Four things African governments need to get right Kampala, Uganda | FOLASHADE SOULE | You don’t negotiate with China!” I was quickly told when I started interviewing African public servants about their infrastructure deals with Beijing. There is a widespread view in Africa that you accept whatever terms are offered, for fear that …
Read More »COMMENT: Nature vs. infrastructure
Environmentally reckless growth is not preordained; it is possible to make smart, sustainable choices COMMENT | MAXWELL GOMERA | In November 2017, scientists working in Sumatra, Indonesia, made an exciting announcement: they had discovered a new species of orangutan, bringing to seven the number of great ape species globally. But one year later, …
Read More »Obongi welcomes new district amid health, infrastructure gaps
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah has promised to lend a hand in Obongi County’s efforts to end infrastructure and health challenges ahead of the county’s transition to district status effective July 1st 2019. Oulanyah presided over the annual Obongi day after touring several infrastructural establishments …
Read More »IN THE INDEPENDENT: Why can’t Uganda build Standard Rail?
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The top stories in this week’s THE INDEPENDENT. COVER STORY Why can’t Uganda build Standard Rail?: Latest on why Chinese contractor faces boot as Kenya,Tanzania,Rwanda,go ahead. THE LAST WORD In defence of social media tax: Why taxing mobile money and social media is a …
Read More »Uganda going deeper into debts
Why government must listen and act on economic expert views Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | How much public debt can the Ugandan government afford? Nobody seems to be having the right answer even as the government continues to borrow, sinking the country deeper into more debt. While reading the national …
Read More »COMMENT: New ways to finance infrastructure
To increase emerging markets’ share of infrastructure investment, the world needs more `patient capital’ COMMENT | JUSTIN YIFU, HAVARD HALLAND & YAN WANG | Lawmakers in the United States have introduced legislation that, if enacted, would create a new development finance institution (DFI) to replace the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Unlike …
Read More »River Nile infrastructure cooperation key – Mukitale
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Buliisa constituency Member of Parliament has questioned the rationale of different states in the Nile Basin, constructing different power dams, calling it lack of a shared vision. Biraahwa Mukitale was responding to the keynote address on transboundary water cooperation, presented by Professor Emmanuel Kasimbazi, at …
Read More »US$78 billion regional infrastructure projects
EAC leaders push for mega deals amidst concerns of limited funds, slow integration progress Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Amidst big talk on how to raise over US$78 billion for regional infrastructure projects, Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli Magufuli had tough questions for the East African Community Council of Ministers. …
Read More »Trump budget includes infrastructure plan, steep social cuts, rising deficits
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled an ambitious proposal to renew American infrastructure as part of a budget that calls for a stunning rise in debt and trillions in cuts to social and other spending. The blueprint for the 2019 fiscal year abandons the long-held …
Read More »Trump to unveil $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump’s administration will sketch out more details of its plan to invest in America’s creaking infrastructure Monday, hoping it can leverage up to $1.5 trillion for the cause. Senior White House officials said the president’s budget, due to be released on Monday, will …
Read More »