BEIJING, CHINA | Xinhua | The U.S. Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Wednesday in a 51-50 vote. Though touted as delivering broad prosperity, the sweeping tax and spending package disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Americans. At the heart of the bill is an unprecedented series …
Read More »Museveni’s Balalo orders
How the search for votes in Acholi has corrupted our president, leading him to disregard his core principles THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | President Yoweri Museveni has issued orders to evict all pastoralists (Bahima and Batutsi of Kinyankore and Kinyarwanda culture) from the Acholi region. These people, who are commonly …
Read More »COMMENT: Anti-Gay debates in Uganda lack an informed scientific dimension
Homosexuality is Normal: Revisiting Anti-Gay Debates in Uganda COMMENT | NNANDA KIZITO SSERUWAGI | Over the years, Uganda has witnessed intense and contentious debates about homosexuality. There is no level of society that these debates have not affected. From schools to homes, workplaces, and universities, homosexuality has been a part of …
Read More »Israel’s security dilemma
Why the Jewish state will never leave at peace unless it frees itself from its racial and religious bigotry THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | For the last week, Israel and Iran have been exchanging heavy blows. I had expected Israel to beat Iran badly, decisively, and quickly. From a strategic …
Read More »Why the Ik community in Karamoja is refusing to remain silent
A Mark of Resilience: The Ik community’s pursuit of improved service delivery in education and health COMMENT | Richard Ayesigwa | In the serene yet rugged highlands of Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region, a quiet but powerful wave of change is unfolding. The Ik people of Timu Sub County, long overlooked and …
Read More »How digital innovation is transforming banking in Uganda
OPINION | Samir Yassine | Imagine opening a bank account in minutes, without stepping into a banking hall, queuing up, or filling out piles of forms. Just you, your phone, and a few taps. That’s the power of digital account opening—and if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out …
Read More »Trump’s gift to Africa
Why the US president’s visa restrictions and aid cuts are good for the development of our continent THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | Many people are angry with President Donald Trump for canceling the visas of many students studying in the USA. This is bad for individual families and students. I …
Read More »Do you really need solid blocks for that wall?
COMMENT | APOLLO BUREGYEYA | Allow me to take you back to class today. No assignments. Just a group discussion. Seventeen (17) bags of cement give us 680 hollow blocks, each measuring 200 × 200 × 400 mm, with a compressive strength of 3.5 MPa. Yes, 3.5 megapascals. In wall-building terms, …
Read More »What’s the thinking behind the new traffic speed fines?
The new traffic fines: Road safety improvements vs financial gains COMMENT | Samson Tinka | Road safety is a multifaceted issue that requires the cooperation of individuals, communities, and governments for it to work. By promoting awareness, enforcing laws, improving infrastructure, and encouraging community involvement, we can work towards safer roads …
Read More »The legacy of Cedric Babu
How this dynamic Ugandan combined a talent for sports with business, politics and entertainment THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | Last week, Uganda lost one of its most dynamic citizens, Cedric Babu Ndilima, to a heart complication. On social media, opposition activists, who claim to be humane, went on …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price