ARTICLES 2008-2015

By Rukiya Makuma Independence babies that wont grow up 2010 is the year for Africa as 17 countries celebrate 50 years of independence since colonial rule. Africans resisted the colonialists on grounds of segregation, slavery, exploitation and domination. But 50 years after, how have these countries performed? Are they still …

By Haggae Matsiko Independent reporter buys birth certificate for Shs 35,000, offered passport for Shs150,000, no questions asked It is Thursday afternoon when I arrive at the reception of the Registrar of Births and Deaths office at Amam House near the Central Police Station in Kampala. I tell the receptionist …

By Timothy Kalyegira Africa has become important not just as an intelligence listening post and army and naval base for counterterrorism originating in the Middle East, but also as a haven and breeding ground for home-grown terrorism ranging from the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb that acts to destabilise North Africa, …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati & Isaac Mufumba Voter expectations give Parliamentary Scorecard a reality check While officiating at the launch of the Parliamentary Scorecard 2008-2009 on July 28, Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi amused attendees. He narrated how a group of wailing people approached him during the Constituent Assembly and asked …

By Haggai Matsiko During the NRM National Executive Council (NEC) meeting early this year, Angela Kebba, a staunch supporter of the ruling NRM from Adjumani district, accused politicians from northern Uganda of hypocrisy. She said members of parliament, LCV chairpersons and other top local politicians pretend to support President Museveni …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Iam currently in Rwanda witnessing their presidential election campaign. The campaign lacks the usual drama of many African general elections: the rallies of opposition candidates are not broken up by the police, their supporters are not beaten by private militias, candidates do not appeal to ethnic …

By Patrick Kagenda Gideon Badagawa is the Chief Executive at Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). He spoke to Patrick Kagenda. What challenges do you face at PSFU? The major challenge today is that of the East African Community economic integration. The pace at which it’s unfolding is way beyond the …

By Patrick Kagenda Morrison Rwakakamba is the Secretary General Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI). The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda spoke to him. How can new business be established in countries like Uganda where corruption is high? Corruption is a serious issue that should be handled with a fierce …

By Patrick Kagenda At the end of July, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) was set to destroy expired confectionaries worth Shs 22.5 million, cosmetics worth Shs 10 million, tinned beef worth Shs 4.9 million and food supplements worth Shs 6.5 million. The haul is part of goods worth …

By Andrew M. Mwenda   Francis Gakwerera is one of the people arrested for the June 19 shooting of former Rwanda Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He spoke to The Independent’s Andrew M. Mwenda. Where do you live and what do you do …