The rise in digital financial services like mobile wallets, savings apps, and instant loans are opening access to money for millions of African women, helping to narrow long-standing gender gaps and giving women greater financial control and independence. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | At the crack of dawn on …
Read More »Israel’s genocide in Gaza
World unites to end Israel’s U.S.-backed crimes against occupied Palestine ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Ministerial delegates from more than 30 nations gathered in the Colombian capital Bogotá on July 15 for an emergency summit focused on “concrete measures” to end Israel’s U.S.-backed genocide in Gaza and other crimes against occupied Palestine. …
Read More »Uganda’s Next War
Advancements in unmanned aerial systems have raised debate on whether Uganda is ready for the next theatre of battle ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | Uganda’ Sukhoi MK 30 fighter jets could be insufficient for its next war, according to the latest developments in aerial combat and military technology. In an age …
Read More »New HIV prevention tools emerge as donor cuts threaten progress
Innovation, inclusion, and urgency define Kigali HIV conference ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | When the 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025) concluded in Kigali after five dynamic days (July 13–17), delegates left with a mix of hope and concern—buoyed by scientific breakthroughs but unsettled by a deepening …
Read More »Election Season in Uganda
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | It is election season in Uganda and the usual cocktail of cash, fighting, and upsets is on offer. The offering is led by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda’s ruling party of 40 years whose primaries were yet again …
Read More »Vaccines: Best gift you can give to your baby
New theme as Uganda conference pushes triple strategy against HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | To mark its hosting of the Triple Elimination Conference in Africa scheduled for July 21-23 in Kampala, Uganda is rolling out a bold and unprecedented strategy to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of three …
Read More »Despite battlefield gains, Israel remains mired in war with no political endgame
JERUSALEM | Xinhua | Nearly two years into a multi-front conflict, Israel has made apparent military gains: crippling Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza, striking deep into Iran, and dealing blows to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yet the country remains stuck in a prolonged war, with no clear exit strategy in sight. Analysts …
Read More »GDP up, poverty down in Cape Verde’s digital economy
Cape Verde is showing how a mix of digital ambition, sound institutions, and targeted social policy can unlock inclusive economic growth. Its emerging digital sector, backed by public investment and regional partnerships, is helping turn a small island economy into a scalable tech and talent destination. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD …
Read More »Can you trust climate information?
How and why powerful players are misleading the public ANALYSIS | KLAUS BRUHN JENSEN & SEMAHAT ECE ELBEYI | Ten years ago, the world committed itself to keeping global warming well below 2°C (and preferably below 1.5°C) above the pre-industrial era. This would be done by reducing greenhouse gas emissions …
Read More »Stopping cholera at Uganda’s borders
Disease surveillance up amid an influx of people from cholera-hit DRC and South Sudan ANALYSIS | JOHN AGABA | Dr Denis Ocula needed a strategy. Cholera had killed a woman and infected an additional 106 people in his district of Lamwo, near Uganda’s border with South Sudan, and he knew only …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price