In The Magazine

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati & Joshua Masinde Is it cynical to say opposition leaders should use adverts in the media, emails, sms, and fliers? While in Pader recently, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Kizza Besigye was scheduled to be hosted on the local radio station, Luo FM radio. He …

By John Njoroge The Independents John Njoroge attended a press briefing by the new U.S. Ambassador Jerry P. Lanier. Excerpts. What is your opinion about Uganda’s preparedness for the 2011 general elections? We are anxious that the preparations move forward. We know that there are some questions about a number …

By Matsiko wa Mucoori, Rukiya Makuma  & Mubatsi Asinja Habati  80% of perceived corrupt officials are NRM When the NRA rebels took power on January 26, 1986, President Museveni launched a working document called The Ten-Point Programme. The document contained 10 priority areas that the new leadership committed itself to …

By Jocelyn Edwards Despite a setback last week, activists and journalists in the campaign for the release of Uganda’s oil Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) vowed to continue fighting, striking against the walls of government secrecy until they fall. Two Daily Monitor journalists will appeal the decision of a Nakawa court …

By Séverine Koen Breakdancing and skateboarding suffer from bad reputations as they are commonly associated with foreign influences in Uganda. Yet, they are now being used as forces for good by two groups, Breakdance Project Uganda and the Uganda Skateboard Union. A look at these groups and how they were …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Finally, I have settled down at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut where I will be a post-graduate fellow for the next couple of months. The place is below freezing but it offers the best environment for someone to indulge in intellectual speculation. With few public …

By Olara Otunnu To effect democratic change in Uganda, you need a double hand approach. Ugandans on their own, without the international community cannot produce change. The international community on their own, without Ugandans being at the fore front, cannot make it happen. Because of the very particular nature of …

By Patrick Kagenda The Uganda Road Fund was established by an Act to finance the routine and periodic maintenance of public roads, facilitate delivery of road maintenance services and other related matters. The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda caught up with Engineer Michael M. Odongo, the URF chief executive. What is the …

By Joseph Were Otunnu reveals source of pressure Will it make the 2011 elections free and fair? The road ahead was straight smooth tarmac. Visibility was clear as the sunny day had not yet given way to darkness. Hoping to hurry passed the truck in front which was moving way …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Last month, the NRM National Executive Committee (NEC) passed a resolution adopting its everlasting leader Yoweri Museveni as the party’s presidential candidate for 2011 elections. The resolution was passed without debate. When two MPs challenged it, they were booed to silence! Museveni is afraid of an …