In The Magazine

By Andrew M. Mwenda A story of intrigue, bad weather, double-crossing   First, it was his Kaunda suit, then his walking stick, later his military pips, now it is his guitar. Over the years, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has captured many of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army leader, Joseph …

By Independent Reporter President Yoweri Museveni may have to visit Sembabule to try and quell the political fever that is once again engulfing that young district amid squabbling by factions of his NRM party. This follows the Supreme Court ruling of November 10 that dismissed yellow girl Hanifa Kawooya from …

By Onghwens Kisangala Civil Society Organizations, the government, donors and other stakeholders appear agreed that major reforms are necessary to improve the electoral process in Uganda. Yet little has been done so far although the 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections are bare two years away. Prof. Joe Oloka-Onyango pictured below, …

By Andrew M. Mwenda On December 17th last year, the first issue of The Independent hit the streets. I remember vividly one of our colleagues, Asuman Bisika coming with his eyes beaming into our small office along Kanjokya Street with the first copy of the magazine. It looked wonderful and …

By Bob Roberts Katende Road accidents continued to plague the travelling public throughout the year and so did the blame games as to who is responsible for this carnage. In the region, Uganda ranks highest with road fatalities at 160 deaths per 1000 vehicles per year. Neighbouring Kenya’s road deaths …

By Steven Kibuuka July 18, 2008 was the day when Buganda Kingdom tested the wrath of  government as its  minister of information and cabinet affairs Charles Peter Mayiga, his deputy Medard Lubega, and Ms Betty Nambooze, who heads the kingdoms committee set up to campaign against proposed changes to the …

By Andrew M. Mwenda What does the appointment of internal affairs minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, as Uganda’s permanent representative at the United Nations imply? Some people believe that this is the beginning of the end of Rugunda’s long political career. Others insist this could mark his rise to a more prominent …

By Melina Platas One of the most memorable and tragic moments of 2008 was the Budo Junior Primary School fire that took the lives of 20 students as they slept in their beds one April night. This was sadly only the start of the devastating trend of loss of life …

By John Njoroge On December 27, 2007 Kenyans went to the polls to elect their president and Members of Parliament in what would turn out to be the most controversial elections in the country ever. Between Friday December 28 and the morning of Saturday December 29, the Orange Democratic Movement …

By John Njoroge This year will be remembered as the year of the Temangalo-gate. This scandal that began in February 2008 involved Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, Finance Minister Ezra Suruma, businessman Amos Nzeyi and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) top executives among others. Nzeyi and Mbabazi sold 411.44 acres …