By Rukiya Makuma Despite 2010 being a prelude to the 2011 general elections, most Ugandan business leaders are optimistic of making more money in future and do not think that political instability poses a serious risk. In a study carried out by Synovate (fomer Steadman) between Feb. 1 and March …
Read More »Houses float as dollar scarcity persists
By Patrick Kagenda House dealers targeted mainly Ugandans in the Diaspora and foreigners After the boom years of 2006 and 2007, the real estate turn-key housing business is facing an unprecedented slump blamed on the global financial meltdown. However, sector experts point to a shift away from buying to renting …
Read More »Museveni an obstacle to democracy
By Isaac Mufumba Influential American group says President Yoweri Museveni is an obstacle to the continued growth and expansion of democracy and only works within the limits of formal institutions when his political interests are not at stake, the 2010 Freedom House Report, ‘Countries at the Crossroads’, says. Countries …
Read More »Mental unhealth
By Jocelyn Edwards The lone referral mental hospital  offers little respite for patients Its just before noon at Butabika Mental Hospital and the patients are in the yard of the womens in-take ward. About two dozen patients are lying on the grass sleeping. Many of those up and wandering around …
Read More »Not good enough internationally
By Rukiya Makuma Despite high numbers, Ugandan women fail to hook top jobs Uganda has more women in parliament compared to Kenya and Tanzania. UP to 33 percent of MPs are female and regionally, only Rwanda with 49 percent female representation is higher. Kenya trails with only 18 female representatives …
Read More »Museveni backs tough law that could jail incompetent ministers
By Isaac Mufumba When I asked the Vice Chairman of Parliaments Budget Committee, Medi Mulumba (NRM Luuka County) about the Parliamentary committee on Government Assurances last week, he had a very low opinion. That is a dead committee. It has nothing to show for its existence, he said. This Committee …
Read More »Bishop Lwanga’s federo remarks are a tip on unresolved national issues
By John Wynand Katende Some reactions to Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga’s Eastermessage entitled : “The Unanswered Question that Needs Public Debate To Reach a Consensus for the Good of Our National Unity and Stability Namely:’The Buganda Uganda Question” warrant comment. Firstly, the Archbishop gave the message at the end of …
Read More »Will Paul Kagame retire in 2017?
By Andrew.M.Mwenda Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had promised not to run for a second term. However, she recently changed her mind. In 2002, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya had made a similar promise only to renege on it immediately after his election. Now, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, has abandoned …
Read More »Shell may acquire interest in Ugandan oil wells – Kyayonka
By Joan Akello Ivan Kyayonka was interviewed by The Independent’s Joan Akello following an announcement by Shell Oil Products Africa (Shell) on reviewing ownership. What has led to its exit from Uganda? First of all, we have not exited; we have expressed a desire to review the ownership of part …
Read More »Bank of Uganda plans to issue Shs2000 note
By Patrick Kagenda Bank also plans to make all notes the same size and with similar features A senior source in government has told The Independent that Bank of Uganda is introducing a Shs2000 currency note soon. The source said the new note is part of a plan by the …
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