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Ugandan Church Sets Guinness World Record for Longest Applause
A Ugandan church in July set the Guinness World Record for the longest applause after its members clapped non-stop for more than three hours.
On July 30, 2023, the Phaneroo Ministries church in Kampala, Uganda, held an event called “Clap For Jesus” to celebrate its ninth anniversary. The event was attended by 926 people, who clapped continuously for three hours and 16 minutes, maintaining an average sound level of 88.5 decibels. This broke the previous record of two hours and five minutes, set by Clark Stevens and The Festival of Awesomeness in the United Kingdom in 2019.
The event was live streamed and monitored by observers from Uganda’s standards agency and national basketball governing body. The participants were required to clap continuously and stewards ejected those who paused.
Grace Lubega, the church’s leader, told the Guinness World Records that the event aimed at uniting people in thanksgiving and celebration. She said, “We wanted to send a message to the world that regardless of the struggles and difficulties, we must have room for gratitude and thanksgiving.”
Uganda on High Alert After Thwarted Church Bombing
The Ugandan capital, Kampala, was on high alert on Monday after police thwarted a suicide bombing attack on a church.
The US embassy in Uganda has warned that “there remains a threat of terrorist attacks in Uganda and throughout the region”, and has advised US citizens to stay alert and avoid large public gatherings.
The thwarted attack came just days after a similar bombing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which killed at least 26 people.
In the Ugandan case, police said they arrested a 28-year-old man before he could enter the Rubaga Miracle Centre, a church operated by the prominent Ugandan preacher Pastor Robert Kayanja.
The man was carrying an improvised explosive device in a food flask, which was later detonated by authorities.
Police said the man was part of a group of four who had been planning to attack churches in Kampala. The other three suspects are still at large.
The foiled attack has raised fears of a wider terrorist threat in the region. The US embassy has urged US citizens to “remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance their personal security”.
The Ugandan government has also stepped up security measures in the capital. Police have increased patrols and checkpoints, and security forces have been deployed to protect key installations.
Google Taps Alex Okosi to Lead Africa Expansion
Alex Okosi, the YouTube maestro, is taking his talents to Google Africa.
Okosi, who has been with YouTube for over 10 years, has been appointed as the new Managing Director for Google in Africa. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing Google’s operations on the continent, including programs to help businesses and economies grow, as well as expanding access to the internet and providing tools to help people get more out of it.
Okosi is a seasoned media and technology leader with a deep understanding of Africa. He is passionate about using technology to empower people and businesses, and he is well-positioned to lead Google’s growth in Africa.
“I am excited to join Google and to be a part of this amazing team,” said Okosi. “I believe that technology has the power to transform lives, and I am committed to using my experience and skills to help Google make a positive impact in Africa.”
Okosi’s appointment is a major coup for Google. He is a respected figure in the African media and technology landscape, and his arrival is a sign of Google’s commitment to growing its business in Africa.
“Alex is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in the media and technology industries. He has a deep understanding of African countries and a passion for using technology to empower people and businesses,” said Meir Brand, Vice President, EMEA Emerging Markets at Google.
Kenyans Can Now Travel to DRC Without a Visa
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Thursday lifted visa requirements for Kenyans, effective immediately. This is a reciprocal move after Kenya waived visa requirements for Congolese nationals last month.
The decision to scrap visa requirements was announced by the DRC’s Director General of Migration, Roland Kashwantale Chihoza, in a statement on Wednesday. He said the move was part of the DRC’s commitment to promoting free movement of people and goods within the East African Community (EAC).
The EAC is a regional bloc of six countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The DRC became the seventh member of the EAC in May 2022.
The lifting of visa requirements is expected to boost tourism and trade between Kenya and the DRC. It will also make it easier for Kenyans to travel to the DRC to visit family and friends, or to do business.
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