ARTICLES 2008-2015

By Eriasa S. Mukiibi Kenya has made drastic cuts in mobile telephone call tariffs, posing a huge challenge to her Great Lakes regional counterparts on how to cope with the competitiveness in the sector following the launch of the East African Common Market. Kenyans have been calling at an equivalent …

By Patrick Kagenda Stephen Mwanje is the Managing Director of BM Forex Bureau and chairman of the Uganda Forex Bureau and Money Remittence Association (UFBA) The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda spoke to him When do you start your day? I normally wake up at 4.45am. I stay in Mukono and I …

By Andrew M. Mwenda On Tuesday August 10th, The Independent Managing Editor, Andrew M. Mwenda, hosted President Paul Kagame of Rwanda on a radio show on Contact FM in Kigali, a day after the voting in that country’s presidential election. Mwenda had started the show titled Rwanda Decidesto promote public …

By Matthew Stein Century old law scrapped symbolising new day for press and civil freedom. On the morning of Aug 25, 2010 a dozen or so journalists clamoured into the registrar’s dingy basement office at the Court of Appeals on Parliament Avenue in the hope of witnessing history. The registrar, …

By Matthew Stein During a recent press conference organised by the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) in the wake of the Andrew Mwenda and Eastern Africa Media Institute sedition victory, Mwenda recalled his four days of detainment with pride and fondness.  ‘Going to jail for me was a very important milestone,’ …

By Eriasa S. Mukiibi Real estate developers want banks to change mortgage rules Joseph Kironde’s house in Kansanga, an up-market residential suburb of Kampala, looks somewhat misplaced amid the storied multi-roomed properties behind high wall fences and fancy gates. Kironde’s house is a four-roomed affair, with whitewashed walls, sitting on …

By Patrick Kagenda Marilyn Hill is the Country Manager of Neptune Oil in Uganda. The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda spoke to her. When do you start your day? I start my day at 7 a.m. with overnight emails received and to make plans for the day whether in Kampala or in …

By Andrew M. Mwenda It is rare to read an opinion about politics in Uganda in our media whose premise is our reality. Largely because of the hegemonic influence of Western ideas, most commentators begin with an abstract theory of politics based largely on a context other than our own. …

By The Independent Team Whether in trees or on the road, campaign posters provide insight and at times, a good laugh. As election momentum builds in the country for NRM primaries and the general election, the capital city is awash in campaign props. Dangling from trees and electric wires, or …

By Samuel Olara There is no easy way out of the spiraling brutality that confronts the Karimojong civilians today. As darkness deepens over Karamoja, the NRM government continues with its brutal ‘disarmament programme,’ oblivious to the suffering of the Karimojong. Sadly enough, while this scenario continues, it is business as …