By Julius Odeke It was Uganda’s day.  No doubt about that.  The traditional dancers who graced the 50 year anniversary celebrations at Kololo Independence Grounds on Oct. 9 gave the ceremony an African touch that excited spectators. Black, yellow and red were the favoured colors of all who were at …

By Haggai Matsiko Museveni launches `century of Uganda’ There are times when it looks like the success or failure of an important occasion hangs on the outcome of a single event in the ceremony. Amidst the unprecedented excitement, pomp, and pageantry at celebrations to mark Uganda 50 years of independence …

By Andrew M. Mwenda The biggest problem with our budget is the growth of political patronage in form of districts, parliament, cabinet, presidential advisors etc In 2006, I joined the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) to do research on the budget for Public Administration and Public Sector Management …

By Haggai Matsiko Mayanja Nkangi, Maj. John Kazoora, Godber Tumushabe, Mwambutsya Ndebesa speak of their frustration, fear, and hope On Oct 9 1962 when Uganda attained her independence, Jehoash Mayanja Sibakyalyawo  Nkangi  was 32-years old and the minister of Commerce and Industry in the UPC/Kabaka Yekka government. In an interview …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Why putting more money into the health sector is like putting more meat in a butchery controlled by hyenas The recent “stand-off” between parliament and President Yoweri Museveni on whether to allocate Shs 39 billion to health or defense is one of the many false debates …

By Independent Team Museveni blamed as commission agents, government officials conspire to squeeze money out of project Deputy Registrar John Eudes Keitirima’s chambers in the High Court building in Kampala were on Sept. 6 the scene of an interesting spectacle. A construction company, Salini SpA, was seeking an order to …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Donors who cut aid to Kigali inadvertently made it discover a new aspect of its potential – citizen solidarity When the governments of United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Germany cut aid to Rwanda three months ago, I was among those who did not shed a …

By Haggai Matsiko Oil firms fear bankruptcy as President goes for biggest refinery in the region In October 2011, President Yoweri Museveni urged members of his ruling party to resist ferociously those “parasites who want to give away this resource (oil) for a morsel of food”. He was making a …

By Ronald Musoke Politicians disagree over oil money as businesses face bankruptcy During a meeting on securing Uganda’s oil revenue on Sept.13 in Kampala, disagreement erupted among top politicians and national economic planners on how best to spend the expected bounty. But business people and civil society leaders had a …

By Andrew M. Mwenda How commission agents have used the media and turned the procurement process in Uganda into a circus It is now highly probable that the US$ 2 billion tendering process for the 600MW hydro electricity dam at Karuma will be declared a `mis-procurement’. If this happens, I …