By Peter Nyanzi Renowned educationist Fagil Mandy was recently appointed chairman of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). A former commissioner in the Ministry of Education and Sports, he told The Independent’s Peter Nyanzi that his vision is for Uganda’s education and examination system to produce a productive and well-rounded …

By Denis Musinguzi The latest brand of internal dissent – campaigning against one’s party candidate – is killing parties, and multi-partyism One of the greatest contributions of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to Uganda’s democratization was the innovation of the inclusive, broad-based and individual merit political dispensation. The system …

By Yoga Adhola The President’s reconciliatory visit to Miria Obote reveals a truth he has run from for more than 30 years When Museveni first came to power, he used to talk a lot about the NRM line being correct. He no longer does so. This is because the line …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Concern persists over Uganda’s readiness to counter terrorism threats The calm at the popular Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kabalagala today is in stark contrast to the horror of July 11, 2010. Management has tightened security and all visitors are subjected to thorough security checks. Outside the …

By Stephen Kafeero A girl’s dreams illuminate the struggle of families coping with loss and injustice Wakuma Frank had promised his daughter a bike for her 6th birthday. She never got it. Exactly a month before that anticipated celebration, on 14th July, 2010, he was buried. A devastating bomb blast …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Experts say the special mix of dictatorship and democratic rituals has made citizens lose hope in elections As Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga announced the return of protests on July 4, he acknowledged the odds his campaign is up against, but dismissed them. “The notion that …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati New districts were intended to improve services. But they with shrunken revenues, they have achieved the exact opposite James Kule, a Grade III primary school teacher in Kasese district, excitedly lists the benefits a new district will bring to his people. Jobs will be created; health …

By Ian Buruma The contest of devoted nationalism and enlightened self-interest is what made the European Championships so beautiful to watch Some of the more hysterical German newspapers blamed Germany’s defeat against Italy in the semi-finals of the European championship on the fact that few players bothered to sing the …

By Stephen Kafeero Frustration as corruption, incompetence delay issuance of national IDs Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka’s proposal that individuals pay for national identity cards has been equated to selling the Ugandan identity. In her Budget Speech on June 14, the Minister said “economically active Ugandans” would be allowed “to pay …

By Rukiya Makuma Bududa survivors cannot bury their dead and now there’s nowhere to go As they wait to bury their loved ones and perform final rituals for the dead, survivors on the Bududa landslide are staying with relatives or in temporary camps. Many are waiting to be relocated to …