By Mubatsi Asinja Habati David Ekerson is the Director of US Agency for International Development (USAID). Uganda is the 10th largest beneficiary of USAID programmes in the world. In its 2010 budget, USAID Uganda spent US$341 million as aid in various areas. The Independent’s Mubatsi Asinja Habati spoke to Ekerson. …

By Melina Platas Three factors that could determine if Besigye or Museveni wins As ears ring with protests calling for the end of an era, longtime rulers shift uncomfortably. Amidst palpable unease, the run-up to the 2011 elections has been eerily calm. Seasoned analysts debate whether President Yoweri Museveni’s vote …

By Andrew Mwenda Using robust data, it is theoretically possible but realistically improbable Besigye can- not just win, but force Museveni to a second round. On February 18th, Ugandans will go to the polls to elect a new president. All the last three elections have been a two-horse race between …

By Joe Powell If incentives for cost-effective clean energy are not put in place, Africa may follow the same dirty industrialisation route of China and India. Environmentalists and poverty campaigners have not always found themselves on the same side of development debates. A basket of contentious subjects that divide the …

By Independent Reporter Police chief says he is ready to battle opposition party militias Badru Kiggundu, the soft-spoken Chairman of the Uganda Electoral Commission, knows something about disasters; at least theoretically.  He is a specialist in geotechnical materials and, even as Dean of the Faculty of Technology at Makerere University; …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Any candidate can tally and announce his results but he cannot declare him/herself winner. Presidential candidate Kizza Besigye of the Inter-Party Cooperation has vowed to tally and announce results of the Feb. 18 elections. But the Electoral Commission, the Police, government functionaries and the NRM’s presidential …

By Andrew Mwenda Past experiences show that America is willing to countenance democracy only when it produces outcomes favourable to its interests. The current protests in Egypt have placed the United States in a big dilemma. America is a leading advocate of democracy around the world. Yet often times, the …

By independent reporter Rwanda, Uganda ties strained as Gen. Saleh and Rwandan dissidents are accused of training mercenary force The meetings and their plans have already raised concerns in the region because the African Union (AU) already has a force led by Uganda and Burundi in Mogadishu propping up the …

By Andrew .M. Mwenda The electoral promises President Museveni is making to win elections now – UPE and USE – are creating conditions like those of Ben Ali. The revolution in Tunisia that has toppled President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali is the most exciting event in Africa today. First, …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati An opinion poll by the research firm, Synovate Uganda, published by The New Vision newspaper has generated debate about who commissioned it. Virginia Nkwanzi is the Country Manager of Synovate Uganda. The Independent’s Mubatsi Asinja Habati spoke to her The New Vision published an opinion poll …