Mr. Lumumba H. Amin

Uganda has had its share of challenges in 2022. From another pandemic, to economic hardships brought about by foreign conflict. Somehow the football world cup in Qatar has been a blessing to help end the year in a global positive way, though it is clear that our development path to middle income status has been stalled by external factors beyond our control. However the people of this country are a resilient lot that get up and try their best to push through the hardest of times. A spirit that should continue strengthening in 2023. The governments job is to do all it can to improve the wellbeing of the people and help them be able to be productive citizens that fully participating in the socio-economic sphere. The development of new infrastructure must be accelerated. Agriculture has to prepare for the unexpected given climate change. Education is as important as ever. The pandemic showed the world that health is actually the number one priority to any country. Trade within...

The oil giant Total is in trouble in France for its activities in East Africa. Meanwhile they have a petition supporting their work in Uganda mainly because Ugandans have been smeared with hope that oil will improve their lives. Meanwhile the local media is mysteriously censoring all dissenting voices against the oil project. Activists have been arrested, foreign ambassadors went to their rescue, and nothing was reported. Climate activist Vanessa Nakate and others travelled all the way to France and even made a major presentation before the French Parliament, and were even invited to speak with President Macron at the Elysee Palace, but not a word was published in the country about that unique occasion. That is probably why to many in the country, the EU's decision seems to be coming out of the blue. All the activism that has led to the European Union's condemnation of the Total project is by design largely unknown in the general population of the country. This medi...

                                             Photo: EU Parliament (Source: Google images) When there is de-escalation and real prospects for peace, the EU should be careful not to rush into the issue, recklessly adding fuel to the fire. The announced unilateral withdrawal of M23 from area's it captured is a prospect that must be cautiously welcomed, and well managed by all stakeholders, as it represents a ray of hope shining on hundreds of thousands of poor, traumatized civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Any mishandling of the matter literally means death for some innocent civilian. What the EU should be doing at this material time is support peace, not issue poorly-timed sanctions. This is not Ukraine where everyone, including the EU, wants war! To cut matters short, a full internationally-monitored public demobilization of M23 is the only guarantee that local ...