The prosecution and likely conviction of a popular, respected, charismatic author, will probably backfire COMMENT | SHASHI THAROOR | Last month, the lieutenant governor of Delhi granted the police permission to prosecute Indian activist and prize-winning author Arundhati Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Back in 2010, Roy said …
Read More »Africa anti-crop pest fight bears fruit in Uganda
Phytosanitary programme intends to equip all 54 countries with technology and technical capacity ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | Agriculture and its related value chains drive most economies across the continent, contributing about 40% to Africa’s GDP and 15% of its exports, 75% to its intra-African trade, and 60-80% of employment. But the …
Read More »Kagame’s ‘political phenomenon’
Rwandans show love for the president with 99% victory in election but uncertainty looms on future without him COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | Thirty years since he led the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) to capture power in Kigali after ending the genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame was …
Read More »Behind Rwanda’s elections
The software that has gone into producing post genocide Rwanda and how it has shaped voting patterns THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | President Paul Kagame of Rwanda won re-election with 99.18% of the vote. Over 98% of the registered voters turned out to cast their ballot. I was in Rwanda …
Read More »Inequality spurs democratic backsliding
Global analysis by the Chicago Center on Democracy reveals the more unequal, the greater the risk COMMENT | SUSAN STOKES | With November’s election in the United States fast approaching, Democrats continue to debate whether to campaign on the economy or the future of democracy. In fact, our research at the …
Read More »Diversity in Forms exhibition
Three young artists explore diverse forms in their work in a multidisciplinary art show at AKA gallery ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | The exhibition Diversity in Forms at AKA gallery is about how each of the three artists on showcase approaches their work. The works include paintings, sculptures and installation created …
Read More »Private sector outlook is positive
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s private sector continues to thrive despite higher utility, rent, material, and staff costs, according to the latest Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). The PMI dipped from 54.1 in May to 51.9 in June, indicating continued growth but at a slower pace. “The private sector …
Read More »Inside Elon Musk’s plan to Colonise Mars
Thermonuclear blasts and new species ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | For more than two decades, Elon Musk has focused SpaceX, his rocket company, on his lifelong goal of reaching Mars. Over the past year, he has also ramped up work on what will happen if he gets there. Musk, 53, has directed …
Read More »Kenya’s protests are different
The 3 things that make it harder for government to crush them or to politicise them COMMENT | AWONO OKECH | On 25 June 2024, a youth-led protest primarily composed of Gen Zs, as they are popularly referred to, stormed Kenya’s parliament. Legislators voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024 in its …
Read More »‘Kinship tax’ puts the brakes on business
Kenyan study measures the impact of helping family ANALYSIS | MUNIR SQUIRES | Imagine working hard to build your business, only to find that your success brings about a wave of requests for help that you can’t turn down. This is a reality for many in African communities, where sharing income is …
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