Uganda
Thousands of Ugandans were gathering at churches across the country to mark the end of 2017.
The raucous events, during which some preachers are known to make dubious predictions, have become such a staple of New Year’s Eve festivities that the country’s longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, sometimes makes time to make an appearance at a church.
Still, many in this East African country prefer to celebrate at crowded beaches on the shores of Lake Victoria or in darkened halls listening to the music of pop stars who take turns offering crowd pleasers until midnight.
Police warned revelers not to burn car tires in celebration, citing safety reasons, to discourage a favourite activity of those, especially in the countryside, who cannot afford real fireworks.