By Andrew M. Mwenda How the ombudsman has been misusing her office and thereby undermining its stature and prestige; and what can be done about it Last week the Inspector General of Government (IGG) issued a report on the dossier submitted to the office by a “whistle blower” regarding “corruption” …
Read More »The India-China paradox
By Andrew M. Mwenda How democracy in India has promoted the privileges of the powerful while China’s authoritarian state serves its poor citizens By any measure, India is a country that inspires as it disappoints. In spite of its poverty, it has sustained a stable democratic system of government since …
Read More »Uganda’s political dilemma
By Andrew M. Mwenda How the degeneration of NRM has infected the opposition thus undermining potential for real change The on-going battle inside the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) between President Yoweri Museveni and Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has reopened the debate on succession. What chances actually exist for a …
Read More »David Moyes at Old Trafford
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why Manchester United should fire its new manager to avert a disaster of epic proportions Last week, Manchester United was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League. The club is also trailing on the English Premier League (EPL) table at seventh position. This means the most …
Read More »Rwanda’s self-emancipation
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why it has been important that Rwandans and not the international community ended the genocide On Monday, Rwanda commemorated 20 years since the genocide against the Tutsi. It was an inspiring event because Rwanda has astounded admirers and critics alike. In little less than two decades, …
Read More »Ending electoral corruption
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why Uganda should move away from a winner-take-all electoral system in favour of proportional representation I argued in last week’s column that in Uganda’s specific context of mass poverty, electoral competition tends to eliminate public-spirited candidates (or patriots) in favour of crooks. Therefore as our democracy …
Read More »More years for our MPs
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why parliament will either increase its term of office from five to seven years or raise its wages threefold Some Members of Parliament have proposed that their term be extended from five to seven years. This proposal is going to gain momentum. If it is not …
Read More »Museveni and the fate of revolutionaries
By Andrew M. Mwenda History shows it was inevitable Mbabazi would fall on the sword of `sole’ candidate-culture In 1965, then opposition MPs introduced a motion on the floor of the National Assembly to repeal the Deportation Ordinance. This was a draconian colonial law that allowed the state to deport, …
Read More »As NRM fights, which doors does it open?
By Andrew M. Mwenda Although NRM seems to be in disarray, there appears to be nowhere to turn for an alternative Last week, the wrangles inside the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), hit an all-time high. Mrs. Jacqueline Mbabazi, the chairperson of the party’s Women’s League said NRM had been …
Read More »Museveni and Abraham Lincoln
By Andrew M. Mwenda How the two leaders faced a dilemma of transcending their prejudices to make history and how each reacted On Sunday while browsing television channels at home, I chanced upon the movie, Lincoln. It is an amazing film about how US President Abraham Lincoln pushed through Congress …
Read More »