In The Magazine

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati The US embassy in Kampala has announced a new visa application procedure where the applicants will pay application fees in the bank before booking appointment for visa interviews at the consular section. They will no longer pay at the consular office as has been the case. …

By Joan Akello But say it’s still too early to know the ultimate price Reliable estimation of the effects of the Japan tsunami on trade and investment in Uganda are yet to be established, about a month after the devastating earthquake struck the world’s third largest economy. Official websites that …

By Andrew M. Mwenda A great business can close in infancy, not because it is loss making but because it cannot get credit to overcome its initial cash flow constraints. Here is the performance of Uganda’s banks in 2010: Out of the 22 registered banks, 14 made profits, two broke …

By teresa nannozi & mubatsi asinja habati  Crane Bank tops the pack Commercial banks are making profits that would make any CEO envious. Crane Bank’s 2010 annual statement, published recently, announced phenomenal growth in profits, deposits, lending, assets, paid-up capital and loan repayments among others. According to Crane Bank’s audited …

By Andrew M. Mwenda An African leader who fights corruption will face resistance from powerful vested interests using democracy to subvert his reforms Next month, Rwanda commemorates 17 years since the genocide. Most of its citizens look back at what they have achieved with both pride and humility. The society …

By Bob Kasango Deployment of security forces at Mengo court contributed to the disregard of the High Court order and assaulted independence of our judiciary. The saga involving the vote recount in Rubaga Division in Kampala is bringing to the fore again the clash between the judiciary and the executive. …

By Ellady Nuyambi Ambassador Julius Onen, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, the Minister Kahinda Otafiire and official document on the ministry’s website at www.mtti.go.ug confirm that the museum building will be demolished and the artifacts therein will be stored for up to 10 years until construction of …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Former Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago was on March 14 elected the first Lord Mayor of Kampala city under the new law that made the city an Authority. The Authority will now be administered by an executive director appointed by the President. The Independent’s Mubatsi Asinja …

By bob kasango Judge Katutsi’s ruling on Jamwa sends mixed signals In a world that prefers applause to justice, there is loud applause whenever justice is sacrificed on the altar of public appeasement. The rite takes place on the streets. Every time a “criminal” falls victim of the law, society …

We need to take responsibility for ourselves, to empower our people. External assistance is okay. But we need to begin with our own solutions. And so it was that on my flight from Amsterdam to Dubai I stumbled upon a documentary on poverty in Malawi by singer Madonna. Like most …