World News
In Uganda, a father of 102 children, but not one more
Sylvie Claire / February 2, 2023
At first it was a joke (…), but now it’s a problem”: in Uganda, Musa Hasahya Kesera is the father of 102 children and struggles to provide for them… or even remember their names.
At 68, he is the head of a family of 12 wives, 102 children – the youngest 10 years old, the oldest 50 – and 578 grandchildren.
He has become an attraction in his village of Bugisa, in eastern Uganda, but he will stop there. “I learned from my irresponsible attitude of having so many children that I can’t take care of,” he says.
His large family lives between a dilapidated house with a rusty tin roof and about 20 mud huts nearby.
With my failing health and less than a hectare of land for such a large family, two of my wives left because I could no longer provide for the basics, such as food, education or clothing,” says this father, who is currently unemployed.
To prevent the family from growing any further, his wives use contraception. “Not me,” he says.
Musa Hasahya Kesera was first married in 1972 at the age of 17 in a traditional ceremony.
His first child was born a year later.
“Since we were only two children (in his family), my brother, parents and friends advised me to marry several women to have many children and increase our family wealth,” he explains.
Attracted by his status as a cattle seller and butcher, villagers offered him the hand of their daughters, some of whom were still minors – a practice that has been prohibited since 1995.
Over the years, he cannot even identify his own children.
I only remember the names of the first and last born, I don’t remember most of the others,” he admits bluntly, digging through stacks of old notebooks in search of details about their births: “It’s their mothers who help me identify them.
Musa Hasahya Kesera admits he also has trouble remembering the names of some of his wives. He has to ask one of his sons, Shaban Magino, a 30-year-old schoolteacher who helps run the family business. He is one of the few children who went to school.
To resolve the disputes, which are not lacking in the family, monthly meetings are organized.
The village of Bugisa is largely agricultural, with small-scale rice, cassava, coffee, and livestock farms.
In Musa Hasahya Kesera’s family, some try to earn a little money or food by doing domestic chores for their neighbors or spend their days searching for firewood and water, often walking long distances.
Others stay at home, women weave braids or braid hair while men play cards under the shelter of a tree.
When the midday meal, often consisting of boiled cassava, is ready, the father of the family comes out of his hut, where he spends most of his day, and calls loudly for the family to line up to eat.
But we hardly have enough food. We have to feed the children once, or even twice on good days,” says Zabina, Musa Hasahya Kesera’s third wife, who says she would never have married him if she had known he had other wives.
He brought back the fourth, then the fifth until he reached 12,” she sighs.
Seven still live with him in Bugisa. Five have left him because of lack of resources or space on the family farm.
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Key findings from the report include:
1. Internet Penetration Growth: Internet penetration in Yemen has surged by 22% from the previous year, with an estimated 10.5 million Yemenis now having access to the internet, representing 36% of the population.
2. Mobile Connectivity: Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access, with smartphone ownership increasing by 18%, reaching a total of 9.2 million users. This growth is attributed to expanded mobile network coverage and more affordable data plans.
3. Social Media Usage: Social media usage has seen a significant uptick, with platforms like Facebook experiencing a 30% increase in active users, now totaling 7.8 million Yemenis. WhatsApp and YouTube follow closely, each with over 6 million active users.
4. E-Commerce Expansion: E-commerce has boomed, witnessing a 45% rise in online transactions compared to the previous year. The total value of e-commerce transactions in 2024 reached USD 360 million, indicating a growing preference for digital shopping experiences.
5. Digital Payments Surge: Digital payment systems have gained widespread adoption, with mobile money users growing by 55% to reach 4.3 million users. This surge in digital payments has led to a 25% decrease in cash transactions across various sectors.
While Yemen continues to face challenges, the rapid growth in digital adoption is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people,” said [SIMON KEMP], at Datareportal. “These numbers reflect the transformative potential of digital technologies in driving economic growth and improving access to essential services.
The report also sheds light on ongoing challenges such as intermittent power outages and internet disruptions, which hinder seamless digital integration. Additionally, the cost of digital access remains relatively high for many Yemenis, highlighting the need for continued efforts to enhance affordability and accessibility.
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– About Datareportal
Datareportal is a leading provider of comprehensive digital insights, empowering businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders with data-driven decision-making tools. With a commitment to accuracy and depth, Datareportal remains at the forefront of global digital trends and transformations.
Fuad Al-Qrize ( Arabic: فؤاد الكريزي ) – Yemeni Writer
World News
Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack
Eva Deschamps / March 23,
At least 133 people were killed on Friday evening in an armed attack followed by a huge fire at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, which was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (EI).
The four perpetrators” of the attack were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, said the Russian president on Saturday March 23.
The Russian president spoke at a time of terrible tragedy in Russia. “The four perpetrators” of the attack near Moscow were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, he said in a televised speech broadcast the day after the murderous attack. “According to initial data [from investigators], on the Ukrainian side, a passage had been prepared for them to cross the border”, he continued, notes Le Monde.
The attack, which killed at least 133 people near Moscow, was in the eyes of the Kremlin leader a “bloody and barbaric act of terrorism”. “Peaceful, innocent people […] including children, teenagers and women” were killed, he continued, adding, “I express my deepest and most sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.” A national day of mourning will be observed on March 24.
“War”. In his speech, Vladimir Putin assured that “those behind these terrorists will be punished” and that they “will have no future”. On Saturday, the Kremlin announced that eleven people had been arrested, including the four suspects who carried out the attack.
Sylvie Claire / March 23,
After weeks of silence from the British royal family, cancer-stricken Princess Kate has announced that she has begun chemotherapy.
Princess Kate explains that it has taken them some time to explain the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis. She concludes her message: “But for now, I need to focus on my full recovery. I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For anyone facing this disease in any form, don’t lose faith or hide. You are not alone.
2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen
A New Era of Global Communication Through Outernet
