By agatha atuhaire Politicians and government officials are making huge profits Whereas all Ugandans had their eyes on the budget hoping it would include a reduction in taxes on fuel, the new Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka announced only repealed the excise duty on Kerosene. It was a bold decision. Deloitte …
Read More »Energy’s top spot leaves concerns
By peter nyanzi With an allocation of more than Shs 850 billion for construction of the Karuma hydro power dam and other projects, the energy sector emerged one of the main winners of the 2011/2011 budget, but a reduction in power tariffs and electrification of rural areas, looks increasingly unlikely …
Read More »Budget blues
By theresa nannozi 2011/12 budget disappoints Ugandans who wanted tax cuts, salary increase The 2011/12 budget came as a disappointment for the majority of Ugandans who had expected and hoped for tax cuts on fuel, especially petrol and diesel. While the removal of taxes on kerosene (Shs 200 per litre) …
Read More »What is martyrdom today?
By msgr. lawrence kanyike Leaders who pursue their self-interest cannot be martyrs even when persecuted The most valuable gift we all have is life and the entirety of our existence is centered on the preservation of this gift and without it existence is impossible. It is a general belief …
Read More »Can Besigye be a political martyr?
By Haggai Matsiko Martyrs Day, June 3, this year comes about one month after opposition leader, Rtd Col. Dr Kizza Besigye was on April 28 subjected to one of the most brutal arrests by ruthless security forces. The closeness of the events has got some people comparing Besigye’s ordeal to …
Read More »New Cabinet
By eriasa mukiibi sserunjogi Forget service delivery, it’s all about politics President Yoweri Museveni’s strategy in naming his new cabinet appears to have been based on an old management principle; the law of the vital few. Under this principle, only 20 percent of those involved really matter for 80 percent …
Read More »Museveni’s constitution amendment strikes rage
By Achola Rosario Will the Ugandan Judiciary remain independent if the proposed constitutional amendment that denies bail to treason suspects, economic saboteurs, terrorists and defilers is passed into law? “First of all you must remove presumption of innocence, before you remove the right to bail. So they will have …
Read More »High food and fuel prices
By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Opposition leaders propose ways out as government refuses to act Despite increasing pressure to cut taxes on fuel and ban export of food, the government has stuck to its standard `no intervention’ policy on prices. The recent 3% spike in pump price of fuel from Shs3500 …
Read More »Chaos at Museveni inauguration
By eriasa mukiibi sserunjogi Protests show beleaguered presidency ahead On May 12, the day of President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration, the influential New York Times weighed in with a headline, “Protests Overshadow Inauguration in Uganda”. “Ugandans frustrated with their government turned out in overwhelming numbers and boisterous celebration Thursday to welcome …
Read More »Besigye reloaded
By Andrew M. Mwenda How NRM internal power struggles have given FDC leader hero status Last week, President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration was eclipsed by the dramatic return of opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, from Nairobi, Kenya where he had been treated after being tortured by Ugandan security agents. Besigye’s triumphant …
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