Cover Story

By Haggai Matsiko A spying operation by Uganda’s top security agencies that has since 2011 targeted and aimed to crush opponents of President Yoweri Museveni, a new report has claimed. The operation codenamed ‘Fungua Macho’ loosely translated as ‘open your eyes’ has involved planting surveillance tools in top hotels and …

By Ian Katusiime Most turning points historically occurred at election time Among the five East African nations of Uganda, has arguably had the most turbulent political history since it attained independence in 1962. As it celebrates its 53rd independence anniversary – with the 2016 general elections three months away, political …

By Haggai Matsiko The implications for 2016 elections The Sept.29 ruling by the Constitutional Court that put an injunction on election of special interest groups’ legislators has created excitement amongst sections of political pundits – just months to the 2016 polls. It is being viewed as a pointer that the …

By Agather Atuhaire Just six years ago, Henry Peter Mayega was a member of the opposition Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party. Then he switched sides to the ruling NRM party. Today he is Uganda’s ambassador designate to the Peoples republic of China. At any time these days, Mayega is all …

By Independent Team What it really says about Ugandan politics Until Aug.17, the de facto leader of the Opposition, Retired Col. Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi were on opposite sides in Uganda’s two-horse race politics. Unknown by many people, a major swift occurred that morning when Mbabazi …

By Agather Atuhaire Why experts want both Besigye and Mbabazi to contest Journalist Daniel Kalinaki starts his book titled, Kizza Besigye and Uganda’s Unfinished Revolution with an April 2011 meeting between former FDC President Kizza Besigye and Western donors and diplomats. At the meeting, the author says Besigye was scolded …

By Agather Atuhaire Why Besigye has its vote, Muntu its heart Weeks after Uganda’s main opposition party voted retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye to be its flag-bearer in the 2016 presidential elections, members remain divided over the likely implications of the decision. Within the FDC, The Independent has been told, …

By Haggai Matsiko Security experts raise alarm over rise of ‘militias’ It is 2:30am and a truck carrying bunches of matooke has just got involved in a serious accident with a small car at a main junction in the Rubaga suburb of Kampala city.  The Kabusu area is a favourite …

By Haggai Matsiko When on Aug.14 Research World International released an opinion poll showing that majority or 55 percent of the respondents would vote President Yoweri Museveni if elections were held, many were quick to dismiss it.  Patrick Wakida, RWI’s executive director says that this shows two things—that people do …

By Haggai Matsiko But they now want Shs6.6 trillion. What for? Buyende town is not really a town. It is a collection of a few scattered buildings, has no electricity, no hospital, no commercial bank, and no fuel station.  Still, it is the main town of Buyende district, one of …