Cover Story

Making sense of ‘crossing’ MPs Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | Kyadondo East MP Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was four years old when the current parliament system under President Yoweri Museveni’s government was set up in 1986. Now Bobi Wine appears set for a major role as …

Why NUP is test case for EC boss Byabakama COVER STORY | Independent Team | The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has been dragged into two wrangles involving the National Unity Platform (NUP) of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. The first is a fight between NUP and another opposition …

But how accurate is that poll? Kampala, Uganda | HABATI MUBATSI | As expected ahead of the 2021 general elections, political polling is back. Research World International (RWI), which is Uganda’s main polling firm, has released its latest survey of the population on a range of issues economic and social …

FALSE START FOR BOBI WINE: Can he pass the next two tests? Kampala, Uganda | JOSEPH WERE | Since he emerged as the head of the People Power pressure group in 2018, the Kyadondo East MP Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, has faced one critical test; whether he would …

Traders, salons, boda boda now part of major experiment Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni, under pressure, recently re-opened arcades, beauty parlours (salons) and motor-cycle boda-boda taxi services. The question now is whether or not Museveni might soon regret re-opening the multi-storied buildings that each house hundreds …

Bobi Wine gains as Besigye, Mao, Akena kill their parties Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | The 2021 general elections have come at the best time for the leaders of Uganda’s three main political parties; the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the Democratic Party (DP), and the Uganda Peoples Congress …

How unscientific reality is messing up ‘scientific election’ Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On June 16 the Electoral Commission issued new guidelines for what has come to be known as “scientific elections”; a series of activities to be conducted mainly digitally via electronic media leading to the general elections …

What international money lenders fear most about 2021 Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Increased government spending and borrowing as President Yoweri Museveni seeks re-election could destabilise the economy in FY2020/21. That is the view of the latest report by the international credit rating agency, Fitch. It is backed by …

Why their alliance is an inconvenience Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | Did youthful music superstar and Kyadondo East MP Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine commit a political blunder by appearing beside opposition strongman Kizza Besigye recently? The leading opposition duo appeared on the same podium on June …

COVID-19 Crisis exposes government weakness Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | June 22 should have seen the re-opening of schools across the country for the start of second term if a programme announced by the Minister of Education and Sports, First Lady Janet Museveni, was being followed. But schools are …