THE LAST WORD: How the leading opposition figure hit the nail on the head when talking about money and politics THE LAST WORD | By Andrew M. Mwenda | Last week, I attended the launch of an autobiography by former cabinet minister, Mathew Rukikaire: 70 Years a Witness. In attendance …
Read More »Understanding Kajura’s woes
Why many of our politicians go broke after leaving cabinet even though we think they are rich THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week, media reported that former Deputy Prime Minister, Henry Kajura, is in financial trouble. Three years after leaving cabinet, he is losing his …
Read More »The politics of Uganda’s healthcare
Why our hospitals lack ambulances as public officials indulge themselves in fancy four-wheel drive vehicles THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week someone close to me had a medical emergency in Mubende referral hospital. A child died inside the womb of his fiancé. The only ambulance the …
Read More »A frank memo to the youths
Why young people in East Africa should stop agonising and begin organising THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | This week I was in Arusha Tanzania to speak at a conference of youths from East Africa organised by YouLead. They came bustling with the energy and zest. I was …
Read More »Uganda’s democratic delusions
How Museveni, Besigye and Bobi Wine are birds of a feather that only fly apart THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | This week, the state brought out the full power of riot police to bear on opposition activist, Dr. Kizza Besigye. Using water cannons, they took direct …
Read More »Against privileges for a few
Why Makerere University students (and lecturers) do not need or deserve special treatment THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | The strike by Makerere University students over a 15% increase in fees, actually based on a recommendation by the Students Guild, has dominated media for a week. The government …
Read More »Inside Europe’s savior complex
How Western efforts to remake Africa have changed from colonialism to international development assistance THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week, I was invited to speak on international development assistance (foreign aid) at the geopolitical conference at Makerere University organised by the French embassy and the …
Read More »Sudan’s next disaster
THE LAST WORD: Why the plan to hand Bashir over to the ICC is misguided and will likely be counterproductive THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | The new government of Sudan has given a major indication that it will hand its former president, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, …
Read More »Lessons from Tunisia’s elections
Why her success at democratisation is a result of the absence of foreign interference in her politics THE LAST WORLD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | This week Tunisians voted in the second parliamentary elections since the 2011 Arab Spring. Over 15,000 candidates vied for the 217 parliamentary seats. There was …
Read More »Lesson from Hoima by-election
Why NRM should be worried and why the opposition needs to rethink their political strategy THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week, the NRM narrowly won the elections for women MP in Hoima district. According to results, NRM’s Harriet Businge got 33,000 votes (54%) against FDC’s Asinansi …
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