Cover Story

Defects have been flagged at the 183MW Isimba Hydropower Plant, but contractor is reluctant to fix them COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | For many hydroelectricity producers around the world, rainfall is a welcome blessing that ensures a steady power supply. But for Harrison Mutikanga, the CEO of the Uganda Electricity …

Why his papacy mattered for the continent – and for the world’s poor and marginalised COVER STORY | STAN CHUN IIO | The death of Pope Francis at his residence on April 21 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion …

  Attracting ‘proper’ mining companies could bring peace, say experts COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | Barrick Gold Corporation was until 2019 the largest mining company in the world. With operating revenue of US$12.922 billion (Uganda’s GDP is about US$50 billion), Barrick Gold is the kind of mining company that experts …

Analysts say the new tariffs suggest that the renewal of the initiative is extremely unlikely COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT & AGENCIES | In what has been described as one of the most disruptive moments in trade history, U.S. President Donald Trump on April 02 unleashed sweeping tariffs on nearly all …

President Tshisekedi, visiting American senior advisor, discuss minerals-for-security deal COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | Finally, African countries know that unlike in his first term where they hardly mattered, U.S. President Donald Trump this time has the continent on his agenda. Just as in his first term, President Trump has delayed …

Playing roulette with nation’s security COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | In the one year that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been Chief of Defence Forces, he has become mainly known for playing Russian roulette on his X account—-sometimes raising heightened fear among opponents, engaging in light banter with the public, or …

Experts say Uganda’s involvement inflames tensions COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT REPORTERS & AGENCIES | The entry of soldiers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) into South Sudan in support of the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit has inflamed tensions there. That is according to expert observers, civil society …

Opposition win in chaotic poll leaves NRM shabby ahead of 2026 COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | After two weeks of chaotic campaigning where baklava masked soldiers dragged and arrested candidates from nomination booths, beat up journalists, and fired live bullets at civilians, Kawempe North Constituency is calm. And it …

Juba tense after arrest of opposition politicians, army generals COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT & AGENCIES | The political situation in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, is tense following the arrest of politicians and to army generals aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The unrest comes amid growing concerns over instability …

But Afrobarometer finds issues they want fixed COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT | The first poll linked to the 2025-26 election year is out.  On Feb.26, Afrobarometer, the Pan-African non-profit and non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on Africans’ experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life, …