New focus is on the economy, instead of civil and political rights Kampala, Uganda | DICTA ASIIMWE | For years, Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has produced annual reports with various variations of this excerpt from its 2020 report: “The government was reluctant to investigate, prosecute, or punish officials who committed …
Read More »Court martial says nope to NUP 28
But Justice Minister Mao vows to free the civilians COVER STORY | DICTA ASIIMWE & AGATHER ATUHAIRE | This October is a do-or-die month for the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao. It is the month, he has said, that will see him fulfill his pledge to ensure …
Read More »Population pressure delays Butaleja wetlands restoration
Shs160bn project from COP21 commitments at stake NEWS ANALYSIS | Dicta Asiimwe | A project intended to help subsistence farmers in Butaleja district, eastern Uganda, cope with climate change impacts is at risk of failure as some would be beneficiaries have not yet left the wetlands where they grow rice. …
Read More »Uganda’s faltering fight against poverty
Kampala, Uganda | DICTA ASIIMWE | Days after it emerged that the number of Ugandans living below the poverty line has increased to levels last seen twenty years ago, debate amongst experts is raging. But while the figures have raised eyebrows, experts say they are not overly surprised given the …
Read More »Amuru is best location for sugar factory – Madhvani
By Dicta Asiimwe Mayur Madhvani is the Managing Director of Madhvani Group which owns Kakira Sugar Works in Uganda. He spoke to Dicta Asiimwe about plans to expand to Amuru, sugar production in East Africa, and the complex sugar trade between Uganda and Kenya. Some analysts have blamed shrinking demand …
Read More »Lukwago, Mao split threatens alliance against Museveni
By Dicta Asiimwe TDA has to forge a united front since, for the alliance to be relevant; it needs all the big players on board The Democratic Alliance (TDA) which brings together groups opposed to President YoweriMuseveni plans to snub newly re-elected Democratic Party (DP) President-General Norbert Moa and accept …
Read More »EALA treaty needs reforms Speaker Kidega
By Dicta Asiimwe Dicta Asiimwe spoke to Dan Fred Kidega, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) speaker about his plans to tackle the challenges at the regional body. What is your plan for EALA? The first and most important thing is to unite the assembly. You see, what transpired in …
Read More »Budget trouble
By Dicta Asiimwe MPs allege forgery of reports but Speaker raises no objection Parliament approved the budget figures this week with, at one point at 6 pm, 21 members in attendance. Presided over by Speaker Edward Sekandi, by six o’clock, with over one hundred votes not yet passed, those present …
Read More »Kabaka Mutebi’s 17th coronation anniversary
By Dicta Asiimwe The venue for Buganda’s 17th coronation anniversary celebrations of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, Kabasanda, Butambala County is one of eighteen counties of Buganda. As the bevy of female traditional dancers, in colourful kikoyi wrappers and tight-tops, gyrate to the din of royal drums being beaten in …
Read More »Al-Shabaab and Museveni’s bumpy roads
By Dicta Asiimwe The road from Kampala to Ntungamo, 400km away, is bumpy, especially the 120km stretch between Masaka and Mbarara which is under construction. Fortunately, as our five-car convoy snaked along, we had a police escort car with siren blaring to cut through the mass of slow moving evening …
Read More »