ARTICLES 2008-2015

  By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Tax body ranked most corrupt in East Africa In 2003 President Museveni described the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) as “a den of thieves” because the levels of corruption were alarmingly high. Soon after, the tax body restructured and appeared to have put corruption and incompetence …

By Rosebell Kagumire Govt drafts law to save the President from prosecution Uganda has officially become the second African country after South Africa to block a visit by Sudanese President Gen. Omar al-Bashir. Bashir faces a similar situation in 28 other African countries and more than  90 others worldwide which …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Nasser Husain imports used Japanese cars from Japan for his small depot in Bugolobi opposite the defunct Tri Star fabrics factory. Husain says used cars would be affordable if it were not for the high taxes. He says a car that would cost Shs 8 million …

By Andrew M. Mwenda When you are poor, every Tom, Dick and Harry steps over your nose. This was the impression I got when I read the lecture (as opposed to a speech) by US President Barack Obama in Ghana. The uncritical enthusiasm with which some elites in Africa received …

By Onghwens Kisangala Government recently created 14 new districts, bringing the total number to 94. But is it sustainable  financially and politically  to continue with this policy of districtisation? The Independents Onghwens Kisangala spoke to State Minister for Local Government Pereza Ahabwe and below, excerpts:- Why is government continuously splitting …

By Patrick Kagenda The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is quickly learning that ‘customer is king’ is not an overrated clich. Uganda is Kenya’s top most trading partner in the region with 12.3% of all Kenyan manufactured goods heading to its westerly neighbor in 2008. According to the 2008 statistics from …

By Onghwens Kisangala It may be 8:00am or 6:00pm, at either hour traffic flow in Kampala city will be at the peak. The movement of vehicles, motor-bikes, commonly known as bods bodas can be a nightmare as many passengers jump off to move faster on foot. Is it dropping a …

By Molly Lister Can it make bus system work? As the central government looks set to take over management of Kampala city, one area it needs to look at closely is the city roads and transport sector.  It needs a deeper look at the problems and the various plans and …

By Bob Roberts Katende It is 10.45 am on July 15 and the place is Room 408 of Parliament Building. The house is buzzing with activity as journalists swarm around with their notebooks and cameras loosely craning their necks. Five men from the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) emerge from the …

By Joe Powell The term of Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, Makerere Universitys Vice-Chancellor, has come to an end. The Independents Joe Powell spoke to the leading reformist candidate to take over the top job, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (CIT), Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba. Excerpts below. How …