Africa Daily

The World Health Organisation is sounding the alarm – obesity is on the rise. Latest figures from the WHO show that more than 1 billion people in the world are obese – meaning they have abnormal or excessive body fat. In Africa, numbers are rising too. One in five adults in Kenya, Libya and South Africa are predicted to be obese by December 2023. Earlier this year Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, called this rise in obesity on the continent a ‘ticking time bomb’. So why is obesity on the rise in Africa and what can be done to fight it. That is what Victoria Uwonkunda is discussing today on Africa Daily. Guests: Sam Mohau (@MohauSam), fitness enthusiast Dr Adelheid Onyango (@Ad_Onyango), Director of the Universal Health Coverage at the WHO

Polygamy is said to be legally recognised in more than 25 African countries. But though the practice is not legalised in the rest of the continent, you still get situations where a man has more than one wife. And so recently when an MP in Ivory Coast suggested a bill to legalise polygamy, it caused a commotion. And the debate continues.He says if polygamy is legalised, women will be better protected. However women’s rights groups argue this is not the case. Today we are asking how is polygamy dividing opinion?Host: Victoria UwonkundaGuests: Ivorian MP, Yacouba Sangare, BBC’s correspondent Lalla Sy and women’s rights activist Hala Al-Karib

After a week back in his home country of Uganda, Alan has spoken to people from all walks of life. He’s met people struggling to get by, doctors trying to make a difference and students trying to decide whether to build a life there or move overseas. In the second part of his interview with President Museveni, Alan focuses on the questions Ugandans are asking about the future. Can the government bring the cost of living under control? What is the role of the opposition? And who does Mr Museveni think might run the country next? #AfricaDaily

Last week Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, visited Uganda’s capital. He met with President Museveni as part of a tour to bolster support among African countries. Uganda is one of many countries on the continent that have refused to condemn the war in Ukraine. But on Thursday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield – the US ambassador to the United Nations – is visiting the country. She is likely to deliver a very different message to Mr Museveni. Amid all the high profile visits, Alan is also in town. He sat down with President Museveni to ask how Uganda is navigating the turbulent relations between two of it’s allies. #AfricaDaily

While 2000 of the world’s languages are African, African languages are barely represented in technology. Part of the reason for this is that many of these African languages are classed as 'low-resource'.This means there is a lack of data existing for these languages - and this is the data needed to teach machines how to speak and understand them.As a result, technology has been unavailable to large swaths of the continent.However, there are signs that things are starting to change.This year, Google Translate announced it would be adding 10 more African languages.Alan Kasujja has been speaking to Dr Ignatius Ezeani, a senior researcher on Natural Language Processing and Nana Ghartey, founder of Ghanaian voice assistance app, Abena, to find out how artificial intelligence can better serve African languages.

Kenya, one of Africa's leading economies, will be electing a new president on 9 August. The main contenders seeking to replace President Uhuru Kenyatta are his deputy William Ruto and his long-time rival, now turned ally Raila Odinga. The election comes at a hard time for many Kenyans who are facing a surge in the cost of living, unemployment and severe climate change challenges, among others. But whoever takes over and becomes Kenya’s fifth president will also work to make sure Kenya remains a key political and economic player in the region and in Africa. On today’s Africa Daily Ferdinand Omondi sits down with BBC colleagues and fellow Kenyans; Beverly Ochieng and Dickens Olewe to discuss candidates vying to becoming Kenya’s new president and look at whether Kenyan election should matter to the rest of the continent. Host: Ferdinand Omondi (@FerdyOmondi) Guests: Beverly Ochieng (@BeverlyOchieng), Dickens Olewe (@DickensOlewe)

Alan is on the road in his home country Uganda. Last week he visited Kampala’s markets – talking to customers concerned at a spike in the cost of food.Many prices have more than doubled in recent weeks – whether it’s for sweet potatoes, a bag of cement or a litre of petrol. It’s meant people choosing to drive less as they struggle to balance their budgets. Now, in a discussion recorded live in front of an audience in Kampala, Alan asks whether there is a solution to the cost of living crisis? Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kassuja) Guest: Raymond Mujuni (@qataharraymond)

When Alan arrived in Kampala this week, the first thing he noticed was fewer cars on the road. With petrol prices rising, people are thinking twice about using their cars. And the impact is being felt in the markets too. The cost of staple food has shot up in recent months, with some prices almost doubling. So, in the first of two episodes looking at the cost of living, Alan went down to the market to find out how people are adapting to price hikes. Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)

Political dynasties are an ongoing debate as Kenya elects a new president on August 9. President Uhuru Kenyatta will leave office after 10 years in power. He comes from a strong political legacy. His father was Kenya’s first president after independence – Jomo Kenyatta. Among those vying to replace him are also familiar names on the Kenyan political scene. The main contenders are Raila Odinga, whose father, Oginga Odinga, was Kenya’s first vice president. The other main man in pursuit of the higher office, William Ruto, has been President Kenyatta’s deputy for 10 years. But on the continent, Kenya isn’t alone or unique in having legacies and dynasties in politics. Today on Africa Daily, Ferdinand Omondi is discussing the influence of powerful political families on African democracies. Presenter: Ferdinand Omondi (@Ferdyomondi) Guests: Sylvanus Wekesa (@sylwekesa) and Nerima Wako (@NerimaW)

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is in Ethiopia today.It’s the last stop on a tour trying to bolster support amongst African countries.Much of the continent has been badly affected by grain shortages caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. But Mr Lavrov denies the country’s role in the global food crisis.And Moscow is keen to strengthen ties with this continent where many countries have been reluctant to take sides and condemn the war in Ukraine.On Tuesday Mr Lavrov was in Uganda, where Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja was able to attend his joint press conference with President Museveni.