Advocates stress that while gene therapy is causing a buzz in wealthy countries, African governments must prioritise prevention, screening and accessible treatment NEWS ANALYSIS | JOHN MUSENZE | As Uganda rolls out mandatory nationwide screening of newborns for sickle cell disease this month, a gene therapy celebrated in the United …
Read More »How important is the Strait of Hormuz?
CAIRO | Xinhua | Following the U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran that began on Saturday, global attention has turned to the Strait of Hormuz, particularly after Iran warned it could disrupt transit through this vital waterway in retaliation, sending shockwaves through international markets. What makes the strait so vital? Has …
Read More »Uganda’s dilemma on Sudan
Analysts say Museveni-Dagalo meeting has created ‘political normalisation of RSF’ Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Uganda’s mediation role on Sudan, which has been locked in a civil war for almost three years, has caused consternation among those watching the conflict and hoping for a peaceful resolution. Last November, President …
Read More »Uganda’s KPC IPO move: Coup or risk?
Participation is secured, but profitability and prudence remain under scrutiny Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | For more than 50 years, Uganda depended on its eastern neighbour, Kenya, to transport the fuel that powers its economy, but had little influence over the infrastructure and pricing decisions shaping that supply. That dynamic …
Read More »When Uganda’s emergency crises become cash cows
Despite laws in place, predictable emergencies are still being exploited, revealing gaps in planning and accountability Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | In Uganda, disasters ranging from seasonal floods, landslides, to public health emergencies—rarely spare ordinary citizens. Families displaced by floods can spend weeks in makeshift shelters, while overstretched health facilities …
Read More »The 2026 ranking of Uganda’s largest private fortunes
Uganda’s Billionaire Axis: Mapping Capital Concentration in a $65 Billion Economy BUSINESS ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s private capital class is expanding faster than its capital markets. In an economy where public equity remains shallow and disclosure is limited, wealth accumulation has largely occurred through privately held companies, commercial …
Read More »This was an odd election
Kampala, Uganda | MELINA RAQUEL PLATAS | This was an odd election. On the one hand, the opposition seemed both weaker and more straight-jacketed than any election in decades. On the other hand, the brute force of the state suggested sincere concern about an electoral upset. No one seemed able …
Read More »Mind and medicine
How Uganda’s group support psychotherapy is reshaping mental‑health care for people living with HIV ANALYSIS | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | When Dr Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu speaks about depression and HIV, she does so with the measured tone of a researcher — but also with the urgency of someone who has witnessed the …
Read More »Cruising on the Mokoro inside the Okavango Delta
Guided by local polers, an intimate canoe safari reveals why this inland wetland sustains both wildlife and community Boro Mokoro Station, BOTSWANA | RONALD MUSOKE | From the air, the Okavango Delta in southern Africa, appears as a blue-green mirage spilling into desert– a fan of water dissolving into sand. But …
Read More »East Africa’s dismal football record doesn’t match its passion – what needs to happen
East Africa loves football. From the streets of Nairobi and the markets of Kampala to the beaches of Dar es Salaam, the passion for soccer is an undeniable current running through the region. Yet, despite fan support, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania haven’t translated this enthusiasm into sustained international success. A new book that …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price