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INDEPENDENCE SPECIAL: By Ngugi wa Thiong’o In 1969 Gacamba, a bicycle repairer in Nyeri, a town about a hundred miles from Nairobi, discovered some kind of engine, a scooter engine, and, using the scrap metal he could find in his backyard, made an aeroplane that he called Kenya One. The plane …

COMMENT: By Joy Asasira When religion and morality dictate reproductive health policy in Uganda, who suffers? Over the past few months, much as been said by politicians and the media about reproductive rights issues, from comprehensive sexuality education, legalisation or decriminalisation of abortion and even access to essential HIV prevention …

THE LAST WORD: By Andrew Mwenda While NRM is a corrupt government, FDC has evolved into an extremist antidemocratic party Most commentary on politics in Africa tends to revolve around the analysis of the actions and motivations of incumbents in power. A narrative has consolidated: those in power in Africa …

COMMENT: By Sophie Makame & Peter Blomeyer Germany, France applaud Uganda’s role in global effort to reverse climate change This week, Europe is celebrating the climate diplomacy week. This time last year, a feeling of anxiety mixed with excitement was in the air as government delegations, parliamentary commissions, and civil …

THE LAST WORD: By Andrew Mwenda Why East African governments need to involve local firms in big infrastructure projects The East African nations of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda are involved in massive investments in infrastructure. They are contracting companies to build roads, railways, bridges, airports, seaports, dams, electricity lines, …

COMMENT: By Ogenga Latigo Should an MP usurp the mandate and duty of the government to table an amendment of the Constitution? The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, onAug. 25 allowed a motion to permit a very ordinary Ugandan, Nakifuma County MP Kafeero Ssekitoleko, to introduce a “Private Members …

  COMMENT: By Rajab Kakyama Second-hand clothes – Mwenda shouldn’t be in hurry to displace workers in this sector to become beggars on the fringes of great cities Refer to: “America’s harmful threats” (The Independent Aug.26). Unfortunately, I do agree with Mwenda on principle but disagree with his method of …

COMMENT: By Peter Nyanzi National Theater – In many other countries, galleries, theaters, museums are supported as tourist attractions Sections of the population and more so the artistes have been angered by reports that the government is planning to give away to investors part of the land on which the …

COMMENT: By Joseph Bossa Acquiring land and paying compensation later can be justified in some cases but government faces a trust deficit Land, buildings, and cattle are the forms of wealth most Ugandans are aware of and aspire to acquire and retain. But of them, land is the greater because …

COMMENT: By Anna Adeke Ebaju Exporting labour could provide an economic lifeline for many families in a poor country, but they need protection Exporting labour is perhaps one of the most delicate undertakings any country can indulge in, especially if its policy makers appreciate it from the purview of a quick …