SIR - "Uncle, there's someone at the gate. He says his
name is ... " Unfortunately, he cannot enter Ugandan
hearts. How local fans view Emmanuel Adebayor was well
elaborated by Joseph Kabuleta's column in the January
issue. Allow me to add that it is because the Togolese
star misses simple chances and nets the impossible,
just like against West Ham on New Year's Day. That is
the price a genius pays for overlooking simple chances
fans expect him to execute. Good enough, the Gunners
have never lost when the talisman scored.
Edward Aikobua,
Arua, West Nile
(Published in New Vision's Premiership Magazine)
Monday
My LOVE AFFAIR with JINJA
Jinja Town is the Source of My Life though Arua is my Ancestral Hometown because I am 100 percent Lugbara. But the Most Industrialised Town in Uganda after independence and for some time till Kampala took over, has a strategic soft spot in my heart.
There is so much I cherish about this town in Busoga-land. Adjacent to the Source of the Longest River on Earth, the Great Nile, it is where I enjoyed my childhood till 1995 before transferring (permanently) to Kampala. Nevertheless, I returned a number of times for one day visits, first during a Primary 7 trip to Nytil, Nile Breweries and the Source of the Nile. Secondly, with my mum during the PLE vacation, then in a Senior 4 Geography trip to Kakira and Bujagali. The others included on my way to Soroti for a sister-in-law’s burial that coincidentally fell on my first sister’s 34th birthday and on the return after a night’s vigil in November 2006, plus many others afterwards.
From friends, cartoons, town tours or walks, Club Earthquake 110 about 110 metres away from my bed, Family Christmas parties and Children's Church Bashes, cinemas, beautiful Indian bijous, Somali women and marvelous shops like Biashara Supermarket to KTV, Bop TV, UTV, Super Sport, Indian movies every night, NBA Action, Sky Movies Plus, Arabsat, Mnet, neighbourhood soccer tournaments, the Lake, my uncle cruising new cars from Malaba, grasshopper hunting, the Jesus Movie Shows, the’ Sechungwa’(delicious seedless orange) theft on Nile Crescent plus the chase, other thefts, Trips to Njeru Town across the railway bridge, Source of the Nile, Indian Buwi buwi sweets, Cricket games, Singha-singhas, creating Railroad magnets, Rumours of red male mermaids, bed wetting, Club Soccer at Spire Road Grounds, Nile (Breweries) Team training near home before a Super League game, Sirens at particular times in the morning en afternoon to alert workers plus Town Dwellers, the fantastic annual Agricultural Trade Show, Rally Championships at the Jinja Municipal (Town) Hall, Gaddafi Barracks, Victoria Nile School, the girls I had crushes on, Rwenzori House - Mulala (tall male) en Dembe (exceptional female runner) plus a neighbour’s daughter I loved like myself and of course the sweet previously untasted Tamarind juice her elder sister made for me…
There is so much I cherish about this town in Busoga-land. Adjacent to the Source of the Longest River on Earth, the Great Nile, it is where I enjoyed my childhood till 1995 before transferring (permanently) to Kampala. Nevertheless, I returned a number of times for one day visits, first during a Primary 7 trip to Nytil, Nile Breweries and the Source of the Nile. Secondly, with my mum during the PLE vacation, then in a Senior 4 Geography trip to Kakira and Bujagali. The others included on my way to Soroti for a sister-in-law’s burial that coincidentally fell on my first sister’s 34th birthday and on the return after a night’s vigil in November 2006, plus many others afterwards.
From friends, cartoons, town tours or walks, Club Earthquake 110 about 110 metres away from my bed, Family Christmas parties and Children's Church Bashes, cinemas, beautiful Indian bijous, Somali women and marvelous shops like Biashara Supermarket to KTV, Bop TV, UTV, Super Sport, Indian movies every night, NBA Action, Sky Movies Plus, Arabsat, Mnet, neighbourhood soccer tournaments, the Lake, my uncle cruising new cars from Malaba, grasshopper hunting, the Jesus Movie Shows, the’ Sechungwa’(delicious seedless orange) theft on Nile Crescent plus the chase, other thefts, Trips to Njeru Town across the railway bridge, Source of the Nile, Indian Buwi buwi sweets, Cricket games, Singha-singhas, creating Railroad magnets, Rumours of red male mermaids, bed wetting, Club Soccer at Spire Road Grounds, Nile (Breweries) Team training near home before a Super League game, Sirens at particular times in the morning en afternoon to alert workers plus Town Dwellers, the fantastic annual Agricultural Trade Show, Rally Championships at the Jinja Municipal (Town) Hall, Gaddafi Barracks, Victoria Nile School, the girls I had crushes on, Rwenzori House - Mulala (tall male) en Dembe (exceptional female runner) plus a neighbour’s daughter I loved like myself and of course the sweet previously untasted Tamarind juice her elder sister made for me…
Let's Meet in Kampala 2007
This special Reed Business Information (RBI) brochure showcases all the Most Important Information you will need during your stay in Kampala. There are points of interest to enjoy and a panoramic survey of why Kampala City was the Perfect Choice to host the 2007 CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting)…
Welcome to Kampala City…Reed Business Information (Uganda) Limited, publisher of Kargo Magazine, is extremely delighted to present to you this fantastic and thoroughly researched brochure. RBI is dedicated to presenting the Ugandan Capital as an exciting destination for organizing all types of meetings, conferences, expos and events. Also, Uganda is a liberal country for foreign investment and one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
This November, Kampala is the venue for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Strategically located in the centre of the ‘Pearl of Africa’, the city is efficiently connected by road to neighbouring towns and major cities in the country. Also available is a railway network extending towards Tororo in the East, Kasese in the West, Gulu in the North (in future it will reach Juba in Southern Sudan), and connects the city to Mombasa Port on Kenya’s Eastern Coast. Kampala also has an airfield service for light aircraft in Kajjansi (The country’s international airport is in Entebbe); plus water transport on Lake Victoria, the World’s Second Largest Inland Lake though Africa’s Biggest. ‘Let’s Meet in Kampala 2007’ will be your best guide as you reside in the capital. Named the ‘Pearl of Africa’ by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Uganda is a beauty to behold and Kampala is the most exceptional of its major towns. Because of its culturally diverse populace and easygoing society, Uganda has built a firm reputation as ‘Africa’s Friendliest Country’.
The last time the city held a very big international meeting was the OAU [Organisation of Africa] Conference (during Amin’s Regime), and 1987 PTA [Preferential Trade Area] meeting for Eastern and Southern African States (currently called COMESA [Common Market for East and Southern Africa]) but this year’s Chogm Event should be a much bigger one. Preparations have been enormous and the city is ready to host a successful meeting.
Please use this colourful brochure to find enjoyment during your stay in Kampala. There are enough reception and accommodation facilities for everyone. So, welcome to our beautiful capital; feel at home in the land Gifted by Nature.
Profiling Uganda, the Pearl of Africa
Located in East Africa, the geographic coordinates for Uganda are 1 00 N, 32 00 E. It’s landlocked, fertile, plus well watered with many lakes (notable among them being Lake Victoria, the Largest in Africa and the World’s Second Largest Inland Lake) and rivers including the World’s Longest (River Nile) whose source is in Jinja, 80 km from Kampala. Uganda’s total area is 236,040 sq km, 199,710 on land and 36,330 on water. Major towns besides the Capital Kampala, include Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Mbale, Lira, and Soroti.
Population is 27,356,900 and age structure is 49.4 % below 14 years, 46.0 % from 15 to 64, and 4.6% above 60 years (2006 estimates). Growth rate is 3.31%. According to 2005 estimates, the birth rate is 47.39 births per 1000 in the population; death rate is 12.8 per 1000. Life expectancy is 51.59 years. Total fertility rate is 6.74 children born per woman.
The Climate is tropical, generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August) but semiarid in the Northeast because of a Desert in the Karamoja Region. The Lowest Point is Lake Albert (621 m) whereas the Highest is the Margherita Peak on top of Mountain Rwenzori, both found in the Western Rift Valley on the eastern borderline of Uganda. Major natural resources include copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, oil, gold, arable land and timber. Neighbouring countries include Democratic Republic of Congo (West), Rwanda (Southwest), Tanzania (South), Kenya (East), and Sudan (North).
In 2001, the land use was 25.88% arable, 10.65% permanent crops and 63.47% for other uses. The HIV/AIDS rate among adults was 6.4% according to a 2005 esimate. Religions include Roman Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal, Muslim, Seventh Day Adventist, Orthodox, Other Christian, Traditional and Bahai. English is the official language taught in schools, used in courts of law, newspapers and radio broadcasts. Swahili is also official though Luganda is more widely used among all the local languages. Ethnic groups include Acholi, Alur, Baganda, Bagisu, Bagwere, Bakiga, Bakonjo, Banyankole, Banyoro, Basoga, Batoro, Itesot, Jopodhola, Karamojong, Langi, Lugbara, Others and Non-African (European, Asian, Arab)
The Literacy, defined as the ability of the population above 15 years to read and write, was 69.9% in 2003. Electricity is between 220 and 240 volts.
(Paraphrased from) www.chogm2007.ug
‘Transforming Commonwealth Societies to Achieve Political Economic, and Human Development’ While launching the website for CHOGM (www.chogm2007.ug) at Serena Kampala Hotel in March 2007, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda amused the audience by saying that he once directed Eriya Kategaya (then Internal Minister) to stop a riot by Muslims protesting the eating of pork by their neighbours in Kawempe, a Kampala suburb.
“Imagine someone has eaten pork and swallowed it himself and you riot,” Museveni wondered. “I don’t eat fish but I am the biggest promoter of fish export. Likewise, I don’t smoke but I promote the growing of tobacco.” Museveni said that Uganda chose ‘Transforming Commonwealth Societies to Achieve Political Economic, and Human Development’ as the theme for CHOGM 2007 because the world’s problem is differences between countries that have gone through social transformation.
He also unveiled the logo, a crested crane with a symbol of the globe (actually the exact design in the Commonwealth Secretariat’s logo but blue in colour instead of gold) placed on its back. Meanwhile, its crown and tail appear in the colours of Uganda’s national flag.
The Commonwealth People’s Forum
CPF is one of the planned meetings and events to take place before Chogm. Being a major summit before the Commonwealth Heads of Government congregate for theirs, it will bring together over 600 delegates and a cross cultural mix of artists representing all the 53 Commonwealth countries and beyond. This is the people’s face of Chogm. It is hoped that this Ugandan innovation will set a certain pace of combining serious deliberations which can influence political outcomes. “At the end of this meeting, we shall come out with a statement, which will be included into the official communiqué of Chogm.” Mr. Warren Nyamugasira, the Chairperson of the 2007 Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) Steering Committee. He is also a member of the Commonwealth Foundation Civil Society Advisory Committee. An estimated 4,000 local/regional participants are expected to take part in the presence of over 500 international and local media.
CPF will not be talking about the theories of how to transform people, like the Government Meeting will, because those are already known. Instead, it will look at things that work in other places, what has not been effective and why? Its theme “Realising People’s Potential” was derived from the Chogm theme. It’s about people looking at their potential and transforming themselves. This will make them feel that they got involved in Chogm. CPF is a decentralized platform for the civil society entirely. There will be an evening called ‘Bring the Noise’ and it might take place in a big venue such as Lugogo Indoor Stadium, for all the youth who can attend. There will also be workshops and symposiums. One was done on climate change and the idea is to go deeper, polish the ideas so that by Chogm, there will be well sifted concepts instead of fresh ideas that arose out of Chogm. There will also be another on Science and Technology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in September to see the role of Science in transforming lives. The other on Human Rights, Peace, Conflict and Security will be in Gulu. The paramount issue nonetheless is to break the poverty cycle. The entire forum might cost UgX 2 Billion, let alone UgX 500 Million for space. Half of the funds, nevertheless, will be from the Commonwealth Foundation while the rest will be from local as well as international fundraising.
Entertainment in Kampala
The Commonwealth’s Friendliest Capital…One philosophic American once remarked that television is more interesting than people. Ironically, his reason was probably because it is mainly about people, not about television. Forgive me if I sound sarcastic. Of course, Ugandan nationals are gifted by nature and regarded worldwide as entertaining, friendly and hospitable people but free TV broadcasts in Kampala are by Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (Former UTV, the national broadcaster), WBS TV (Wavah Broadcasting Service), EATV (East Africa TV), Pulse, Top TV, Record TV, ITV (from Tanzania), and Nation TV (from Kenya, owned by the Aga Khan). Satellite Television or Pay per View (mainly DStv from Multichoice) interests a large audience because only DStv's Supersport bought the broadcast rights for English Premiership Football that graces most people’s midweek and weekends in Kampala . Other attractions on pay TV are the movies, soaps, reality shows and of course the addictive series such as 24, Desperate Housewives and Prison Break which have gripped the Chogm City like a 19th century plague. Kampala and its neighbouring regions also have over 50 radio stations. A few radio stations have creatively programmed themselves to give Luganda commentary on live English League matches, for those who cannot afford to watch, besides broadcasting news and the usual 'kabozi'(interesting conversations about issues,lifestyles and people). So are the people of Kampala less interesting than radio or television? Not really! Actually in 2005, Ugandans were recorded as the biggest consumers of alcoholic beverages. Doesn't that suggest something?
Partyzones, nightspots and happening places in the city include the jamming Club Silk, wickedly addictive Ange Noir Discotheque, Gaba Beach, lady-pleasing Lido Beach, stimulating Sabrina's Pub, spicy Nicodemus Pork Joint in Nakulabye, the serene Kiwatule Recreational Centre (owned by a former local government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, father to Uganda’s most popular reggae heartthrob Bebe Cool), Jokers, Uhuru, to mention a few…At the start of the year, there is a goat race at Speke Resort Munyonyo, a middle class indulgence...Crowd pulling motor rallies, from one town to another or at the Lubiri Circuit, are usually organized to celebrate great seasons and public holidays like Easter and Independence Day among others. Uganda’s Football Super League is also a major attraction after a dip in interest at the start of the millennium. With teams like URA, Express, KCC and others challenging record champions S.C. Villa, there appears to be something to compete for and make adrenaline run every weekend at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Nakivubo, Wankulukuku, Villa Park and other venues countrywide. FUFA administration also changed which could have been an influencing factor.
Sportswise, Dorcus Inzikuru, also known as the Arua Gazelle, who at the 2005 IAAF World Athletics Championship Women's Steeplechase Final (in Helsinki,Finland) won Uganda's first gold medal since John Akii Bua (1972 Munich Olympics), added a midas touch to athletics in the country by inspiring other undiscovered prospects. Every year, MTN telecommunication company organises a marathon in Kampala and just about every soul gets involved. Here, unknowns get a once in a year opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite celebrities, past Ugandan ministers and sports greats from across the region. There are always pleasant surprises because the race is open to interested amatuers and professionals alike. The Football Cranes and Rugby Team have also improved immensely and boast of world class players, some foreign based.People enthusiastically turn up in large numbers to support them during high rate games. Uganda is also proud of her cricket team whose main ground is at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium, opposite Game Lugogo Shopping Mall
Visit the magnificent new Ntinda Shopping Centre, with an underground night club and the fantastic ‘Quality Supermarket’ on the right side of the building. Ntinda is one of the Liveliest and Most Uptown Suburbs in the city. Shoppers can also enjoy the high class and modern ambience at Garden City near the Golf Course, Shoprite near Clock Tower on the end of Jinja Road and Game Lugogo Shopping Mall opposite Lugogo Rugby Club. Other Shopping Centres in the city include Star, Payless, Millenium, Kenjoy, Capital Shoppers, to mention a few Supermarkets; and at Plazas such as Mutaasa Kafeero, Complex near the Old Taxi Park, Maria's Galleria, Kirumira Towers, Gadith House, plus the Mukwano Shopping Arcades...Markets include Nakasero, Owino (locally named St. Balikuddembe) with great bargains, Kikuubo, and Kisekka among others.
Basketball is heading upwards. Uganda boasts of legends such as Philip Omonyi (Like Kobe), Wilbrod Oketcho (Our own heated Shaq Attack), and Norman Blick (the modern day Larry Bird). You never compare anyone to 'His Airness' Michael Jordan but catch the ‘airnesses’ of the FUBA (Federation of Uganda Basketball Association) League at YMCA Courts in Wandegeya (in the photo above, also has tennis courts), TLC on George Street, Makerere University Kampala, Uganda Christian University (Mukono, a few kilometers outside Kampala), and Kampala International University, to mention a few venues.
Kart racing is also another attraction at the race track outside Namboole National Stadium in Kireka. Besides, you can watch the Blick Family and other contenders burn up the Motor bike track at Garuga Motor Cross Track. Amazingly, a brave three year old motorcycle genius called Alestair Blick, the youngest on the track, tries to emulate his father, Arthur Blick, the Motorcross National Team Captain.
If you are looking for Hospitality and Accommodation, there are several hotels in the Kampala Region. You will also find lodges, restaurants, joints and pubs on every street corner where the World’s Biggest Consumers of Alcohol (2005 statistics about Ugandans) enjoy their liquor, from local brews to the most sophisticated exotic vodkas. Mamba Point Pizzeria in Nakasero offers Italian Cuisines, Kyoto Japanese Restaurant also in Nakasero is oriental and so is Golden Fish Chinese Restaurant on Jinja Road, among several other places. You need not feel out of place if you do not enjoy Ugandan food...
Album launches by talented local artistes in the ever growing music industry also grace weekends and public holidays in the city. From beach parties to full house hotel attendances, these artistes have taken the city by storm with their launches. Nowadays, you can actually spend a whole day listening to Ugandan music by foreign based Ugandans such as Maddox or big names at home such as Bebe Cool, Chameleone, Bobi Wine, Iryn, Peter Miles, Ragga Dee, Juliana, rap sensation Klear Kut (a group of 5 talented rappers), Maurice Kirya, Lyrical G., Blu*3 (Uganda's own Destiny's Child)and the Obsessions. Bataka Underground also brings a localised hiphop vibe to the city. The strategic squad loves to call their style 'Lugaflow'. Besides Baganda, other Ugandan tribes have also come out strong with chart topping hits on the national scene. The artistes include Loketo Lee, Rachel Magola, DJ Languna, and the Nubian Squad among others. Lady Mariam rocked romanticists in 2006 with her jam "Tindatine". Although many did not understand the language she used, they still regarded her song as a masterpiece and she won a PAM Award (Uganda's equivalent of the Grammys) for it. Mainstream gospel is also reaching corners where it used to be dead due to lack of airplay.
Once East Africans are through with harmonising their customs systems, a political alliance will definitely fast track the revival of the East African Community. However if you observe particularly the telecommunications and music industry, you will realise that some people are already living the dream thanks to artists like the East African Bashment Crew(Bebe Cool from Uganda,Nazizi from Tanzania,and Wyre from Kenya); Gidi Gidi Maji Maji (a Luo duo); Ogopa deejays in Kenya and the Bongo Fraternity from Tanzania who have popularised their culture in the city. 'Bongo' is actually a noble philosophy because it warns that a man without brains and creativity cannot survive in a competitive world. Similarly, an East African Union will create a powerhouse in the region because even Rwanda and Burundi have joined. In the near past, you had to play a tape or CD by Mariah, Celine, Whitney, Classical or Lingala musicians, hiphop heartthrobs Eminem, 2Pac, or Biggie to remind you that music is truly the source of life. Today, Utake (East African music) can do the job in Kampala...
Art enthusiasts can visit eyecatching galleries such as Design Agenda at the IPS Building on Parliament Avenue; Afriart Gallery at the UMA Grounds in Lugogo; Nommo Gallery in Nakasero, adjacent to the Ugandan President’s State House (Prominent exhibiters include the NRA historical Elly Tumwine); the Margeret Trowell School of Industrial Art and Design (Makerere University's Faculty of Art) plus many others…
The Last King of Scotland
Charming, magnetic, murderous, and released on 21st January 2007, this thrilling Oscar-winning History drama is based on the events of Idi Amin Dada’s regime as seen by the brutal Ugandan dictator’s personal physician, Dr. Nicholas Garrigan, during the 1970s…Rated R for some strong violence and gruesome images, sexual content and language, it premiered for general release in Kampala on Friday 23rd February at Cineplex Cinema Garden City, the biggest movie complex in Uganda. Forest Whitaker (who played Amin’s role) was present at the Ugandan premiere, two days before the Academy Awards which he also attended, and got christened ‘Kitaaka’, a name in Luganda, the most prominent local language in Kampala. The Last King of Scotland is arguably the best if not the most recognized movie in which Kampala is immortalized. Of course, James Bond’s latest installment Casino Royale immortalizes Mbale, another town in Uganda but the scene is basically made elsewhere. Whitaker’s Oscar winner was modelled entirely on Kampala streets. Some of the goofs in the movie actually include street scenes with large glass fronted office buildings visible in the background. These were not there in the 1970s when the film was set. Forest even had to master Kiswahili, a local East African language that soldiers, like Amin, usually use.
This movie is one of the standouts for 2007. Much of what you see is true, and did occur in Uganda's history. Amin's doctor, played by James MacAvoy, is the main fiction in the movie, but one would think they are watching a historical event. MacAvoy's character is so real you might think he once existed. The doctor grows from a free thinking, adventure loving womanizer, to a scared, concerned, and enlightened person. The viewer watches through the doctor’s eyes, as he witnesses the horrors of Amin's presidency and regime.
Directed by Kevin Macdonald, Forest Whitaker is Amin in this feature. Whitaker is not the silent sometimes brooding character you remember in other films he has been in. His accent, his face, and his emotions seem no longer Whitaker's but Amin's. This movie will scare the viewer because of its realism, and how it builds up to a tension that is hard to endure. The visuals are not for the faint hearted. Go ahead and hide your eyes during the "tough" scenes. It is still worth seeing this movie for the fast paced story, realistic drama, fascinating tale, and unbelievable acting. By the end of the movie the audience is exhausted, but satisfied that they saw a worthy flick. Besides the BAFTA Award in Britain, Whitaker was also awarded a Best Actor Oscar in the States for this performance. If you enjoy this movie www.imdb.com also recommends Kill Bill: Volume 1, Munich, Marathon Man, Kuraingu furiman, and Beyond Re-Animator…
Talking about movies, Kampala is very famous for the ‘kibanda’ (wooden or brick walled video shack) where translated flicks are shown to viewers at an extremely cheap price, only 200 UgShs (less than 20 cents in the United States). The audio content from the original movie is actually interrupted with wittily comprehensive voice over narrations in Luganda, Kampala’s main local language. Nevertheless, the images are not tampered with. This is a cheaper and less tiresome alternative to writing captions in Luganda at the bottom of the screen. The translations may not be understood by foreigners or non-Luganda speakers but the motion can be grasped because talented narrators handle the verbal dramatization. Sometimes they can even make you laugh till you shade a tear. “Kati, tugenda mumaso” (Now, we are going forward), the translators usually chip in…Actually, The Last King of Scotland was translated before it even premiered in Uganda and Whitaker got a chance to meet Kampala’s translation king whose studio is in a Kampala suburb on the way to Entebbe.
The Best Kept Secret
Because of the movie shacks and translated films in Kampala, food service vendors also became deliciously creative. Since the turn of the millennium, an irresistible but simple chapatti roll (normally 500 UgX) has become popular among night hawks, overtaking gonja (roasted bananas) and the more expensive roasted chicken. It’s quite cheap, and you can even watch and wait as it is being prepared for you in a few minutes on a flat black stove-pan. Those who make them fry eggs, cabbages, tomatoes and sometimes meat or onions together depending on the customer’s preference and roll them in a chapatti. Consequently, the product has been named ‘Rollex’ and is a darling among campusers at Makerere University Kampala, the oldest in East Africa and biggest in Uganda. Actually the ‘Rollex Revolution’ was started by a restaurant owner in Nakulabye, a city suburb near the university. You can say this is ‘Kampala’s McDonalds Burger King franchise’ because so many young men set up umbrella shades to spin their trade.
Rollex is recommended for university bachelors, the working class and campus women who cannot cook after a strenuous day. It is prepared in over five different sizes, the biggest being ‘Double Titanic’ which includes 2 big chapattis, chaps and other extras of your choice.
Pork is another favourite delicacy among Kampalans though not only near cinemas. At spicy pork joints such as Nicodemus, you will find friends and relatives eating away their weekends laid infront of them on a tray called a 'seniya' in the local tongue. Along with the toxic meat comes avocado, irish potatoes, cassava, grainy pepper (kachumbali) or any other addition you order and booze of all sorts...another indulgence Ugandans are known for.
Outside every movie shack , it is very possible that you will never fail to find a restaurant, locally known as a ‘kafunda’ in Luganda. They rhyme together like the Queen and Buckingham Palace. Because of this proximity, movie goers usually order for a special and affordable mix of beans, and chapattis (besides rollex) as opposed to the expensive chips, chicken and liver. It is imagined that this is a perfect body building combination. The recipe has come to be called ‘kikomando’, after the former muscle flexing Mr. Universe Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hit movie ‘Commando’. This was one of the movies that made ‘bibanda’ (also ‘kibandas’, plural for movie shack) popular in the 1990s.
"I remember when we used to sit, in the government yard in" Kampala...With a great future, you can forget the past. No Chogm, no cry...Welcome to the ‘Kikomando and Rollex City’!
WHY KAMPALA? “Behind every successful conference, there is a well prepared venue.” That’s not a quote borrowed from a relationship magazine but the essence of Kampala’s preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Event from 23rd to 25th November 2007. Ugandans have returned the favour for being chosen as the hosts by getting ready at a feverish pace. Land was sold, leased out or ‘given to investors’ for the construction of 5 Star hotels and major renovations were made in the city. Kampala is turning into a cleaner, more modern and prosperous city. Human resource was also improved besides infrastructure but why Kampala? Why not Mumbai or Cairo? How about Malta which hosted the Chogm Preparatory meetings in 2005? How about Soroti which is also in Uganda and has been voted East Africa’s Cleanest City for 5 consecutive years? Meanwhile Kampala has been trying to catch up ever since the voluntary Organisation ESCCOM was awarded a tender to clean up the city before Chogm. They are doing a great job to turn the once ‘Pile City of Africa’ into the ‘Pearl City’ in 'Africa's Friendliest Country', fit for a conference of this magnitude.
Kampala is the city where Uganda’s Most Famous and Feared President Idi Amin Dada made his name (1971-1979) immortalized in various movies including the Golden Globe, BAFTA and Oscar Award-winning movie entitled The Last King of Scotland.
With 27 guerillas, the current leader, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also captured the city in January 1986 ushering in a new era of change and development for the war ravaged nation. His ‘vision’ for the country has been rewarded with a chance for the ‘Pearl of Africa’ to host a major international conference, a first in many years.
By 28th February 2007, it was announced that every structure meant for Chogm was in place…When it was first officially agreed that Uganda would be hosting the Chogm, a certain panic set in about whether the country had the requisite facilities to host such a high profile event. A reality check revealed that we simply did not have the minimum 4,000 hotel beds required for the event. To answer this, the government announced exciting tax incentives on building-related materials for people interested in investing within the hotel industry.
As a pilot project, the highway from Entebbe to Kampala has been brightened with solar and wind powered streetlights, installed by Winafrique Alternative Power (WAP) Limited. If the project succeeds, the rest of the city will be lighted the same way. The moment you land at Entebbe International Airport, with its breathtaking location at the forested shore of Lake Victoria, it is clear that Uganda is a perfect tourist destination. Entebbe itself has places to visit including the National Zoo. Then, only 40 km away, there is the restless modern capital of Kampala that reflects the ongoing economic growth and political stability enjoyed nationwide since 1986 despite a few insurgencies and the brutal LRA War in the North. Uganda is where the East African Savannah meets the West African Jungle.
Behold, KAMPALA SPECIALS
[DURING Chogm, we expect about 54 (or 57) heads of state, and several dignitaries together with their support staff. We will also have many local participants so the total could rise to over 4,000. What could be the special things Kampala has to offer these special guests?
"Forecasts from the UN World Tourism Organisation for the next 10 years indicate that although Africa has great potential for tourism, growth in other continents will outstrip[ that for Africa. Much of the current tourism in Africa is concentrated in Egypt, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. It is important to note that the governments of Kenya and Tanzania allocate substantially higher levels of resources for tourism promotion for example; Kenya has invested £ 30 million in branding the nation (as 'Magical Kenya')." - PRIVATE SECTOR PLATFORM FOR ACTION: A Synopsis of Private Sector Policy Concerns and Suggestions for Policy Reforms, May 2007, Page 44-5
During the month of April 2006, the value of the publicity generated for Uganda through McSullivan Marketing International, the PR Agency in the United States market for Tourism Uganda (the new brand identity for Uganda Tourist Board) topped US $ 452,761.
Both the opening ceremony and executive session of Chogm will be at Serena Conference Centre, and thereafter the heads of government will transfer to Speke Resort Munyonyo for the retreat.
There will also be a spouses programme coordinated by Ms. Clare de Lore, the wife of Dr. Don MacKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary General and Uganda’s First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni. The Queen meanwhile will hold a banquet in Entebbe on arrival...
Many hotels have been refurbished while others were constructed. Entebbe Municipal and Kampala City Council were tasked to work with the Government of Uganda to draw up plans to work on the various roads and other necessary infrastructure. Vehicles were also procured for the summit. Government’s total budget was around $50m without money from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The responsibility of hosting Chogm wholly lies with the host country.
Once Kampala showcases Uganda during Chogm, the Government will carry out a rigorous campaign to attract even more international conferences to Uganda. It’s not a guarantee that every Ugandan will earn a shilling form Chogm but the tangible benefits will be global. Chogm will boost Uganda’s economy by showcasing a country gifted by nature. Tourism will increase and job opportunities created for the industries of hospitality, agriculture, arts and crafts plus other sectors.
We “appeal to all Ugandans to support us and to exploit the opportunities arising from the summit. We also welcome ideas and want everybody to feel involved in the process.”
(Excerpts from Sheila Kulubya’s interview with Hilda Musubira, Executive Director of the Summit. Sunday Vision, May 14th, 2006)]
Speke Resort & Conference Centre offers you the ultimate in luxury accommodation and leisure facilities together with the finest conference and business meeting location in East Africa all situated in an idyllic setting at Munyonyo, on the shore of Lake Victoria.
You can enjoy the use of an Olympic size pool, gymnasium, equestrian centre, 5 star restaurant, and sports facilities. For those on business, there is a fully equipped business centre plus 10 flexible fully equipped and staffed conference and meeting rooms. Speke Resort & Conference Centre is the ideal location for weddings and banquets, either outside, in one of the marquees or in one of the banqueting halls.
(Courtesy of Aiko)
© Reed Business Information Limited 2007
2007 KADS Backdrop Trivia...
I spent 2 days charcoaling and 6 painting the “Kampala Skyline” backdrop (a total of 8),for “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, the 2007 KADS Christmas Pantomime which started on 5th December. I ate absolutely nothing throughout the day everyday from 7 am except for galloping a half litre of water at 7pm after packing the 7 metre cloth. Rain was my curse so I had to maximize sunny days. Even the Chogm weekend from Wednesday to Sunday 25th November halted my quick progress because I could not be allowed into the National Theatre premises without the special Chogm ID. The director of this production - Dr. Dick Stockley (a surgeon by profession and owner of The Surgery) is well known for such other works like Harry Porter and the Wizard of Oz, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and several others. Pantomimes are peculiarly English tradition, and for hundreds of years all over England, towns and villages are always anticipating their annual pantomime.
On Day One, my last Art teacher just before i dropped
Art in 2001 gave me painting tips plus his blessing...
Day Two, the Best Graffiti artist in Uganda (Xenson,
at least according to me) said he liked my graphical
presentation but told me that he wanted to see the
outlines on the building blocks. He valued my work at 5 Million. So the following day,
i started by painting the sky to strengthen the
outlines...
Day Three was like Women's Day. In the morning, a hot
young black babe asked if she could sit nearby and watch me
paint. That was just enough moral support to carry me
till the finish. Another lady, a 30 - 40 year old white woman clad in sunglasses alongside her friend loved the painting of the Sheraton building. She could not believe how I got the scales right and wanted to find out from me where the Chogm cultural village was. Later at lunch, a beautiful German pre-teen could not stop exclaiming
'Wow, wow, wow!' because it was unbelievable to her that
I had done all the painting by myself...
Day Four witnessed me striking a deal with a
playwright who promised to commission me to paint
backdrops for two of his future plays...
Day Five was the penultimate day, started and ended in
interesting ways. As i applied the first drop of paint,
a dragon fly hovered above the skyscraper image like
the buildings were the real thing and it was high up
above them like it can fly. A famous Ugandan dramatist
thought i was making a mural for Uganda's Best Dance
Group, the Obsessions(our own Spice Girls and N'Sync
combined).Also, a well established printer at Nasser
Road came with two of his friends and valued the
painting at 8 million. He and his friends gave me
hearty company, i can say, the best of the
fortnight...
Day Six was the hottest but i held on till the end,
talk of a boat capsizing when about to reach the
shore.A lady who works at the theatre's snack centre
confessed that at first she thought i would give up
but now the backdrop looked like 'something'. A
nursery and daycare centre was staging a production
for their parents between 2 to 5pm so they kept me
entertained. Then the KADS team jetted in and i felt i
had accomplished my job when i heard comments like
'spectacular,awesome, great and fantastic'...
This was a great experience and i hope i will
do more KADS projects in future...
Promoting Evidence-based Leadership
On Friday 30th March 2007, the Makerere University Institute of Public Health and Leadership Initiative for Public Health in East Africa organized a public lecture by an eminent scholar, Professor Eamon Kelly, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel’s Rwenzori Ballroom. It was a 2 hour programme about ‘Leadership and Implementation Science’ and started at 2.30 pm. Also present was Professor Livingstone Luboobi, Vice Chancellor Makerere University Kampala [the Guest Speaker]; Professor David Serwadda, Director Makerere University Institute of Public Health [Chairperson], Dr. Sam Okuonzi, Director Regional Center of Quality for Health Care [Discussant]; and Dr. William Bazeyo, Principal Investigator Leadership initiative for Public Health in East Africa (LIPHEA) who was the Master of Ceremony.
“Yesterday, I was talking to the Ugandan Parliament…With so much money going into projects, why are we seeing so little in results? What makes policy formation difficult and policy implementation even more difficult? I do not believe charismatic leadership is good leadership because it is arrogance based. Evidence based leadership is more effective...” Prof. Kelly said. Currently the 13th President of Tulane University (Chosen in 1981), he was born in New York City and has a Masters plus PhD in Economics. During his regime, faculties reached new heights and many new structures were constructed. As far back as 1960, Dr. Kelly was appointed Director of Policy Formation by the United States President. He developed the first domestic satellite system in the United States. Kelly was also a Special Consultant to the US House of Representatives, Special Assistant to the Secretary in the U.S. House of Labour, just to mention a few positions. In 1995, United States President Bill Clinton appointed him to the National Science Foundation (Board) and three years later he was elected as Chairman until May 2002. He sits on the boards of many civic organisations and is a professor in Economics, Latin American Studies plus Theology.
“What leaders really do is manage change. Institutions are habits of thought; psychological ways of doing things. Leaders have to be able to look around the corner, discover which changes are likely to occur and find solutions. Why are we less successful? It’s because we lack capacity in implementation. If leaders do not do a good job, it impacts those in the poorest section of society.” Dr Kelly lectured the full house.
“In strategic planning, the four most common errors are misjudged missions, too many goals, misunderstood constraints and ignorance in implementation. To determine a mission, you need to know your comparative advantage, financial feasibility, opportunities cost, and also evaluate your rivals plus environment Goals require programmatic, financial and performance measures besides feedback mechanisms. Unfortunately, no one wants to be evaluated.” He added that we should specify goals with the largest problem first, then limit the number of goals, stay with original goals, know the goals of different power groups and measure the goals. “The more goals you have, the more difficult it is to achieve those goals…Increasing revenue is the answer critical for social goals.” Non traditional sources of revenue include Specialised Consulting; Recreation Center; Cybercafés; Managing hospitals; Changing financial arrangements like banks and insurance companies, Privatization and Public fundraising from Government or international financial organisations.
Constraints should be targeted with so many things in mind: their Importance; Examples; Policy space: Personal/policy elite; Social pressures and interests; Historical conditions; Cultural factors and Economic conditions. “The role of leadership is to expand the policy space to deal with constraints. What is the most efficient combination? Leadership responds through Education (Marketing).” A Marketing Plan involves research, cultivation, soliciting (asking), proposals (before, during and after) and follow ups. “Sometimes you have to explode the constraint block…Every country that has access to I.T. will access information like the others and reduce the digital divide. A leader who understands that institutions are habits of thought has to change people’s attitudes…”
The main discussant Dr. Sam Okuonzi, Director of the Regional Center of Quality for Health Care had this to say, “In Uganda, we seem to have too many goals which are inconsistent…We are experiencing leaders who appear to be following directives …and do not appear to exhibit the kind of leadership required. The determinants of health are outside the health sector and it is leaders who can improve the general welfare of the people. According to some literature I read, ‘leaders should focus on desired results’. In health, it is improvement of the health status in the country. Leadership based on evidence is something that can be learnt, it takes time. You pass through certain processes. We are getting a rich experience from our colleagues (in the States). MUK and the Ministry are designing leadership courses. Secondly, the country should develop guidelines for leadership principles, for example through interviews, and we need to get our health goal and overall national goals clear. There seems to be a conflict. We need to harmonise these goals for a strategic way forward for this country.”
After the first question and answer session, the discussant added the following in response to two questions directed at him, “There are at least eight determinants of health according to research statistics: Peace; Proper Nutrition; Food; Adequate clean water; Level of education; Gender parity (driven by social groups); Economic growth; and Distribution of income…The only thing the ministry can do is to improve health services… There is a lot of hope to resume (Global Fund) funding for Uganda if management is sorted out.”
“Yesterday, I was talking to the Ugandan Parliament…With so much money going into projects, why are we seeing so little in results? What makes policy formation difficult and policy implementation even more difficult? I do not believe charismatic leadership is good leadership because it is arrogance based. Evidence based leadership is more effective...” Prof. Kelly said. Currently the 13th President of Tulane University (Chosen in 1981), he was born in New York City and has a Masters plus PhD in Economics. During his regime, faculties reached new heights and many new structures were constructed. As far back as 1960, Dr. Kelly was appointed Director of Policy Formation by the United States President. He developed the first domestic satellite system in the United States. Kelly was also a Special Consultant to the US House of Representatives, Special Assistant to the Secretary in the U.S. House of Labour, just to mention a few positions. In 1995, United States President Bill Clinton appointed him to the National Science Foundation (Board) and three years later he was elected as Chairman until May 2002. He sits on the boards of many civic organisations and is a professor in Economics, Latin American Studies plus Theology.
“What leaders really do is manage change. Institutions are habits of thought; psychological ways of doing things. Leaders have to be able to look around the corner, discover which changes are likely to occur and find solutions. Why are we less successful? It’s because we lack capacity in implementation. If leaders do not do a good job, it impacts those in the poorest section of society.” Dr Kelly lectured the full house.
“In strategic planning, the four most common errors are misjudged missions, too many goals, misunderstood constraints and ignorance in implementation. To determine a mission, you need to know your comparative advantage, financial feasibility, opportunities cost, and also evaluate your rivals plus environment Goals require programmatic, financial and performance measures besides feedback mechanisms. Unfortunately, no one wants to be evaluated.” He added that we should specify goals with the largest problem first, then limit the number of goals, stay with original goals, know the goals of different power groups and measure the goals. “The more goals you have, the more difficult it is to achieve those goals…Increasing revenue is the answer critical for social goals.” Non traditional sources of revenue include Specialised Consulting; Recreation Center; Cybercafés; Managing hospitals; Changing financial arrangements like banks and insurance companies, Privatization and Public fundraising from Government or international financial organisations.
Constraints should be targeted with so many things in mind: their Importance; Examples; Policy space: Personal/policy elite; Social pressures and interests; Historical conditions; Cultural factors and Economic conditions. “The role of leadership is to expand the policy space to deal with constraints. What is the most efficient combination? Leadership responds through Education (Marketing).” A Marketing Plan involves research, cultivation, soliciting (asking), proposals (before, during and after) and follow ups. “Sometimes you have to explode the constraint block…Every country that has access to I.T. will access information like the others and reduce the digital divide. A leader who understands that institutions are habits of thought has to change people’s attitudes…”
The main discussant Dr. Sam Okuonzi, Director of the Regional Center of Quality for Health Care had this to say, “In Uganda, we seem to have too many goals which are inconsistent…We are experiencing leaders who appear to be following directives …and do not appear to exhibit the kind of leadership required. The determinants of health are outside the health sector and it is leaders who can improve the general welfare of the people. According to some literature I read, ‘leaders should focus on desired results’. In health, it is improvement of the health status in the country. Leadership based on evidence is something that can be learnt, it takes time. You pass through certain processes. We are getting a rich experience from our colleagues (in the States). MUK and the Ministry are designing leadership courses. Secondly, the country should develop guidelines for leadership principles, for example through interviews, and we need to get our health goal and overall national goals clear. There seems to be a conflict. We need to harmonise these goals for a strategic way forward for this country.”
After the first question and answer session, the discussant added the following in response to two questions directed at him, “There are at least eight determinants of health according to research statistics: Peace; Proper Nutrition; Food; Adequate clean water; Level of education; Gender parity (driven by social groups); Economic growth; and Distribution of income…The only thing the ministry can do is to improve health services… There is a lot of hope to resume (Global Fund) funding for Uganda if management is sorted out.”
'oneway' to Heaven
ME AND MY GOD (Published in Issue 3 of The Standard Newspaper)
Am I holy or satanic? Whenever I don’t get what I pray for, I doubt God’s generosity and sometimes blaspheme him because of ‘frustration temptation’. There is a Whiteman’s saying that “gods only exist when mortal men choose to believe in them. “ That is true for small gods but I do not put my faith in them. They are just wicked spirits which make up a third of all the celestial beings.
In stead, I choose to believe in the one true God and his holy angels, immortalized in Scriptures and made known to us by the Holy Spirit. No atheist can convince me that God is a myth. Miracles never occur by chance. Does Mother Nature really program her cycles? Who answers prayers, saves us from death and rewards tithes? It surely must be the hidden power Christians call GOD. I prefer writing his name in all caps on all my documents to show that he is the Greatest Power in the universe.
I grew up in a church-frequenting Anglican family that introduced me to religion, but my devotion was just mechanical. I attended church on Sundays simply because I had to. Nevertheless, every soul needs spiritual intelligence to outwit the soul-devouring Prince of Darkness, and the veil covering my eyes started to be lifted around 1997. After watching several sermons and movies on the newly established Lighthouse Television, I realized how rotten I was inside and badly needed spiritual resurrection.
That’s when God grabbed my attention through Carman, a demon-slaying musician and film actor simply because I fancied his hot music and action movies; I accepted Christ into my heart through one of Carman’s songs entitled “Serve The Lord” (1993 Absolute Best Album). Unfortunately, my spiritual journey mutated into ‘pretended holiness’. It was mind-bending for me to figure out how to keep it real. Then one Sunday, a born again brotherhood fasted the whole day, prayed and received a vision about my hypocrisy. A few nights later, they cast out a dragon-like ancestral spirit that was influencing my character as seen in the revelation. What I learnt from this exorcism on Friday 7th July 2000 is that even committed Christians who choose to love and serve the Lord can still be influenced by demons. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit helps us discern good from evil.
Sin is sweet, but it kills. If you have a problem, just look up to the sky... No matter what you have done, said, written or thought, I know there is only one-way to heaven. His name is Jesus.
Edward Aikobua is a Cartoonist for The Standard and 2006 UCU Mass Communication graduate
Email: edwardaikobua@yahoo.com … 0712 356257
Am I holy or satanic? Whenever I don’t get what I pray for, I doubt God’s generosity and sometimes blaspheme him because of ‘frustration temptation’. There is a Whiteman’s saying that “gods only exist when mortal men choose to believe in them. “ That is true for small gods but I do not put my faith in them. They are just wicked spirits which make up a third of all the celestial beings.
In stead, I choose to believe in the one true God and his holy angels, immortalized in Scriptures and made known to us by the Holy Spirit. No atheist can convince me that God is a myth. Miracles never occur by chance. Does Mother Nature really program her cycles? Who answers prayers, saves us from death and rewards tithes? It surely must be the hidden power Christians call GOD. I prefer writing his name in all caps on all my documents to show that he is the Greatest Power in the universe.
I grew up in a church-frequenting Anglican family that introduced me to religion, but my devotion was just mechanical. I attended church on Sundays simply because I had to. Nevertheless, every soul needs spiritual intelligence to outwit the soul-devouring Prince of Darkness, and the veil covering my eyes started to be lifted around 1997. After watching several sermons and movies on the newly established Lighthouse Television, I realized how rotten I was inside and badly needed spiritual resurrection.
That’s when God grabbed my attention through Carman, a demon-slaying musician and film actor simply because I fancied his hot music and action movies; I accepted Christ into my heart through one of Carman’s songs entitled “Serve The Lord” (1993 Absolute Best Album). Unfortunately, my spiritual journey mutated into ‘pretended holiness’. It was mind-bending for me to figure out how to keep it real. Then one Sunday, a born again brotherhood fasted the whole day, prayed and received a vision about my hypocrisy. A few nights later, they cast out a dragon-like ancestral spirit that was influencing my character as seen in the revelation. What I learnt from this exorcism on Friday 7th July 2000 is that even committed Christians who choose to love and serve the Lord can still be influenced by demons. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit helps us discern good from evil.
Sin is sweet, but it kills. If you have a problem, just look up to the sky... No matter what you have done, said, written or thought, I know there is only one-way to heaven. His name is Jesus.
Edward Aikobua is a Cartoonist for The Standard and 2006 UCU Mass Communication graduate
Email: edwardaikobua@yahoo.com … 0712 356257
Do you want to stay Alive?
Hey friends, here are the 7 VIRTUES FOR A LONG LIFE
Since I know that Catholics always meditate on the 7 deadly sins, I turned them upside down and came up with 7 principles to keep me alive. I’m trying hard to break away from any curse caused by my sins or those of my forefathers. I will not be silenced by demons even in the spiritual realm.
1. Love (transforming Lust into a productive force)
2. Moderation (of Greed)
3. Humility (overhauling my Pride)
4. Contentment (instead of Envy)
5. Dieting [or preferably Fasting] (to curb Gluttony)
6. Forgiveness (in place of Anger)
7. Hard Work (and never Laziness)
Since I know that Catholics always meditate on the 7 deadly sins, I turned them upside down and came up with 7 principles to keep me alive. I’m trying hard to break away from any curse caused by my sins or those of my forefathers. I will not be silenced by demons even in the spiritual realm.
1. Love (transforming Lust into a productive force)
2. Moderation (of Greed)
3. Humility (overhauling my Pride)
4. Contentment (instead of Envy)
5. Dieting [or preferably Fasting] (to curb Gluttony)
6. Forgiveness (in place of Anger)
7. Hard Work (and never Laziness)
Hotel Arua (Lyrics)
EAGLES LYRICS
"Hotel Arua" (Sing this song with the same tune as "Hotel California" by The Eagles)
Natives call Arua the California of Uganda so I felt it deserved a tribute song. Join me in celebrating the Sunshine District of the Pearl of Africa
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
'This could be Heaven or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...
Welcome to the Hotel 'Arua'
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel 'Arua'
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...
Welcome to the Hotel 'Arua'
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel 'Arua'
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis
Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said 'We are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
'Relax,' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave!'
(Copyright The Eagles)
"Hotel Arua" (Sing this song with the same tune as "Hotel California" by The Eagles)
Natives call Arua the California of Uganda so I felt it deserved a tribute song. Join me in celebrating the Sunshine District of the Pearl of Africa
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
'This could be Heaven or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...
Welcome to the Hotel 'Arua'
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel 'Arua'
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...
Welcome to the Hotel 'Arua'
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel 'Arua'
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis
Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said 'We are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
'Relax,' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave!'
(Copyright The Eagles)
The Best Thing in Life
By Aiko (for Life Line Magazine)
Have you ever asked yourself what the Best Thing in Life is? I hear even money cannot buy it. Some people actually commit suicide when they lose it. It amazingly takes away pain and brings everlasting joy to the beholder, Wow! But what is it? Is it magic, cruising the latest Lincoln Navigator on Kampala streets, having gold reserves in Nile Bank, political power, diamonds, hot sex or enough food? What is this thing and where can I get it?
A German super centenarian (over 110 years old) once confessed that the reason why he had lived long and stayed young plus healthy was neither Japanese green tea nor regular exercise and fish but ‘the love of a woman’. Isn’t it true that love turned water into wine, woke up Sleeping Beauty and built the fantastic Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders of the world voted again in July 2007 after many years as a world wonder? If faith can move mountains, then love can move oceans.
Even the Christian Bible glorifies love in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as the Greatest Thing. He who does not love is nothing. “You can have a lot of money and still be poor when your relationships lack peace,” You need to have the perfect prosperity equilibrium preached to Ugandans at Namboole Stadium on Wednesday 13 June 2007. The American Bible teacher Dr. Creflo Dollar said that you should love the Word of GOD for “it has the power to make rich…”
But what is love? Isn’t it Celine Dion, Iryn Namubiru, Michael Bolton, Aaliyah, East African Bashment Crew and Paul Kafeero? Many define it as a feeling of affection towards an attraction. The Greeks, meanwhile, offer four explanations: Storge (General), Philia (Brotherly), Eros (Sexual) and Agape (Godly) but what exactly is it? Could it be the lonely hearts page in newspapers, a girlfriend on Nile Avenue, a Web Chat room or romancing a stranger by SMS? The Kenyan short film ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, given a nod at the 2007 Amakula Film Festival in Kampala, actually ridicules SMS love. Two male friends became victims of this new service. Desperate for true love from females, they joined the network secretly but got paired to each other. Hoping to meet for the first time, they agreed to rendezvous in Mombasa. The two men were shocked to meet instead after each thought that their partner was female. Everybody wants true love even if they pretend not to.
However, sometimes true love is indeed hard to find evidenced by callers who discover heart breaking secrets about their cheating partners on Capital FM’s Late Date Show hosted by deejay Ronnie. Tony, a 2006 UCU graduate once wrote: “True love isn’t about falling in love; it’s about considering a slow and systematic trend of a growth process in love that will establish the relationship one has taken long to build.” Tony’s flowery in sight into relationships was really powerful because he had gone through several experiences.
For those who think money can buy true love for one night, it does not necessarily buy true love for a lifetime. There have been modern-day films about the greatest Spanish warrior of all time named Rodrigo (or Ruy) DÃaz de Vivar such as El Cid (1961, starring Charlton Heston as the title character and Sophia Loren) and the animated El Cid: La Leyenda (2003). In the early 80s, there was an animated series called Ruy, el Pequeño Cid, portraying the fictional adventures of El Cid as a child. Modern audiences may know a romanticized story of the Cid from the 1961 film. He killed his lover’s father in self defence and she, in mourning her father, promised to ‘learn how to hate’ him. However, because the love she had earlier felt for the military champion was overwhelming true, by the end of the movie they had reunited and happily conceived two twin daughters together.
If you ever find a faithful friend or lover, cling to their affection because it is the greatest gift you can receive from a human being; nothing comes close to true love. Don’t you want to feel real love?
Have you ever asked yourself what the Best Thing in Life is? I hear even money cannot buy it. Some people actually commit suicide when they lose it. It amazingly takes away pain and brings everlasting joy to the beholder, Wow! But what is it? Is it magic, cruising the latest Lincoln Navigator on Kampala streets, having gold reserves in Nile Bank, political power, diamonds, hot sex or enough food? What is this thing and where can I get it?
A German super centenarian (over 110 years old) once confessed that the reason why he had lived long and stayed young plus healthy was neither Japanese green tea nor regular exercise and fish but ‘the love of a woman’. Isn’t it true that love turned water into wine, woke up Sleeping Beauty and built the fantastic Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders of the world voted again in July 2007 after many years as a world wonder? If faith can move mountains, then love can move oceans.
Even the Christian Bible glorifies love in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as the Greatest Thing. He who does not love is nothing. “You can have a lot of money and still be poor when your relationships lack peace,” You need to have the perfect prosperity equilibrium preached to Ugandans at Namboole Stadium on Wednesday 13 June 2007. The American Bible teacher Dr. Creflo Dollar said that you should love the Word of GOD for “it has the power to make rich…”
But what is love? Isn’t it Celine Dion, Iryn Namubiru, Michael Bolton, Aaliyah, East African Bashment Crew and Paul Kafeero? Many define it as a feeling of affection towards an attraction. The Greeks, meanwhile, offer four explanations: Storge (General), Philia (Brotherly), Eros (Sexual) and Agape (Godly) but what exactly is it? Could it be the lonely hearts page in newspapers, a girlfriend on Nile Avenue, a Web Chat room or romancing a stranger by SMS? The Kenyan short film ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, given a nod at the 2007 Amakula Film Festival in Kampala, actually ridicules SMS love. Two male friends became victims of this new service. Desperate for true love from females, they joined the network secretly but got paired to each other. Hoping to meet for the first time, they agreed to rendezvous in Mombasa. The two men were shocked to meet instead after each thought that their partner was female. Everybody wants true love even if they pretend not to.
However, sometimes true love is indeed hard to find evidenced by callers who discover heart breaking secrets about their cheating partners on Capital FM’s Late Date Show hosted by deejay Ronnie. Tony, a 2006 UCU graduate once wrote: “True love isn’t about falling in love; it’s about considering a slow and systematic trend of a growth process in love that will establish the relationship one has taken long to build.” Tony’s flowery in sight into relationships was really powerful because he had gone through several experiences.
For those who think money can buy true love for one night, it does not necessarily buy true love for a lifetime. There have been modern-day films about the greatest Spanish warrior of all time named Rodrigo (or Ruy) DÃaz de Vivar such as El Cid (1961, starring Charlton Heston as the title character and Sophia Loren) and the animated El Cid: La Leyenda (2003). In the early 80s, there was an animated series called Ruy, el Pequeño Cid, portraying the fictional adventures of El Cid as a child. Modern audiences may know a romanticized story of the Cid from the 1961 film. He killed his lover’s father in self defence and she, in mourning her father, promised to ‘learn how to hate’ him. However, because the love she had earlier felt for the military champion was overwhelming true, by the end of the movie they had reunited and happily conceived two twin daughters together.
If you ever find a faithful friend or lover, cling to their affection because it is the greatest gift you can receive from a human being; nothing comes close to true love. Don’t you want to feel real love?
Always Remember your Lecturers and Tutors
(Ben Bella Illakut on Graduation Day 2005)
Do you believe that laughter is the best medicine? Well, lecturers like Ben Bella Illakut have really modeled a positive attitude within UCU Alumni. Many have paid homage to their various lecturers and I’m not a stranger to my own former dean’s motivational skills. Sometimes I would have very depressing days but attending his lectures would lift me up because it was all about laughter, notes and more laughter. His GOD-sent comedic skills made books worth reading.
During our first year, freshers from other faculties packed the Main Hall just to enjoy the original versions of the stories we boasted about. Although based on real life experiences, Ben’s stories had an aura of fiction, a storytelling technique applied to shock the audience.
Have you heard the one about how he got so drunk in the 70s that he walked backwards from Kampala to Mukono, leave alone the humiliating experience with Idi Amin Dada and Malyamungu? If that was believable, then how about Ibenya the most unforgettable narration among most students. They actually liken Ben to the young boy who rode a lion to impress his girlfriend by holding its ears and thus taming the fierce beast.
If that was funny, then how about my favourite selection of all time about how Ben Bella got hugged intimately by a pregnant rain cloud in Kapchorwa. While stranded on top of a hill, he helplessly watched it flying in slow motion like in the Matrix movies until it engulfed him. The cloud romantically hit a rock behind him and went back. No retreat, no surrender. The narration was so hilarious that my classmates laughed until rain, not tears, (Pun intended here) fell from their eyes.
Besides the humour though, he always advised students to fear God. Alongside Ben was the well informed Okoku Obomba, debonair plus outspoken Samuel Apedel, no nonsense Frederick Jjjuko, fatherly Jonas Tumwesigye, friendly Jackson Turyagyenda, anointed Isaiah Mbuga, photogenic Ben Ochan, linguistically concise Moses Musingo, the knowledgeable Wanyama Wangah (who taught us Advanced Editing in an air-conditioned room with sleek new Dell computers), spot on Epajjar Ojulu and Mesharch Katusiimeh Rwebiita (who made me like Political Science) plus the tutors not mentioned here who all added value to our education. Wherever you go after UCU, always remember your lecturers plus tutors and live your hardest days with a UCU smile on your face.
Edward Aikobua,
UCU Alumni
UCIFA Day Enhances Professionalism
Although delayed for 2 hours, the highly anticipated UCIFA Day at Entebbe’s Golf View Inn was a major success. With the theme “Enhancing Professionalism in the Clearing and Forwarding Industry”, the participants shared very valuable ideas that can transform the association greatly in the next few years when followed as advised by the main speaker.
The first speaker was the UCIFA Entebbe Chairman who said, “At Entebbe International Airport, we are faced with the problem of high evaluation…The perception of URA to the agents has improved but there is the issue of junior officers. If you are an agent of MTN for example, you are branded and respected as a member of MTN. But when it comes to URA, in most cases we are not recognized as so. There is a big hang up when it comes to manifestation for the 283 clearing companies…The major problem I would highlight is professionalising our institution. If we come together, we would be able to resolve conflicts and give ourselves a good image…We found it good to hold this seminar to find solutions to the problems I’ve tried to highlight. We are all in business to keep ahead of failure and make money…”
After the first speech, an unprecedented skit was dramatized in Luganda in front of the gathering (a bit of what agents go through daily) whereby two men pretending to connect by phone acted like they were doing business. The actor playing the role of a stubborn businessman held a mobile near his ear, and told an agent named Siraj (holding the microphone) what he wanted. In order to import goods, Siraj informed him of the procedure required; he had to declare his TIN number. Instead, the businessman mentioned his Box Number like an ignorant importer amusing the audience. The agent next asked for the Invoice, Shipping Bill and Money. The importer told him to ‘yiya’ (Luganda for ‘be subtle’). He wanted Siraj to go to the customs agents and see what he could do even if illegally…The agent proceeded to Customs but he could not be allowed to go ahead with clearing the goods without proper documentation. This clearly highlighted how agents are faced with ethical issues provoked by their clients. After telling him about the impossibility of his sinister plan, the displeased businessman complained that the agent had earlier asked for damages and was now asking for handling and other costs.
Below is a short poem recited by one of the beautiful UCIFA ladies in the khaki (cream) T-Shirts:
The Agent, the Teacher, the Farmer
Looking forward for fair treatment
The present is tough
Future is bleak
Yet services are essential
For nation betterment;
The agent, the tax collector
Not recognized as so
Blamed by customs,
Blamed by the tax payer
Rebuked for unprofessionalism
Yet can’t be done by all!
Trying so hard to beat time,
Squeezed at all ends
To satisfy the many parties involved
The journey is bumpy
Therein lies the haughty
Nagging, ungrateful individual in society
Oh Agent! If the situation were different
Treatment fairer
Services more appreciated
More taxes you would collect
For national development
Fellow nationals!
Join hands we should
To nurture the service industry,
The goose that lays the golden eggs
Lecturing on the topic “Leveraging Partnership: Keeping Ahead of Failure”, the main speaker Mr. Peter Kimbowa began by saying, “If you do not plan for the future, the future has a plan for you. How many clearing firms have survived 30 years, 40 years, and 80 years in Uganda? There is none; so we need to be together. Do you have a plan? Don’t assume that the bridge is there. We are faced with risks of business collapse. You could die now and live nothing for those behind. You may even get an accident and become disabled. You may live long but with nothing to feed on. Let’s not focus on our children taking care of us.
“In an association like this, you only need five committed people. Few people bring light, too many people bring emotions. Let’s build our internal team care. There is no way UCIFA will build a strong force without strengthening itself internally. Care means connecting within ourselves, we are there as a team. Next we need to assess the challenges we have as an association…Respond and take action…finally excel, do better than we were doing last year.
“What’s your relationship with financial agencies and importers? A guy had two donkeys and put two bundles of hay for them to feed. They fought until their ropes got interlocked. The donkeys killed each other. It’s very important to build a code of conduct or order. I am willing to build one for you.” Mr. Kimbowa pledged amid applause from the clearing agents gathered, “URA wants to see some blood flowing. Partnership is built on attitude. Don’t take primitive action, step forward and be recognized. Let us reimagine the partnership; rethink!
“Create your own brand respected by banks, clearing agencies and importers…They shouldn’t see you as riff ruffs, lampoons. Focus on what you are going to do in 6 to 12 months…Each one of us knows something and when we contribute it, it will help. We are small in our own ways. Stakeholders should know that we are together. When stakeholders see us acting right, they will come with respect. What are our plans? We are going to design a code. Every one will sign…People will be punished and others rewarded.
Working with others (Emotional Intelligence, E.I. model):
“For us to succeed in business, we need relationships…Relationships are based on two things: self awareness and self control. Let us look at the strong points in our association knowing very well that we have weaknesses. To build relationships, God put a brain in our heads to make decisions and cooperate with others. For example, since some of you came late, your thoughts will make you feel guilty so you won’t do anything…All this works in the head. When URA sees that you are not together, people back-biting each other; so they despise you. This is supposed to be your motivation. Importers will feel motivated to deal with you. People feel, think and get energy…Check with your friends in Nairobi and South Africa…Use that clout of coming together to build teams. Work out yourselves as a group and create a magnet. With a code, you lay a foundation or root for your growth especially when things are so tough. UCIFA Branch Entebbe is different. Is a UCIFA member the same as a fisherman or riff ruff in Kampala? What we need in our code of conduct are values, habits and practices. Let’s build on what we have done. You even started with a prayer in this age when witchcraft is merging with biblical beliefs…”
“Disempowering beliefs will push us away: We need respect from banks, importers and URA. What is your new philosophy? What measures are you taking, what are the action lines and internal policies?”
Peter recommended roots such as trust, respect, professionalism, integrity, transparency to help UCIFA continuously renew itself.
“There are four main segments of money. Are you enjoying, earning, managing or affording your business yet you love women and alcohol a lot? Can you sacrifice for other people? How can you say you want to retire at 40 yet the richest man in the world is still working even in his middle ages? The word ‘capital’ comes from the Latin word ‘capitalis’ which means brain, so when you complain that there is no capital, you actually mean there is no brain in your head…What benefits are you getting from UCIFA? Are you being exempted from other collateral? Do you get longer payment periods and no liabilities?
10 % for God, 10 % back to your business, 10 % must follow another investment line, 10% is Children’s money (Children are not an arrangement between you and God). They won’t look after you but you have to stay there and keep there, 60% remains. The oldest business in Uganda is about 40 years but in India over 100 years old. The capacity to generate income from personal initiatives is financial stability…Don’t leave this place without answering this question: What about you? Banks will be there, importers will be there after 35 years. What about you? Will your company be existent in 5 years time?
If Jesus Christ had come to preach the Gospel of Heaven and did not leave behind disciples, there would be no religions…so tell other people about what was discussed here.”
“To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge.” –BENJAMIN DISRAELI
The guest of honour, URA’s Assistant Commissioner dressed in a casual white shirt, gave his speech before the prize giving ceremony …He expressed Patrick Malinga’s gratitude. URA desires such groups that are organised.
“Don’t lose hope. We are always in a growing environment, a learning environment. As we are moving into that direction which PK (Peter Kimbowa) has discussed, people are also conscious of the quality we are rendering. We don’t want to work with people who will dent our image. I want to redefine integrity by quoting experts. Doug Welsh and his wife wrote that “Integrity is just a game. If you don’t have it in your bones, you shouldn’t be allowed in the team.”
In the book ‘Leadership at Work’, integrity and honesty are virtues. “Integrity is correspondence between word and deed, Honesty is truthful and non deceitful…” The word professional does not refer to qualifications but your effectiveness. If people perceive you differently, then you lose the identity you should possess. Everything is possible, graduate yourself to the level that PK was trying to link you to, where you do not cheat importers. It is a shared and collective responsibility. The challenge is that if you can grasp what has been shared today, then we can work collectively…”Partner through networks: as you concretize yourself on a national point of view, you need to extend beyond the region to the continent. Become part of a chain, get from the source, not only yourselves but think globally to sustain your businesses. The guest of honour alongside Omar Kassim, UCIFA’s National Chairman unveiled the new UCIFA Slogan “Bridging the Gap of Tax Collection”.
Prizes in form of T-Shirts, trophies and packages were also awarded to the Best Driver, Best Airlines (Emirates), Best Courier Company (ENHAS), Best Clearing Agent (Popular among the audience) alongside other recipients
Main Speaker Kimbowa’s ANECDOTES:
A professor once stood on a platform and told the audience that God does not exist. ‘If he pushes me off this platform, I will believe that he exists.”
A bouncer walked up, beat him up and pushed him away, “Why are you doing this, are you crazy?” the professor asked.
“No, God was busy, so he sent me here.” the bouncer replied.
Another ANECDOTE by PK:
A moneylender offered a loan to one man while eyeing the guy’s daughter. So when the man took long to pay, the money lender suggested a gentlemanly solution whereby the debtor would allow his daughter to pull out a white or black stone from a bag during a public gathering. If she picked a black stone, she would marry the moneylender, but if it was white, she would stay with her father. When people assembled, the money lender cleverly picked 2 black stones and thought nobody noticed. The man’s daughter was not only exceptionally beautiful but also very intelligent. She pretended to pick one of the stones but shivered and fell to the ground as if struck by a sudden fever. When asked which stone she had picked, she said it had fallen among the many on the ground. A wise man in the audience said that in order to determine which stone had been picked; they had to look at the one remaining in the bag.
Omar Kassim, who came in close to the end of the seminar, was the last person to give a speech, “Please forgive me for I do not write down my speeches; I speak from my heart… When you have an interest in your institution, it will trickle down to your members. In Kampala, we have people who do not want to associate. Entebbe is well organised but in Kampala, it impairs the image of the association. The boda bodas have a strong association where they solicit licenses for the boda bodas. They even have IDs. This seminar is an opportunistic measure that has a workable outcome…Let’s share a common vision, and a mission to reach the same goals. Help us to root out some of those feelings we have tackled. In terms of UCIFA, Entebbe has always set the pace. (Other branches include Kampala, Jinja and the new ones in Busia-Malaba) Give us encouragement and allow us to improve on our systems…The future of this industry is prompt…Achieving our targets is the way to the future.”
The Master of Ceremony added his voice to the proceedings by saying, “Entebbe Airport is a unique point …if you work for URA without being posted to Entebbe, your chances of promotion are minimal…We not only collect taxes but train you.”
After the seminar, food was served and later, a UCIFA plus URA procession propelled by a percussion band marched through Entebbe Town up to the Victoria Montessori School pitch where the men’s soccer and women’s netball finals were going to be held between the two corporates.
URA vs. UCIFA
In the first half, URA’s goalkeeper (Captain), dressed in an orange shirt and yellow track suit, was very animated and efficient, actually my Man of the Half because of the entertainment he produced. He took centre stage by saving the money collectors from thorough UCIFA onslaughts in the first few minutes. It looked like one way traffic for some time but URA got revived and also launched attacks on their opponent’s goal…almost breaking the deadlock on one occasion only for the striker to thump the ball high over the UCIFA crossbar yet he had only the keeper to beat. Ball possession was relatively shared though the ball came back to URA’s half many times. All the players wore white shorts, but URA had white shirts while UCIFA had red tops with white sleeves.
After half time, URA’s goalkeeper stripped and dressed in black shorts plus a white URA shirt (Number 12) as a field player. He remained the captain though and amused the spectators with his dribbles plus committed goal attempts. Unfortunately, after a number of tactical changes, UCIFA’s unrelenting pursuit for a goal finally paid off when a long ball from the centre half found a striker who cut inside to his right past a defender and fired low to the left half of the URA goal. The money collectors tried hard to fight back but the clearing agents cleared the attempts away…and clinched the cup. Final Score: UCIFA 1, URA 0.
The soccer and netball games ended around 5pm and the gathering dispersed, some returning to Kampala by taxi, personal vehicles or company vans. UCIFA had its evening dance at the Club Knight Rider on Movement Road.
The first speaker was the UCIFA Entebbe Chairman who said, “At Entebbe International Airport, we are faced with the problem of high evaluation…The perception of URA to the agents has improved but there is the issue of junior officers. If you are an agent of MTN for example, you are branded and respected as a member of MTN. But when it comes to URA, in most cases we are not recognized as so. There is a big hang up when it comes to manifestation for the 283 clearing companies…The major problem I would highlight is professionalising our institution. If we come together, we would be able to resolve conflicts and give ourselves a good image…We found it good to hold this seminar to find solutions to the problems I’ve tried to highlight. We are all in business to keep ahead of failure and make money…”
After the first speech, an unprecedented skit was dramatized in Luganda in front of the gathering (a bit of what agents go through daily) whereby two men pretending to connect by phone acted like they were doing business. The actor playing the role of a stubborn businessman held a mobile near his ear, and told an agent named Siraj (holding the microphone) what he wanted. In order to import goods, Siraj informed him of the procedure required; he had to declare his TIN number. Instead, the businessman mentioned his Box Number like an ignorant importer amusing the audience. The agent next asked for the Invoice, Shipping Bill and Money. The importer told him to ‘yiya’ (Luganda for ‘be subtle’). He wanted Siraj to go to the customs agents and see what he could do even if illegally…The agent proceeded to Customs but he could not be allowed to go ahead with clearing the goods without proper documentation. This clearly highlighted how agents are faced with ethical issues provoked by their clients. After telling him about the impossibility of his sinister plan, the displeased businessman complained that the agent had earlier asked for damages and was now asking for handling and other costs.
Below is a short poem recited by one of the beautiful UCIFA ladies in the khaki (cream) T-Shirts:
The Agent, the Teacher, the Farmer
Looking forward for fair treatment
The present is tough
Future is bleak
Yet services are essential
For nation betterment;
The agent, the tax collector
Not recognized as so
Blamed by customs,
Blamed by the tax payer
Rebuked for unprofessionalism
Yet can’t be done by all!
Trying so hard to beat time,
Squeezed at all ends
To satisfy the many parties involved
The journey is bumpy
Therein lies the haughty
Nagging, ungrateful individual in society
Oh Agent! If the situation were different
Treatment fairer
Services more appreciated
More taxes you would collect
For national development
Fellow nationals!
Join hands we should
To nurture the service industry,
The goose that lays the golden eggs
Lecturing on the topic “Leveraging Partnership: Keeping Ahead of Failure”, the main speaker Mr. Peter Kimbowa began by saying, “If you do not plan for the future, the future has a plan for you. How many clearing firms have survived 30 years, 40 years, and 80 years in Uganda? There is none; so we need to be together. Do you have a plan? Don’t assume that the bridge is there. We are faced with risks of business collapse. You could die now and live nothing for those behind. You may even get an accident and become disabled. You may live long but with nothing to feed on. Let’s not focus on our children taking care of us.
“In an association like this, you only need five committed people. Few people bring light, too many people bring emotions. Let’s build our internal team care. There is no way UCIFA will build a strong force without strengthening itself internally. Care means connecting within ourselves, we are there as a team. Next we need to assess the challenges we have as an association…Respond and take action…finally excel, do better than we were doing last year.
“What’s your relationship with financial agencies and importers? A guy had two donkeys and put two bundles of hay for them to feed. They fought until their ropes got interlocked. The donkeys killed each other. It’s very important to build a code of conduct or order. I am willing to build one for you.” Mr. Kimbowa pledged amid applause from the clearing agents gathered, “URA wants to see some blood flowing. Partnership is built on attitude. Don’t take primitive action, step forward and be recognized. Let us reimagine the partnership; rethink!
“Create your own brand respected by banks, clearing agencies and importers…They shouldn’t see you as riff ruffs, lampoons. Focus on what you are going to do in 6 to 12 months…Each one of us knows something and when we contribute it, it will help. We are small in our own ways. Stakeholders should know that we are together. When stakeholders see us acting right, they will come with respect. What are our plans? We are going to design a code. Every one will sign…People will be punished and others rewarded.
Working with others (Emotional Intelligence, E.I. model):
“For us to succeed in business, we need relationships…Relationships are based on two things: self awareness and self control. Let us look at the strong points in our association knowing very well that we have weaknesses. To build relationships, God put a brain in our heads to make decisions and cooperate with others. For example, since some of you came late, your thoughts will make you feel guilty so you won’t do anything…All this works in the head. When URA sees that you are not together, people back-biting each other; so they despise you. This is supposed to be your motivation. Importers will feel motivated to deal with you. People feel, think and get energy…Check with your friends in Nairobi and South Africa…Use that clout of coming together to build teams. Work out yourselves as a group and create a magnet. With a code, you lay a foundation or root for your growth especially when things are so tough. UCIFA Branch Entebbe is different. Is a UCIFA member the same as a fisherman or riff ruff in Kampala? What we need in our code of conduct are values, habits and practices. Let’s build on what we have done. You even started with a prayer in this age when witchcraft is merging with biblical beliefs…”
“Disempowering beliefs will push us away: We need respect from banks, importers and URA. What is your new philosophy? What measures are you taking, what are the action lines and internal policies?”
Peter recommended roots such as trust, respect, professionalism, integrity, transparency to help UCIFA continuously renew itself.
“There are four main segments of money. Are you enjoying, earning, managing or affording your business yet you love women and alcohol a lot? Can you sacrifice for other people? How can you say you want to retire at 40 yet the richest man in the world is still working even in his middle ages? The word ‘capital’ comes from the Latin word ‘capitalis’ which means brain, so when you complain that there is no capital, you actually mean there is no brain in your head…What benefits are you getting from UCIFA? Are you being exempted from other collateral? Do you get longer payment periods and no liabilities?
10 % for God, 10 % back to your business, 10 % must follow another investment line, 10% is Children’s money (Children are not an arrangement between you and God). They won’t look after you but you have to stay there and keep there, 60% remains. The oldest business in Uganda is about 40 years but in India over 100 years old. The capacity to generate income from personal initiatives is financial stability…Don’t leave this place without answering this question: What about you? Banks will be there, importers will be there after 35 years. What about you? Will your company be existent in 5 years time?
If Jesus Christ had come to preach the Gospel of Heaven and did not leave behind disciples, there would be no religions…so tell other people about what was discussed here.”
“To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge.” –BENJAMIN DISRAELI
The guest of honour, URA’s Assistant Commissioner dressed in a casual white shirt, gave his speech before the prize giving ceremony …He expressed Patrick Malinga’s gratitude. URA desires such groups that are organised.
“Don’t lose hope. We are always in a growing environment, a learning environment. As we are moving into that direction which PK (Peter Kimbowa) has discussed, people are also conscious of the quality we are rendering. We don’t want to work with people who will dent our image. I want to redefine integrity by quoting experts. Doug Welsh and his wife wrote that “Integrity is just a game. If you don’t have it in your bones, you shouldn’t be allowed in the team.”
In the book ‘Leadership at Work’, integrity and honesty are virtues. “Integrity is correspondence between word and deed, Honesty is truthful and non deceitful…” The word professional does not refer to qualifications but your effectiveness. If people perceive you differently, then you lose the identity you should possess. Everything is possible, graduate yourself to the level that PK was trying to link you to, where you do not cheat importers. It is a shared and collective responsibility. The challenge is that if you can grasp what has been shared today, then we can work collectively…”Partner through networks: as you concretize yourself on a national point of view, you need to extend beyond the region to the continent. Become part of a chain, get from the source, not only yourselves but think globally to sustain your businesses. The guest of honour alongside Omar Kassim, UCIFA’s National Chairman unveiled the new UCIFA Slogan “Bridging the Gap of Tax Collection”.
Prizes in form of T-Shirts, trophies and packages were also awarded to the Best Driver, Best Airlines (Emirates), Best Courier Company (ENHAS), Best Clearing Agent (Popular among the audience) alongside other recipients
Main Speaker Kimbowa’s ANECDOTES:
A professor once stood on a platform and told the audience that God does not exist. ‘If he pushes me off this platform, I will believe that he exists.”
A bouncer walked up, beat him up and pushed him away, “Why are you doing this, are you crazy?” the professor asked.
“No, God was busy, so he sent me here.” the bouncer replied.
Another ANECDOTE by PK:
A moneylender offered a loan to one man while eyeing the guy’s daughter. So when the man took long to pay, the money lender suggested a gentlemanly solution whereby the debtor would allow his daughter to pull out a white or black stone from a bag during a public gathering. If she picked a black stone, she would marry the moneylender, but if it was white, she would stay with her father. When people assembled, the money lender cleverly picked 2 black stones and thought nobody noticed. The man’s daughter was not only exceptionally beautiful but also very intelligent. She pretended to pick one of the stones but shivered and fell to the ground as if struck by a sudden fever. When asked which stone she had picked, she said it had fallen among the many on the ground. A wise man in the audience said that in order to determine which stone had been picked; they had to look at the one remaining in the bag.
Omar Kassim, who came in close to the end of the seminar, was the last person to give a speech, “Please forgive me for I do not write down my speeches; I speak from my heart… When you have an interest in your institution, it will trickle down to your members. In Kampala, we have people who do not want to associate. Entebbe is well organised but in Kampala, it impairs the image of the association. The boda bodas have a strong association where they solicit licenses for the boda bodas. They even have IDs. This seminar is an opportunistic measure that has a workable outcome…Let’s share a common vision, and a mission to reach the same goals. Help us to root out some of those feelings we have tackled. In terms of UCIFA, Entebbe has always set the pace. (Other branches include Kampala, Jinja and the new ones in Busia-Malaba) Give us encouragement and allow us to improve on our systems…The future of this industry is prompt…Achieving our targets is the way to the future.”
The Master of Ceremony added his voice to the proceedings by saying, “Entebbe Airport is a unique point …if you work for URA without being posted to Entebbe, your chances of promotion are minimal…We not only collect taxes but train you.”
After the seminar, food was served and later, a UCIFA plus URA procession propelled by a percussion band marched through Entebbe Town up to the Victoria Montessori School pitch where the men’s soccer and women’s netball finals were going to be held between the two corporates.
URA vs. UCIFA
In the first half, URA’s goalkeeper (Captain), dressed in an orange shirt and yellow track suit, was very animated and efficient, actually my Man of the Half because of the entertainment he produced. He took centre stage by saving the money collectors from thorough UCIFA onslaughts in the first few minutes. It looked like one way traffic for some time but URA got revived and also launched attacks on their opponent’s goal…almost breaking the deadlock on one occasion only for the striker to thump the ball high over the UCIFA crossbar yet he had only the keeper to beat. Ball possession was relatively shared though the ball came back to URA’s half many times. All the players wore white shorts, but URA had white shirts while UCIFA had red tops with white sleeves.
After half time, URA’s goalkeeper stripped and dressed in black shorts plus a white URA shirt (Number 12) as a field player. He remained the captain though and amused the spectators with his dribbles plus committed goal attempts. Unfortunately, after a number of tactical changes, UCIFA’s unrelenting pursuit for a goal finally paid off when a long ball from the centre half found a striker who cut inside to his right past a defender and fired low to the left half of the URA goal. The money collectors tried hard to fight back but the clearing agents cleared the attempts away…and clinched the cup. Final Score: UCIFA 1, URA 0.
The soccer and netball games ended around 5pm and the gathering dispersed, some returning to Kampala by taxi, personal vehicles or company vans. UCIFA had its evening dance at the Club Knight Rider on Movement Road.
UgaWood's Film Evolution
While walking, riding or driving around town in the evening, you might hear loud speakers advertising a new Ugandan movie on the market. As you get closer, you are confronted by young people, usually boys or sometimes adults holding out DVDs for you to scrutinize and hopefully buy. I must confess that some have very remarkable poster designs. Other times, promoters on roller skates draw your attention as they come to the window of a taxi you might be in. “It only costs 5,000 UgShs!” the skate-man will seductively tell you. This is a phenomenon I never witnessed regularly in the 1990s even for VHS cassettes or VCDs. At that time, the filming of Ugandan drama was still budding.
The vigorous evolution started when Ugandans got tired of the celluloid colonization and cultural intoxication from Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood while the glory of raw unexploited local talent was quite faint on the silver screen. Other notable film influences included Southern Africa (Consequences, Sarafina, Yellow Card), Europe and the Far East (a trend highlighted by the free Japanese Film Festivals). In the 1970s and 80s, the capital (Kampala) had four major cinemas through which the Japa-Chinese invaded the Ugandan film market armed with projector films featuring their kung-fu styled dramas. Since Bruce Lee and his comrades could conquer America, then how about the ‘Pearl of Africa’? They are still crowd pullers in the ‘kibanda’ (Luganda word for ‘video shack’, usually wooden) where most, if not all, movies have voice over translations for the peasant and middle class audience to enjoy. This is the alternative for English captions. The ‘kibanda’ is furthermore friendly to everybody’s pocket. In 2008, any movie whether new or old, could be viewed at a cost as low as 200 UgShs or 100 UgShs in rural areas. Meanwhile, the all powerful City cinemas charged over five to 10 times as much.
Ugandans are beginning to believe that they can also do it. Film clubs can be found in schools doing projects, and in theatres sharing ideas. A local community-based production series ‘That’s Life Mwattu’ popular in the early 1990s can now be viewed anywhere in the world on the continental DStv service’s Africa Magic Channel. Buziga Hill, just outside the capital is being turned into ‘Uganda’s Hollywood’. In addition, talented Ugandan actors like Philip Luswata are taking part in overseas film productions. The Oscar Award-winning film ‘The Last King of Scotland’ for Best Actor (Forrest Whitaker) was shot and produced in Uganda, propelling the country into stardom though other films like Raid on Entebbe, Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala and an episode of the TV comedy ‘The Steve Harvey Show’ hinted on Uganda. The Amakula Film Festival is also a productive platform for filmmakers plus enthusiasts to share and enjoy the thrill local creativity has to offer. Basically, the future looks bright for the Ugandan film industry (fondly called ‘Kina- Uganda’, Pearlywood and Ugawood) even at this year’s 5th Amakula Festival. East Africa's Maisha Filmlab founded in Uganda by Mira Nair (Tanzanian born Musarait Kashmiri was it's first versatile Program Director in 2005), besides other production houses, annually opens doors for selected applicants to explore the technical makeup of film production and receive expert coaching from accomplished personalities in the wider industry.
With the influx of computers to Uganda, illegal reproduction of movies is a huge business that allows many people to not only own cheap, perfect, digital copies of blockbuster movies but also tamper with their content in creative ways if they wish. Appreciation of foreign films in Uganda has cut so deep that Ugandans now want to export what they have learnt by producing more of their own stories. From Ashraf Ssimwogerere’s Murder in the City to Matt Bish’s Battle of the Souls, quality keeps changing too.
YouTube (interestingly TIME magazine’s Man of the Year 2006), arguably the Most Fantastic Website that allows individuals to upload their videos for the world to see, is also a powerful tool some Ugandans are using to good effect to, for instance, promote their music idols like Tanzania-based Ugandan Ziggy D. All you need to do is get a camera and start shooting creatively. Then you create an account and upload your video on the internet’s gift to filmmakers.
The music industry does not want to exist without video. That is why some of the big artistes such as Bobi Wine have ventured beyond videos for their songs to working on feature length films and commercials. The relationship is mutually strong; movies would be meaningless to some film buffs without soundtracks. Imagine Titanic without Celine Dion, maybe some lovers would not cherish the movie. Trust me, 2 Fast 2 Furious without Ludacris’ promotional hit by the same title (Sub-title: ‘Act a Fool’) would just be too ludicrous to some people. Enjoy the 2008 Amakula Kampala Film Festival, it’s truly a "Parallel Universe"!
The vigorous evolution started when Ugandans got tired of the celluloid colonization and cultural intoxication from Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood while the glory of raw unexploited local talent was quite faint on the silver screen. Other notable film influences included Southern Africa (Consequences, Sarafina, Yellow Card), Europe and the Far East (a trend highlighted by the free Japanese Film Festivals). In the 1970s and 80s, the capital (Kampala) had four major cinemas through which the Japa-Chinese invaded the Ugandan film market armed with projector films featuring their kung-fu styled dramas. Since Bruce Lee and his comrades could conquer America, then how about the ‘Pearl of Africa’? They are still crowd pullers in the ‘kibanda’ (Luganda word for ‘video shack’, usually wooden) where most, if not all, movies have voice over translations for the peasant and middle class audience to enjoy. This is the alternative for English captions. The ‘kibanda’ is furthermore friendly to everybody’s pocket. In 2008, any movie whether new or old, could be viewed at a cost as low as 200 UgShs or 100 UgShs in rural areas. Meanwhile, the all powerful City cinemas charged over five to 10 times as much.
Ugandans are beginning to believe that they can also do it. Film clubs can be found in schools doing projects, and in theatres sharing ideas. A local community-based production series ‘That’s Life Mwattu’ popular in the early 1990s can now be viewed anywhere in the world on the continental DStv service’s Africa Magic Channel. Buziga Hill, just outside the capital is being turned into ‘Uganda’s Hollywood’. In addition, talented Ugandan actors like Philip Luswata are taking part in overseas film productions. The Oscar Award-winning film ‘The Last King of Scotland’ for Best Actor (Forrest Whitaker) was shot and produced in Uganda, propelling the country into stardom though other films like Raid on Entebbe, Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala and an episode of the TV comedy ‘The Steve Harvey Show’ hinted on Uganda. The Amakula Film Festival is also a productive platform for filmmakers plus enthusiasts to share and enjoy the thrill local creativity has to offer. Basically, the future looks bright for the Ugandan film industry (fondly called ‘Kina- Uganda’, Pearlywood and Ugawood) even at this year’s 5th Amakula Festival. East Africa's Maisha Filmlab founded in Uganda by Mira Nair (Tanzanian born Musarait Kashmiri was it's first versatile Program Director in 2005), besides other production houses, annually opens doors for selected applicants to explore the technical makeup of film production and receive expert coaching from accomplished personalities in the wider industry.
With the influx of computers to Uganda, illegal reproduction of movies is a huge business that allows many people to not only own cheap, perfect, digital copies of blockbuster movies but also tamper with their content in creative ways if they wish. Appreciation of foreign films in Uganda has cut so deep that Ugandans now want to export what they have learnt by producing more of their own stories. From Ashraf Ssimwogerere’s Murder in the City to Matt Bish’s Battle of the Souls, quality keeps changing too.
YouTube (interestingly TIME magazine’s Man of the Year 2006), arguably the Most Fantastic Website that allows individuals to upload their videos for the world to see, is also a powerful tool some Ugandans are using to good effect to, for instance, promote their music idols like Tanzania-based Ugandan Ziggy D. All you need to do is get a camera and start shooting creatively. Then you create an account and upload your video on the internet’s gift to filmmakers.
The music industry does not want to exist without video. That is why some of the big artistes such as Bobi Wine have ventured beyond videos for their songs to working on feature length films and commercials. The relationship is mutually strong; movies would be meaningless to some film buffs without soundtracks. Imagine Titanic without Celine Dion, maybe some lovers would not cherish the movie. Trust me, 2 Fast 2 Furious without Ludacris’ promotional hit by the same title (Sub-title: ‘Act a Fool’) would just be too ludicrous to some people. Enjoy the 2008 Amakula Kampala Film Festival, it’s truly a "Parallel Universe"!
Rendezvous with …OMAR KASSIM
Q: How would you introduce Omar Kassim to a stranger?
A: An open minded, open natured person with a charisma more humane than expected. But above all, a man with an iron will and strong determination in whatever he pursues, brilliant and compassionate but volatile to extreme proportions.
Q: What is the role of UCIFA?
A: It is a national body that brings together clearing and forwarding agents in this country and sets guideline for its members in terms of operational matters and other relevant aspects such as tariffs and customer relations. UCIFA also in principle is a lobby organization that manages the affairs of its members with respect to government policies and other stakeholders, especially URA.
Q: Evaluate the relationship between UCIFA and URA, KACITA plus other bodies?
A: UCIFA and URA have a strong partnership and share common objectives hence a wider platform for dialogue. KACITA and other shareholders have representative interests which are normally channeled in partnership with UCIFA’s core interests.
Q: What is the future of the association and what benefits do the members have?
A: The future of the association is very bright and the fact that the regional integration is impacting on the welfare of the business community in East Africa; the scope of the association will certainly be seen in light of that process. Members’ interests drawn across the board will be fronted by the association accordingly.
Q: There is a drive to form an East African Federation but can that be possible since another body UFFA (Uganda Freight Forwarders Association) was formed out of UCIFA?
A: The federation is a welcome move aimed at ironing out differences that might have given root to the splitter association UFFA. After all, the federation will be the umbrella body whose leadership composition may be all encompassing. I believe that is the first step towards a re-unification.
Q: What caused the break away and what differences do both associations have?
A: Both associations exist by their own terms of references and separate constitutions. I have not had the chance to read their constitution. The freedom to associate is a cardinal point behind the splitter but I wouldn’t know the specific reasons.
Q: Is there a way forward to have one association?
A: I know that where there is a will, there is always a way. Personally, I believe that both associations have common objectives and that would be the best way forward. But the idea of a federation would not be a bad idea either.
Q: What was the history of UCIFA before you took over?
A: UCIFA was the Most Vibrant Association in the history of the East African Region. When Gideon Karioko, the former Chairman died, the association went into a limbo until I was elected into office. Today, two years down the line, the association is almost back to its former glory.
Q: Have you organized special plans for the organization?
A: Indeed yes! The A.G.M. was held in December 2006 [at Blue Mango in Bukoto] and a lot of programmes and projects are set to be presented to the members for ratification.
Q: Looking at East Africa’s cargo forwarding industry, which transportation companies would you consider to be the Most Serious plus Efficient and how would you rank them?
A: Most transport companies in East Africa have a track record of experiences, mostly from Mombasa and Dar es Salaam to be under subcontracts with shipping lines and therefore do not have same ratings like P.N.Mashru, Multiple Hauliers, and M.A.Bayusuf.
Q: If I want to register a new company, how do I go about it?
A: The association has all the information and the data necessary for you to set up a new company and recommends you for licensing. However, licensing is done only once a year and is given by URA (at the end of the year).
Omar Kassim is also the Chairman Kawempe Division,Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The UCIFA Secretariat is located at the MTAC Building, Top Floor (Rooms B1 and B2), Nakawa Industrial Area, Kampala, Uganda (East Africa)
Courtesy of Aiko
A: An open minded, open natured person with a charisma more humane than expected. But above all, a man with an iron will and strong determination in whatever he pursues, brilliant and compassionate but volatile to extreme proportions.
Q: What is the role of UCIFA?
A: It is a national body that brings together clearing and forwarding agents in this country and sets guideline for its members in terms of operational matters and other relevant aspects such as tariffs and customer relations. UCIFA also in principle is a lobby organization that manages the affairs of its members with respect to government policies and other stakeholders, especially URA.
Q: Evaluate the relationship between UCIFA and URA, KACITA plus other bodies?
A: UCIFA and URA have a strong partnership and share common objectives hence a wider platform for dialogue. KACITA and other shareholders have representative interests which are normally channeled in partnership with UCIFA’s core interests.
Q: What is the future of the association and what benefits do the members have?
A: The future of the association is very bright and the fact that the regional integration is impacting on the welfare of the business community in East Africa; the scope of the association will certainly be seen in light of that process. Members’ interests drawn across the board will be fronted by the association accordingly.
Q: There is a drive to form an East African Federation but can that be possible since another body UFFA (Uganda Freight Forwarders Association) was formed out of UCIFA?
A: The federation is a welcome move aimed at ironing out differences that might have given root to the splitter association UFFA. After all, the federation will be the umbrella body whose leadership composition may be all encompassing. I believe that is the first step towards a re-unification.
Q: What caused the break away and what differences do both associations have?
A: Both associations exist by their own terms of references and separate constitutions. I have not had the chance to read their constitution. The freedom to associate is a cardinal point behind the splitter but I wouldn’t know the specific reasons.
Q: Is there a way forward to have one association?
A: I know that where there is a will, there is always a way. Personally, I believe that both associations have common objectives and that would be the best way forward. But the idea of a federation would not be a bad idea either.
Q: What was the history of UCIFA before you took over?
A: UCIFA was the Most Vibrant Association in the history of the East African Region. When Gideon Karioko, the former Chairman died, the association went into a limbo until I was elected into office. Today, two years down the line, the association is almost back to its former glory.
Q: Have you organized special plans for the organization?
A: Indeed yes! The A.G.M. was held in December 2006 [at Blue Mango in Bukoto] and a lot of programmes and projects are set to be presented to the members for ratification.
Q: Looking at East Africa’s cargo forwarding industry, which transportation companies would you consider to be the Most Serious plus Efficient and how would you rank them?
A: Most transport companies in East Africa have a track record of experiences, mostly from Mombasa and Dar es Salaam to be under subcontracts with shipping lines and therefore do not have same ratings like P.N.Mashru, Multiple Hauliers, and M.A.Bayusuf.
Q: If I want to register a new company, how do I go about it?
A: The association has all the information and the data necessary for you to set up a new company and recommends you for licensing. However, licensing is done only once a year and is given by URA (at the end of the year).
Omar Kassim is also the Chairman Kawempe Division,Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The UCIFA Secretariat is located at the MTAC Building, Top Floor (Rooms B1 and B2), Nakawa Industrial Area, Kampala, Uganda (East Africa)
Courtesy of Aiko
TOURISM: Uganda-Gifted By Stature
’THE MAN who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time,’ read an advert in the International Transport Journal. Uganda invested billions of Shillings into the ‘Gifted by Nature’ promotion and sparked debates among citizens about wasted money. But if you look at the results in the long run, this venture may be worth it because status attracts more value. In this case, foreign currency. The recent CNN launch will greatly boost the number of tourists visiting Uganda. ’Gifted by Nature’ sums up the country’s attraction in eco-tourism. Uganda’s free PR in the US market tops US $ 250,000. During the month of April 2006, the value of the publicity generated for Uganda through McSullivan Marketing International, the PR Agency in the United States market for Tourism Uganda (the new brand identity for Uganda Tourist Board) topped US $ 452,761. Coverage included the CNN Traveler Magazine (circulation 3,235,000)where the feature on Uganda’s tourism was valued at US $ 121,133. A six and a half page article on Uganda’s primates in the leading Town and Country Travel Magazine with a circulation of 900,000 copies was valued at US $259, 244.
The Ugandan Government signed a one million dollar deal with CNN International for a media campaign to brand and market the country on its network over six months (From 8th October 2005 to March 2006). The initiative with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched at Speke Resort Munyonyo on the 8th of October 2005, was put together by various partners in the ‘BRAND UGANDA CAMPAIGN’ that is projected to triple the country’s tourism returns by 2010.
Leveraging Uganda in the overseas media is perhaps the best value for money strategy and the exposure that is obtained for tourism stakeholders in Uganda including hotels, lodges and tour operators is something that would remain unaffordable to most on their individual budgets. The role of Tourism Uganda in this respect as the coordinating agency is now being recognized by local stakeholders.
‘We are grateful to Tourism Uganda for this exposure and look forward to the same and will be supporting the activities that lead to this through overseas media familiarization trips and other activities undertaken by Tourism Uganda,’ says Yusuf Mubiru of Volcanoes Safaris.
SIR WINSTON Churchill once called it ‘The Pearl of Africa’ because of its lush green beauty and undefiled landscapes, while Microsoft mogul Bill Gates sneaked into it to get a glimpse of the media hyped Gorillas and in November 2007,it will host the CHOGM. That means Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth is coming to Uganda. Her subjects will all be interested in knowing where their Royal Highness is heading. There is absolutely no doubt that beauty played it’s part in bringing the summit to Uganda. With the million dollar ‘Uganda-Gifted By Nature ‘ Campaign being televised around the globe by CNN, naturally Uganda’s tourism opportunities will skyrocket even before the Big Meeting. After all, it’s a long way off, but who can wait that long when grandeur is still fresh to watch. Expect an increased influx of sight seers.
Does Port Mombasa have adequate capacity?
DESPITE being the largest gateway to East and Central Africa, Kenya’s coastal port of Mombasa is in danger of losing its historical dominance in the region. The price is being paid for years of neglect to this port and road infrastructure. Low capacity use of the port is also attributed to civil strife in the Great Lakes Region states of Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, and Sudan, all served by the harbour. However, more significantly, the drop in volume of cargo landed and uploaded has been associated with poor port management by the Kenya Ports Authority. KPA was established by an Act of parliament on 20 January 1978 as a successor to the East African Harbours Corporation. Apart from Mombasa, KPA also has under its jurisdiction the small ports of Lamu, Kiunga, Kilifi, Malindi, Funzi, Mtwapa, Shimoni and Vanga.
‘Highly politicized selection of managers, corruption, and disregard of professional standards plus frequent changes of management has created weaknesses in KPA’s performance,’ said Otieno Kajwang, Kenyan opposition Member of Parliament (as reported on www.businessinafrica.net).
During a KPA Stakeholders’ Forum on Tuesday 23 May 2006 at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Mr. Issa Sekitto, Spokesperson of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) whose members visited the port at the end of April 2006 gave two reasons for the negative trends: First, repressing of the East African Union increased the tariffs and import duties.
‘KPA should advise the Kenyan Government to give an amnesty that will let us know that we are real East Africans.’ Mr. Sekitto said.
Nevertheless, progress is being made to review tariffs which have been intact since 1985. Secondly, barring of loose (conventional) cargo; this way people are forced to become importers of containers and soon go out of business.
The full house forum had been organized to present to stakeholders the latest developments at the port and invite their views to its improvement. ‘Views have contributed significantly in improving efficiency. KPA has improved through focused investment and building customer relations,’ remarked Mr. Abdallah H. Mwaruwa, MD-KPA.
Some traders present complained about their lost cargo but KPA affirmed that since January 2006, no container was lost. In fact, a port facility assessment was carried out in 2005 ending in continued focus on security improvement. A gate pass module will streamline security.
The design capacity of the container terminal is congested but new cargo holding equipment is in plan. Strides are being made to computerize key port services, implement electronic data interchange from shipping lines and reduce human interaction which causes port problems. Mr. Mwaruwa was optimistic that by 2007, Mombasa will become an E-Port.
‘76 percent of the transit cargo that goes through the Port of Mombasa ends in Uganda,’ spoke Gen. (Rtd) J.R.E. Kibwana EGH, CBS, and Chairman-KPA. That shows just how much Ugandans should be concerned about this seaport. ‘We believe the Port of Mombasa is your port. KPA is interacting with other ministries to ensure movement of cargo in the Northern Corridor( Roads Network), speedy processing of documents and expansion of the container ward. Doing business is expensive but we are trying to reduce this cost so that savings can be transferred to our customers.’
‘If you are serious about competition, you must keep your cost down. That is the edge. Tanzania’s cost effective route is Mombasa,’ said Mr. Gichiri Ndua, the Corporate Services Manager-KPA. His view was supported by the transit traffic report for 2004 and 2005 in which Tanzania, a coastal nation had the second highest volume going through the port and its annual change in volume was a 22.4 percent rise compared to 21.3 percent for Uganda in first place. Mombasa also serves Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern DRC and Southern Sudan.
But does the port have adequate capacity? ‘It is very important not to lose focus. Interest has been evaluated for a second commercial port but the privatization bill ties our hands,’ said Mr. Ndua during his graphic presentation. ‘We must be aware of using the available capacity in the existing port. The Port of Mombasa might be constrained.’
Mr. Ndua added that during the traffic projections until 2027, Sudan had been left out. Today DRC is awakening and Burundi is coming up. ‘We need to focus.’
Prompted by the performance of China and India, the KPA management in 2000 introduced planned maintenance, condition monitoring on some of their equipment, and predictive maintenance where infrared systems can detect when distribution is likely to suffer.
Between 2004 and 2005, the authority received 7 new top loaders, 3 Sixteen Ton Forklifts and 1 mobile crane. From M/S Damen shipyards of Holland came 3 tugboats, 2 pilot boats and 2 patrol boats. M/S ZPMC China delivered 20 terminal tractors (tug masters), 4 Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, 12 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, and 2 Rail Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes. They pick containers from the back of rails, measure their weight and save time. Overweight containers are not loaded.
Concerning the Port Master Plan, Mr. Ndua said that KPA shall review and find out the best location for a container terminal. Updating the stakeholders, he revealed that most railway lines had been uprooted and more shades destroyed making the container station a proper stacking area though capacity has not been addressed.
‘People had different interests in the Free Trade Zone but we do not facilitate trade for one person. We will soon be going to press to tell them: this is how we want it.’
In implementing Information Technology (IT), KPA introduced SAP (automating office business processes), EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), CBS ( a Community Based System which links port users electronically to allow secure exchange of authorized data between partners) and the Kilindini waterfront Project. By 2007, this project may be thrown out though it automates the core port operations of the authority including terminal, shipping and distribution operations in line with KPA’s strategic objective.
Close to the end of the forum, Mr. Omar Kassim, the National Chairman Uganda Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association said, ‘This forum is more of a unilateral than multilateral approach. Broader regional frameworks forge stronger ties, trading blocks emerge for the benefit of regional governments. The majority of your customers come from the private business sector. My concern is for you to forge a consultative partnership through which benefits can be channeled to the people at the grassroots level. One dogma I learnt at another workshop is that if you do not embrace change, you will be left out. I cannot speak big words to someone who has not been educated. Please, appraise your business partners constantly if working harmony is to be achieved.’
‘Highly politicized selection of managers, corruption, and disregard of professional standards plus frequent changes of management has created weaknesses in KPA’s performance,’ said Otieno Kajwang, Kenyan opposition Member of Parliament (as reported on www.businessinafrica.net).
During a KPA Stakeholders’ Forum on Tuesday 23 May 2006 at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Mr. Issa Sekitto, Spokesperson of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) whose members visited the port at the end of April 2006 gave two reasons for the negative trends: First, repressing of the East African Union increased the tariffs and import duties.
‘KPA should advise the Kenyan Government to give an amnesty that will let us know that we are real East Africans.’ Mr. Sekitto said.
Nevertheless, progress is being made to review tariffs which have been intact since 1985. Secondly, barring of loose (conventional) cargo; this way people are forced to become importers of containers and soon go out of business.
The full house forum had been organized to present to stakeholders the latest developments at the port and invite their views to its improvement. ‘Views have contributed significantly in improving efficiency. KPA has improved through focused investment and building customer relations,’ remarked Mr. Abdallah H. Mwaruwa, MD-KPA.
Some traders present complained about their lost cargo but KPA affirmed that since January 2006, no container was lost. In fact, a port facility assessment was carried out in 2005 ending in continued focus on security improvement. A gate pass module will streamline security.
The design capacity of the container terminal is congested but new cargo holding equipment is in plan. Strides are being made to computerize key port services, implement electronic data interchange from shipping lines and reduce human interaction which causes port problems. Mr. Mwaruwa was optimistic that by 2007, Mombasa will become an E-Port.
‘76 percent of the transit cargo that goes through the Port of Mombasa ends in Uganda,’ spoke Gen. (Rtd) J.R.E. Kibwana EGH, CBS, and Chairman-KPA. That shows just how much Ugandans should be concerned about this seaport. ‘We believe the Port of Mombasa is your port. KPA is interacting with other ministries to ensure movement of cargo in the Northern Corridor( Roads Network), speedy processing of documents and expansion of the container ward. Doing business is expensive but we are trying to reduce this cost so that savings can be transferred to our customers.’
‘If you are serious about competition, you must keep your cost down. That is the edge. Tanzania’s cost effective route is Mombasa,’ said Mr. Gichiri Ndua, the Corporate Services Manager-KPA. His view was supported by the transit traffic report for 2004 and 2005 in which Tanzania, a coastal nation had the second highest volume going through the port and its annual change in volume was a 22.4 percent rise compared to 21.3 percent for Uganda in first place. Mombasa also serves Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern DRC and Southern Sudan.
But does the port have adequate capacity? ‘It is very important not to lose focus. Interest has been evaluated for a second commercial port but the privatization bill ties our hands,’ said Mr. Ndua during his graphic presentation. ‘We must be aware of using the available capacity in the existing port. The Port of Mombasa might be constrained.’
Mr. Ndua added that during the traffic projections until 2027, Sudan had been left out. Today DRC is awakening and Burundi is coming up. ‘We need to focus.’
Prompted by the performance of China and India, the KPA management in 2000 introduced planned maintenance, condition monitoring on some of their equipment, and predictive maintenance where infrared systems can detect when distribution is likely to suffer.
Between 2004 and 2005, the authority received 7 new top loaders, 3 Sixteen Ton Forklifts and 1 mobile crane. From M/S Damen shipyards of Holland came 3 tugboats, 2 pilot boats and 2 patrol boats. M/S ZPMC China delivered 20 terminal tractors (tug masters), 4 Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, 12 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, and 2 Rail Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes. They pick containers from the back of rails, measure their weight and save time. Overweight containers are not loaded.
Concerning the Port Master Plan, Mr. Ndua said that KPA shall review and find out the best location for a container terminal. Updating the stakeholders, he revealed that most railway lines had been uprooted and more shades destroyed making the container station a proper stacking area though capacity has not been addressed.
‘People had different interests in the Free Trade Zone but we do not facilitate trade for one person. We will soon be going to press to tell them: this is how we want it.’
In implementing Information Technology (IT), KPA introduced SAP (automating office business processes), EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), CBS ( a Community Based System which links port users electronically to allow secure exchange of authorized data between partners) and the Kilindini waterfront Project. By 2007, this project may be thrown out though it automates the core port operations of the authority including terminal, shipping and distribution operations in line with KPA’s strategic objective.
Close to the end of the forum, Mr. Omar Kassim, the National Chairman Uganda Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association said, ‘This forum is more of a unilateral than multilateral approach. Broader regional frameworks forge stronger ties, trading blocks emerge for the benefit of regional governments. The majority of your customers come from the private business sector. My concern is for you to forge a consultative partnership through which benefits can be channeled to the people at the grassroots level. One dogma I learnt at another workshop is that if you do not embrace change, you will be left out. I cannot speak big words to someone who has not been educated. Please, appraise your business partners constantly if working harmony is to be achieved.’
Calypso-Trinidad’s Folk Music rocks Uganda
When you see children dancing calypso in Kampala suburbs, do you think of the two island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago? This lively music with catchy rhythms and unmistakable style is becoming popular in Uganda again ever since its first introduction in the 1970s. According to the book Calypso Calaloo, the name Calypso can refer to either ‘any song that after about 1898 was sung at Carnival time in Trinidad, either in the streets by revelers or in staged performances by semiprofessional or professional singers.” Calypso may have been inspired by the historical African storyteller tradition that was brought to Trinidad by African slaves. Subsequently, cherished elements of African song, dance and drumming, along with French, Hispanic, English and other ethnic influences formed a matrix from which calypso eventually emerged. Calypso is respected for its biting wit and word picture style. Early calypso singers in Trinidad and Tobago had humour as their forte. People came to their tents principally to be entertained, to hear rumours and confirm events they had heard about. The upper classes, especially, came to hear what the lower classes were doing, while the governor and his entourage came to see how high or low their political ratings were.
In modern Uganda, it is believed that Mariam Ndagire reintroduced the dance in the musically liberal country but His Excellency Bobi Wine, the self styled Ghetto President popularized it in his PAM Award- winning Song of the Year 2006 entitled ‘Bada’. So the next time you are at your favourite joint eating ‘rollex’, chips, chicken and ‘kikomando’, or sipping malwa, busheera and cappuccino, enjoy the lively catchy sound and dance that has captured the imagination of young and old Ugandans alike.
In modern Uganda, it is believed that Mariam Ndagire reintroduced the dance in the musically liberal country but His Excellency Bobi Wine, the self styled Ghetto President popularized it in his PAM Award- winning Song of the Year 2006 entitled ‘Bada’. So the next time you are at your favourite joint eating ‘rollex’, chips, chicken and ‘kikomando’, or sipping malwa, busheera and cappuccino, enjoy the lively catchy sound and dance that has captured the imagination of young and old Ugandans alike.
My 15 Minutes of Fame
Andy Warhol, the American Pop Artist [ironically slain by a heart-broken female fan’s bullet at close range] once remarked that, “In future, everyone will have 15 minutes of fame…” Whether that would be on TV, newspapers, the Internet or Broadway for ‘Aiko’ is not known. There is even a psychotic Hollywood movie entitled “15 Minutes” starring Edward Burns and Robert DeNiro. But Warhol’s prophecy (probably) came true for me on TV after Uganda’s 44th Independence Day. While enjoying the annual trade fair at Lugogo Show Grounds on 9th October 2006 (about six weeks after Graduation from UCU with a Mass Communication degree), I bumped into an old boy, actually a fellow graduate (but specializing in broadcasting) Grace Segirinya. He was now working for Record TV, the newest Station in town at that time, and I moved around with him and his cameraman while they got sound bites for the prime-time News. At the KPA stall inside the main exhibition hall, I kept my cool (as the two interviewed an official) after seeing one of the female executives whisper to her work mates or girlfriends while eyeing me. We had met before at her Crested Towers office plus Sheraton and I must confess that both instances stripped me of honour for lack of tact. I felt ashamed and stayed humble, though I know that nobody is perfect. You have good days and bad ones, her mama should have taught her that.
Anyway, moving back to the subject, we left the apparent gossips (Was I being paranoid?) and headed out to meet the rest of the Record crew. They needed the camera for a different show, a feature show in fact where common people are interviewed. No sooner had the cameraman told me to hold his tripod stand and 2 Litre Fanta bottle than I noticed the presence of a ‘respectable lady’ in the crew. She carried herself well and when she asked me for a drink, I gladly poured a cupful of the Fanta I was holding. The cameraman almost got mad but I told him I could buy him another if he wanted; talk of using someone’s property to impress the fairer sex. I was not thinking of any long term affair with this chick but since she was in the public fray and moreover the media, I needed to act right in order to be in her good books. The KPA lady had numbed my peace and confidence but this one was definitely bringing them back. We moved on from the Coke-Pepsi-Nile Depots to the Police show and then the unexpected happened. Tina Wamala, host of the Voice of the People Show (Wednesdays) asked me if she could interview me.
Of course I would be glad to be on her TV programme after riskily giving her someone’s soda but the topic was kind of tingly; marriage and divorce weren’t my expertise. I had to get my thoughts right in order not to speak like a bum. I was not yet married but tried to make an impression that somehow I know the ordeal of marriage. I had related with females before so I chose to use that as my baseline. One thought I probably did not bring out properly was that “Marriage has its problems, but single hood has no pleasures.” We should always thank GOD for the pain of being in a relationship because some people wish they had one, afterall no girl ever fancies them nor dares to tell them…So stick in there, till death do you part. ‘Every body deserves to have a partner’ was my concluding remark.
I even took Tina to a friend named Sekitoleko (Concrete K [Makers of fantastic Building Blocks] opposite the Spear Motors Zone) who earlier wanted his stall to be advertised on WBS. The lady he sent me to beg for an interview told me to part with 100,000 for the feature, which was quite sickening but also she held her breath while I spoke, how rude! Now Tina would interview ‘Seki’ for free concerning ‘Independence Days in the Past’ and business in general, more than enough advertisement help he wanted from his ‘journalist’ friend, that’s me…Meanwhile, Tina now had clips to fill the minutes in her show since some people had earlier refused to be interviewed.
I did not watch the show but told a few friends to check it out for me and their feedback was complimentary. Meanwhile, my immediate neighbours back home in Kyebando Kisalosalo (a Kampala suburb) were so amazed that one morning, they all (except the parents) sat on the verandah to watch me pass. I became a celebrity of sorts. They even told my 3rd sister, Doris, about it and the eldest kids were going crazy about the few minutes of my fame. Another neighbour briefly, though all-smiles, told me she had seen me on TV and remarked that it was ‘good’.
Anyway, moving back to the subject, we left the apparent gossips (Was I being paranoid?) and headed out to meet the rest of the Record crew. They needed the camera for a different show, a feature show in fact where common people are interviewed. No sooner had the cameraman told me to hold his tripod stand and 2 Litre Fanta bottle than I noticed the presence of a ‘respectable lady’ in the crew. She carried herself well and when she asked me for a drink, I gladly poured a cupful of the Fanta I was holding. The cameraman almost got mad but I told him I could buy him another if he wanted; talk of using someone’s property to impress the fairer sex. I was not thinking of any long term affair with this chick but since she was in the public fray and moreover the media, I needed to act right in order to be in her good books. The KPA lady had numbed my peace and confidence but this one was definitely bringing them back. We moved on from the Coke-Pepsi-Nile Depots to the Police show and then the unexpected happened. Tina Wamala, host of the Voice of the People Show (Wednesdays) asked me if she could interview me.
Of course I would be glad to be on her TV programme after riskily giving her someone’s soda but the topic was kind of tingly; marriage and divorce weren’t my expertise. I had to get my thoughts right in order not to speak like a bum. I was not yet married but tried to make an impression that somehow I know the ordeal of marriage. I had related with females before so I chose to use that as my baseline. One thought I probably did not bring out properly was that “Marriage has its problems, but single hood has no pleasures.” We should always thank GOD for the pain of being in a relationship because some people wish they had one, afterall no girl ever fancies them nor dares to tell them…So stick in there, till death do you part. ‘Every body deserves to have a partner’ was my concluding remark.
I even took Tina to a friend named Sekitoleko (Concrete K [Makers of fantastic Building Blocks] opposite the Spear Motors Zone) who earlier wanted his stall to be advertised on WBS. The lady he sent me to beg for an interview told me to part with 100,000 for the feature, which was quite sickening but also she held her breath while I spoke, how rude! Now Tina would interview ‘Seki’ for free concerning ‘Independence Days in the Past’ and business in general, more than enough advertisement help he wanted from his ‘journalist’ friend, that’s me…Meanwhile, Tina now had clips to fill the minutes in her show since some people had earlier refused to be interviewed.
I did not watch the show but told a few friends to check it out for me and their feedback was complimentary. Meanwhile, my immediate neighbours back home in Kyebando Kisalosalo (a Kampala suburb) were so amazed that one morning, they all (except the parents) sat on the verandah to watch me pass. I became a celebrity of sorts. They even told my 3rd sister, Doris, about it and the eldest kids were going crazy about the few minutes of my fame. Another neighbour briefly, though all-smiles, told me she had seen me on TV and remarked that it was ‘good’.
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