In The Magazine

By Andrew M. Mwenda NRM had historically suffered major defections before every election but it enjoyed a big infusion of opposition figures in 2007-11 It is almost a year since last year’s presidential elections. The dust over the recriminations over it has settled. We have had sufficient time to reflect …

By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Being allowed to hold rallies recently after a long unofficial ban meant the jury was always out on opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Would he pull crowds? Would his message resonate with the public? Or would he self-destruct? At the rallies, it became immediately clear that supporters …

By Adetokunbo O. Lucas, MD Eliminating the menace of Neglected Tropical Diseases Though much of the world has never heard of diseases like lymphatic filariasis or schistosomiasis, these and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a daily reality for many living in Africa and across the world. These terrible diseases …

By Stephen Kafeero Top engineering student dreams of generating cheap electricity I do not compete with other people because it breeds jealousy. I instead compete with myself of yesterday in order to make a better person today,” says Tonny Ongin, the 27-year old Mechanical Engineering graduate who topped this year’s …

By Samuel Olara Gaddafi’s death raises questions for the ICC over the brutal disregard for the rule of law by his executioners Aisha Gaddafi, the daughter of the late Libyan dictator, has officially petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the circumstances under which her father Col. Muammar Al-Gaddafi …

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati As the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRM) celebrates 26 years in power, residents of Katebwa, a village that falls in Bunyangabu county, Kabarole district, which was at the heart of the bush war are yet to enjoy the benefits of their support for the fighters about 30 …

By Andrew M. Mwenda With only 8% access to electricity and 75% of subsidies going to big businesses, why are MPs supporting subsidies? Last week, a parliament committee passed a resolution cancelling the increase in electricity tariffs. Many Ugandans genuinely believe that in many of its actions, the 9th parliament …

By Julius Businge So what if Mutebile reduces bank rate but lending rates stay up? The recent strike of traders against banks over high lending rates put Esther Nakitende in a tight spot. The clothes seller on William Street in downtown Kampala city followed instructions from the Kampala City Traders …

By Haggai Matsiko Besigye (1999), Bidandi (2003), who is next after Kyankwazi? Until recently, it was unheard of for an NRM party member to boycott summons by President Yoweri Museveni to the National Leadership Institute at Kyankwanzi which is respected as a sort of shrine where party folk go for …

By Stephen Kafeero and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi In an attempt to revive vibrant debate at Makerere University, the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) hosted former South African President Thabo Mbeki on Jan. 19. The Independent’s Stephen Kafeero and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi captured the highlights of the question-and-answer session on …