Cover Story

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Exit of popular Premier Farmajo could escalate infighting and reverse AU’s gains Riots that broke out on the streets of war-torn Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on June 10 were expected. Tension had been building for more than a week since an agreement signed in Kampala on June …

By mubatsi asinja habati Is it punishment or a purge? On May 11, top security chiefs met in Kampala to discuss security arrangements for President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing in ceremony due the next day. In attendance was the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, his deputy, Lt. Gen. Ivan …

By independent team Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice-president, World Bank’s Africa Region on June 11 spoke to BBC Hardtalk’s Stephen Sucker. Excerpts from the interview: The World Bank has a big relationship with Uganda. Museveni, the President of Uganda just won a big election in February. The African Union observers who were …

By independent team If you do not open up space for citizen participation, you basically are sowing the seed for the destabilisation The World Bank has been criticised for its continued support to Uganda which it describes in its current report as “one of the few durable success stories in …

By agatha atuhaire Politicians and government officials are making huge profits Whereas all Ugandans had their eyes on the budget hoping it would include a reduction in taxes on fuel, the new Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka announced only repealed the excise duty on Kerosene. It was a bold decision. Deloitte …

By peter nyanzi With an allocation of more than Shs 850 billion for construction of the Karuma hydro power dam and other projects, the energy sector emerged one of the main winners of the 2011/2011 budget, but a reduction in power tariffs and electrification of rural areas, looks increasingly unlikely …

By theresa nannozi 2011/12 budget disappoints Ugandans who wanted tax cuts, salary increase The 2011/12 budget came as a disappointment for the majority of Ugandans who had expected and hoped for tax cuts on fuel, especially petrol and diesel. While the removal of taxes on kerosene (Shs 200 per litre) …

By eriasa mukiibi sserunjogi Forget service delivery, it’s all about politics President Yoweri Museveni’s strategy in naming his new cabinet appears to have been based on an old management principle; the law of the vital few. Under this principle, only 20 percent of those involved really matter for 80 percent …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Opposition leaders propose ways out as government refuses to act Despite increasing pressure to cut taxes on fuel and ban export of food, the government has stuck to its standard `no intervention’ policy on prices. The recent 3% spike in pump price of fuel from Shs3500 …

By eriasa mukiibi sserunjogi Protests show beleaguered presidency ahead On May 12, the day of President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration, the influential New York Times weighed in with a headline, “Protests Overshadow Inauguration in Uganda”. “Ugandans frustrated with their government turned out in overwhelming numbers and boisterous celebration Thursday to welcome …