By Independent Investigations The story behind the news In August 2010, a source brought to The Independent a series of documents showing bank transfers of large amounts of money to two ministers: Sam Kutesa of Foreign Affairs and Hillary Onek, then of Energy and Mineral Development. According to the documents, …
Read More »The children of Independence speak-out
By Rukiya Makuma People were poorer than today but they did not notice it – James Tumusiime In 1962, James Tumusiime, now Group Managing Director of Fountain Publishers Limited was barely 10 and a primary four pupil at Kinoni Primary school in Mbarara district. He could tell that something important …
Read More »Coffee prices up but Bugisu farmers downcast
By Agather Atuhaire Allegations of forged accounts and government meddling leave their once-vibrant union on the brink of closure Coffee prices are at an all time high but farmers of the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) in eastern Uganda have never seen darker days as a mixture of local and national …
Read More »Ugandan top ministers took bribes from Tullow oil – parliament told
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi and two other ministers were on Oct.10 have allegedly benefited from bribes from oil companies, parliament heard yesterday at a critical debate about the country’s nascent oil sector. A jam parked parliament that had been recalled from recess heard that Mbabazi, Sam Kuteesa, the …
Read More »Someone wants to kill me
By Independent Reporter Until May 23, Prof. Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya was Uganda’s vice president. He spoke to The Independent about life after leaving the office he held for nine years. Your Excellency, what is life like outside the corridors of power and the number two guy in the country? I …
Read More »Bukenya’s worst mistakes
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati How the CHOGM corruption case benefits the mafia, Museveni, and the donors When former vice president Gilbert Bukenya was sent to Luzira Maximum Security Prison on Oct. 3 on allegations of corruption, it looked like the final blow to a man who has always exuded confidence …
Read More »I will not go to exile – Bukenya
By Independent Team On May 23, just one day before President Yoweri Museveni was due to announce the first names in his post-election cabinet, then-Vice President Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya received an important phone call. It was the president’s secretary with a single message: “the president will not nominate you for …
Read More »Oil could cause war
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Museveni guarding against outsiders but the danger is internal, say experts On Aug. 2 Uganda’s oil rich western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo showed once again that it can erupt into insecurity at any time. Barely three months to the tense November 28 presidential …
Read More »Courting trouble
By Haggai Matsiko Lawyers, public bicker over whether terrorist bombing convicts should have got only 25 and five years in jail for killing 80 people The 25 and five year jail sentences awarded to the self-confessed terrorists involved in the July 11, 2010 twin-bombings in Kampala have sparked heated debate …
Read More »Born lucky
By Rukiya Makuma Birth and death records go digital At 12 noon on Sept.14, Joseph Mutebi, was all wrapped up in shawls and cuddled up in his mother’s tender embrace. He was just one day old and, with baby eyes still tightly closed, was totally oblivious of the excitement he …
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