The Independent Uncensored News Views And Analysis

Women lack voice, even in parliament

Can getting more directly elected women change trend? On February, 2006, the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) led other women NGOs to the launch of the Women’s Manifesto 2006 at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The Women’s manifesto was designed to help women get a common understanding of issues that they wanted parliament and the government to address. Developed against the backdrop of the equal opportunities commission stated in article 32(2) ...

Indians buying Zain this month?

Kuwaiti-based Zain, which was last year a headlines maker after its July announcement that it was looking at its options in Africa including a possible sale of its networks, is back in the news. This time newswires report that it is in talks with Bharti Airtel the leading telecoms giant in India. Officials of Bharti, which saw its own deal with MTN fall through last year, have confirmed talks with Zain. Bharti officials told the media ...

How to maintain your vehicle cooling system

In the recent past, rains have been on the high side. Whenever there is rain, all places are wet and cool. However, this coolness does not necessarily transform into coolness of the vehicle engine. Very many vehicles have over- heating problems even during wet seasons. While the cooling system today is more reliable, the main components of the cooling system have remained the same. A basic cooling system consists of liquid coolant being circulat...

Mr President, you must start fighting corruption seriously

The development partners recognise that the 2010/11 budget is being developed in tandem with the National Development Plan. This provides an opportunity to focus the budget on Uganda’s development priorities. Past accomplishments by the government of Uganda have been remarkable. However, the real test of prudent and effective government lies in how you will address the challenges of the future. The vision for Uganda laid out by Your Excellency...

UPC to get new president in two weeks

Under the August 1970 Uganda Peoples Congress constitution, the delegates conference elects the party president  who serves a seven-year renewable term of office. The president in turn nominates the different central executive office bearers of the party.  On March 6, UPC will hold its long awaited delegates conference after overcoming a court injunction. In spite of the internal conflict, all seems set for the day. The party’s nation...

Coartem stocks run out, 300 die daily

Ugandans pay high price for government’s failure to prosecute Global Fund thieves Rachael Nalubega, 10, sits on her mother’s lap near the entrance into one of the children’s wards at Uganda’s top medical facility, Mulago National Referral Hospital. Nalubega’s eyes are motionless and unblinking. The crowded ward is enveloped in a nonstop noise of wailing children on rickety sickbeds.  Poor Nalubega is too weak to join in the ...

Mao faces big test on DP factions but Sebaggala is his least worry

Hajji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala rose from obscurity to political prominence. Previously, his popularity was confined to Kampala where he was only known as a versatile businessman owning a chain of enterprises in the city. But beyond the city confines, virtually nobody knew about Sebaggala, now the city mayor, who wanted to take the DP top seat to usher himself into the race for national presidency.    His intention to campaign for polit...

Are Electoral Commissioners cadres of the NRM party?

Justice Kanyeihamba opposes political party representatives for EC This March might turn out to be the most important month in the run up to the February 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections. Whether the 2011 outcome will be good or bad depends on the outcome of four Bills that must be disposed of by parliament this month namely; the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill 2009, the Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill 20...