The termination of USAID governance programs has hollowed out civic education networks that once reached rural and first-time voters Kampala, Uganda | NAKISANZE SEGAWA | At 18, Ronald Serunjoji can’t wait to cast his first-ever ballot in Uganda’s general elections, slated for January 2026. He’s certain about his choice for president, …
Read More »UEGCL struggles with Karuma dam costs as profit drops
The company operates four power stations — Nalubaale–Kiira, Isimba, Namanve and Karuma — with a combined installed capacity of 1,213MW Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), the state-owned power producer, reported a sharp fall in annual profit for the 2024/25 financial year, underscoring the …
Read More »Trouble brewing at UEDCL
Why the new electricity distributor is under fire from both the ministry and the regulator THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Daily Monitor reported on Friday, December 5, 2025, that the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanja, had stopped the minister of energy from firing the top management …
Read More »Africa’s hidden stillbirth crisis
New report exposes major policy and data gaps ANALYSIS | MARY KENNEY | Nearly one million babies are stillborn in Africa every year. Behind every stillbirth is a mother, a family and a story left untold. Most of these are preventable, many unrecorded, and too often invisible. Each number hides a moment …
Read More »Trump’s ‘Third World’ migration pause – what it means for Africa
Though US President Donald Trump’s threat to freeze migration from Third World countries may be more bluster than law, it risks accelerating shutting a quiet door that is already closing to Africa Washington, US | AGENCIES | US President Donald Trump’s vow to “permanently pause” migration from what he called “Third …
Read More »The politics of perception
How Museveni’s rallies now reflect a curated campaign era — and what the opposition reveals COVER STORY | JULIUS BUSINGE | On the morning of December 1, 2025, a convoy of police trucks wound through the streets of Mbarara, ferrying what appeared to be a sea of supporters toward La …
Read More »Africa’s fight with global credit ratings: Bias or hard reality?
Experts say Africa may challenge global ratings, but until it fixes its own numbers, institutions and governance, the mirror will only reflect what it already is Entebbe, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | When policymakers, economists and civil society leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community …
Read More »The relentless reformer: Why Mary Kuteesa Kamuli is stepping into politics
Mary Kuteesa Kamuli—lawyer, anti-corruption crusader, public-sector reformer, and now aspiring MP for Mwenge South in Kyenjojo District on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket—has built her career on the frontlines of Uganda’s governance battles. From combating tax evasion at URA to overhauling legal services at UNRA, she has earned a …
Read More »The paradox of Museveni’s failure
How our president greatest failure has been inability to manage his own success THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Recently, I drove to Busia, then to Bushenyi. I often drive to Gulu, Hoima and Fort Portal via Mubende. These experiences both stress and depress me. Kampala and …
Read More »Ugandan youth shine in inaugural Pachi Panda Challenge
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda’s young entrepreneurs are emerging as key players in climate and sustainability innovation, following the conclusion of the country’s first Pachi Panda Innovation Challenge, hosted by MTN Uganda in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The competition, launched in September …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price