By Andrew M. Mwenda Why Africa should fight for free trade, not fair trade; for competitiveness in global markets and not kindness in consumers Everyday there is an effort mainly in the West to save Africa from something – tyranny, impunity, poverty, disease, ignorance – whatever. Always, the savior is …

By Julius Businge The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has today (Nov. 13) unveiled a master plan for the construction of 2, 741 housing units in Lubowa estate, which it acquired 10 years ago. When development starts, later in 2014, it will be the first investment on the estate that …

By the independent team The signing of a peace deal between Congo and defeated M23 rebels was delayed on Monday evening after the two sides disagreed on the wording of the pact, a Ugandan minister said. “The DRC delegation has aborted the signing of agreement with M23,” said the Ugandan …

By Haggai Matsiko Loopholes expose Uganda to terror threats On Oct.15, the US Embassy in Kampala issued an unexpected security alert to its citizens with a warning that it was “assessing reports that a Westgate-style attack may soon occur in Kampala.” “Embassy officials are sharing all information with the Ugandan …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Why the president openly bribes voters at public functions and gets away with it and what can be done about it When we had just started The Independent, a particular problem confronted me. Each time a member of staff fell ill at office and was rushed …

By Julius Businge This is the second straight month the Central Bank of Uganda is staying its policy interest rate, the central bank rate (CBR) unchanged at 12%, Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile told a news conference in Kampala on Nov. 4. The policy rate stood at 11% in August before …

By Ronald Musoke Following Total E&P Uganda’s donation of an assortment of safety glasses to Owiny Primary School in Pokwero, Nebbi District on Oct.31, the pupils will be among thousands of curious Ugandans and tourists who will view the eclipse on Nov. 3. The health ministry is cautioning people who …

By Independent Team New report names those failing Uganda’s anti-corruption war A new report by the international rights group Human Rights Watch has sparked new debate on the monster of corruption, a vice that has sent Uganda on its knees in recent years by indentifying the entities responsible for failing …

By Julius Businge France and the government of Uganda have signed a concessionary loan agreement totaling to about $23m to finance the construction of the Nkenda-Fort Portal-Hoima transmission line to evacuate electricity from the proposed thermal power plant at Mputa oil field in Hoima. The 220 kV line is also …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Debunking the myths that mass media generally perpetuate about Africa and Africans Most Western journalists covering Africa tend to purvey prejudice rather than convey accurate information. Even when the journalist knows a specific story is an oversimplification and/or misrepresentation of a more nuanced reality, they still …