In The Magazine

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 …

By Patrick Kagenda Not many Ugandans know the name Ferdinand Oyono. It is an important name to know in the context of the 190 medals that President Yoweri Museveni handed out Jan. 26 in Mbale on the occasion marking the 24th anniversary of his capturing power. Oyono, who is Cameroonian, …

By Samuel Olara Uganda is in the midst of an ‘oil boom’ and continues to attract serious attention from the world’s major oil players. The ‘oil boom’ has predictably resulted in what appears to be “the global scramble for Uganda’s “crude gold filed”.Several international oil giants such as the Italian …

By S©verine Koen The arrest, on January 18, of about 35 women who were protesting at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala, is just one recent example of the difficulty and danger of staging a demonstration in Uganda. Yet, in this pre-election year, the ability to voice ones opinions, …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Two weeks ago Makerere University held its 60th graduation ceremony in which some 13,766 students graduated in various disciplines with different degrees. One thing that got many people talking is the high number of first class degrees doled out at this graduation ceremony – 220 in …

By Independent Team Justice Kanyeihamba opposes political party representatives for EC This March might turn out to be the most important month in the run up to the February 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections. Whether the 2011 outcome will be good or bad depends on the outcome of four Bills …