In The Magazine

Private firms undertake the bulk of R&D but governments fund it and must offer it direction COMMENT | DANI RODRIK | Innovation is the engine that drives contemporary economies. Living standards are determined by productivity growth, which in turn depends on the introduction and dissemination of new technologies that allow …

Experts define outlook for the sector amidst COVID-19 pandemic Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | What is the future of agribusiness given the prevailing effects brought about by coronavirus pandemic? How can agribusiness enterprises weather these effects and remain profitable while contributing growth of the economy? These are some of …

The lender recorded a 4.9% drop in net profit to Shs127.4billion Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Stanbic Bank has suffered a 4.9% drop in pre-tax profit in the first half of the year as credit impairment charge and coronavirus disruption takes toll on the country’s largest commercial lender. The …

Can world’s biggest trade bloc wean Africa off expensive aid? Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | On Aug.17, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Ghanaian president, launched the Permanent Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) four months ahead of the day African countries are expected to start trading in goods …

Plan will support government’s development targets relating to electricity distribution countrywide Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited is seeking US$3.1million (approx. Shs11billion) to start construction of its mega pole production plant in Wakiso District. Paul Mwesigwa, the managing director for UEDCL said on Aug.17 that …

They are serious political actors, not mere acentric characters | ANAÏS ANGELO | All-powerful presidents are an essential part of a stereotypical representation of African politics controlled by a few individuals, rather than by institutions. This view has been reinforced by a literary tradition sanctifying the biographies of “great men” …

An the hurdles for the opposition trying to unseat him | SAKWA M JAMES | In 2021, at least 15 million Ugandans will queue in their respective polling stations to choose their preferred leaders, and as always the greatest attention will focus on the presidential race. The last time this …

Company executives are optimistic the remaining half will see a surge in power sales, profitability as government relaxes COVID-19 lockdown Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Uganda’s electricity distributor, Umeme, is now pinning its profit growth on the remaining six months of the reporting year following government’s move to ease …

Secret dirty deals could end as govt signs transparency initiative Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Uganda’s recent admission into the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a “step in the right direction,” according to local civil society. But many also remain cautious. Gerald Byarugaba, the extractive industries coordinator at …

August infections are highest so far, but September could be worse Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Government officials are warning of likelihood of a return to a harder lockdown if the numbers of COVID-19 infections continue going up very fast. The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, on …