SPECIAL FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | A safari is not just a journey; it is a deeply emotional encounter with nature, a story woven through landscapes, wildlife, and culture. Among Africa’s most captivating wildlife experiences is the thrill of meeting the big cats: lions, leopards, and cheetahs. These apex predators …
Read More »Defecting MPs punished, but for what?
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Only four of the 16 incumbent Members of Parliament who changed political party allegiance ahead of the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections held last week have managed to retain their seats in parliament. Former Leader of the Opposition Betty Aol Ochan and Asinansi Nyakato who …
Read More »Magistrate cautions voters against crowding courts as election petitions begin
Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, has cautioned voters in constituencies whose election results are challenged against abandoning their work to overcrowd courts where disputes are being heard. His remarks come after several contestants in the recently concluded general polls filed applications seeking to …
Read More »Widespread low voter turnout characterizes LCV elections
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Even before the Electoral Commission releases figures on participation in the 2026 general elections, it is noticeable that the LCV elections this year are going to register the lowest voter turnout since 1996. According to our reporters who covered this election across the country, …
Read More »What Uganda’s BVVK failures reveal about Biometric elections
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On January 15, 2026, during the polling day for Uganda’s general elections, biometric voter verification—introduced to safeguard electoral integrity—became a major source of disruption at several polling stations. Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) froze, failed to authenticate voters, or even rejected the identities of polling …
Read More »FINANCE MINISTRY: Uganda’s economy to grow 10% in the FY2026/2027
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development now projects Uganda’s economy to grow at 10.4 percent next financial year. This is based on the expected commencement of the flow and exportation of crude oil by the country, with State Minister for General Duties …
Read More »Understanding Museveni’s 2026 Win
COMMENT | NNANDA KIZITO SSERUWAGI | President Yoweri Museveni won his seventh term of office on 17th January 2026, polling 71.65% of the valid votes cast, amounting to 7,946,772 votes. The leading opposition candidate, Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert (Bobi Wine) came in a distant second runner with 24.72%, totaling 2,741,238 votes. …
Read More »Who is Uganda’s new Chief Justice?
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr. Flavian Zeija appeared on Thursday morning before the appointments committee of parliament for vetting as Uganda’s new Chief Justice. This followed his appointment, as confirmed by Hajji Faruk Kirunda, the president’s special press assistant for mobilization. The appointment comes just four days after …
Read More »Dr Flavian Zeija is Uganda’s new Chief Justice
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Dr Flavian Zeija Chief Justice to take over from Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo Chigamoy who has retired. The Parliament of Uganda has also confirmed it has completed vetting Dr Flavian Zeija. State House on Thursday in a statement confirmed that …
Read More »Beyond the Numbers: Tackling teacher absenteeism in 2026 through smart support, not blame
COMMENT | IVAN SSERUNJOGI | In the just-concluded year, several reports indicated that Namutumba District faced a high teacher absenteeism rate, and the sector was allegedly rife with the recruitment of “incompetent teachers”. Such reports alarm the public, suggesting a collapse in teacher accountability as the academic year 2026 is set …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price