THE LAST WORD: How the leading opposition figure hit the nail on the head when talking about money and politics THE LAST WORD | By Andrew M. Mwenda | Last week, I attended the launch of an autobiography by former cabinet minister, Mathew Rukikaire: 70 Years a Witness. In attendance …
Read More »Understanding Kajura’s woes
Why many of our politicians go broke after leaving cabinet even though we think they are rich THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week, media reported that former Deputy Prime Minister, Henry Kajura, is in financial trouble. Three years after leaving cabinet, he is losing his …
Read More »Ugandan media in crisis
Recent protest against police attacks exposes weakness within Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Polly Namaye, the deputy spokesperson of the Uganda Police Force, on Oct. 31 walked into the offices of the Uganda National Examinations Board. The exam body was holding a press conference to explain preparations for the …
Read More »EAC youth plot leadership role
A mix of politics, music, culture at YouLead Summit 2019 Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Over 250 youth from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan who converged in Arusha, Tanzania for the 2019 YouLead Summit were urged to rise up, take leadership roles and political power to …
Read More »The politics of Uganda’s healthcare
Why our hospitals lack ambulances as public officials indulge themselves in fancy four-wheel drive vehicles THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week someone close to me had a medical emergency in Mubende referral hospital. A child died inside the womb of his fiancé. The only ambulance the …
Read More »A frank memo to the youths
Why young people in East Africa should stop agonising and begin organising THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | This week I was in Arusha Tanzania to speak at a conference of youths from East Africa organised by YouLead. They came bustling with the energy and zest. I was …
Read More »Uganda’s democratic delusions
How Museveni, Besigye and Bobi Wine are birds of a feather that only fly apart THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | This week, the state brought out the full power of riot police to bear on opposition activist, Dr. Kizza Besigye. Using water cannons, they took direct …
Read More »Against privileges for a few
Why Makerere University students (and lecturers) do not need or deserve special treatment THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | The strike by Makerere University students over a 15% increase in fees, actually based on a recommendation by the Students Guild, has dominated media for a week. The government …
Read More »Reviving Anti-gay Bill
Why it’s a costly waste of time for Ugandans Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Father Simon Lokodo, the ethics and integrity Minister’s planned re-introduction of the anti-homosexuality bill in Parliament has been described by human rights activists as “a waste of time and an unmitigated self-inflicted disaster for Uganda.” …
Read More »Inside Europe’s savior complex
How Western efforts to remake Africa have changed from colonialism to international development assistance THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week, I was invited to speak on international development assistance (foreign aid) at the geopolitical conference at Makerere University organised by the French embassy and the …
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