In The Magazine

Ministry of Finance officials say they have spent over 100 percent of the budget but government departments are struggling to meet their obligations amidst talk that the 2015/16 budget was suppressed by 30 percent. From his office on the sixth floor of the Finance Ministry block in Kampala, Kenneth Mugambe, …

The drivers of cleanliness, order, and the brand of dignity Rwandans are building In mid-May we were in Kigali, Rwanda, attending the World Economic Forum meetings. Across most of Kigali, there was something that has become a signature of everything in this country – order. The streets were clean to …

Cover story: Billions borrowed from PTA Bank cause jitters News Analysis: Where is hope for Burundi?   Feature: Unusual heat waves in Africa will soon be the norm, study says Health: Tackling TB Testing   Business BATU owners to share Shs 20 bn   LAST WEEK IN THE INDEPENDENT ( …

Nobody should be dying of yellow fever because the disease has an extremely effective vaccine. Experts say a single dose of the medicine which has been available for over 70 years can provide 99% protection from the mosquito borne viral infection. But, by May 09, seven people had been confirmed …

Victory casts spotlight on effectiveness of 20-year long gender affirmative action agenda On May 02, Kamuli district woman legislator, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga won endorsement from her party to contest for Speakership of the incoming 10th parliament. Kadaga, who has been speaker of the out-going parliament, fought a bruising battle with …

Museveni’s latest politicking joke or a realistic national target? When President Yoweri Museveni takes the oath of president for the sixth time on May 12 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, it appears he will have one goal clearly on his mind: delivering Uganda to the middle income bracket by …

Great countries don’t have a great government; they have great State machinery Where is the State”? This is a common question in Uganda; and it’s a legitimate one. Is the State ensuring the common good for all? When a law-abiding citizen desperately wants medical treatment, is the State there to …

On May 4, President Yoweri Museveni held an emotional last meeting with his outgoing cabinet at State House Entebbe. Its high point was a group portrait taken on the main front porch. The photo exposes, in an amazing way, the changes coming in Museveni’s next government. As the photo has …

In this week’s The Independent COVER Next five years of Museveni: Who will be in the government? What will it do? NEWS ANALYSIS Kadaga: symbol of failed gender empowerment? COMMENT Kanyeihamba on why the NRM betrays the people HEALTH Cost of yellow fever vaccine BUSINESS Regional Trade uplift Share on: …

Analysts urge government on business environment as written off non-performing loans erode bank profits In 2015, Standard Chartered Bank, Uganda’s second-largest bank by assets, saw its profits decline by 75% compared to the previous year. The year was even worse for Crane Bank, the second biggest indigenous bank and the …