By the Independent Team Bujumbura (Burundi) (AFP) – Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza arrived back in the country Thursday, a day after a coup was declared while he was in Tanzania for regional talks, his office said. “President Pierre Nkurunziza is now in Burundi,” his senior communications advisor Willy Nyamitwe told …

By the Independent Team A top Burundian general on Wednesday announced the overthrow of President Pierre Nkurunziza, following weeks of violent protests against the president’s bid to stand for a third term. The radio broadcast by General Godefroid Niyombare — who was sacked from his position as the central African …

By Agather Atuhaire Pundits are warning that President Yoweri Museveni’s disregard of the people’s voices might lead to a chaotic election or even a boycott. “With these new developments,” said Makerere University don Mwambutsya Ndebesa, “the fate of the elections looks very uncertain.” On the day the Constitutional Amendment Bill …

By Agather Atuhaire  After months of outcry from the opposition and Civil Society organisations, the government on April 30 finally tabled the Constitutional Amendment Bill in parliament. While the opposition and civil society had eyes on electoral reforms, the Bill has only one or two clauses about them. The over …

By Andrew M. Mwenda How electoral competition eliminates public spirited candidates and increases the numbers of self-interested ones Around election-time,many candidates for office from across the political divide come to me for advice or assistance. We discuss practical political issues: How do I raise money for my campaign? Who are …

By Haggai Matsiko Bribery allegations, messy investigations swamp police as Kayihura asks for Shs400bn Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police, does not like appearing before the parliamentary committee on Defence and Internal Affairs. Last year, he snubbed the committee twice and only appeared after the committee threatened to …

By Andrew M. Mwenda The benchmarks that Rwandans should discuss as forming the basis for sustainable peaceful transfer of power President Paul Kagame believes in presidential term limits and desires to retire in 2017. I say this with a lot of confidence because I have had many discussions with him …

By Flavia Nassaka According to the electoral roadmap, the general update of the voters’ register was scheduled to end tomorrow April 30 but the Electoral Commission (EC) has today announced the extension of the exercise to May 04th saying that many people have not yet visited their respective parishes to …

By Flavia Nassaka According to the health sector budget frame work paper, the budgetary allocation to the health sector has been reduced from 1. 282 trillion last financial year to 1.227 for 2015/16 financial year recording a 4% reduction. This according to civil society organizations (CSOs) will water down the …

By Haggai Matsiko Auditor General warns on billions spent in courts, President’s Office, State House The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala was on April 13, the scene of ecstatic congratulatory hugs, dancing, and Jubilation. The court had just dismissed a major case involving the alleged swindling of Shs169 billion from the …