.

The decision to eliminate visa requirements for Kenyan travelers to the DRC aligns with the directives of the DRC President and underscores the commitment to enhancing regional integration within the East African Community (EAC). As a result of this decision, Kenya has been moved from category 2 to category 1 in terms of visa requirements, bringing it in line with EAC regulations promoting free movement among member states.

This move towards simplified travel procedures echoes a broader trend in Africa. During the African Private Sector Dialogue Conference on Free Trade, President William Ruto hinted at the possibility that this might be the last time African citizens need to pay for visas to visit Kenya.

In recent months, Kenya has taken steps to promote visa-free travel by extending such privileges to citizens of Indonesia, Comoros, and Senegal. Additionally, Kenya and Eritrea have reached an agreement to permanently waive visa requirements for their respective citizens. Kenya is actively pursuing similar visa-free arrangements with other nations, including Djibouti, as part of its efforts to boost trade and cooperation.

In another positive development, holders of Kenyan passports are now eligible for visa-free entry into South Africa, thanks to a new visa-free regime established through diplomatic negotiations. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa played a pivotal role in facilitating this arrangement.

These progressive changes in visa policies represent significant strides towards facilitating travel and fostering closer cooperation among African nations. These developments hold the potential to greatly benefit citizens and promote regional integration across the continent.

The Senegalese Navy successfully intercepted a group of 118 irregular migrants off the country’s coast, as part of their ongoing efforts to prevent dangerous journeys towards Europe. The patrol boat stopped the migrants near Saint-Louis in the north of Senegal.

The intercepted migrants are scheduled to be transported to Dakar, although further details about their situation have not been provided as of now.

This interception is part of a series of operations aimed at curbing irregular migration, particularly via pirogues, which have surged in recent weeks. The French Navy has also been involved in these operations, documenting them on social media since August 23.

Over the past two weeks, more than 1,000 individuals aspiring to emigrate have been intercepted or rescued from these perilous journeys.

The dangers of attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in search of a better life are well-known, with hundreds of migrants losing their lives in the process each year. They typically embark on these risky journeys aboard modest boats or motorised pirogues, often provided by human smugglers who charge a fee for their services.

Many of these migrants aim to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago, which serves as a gateway to Europe. However, the treacherous voyage remains a significant challenge, and authorities are continually working to prevent loss of life and provide assistance to those seeking safer and legal migration options.

A prominent healer in Burkina Faso, known as Amsétou Nikièma or Adja, has been sentenced to three years in prison for her involvement in an assault case on one of her patients. The controversial healer and her co-defendants faced charges of forcible confinement, assault, battery, and complicity.

The verdict was delivered at the Ouagadougou high court following a lengthy hearing. Adja was found “guilty” of “complicity in assault and battery” and was sentenced to three years in prison. Additionally, she was fined one million CFA francs (approximately 1,500 euros), accompanied by a suspended sentence.

The prosecutor had initially requested a two-year prison sentence, with one year suspended, and a fine of three million CFA francs (around 4,500 euros). During the trial, Adja pleaded not guilty to the charges and expressed her willingness to seek “forgiveness” for the actions committed by her collaborators, whom she claimed acted without her knowledge.

Adja stated, “All I can say is ask for forgiveness from the prosecutor and everyone; my mission is to heal and not to punish.”

The victim of the assault and kidnapping, Hamidou Kanazoé, chose not to become a civil party in the case, asserting that the matter had been resolved amicably between the involved families.

Eight of Adja’s collaborators, who admitted their involvement in the assault, were sentenced to 48 months in prison and fined 500,000 CFA francs (approximately 750 euros), with their sentences suspended. They asserted that they had acted independently and without any orders from Adja.

Adja gained notoriety for her healing sessions aimed at aiding victims of “evil spirits.” Her popularity grew significantly in just three years since her first session. The healer was arrested following the circulation of a video on social media depicting the torture of a man by individuals claiming to be associated with her.

While awaiting transfer to a detention facility, Adja managed to escape with the assistance of military personnel. She was subsequently imprisoned at her request in the Ouagadougou army remand center rather than the civil prison, citing “security reasons.”