By Haggai Matsiko Uganda outspends Kenya on military for the first time Uganda’s expenditure on arms surpassed Kenya’s for the first time in 2011, a new global arms expert report shows. Uganda spent US$1.02 billion; about double Kenya’s US$735 million. Details show that Uganda spent US$270 million on its usual …
Read More »Grounds exist for a rebellion
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati In the last two months a number of people have been arrested by security agencies on grounds that they were plotting rebellion against President Yoweri Museveni’s government. On March 23, some 53 people were charged with treason. At the same time, there are reports of ADF …
Read More »Should governor Mutebile resign?
By Andrew M. Mwenda President should not jump from one arbitrary position to another in service of popular sentiment Since The Independent broke the story of businessman Hassan Basajabalaba’s Shs 169 billion “compensation” last year, two ministers have resigned and three members of staff at State House have been fired. …
Read More »Mutagamba’s timber ban
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati & Julius Businge Prices go up but experts say she is barking the wrong tree On a busier day Bashir Mutebi, a timber dealer, would be negotiating deals to sell timber to Sudanese and Kenyan traders, and retailing to dealers in Kampala. Usually, he would sell …
Read More »Obstetric fistula: A double tragedy
By Miriam Mukama When a woman gives birth, usually it is joy. The newly born baby makes the mother a heroine of sorts and, she is thanked, given gifts and praised even in the humblest of communities where life hardships are too many. But Catherine Namukasa, 22, despite giving birth …
Read More »Pedal power brings cheap energy to rural Rwanda
By Steve Terrill The lights Daniel Ntibaziyandemye uses for his nocturnal fishing trips are charged by pedal-powered generators that offer an affordable means of creating energy, even for the poor. The small generator, which stands knee-high inside a wooden frame, is operated by what looks like a recumbent exercise bike …
Read More »Can the poor save the world?
By Jean-Michel Severino Sombre economic outlooks among rich countries versus optimism in poorer Asia, Africa, and Latin America, poses an unprecedented challenge Events in 2012 so far have confirmed a new global dissymmetry. Caught between unprecedented financial insecurity and a somber economic outlook, the rich OECD countries and their middle …
Read More »Police responsible for its officer’s death
By Nathan Nandala Mafabi and Mathias Mpuuga Another example of the police working for the political interests of the NRM dictatorship rather than the security of the people We are issuing this statement on behalf of all opposition leaders and activists in order to set the record straight about the …
Read More »Scramble for Kampala land
By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Lukwago, Musisi, Land Board fight to control prime city plots Immediately the now indicted George Agaba took office at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), he raised uproar with directives he made about the management of the city’s public land. As acting Director for Physical Planning, Agaba …
Read More »Kampala land bonanza
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Museveni aide blocks donor project, wants Shs 1bn, State House cited in major land scams A land dispute between President Yoweri Museveni’s Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi and the Nakawa Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) is standing in the way of a US$4.5 million (Shs 9 billion) project. …
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