Why the recent state brutality towards opposition politicians and journalists should make us revisit liberal traditions THE LAST WORD | ANDREW MWENDA | The 19th century cartoon character, pot-bellied bourgeoisie Monsieur Prudhomme, carried a large sword with a double intent: primarily to defend the republic against it enemies, and secondarily, …
Read More »The challenge of state legitimacy
Government can only govern if people comply with its demands, but why do people comply? THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | The German sociologist, Max Weber, argued that if the state is to exist, the dominated must obey the authority claimed by the powers that be. Then he …
Read More »OPINION: Uganda cannot promote `Rolex’
OPINION: By Fred Muwema The current local and International buzz about Uganda’s Rolex (a rolled chapati with eggs and vegetables) appears to be restoring a little pride to some Ugandans. In June 2016, CNN named Uganda’s Rolex as the fastest growing fast food in Africa. Since then, the Rolex festival …
Read More »THE LAST WORD: Inside Rwanda’s police state
Why Rwandans tell pollsters they are free while abstract standards of freedom say the country is repressive The view that Rwanda is a police state is such an entrenched position among critics of President Paul Kagame that it has become gospel truth. Last week on my radio talk show on …
Read More »Against public education, health
Why obsession with investment in mass public education and health in poor countries could be less optimal policy Let me articulate a heresy. I am increasingly suspicious of the obsession by governments in poor countries to invest in “education and healthcare for all” as a strategy to combat poverty. This …
Read More »Talks between Besigye and Museveni: A Dream or a Possibility
Every after an election in Uganda, the sane members of society have always suggested that the main opposition leader, Kizza Besigye and the incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni meet for talks and strike a balance on how to take the country forward. Since every election in Uganda leaves the country more …
Read More »Why Museveni should retire
In leaving power the president would cause Ugandans to re-evaluate his legacy with better perspective There is one thing I wish to request: That President Museveni and NRM should not amend the constitution to remove the age limit on the presidency so that he can run in 2021. There is …
Read More »Besigye’s Imprisonment Helps more than Hurts the Opposition
OPINION: Besigye has been detained at Luzira Maximum Prison on charges of treason. A huge sect in the opposition feels dejected and beaten, that the heart of their passion has been plugged out and thrown into a Prison cell. For many in the opposition, it is as good as dead …
Read More »KANYEIHAMBA: When the people are betrayed by their leaders
COMMENT: By Prof. George W. Kanyeihamba The greatest disservice that the NRM government has done to Uganda is its tolerance of corruption in public affairs and its failure to curb incidents of abuse of office and embezzlement of public funds. Indeed, in some instances, it would seem that to do …
Read More »How Museveni has Created Another Museveni Out of Besigye
OPINION: Whether knowingly or unknowingly; fortunately or unfortunately, President Museveni has perfectly cloned himself. It is an evolutionary process that has lasted 15 years. The sad fact of the story is Museveni doesn’t recognize a Museveni in Besigye neither does Besigye realize that he’s evolved into a Museveni. The more …
Read More »