How this newspaper’s work is laced with endemic racism that may even be unconscious to the author THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | Most Western journalism on Africa has always been ghetto journalism. Now in last week’s story about Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, this British newspaper, The Telegraph, took journalism to the …
Read More »Africa and the curse of foreign ideas
How our nations’ pursuit of foreign ideologies is an impediment to our growth and transformation THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | By Andrew M. Mwenda | My friends and I have been engaged in a debate about the role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in development. There is widespread belief that development requires …
Read More »The Evolution of Ow’ekitiibwa: From cultural reverence to political honour
COMMENT | Gertrude Kamya Othieno | I have received a great deal of interest regarding my previous article on the “Honourable and Ow’ekitiibwa” debate, which has prompted me to delve deeper into the origins of Ow’ekitiibwa in Uganda’s political corridors of power. The title Ow’ekitiibwa, commonly translated as Honourable in Luganda, …
Read More »Honourable or Ow’ekitiibwa? The evolving meaning of titles in Uganda’s political landscape
The evolution of “Honourable” suggests a deeper issue in how political titles are perceived and used COMMENT | Gertrude Kamya Othieno | The title “Honourable” was introduced to Uganda’s Parliament as an import from British tradition. In the UK, “Honourable” denotes a person of high integrity, and failing to meet these …
Read More »Governance and corruption in Uganda
Why blaming Museveni for runaway corruption is politically appealing and why it is misleading THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | President Yoweri Museveni has presided over the worst levels of public sector corruption in Uganda’s history. The scale and scope of corruption grows every year. Indeed, corruption could easily be the …
Read More »China Town in Uganda: A grim echo of global capitalism’s dark side
COMMENT | Gertrude Kamya Othieno | Following my recent essay on China Town and local enterprise in Uganda, reactions have been mixed. While some welcome the availability of affordable goods, it’s crucial to consider the long-term impact on Uganda’s economy and society. The rise of China Town in Lugogo, Kampala, echoes …
Read More »COMMENT: China Town vs local enterprise in Uganda’s economic ambitions
An Open Letter to the Ugandan Public COMMENT | Gertrude Kamya Othieno | As we collectively strive towards socioeconomic transformation, it is crucial to address a growing concern that impacts our economic landscape. Our government has introduced several commendable initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the …
Read More »On Uganda’s neoliberal revolution
How we lost our collective identity through the glorification of money and what can be done about it THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | I argued in this column last week that the neoliberal attack on the state in Uganda eroded public ethics in public service. Some readers feel I did …
Read More »Dear Ugandan Taxpayers, WHY? And FOR HOW LONG?
COMMENT | Olivia Nalubwama | The National Resistance Movement (NRM) government of Uganda is out here doing good like a shifty-eyed Father Christmas in August — sprinkling favors like tax waivers worth UGX13.391 billion to eight taxpayers. The eight taxpayers: J2E Investment Corporation Limited (J2E), Nicontra Limited, Busoga University, Nkumba University, …
Read More »ANNIVERSARY: Uganda Airlines shows that time really flies
COMMENT | Samson Tinka | Time really flies. Uganda Airlines marked 5 years in the sky on 28th Aug 2024. That was the date an inaugural flight departed Entebbe for Nairobi. We celebrate these five years because this is a milestone for the national career. The naysayers gave the airlines …
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