The Independent Team On 28 March 1997 Australian air force jets intercepted a cargo plane in the airspace between northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Sydney-based newspapers said the Antonov AN-124 aircraft that was grounded in Australia had been carrying several attack helicopters, military vehicles, and an arsenal of weapons, …

By Joan Akello Shell exit They are small operators, without depots. Some are a single, stand alone service station while others belong to a group. They are called “small independents” because unlike the big oil companies like Shell or Total, they answer to nobody. Since Shell announced it was divesting …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …