Governments in Africa are pushing for local processing in a bid to turn their vast critical mineral reserves into factories, skills and long-term jobs. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Across Africa, governments are tightening export rules and changing mining laws to make sure they keep more value within their …
Read More »Women reshaping Kampala’s cocktail culture
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On any given Friday night in Kampala, the lights dim, the music rises and the bar counter becomes a stage. Behind it, bartenders measure, shake and garnish as cocktails slide across polished counters to eager patrons. A decade ago, in popular nightlife venues such as …
Read More »Stanbic Bank urges youth to exploit targeted empowerment initiatives
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Stanbic Bank’s head of personal banking, Israel Arinaitwe has urged students and recent graduates to actively exploit the youth empowerment initiatives available to sharpen their skills, strengthen their goals, and position themselves for growth after university. Arinaitwe said, “What we’ve done as a bank, …
Read More »Uganda’s youth unemployment problem
As caps flew in celebration at Makerere University, a quieter question lingered in the air: where will these graduates work? COMMENT | SHARIFA NAMATOVU | An estimated 700,000 people enter Uganda’s labour market every year, and as Makerere University held its 76th graduation ceremony recently, about 9,000 more young Ugandans …
Read More »PART II: US-China economic war
The US has long enjoyed the world’s cheapest energy, but China is now set to take that position THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | In 2020–2021, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd (TSMC) leapfrogged US-based Intel in the production of advanced chips. All of a sudden, TSMC could produce …
Read More »Why our students should build businesses before they build CVs
COMMENT | MICHAEL JJINGO | Let’s face it, our education system has taught students how to find x, recite Shakespeare, and cram the digestive system of an insect. But one thing it still struggles to teach is how to create value, solve real problems, and, more importantly, earn money without …
Read More »Britam Uganda secures Top Employer Africa 2026 certification.
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Britam Uganda has been certified as a Top Employer Africa 2026 by the Top Employers Institute (TEI), marking the second consecutive year the financial services firm has attained the continental recognition following successful recertification across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Mozambique. The certification places Britam …
Read More »Museveni campaigns in Bukonzo East, advocates for commercial agriculture and tourism
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni on Monday campaigned in Bukonzo East, Kasese District, where he called on residents to embrace commercial agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing as key drivers of wealth creation and job growth. Addressing supporters, President Museveni said peace and stability had laid a strong …
Read More »Why fish farming is booming in Zambia
More and more Zambians are finding their fortune not at the copper mines, but in the water. 27-year-old Sibongile Nthani is among those trying their hand at fish farming, benefitting from the experience of multinational Zambian players already in the market, and government support. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | …
Read More »Private sector ends 2025 with high hopes for further expansion
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Following a 10-month period of job creation, Ugandan companies saw a broad stagnation in employment levels and higher input costs during December; nonetheless, driven by other factors, the monthly Stanbic Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose slightly to 54.0 compared to the 53.8 recorded …
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