COLUMNISTS

By Asuman Bisiika On March 15, Uganda started withdrawing its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This was three months since December 14, 2008 when the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), with the support of the Congolese and South Sudanese armies, launched a military offensive against the Lords Resistance …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Finally, we are coming to the coronation of Yoweri Museveni as a presidential monarch. First, it was amendment of the constitution to remove term limits on the presidency so that he can run for president in perpetuity.  It turns out that is not enough to ensure …

By Henry Zakumumpa A growing body of evidence suggests that oil, far from being a blessing to African countries is a curse. Without exception, every developing country where oil has been discovered has seen its standard of living decline and its people suffer, while its less endowed neighbours have gone …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Last week, The Independent published a list of the relatives and in laws of President Yoweri Museveni that have been politically appointed into senior positions in government. We also did an analysis of why the president has sought a strategy of family rule and its likely …

By Mahmood Mamdani This is the last of a four-part series in which renowned Ugandan scholar Professor Mahmood Mamdani examines the historical causes of Zimbabwe’s crisis. Besides drought and reform, there is a third cause of declining production: the targeted donor boycott. Zimbabwe has been the target of Western sanctions …

By Mary Karooro Okurut I would like to react to the article in The Independent magazine of February 27-March 5, 2009, “Reshuffle: Museveni’s troubles over Janet – The Inside Story of Janet Museveni’s Appointment” in which Andrew Mwenda makes some really ridiculous claims over the First Lady’s appointment as Minister …

By Mahmood Mamdani In this four-part series, renowned Ugandan scholar Professor Mahmood Mamdani examines the historical causes of Zimbabwe’s crisis What land reform has meant or may come to mean for Zimbabwe’s economy is still hotly disputed. Recently there have been signs that scholarly opinion is shifting. A study by …

By Obed K. Katureebe & Bob Roberts Katende MPs have been trembling with excitement over the last three years as rumours of cabinet reshuffles ‘” and possible promotions to ministerial posts ‘” swirled around them. Facing a number of political challenges, the president and his coterie sent out signals that …

And so, we have finally neared the summit of our journey from the Republic of Uganda to the Kingdom of Rwakitura under the Kaguta dynasty. The crowning moment of this journey was two weeks ago when President Yoweri Museveni appointed his wife, Mrs Janet Museveni, to cabinet. That there has …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Two years ago, the German construction company Strabag won a tender to build a 70km tarmac road from Kigali to Bugesera in Rwanda. The company delivered a high-quality tarmac road with proper drainage and pavements for pedestrians ‘ a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of …