By Andrew M. Mwenda How Museveni has shifted from reliance on military force to coerce political support to the use of money to rent it My article, “What keeps Museveni in power” (The Independent April 12-18), attracted the most intense debate on our website. Apparently, most critics of President Yoweri …
Read More »Rwanda’s international bond debut
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why African countries should follow the example of Rwanda, Ghana and Zambia by moving from foreign aid to bond markets Last week, the government of Rwanda issued an international 10-year bond to raise $400 million for infrastructure development. Within two days, the bond had been oversubscribed …
Read More »Western impressions, African perceptions
By Andrew M. Mwenda How our admiration of Western systems has more do with how it perceives itself than the reality of its being I still cannot explain what got into my head recently to re-read William Shirer’s, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, a 1,200 pages tour …
Read More »NRM and its rebel MPs
By Andrew M. Mwenda How party’s tolerance of rebel MPs was typical of its tolerance of other ills and a danger to democracy Finally, the NRM decided to expel it’s so called “rebel MPs”. Many critics of President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM have denounced this decision. The MPs themselves …
Read More »What keeps Museveni in power
By Andrew M. Mwenda How the President’s success in retaining power rotates around his obsessive focus on all threats to it. A friend recently sent me a text message saying: “Man, what’s up with the Mbuya and Bombo attacks and an attempt on Kale. Ankunda’s answers in the Observer and …
Read More »Freedom by foreign diktat
By Andrew M. Mwenda Why Western attempts, genuine though they may be, to promote democracy in poor countries is anti-democratic As I write this article, a debate is raging in America on gun ownership – indeed it has been raging for generations. Every other day, there is carnage in America. …
Read More »Tullow’s alleged bribe to Museveni
By Andrew M. Mwenda It is very unlikely that Museveni would trade US$ 404m to the treasury for a private bribe of $50m. Here is why. Press reports that Tullow Oil discussed to bribe President Yoweri Museveni with a private cash payment of US$50 million for his 2011 re-election campaign …
Read More »The tyranny of human rights organizations
By Andrew M. Mwenda How the West is seeking to usurp Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy using a humanitarian language Since the end of the Cold War, a movement to save Africa from Africans has grown and gained momentum across the Western world. This movement is reflected in campaigns …
Read More »Who will save us from NSSF?
By Andrew M. Mwenda The only way a managing director can protect their job at the fund is by sitting on their arms and doing nothing Early this year, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) bought shares worth Shs 52 billion in an Initial Public Offering by Umeme, the electricity …
Read More »M23, DRC is a challenging tangle of political and military interests
By Andrew M. Mwenda US Senator Dick Durbin sits on US Senate’s foreign relations, appropriations, and judiciary. He spoke to The Independent’s Andrew Mwenda. Many people believe the US government’s interest in Africa is purely based on security. As long as African governments can combat Al Qaeda that’s all. Let …
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