NEWS ANALYSIS

Helicopters are more dangerous than planes ANALYSIS | SCOTT NEUMAN | The crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other top officials on May 19 was the latest high-profile deadly helicopter accident in recent years. For most people, the death of retired NBA star Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter …

Uganda’s power cut as Kenya, DR Congo, S. Sudan spend more on armies COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2023 recorded the biggest percentage increase in military spending in the world, according to new data from SIPRI, the Sweden-based security think tank. DRC’s spending …

Study shows 2013 hike helped reduce poverty even though compliance was poor ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Minimum wage policies are typically aimed at reducing poverty. Yet there is little direct evidence of this effect, especially in developing countries. And none for South Africa. In a recent paper, we consider the income, …

The wildly popular app has been in the headlines for weeks as US lawmakers face off against TikTok’s Chinese parent company over a potential nation-wide ban. Here’s why the app is so special ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | The content recommendation algorithm that powers the online short video platform TikTok has once …

SPECIAL FEATURE | Alfred Geresom Musamali | Former President Apollo Milton Obote’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister Patrick Rubaihayo (84), who was recalled to his creator on Thursday 16th May has left behind a wife (Miriam), 11 children, 24 grandchildren and at least 20 major crop breeding research undertakings as …

Balancing route efficiency on a tight budget Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines, celebrates a shortterm wet lease agreement of an Airbus A320 airliner with Global Airlines of Johannesburg, South Africa, some commentators appear bent on dampening the excitement. While announcing the deal on May …

Africa holds 60% of world’s arable land but struggles with crop productivity Nairobi, Kenya | RONALD MUSOKE | In a bid to eradicate persistent hunger across the continent, African leaders who met recently in Nairobi, pledged to increase domestic production and distribution of high-quality fertilizers by threefold within the next ten …

What to expect from Uganda signing IGAD Protocol COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | Uganda has finally signed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) protocol that allows lawful free movement in and out of citizens of the countries of the East and Horn of Africa region. By signing of the Protocol …

Chinese firms struggle to find buyers ANALYSIS | TOM STACEY | China’s automotive industry has revolutionised over the past decade, from producing basic western clones to making cars that equal the world’s best. As the manufacturing powerhouse of the world, China is also producing them in huge volumes. However, Chinese cars …

Pivot of Ankara’s expanding influence in Africa ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | The Turkish government has recently put the Military Training Cooperation Agreement signed with Uganda on its agenda for approval. It is expected that the agreement, once approved by the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, will soon go into effect with its …