Human Rights Watch Calls for Election Season to be Free of Abuses

As the 2011 election season begins in Uganda, the Human Rights Watch has issued a press release calling for the campaign season to be free of abuses. The past two election campaigns have been plagued by violence against political opponents and intimidation of the media. Rona Peligal, the Africa director of Human Rights Watch, has said that "Voters and the news media need to feel safe to debate ideas and to express themselves if Uganda is going to have a free and fair election. It’s up to the government to work to prevent abuses that would undermine this crucial campaign period." While these abuses are highlighted in the election seasons, they are just as common in non-election years as well. Additionally, the Ugandan government and military do not even try to limit these abuses being enacted by those within their ranks, specifically when it comes to political opposition violence. The Human Rights Watch is calling on the Ugandan government to take a strong stand against these abuses so as not to "undermine the credibility" of the election.

Mary Naset

What Ugandans want in their next president

The campaign season has started in Uganda as the 2011 elections draw near. The Uganda Governance Monitoring Platform (UGMP) surveyed 80,000 Ugandans to see what they are looking for in their next president. In the domestic sphere, Ugandans want to see problems such as widespread poverty and growing unemployment addressed. They would also like to see agricultural and health care reform. They would also like term limits to be implemented and the education system to be improved. There is a general outcry for the state to gain control over economic sectors such as agriculture and energy, and for Ugandans to "own their country." From these results, it appears Ugandans are ready to move forward and bring their country out of the developing sphere and begin to emerge into the developed.

Abbey Smith

All that glitters IS gold

Yuri Bogoroditsky, a Russian business man, aims to make Uganda's gold market a domestic product through his refinery in Kampala. Mr. Bogoroditsky's " wants to make Uganda a legitimate player in the gold industry," and sees his refinery as the path to legitimacy. Gold deposits have recently been discovered in Uganda, and the discovery was made with remarkable timing. Most of the gold filtering through the Ugandan gold market came from the Congo, making it a "conflict mineral." As such, the Congolese government banned minning in the war-torn east. Mr. Bogoroditsky's refinery had previously depended on ore from the Congo. With the newly discovered gold deposits in Uganda, Bogoroditsky expressed his hope that Uganda could become a major player in the international gold maket.

-Caleb B. Ray

"I am Uganda's Obama", says Ugandan politician, Nobert Mao

Nobert Mao, a veteran Ugandan politician who is currently the presidential candidate on a Democratic Party (DP) ticket, has claimed to be the Uganda's Obama. Like Obama, Mao is of mixed parentage. His father is from the Acholi ethnic group and his mother, Ankole.

Although Mao is a well known public intellectual who graduated from Yale, it is unlikely that his candidature will amount to anything serious.

Etienne

Museveni: Rap Star

President Museveni has felt the call of the rap world as he performed a song of his own creation at what was dubbed the NRM soldiarity concert. The concert, according to Emmanuel Gyezaho and Yusef Muziransa for the Daily Monitor, could easily have been a campaign rally in the days leading up to nomination day. Campaign posters of Museveni stood out among the crowd, and the ruling party's color yellow was dominant everywhere, even to the t-shirts and hankies the crowd was wearing and waving. A free concert, local musicians were encouraged to take part in the merriment. Charles James Senkubuge, the event's master of ceremonies, said that the youth of Uganda wanted to take President Museveni out to party as part of a speech before welcoming the first well known musician to the stage. At the end of his performance that musician beseeched the crowd to vote for Museveni. After the next performance, the DJ switched the beat, and a new unfamiliar song came on and you could hear Museveni's voice saying "give me the stick used for herding cows". Soon Museveni was on stage, and in a move that surprised everyone, began performing live. Museveni was reportedly inspired by rappers from Entebbe, who said that rap was all about poetry. The night continued with Museveni and multiple other performers urging Uganda's youth to vote for the President.

by: Margaret Nunne

Women Leadership in Africa.

Currently, women representation in African countries is not vast across many borders. It is without a doubt that this question needs to be addressed because the gap between men and women seems to decrease by the day making this an urgent question to address. This week, over 200 Members of Parliament from Common wealth countries will be meeting in Uganda to discuss maternal health and women representation in leadership.
Rebecca Kadaga, Chairperson of MPs said the meeting will focus on key policy initiatives and legislation on equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care-giving in cases of HIV/AIDS, equal participation in the decision making at all levels, and the gender perspectives of the financial crisis in Africa.
It is without a doubt that most African countries require 30% of women representation in their legislation bodies but this has not yet been met by most African counties.Hon. Tonye Harry, President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region who is the Speaker of the River State House of Assembly, Nigeria, in his address said the gender agenda must be understood in all its ramifications in order to be handled properly. Stating that the "progress for women was the progress for all", he said women should form partnerships with men in the pursuit of the gender equality struggle.

Soldier's Dead Body on Display in Somalia

On Sunday, members of the al-Shabab terrorist group in Somalia displayed the body of a dead soldier in downtown Mogadishu. The rebels have claimed that the soldier, who died in clashes Saturday night at one of the AMISOM bases, was from Uganda. AMISOM has confirmed that a clash took place, but has released no comment on the identity of the dead soldier on display, though eyewitnesses have said that the soldier was wearing an Ugandan military uniform. While the Somali militants are claiming this clash as successful, AMISOM's spokesman, Ba-Hoku Barigye, says that the clash resulted in only a few minor injuries for the AMISOM troops. Barigye reaffirmed AMISOM's commitment following this clash by stating, "I tell you that we will continue our mission even if they kill a hundred of our soldiers because we are here for a reason."

Mary Naset

The Extent of Witchcraft.

The genetic disease of Albinism is highly prized in Eastern Africa and in Tanzania specifically. Reports of witch doctors using the body parts of those living with Albinism has increased in recent years. Witch doctors claim that Albino body parts contain special powers which can do anything from make people richer or healthier. Though the security of albino people has been increased to some degree, there are still instances of albinos being kidnapped and sold. Just recently a young albino boy was kidnapped and dismembered for the uses of witchcraft in Burundi. This is a sign that the typical practice of Tanzanian witch doctors is now spreading. Whether anything tangible can be done to eliminate the murder of these albinos is yet to be seen. Currently there is extensive punishment for anyone caught selling an albino person, or possessing their body parts.

megan smith.

65 years of international cooperation!

October 24th, 1945, the United Nation Charter entered into force. 65 years later, the UN is still going strong, bringing peace, diplomacy, and cooperation to our world. Happy 65th birthday, United Nations!
http://www.unfoundation.org/global-issues/united-nations/un-65th-anniversary/

-Caleb B. Ray

Uganda fights jiggers disease

Jiggers, small flea-like insects, can burrow into a human body--usually through the feet--and cause skin and body parts to rot away. This is the health crisis currently facing Uganda. More than 20,000 Ugandans have been affected by jiggers in the last two months. James Kakooza, Uganda's minister of state for primary health care, said that those most susceptible to dying from jiggers are young children, adults who are battling other diseases, and the elderly. Most of the affected from jiggers cannot walk, let alone work. Jiggers are found most prevalently in places of poor sanitary conditions. Twelve districts in Uganda have been affected, but the most affected part of the country is the Busoga region, east of Kampala. Uganda has allocated $1 million to fight the epidemic.

-Abbey Smith

Outed Gays Attacked in Uganda

BBC reports that several people have been attacked in Uganda after a local newspaper “The Rolling Stone” accused them of being gay. The newspaper had earlier published the names and pictures of these individuals with a headline that read, “Hang them”.

Uganda leader of a gay lobby is concerned that the attacks will continue. But the editor of the newspaper claims that gays are "recruiting children to homosexuality". He says that he will continue to publish names of gays in order to protect, “the moral fabric of our nation”.

Etienne

Few Women a Part of Post Conflict Rebuild

The Daily Monitor reports that the Ugandan United Nations Population Fund representative Janet Jackson says very few women are taking part in the rebuilding of post conflict Uganda despite being the bearers of the brunt of the conflict. Ms. Jackson was speaking at the launch of the State of the World and Ugandan Population annual reports, and she warned against the risks that the exclusion of women posed to communities who were rebuilding. She continued that women's participation is essential to contributing to the determination to move on and rebuild. This builds off of the United Nations Population Fund's report theme of "From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change" which focuses on women's role in the community in preventing and recovering from conflict. The report is based in the first hand accounts of women from regions like Bosnia, Herzegovina, Haiti, Jordan, Liberia, Timor-Leste, Uganda and the West Bank. These area have faced conflict and natural disaster, so they are prime areas of research for the United Nations. Displacement was the main focus in Uganda's case, relating to the 1.7 million people displaced over the 20 year war in the north. Ms. Jackson said that conflict exacerbates gender based violence because of the broken sources of protection.

By Margaret Nunne

McCarthysm in Uganda

With the release of the names of 100 top gays in Uganda, much anger is created in a society that is already not accepting of gays. The consequences have resulted in both verbal and physical attacks against gays and has caused many to relocate. In response to the outcry made by many human rights organizations, Uganda's ethics and integrity minister, Nsaba Buturo stated ""They [the activists] are always lying," Buturo said. "It's their way of mobilizing support from outside, they are trying to get sympathy from outside. It's part of the campaign."
The Victorian morality of British colonialism is likely a culprit to much of the animosity against gays in Africa.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/20/uganda.gay.list/index.html
Greg Voegtle

Grey imports and red-tape in Uganda

Grey imports are simply used vehicles (or products in general) imported from outside the country. Given the strict vehicle codes and economic incentives for purchasing new cars in nations like Japan, the grey import market has a steady pool of reliable cars to choose from, and at a cost significantly lower than similar vehicles available domestically. Well, at least that's the theory. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS ) has imposed a tariff on the importation of used vehicles, requiring a pre-shipment inspection fee on cars from the country of origin before shipping. The law, which took effect last September, has provoked the ire of Uganda's car salesmen since its inception. The Uganda Used Vehicles Importers Association, led by David Tigawalana, told the UNBS on Thursday that the law unduly increases the cost of doing business. Imported used cars are also subjected to a 20% "environmental" tax. Tigawalana proposed that the UNBS "set up centers in Uganda where the inspection of cars can be carried out without the importers incurring extra costs."

-Caleb B. Ray

Database for Refugees

A joint project between the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, NGO Refugees United, a telecommunications company (Ericsson) and a telephone service provider (MTN) initiated an attempt to use cell phones to help dislocated persons and refugees in Uganda to find their families. Refugees will use mobile devices to reigster themselves, search for and reconnect with family members. A database will be established with all the data collected and will be used as a search engine to help locate other refugees. This is considered to be an "innovative" way to bring technolovy to a developing nation in a way that utilizes it in such a way that will benefit the people of Uganda in a very real way-- if all goes as planned. Maybe multileveled cooperation isn't such a far-fetched idea after all?

Brianna Howell

Ethiopia use aid to punish dissidents

Given the rise of illiberal capitalist regimes as alternatives to democracy, we need to ask ourselves whether foreign aid should be used to support oppression of dissidents around the world. Ethiopia offers a perfect case study. The Bloomberg reports that mountainous east African nation receives aid to the tune of $3 billion annually. This makes the country the second highest aid recipient.

Yet the aid has not been accompanied by corresponding gains in democratization. In stead, the state has used, “donor- supported programs” to “control the population, punish dissent, and undermine political opponents.” In my opinion, it is criminal to fund a government that is openly abusing the rights of its citizens. At the very least, aid can (and perhaps should) be channeled through civil society and independent NGOs.

Etienne

The dark past of colonists in Africa

The socialist worker, a London based publication, revisit the realities of colonialism in Africa. In a commentary, “Africa Independence: A Dream of Freedom Derailed”, they argue that the reality of colonialism was “brutality, rapacious exploitation and savage racism”.

The colonists to our dismay believed that colonialism was the best thing that could happened to the “dark” continent. For instance, in 1897, the British governor for Kenya argued that, “These people must learn submission by bullets—it’s the only school; after that you may begin more modern and humane methods of education”.

You often wonder whether the west has recovered from this sort of thinking. If not, what needs to happen in order to achieve a shift in thinking, whereby Africans are accorded the humanity they deserve?

Etienne

Reinvestment Programs Helping MDGs

Environmental and infrastructural reinvestments near the oil reserves found in Lake Albert (as discussed in Second Committees second topic paper) are not only positively impacting the environmental conditions, but also increasing Uganda's potential to reach other MDGs. Lake Albert River Valley, once a remote and desolate area, has now seen foreign investments near $1 billion. This has improved business and social opportunities in the area; schools, heath care facilities (including maternity wards) public transportation, telecommunication, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing facilities, trade and tourism are some of the added opportunities that have arrisen and created a large number of jobs in the area. Public-Private vocational education opportunities are also being provided by businesses in the area reflecting a growing in foreign investments in Uganda's private sector. These businesses have fostered economic growth by generating tax revenues, building long term capacity for growth through growing infastructure and education in technology, innovation and "skills building."


The resulting impacts of this reinvestment have demonstrated progress toward reaching the following MDGs.

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger (creation of jobs)
• Achieve universal primary education (creation of private schools in area)
  
• Reduce child mortality (maternity wards/health clinics)
• Improve Maternal Health
• Combat AIDS
• Ensure environmental sustainablity
• Develop global partnership of development

Fantastic.

By Brianna Howell

Uganda Receives "B" Economic Rating

The credit rating agency Fitch has given Uganda's economy a "B" rating with a positive outlook for continued economic growth. Their rating is primarily based on the fact that 2 billion barrels of oil were recently discovered within the country, an economic boon that will most likely contribute to significant growth. However, Uganda's present rating is lower than the previous year's, which was a B+, due to the government's ongoing dispute with Heritage oil over tax issues. This has temporarily stalled the growth of the oil industry that will be based around Uganda's oil reserves. Many African countries place emphasis on attaining higher ratings like these as a means to access international markets.

Chris Bilbro

African Nations Form Brigade to Combat LRA

According to the African Union, four nations have agreed to join together to form a "joint military force" to combat the Lord's Resistance Army. The LRA is staging attacks up to 600 miles away from Uganda, with the latest attack coming last Sunday in the Central African Republic. The brigade, which would commonly include 1,000 men, is being formed with help from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. The plan includes the formation of a joint operations center to oversee shared information and intelligence and the creation an eventual joint border patrol system. Along with these four countries, the AU is planning on soliciting help from Nigeria and South Africa.

Mary Naset

USA On Ugandan Court's Dismissal of Charges Against Besigye

The Constitutional Court dismissed the treason and terrorism charges and trials against the FDC leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and ten others. The United States has responded favorably to these events, with Mr. Philip Crawley the USA assistant secretary bureau of public affairs saying that the ruling will allow Dr. Besigye to "campaign freely and without fear of prosecution from the state". Mr. Crawley went on to mention an independent judiciary being important to democracy, and that the judiciary is acting in an independent manner. The Constitutional Court is composed of a panel of five judges who said the State could not continue with the cases because the State's agents violated the rights of the accused by beseiging the High Court and rearresting the suspects to block their release on bail. The panel also blocked the state from using any process to initiate charges in connection with the alleged treason charges against the defendents again. It is a major victory for Besigye, after being arrested in 2005 after returning from exile. Charged with both treason and rape, both sets were dropped. Now Dr. Besigye can go into the 2011 elections without any criminal charges against him, unless the government plans an appeal.

By Margaret Nunne

Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

On October 14, 2009 the Ugandan parliamentarian David Bahati introducted the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. This law would seek to put Ugandan who are LGBT HIV - positive found having sex to be put to death by the death penalty. What's important is that this bill has been put on hold due to the pressure from the Obama administration, U.S. Congress and numerous human rights organizations. Unfortunately the stalling of the bill has not stopped the on going violence and harassment against homosexuals in Uganda.

By: Ivana Miljic

Genetically Modified Maize Trials to Begin in Uganda

Once regulators approve a new program to grow genetically modified maize, field trials will begin in Kenya and Uganda this year. Twelve varieties of the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) have been developed through a number of scientific organizations, including scientists from Uganda and Kenya, Monsanto, and a research body called the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. The program was developed to improve production of maize to the world's poorest continent. Maize is a staple crop but has been badly affected by drought; thus, the maize has been modified to be drought-resistant. The scientists aim to increase maize yields by 24 to 35 percent. Though the idea of genetically modified crops sounds wonderful by bringing food to the masses, there has been much criticism as well. Many questions the safety of the genetically modified foods and fear they may harm wildlife or even humans. However, if the trials yield safe, cheap food for the starving without causing detriment to the environment, this could be a miracle crop.

-Abbey Smith

What Uganda needs...

Although an obvious answer, Uganda, and indeed all of Africa, needs money. Not from foreign aid mind you, but from tax revenue and entrepreneurs. Extending individual property rights in Uganda will be a major step in the right direction. After all, increased property rights is one detail credited to the expansion of the US economy, and allowed us to generate substantial, taxable incomes. According to studies, "a mere 1% increase in GDP on the African continent would be equal to three times the amount of foreign aid pouring into Africa annually." It would seem that the old adage of giving a man or teaching him to fish reigns true in Africa. With an increase in GDP, more than just quality of life increases; productivity creates a sense of pride, and pride can go a longer way than a handout.

-Caleb B. Ray

New Job Centre

The Ugandan Government, along with private sectors sponsorships, will be creating a center hopefully by December, where about 2000 jobs will be posted. Funded by the Job Stimulus Program, a part of the finance ministry, the center was initially started by Ugandan Youth Convention, which has already been training young people in hopes of them getting these jobs. The idea is that this center will be able to address the problem of job scarcity, but more so, the lack of jobs for the Ugandan youth. While the government and Ugandan entrepreneurs are sponsoring this new program, America and Canada will actually be providing some job offerings in different industries. The center will start will 2000 jobs, but the hope is that it will grow to at least 6000 by the end of 2011.

A campaign started by President Museveni is also talked about. The leader is trying to promote patriotism in the classroom by providing textbooks and investing in patriotism courses. Although he is trying to unite the students by putting aside their tribe difference and creating Ugandan nationality, he attacks anyone that opposes his position as ignorant.

Albie Braun

Uganda may reach MDGs

According to the World Bank, Uganda may be able to reach its Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) by 2015. Uganda is one of few Sub-Saharan African countries to be in reach of these goals. However, to be in reach does not say much. Uganda will need to double its efforts in the next five years in order to achieve its MDGs. During this time of economic need, this seems unlikely, especially as the World Bank has also forecasted that the global gross domestic product will shrink from 3.5% growth in 2010 to 3.3% growth in 2011. Uganda will need to beat the odds and work against a system that has all countries struggling in order to double efforts. However, experts are beginning to hope that the economic downturn is finishing its course. If so, perhaps Uganda will join the few countries in 2015 able to achieve their MDGs.

Abbey Smith

Foreign Countries Eying Uganda's Oil Supply

Foreign markets have expressed interest in expanding into Uganda's oil market. Leaders from the Australian government have stated that they have increased dialogue with Uganda on a mutually beneficial relationship that would provide oil to Australia and an increase in trade and diplomatic relations for both countries. Not only does Australia have an interest in Uganda's oil supply, but they are also eying Uganda's mineral resources, specifically the copper that is found along the Uganda/Democratic Republic of the Congo border. It is estimated that Uganda possesses 700 million barrels of oil under Lake Albert, but that the country itself only needs 11,000 barrels per day.

Mary Naset

Museveni Awards Obote Independence Medal

Despite being deep political enemies when they both were alive and vying for power, President Museveni has credited Obote as part of the group that got Uganda out of colonial rule 5 years to the date of his death in Zambia. Obote along with SseKabaka Edward Mutesa, Uganda's first and only ceremonial president and 47 others were awarded, posthumously, the National Independence Medal. This award recognizes civilian efforts towards Uganda's goal of self rule. According to the article's author, Tabu Butagira for the Daily Monitor, the list of the awardees reads like a list of fallen UPC ideologues, or those who were once admirerers turned critics of Museveni. Obote's son accepted the award for his late father, and said that he deserved it much earlier but would not criticize on an election eve. The awards are a signal to Museveni's constituents that he is still mending the past so Uganda can move on towards a brighter future.

by Margaret Nunne

The Importance of Communication

A recent BBC article states that in developing nations 300 million fewer women than men have cell phones. This figure equates to about 23% in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Thankfully, this has caught the attention of Cherie Blair, wife to the former British Prime Minister. Through a new program, an approximated 150 million phones will be supplied to women in developing nations. Mrs. Blair states that having access to a phone "can help with literacy. It can help with health programmes and projects and it's a way of helping women develop small businesses and get financial independence." Several phone companies have pledged large sums to aid in this program taking off, and with their involvement promises to be a successful initiative. In addition to the financial benefits sure to be felt by the women who participate in this program, reports suggest 93% of women feel safer because of their mobile phone; 85% say they feel more independent. Essentially, this new push will not only promote financial stability, but safety and independence as well.

megan smith

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

The Police in Kampala have been ordered to respect journalists' freedom and to stop the harassment of the media. This comes after a wave of police beatings directed at journalists at political rallies and protests. Kampala police chief, Asan Kasingye, apologized to the press, stating his outrage at the beatings. "This is unacceptable. The Police need to respect the fact that journalists have an important role to play in society, especially during elections," said Kasingye. His word of advice to the police? If you don't like bad things being said about you, then stop doing bad things. If his threat will be enforced remains to be seen, but it comes in the wake of a report stating that the Police are the number one abuser of journalists' rights in Uganda.

Bukenya's Defeat shows Museveni is a Political Genius

Abbey Semuwemba from allAfrica.com is extremely proud to be a Ugandan. With the end of the NRM primaries, she would like to extend her congratulations to President Museveni as a brilliant political brain; the best Uganda has had to date. He "managed to get rid of one his future opponents in his vice president, Gilbert Bukenya without firing a single bullet or anything like imprisonment." He genius move was just that; not hurting Bukenya in any way. I think this is quiet interesting and did not think much of it when I first read it. When examining the article closer, I realized that this is probably the first time in Ugandan history that an opponent was not physically hurt while the incumbent tried to secure the seat of President.

By: Ivana Miljic

Uganda Offers to Send More Troops to Somalia

Following a meeting with the UN Security Council in which the instability with Somalia was a main topic of discussion, President Yoweri Museveni has stated that Uganda is willing to send anywhere from 12,000 to 20,000 more troops to Somalia in order to prevent Somalia from becoming a terrorist run state. Museveni stated that the number of troops to be sent is irrelevant because allowing Somalia to become run by terrorists is not an option. The only obstacle that Museveni faces is funding. He stated that Uganda has both the power and the know-how to help stabilize Somalia, but the AU or UN has to provide more financing, however a $73 million budget cut is complicating matters. Much of this money is needed to go towards aircrafts that help UN peacekeeping missions in both Sudan and Somalia. This article also discussed how Uganda's involvement in the mission in Somalia is controversial and was stated to be one of the reasons for the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist attack in July Kampala which killed 76 people.

by Brianna

Childen find a place to call Home.

Uganda's per capital income is still only half of the average annual per capital income of $600 for Sub-Saharan nations. And although the nation has been a model for AIDS education, 1.2 million children have been orphaned by AIDS.
Children homes have been set up in Uganda in Kakiri, near the capital Kampala; Entebbe; Gulu; and Fort Portal. It is in such places that children who live on the streets call home. Recently, the SOS children home was acknowledged for its tremendous work at supporting Children who have AIDS. They have provided a loving avenue where these children can fing loving environment to live and survive.

Ugandan Government releases MDG report

The Ugandan government, along with the United Nations Development Program, has released the latest score card that rates on and reports how Ugandan is achieving the Millinery Development Goals. Essentially, Uganda is doing well and keeping pace with all goals save for the health goals of reducing child and mother deaths. The government and President Museveni have recognized this failure and during the General Assembly in September, the president admitted that Uganda may be unable to meet the health goal by 2015.

A new plan has been implement by the government called the National Millennium Development Goal Acceleration Framework. It reinforces common sense by calling for effective family planning, emergency care, and experienced workers at the time of birth. Yet another area that Uganda needs to work on is the education of the youth. The report reveals that although there is an increase in student enrollment, there is not a corresponding increase in the completion rate, rather the failure to complete is what is effecting the report.

Albie Braun

Decline in Exports

Random quote of interest: “We are seeing light at the end of a long and very dark tunnel. But for this light to be brighter, we need to sustain the emerging recovery,” said WTO director-general Pascal Lamy in Washington recently.

Uganda's total exports decreased from 2008 to 2009 by 9.1%. Of course we know that this is primarily due to the global economic crisis, however a bad crop season is also to blame for this. This 9.1% decrease in overall exports reflects some good and bad news for Uganda. First, the bad: traditional exports decreased by nearly 21% in the same time period. Luckily however, (the good), the service based sector of Uganda's economy has been on a steady rise, which has helped to balance out the deficit. Typically, as countries begin to move out of the poverty level and into a more advanced economic power, they begin to rely less on agriculture/exports for revenue and begin to transition in certain services to build up their economy. This is a good sign for Uganda. And what's more good news for Uganda: there has also been a steady increase in foreign investments which is also helping to transition in new markets.

By Brianna

Renditions to Uganda Declared Illegal by Kenyan Courts

In a highly controversial move, Kenyan courts have declared rendition of Kenyans to Uganda to be illegal. Following the rendition of Mohammed Hamid Suleiman to Uganda on charges relating to the Kampala bombings, a number of domestic critics have spoken out against this practice. Kenya's moving of prisoners has led some in Kenya to label Uganda as "Kenya's Guantanamo Bay." Under Kenyan law, this practice is supposed to be illegal as long as the suspect has Kenyan citizenship. Judges have attacked the government for allowing the practice despite law, and some have claimed that Kenya has extradited nationals out of fear of reprisal from terrorist groups.

Chris Bilbro

Uganda may pull troops out of Somalia

After the U.N. made allegations against Uganda's soldiers in the former Zaire and Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda has vowed to pull out the 4500 soldiers currently working in a peacekeeping facility in Somalia. The allegations included accounts of torture and even massacre and the U.N. urged the necessity to prosecute those responsible. Other than Uganda, only Burundi has offered troops to the African Union to help the war-torn Somalia, so such a pull out may be harmful to the peacekeeping process.

Abbey Smith

UN Congo Report Released Amid Protest from Uganda and Rwanda

The United Nations released a report today revealing massive Human rights violations in the DRC. The report however really upset Uganda and Rwanda, because it blamed the two countries' armed forces for implicating in the crimes. The report itself documents over 600 major crimes, including mass rape and targeted killings of civilians and other crimes against humanity from 1993 to 2003. Rwanda and Uganda's armed forces are said to have committed mass acts of genocide. The United Nations invited Rwanda and Uganda to challenge the report openly but the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. By: Ivana Miljic