Sudhir, BoU fallout: An inside account of the politics behind the tycoon’s troubles Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | On July 6, President Yoweri Museveni chaired a meeting at which tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia and officials from Bank of Uganda (BoU) sought to resolve a crisis resulting from the takeover of Crane …
Read More »The new Museveni age-limit plan
How president’s team has `trapped’ MPs on Age Limit Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | No bill seeking to remove the 75-year age limit on the presidency has been tabled but the head-butting around the issue is intense. When, on Aug. 07, President Yoweri Museveni’s staff posted a photo on …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Museveni’s refinery deal
Museveni’s refinery deal: Now gov’t says in negotiations with GE-led consortium as Chinese protest Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | A fight between Chinese and American investors over the US $ 4 billion refinery deal could further delay the project, observers fear. These fears have been sparked by reports that …
Read More »Inside Museveni’s life presidency project
Inside Museveni’s life presidency project | Exposing faces behind campaign to lift age-limit Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | Members of President Yoweri Museveni’s inner circle know something is serious if Lt. Col Michael Katungi is involved. He is a very quiet officer who likes to keep a low profile but …
Read More »Chinese quit Museveni’s refinery deal
US$4bn project fails to get investor again KAMPALA, UGANDA |HAGGAI MATSIKO| President Yoweri Museveni’s oil refinery project has once again suffered a major blow with a major Chinese contractor quitting. As has happened in many major infrastructure deals, frustration over in-fighting, intrigue and lobbying had already taken root with cabinet officials, …
Read More »The secrets behind the Sudhir saga
How BoU is overseeing the biggest asset grab ever Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | On July 3, Crane Bank which is under receivership by Bank of Uganda (BoU) sued its former owner, Sudhir Ruparelia, and a company called Meera Investments Ltd also owned by Sudhir in what might turn …
Read More »Museveni criticised, Kagame unveils fancy party headquarters
ANALYSIS: Museveni criticised, Kagame unveils fancy party headquarters Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | On June 17, President Paul Kagame unveiled the complex of buildings comprising the headquarters of his party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in Nyagahinga Cell in the Rosoro sector of Gasabo District. The centerpiece of the US$10 …
Read More »America, China in US$ 4bn Uganda refinery deal race
Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | President Yoweri Museveni and technocrats at the Energy Ministry are set to pick an investor for Uganda’s $4 billion refinery but details of what is emerging from negotiations and due diligence meetings is troubling. Insiders say the in-fighting, intrigue and lobbying that has undermined previous infrastructure …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Business feels Chinese pinch
Indians, local traders struggle as red dragon invades retail If any one place can be described as the heartbeat of Uganda’s retail business, it is Kikuubo Road; a half kilometer road in down town Kampala, that is an open market yard. At any time of day it is so packed …
Read More »Nalufenya: Tortured mayor and others
Police brutality cases that shocked the nation The worst known victim of torture in the Nalufenya police dungeons so far is the LC-III chairman of Kamwenge town council, Geoffrey Byamukama whose case shocked the country when gruesome pictures, showing deep wounds on his kneecaps surfaced. The red open wounds looked …
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