COMMENT | Olivia Nalubwama | Have you seen power in its rawer forms? Power buoyed by a gun and the intimidating fashion of army-green boots? A man in a black T-shirt neatly tucked into army cargo pants and boots – the whole look bristles with ready energy. The man is in …
Read More »Understanding the GKMA Urban Development Program.
COMMENT | ANDREW BESI | One year ago, in September 2024, Vice President Jessica Alupo arrived at the headquarters of Kira Municipality and launched the 5-year UGX 2.2 trillion Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP). This program is an initiative of the Government of Uganda, with …
Read More »Pharmacists and store managers are central to drug accountability
COMMENT | SAM OTUKEI | In the fight against medicine stockouts and theft in Uganda’s public health facilities, much attention is rightly given to the supply side—how and when National Medical Stores (NMS) delivers drugs. But once those deliveries reach a health facility, the responsibility shifts. At that point, …
Read More »Parents, stop shying away from sex education
COMMENT | CONSTANCE KICONCO | She came crying. “Auntie Connie, I am not what they think I am. A boy wrote me a letter, and I ignored it. Later, he sent WhatsApp messages. He got my number from my friend. My mother found the letter, and now she thinks badly of …
Read More »How shared infrastructure is powering digital transformation
OPINION | Elijah Tumusiime | In an era where digital connectivity shapes every facet of modern life, Uganda is making strategic moves to align its digital ambitions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its third National Development Plan (NDP III). At the heart of this transformation is a powerful approach …
Read More »NRM elections and the public good
How the ruling party’s competitive elections produce a government that serves individuals THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | The just-concluded NRM primary elections are a classic case of the inconsistency between Uganda’s politics and democratic theory. There is a wide expectation that when leaders are subjected to popular …
Read More »Saving Africa’s vultures from extinction
There is real need for cooperation at national, regional, and continental levels to save Africa’s vultures from extinction COMMENT | Fadzai Matsvimbo | On the first Saturday of September every year, the world celebrates the International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) to raise awareness about the plight of vultures. A less oft …
Read More »Why young people are the heart of Africa’s food revolution
Open Letter to the Editor COMMENT | My name is Adja Boudy Kanté. I am 32 years old, a mother, and a proud young entrepreneur from Senegal. I grew up in Guediawaye, just outside Dakar, and I have dedicated my life to creating nutritious, healthy products from local cereals, products …
Read More »A response to Salim Saleh’s daughter: Why privilege matters
COMMENT | Olivia Nalubwama | After reading excerpts of an article by Salim Saleh’s daughter in which she attempted to shield the first family from recurring accusations of family rule, this question besieged my thoughts. What is the purpose of privilege? Esteri Mugurwa Akandwanaho, a niece of President Yoweri Museveni and …
Read More »Beyond CSR: Why the private sector must become co-creators of social change in Uganda
COMMENT | EMMANUEL NJUKI | For decades, “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) has been the catch-all phrase for how companies give back to society. However, the traditional model of CSR is often characterised by photo-op donations, short-term and self-promotional charity drives, or once-a-year sponsorships disconnected from a company’s core mission. These …
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