Cover Story

By Haggai Matsiko Charity NGOs or money making machines? When it first went viral with over 100 million viewers, a video about catching the notorious warlord Joseph Kony had swung Uganda into celebrity limelight. But when Kony 2012 producer, Jason Russell of the NGO, Invisible Children, suffered a mental meltdown …

By Haggai Matsiko & Mubatsi Asinja Habati Corruption feared as laws vest too much power in executive over contracts The government has abandoned a key legislation for the oil sector—the Oil Revenue Management Bill—without which revenues from the sector might end up managed poorly. The government had promised to table …

By Agather Atuhaire Experts allege importation of faulty turbines. Is investors denial enough? When the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Irene Muloni, announced a new power tariff on Jan. 12, she assured Ugandans that the tariff will reduce once all the five units of Bujagali Hydropower Dam have come …

By Peter Nyanzi Extravagance, high expenditure eroding workers’ savings As the NSSF top bosses sing high praises about their financial statements for 2011, financial experts have started punching holes in it. In a statement issued last week, NSSF managing director Richard Byarugaba said for the first time in 10 years, …

By Agather Atuhaire President desperately fails to control a rebel parliament Barely a year into his fourth five-year term, President Yoweri Museveni for the first time in his 26-year rule appears to be losing his grip. Ten of his 15 top ministers have either resigned over alleged corruption or face …

By Haggai Matsiko Corporation is sinking as former star manager faces probe The news out of Plot 39 Jinja Road, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) head office in Kampala, is not good. In several interviews with The Independent, top officials of the corporation have sought to allay widespread …

By Haggai Matsiko Tullow, CNOOC and Total get $2.9 bn oil deal amidst allegation of corruption What could prompt Tullow, CNOOC and, Total to disregard a raft of cases in international courts, a court injunction at home and a resolution of parliament and sign a deal with Uganda? Money. Possibly …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Being allowed to hold rallies recently after a long unofficial ban meant the jury was always out on opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Would he pull crowds? Would his message resonate with the public? Or would he self-destruct? At the rallies, it became immediately clear that supporters …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati As the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRM) celebrates 26 years in power, residents of Katebwa, a village that falls in Bunyangabu county, Kabarole district, which was at the heart of the bush war are yet to enjoy the benefits of their support for the fighters about 30 …

By Agather Atuhaire Why the economy is the main loser The government announcement of a new electricity tariff regime on Jan.12 could still backfire but, on paper, it looks like a perfect stroke. Part of the problem is that the tariff regime does not address the real problems in Uganda’s …