By Ella Rychlewski At the age of 27, I have been to every continent except Antarctica, visited over 30 countries and lived in five. Extensive travel as a tourist has given me a broad overview of the cultural diversity Planet Earth offers. I have learned what makes a country memorable, …
Read More »Convention brings hope to domestic workers
By Rukiya Makuma Sandwiched between a dilapidated saloon and a kiosk, the domestic workers recruiting agency in Nakulabye is not easy to locate. The pinned posters advertising for maids and a single desk are the only proof that the discolored room is an office. At night the office doubles as …
Read More »1325: Another failed promise for women
By Rosebell Kagumire Anniversary of UN resolution on impact of conflict is marked by disillusionment It is more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in modern conflict. Those words, uttered by Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, a UN force commander in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2008, …
Read More »Two faces of hunger
By Rukiya Makuma Ignoring the urban poor who take water for lunch Clad in a dark blue blazer and grey trousers, Ali Kayombo of Kataka Parish in Kibuku District of eastern Uganda may appear like those lazy youths one expects not to transform their livelihood unless a miracle happened or …
Read More »Is the Judiciary delivering or delaying justice?
By John Howse The Constitutional Court is under pressure. The Independent has found that currently 123 petitions stand unresolved before the court with only 41% of cases being resolved since the court’s inception in 1996. This year, an unprecedented 40 petitions have been filed in the court. The last highest …
Read More »Kyangwali refugee camp: Between hope and despair
By Ella Rychlewski Soon after I arrived in Uganda, I had the opportunity to visit Kyangwali Refugee Camp in Hoima district, western Uganda. COBURWAS, a partner organisation of Educate where I work, is based in the camp. The journey from Hoima district town to Kyangwali takes over four stressful hours …
Read More »Torture in Prisons
By Haggai Matsiko Warders increasingly suffer violence as prisoner human rights observance increases in towns On June 14, Denis Bakisu , an inmate at Mbale Prison, was taken to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for a tooth extraction. Unknown to prisons officials, Basiku was faking his pain as part of an …
Read More »Civil Society Organisations spend to avert violence in 2011 elections
By Haggai Matsiko In the last weeks, tension has been growing in the country with warring political contestants, especially within the NRM, unleashing mayhem against each other. Every week there seems to be another conflict. As a result, civil society organizations have created various projects to prevent potential violence that …
Read More »Homeless, hungry and waiting
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Bududa landslide victims destined for Kiryandongo after six months in IDP camps James Mangu lost more than his home in the Bududa landslides on March 1, 2010. Seated amongst hovering houseflies and half-naked children running wildly through the parade of tents that dot Bulucheke Internally Displaced …
Read More »What kind of candidate are you?
By The Independent Team Whether in trees or on the road, campaign posters provide insight and at times, a good laugh. As election momentum builds in the country for NRM primaries and the general election, the capital city is awash in campaign props. Dangling from trees and electric wires, or …
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