United Nations, US | Xinhua | World leaders on Thursday, the third day of the General Debate of the UN General AssWorld leadersembly, stressed the central role of the United Nations and the need to reform the organization to make it fit for purpose. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the principles …
Read More »On Uganda’s political development
Why I believe that Museveni would make a strategic partner in negotiating political reform THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | Last week, I argued that political development and democratic progress in Uganda have been held back by the attitude of the opposition towards President Yoweri Museveni. It is true Museveni has …
Read More »Reform at the World Bank
What went right as the Inspection Panel at an institution that used to cause untold harm marks its 30th anniversary? Kampala, Uganda | Danny Bradlow | Development projects can have profound impacts on their societies. There are many benefits that flow from building new roads and power plants, and from modernising …
Read More »Saudis to open sports stadiums to women in reform push
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia will allow women into sports stadiums for the first time from next year, authorities said Sunday, in a landmark move opening up three previously male-only venues to families. The ultra-conservative kingdom, which has some of the world’s tightest restrictions on women, has long …
Read More »Saudi Arabia allows women to drive, in historic move
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it would allow women to drive, the last country in the world to do so, sparking euphoria and disbelief among activists in the ultra-conservative kingdom, where social restrictions are increasingly being loosened. The longstanding driving ban was seen internationally as a …
Read More »Good times over for expats in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Seventeen years after first setting foot in Saudi Arabia, Dominic Steck shipped his two cats and returned to Germany with his wife and school-age children, who hardly know their homeland. As Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to employ more of its own people, and …
Read More »Saudi king Salman cuts ministers’ salaries 20%
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Monday cut cabinet ministers’ salaries by 20 percent and reduced other state officials’ benefits in a continuing austerity drive to cope with lower oil revenues. The 160 members of the Shura Council, who include 30 women, will see a …
Read More »Either reform or be prosecuted – new DPP
By Stephen Kafeero Mike Chibita a former High Court judge is the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He spoke to Stephen Kafeero about his life and new role. From a judge to a prosecutor, how will you manage the change? By God’s grace, I will manage. There will be …
Read More »Why Museveni needs to reform
By Andrew M. Mwenda Since April, Ugandans have sustained protests over many issues including wages, commodity prices and foreign exchange rates Here is widespread discontent in most of Uganda against President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM. The mainstream opposition should, however, not think that this automatically means there is widespread …
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