By Bob A. Kasango While not very skilled in political persuasion, he is a prolific political operator combining charm, cunning and ruthlessness. The appointment of Kinkizi West MP John Patrick Amama Mbabazi as Prime Minister has attracted wide political debate and commentary. Prof. George Kanyeihamba believes Mbabazi will be powerless as a …
Read More »How democracy is breeding crooks
By Andrew M. Mwenda In 2005 Museveni gave Shs5m to each MP to remove presidential term limits; in 2010, he paid Shs20m per MP to pass the Cultural Leaders Bill. Last week, I was in Johannesburg to attend a World Bank conference on the South-South dialogue on natural resources. I …
Read More »Kayihura sacks top police officers
By mubatsi asinja habati Is it punishment or a purge? On May 11, top security chiefs met in Kampala to discuss security arrangements for President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing in ceremony due the next day. In attendance was the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, his deputy, Lt. Gen. Ivan …
Read More »World Bank under fire over Uganda
By independent team Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice-president, World Bank’s Africa Region on June 11 spoke to BBC Hardtalk’s Stephen Sucker. Excerpts from the interview: The World Bank has a big relationship with Uganda. Museveni, the President of Uganda just won a big election in February. The African Union observers who were …
Read More »World Bank to Museveni
By independent team If you do not open up space for citizen participation, you basically are sowing the seed for the destabilisation The World Bank has been criticised for its continued support to Uganda which it describes in its current report as “one of the few durable success stories in …
Read More »Uganda: A slipping lion that must wake up
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Kadiresan Kundhavi has for the last three years been the World Bank’s Country Director in Uganda – her first African posting after working in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Kundhavi has been transferred to manage the bank’s operations in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. The Independent’s …
Read More »High cost of living reveals contradiction in NRM ideology
By Kisembo Elia The spiritual aspects that informed the NRM ideological commitment to the people’s plight is being eroded. Africa is a continent that did not form a political and economic ideology of its own in the recent past. The political and economic ideologies that we use were just imposed …
Read More »Do we have a responsible opposition?
By Bob A. Kasango Upon his return from Nairobi, Besigye made remarks that violated most if not all the standards for responsible opposition. The call by Dr Kizza Besigye upon his return from Nairobi, for his supporters to continue with the “Walk to Work” protests gets one thinking about the …
Read More »What makes a great leader?
By Andrew M. Mwenda If individual ability and the right circumstances are necessary but not sufficient for success, what else is needed? Recently, I chanced upon a documentary on Discovery Channel titled “Altered Statesmen” and featuring British World War II hero, Winston Churchill. It is a story of alternative history. …
Read More »Why the government refused to cut taxes on petrol, diesel
By agatha atuhaire Politicians and government officials are making huge profits Whereas all Ugandans had their eyes on the budget hoping it would include a reduction in taxes on fuel, the new Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka announced only repealed the excise duty on Kerosene. It was a bold decision. Deloitte …
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