The Independent Managing Editor, Andrew Mwenda, was listed by the Foreign Policy (FP) magazine amongst the Top 100 Global Thinkers, together with greats like US President Barack Obama, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Pope Benedict XI (ranked17th), billionaire Bill Gates (ranked 12th) and a host of other leaders, Nobel laureates, journalists, economists and academicians.

At rank 98, Mwenda was recognised for his vociferous criticism of all elements of the African aid structure and like the other top hundred global thinkers, for contributing to the big ideas that shaped the world in 2009.

According to FP, Mwenda, a dogged and fiercely eloquent Ugandan journalist and editor of the The Independent is a vociferous critic of all elements of the African aid structure. “Frequently harassed by the Ugandan government for his outspokenness and currently facing trial on 21 charges (including sedition), Mwenda goes even further than most aid critics: The continent, he argues, needs to fail in order to learn hard lessons as it picks up the pieces on its own. He responded with fire to Obama’s July speech in Ghana, writing, ‘Obama needs to listen to Africans much more, not lecture them using the same old teleprompter.’”

At home, Mwenda has serially castigated President Yoweri Museveni’s regime on corruption, sectarianism, human rights abuses, and for vesting the country’s leadership and resources in family rule. He has also been fighting for free speech and economic empowerment throughout Africa. His belief is anchored in the idea that western aid has been largely unhelpful to African development as it fans corrupt states and sustains wars.

US President, Barack Obama, was ranked second for re-imagining America’s role in the world. Other Africans listed amongst the top hundred include Dr. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General. He was ranked 30th for his ceaseless work to create Africa’s Green Revolution. “Africa is the only region where overall food security and livelihoods are deteriorating,” he declared in 2007, vowing to create “an environmentally sustainable, uniquely African Green Revolution,” according to the FP.

Another African, George Ayittey, was ranked 76th for pushing policymakers to let Africa help itself. Sayyid Imam al-Sharif from Egypt was ranked 10th for striking a mortal ideological blow to al Qaeda. Ayaan Hirsi Ali from Somalia was ranked 48 for her provocative critique of Islam, the religion of her youth.

Ben Bernanke, the chairman of Federal Reserve in Washington, was ranked in first position for his role in staving off a new Great Depression. He topped the list for “turning his superb academic career into a blueprint for action, for single-handedly reinventing the role of a central bank, for preventing the collapse of the US economy. Having done all of these within the span of a few months is certainly one of the greatest intellectual feats of recent years.

Women bagged seventeen slots of the top hundred. They are: Zahra Rahnavard from Egypt, ranked 3rd for being the brains behind Iran’s Green Revolution and the campaign of her husband, opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi; Aung San Suu Kyi, from Burma ranked 26th for being a living symbol of hope in a dark place; Elinor Ostrom from US, ranked 28 for showing us that the global commons isn’t such a tragic place after all; Esther Duflo from US ranked 41 for adding quantitative rigor to assessments of foreign aid; Ayaan Hirsi Ali from Somalia, ranked 48 for her provocative critique of Islam, the religion of her youth; Helene Gayle from US ranked 52 for putting HIV/AIDS in its big-picture context; Barbara Ehrenreich ranked 59 for her relentless efforts to understand the root causes of poverty and inequality; Esther Dyson from US, ranked 70th for accurately forecasting how the Internet will shape us; Anne-Marie Slaughter ranked 79th for helping transform Foggy Bottom from the inside out; Samantha Power from US ranked 80th for moving from moral authority to government authority on human rights; Hu Shuli a journalist from China ranked 84th for persisting in the idea that public accountability is possible even in one-party China; Jacqueline Novogratz from US ranked at 85th position for helping build a new generation of social entrepreneurs; Karen Armstrong from Britain ranked 87th for advocating a truce in the religion wars; Sunita Narain from India ranked 88 for giving voice to India’s environmental conscience; Martha Nussbaum ranked 93rd for making philosophy matter; Valerie Hudson from US ranked 97th for showing that gender imbalances have global consequences and Emily Oster from US ranked 99th for her creative research into what really helps the poor.

Some former and current prominent leaders also rated amongst the top 100 Global Thinkers include: Bill Clinton, the former US president, ranked 6th for redefining philanthropy in the modern era; Vaclav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, rated 23rd for four decades of speaking truth to power; Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former Brazilian President ranked 11th for calling the war on drugs what it is: a disaster and former US Vice President Dick Cheney ranked 13th for his full-throated defence of American power.

Some Nobel laureates rated amongst the hundred include: Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladesh economist ranked 46th for proving that the poor are profitable, John Holdren and Steven Chu, ranked 34th for putting cutting-edge science back into power, Rajendra Pachauri from India ranked 5th for ending the debate over whether climate change matters, Joseph Stiglitz, from US ranked 25th for relentlessly questioning economic dogma, Paul Krugman, from US ranked 29th for proving that a Nobel Prize winner can also be a prolific pundit and unerringly correct doomsayer, Amartya Sen, a US economist ranked 58th for showing how democracy prevents famine.

Comments (39)

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Congs Andrew
written by Russo, December 09, 2009

But, what of Mwenda's mentor and most excellent visionnaire and also Rwandese' Kagame?

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congs
written by MUJUNI, December 09, 2009

Well done Andy, keep your fingers crossed many more awards yet to come.

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Why not publish it elsewhere?
written by Clement Lalobo, December 09, 2009

It is not enough to have it authored by another person (Joshua Masinde), I would also not stand it published in my very own magazine - for ethical and professional reasons. Encouraging news though!

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That's Ma Boy... keep it up Mr. Mwenda and groom others too
written by Atenyi, December 09, 2009

I was so pleased when i learnt of your nomination and listing on the World Top Thinkers, although it did not come as a suprise given all the effort you put in, in getting the public informed on issues that we would never hear about. I would however like you to share this wonderful school of thought with our teenager in our rural Uganda institutions by re-establishing debating clubs with specific focus on Uganda's current affairs issues and the way forward for African Development. This will have a biger multplier effect to our society self development and i think it will go a long way in helping Ugandans to regain their national pride through patriotic discussion without fear or favour, For God and Our Country

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Mr
written by Joseph Mark, December 09, 2009

Keep up Andrew, the best is yet to come. Amandla!

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...
written by Den, December 09, 2009

And what about our visonary leader who fall from heaven???

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BORN TO CHANGE THE WORLD
written by KIRUNGI CHRISTOPHER, December 09, 2009

Mwenda,you deserve the best keep it rising we appreciate our efforts to change the world into avery interesting place to leave in.true son of Uganda our Motherland.

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...
written by Charles, December 09, 2009

Mwenda among 100 global thinkers?

Give me a single novel idea that Mwenda has brought to this world that would warrant him even the 200th position? a critic of foreign? what a balony. stand on any African city street and ask an average person his opinion of foreign the chorus is what Mwenda regurgitates in all of the pieces he has written on the subject: Aid fuels corruption.

Poor, FP, your ignorance is stunnig. YOU can as well nominate him for a Nobel for being critic of foreign aid!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shame on you FP! Mwenda is simply a good journalist, not a global thinker.

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...
written by Mafta Mingi, December 09, 2009

Heheheheheheheh, Global thinker ? Andrew well you do well the criticise m7 a global minion with no impact outside one of the world's premitive states , criticising a dictatorial minion unknown to many in the decent world can earn no one gongs , so Andrew dear you are good at forensic reporting not good in forecasting ! ok ,If these awards has been commisioned by Kagame then its true ,you are a genius

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Well done
written by Omeros, December 09, 2009

Andrew - many congratulations! It must be gratifying to receive this accolade. Keep up the good work!

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For beating on Africa and apologising for the looters of Africa fortune
written by Ocheto, December 09, 2009

I appreciate Mwenda's outspokenness, but what is common with all the people quoted here is that they blamed "their people" instead of blaming the west. That is no basis for being a world thinker. Much of the blame for world's problems are due to world hegemonic and imperialistic greed and selfishness by rich nations. Witness what is going on in Capenhagen. The notion that Africa has received alot of AID over the years fails to point out that on balance more wealth left Africa than got invested in Africa. [It happened even as Ethiopia was receiving the FOOD AID.] Moreover the socalled AID has been spotty and not concerted, making it inneffectual. These are world apologisers.

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Andrew keep it up
written by Ndawula, December 09, 2009

Am suprised that Andrew has ben named as one on 100 top thinkers. Keup it Up

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Congrants
written by Edgar, December 09, 2009

Congrats Mwenda! How exciting to finally appear among the top 100 global thinkers. Well done!!! You deserved it. I very much enjoy reading your paper than any other. Wish you a Merry Christmas and a better 2010 than ’09! Will that be? I strongly doubt but I love your courage. You will juggle through as well.

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Congrats
written by Steven, December 09, 2009

Hey, what happened to Tamale Mirundi and his boss M7. Don't I hear his idiotic references to himself as an intellectual?? And his boss as the visionary? The only one that thinks in Uganda? Goodness, he might order FP SHOT. He probably doesn't know who they are otherwise he would order, "shoot to kill"!!! Ignorant.

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some will try to dispute it i wont
written by kamulali, December 10, 2009

Welldone Andrew
continue if fellow countrymen dont take noticeof your contributions the world does

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...
written by mukwaya, December 10, 2009

Kudos. Mwenda

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Hmmmmmm....
written by Cedo, December 10, 2009

Its amazing.....simply amazing. Congrats Andrew! I now understand the source of all the energy and vibrancy. Way to go chief!

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Better CV!
written by akello, December 10, 2009

.......and for this reason he will recieve more money from mzee K....

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Andrew Deserved it
written by David Bongomin, December 10, 2009

Guys, it was not out of a lottery that Andrew was chosen, his articles were read and evaluated amongst many other nominess and they were found deserving. Congs Andrew.

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Mr
written by munyoro , December 10, 2009

Good for Mwenda to be nominated, but this would feet well if he didnot have double standards. You remember when M7 visited his sister and Mwenda was the first to declare M7 for a fifth term. what a shame!

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IF IT IS TRUE!
written by OJA, December 10, 2009

ANDREW, I CONGRATULATE YOU DEARLY! OTHERWISE IT MEANS MORE WORK, I.E., TO BE MORE SCIENTIFIC, THOROUGH AND OBJECTIVE.

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lindako katono
written by Hanns, December 10, 2009

Where's Bahati,(gay bill),NRM Mp's (land bill),Draru( general's butcherer),Mzee(HIV/AIDS bill,lifting bisanjas,injuring his middle finger in an intercourse,head of bush war heroes,visionary reverser,ONLY capable electoral candidate thrice so far/5th huh?,wisest muhima)
BRAVO MWENDA!!!!!!!!!AWANGAALE SABASAJJA NANTAKWAATA SSIMU

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Here and there
written by Julius, December 11, 2009

"Global thinker" is probably the wrong term for this. I doubt that it is even possible to find 100 top global thinkers with any amount of accuracy. What Mwenda has done is talk his way into the global limelight, much of the time articulating other people's (shared) thoughts, actually.
It is mostly down to the fact that his ideas resonate with many other people's thoughts, and perhaps irritate a few others', that he is able to garner so much recognition (and notoriety, for some). That is not to take away from his achievement, which is surely significant, as the only Ugandan to make the list. I know quite a few other Ugandans who will be peeved that they were not ranked above him.

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...
written by Dian Kenneth, December 11, 2009

Yes, we may be shadding off our nationalistic outlook but I think we should be proud to have one of our own among the top 100 great thinkers in the world. Congs Mwenda. Congs Uganda.

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YOU DESRVED IT
written by omukambwe, December 11, 2009

Mwenda,at least you are known even when many pretend NOT to know you,well done

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how independent does the independent get ?
written by pedro caballero, December 11, 2009

In one vein you are praised for holding your leaders accountable. In another vein you are ranked with billionaires, philathropists as one of the most influnetial people. It does beg the question who butters the bread of Andrew. Obviously it is not the government since his flagship publication goes to great lengths at criticizing the goverment without a blush but heaps praises on his neighbor next door for his reforms notwithstanding the degree of press freedom in Rwanda.Obviously to be ranked with the Bll gates and baracK Obama, who are in favor of armed conflict in Afghanistan speaks volumes about our so-called editor. Its stories ought not be taken with a grain of salt. It ranks Joe stiglitz, a respected economist below Ben Bernanke. Adam smith would have marveled at that revelation

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Not all are illustrious
written by Ocheto, December 11, 2009

Perhaps there is no need to be too hard on Mwenda and his independent and irreverent voice, afterall most of the list is packed with many with less than illustrious records or even any records of global renown to speak of.

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Congratulations
written by Martin Byakuleka, December 12, 2009

Kindly accept my regards for your indefatigable efforts at your illustrous endeavours. Recognition by FP is a worthy nod; keep at it.

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thanks FP for seeing this
written by kayonga Daniel, December 14, 2009

Congs Andrew you have been a source of inspiration to the media in our region for a while, now the world has also seen this, go on

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Huge fan of this guy
written by Mark Lewis, December 14, 2009

I'm a huge fan of this guy. Very few people with something on the line will tell it like it is about this issue, let alone do so in the face of losing their freedom. Check out his video at the TED converence. It's steller.

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Re: Buy insurance for your head!
written by Morris, December 14, 2009

Hey Andrew, now that you are a global gem, ensure that you insure your head, brain and life against the Mu7 tyrants before they destroy it. Congrats and well deserved.

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Congratulations!
written by salim, December 15, 2009

Congratulations Mr. Mwenda! Please keep it up, more awards ahead.

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...
written by Emperror, December 15, 2009

Just as well that FP magazine is neither democratic nor a recognised international think-tank. Great thinker ..... give me a break, populist journalist is more on the spot.

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advisor
written by huub gales, December 20, 2009

As a global thinker, must be somehow big headed to be lay eyes on that title, what are the worst ideas of the last decade? Please enlighten us as we move into the 2000 Tens

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Re: Congs Mwenda.
written by Elias Muhumuza, December 31, 2009

Andrew , I salute you. Congratulations and keep it up. Being on the the same list of great global thinkers with the Pope, the US president, Bill Gates, Kofi Anani and other prominent people is no joke. I believe whoever reads your aticles learns atleast something. African leaders (especially Ugandan) should be encouraged to listen to remarks made by critics like you rather than being encouraged to think that people like you are their enenies.

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congrtulation
written by miraji, February 02, 2010

Andrew let the sky be your limit.keep it up.

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wt abt 7
written by atukwasize chrisogon, May 17, 2010

m7 should be among the 100 coz u cant manage such a state without double thinking capacity

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Researcher
written by kasozi deo, September 03, 2010

The personalities mentioned on the list have by far contributed in various capacities. Mwenda, inspite of the doubts by people how hate sucess, it is a good start. I would propose that, mwenda you start giving a way forward for ur arguments. For example if you say africa should not receive aid, tell us how it will be practical for africans to survive without. If the answer 4 example is reduce corruption tells as the ways it can be handled. I also believe that Andrew, with your praises to Kagame you may also be part of corrupt set like you fellows you blame. Me i would propose the China way of reduce corruption hug me if found guilty. If this was to work Mwenda you would be either in hell or heaven.

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student
written by mugumya phillipson, November 16, 2010

your a role model to our young generation though others see you as a treat ti their life.
keep it up the sky is the limit.

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