NEWS ANALYSIS

Tax waiver on brown rice is meant to reduce its price from Shs 4,500 to Shs 3,000 per kilogramme The good news for rice consumers in Uganda is that if the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development sticks to its guns to have unprocessed rice commonly known as “brown …

Kenya’s history of election violence is threatening to repeat itself By Sekou Toure Otondi In April Kenya saw an increase in intra-party political violence following the start of its political party primaries that began on April 13 and run for two weeks. The primaries are “mini-polls” held by political parties …

Filling 23 posts for judges has become complicated with various groups proposing new ways for President Yoweri Museveni and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to balance competence, integrity, and politics. Pressure is highest over replacing Deputy Chief Justice, Steven Kavuma who retires in September and two Supreme Court Judges. Other …

What polling strategy means for Afrobarometer survey findings “Most Ugandans favour proposed reforms to improve elections and Parliament, new Afrobarometer survey shows.” That was the title of a statement to journalists from Afrobarometer’s agent in Uganda, Hatchile Consult Ltd, on April 28 when the results of the survey were released. …

Ebola in DR Congo’s isolated far north a logistical challenge Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP |  An Ebola outbreak in a remote region in DR Congo’s far north poses a logistical challenge for doctors and aid workers although the sheer remoteness could help limit its spread. The latest outbreak of …

Why President is coiling away from fighting regional wars At the height of 2012, Uganda had a military footprint in about ten countries and was being described as the region’s police. In four of these, it was fighting the Al Shabaab in Somalia, the Lords’ Resistance Army (LRA) and Allied …

Beijing, China | AFP |  China was basking in praise Monday for its new Silk Road even as some countries raised concerns over the project seen as boosting Beijing’s global clout on trade and geopolitics. Almost 30 world leaders are attending a two-day summit promoting China’s One Belt, One Road …

Will technology deliver a free and fair election this time? By John Walubengo Elections present a milestone beyond which countries either strengthen their democratic credentials or become failed states. Often states fail when there are either perceived or blatant election malpractices. This in turn can lead to prolonged civil unrest. …

French president Macron’s top quotes at inauguration Paris, France | AFP | Emmanuel Macron took over as French president on Sunday, promising to heal the country’s divisions and breathe new life into the European Union. Here are quotes from his inauguration speech: – On France – “The time has come for …

  Nigerian economy glimpses dim light at end of tunnel Lagos, Nigeria | AFP |  Suffering from rampant inflation, stalled investment and mass layoffs, Nigeria is still gripped by one of the worst economic crises in its history. But for the first time in months, the West African economic giant …