NEWS ANALYSIS

But what is a party without its faithful? Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | What would the Democratic Party (DP) National Delegates Conference held in Gulu on Sept. 19-20 have been like if its powerful members; those who oppose party president Norbert Mao, had attended? It’s an interesting question but …

The political party merchant Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | When I spoke to some members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) of Robert Ssentamu Kyagulangyi aka Bobi Wine about Moses Nkonge Kibalama; the man at the centre of the political storm hitting their party, one of them gave …

Bobi Wine: Will he or not be allowed to challenge Museveni? COVER STORY | The  Independent Team |   Even as nomination of candidates for various positions in the 2021 general election enters full gear, opposition activity is strangely quiet. By this stage in the last election of 2016, the headlines were full …

Shutting down more than 200 refugee aid agencies is an indication to the world that the country cannot manage continuous inflows of refugees ANALYSIS | CRISTIANO D’ORSI | The Ugandan government recently suspended the operations of 208 refugee aid organisations. The organisations were suspended over non-compliance with Ugandan regulations. Only …

Why more Ugandan farmers aren’t adopting it | HYEJIN LEE | Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in Uganda. In particular, smallholder farmers rely on it for food and as a cash crop. They also grow it as an important export crop. Over the years, total maize …

Local entrepreneurs remain cautious Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Following the signing of the host government agreement with Uganda on the weekend of Sept.11, senior officials from the French oil major, Total, say they are now ready to move faster project activities that will ensure Uganda produces first oil …

‘Theft doesn’t even stop during a pandemic’ | THE INDEPENDENT | Doctors have gone on strike over a lack of protective equipment, and protesters have taken to the streets in anger at the abuse of medical funds, many wearing T-shirts emblazoned with #arrestCovidthieves. Public uproar in Kenya in recent weeks …

Here’s how to fight back | TIM HANSTAD | The global pandemic has public health experts and medical providers around the world working overtime. And so, it seems, are profiteers. Even before the pandemic, an estimated $455 billion of the $7.35 trillion spent annually on healthcare worldwide was lost to …

Nic Cheeseman, a professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham, explains how to hold elections safely and uphold democracy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cheeseman was formerly the Director of the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford. In addition to a number of book chapters and articles, he …

Experts predict violent 2021 election if offenders go free Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | The 2021 general elections will see widespread violence, organised gangs, and bribery. That is according to the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), a civil society coalition of over 800 like-minded organisations …