President Tshisekedi, visiting American senior advisor, discuss minerals-for-security deal COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | Finally, African countries know that unlike in his first term where they hardly mattered, U.S. President Donald Trump this time has the continent on his agenda. Just as in his first term, President Trump has delayed …
Read More »Gen. Muhoozi’s first year as CDF
Playing roulette with nation’s security COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | In the one year that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been Chief of Defence Forces, he has become mainly known for playing Russian roulette on his X account—-sometimes raising heightened fear among opponents, engaging in light banter with the public, or …
Read More »UPDF wrong on South Sudan deployment
Experts say Uganda’s involvement inflames tensions COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT REPORTERS & AGENCIES | The entry of soldiers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) into South Sudan in support of the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit has inflamed tensions there. That is according to expert observers, civil society …
Read More »Guns silenced as people power wins in Kawempe
Opposition win in chaotic poll leaves NRM shabby ahead of 2026 COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | After two weeks of chaotic campaigning where baklava masked soldiers dragged and arrested candidates from nomination booths, beat up journalists, and fired live bullets at civilians, Kawempe North Constituency is calm. And it …
Read More »Fear of renewed war in South Sudan
Juba tense after arrest of opposition politicians, army generals COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT & AGENCIES | The political situation in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, is tense following the arrest of politicians and to army generals aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The unrest comes amid growing concerns over instability …
Read More »Ugandans happy with NRM, Museveni – poll
But Afrobarometer finds issues they want fixed COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT | The first poll linked to the 2025-26 election year is out. On Feb.26, Afrobarometer, the Pan-African non-profit and non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on Africans’ experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life, …
Read More »Kizza Besigye’s trial, Museveni’s pressure
Why the state changed charge sheet again Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME – COVER STORY | The saga of Dr Kizza Besigye’s trial has taken another twist after he was on Feb. 21 sneaked into Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court and charged with treason and misprision of treason which, on conviction, carry …
Read More »Besigye’s fate after Supreme Court ruling
The issues blocking his way to freedom COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Supreme Court in a landmark case ruled on Jan. 31 that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. “ All charges or criminal trials or pending trials involving civilians must immediately cease and be transferred to …
Read More »Why are poor poorer, and the rich richer?
Anti-poverty report sees billionaire wealth surging as poverty is unchanged since 1990 COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | On Jan.20, the global anti-poverty NGO, Oxfam International published its 2025 report. It coincided with the day business elites gathered in the Swiss resort town of Davos for the World Economic Forum Annual …
Read More »Military courts martial
Why have they become a popular tool of repression? COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT | The military court martial of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) that sits at Makindye in Kampala City has gained international notoriety for trying civilians. International scrutiny of the court martial has intensified since it started …
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