NEWS ANALYSIS

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 …

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 …

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 …

By Agather Atuhaire Why experts want both Besigye and Mbabazi to contest Journalist Daniel Kalinaki starts his book titled, Kizza Besigye and Uganda’s Unfinished Revolution with an April 2011 meeting between former FDC President Kizza Besigye and Western donors and diplomats. At the meeting, the author says Besigye was scolded …

By Independent Reporter AMISOM responds late to al Shabaab re-organisation and tactics On July 23, Stratfor – the American-based intelligence firm- issued an optimistic analysis of the African Union force in Somalia, AMISOM, effort against the militant group, al Shabaab. The analysis was titled, `In somalia, African forces make gains …

By Agather Atuhaire Why Besigye has its vote, Muntu its heart Weeks after Uganda’s main opposition party voted retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye to be its flag-bearer in the 2016 presidential elections, members remain divided over the likely implications of the decision. Within the FDC, The Independent has been told, …

By Haggai Matsiko Security experts raise alarm over rise of ‘militias’ It is 2:30am and a truck carrying bunches of matooke has just got involved in a serious accident with a small car at a main junction in the Rubaga suburb of Kampala city.  The Kabusu area is a favourite …

By Flavia Nassaka An evening of juggling regulators, advertisers, and audiences What a day it has been! I sigh as I put the key into the lock at my house. The warm air from inside hits me first, competing with smells from the fruit basket and the newly cleaned carpet.  …

By Haggai Matsiko When on Aug.14 Research World International released an opinion poll showing that majority or 55 percent of the respondents would vote President Yoweri Museveni if elections were held, many were quick to dismiss it.  Patrick Wakida, RWI’s executive director says that this shows two things—that people do …

By Haggai Matsiko But they now want Shs6.6 trillion. What for? Buyende town is not really a town. It is a collection of a few scattered buildings, has no electricity, no hospital, no commercial bank, and no fuel station.  Still, it is the main town of Buyende district, one of …