By Ronald Musoke Anxious times as NRM camp claims that Ruranga is coming along with other FDC big wigs When Maj. (rtd) Rubaramira Ruranga, the former head of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Electoral Commission, announced his defection to NRM late last month—the ruling party celebrated.  But many opposition …

By Peter Nyanzi Optimism as Uganda is ranked second most peaceful country in Great Lakes Region If you want to live in peace in the Great Lakes region, go to Tanzania. If not, Uganda is the second option, that is according to the Global Peace Index 2013, which measures the …

By Joan Akello Population experts, ministers disagree on need to control population growth As Uganda’s population continues to expand, there does not seem to be an agreement between population experts and politicians about the need to put a brake on it. However, the population experts though not entirely counting on …

By Stephen Kafeero The Grameen Foundation is applying innovative ICT systems to spur smaller holder subsistence agricultural practice in Uganda. Sean Krepp, their country director in Uganda, spoke to Stephen Kafeero about their operations. How are you applying mobile phone technology in agriculture, health and financial services in Uganda? We …

By Achola Rosario A poor girl’s struggles to get justice against her rich, powerful abusers Six months ago, a 23-year-old waitress was approached by a Pakistani man in the bar where she worked. Work as a bar waitress was the only job Zaina could get at the time, considering that …

By Stephen Kafeero A Ugandan Westgate Mall attack survivor tells a chilling story of how he escaped by the skin of his teeth Seated in his office, Richard Mauku says he counts himself very lucky to be alive today. Together with some of his colleagues from the Uganda Hotels, Food, …

By Larry Diamond and Jack Mosbacher Novel recommendations for ensuring that Uganda’s ‘Black Gold’ cash benefits as many citizens as possible Uganda is awash in oil. But how can the country avoid the negative development outcomes experienced by every previous oil-rich country in Africa? Uganda’s legislators have tried to craft …

Twelve easy steps to getting a healthy pregnancy and baby Uganda is a country with one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world. Whenever a mother or a baby dies during pregnancy or labour, most people normally blame the health worker or health facility for the …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Before resigning as President Yoweri Museveni’s Principal Private Secretary (PPS) in 2010, Amelia Kyambadde had served as private secretary to Museveni from 1979, spent five years in exile in Sweden and later returned to the same job in 1986. Currently, she is the Minister of Trade, …

By Katharina Pistor Debt burdens are growing yet excessive reliance on debt finance  is undermining basic tenets of democracy When Greece’s sovereign-debt crisis threatened the euro’s survival, US officials called their European counterparts to express bewilderment at their inability to resolve the issue. Now, the tables have turned, with American …