By Haggai Matsiko Shs700 billion lies idle under new finance system Bank of Uganda’s latest figures for October show a buoyant economy with the 2012/13 growth figures revised upwards from 4.3% to 5.8%. However, the same figures show contractions from August in the agricultural and manufacturing indices. Anecdotal evidence from …
Read More »Many won’t mourn Lukwago’s fall
By Andrew M. Mwenda The mayor has consistently opposed and obstructed every effort to reform the city and thereby rendered himself irrelevant Finally, the NRM has found a way to get rid of Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago, a man who has been a thorn in their feet. A commission of …
Read More »ATAF lauds Uganda’s tax reforms
By Joan Akello African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) officials say Uganda has made strides in using the mobile phone tax payment to increase compliance. They say the South African Revenue Service is weighing its options on the move. “Uganda’s cell phone tax payment is great … with a great Commissioner …
Read More »Umeme announces interim dividend
By Julius Businge Power distributor, Umeme Uganda Limited, in line with its dividend policy has announced an interim dividend of Shs 8 per share approved at its meeting held on Nov. 14, it said in a note released on Nov. 18. The Board of Directors of the Company resolved to …
Read More »M23 dilemma
By Haggai Matsiko Museveni, Kagame regional clout dealt a blow. Regional leaders left in the dark as Kinshasa, UN pound M23 out of DR Congo. The Nov.11 meeting in Kampala where the delegation from the DR Congo refused to sign a peace deal with the M23 rebel group might have …
Read More »Inside the fair trade movement
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 …
Read More »NSSF to spend US$400 million on Lubowa project
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 …
Read More »Congo peace deal signing stalls
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 …
Read More »Intelligence in crisis
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 …
Read More »Behind Museveni’s cash handouts
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 …
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