Safaricom approach revamps top telecom NEWS ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge is having quite the start to the new year. MTN just made a profit of Shs641bn—a 30% increase–from last year’s earnings of Shs493bn. In February she was named CEO of the Year at the …
Read More »Guns silenced as people power wins in Kawempe
Opposition win in chaotic poll leaves NRM shabby ahead of 2026 COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | After two weeks of chaotic campaigning where baklava masked soldiers dragged and arrested candidates from nomination booths, beat up journalists, and fired live bullets at civilians, Kawempe North Constituency is calm. And it …
Read More »BLACK: the Ugandan brand merging lifestyle with technology
From speakers to smart watches, the company is making a mark on the consumer market Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Tucked away in the busy suburb of Ntinda are the offices of Black, a Ugandan company offering gadgets like speakers, smartwatches, headsets, chargers, cables, and even apparel all themed black. …
Read More »Trump shakes up US embassy
USAID closed, jobs cancelled, operations scuttled as President implements Project 2025 ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | Within just 50 days of taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump is radically shaking up American foreign policy. Trump’s assault on the U.S. State Department has affected U.S. embassies further afield like those in Uganda. …
Read More »Kizza Besigye’s trial, Museveni’s pressure
Why the state changed charge sheet again Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME – COVER STORY | The saga of Dr Kizza Besigye’s trial has taken another twist after he was on Feb. 21 sneaked into Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court and charged with treason and misprision of treason which, on conviction, carry …
Read More »What USAID shutdown means for Uganda
Aid programmes, local economy in turmoil ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | Aid programmes in Uganda are in a severe crisis following the shutdown of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by President Donald Trump. The shuttering of USAID, America’s primary vehicle for humanitarian assistance, has caused consternation in the developing …
Read More »The war in eastern DRC
Behind the intrigue of South Africa and Tanzania’s role ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | A terse exchange between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame on X was the latest escalation in the fallout over the fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The exchange showed …
Read More »NRM’s 1986 promises fade
After 39 years in power, its future is uncertain ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | President Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) is marking 39 years in power this month and a lot is happening. The 39th NRM/NRA Victory Day Anniversary celebrations, held annually on January 26, are this year being marked …
Read More »UNRA post-mortem
How ego and greed sunk 16-year roads agency On October 10, 2024, then executive director of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Allen Kagina embarked on her last tour of roads as the boss of the 16-year-old roads that was formed to develop a modern road network. The tour was in …
Read More »Confronting an AI future
Artificial Intelligence and digital safety headline UN Internet Governance Forum in Saudi Arabia ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | With Artificial Intelligence increasingly driving the way individuals, companies and governments operate, the 19th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia provided yet another global stage to ponder on AI …
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