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 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 …

By Andrew M. Mwenda   General had approached Museveni Had contacted Kagame for talks His driver had Uganda passport Maj. Gen. Kashaka was go-between Exclusive interview with suspect At 4.30pm on Saturday June 19, South African police arrested the first suspect in connection with the attempted murder of Lt. Gen. …

By Andrew M. Mwenda   I read with particular keenness President Yoweri Museveni’s article on July 25 where he defended Ugandan troop presence in Somalia. I use the words ‘particular keenness’ because I highly respect Museveni’s analysis of security issues. While his article is strong and persuasive, I was not …

By Andrew M. Mwenda Gen. Aronda informed Museveni  7 days to the attacks Terrorists now using women to spy on targets ADF Infiltrated intelligence On July 4, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, received a threat assessment from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) detailing a serious …

By Andrew M. Mwenda   Since Uganda was bombed on 7/11, Al-Shabaab ‘terrorist’ group in Somali claimed responsibility. There has been a lot of tough talk in Kampala. President Yoweri Museveni has promised to hit back at Al-Shabaab by increasing our troops in that country. Many Ugandans support the government …

By Agencies   The Somali based Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab is claiming responsibility for the bombings in Uganda on Sunday that killed more than 60 people. In the Somali capital, Mogadishu, a top spokesman for the hardline al-Shabab said the group carried out the bombings, and he threatened further attacks …

The Independent Team At 11 pm on July 11 a crowd of 700 is gathered at Kyadondo Rugby Club, located 3 km east of central Kampala, to watch the World Cup final. The cumulative excitement and anxiety is unimaginable. As the announcer says, ‘Three minutes left to the first 90 …

By Independent Team   Politicians debate Uganda’s role in Mogadishu The announcer’s voice had hundreds of spectators at Kyadondo Rugby club, a popular bar for local and expats alike, completely rapt’sitting at the edge of their chairs, counting down the last three minutes before extra time. ‘The next goal will …

By Andrew M. Mwenda   Critics of the government of Uganda accuse it of allocating less money to priority sectors like infrastructure, education and health. Although it is evident that the cost of political patronage and the presidency/first family has grown, it is not true that this has been at …