ARTICLES 2008-2015

By Stephen Kafeero Top engineering student dreams of generating cheap electricity I do not compete with other people because it breeds jealousy. I instead compete with myself of yesterday in order to make a better person today,” says Tonny Ongin, the 27-year old Mechanical Engineering graduate who topped this year’s …

By Samuel Olara Gaddafi’s death raises questions for the ICC over the brutal disregard for the rule of law by his executioners Aisha Gaddafi, the daughter of the late Libyan dictator, has officially petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the circumstances under which her father Col. Muammar Al-Gaddafi …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati As the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRM) celebrates 26 years in power, residents of Katebwa, a village that falls in Bunyangabu county, Kabarole district, which was at the heart of the bush war are yet to enjoy the benefits of their support for the fighters about 30 …

By Andrew M. Mwenda With only 8% access to electricity and 75% of subsidies going to big businesses, why are MPs supporting subsidies? Last week, a parliament committee passed a resolution cancelling the increase in electricity tariffs. Many Ugandans genuinely believe that in many of its actions, the 9th parliament …

By Julius Businge So what if Mutebile reduces bank rate but lending rates stay up? The recent strike of traders against banks over high lending rates put Esther Nakitende in a tight spot. The clothes seller on William Street in downtown Kampala city followed instructions from the Kampala City Traders …

By Haggai Matsiko Besigye (1999), Bidandi (2003), who is next after Kyankwazi? Until recently, it was unheard of for an NRM party member to boycott summons by President Yoweri Museveni to the National Leadership Institute at Kyankwanzi which is respected as a sort of shrine where party folk go for …

By Stephen Kafeero and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi In an attempt to revive vibrant debate at Makerere University, the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) hosted former South African President Thabo Mbeki on Jan. 19. The Independent’s Stephen Kafeero and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi captured the highlights of the question-and-answer session on …

By Erik Solheim The most important of all financial flows are the illicit funds that pour out of so many developing countries OSLO – Poverty is not only about not having enough money. It is also about exploitation and oppression, and about armed conflicts and wars that make it impossible …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Is the standoff between government and traders the tip of an irreparable breakdown of their relationship? Last week, striking traders paralysed business in Kampala. Negotiations between their association, KASITA, and the government did not yield much. As with all previous strikes and demonstrations in Uganda over …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi UPC boss’s strictness on money issues, leaves him isolated as Pulkol, Rurangaranga, Odit  launch a battle for control Few Ugandans have CVs as illustrious as UPC President Olara Otunnu’s. He was granted the special O1 immigration status by the United States, which is reserved for “few …