In 2024, Uganda police official figures published show that 4,434 people died compared to 83 people that died because of road accidents in Hong Kong. These figures are alarming. COMMENT | SAM TINKA | On the night of 16th July 2026, news streamed in that a liberty bus carrying 107 …
Read More »The cultivation of character
Life’s lessons from living a life of simplicity, modesty and grace that is purposeful and fulfilling THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | On the late morning of Monday, July 13, my father-in-law, Fred Gyezaho, was rushed to hospital. I had a lunch date with my friend, the affable Mauro …
Read More »Did the national budget come to the ghetto?
COMMENT | HEWETSON AINEMBABAZI | Uganda’s structural housing deficit stands at approximately 2.4 million units, according to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD) strategic plan IV, with a targeted reduction to 1.9 million units by 2030. The Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) data reports over 28 …
Read More »Driving Uganda’s socio-economic development through better roads
COMMENT | ANTHEA TURWOMWE | When Uganda’s minister of works and transport Fred Byamukama declared that it was “no more sleep” at the ministry, he was sending more than a political message. He was signalling a renewed commitment to accelerating infrastructure development, because every kilometre of road completed has the …
Read More »Inspections must translate into better service delivery for Omuntu Wa Wansi
COMMENT | NANTEZA SARAH KYOBE |Â It may be too early to applaud the Ministers of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere, for their ongoing campaign to expose corruption and inspect government projects, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. Their “Expose the …
Read More »How to save Lake Victoria
Smarter farming can protect a fishery whose export earnings reached US$216.4m last year COMMENT | CHRISTOPHER BURKE |  The ecological integrity of Lake Victoria is compromised by terrestrial nutrient inflows driving eutrophication and harmful algal growth. As of 2026, algal blooms around Lake Victoria have been linked by Uganda’s …
Read More »South Sudan at 15: how the political elite have found a way to profit from peace as well as war
Peace settlements have redistributed access to money, offices and external finance among elites, leaving intact the coercive revenue system and war economies that preceded them COMMENT | MATTHEW BENSON-STROHMAYER | South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011 was meant to close the chapter on one of Africa’s longest civil wars: …
Read More »The Right to Development: Why Uganda must close before it can open
COMMENT | CRISPIN KAHERU | Before any serious building rises in Uganda, the first thing to go up is the mabaati – corrugated iron sheets that seal off the site. Behind them, foundations are dug, concrete is poured, and steel is welded. There is noise, dust, and confusion. Trucks …
Read More »Magoola’s pharmaceutical ambition
How a day-long visit to Dei Pharma at Matuga changed my view of what Ugandans can do THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | On Friday, June 26, I visited Matthias Magoola’s Dei Pharma plant at Matuga along Kampala-Gulu Road. It was to honour a promise I had …
Read More »Why wetlands are not peripheral ecosystems
Wetlands are a powerful ally in climate resilience we cant’t afford to overlook COMMENT | MEGAN ELDRED | We are losing one of our most powerful natural allies against climate change, and yet we are barely paying attention. At London Climate Action Week (June 20-28), the focus was rightly …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price