By Ronald Musoke As Uganda celebrates its 53rd Independence anniversary at the Kaunda Grounds in the northern town of Gulu, it looks like a good point to assess how much the country has achieved, especially in comparison to its neighbours. The theme of this year’s celebrations – `Striving towards a …
Read More »Independence and 2016 elections
By Ian Katusiime Most turning points historically occurred at election time Among the five East African nations of Uganda, has arguably had the most turbulent political history since it attained independence in 1962. As it celebrates its 53rd independence anniversary – with the 2016 general elections three months away, political …
Read More »Constitutional Court shakes Youth, workers, army
By Haggai Matsiko The implications for 2016 elections The Sept.29 ruling by the Constitutional Court that put an injunction on election of special interest groups’ legislators has created excitement amongst sections of political pundits – just months to the 2016 polls. It is being viewed as a pointer that the …
Read More »Are the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals Doomed?
By Joi Sears On Sept. 25, more than 150 world leaders convened at the United Nations headquarters in New York City to formally adopt an ambitious new sustainable development agenda. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intended to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and reverse climate change. Much like …
Read More »Remembering the KCCA evictions
By Patrick Kagenda What happened to Musisi’s modern trains? July 2015 marked exactly one year since Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Rift Valley Railways (RVR) started evicting encroachers on the railway reserves. The operation left a number of people dead and thousands counting loses. Bulldozers razed homes, business …
Read More »Mbabazi gains, Besigye loses
By Agather Atuhaire Just six years ago, Henry Peter Mayega was a member of the opposition Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party. Then he switched sides to the ruling NRM party. Today he is Uganda’s ambassador designate to the Peoples republic of China. At any time these days, Mayega is all …
Read More »Controversy shrouds Gen. Aronda death
By Ian Katusiime On Sept 11, an Emirates flight EK323 on which Gen. Aronda Nyakairima was a passenger departed Incheon International Airport at 11: 55 pm (5.30am Ugandan time) in Seoul, South Korea, headed to Dubai International Airport. This nine and a half hour flight was to be the last …
Read More »Beyond Mbabazi, Besigye, TDA drama
By Independent Team What it really says about Ugandan politics Until Aug.17, the de facto leader of the Opposition, Retired Col. Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi were on opposite sides in Uganda’s two-horse race politics. Unknown by many people, a major swift occurred that morning when Mbabazi …
Read More »Fight over road contracts
By Ian Katusiime Local contractors say they are tired of `eating’ crumbs Uganda is on a road construction binge. The first priority on the National Development Plan is to improve the condition of roads through tarmacking and maintenance. In the 2015/16 Financial Year, up to 400kms of roads are to …
Read More »Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, 56, dies
By Agather Atuhaire Quiet general was chief of defense forces for 10 years On June 7, 2003, President Yoweri Museveni who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces took a decision that would have far-reaching implications for the Uganda army and the country. He removed Maj. Gen. James Kazini …
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