By Rukiya Makuma P7 pupils in rural schools cannot read P2 material Out of the 348,384 pupils of standard three interviewed across East Africa, only 15 percent can understand standard two reading and maths tests according to the latest UWEZO report released on August 15 in Kenya. The report states …

By Mo Yaxye Dreams from my mother confront reality in the home I didn’t know Somalia, Somali or Waryaa (as my Kenyan brothers/sisters would say) has been the identity I have been carrying for more than 30 years – an identity that I have come to accept but never understood. …

By Ernest Rwamucyo The opportunity to seek lasting stability shouldn’t be missed Since the outburst of the recent military mutiny in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda has been under intense accusation of purportedly supporting the group of mutineers known as M23. These allegations are based on a hastily …

By Agather Atuhaire Cases pile up and corruption thrives as Uganda’s cash-strapped judiciary fails to attract judges Although up to 20 vacancies exist in the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and High Court, attempts to fill them are failing because qualified individuals are shunning the bench over poor pay and pension, …

By Agencies The Lancet, American Public Health Association, British HIV Association join AIDS Healthcare Foundation and other health advocates in concern over health impact of Gilead’s unproven HIV prevention pill AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), America’s largest HIV/AIDS nonprofit medical provider, on Aug. 10 reaffirmed its opposition to the Food and …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Hillary Clinton calls for review in strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS When Hillary Clinton first came to Uganda in the mid 1990s, Uganda had, in her opinion, the best HIV/AIDS prevention and control programme in the world. The HIV prevalence rate had been drastically reduced …

By Harold E. Acemah Duped Ugandans ignore benefits from dissent within political parties This is in response to a comment titled “Limits of internal dissent” by Dennis Musinguzi, published in issue No. 223 of July 20 – 26 of The Independent magazine. The comment reveals the extent to which many …

By Naomi N. Karekaho Government recognises the challenges in managing petroleum waste and the need to agree on a solution On June 15, The Independent magazine published an article: `Living in fear of oil waste’. The article was rooted in the conservationist ideas usually advanced by NGOs and civil society …

By Prof. Mahmood Mamdani Consolidating Makerere’s core mission: the pursuit of scholarship The Makerere of today is a product of two historical periods:  its early establishment during the colonial period and its reform under neo-liberal influence.  I shall begin by asking whether colonialism and neoliberalism are living legacies or pasts …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Lukwago wins hearts as minds change over Musisi Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director Jennifer Musisi scored sweet victory on July 9 when the High Court threw out, with costs, a suit by city Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago challenging her powers. Unfazed by the loss, Lukwago …