I have not heard or seen my president speak with such composed gusto mingled with wisdom like on Thursday 5 June 2008, for a long time. His 3 hour State of the Nation address coincided with the World Environment Day; Barack Obama’s first general campaign after nomination; my dad’s journey from Arua to Kampala for Rachel’s Graduation in Mukono the following day and Rachel’s Consecration Service. His Kisanjaness Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Iguru the VII, he deserves life presidency for sure) started his fantastic speech by asking MPS, diplomats, traditional leaders and all present in the Parliament building to stand up for one minute in honour of fallen MPS and the 20 Budo girls…
He took off his spectacles and heartily talked about how while in Arua, the Ayivu MP told him that some people were worried about Arua Municipality’s modernization and expansionist encroachment into her rural constituency. How backward her people desire their land to remain will be severely challenged by the powerful wave of development marauding through West Nile’s capital and other Ugandan towns namely Mbale, Lira plus Mbarara, etc. Nevertheless, M7 assured her that there would not only be development in Ayivu but also autonomy sparking a rapture of claps and giggly murmurs. He probably said it well…It was amazing to hear that Uganda’s GDP has grown from a few billions in 1997 (The Base Year for Uganda’s economy) to hundreds of trillions today. The 2008 to 9 national budget would be read the following week… M7 also gave an anecdote about how he was called for a fund-raising drive in some district. He donated 10 Million while the people brought ‘bogoya’ (The House laughed and he went silent for a moment), chicken and other things that totaled to only 2 Million.
Museveni attacked media houses such as Daily Monitor for spreading false stories about him. For example, when he told a foreign businessman to choose any figure to show the rent value he was pestering M7 to quote and the investor selected 1 Dollar for the time being, Monitor blew the story out of proportion by claiming that M7 had sold Dairy Corporation for 1 Dollar. This was not true. “Today, I can proudly say that I sold, No!, actually gave away Dairy Corporation…If such groups cannot restrain themselves, then the law must restrain them…Monitor are saboteurs…Their stories easily go all over the world via internet.” [By Thursday, as he gave the speech, DC had then become a very enviable company with a new multi-storeyed block at their industrial area premises and an increase in the litres of milk processed per day. Today, Uganda exports finished milk products like tasty yoghurt, cheese, creamed milk, high quality pasteurized milk and so on] “Leaders and actors have no right to damage the future of our country…Why do you associate yourself with radios and newspapers that spread sectarianism?”
The president talked touchingly about energy and how a poor country (He actually said “our poor country” with a pause and sarcastic laughter from the august house) will go ahead to support its own GOD-sent hydro-power dam constructions. “The 6th Parliament made a mistake in postponing the construction of Bujagali Dam…Now that they (the donors) have paid us back, we will begin the Karuma project.”
The president, who confessed that he had a family company (in form of a Farm) and wanted every family to have at least one in order to reach the ‘Bonna Bagaggawale’ Household Income target of 20 Million per annum, ended with two Bible verses from the Gospel of Matthew: “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all good things will be added unto you…” He humorously alluded to Uganda’s situation by saying that without focusing on a particular sector of importance, we wouldn’t be able to progress. The reason why agriculture is not very pronounced these days is because the other sectors have grown fast. “Let your light shine before all men that they may see your works and praise your father in heaven…”
(Some ideas were paraphrased from my memory one day later)
Wednesday
URA’s inaugural Open Minds’ Forum
The Motion for URA’s inaugural Open Minds’ Forum at Hotel Africana’s Nile Conference Hall in January 2008 was: “It is the Sole Responsibility of Government to provide an enabling Business Environment”. The Chairman was New Vision Chief Robert Kabushenga (who went to China for studies on 1 June 2008)
1. Elly Karuhanga defended the motion of the debate: “A poor man cannot sleep. Neither can the rich man because the poor man is awake. At the age of five years, every Japanese child is told (by the government) that if you do not work hard, the world will consume you and you disappear on this island.”
2. George Egadu, had a contrary view, “Does government know the challenges of discharging this responsibility and does it have the money, time, expertise and commitment to deliver? Does government realize that it needs help? [‘Sole’ means one and only, single, not shared] Conditions and facilities in a changing world: “Umeme is the Most Irritating Factor (in our economy) .Government has no vested interest to continuously build quality infrastructure. During Chogm, the government needed to involve the private sector mutually. Business friendly laws…Government can only facilitate. I submit that there are other relevant players…URA has only managed to collect 15 % of the GDP; Uganda Police helped by armed security guards; Banks and micro-finance institutions help government policies concerning ‘Bonna Bagaggawale’ schemes. Perception of corruption reduces government’s capacity to facilitate an enabling environment.
[The guests or August House was asked to join the debate for 20 minutes if adequately provoked: Someone remarked, “The government is like a stomach (A combining factor). Legs move to look for food and the hands put the food in the mouth…”
Another asked, “Can the private sector really be successful without government facilitation?”
Norah, an old girl to the Debate Chairman (Kabushenga confessed that she was academically bright at school) educated the audience, “There are three major players; the President mentioned four days ago in this auditorium that the two most important are the consumer and investor. I would like to add a third: the taxpayer. We need to have accountability for how government uses the taxpayers’ money…”
A different guest complained, “Government supports scientists more than businessmen in the university. (Ineffective government distribution of resources)”
Omar Kassim, National Chairman of UCIFA (Uganda Clearing Industry & Forwarders Association) said,“The government can be equated to a tree top. Charity begins at home. Government comes from within ourselves. So where are the roots? Within ourselves, and the taxpayers make up the roots.”
Eric Ouma said, “The government provides the lead and the private sector provides the backbone. The percentage of taxes collected is not optimum and government cannot provide facilities entirely. We are in the same boat and need to hold the oars to row the boat.
There was time for a powerful note of wisdom from a senior citizen. He commented, “Many good ideas off topic; Government needs partners but it is their sole responsibility: provide donors, makes sure investors come, roads are present…How the responsibility comes out is another matter.”
3. Hon. Nandala Mafabi (Shadow Finance Minister) proposed, “When they tell you that you should lead, then it’s a responsibility. Government must create policies to facilitate the private sector…Government can borrow from the public through treasury bills and bonds…In Uganda, the biggest problem we have is corruption. URA is collecting but wastage is high. Government has the role to ensure that the environment is enterprise-friendly…Research and Development, Policy implementation, Democracy is important, Insecurity must be dealt with…”
4. Patrick Bitature, owner of businesses in Nigeria and Uganda including the Protea Hotel and famous for bringing the MTN franchise to the Pearl of Africa is the son of the late Paul Bitature enjoying government solidarity. However, he opposed the motion basing his articulate opinions on truism. It’s a simple fact (that government has a responsibility) but “let off the hook by the word ‘sole’, an ugly word. It’s very obvious that government does not do business. It is the private sector that is good at business. It is not their main responsibility.” He elaborated on PPP (Private Public Partnership): “Top – Down Thinking is rubbish (A Successful private sector brings lasting peace and productivity). This is private sector led growth. Where has government fallen short of our expectations? As our country matures, that can be done by our private sector. There were days when garbage collection was the role of government…Snail paced education system… pyramidal structure where few are adequately trained for the business environment. We are not aggressive and competitive, Poor work ethic…We have to nurture this private sector and build PPPs. SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) do not last 5 years, do not document their mistakes and accounts. People are relocating to Dubai and Canada, why? Failure means loss of jobs. How many jobs does government provide compared to the private sector. Jobs allow people to feel useful and makes a country an important player in the market…Mindest change…Need for creativity and innovation to survive in the modern world but without productivity, we are at a great loss…First, opportunity is the proliferation of ICT, Energy and Electricity (Makes failure become success), Harness Oil industry, Tourism and Conference hub, Food basket, High Value exports e.g. flowers…Awaken from your slumber. Aren’t you tired of hearing the word potential, potentially Uganda?”
Hon. Baguma Isoke, the first speaker in the Second Part of Responses from Guests said, “To the list of makers and breakers of the economy, I add the Press. Traditional cultural leaders can attract or scare away investors (Making land available); Religious leaders (Ugandans are backward and superstitious); Professionals (Academia, thinkers, philosophers, economists). What holds the economy stagnant? Propose a way forward. We need new thinkers. This is not the responsibility of government alone. Political parties have a role to play, think out Plan B instead of only A.
Flavia who spent over 20 years living and working in the UK advised Government to create policies that entice the Diaspora, “Diaspora should be the first to be considered as investors. China has turned its economy around by involving their Diaspora…”
Mr. Kamjira, Chairman LC V Mbarara said, “I need to emphasize that it is not the responsibility of government alone. The government is not going to do the thinking for us, it can only facilitate.”
Patrick, who described himself as a growing mind commented, “This is what we have always lacked as Ugandans. I would like to liken Uganda to a father with a big family and a teacher. You might do everything you can but not as much as required. Ask not what Uganda has done for you, but ask what you have done for your country!”
A Macos old student said that Ugandan youth with creative minds need the help of a parent and teacher.
Harriet Wandira, SDV Logistics in Nakawa added, “The motion would be practical in developed countries. We lack faith, trust and commitment. To trust the government, we cannot do that now; we have to work in partnership.”
Evon Corretta said, “I would like to be told, how do I break into the business? I do not fancy 9 to 5 desk jobs. We need to take advantage of the youths in as far as the economic battleground (is concerned).” The Forum’s Chairman Robert Kabushenga chipped in and joked that ball possession was now 73 % but he was not going to mention which side had it. I bet it was the Opposers, though it might have fallen to 56 % later. “Prior to 1986, there was no business environment. Being found with foreign currency was an offense. It is the sole responsibility of the mother to bring you into the world and everybody else takes over. If you are 40 and an MD of something but haven’t done anything for yourself, you need to leave the job for the young…Two way…”
KACITA spokesperson Issa Sekitto remarked, “…Very sensitive subject. Some stakeholders may have a role to play but the capacities of companies are limited. You create opportunities, government destroys. You create opportunities, government unfairly distributes them…”
Final remarks from the four panelists beginning with the last presenter:
Patrick Bitature concluded, “If you abdicate your responsibility, you will have failed us. The youth should rise up and be counted…”
The politician Nandala ended, “Rules to be applied should be put up by government. Government provides a level playing ground. Like in a football game, there has to be a referee…”
Mr. Egadu finished with these words of power, “The word ‘sole’ makes the motion impractical.” He went ahead to give an anecdote about a young boy who failed to pronounce a certain word at school and the mother punished him by not giving him food until he learnt how to say it correctly. When he finally got it right that same night, the boy went to the master bedroom to prove his linguistic improvement and found his parents consummating their marriage. He said to himself, ‘The father screws the mother and the children go hungry.’ Mr. Egadu boldly related this to Uganda, “The government screws the country and the people go hungry. The motto of URA says ‘Developing Uganda Together’ and together, we shall do it…”
Hon. Karuhanga concluded from where he started: talking about being blunt like a Mukiga, “George Egadu is more blunt than I am … Government brought back kingdoms. Shops were returned to Asians, Government provides environment for free trade, Military respects the gun…Mr. Bitature would have no money if government had not liberalized the telecommunications industry…”
URA boss Allen Kagina was also at the high table and gave her speech before Mr. Kabushenga dismissed the gathering. Basing on the show of hands, the Opposers won the (debate) ‘Cup’, “the Private Sector also has a responsibility in supporting government…”
1. Elly Karuhanga defended the motion of the debate: “A poor man cannot sleep. Neither can the rich man because the poor man is awake. At the age of five years, every Japanese child is told (by the government) that if you do not work hard, the world will consume you and you disappear on this island.”
2. George Egadu, had a contrary view, “Does government know the challenges of discharging this responsibility and does it have the money, time, expertise and commitment to deliver? Does government realize that it needs help? [‘Sole’ means one and only, single, not shared] Conditions and facilities in a changing world: “Umeme is the Most Irritating Factor (in our economy) .Government has no vested interest to continuously build quality infrastructure. During Chogm, the government needed to involve the private sector mutually. Business friendly laws…Government can only facilitate. I submit that there are other relevant players…URA has only managed to collect 15 % of the GDP; Uganda Police helped by armed security guards; Banks and micro-finance institutions help government policies concerning ‘Bonna Bagaggawale’ schemes. Perception of corruption reduces government’s capacity to facilitate an enabling environment.
[The guests or August House was asked to join the debate for 20 minutes if adequately provoked: Someone remarked, “The government is like a stomach (A combining factor). Legs move to look for food and the hands put the food in the mouth…”
Another asked, “Can the private sector really be successful without government facilitation?”
Norah, an old girl to the Debate Chairman (Kabushenga confessed that she was academically bright at school) educated the audience, “There are three major players; the President mentioned four days ago in this auditorium that the two most important are the consumer and investor. I would like to add a third: the taxpayer. We need to have accountability for how government uses the taxpayers’ money…”
A different guest complained, “Government supports scientists more than businessmen in the university. (Ineffective government distribution of resources)”
Omar Kassim, National Chairman of UCIFA (Uganda Clearing Industry & Forwarders Association) said,“The government can be equated to a tree top. Charity begins at home. Government comes from within ourselves. So where are the roots? Within ourselves, and the taxpayers make up the roots.”
Eric Ouma said, “The government provides the lead and the private sector provides the backbone. The percentage of taxes collected is not optimum and government cannot provide facilities entirely. We are in the same boat and need to hold the oars to row the boat.
There was time for a powerful note of wisdom from a senior citizen. He commented, “Many good ideas off topic; Government needs partners but it is their sole responsibility: provide donors, makes sure investors come, roads are present…How the responsibility comes out is another matter.”
3. Hon. Nandala Mafabi (Shadow Finance Minister) proposed, “When they tell you that you should lead, then it’s a responsibility. Government must create policies to facilitate the private sector…Government can borrow from the public through treasury bills and bonds…In Uganda, the biggest problem we have is corruption. URA is collecting but wastage is high. Government has the role to ensure that the environment is enterprise-friendly…Research and Development, Policy implementation, Democracy is important, Insecurity must be dealt with…”
4. Patrick Bitature, owner of businesses in Nigeria and Uganda including the Protea Hotel and famous for bringing the MTN franchise to the Pearl of Africa is the son of the late Paul Bitature enjoying government solidarity. However, he opposed the motion basing his articulate opinions on truism. It’s a simple fact (that government has a responsibility) but “let off the hook by the word ‘sole’, an ugly word. It’s very obvious that government does not do business. It is the private sector that is good at business. It is not their main responsibility.” He elaborated on PPP (Private Public Partnership): “Top – Down Thinking is rubbish (A Successful private sector brings lasting peace and productivity). This is private sector led growth. Where has government fallen short of our expectations? As our country matures, that can be done by our private sector. There were days when garbage collection was the role of government…Snail paced education system… pyramidal structure where few are adequately trained for the business environment. We are not aggressive and competitive, Poor work ethic…We have to nurture this private sector and build PPPs. SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) do not last 5 years, do not document their mistakes and accounts. People are relocating to Dubai and Canada, why? Failure means loss of jobs. How many jobs does government provide compared to the private sector. Jobs allow people to feel useful and makes a country an important player in the market…Mindest change…Need for creativity and innovation to survive in the modern world but without productivity, we are at a great loss…First, opportunity is the proliferation of ICT, Energy and Electricity (Makes failure become success), Harness Oil industry, Tourism and Conference hub, Food basket, High Value exports e.g. flowers…Awaken from your slumber. Aren’t you tired of hearing the word potential, potentially Uganda?”
Hon. Baguma Isoke, the first speaker in the Second Part of Responses from Guests said, “To the list of makers and breakers of the economy, I add the Press. Traditional cultural leaders can attract or scare away investors (Making land available); Religious leaders (Ugandans are backward and superstitious); Professionals (Academia, thinkers, philosophers, economists). What holds the economy stagnant? Propose a way forward. We need new thinkers. This is not the responsibility of government alone. Political parties have a role to play, think out Plan B instead of only A.
Flavia who spent over 20 years living and working in the UK advised Government to create policies that entice the Diaspora, “Diaspora should be the first to be considered as investors. China has turned its economy around by involving their Diaspora…”
Mr. Kamjira, Chairman LC V Mbarara said, “I need to emphasize that it is not the responsibility of government alone. The government is not going to do the thinking for us, it can only facilitate.”
Patrick, who described himself as a growing mind commented, “This is what we have always lacked as Ugandans. I would like to liken Uganda to a father with a big family and a teacher. You might do everything you can but not as much as required. Ask not what Uganda has done for you, but ask what you have done for your country!”
A Macos old student said that Ugandan youth with creative minds need the help of a parent and teacher.
Harriet Wandira, SDV Logistics in Nakawa added, “The motion would be practical in developed countries. We lack faith, trust and commitment. To trust the government, we cannot do that now; we have to work in partnership.”
Evon Corretta said, “I would like to be told, how do I break into the business? I do not fancy 9 to 5 desk jobs. We need to take advantage of the youths in as far as the economic battleground (is concerned).” The Forum’s Chairman Robert Kabushenga chipped in and joked that ball possession was now 73 % but he was not going to mention which side had it. I bet it was the Opposers, though it might have fallen to 56 % later. “Prior to 1986, there was no business environment. Being found with foreign currency was an offense. It is the sole responsibility of the mother to bring you into the world and everybody else takes over. If you are 40 and an MD of something but haven’t done anything for yourself, you need to leave the job for the young…Two way…”
KACITA spokesperson Issa Sekitto remarked, “…Very sensitive subject. Some stakeholders may have a role to play but the capacities of companies are limited. You create opportunities, government destroys. You create opportunities, government unfairly distributes them…”
Final remarks from the four panelists beginning with the last presenter:
Patrick Bitature concluded, “If you abdicate your responsibility, you will have failed us. The youth should rise up and be counted…”
The politician Nandala ended, “Rules to be applied should be put up by government. Government provides a level playing ground. Like in a football game, there has to be a referee…”
Mr. Egadu finished with these words of power, “The word ‘sole’ makes the motion impractical.” He went ahead to give an anecdote about a young boy who failed to pronounce a certain word at school and the mother punished him by not giving him food until he learnt how to say it correctly. When he finally got it right that same night, the boy went to the master bedroom to prove his linguistic improvement and found his parents consummating their marriage. He said to himself, ‘The father screws the mother and the children go hungry.’ Mr. Egadu boldly related this to Uganda, “The government screws the country and the people go hungry. The motto of URA says ‘Developing Uganda Together’ and together, we shall do it…”
Hon. Karuhanga concluded from where he started: talking about being blunt like a Mukiga, “George Egadu is more blunt than I am … Government brought back kingdoms. Shops were returned to Asians, Government provides environment for free trade, Military respects the gun…Mr. Bitature would have no money if government had not liberalized the telecommunications industry…”
URA boss Allen Kagina was also at the high table and gave her speech before Mr. Kabushenga dismissed the gathering. Basing on the show of hands, the Opposers won the (debate) ‘Cup’, “the Private Sector also has a responsibility in supporting government…”
Representing the Male Species
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, 28 September 2005 at Spirit FM
UCU hour from 8.05 PM to 9PM
Kenyan hip-hop enthusiast DJ Kim’ (John Muchina Kimani) was in the thick of an on-air battle with his co-host Esther. The agenda included four questions about relationships (written by Aiko) and Kim’ did not disappoint. He let the chick cluck before he spat out his own vibe which showed his authority on the topic. The first question asked if money can buy love and Kim’ was straight to the point. “If GOD is love, why trade love for money?”
The second question wanted to find out if boyfriends and girlfriends are necessary on campus and Esther mis-thought that “boys never grow up until their fathers die.” She added that girls mature faster than boys and can make informed choices at campus. That’s when the real man in Kim’ started standing out for the rest of us. It was 8.30 PM, halfway the show.
“Campus is one of the busiest moments in a guy’s life,” Kim’ reasoned, “And you wouldn’t expect him to spend his pocket money on a girl.”
“Love is not about money,” Esther blew out leading to a climax in the show whereby whatever anyone said after that would determine whose side was the strongest during the night. Of course there were two more questions to review but Kim’ spoke some wisdom that wonderfully provided the winning solutions.
“To maintain a relationship, you definitely need money because it is the ‘oil of the heart’ but in order to escape break ups at university, don’t get a girlfriend from your peers or age-mates.” Kim’ won’t fall for any and that’s the bottom-line. The music was rocking and the groovy tunes made the show seem like a dancehall session…
UCU hour from 8.05 PM to 9PM
Kenyan hip-hop enthusiast DJ Kim’ (John Muchina Kimani) was in the thick of an on-air battle with his co-host Esther. The agenda included four questions about relationships (written by Aiko) and Kim’ did not disappoint. He let the chick cluck before he spat out his own vibe which showed his authority on the topic. The first question asked if money can buy love and Kim’ was straight to the point. “If GOD is love, why trade love for money?”
The second question wanted to find out if boyfriends and girlfriends are necessary on campus and Esther mis-thought that “boys never grow up until their fathers die.” She added that girls mature faster than boys and can make informed choices at campus. That’s when the real man in Kim’ started standing out for the rest of us. It was 8.30 PM, halfway the show.
“Campus is one of the busiest moments in a guy’s life,” Kim’ reasoned, “And you wouldn’t expect him to spend his pocket money on a girl.”
“Love is not about money,” Esther blew out leading to a climax in the show whereby whatever anyone said after that would determine whose side was the strongest during the night. Of course there were two more questions to review but Kim’ spoke some wisdom that wonderfully provided the winning solutions.
“To maintain a relationship, you definitely need money because it is the ‘oil of the heart’ but in order to escape break ups at university, don’t get a girlfriend from your peers or age-mates.” Kim’ won’t fall for any and that’s the bottom-line. The music was rocking and the groovy tunes made the show seem like a dancehall session…
The Best Dancer
oneway Channel 39 presents a tall story entitled “The Best Dancer at the MTN Media Bash” (Monday 11th December 2006):
[Some guy took us to the Most Organised and Busiest Street in the city. Then we entered a building that looked great. At the top floor, we reached an auditorium. Then we walked down steps and reached a field. Dancers were already present. James Nkuubi (who graduated from LDC - Law Development Centre around April 2008) was there, Joel Okuyo (Actor who featured in Battle of the Souls) was there. In fact, he tied his black shirt around his waist and danced bare – chested to a ladies tune, probably to impress the fairer sex. The dances began and everyone was expected to find a partner to dance with. The field filled up in an incredible format. Before I knew it, the modest but skillfully conversational Brenda touched my shoulder and I turned around starting to dance with her. I even fell on top of her and felt the warmth of intimacy, flesh to flesh. We got up and danced like possessed bodies. Then we moved aside and conversed. Yata told me she had a guy in her life; I jumped in the air because I was happy for her. I told her that one time I saw her on the road from State House to KPC but did not say a word because she was with someone. I did not want to interrupt their conversation. It might have been her boyfriend and he would not quickly understand our history as simply old students at Makerere College School 2001 – 2, four years ago. The award ceremony arrived and probably five dancers were rewarded. The first winners (a Couple) got 50 pounds. The second got around 30; then 20 pounds. There was one winner from Brazil. The announcer said since England had been in the past dealings, they chose another nation. So the Spiderman fanatic was taken. When it came to the part of the best dancer, I saw a computer file with the words ‘utl’ and ‘Vantage Communications’ which I recognized immediately. I sensed that this could be me because I always tried to apply to places like that for a job after university (My final exam was on 22 April 2006). So I got my green shorts and prepared to go forward. When the reader mis-spelt my name as ‘AIOUKOUBOUR’, people were undecided about who it was until he wrote the first one ‘Edward’ and most people looked at me. I was given a small white receipt as a gift…]
[Some guy took us to the Most Organised and Busiest Street in the city. Then we entered a building that looked great. At the top floor, we reached an auditorium. Then we walked down steps and reached a field. Dancers were already present. James Nkuubi (who graduated from LDC - Law Development Centre around April 2008) was there, Joel Okuyo (Actor who featured in Battle of the Souls) was there. In fact, he tied his black shirt around his waist and danced bare – chested to a ladies tune, probably to impress the fairer sex. The dances began and everyone was expected to find a partner to dance with. The field filled up in an incredible format. Before I knew it, the modest but skillfully conversational Brenda touched my shoulder and I turned around starting to dance with her. I even fell on top of her and felt the warmth of intimacy, flesh to flesh. We got up and danced like possessed bodies. Then we moved aside and conversed. Yata told me she had a guy in her life; I jumped in the air because I was happy for her. I told her that one time I saw her on the road from State House to KPC but did not say a word because she was with someone. I did not want to interrupt their conversation. It might have been her boyfriend and he would not quickly understand our history as simply old students at Makerere College School 2001 – 2, four years ago. The award ceremony arrived and probably five dancers were rewarded. The first winners (a Couple) got 50 pounds. The second got around 30; then 20 pounds. There was one winner from Brazil. The announcer said since England had been in the past dealings, they chose another nation. So the Spiderman fanatic was taken. When it came to the part of the best dancer, I saw a computer file with the words ‘utl’ and ‘Vantage Communications’ which I recognized immediately. I sensed that this could be me because I always tried to apply to places like that for a job after university (My final exam was on 22 April 2006). So I got my green shorts and prepared to go forward. When the reader mis-spelt my name as ‘AIOUKOUBOUR’, people were undecided about who it was until he wrote the first one ‘Edward’ and most people looked at me. I was given a small white receipt as a gift…]
Thursday
Internalise the Achievements of the NRM
(Notes from the Workshop given by Lieutenant Katabazi at Nkoyoyo Hall, UCU before the 2006 Presidential Elections)
The NRM is focusing on the future to provide security, stability, education, health, water, prospects for employment and income for all in Uganda.
Tactical freedom fighters, Children of the Movement
“Everyone has a great GOD-given right to choose whichever political party he wants…The vanquished should join us to rule the country…We are extending our winning numbers, extending the frontiers of freedom, focus on selling the manifesto”
NRM has a history nurtured and formed by the blood of Ugandan children, not a history of quarrelling or disagreement but commitment to the liberation of Africans (NRM Philosophy)
Pan-Africanism – Nationalism
Another level of advancement, polio eradicated, launching into industrialization with quality manpower. “The more cotton we grow, the more we put on second hand clothes…You are not biologically different from the peasants who are now smoking marijuana…The value addition in you makes you different from the peasants. Accumulated knowledge put into practice produces development.
“A young man sat on the road side and bought eggs from people in the market. Then he dreamt his profits from selling eggs would help him graduate to selling goats, cattle and getting married. If the woman becomes big headed, he would kick her. While he dreamt like this, he kicked the bucket of eggs and his eggs cracked. That’s how some manifestos are…When I vote on 23rd February (2006), I will not be voting against FDC or DP but the British and Americans. We need value; when we say Museveni should remain, they say Museveni wants to remain for life. Why don’t they chase away the King of Saudi Arabia? How many years did Nyerere rule? It’s not a question of changing leaders but what value do you add to the struggle…The war of bullets has been worn. Leave that job to us. These mushrooming NGOs, they have made themselves human beings.”
FDC through propaganda media cannot get candidates to field. NRM fields candidates in all constituencies. Do you want to wait to be told who is winning? Every fool, bird, goat was singing Article 269.
“The next Parliament will have 316 members including 10 from the army. How can you become a president when you do not have a parliament…?” Part-time thinkers deceived by their leaders. Organizational capacity levels we have reached not guess work
In Africa, there are two countries that matter in geo-politics: Uganda and Senegal. The Greatest hindrance to development is the Cadre Service. “FDC is the foam of the soap…All we have done in the last 20 years is to establish a foundation…”
Armed Struggle: 40 men, 27 rifles (Demystify knowledge)
Wrong Information enslaves “We can’t have a country with mixed confusion…Uganda will stop exporting coffee; we will export instant coffee. If there is hope for Africa, NRM is the vanguard…We want Museveni to be the last president of Uganda….Manhood is determined by the property you have…Avoid those thinking inhibitors.”
Complimentary Primary Education: Teachers look for pupils in Karamoja.
“The change that changed a soldier into a human being, adds value to raw materials, helps our children access jobs…That change has been delivered by Y.K.Museveni. The only way government can create opportunities for experience is to create avenues to offload students or university graduates. Also the Namanve Park is being transformed from Obote’s grave to an industrial area.
YES = Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme: government gave out money
Uganda’s involvement in DRC: Accused of coming back with women who were lovers. They didn’t fall in love with plunderers. Kichwamba incident led us to Congo in defence of the motherland. We have never attacked Tanzania nor Kenya. If any country attacks Kenya, we will fight for them, whether invited or not…Taban Amin surrendered…West Nile Bank Front were very terrible, caused havoc, so we hit them in Congo…Mogadishu pulled the Americans in the street…Kabila Jr. crying to the Ugandan army for help…How did we steal gold from Congo? “I arrested some guys who had stolen gold.” They raped our brains. All that the Congolese can think about as a developmental project is music…When Mobutu fell, we never even appointed a sweeper…yet our sons died.”
What are our interests in DRC? Market, we shall fight to protect…If we connected the railway from Pakwach, Aruu and Kisangani, it will reduce the cost of our exports to America. Let us build capacity…Combine, come together in political units that are viable. We are discussing for DRC to join the East African Community.
Mr.Abdu Mubiire leads a team from the Movement Secretariat. Separation of powers is the allocation of duty.”
Jurisprudence = Social bearing of the Law: where were the judges before NRM came to power? We were being sabotaged by the Law; the Law will be amended…” The ghosts of Luweero will never rest when the peasants are being evicted from their land…It’s the duty of the executive to appoint the judges…Determine what is the “we” of the country.” [1.25 Million NRM officials]
Signs of the End of FDC before it is born, “Strong judiciary cannot wake up to criticize government.”
“You want to be paid to go and vote…you are part of the corruption. Change your attitudes.”
(We set the pace, others follow. Uganda is the only country where you vote and results are signed at 5 pm. The country gets to know even before the candidates. There are constituencies in the 1980s whose boxes have never been counted. People would just organize four boxes with pictures on them. This army has an ideological direction that ensures that there are no coups over this government. How can you claim that this army is not partisan?)
Fast-tracking EAC “Those who thrive on dividing this country, their days are not only numbered but can also be counted…Every country has its unique qualities and attributes. Why don’t the Western people talk about the Emir of Kuwait? ...These liars are just enjoying the freedom brought about by the NRM. If you deny them that, they may commit suicide in anger…The greatest thing is not victory but how to manage the victory. We continue from where we have reached.”
The NRM is focusing on the future to provide security, stability, education, health, water, prospects for employment and income for all in Uganda.
Tactical freedom fighters, Children of the Movement
“Everyone has a great GOD-given right to choose whichever political party he wants…The vanquished should join us to rule the country…We are extending our winning numbers, extending the frontiers of freedom, focus on selling the manifesto”
NRM has a history nurtured and formed by the blood of Ugandan children, not a history of quarrelling or disagreement but commitment to the liberation of Africans (NRM Philosophy)
Pan-Africanism – Nationalism
Another level of advancement, polio eradicated, launching into industrialization with quality manpower. “The more cotton we grow, the more we put on second hand clothes…You are not biologically different from the peasants who are now smoking marijuana…The value addition in you makes you different from the peasants. Accumulated knowledge put into practice produces development.
“A young man sat on the road side and bought eggs from people in the market. Then he dreamt his profits from selling eggs would help him graduate to selling goats, cattle and getting married. If the woman becomes big headed, he would kick her. While he dreamt like this, he kicked the bucket of eggs and his eggs cracked. That’s how some manifestos are…When I vote on 23rd February (2006), I will not be voting against FDC or DP but the British and Americans. We need value; when we say Museveni should remain, they say Museveni wants to remain for life. Why don’t they chase away the King of Saudi Arabia? How many years did Nyerere rule? It’s not a question of changing leaders but what value do you add to the struggle…The war of bullets has been worn. Leave that job to us. These mushrooming NGOs, they have made themselves human beings.”
FDC through propaganda media cannot get candidates to field. NRM fields candidates in all constituencies. Do you want to wait to be told who is winning? Every fool, bird, goat was singing Article 269.
“The next Parliament will have 316 members including 10 from the army. How can you become a president when you do not have a parliament…?” Part-time thinkers deceived by their leaders. Organizational capacity levels we have reached not guess work
In Africa, there are two countries that matter in geo-politics: Uganda and Senegal. The Greatest hindrance to development is the Cadre Service. “FDC is the foam of the soap…All we have done in the last 20 years is to establish a foundation…”
Armed Struggle: 40 men, 27 rifles (Demystify knowledge)
Wrong Information enslaves “We can’t have a country with mixed confusion…Uganda will stop exporting coffee; we will export instant coffee. If there is hope for Africa, NRM is the vanguard…We want Museveni to be the last president of Uganda….Manhood is determined by the property you have…Avoid those thinking inhibitors.”
Complimentary Primary Education: Teachers look for pupils in Karamoja.
“The change that changed a soldier into a human being, adds value to raw materials, helps our children access jobs…That change has been delivered by Y.K.Museveni. The only way government can create opportunities for experience is to create avenues to offload students or university graduates. Also the Namanve Park is being transformed from Obote’s grave to an industrial area.
YES = Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme: government gave out money
Uganda’s involvement in DRC: Accused of coming back with women who were lovers. They didn’t fall in love with plunderers. Kichwamba incident led us to Congo in defence of the motherland. We have never attacked Tanzania nor Kenya. If any country attacks Kenya, we will fight for them, whether invited or not…Taban Amin surrendered…West Nile Bank Front were very terrible, caused havoc, so we hit them in Congo…Mogadishu pulled the Americans in the street…Kabila Jr. crying to the Ugandan army for help…How did we steal gold from Congo? “I arrested some guys who had stolen gold.” They raped our brains. All that the Congolese can think about as a developmental project is music…When Mobutu fell, we never even appointed a sweeper…yet our sons died.”
What are our interests in DRC? Market, we shall fight to protect…If we connected the railway from Pakwach, Aruu and Kisangani, it will reduce the cost of our exports to America. Let us build capacity…Combine, come together in political units that are viable. We are discussing for DRC to join the East African Community.
Mr.Abdu Mubiire leads a team from the Movement Secretariat. Separation of powers is the allocation of duty.”
Jurisprudence = Social bearing of the Law: where were the judges before NRM came to power? We were being sabotaged by the Law; the Law will be amended…” The ghosts of Luweero will never rest when the peasants are being evicted from their land…It’s the duty of the executive to appoint the judges…Determine what is the “we” of the country.” [1.25 Million NRM officials]
Signs of the End of FDC before it is born, “Strong judiciary cannot wake up to criticize government.”
“You want to be paid to go and vote…you are part of the corruption. Change your attitudes.”
(We set the pace, others follow. Uganda is the only country where you vote and results are signed at 5 pm. The country gets to know even before the candidates. There are constituencies in the 1980s whose boxes have never been counted. People would just organize four boxes with pictures on them. This army has an ideological direction that ensures that there are no coups over this government. How can you claim that this army is not partisan?)
Fast-tracking EAC “Those who thrive on dividing this country, their days are not only numbered but can also be counted…Every country has its unique qualities and attributes. Why don’t the Western people talk about the Emir of Kuwait? ...These liars are just enjoying the freedom brought about by the NRM. If you deny them that, they may commit suicide in anger…The greatest thing is not victory but how to manage the victory. We continue from where we have reached.”
The Aura of Arua (January 2006)
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(It's my pleasure to unveil to you the new BTN TV Logo designed by Aiko in July 2008)
VARIETY is the Spice of Life, the Fragrance of Health and the Fire of Taste. It is a reflection of the Beauty of Life. Do you know what’s cooking in Arua’s broadcast kitchen? There is talk of many more radio stations (and TVs) coming soon. Currently though, the Municipality prides itself in four jamming local FM stations on air 18 hours a day (from 6am to 12 midnight because of the WENRECO power schedule) though sometimes transmission continues for 24 hours.
100.9 FM Voice of Life (VOL) a family-oriented, entirely Gospel music and Christian programme-station pioneered local FM broadcasting in the second half of the 90s replacing addiction to BBC on Short Wave and a Sudanese station run by the SPLA rebels.
88.7 Arua One FM followed at the end of 2002 and added real flavour by playing beloved secular music (Hiphop, Utake, Reggae and Lingala) plus introducing the morning crew for fun and games (Operation Thunderbolt by Aaliyah and Uncle Nyaks); the Mid-morning Show by my favourite presenter Hellen Mayele and her sidekick Rose; the Afternoon Lounge that had 15 minutes before 4pm for Indian jams only, to acknowledge the presence of the Indian Diaspora in Arua; the Evening Good Time Show with the Most Hilarious and Entertaining deejay Tobi Tobias aka ‘Dingili ku Dingili, aka High Voltage’ (The whole of Arua misses his jokes and stories)/ General Yiki and Brigadier Braddock. Also Fat Chris featured sometimes. The night had talk shows on different topics throughout the week though the Saturday show was a heated debate (just like Capital Gang on Kampala’s 91.3 FM) in the morning. Tara united lovers so romantically towards midnight that so many male callers actually fell in love with her. Personally, I think she is the Most Comprehensive and intelligent late night show host in the whole of Africa. [Saturday Sports was hosted by an articulate and knowledgeable presenter who claimed to support Tottenham and usually sat in the studio with another knowledgeable sports reporter called Swalley, a son of the soil]. International news comes from Voice of America.
Arua One’s ‘ultimate choice’ programming was so top notch that it probably inspired the other radios which opened two years later. Although 90.9 FM Radio Pacis is part of the Catholic Church’s Arua Diocese Media Centre, it sounds fresh and more dynamically liberal than the Church of Uganda’s Protestant Voice of Life. [They actually won the BBC Award for Best New Radio in the whole of Africa 13 months later from when I wrote this article]. Their foreign news comes from RFI (Radio France International). With the slogan “Peace of Christ for all”, the Ediofe – based Radio Pacis wonderfully accommodates music by worldly musicians who don’t even mention Jesus in their songs. Another paradox is that the Catholic station does not play too many songs worshipping Mary, the Mother of Christ.
The other joint leader in variety, timely relevant news and fantastic flow in programming is 94.1 Nile FM. BBC World Service, the Best on radio, provides global reports at the top of selected hours. Nile FM’s local news team is also the Most Professional from my own observation because of the analysis and sound clips from interviews which brings me to another comparison. BBC may subconsciously or widely lead in news service because that is their first language but Deutsche Welle from Germany (broadcast on the all-Christian Voice of Life FM) challenges on analysis. It is more illustrative though a bit complex.
Also accommodated on the FM band in Arua are a few other stations from outside the ‘heart of darkness’ (What Arua used to be called due to violence). Radio Paidha from Nebbi used to be a favourite before Arua One miraculously obliterated their audience in the district. BBS (Bunyoro Broadcasting Service) from Masindi is enjoyed in a few counties due to wave interferences while Koboko FM (Spirit FM or Bushnet Christian Broadcasting) blends Gospel from England’s The Voice (Formerly Christian Voice) with local music programmes. Koboko [on the Sudan border] was curved out of Arua to form a new district but Arua remained a Model 3 member of the large geographical area and high revenue collecting districts in Uganda.
Satellite TV plays a big part in household entertainment as well as the cinema business but Nile FM’s sister network BTN TV (Bornfree Technologies Network) on UHF 23 is Arua’s own local TV channel. More are yet to come including UNtv and others, GOD-willing. The future looks bright for indigenous broadcasting in West Nile’s capital. Do you smell the future now? Okay the Spice is on the line.
[DISCOVERY TRIVIA: In 1978 during homeboy Idi Amin’s regime, the first Ugandan Satellite Earth Station came on air in Ombachi, Arua. It is still present though requires reviving for everybody to enjoy the full aura of Arua…]
The Best of 2003 – 6
(This is my Top 10 Countdown of the Best of the Class of 2003 – 6 at Uganda Christian University)
10. PHAT FARM OR FAT FAMILY: No disrespect here but you must admit that the Most Obese Students in the Class of 2003 – 6 Mass Communication Department were Oketta, Kimani, Ian and Diana. I call them the Obestic 4, a fantastic family...
9. THE 9 WONDERS OF THE CURRENT WORLD: Daphne, welcome to the 9 Wonders, girls you must meet before you graduate. ‘A’ is for Alice. She was the First Campus Girl I fell in love with even when I did not ask for such feelings. This list is not about crushes but classmates who are the frontrunners for the rest on campus. ‘B’ is for Brenda. All the Brendas I’ve met in the past tickled my fancy and this one is no exception. ‘C’ is for Rachel & Rachel, the Dolce & Gabbana of Mass Comm 3. If they were fashion designers like Owori, I would recommend their Collections to my girlfriend, sisters, aunties, mother and neighbours. ‘D’ is for Diana and Diane, the first is already a mother but adorable just like before the rings and cakes while the latter is well composed and trendy. ‘E’ is for Emily at the centre of the list. Actually she should have come first but forget the listing. Arguably a braveheart, she’s like a gangster with her own strong will. ‘F’ is for Four-eyed Maureen, very neat and struts a headstrong modern image I admire. ‘H’ is for Her Beautifulness Olive, Miss Arua; The Best Girl around the Boys. ‘I’ is for Information and Publicity minister Martha. Information is power so she makes it to the list of Powerpuff Girls. Did I forget the letter ‘G’? Last but also special is Juliet, my only A' Level O.G (Old Girl) in Mass Comm 3. The other is in LLB 3. We’ve been classmates since 2001 and the first (Literature) lesson in which she read from a storybook convinced me that she was a talent in public speaking. All the others like Chimpaye (Spiderwoman), glorious Vero, Esther, (pretty) Barbra, etc are in these 9 categories...
8. THE PLAYERS: Ladies, the way to a man’s heart is not food but sports. Trust me. Everybody had a sport they indulged in but here are the notable performers. 32, Tony and Wanza showed talent in Basketball. Sammy and Lawrence wanted to win the F.A. Cup and trained very well while Akankwatsa must have bruised his fingers on the volleyball pitch...
7. MUSIC IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE: Shakespeare also did Mass Comm but he did not know Brian “Windman” Semujju, Sharpe Sounds from Nimusiima Sharpe Cole, Lois the Diva-voiced Ugandan (We need her voice), Edward Bindhe who is hooked to Sanyu FM (Today’s Best Music); Production houses like (Maloba Sammy’s) MS Records, (Kimani’s) Detailed Entertainment and Dynasty Records (DTP - Disturbing tha Peace), plus Aiko’s oneway. Praise FM (broadcast on Spirit FM), Kiss 100, EATV & Radio plus MTV (Base) did it for me
6. THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE: Jesus turned water into wine, an alcohol. So is alcohol brewed for merry making, how about the biblical warning that drunkards go to hell? Cheer up if your course work results were heartbreaking! Even Aiko drinks but not many know; I just remain sober. LORD have mercy: Brens realized he was taking in too many bottles and planned to quit. Lawrence was a master. Dreza probably had a diploma in the good stuff. Seg’y is a survivor; two of his friends died because of booze while the other got locked up to stop him from touching the coveted trophy. Oh Kim, that is Ugandan’ keroro’!
5. LEADERS: The Bible says that the prosperity of a town is determined by the intelligence of its leading men. Within three years, Vice Chancellor Steven Noll and his co-administrators have transformed UCU from a small university into the first chartered private university in Uganda and one of the Most Recognised all over Africa. UCU is still growing and Mass Comm 3 was privileged to have some of its members in the 2005 – 6 Guild Cabinet most notably Amoru, Paul - the First Guild President outside the Law faculty for quite some time [I drew a manilla poster for his campaign], Chemutai, (Pastor) Gerald, Akello Ruth, Juliana, Waigolo [“Why go low? when we can go high with Waigolo” was a slogan I created during the campaigns] and Isingoma (Tom Boy)
4. BEN BELLA: He was funny back then in first semester and he still is. It is a GOD-sent talent that even my own father acknowledges. You know, my father studied with Ben Bella Ilakut and told me some spooky stuff about UCU’s Most Humorous Lecturer. Isaiah Mbuga spent only one semester but was loved probably because he also used to be seen on TV. His Mass Comm Fellowships felt Spirit-filled. Mr. Apedel was debonair, wow, those suits you could think we are in for a business conference. OT, NT, Worldviews and Ethics tutorials sometimes kicked me because students shared funny ideas from their backgrounds with Mr. Kabaseke. Health tutorials got better later...
3. WISE CRACKS, PUNS AND JOKES: If lecturers could amuse us, then how about fellow students? Ian and Charlie formed a good partnership, Ochieng loved wacky statements, and John Mary Semakula may start his own universal joke club. Seg’y was a storyteller. Kim also fell in a similar category; probably the beers made him a folk artist, Sharpe was a clown. Obonyo, though he rarely sits with me has some rather mature rib-crackers. Tony as they say has flowery words. Kyazze, 32 and Brens also threw in their act. As for me, I just listened and laughed. Roger, Elly, Pauline and Dreza featured too. Sammy came in handy; if you ever buy a good car, make sure Collins rides in it at least once, ha ha!
2. SCHOLARSHIP: I missed government sponsorship at Makerere University and took the application forms for scholarship at UCU very seriously. I was being lugubrious like a true Lugbara. Many nights I burnt the midnight oil, and broke my back drawing Tony’s comments that I was a ‘book worm’ and ‘silent burner’. Man, I was burning for a scholarship and I got it thanks to GOD. I could have settled for basketball and soccer but now I’m near the top and having a blast. Still struggling for First Class though...
1. 3D ENTERTAINMENT: The Best Things in Life are not (just) free but pimped. 3D Graphics, Telecommunication, DVD Movies, CDs, Magazines, Internet Surfing, Computer games, DStv, Parties, Night Outs, Town Tours, Google, Intravenas and Travels. It’s the end of a long road...
[Article by Aiko at the start of my Final Semester at UCU (January 2006) before Graduation]
10. PHAT FARM OR FAT FAMILY: No disrespect here but you must admit that the Most Obese Students in the Class of 2003 – 6 Mass Communication Department were Oketta, Kimani, Ian and Diana. I call them the Obestic 4, a fantastic family...
9. THE 9 WONDERS OF THE CURRENT WORLD: Daphne, welcome to the 9 Wonders, girls you must meet before you graduate. ‘A’ is for Alice. She was the First Campus Girl I fell in love with even when I did not ask for such feelings. This list is not about crushes but classmates who are the frontrunners for the rest on campus. ‘B’ is for Brenda. All the Brendas I’ve met in the past tickled my fancy and this one is no exception. ‘C’ is for Rachel & Rachel, the Dolce & Gabbana of Mass Comm 3. If they were fashion designers like Owori, I would recommend their Collections to my girlfriend, sisters, aunties, mother and neighbours. ‘D’ is for Diana and Diane, the first is already a mother but adorable just like before the rings and cakes while the latter is well composed and trendy. ‘E’ is for Emily at the centre of the list. Actually she should have come first but forget the listing. Arguably a braveheart, she’s like a gangster with her own strong will. ‘F’ is for Four-eyed Maureen, very neat and struts a headstrong modern image I admire. ‘H’ is for Her Beautifulness Olive, Miss Arua; The Best Girl around the Boys. ‘I’ is for Information and Publicity minister Martha. Information is power so she makes it to the list of Powerpuff Girls. Did I forget the letter ‘G’? Last but also special is Juliet, my only A' Level O.G (Old Girl) in Mass Comm 3. The other is in LLB 3. We’ve been classmates since 2001 and the first (Literature) lesson in which she read from a storybook convinced me that she was a talent in public speaking. All the others like Chimpaye (Spiderwoman), glorious Vero, Esther, (pretty) Barbra, etc are in these 9 categories...
8. THE PLAYERS: Ladies, the way to a man’s heart is not food but sports. Trust me. Everybody had a sport they indulged in but here are the notable performers. 32, Tony and Wanza showed talent in Basketball. Sammy and Lawrence wanted to win the F.A. Cup and trained very well while Akankwatsa must have bruised his fingers on the volleyball pitch...
7. MUSIC IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE: Shakespeare also did Mass Comm but he did not know Brian “Windman” Semujju, Sharpe Sounds from Nimusiima Sharpe Cole, Lois the Diva-voiced Ugandan (We need her voice), Edward Bindhe who is hooked to Sanyu FM (Today’s Best Music); Production houses like (Maloba Sammy’s) MS Records, (Kimani’s) Detailed Entertainment and Dynasty Records (DTP - Disturbing tha Peace), plus Aiko’s oneway. Praise FM (broadcast on Spirit FM), Kiss 100, EATV & Radio plus MTV (Base) did it for me
6. THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE: Jesus turned water into wine, an alcohol. So is alcohol brewed for merry making, how about the biblical warning that drunkards go to hell? Cheer up if your course work results were heartbreaking! Even Aiko drinks but not many know; I just remain sober. LORD have mercy: Brens realized he was taking in too many bottles and planned to quit. Lawrence was a master. Dreza probably had a diploma in the good stuff. Seg’y is a survivor; two of his friends died because of booze while the other got locked up to stop him from touching the coveted trophy. Oh Kim, that is Ugandan’ keroro’!
5. LEADERS: The Bible says that the prosperity of a town is determined by the intelligence of its leading men. Within three years, Vice Chancellor Steven Noll and his co-administrators have transformed UCU from a small university into the first chartered private university in Uganda and one of the Most Recognised all over Africa. UCU is still growing and Mass Comm 3 was privileged to have some of its members in the 2005 – 6 Guild Cabinet most notably Amoru, Paul - the First Guild President outside the Law faculty for quite some time [I drew a manilla poster for his campaign], Chemutai, (Pastor) Gerald, Akello Ruth, Juliana, Waigolo [“Why go low? when we can go high with Waigolo” was a slogan I created during the campaigns] and Isingoma (Tom Boy)
4. BEN BELLA: He was funny back then in first semester and he still is. It is a GOD-sent talent that even my own father acknowledges. You know, my father studied with Ben Bella Ilakut and told me some spooky stuff about UCU’s Most Humorous Lecturer. Isaiah Mbuga spent only one semester but was loved probably because he also used to be seen on TV. His Mass Comm Fellowships felt Spirit-filled. Mr. Apedel was debonair, wow, those suits you could think we are in for a business conference. OT, NT, Worldviews and Ethics tutorials sometimes kicked me because students shared funny ideas from their backgrounds with Mr. Kabaseke. Health tutorials got better later...
3. WISE CRACKS, PUNS AND JOKES: If lecturers could amuse us, then how about fellow students? Ian and Charlie formed a good partnership, Ochieng loved wacky statements, and John Mary Semakula may start his own universal joke club. Seg’y was a storyteller. Kim also fell in a similar category; probably the beers made him a folk artist, Sharpe was a clown. Obonyo, though he rarely sits with me has some rather mature rib-crackers. Tony as they say has flowery words. Kyazze, 32 and Brens also threw in their act. As for me, I just listened and laughed. Roger, Elly, Pauline and Dreza featured too. Sammy came in handy; if you ever buy a good car, make sure Collins rides in it at least once, ha ha!
2. SCHOLARSHIP: I missed government sponsorship at Makerere University and took the application forms for scholarship at UCU very seriously. I was being lugubrious like a true Lugbara. Many nights I burnt the midnight oil, and broke my back drawing Tony’s comments that I was a ‘book worm’ and ‘silent burner’. Man, I was burning for a scholarship and I got it thanks to GOD. I could have settled for basketball and soccer but now I’m near the top and having a blast. Still struggling for First Class though...
1. 3D ENTERTAINMENT: The Best Things in Life are not (just) free but pimped. 3D Graphics, Telecommunication, DVD Movies, CDs, Magazines, Internet Surfing, Computer games, DStv, Parties, Night Outs, Town Tours, Google, Intravenas and Travels. It’s the end of a long road...
[Article by Aiko at the start of my Final Semester at UCU (January 2006) before Graduation]
Monday
A Ghost Town in Uganda
Bweyale, somewhere between Kiryadongo Hospital in Masindi and Karuma Falls is a real Ghost Town, I must say. During my pilgrimages to Arua, I noticed that sometimes there isn’t much activity in the area. However, on other occasions, you see mysterious buildings erected, market spaces created and councilors having meetings. The town suddenly comes to life and you wonder how. Of course similar things happen in various parts of Kampala and Mukono markets but this is truly mind-boggling. You wonder where all these people were hiding earlier. I wonder what is meant by ‘Fresh Tea’ in Bweyale. Is it served in any restaurant there or does that refer to boiling newly picked tea leaves or just hot tea? How about the pitch black ‘Muchomo’; is that game meat being camouflaged from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers or something more sinister like dog flesh or monkey meat? I wouldn’t buy roasted meat that dark. It can only be found here, not at the eternal Namawojolo on the Jinja Highway. However, we need to be watchful everywhere.
Paraa-dise
Welcome to Paraa-dise, where you can get fear-smashing ferry rides from one river bank to another; fantastic tourist rides in motor boats while watching the beautiful expanse of the Victoria/ Kyoga Nile as it makes its celebrated journey to Lake Albert, Sudan, and finally the Mediteranean Sea in Egypt. Don’t you want to feel connected to the places where life began – Ethiopia and the Middle East? ; Paraa Safari Lodge (the mansions in Paraa-dise); hippopotamuses breathing out air and yawning wide; Murchison Falls; the game Park with elephants, antelopes, emblematic Uganda Kobs, and other attractive animals; the green forests; plateau land with scattered coco nut trees…
Is this Route 666?
The Bible calls the number six three-score the Mark of the Beast, but who is the Beast? Does he cruise among us? Some writings say that the next pope after Benedict the XVI will be the Anti-Christ. How about Osama Bin Laden? Can you kill innocent civilians in GOD’s name and claim to be for Christ…What kind of ear-slicing is that? Even when Peter did it in defence of his Lord on Holy Thursday, Jesus told him it wasn’t necessary. Many times while returning home from Nakawa via Ntinda Stretcher, I see vehicles with 666 in their number plates. You wonder whether the owners are happy individuals or even Christian in the first place. I would never cherish anything with those digits together even if surrounded by other digits; they spell disaster. No street in the whole of Uganda has as many cars, not the same ones by the way, with that number on their plates than Stretcher. Amazingly not many accidents occur here and the only ominous things I have seen are dead cats or dogs on the road. Otherwise, Route 666 from Spear [or the Mango Boulevard] to Ntinda stage is not so dangerous…I just hope it is not a route to hell.
Tribute to my Art Teachers
I might be naturally talented but sometimes I believe all my Art teachers since nursery helped me polish my skills to some level...Below is a tribute to them:
Mrs Achere, R.I.P. (Primary One 1990): fat; caring; met me again in 1991 while visiting my eldest sister Gladys alongside my family at Tororo Girls School. She also had a daughter there. Taught simple drawings plus English Language… I was Third Overall in Second Term and First Overall among 2 other male classmates before joining Primary Two; I heard that she died of cancer, GOD bless her soul…
Miss Nabirye (Primary Three 1992): a Musoga with Somali features; brown; tall; quite slender but looked very strong… Was the Class Teacher and once asked the class why my grades were deteriorating. Classmates for whom I used to draw pictures confessed openly that it was because I spent more time on Art than reading…That was the beginning of my aggressive focus on books…
Miss Ganda (Primary Four 1993): Very sexy Science teacher, a hottie like Emily – my Number One Campus Galfi and Mariam Were – the classmate who was the Beauty of my Dreams at that time; Miss Ganda liked my style; I remember drawing a skeleton and other images with all my heart during science class-work and subconsciously cementing my reputation as a promising artist…
(My Primary Five Art teacher was arguably the Most Beautiful I have ever had 1994): brown, fleshy and wonderfully good-looking… I loved doing her English tests too. She would borrow an Indian named Raju’s metallic ruler and hit the heads of noisy pupils or those who failed her home work. Didn’t involve us so much in Art but had a good taste for artistic things…
Pajero (My Primary Six Class Teacher before I left Victoria Nile Primary School 1995) was a very entertaining fellow; Used to call his ‘Hero’ bicycle a Pajero and also taught Science like Mr. Bamwamye. Science tests in the mid 90s used to amuse me because if they asked a question whose answer I did not know, I would just answer with any powerful idea or name I had read in any American Science encyclopedia or text book thinking the teacher would bow down for me and mark it correct; talk of Albert Einstein discovering the vaccine for small pox. You are wrong, Edward. Those were the days… Pajero would just give us an Art topic to work on and go away…
Miss Kibone (Primary Six Class Teacher 1995): she taught craft making and English; I was kind of her pet according to classmates - As class monitor at Kalinabiri Primary School [I wonder why they chose me so fast even when I had not completed a term there], I did so many things to make sure the class was running smoothly… I did not do any Art in Primary Seven because it was not examined during PLE. Meanwhile, Miss Kibone assured the pupils after us that I would write like a computer…
Mr. Godfrey Lutaaya (Senior One – Four 1997-2000): I think this was the best and realest Art Teacher in my life (You know what ‘am sayin’?) because he specialised in teaching the Profession unlike the ladies and gentlemen before him; He not only exposed us to masterpieces by old students before us but also took us on Art Tours to Grand Imperial Hotel and Michaelangelo School of Creative Arts just nearby in Kisubi…Taught me how not to fear painting and so many other professional Art techniques besides supplying powder paints, art pencils and brushes to my exclusive Art Class after Senior Three at SMACK. No wonder while at Macos, I often saw him at Makerere University probably for more Art or Education studies…
Mr. Kikolokomba (Senior Five 2001): My very last Art teacher before campus; I studied in his class for the first 3 weeks when I was a day scholar at Macos and struck out because my academic marks where too low considering the effort and spirit I put into my work. To continue building on my Art Dreams though, I willingly took on projects commissioned by students and teachers…Later after campus, I met Mr. Kiko at the National theatre while starting a backdrop painting for KADS and he gave me tips on what to do. Actually encouraged me that I could make it…
Mrs Achere, R.I.P. (Primary One 1990): fat; caring; met me again in 1991 while visiting my eldest sister Gladys alongside my family at Tororo Girls School. She also had a daughter there. Taught simple drawings plus English Language… I was Third Overall in Second Term and First Overall among 2 other male classmates before joining Primary Two; I heard that she died of cancer, GOD bless her soul…
Miss Nabirye (Primary Three 1992): a Musoga with Somali features; brown; tall; quite slender but looked very strong… Was the Class Teacher and once asked the class why my grades were deteriorating. Classmates for whom I used to draw pictures confessed openly that it was because I spent more time on Art than reading…That was the beginning of my aggressive focus on books…
Miss Ganda (Primary Four 1993): Very sexy Science teacher, a hottie like Emily – my Number One Campus Galfi and Mariam Were – the classmate who was the Beauty of my Dreams at that time; Miss Ganda liked my style; I remember drawing a skeleton and other images with all my heart during science class-work and subconsciously cementing my reputation as a promising artist…
(My Primary Five Art teacher was arguably the Most Beautiful I have ever had 1994): brown, fleshy and wonderfully good-looking… I loved doing her English tests too. She would borrow an Indian named Raju’s metallic ruler and hit the heads of noisy pupils or those who failed her home work. Didn’t involve us so much in Art but had a good taste for artistic things…
Pajero (My Primary Six Class Teacher before I left Victoria Nile Primary School 1995) was a very entertaining fellow; Used to call his ‘Hero’ bicycle a Pajero and also taught Science like Mr. Bamwamye. Science tests in the mid 90s used to amuse me because if they asked a question whose answer I did not know, I would just answer with any powerful idea or name I had read in any American Science encyclopedia or text book thinking the teacher would bow down for me and mark it correct; talk of Albert Einstein discovering the vaccine for small pox. You are wrong, Edward. Those were the days… Pajero would just give us an Art topic to work on and go away…
Miss Kibone (Primary Six Class Teacher 1995): she taught craft making and English; I was kind of her pet according to classmates - As class monitor at Kalinabiri Primary School [I wonder why they chose me so fast even when I had not completed a term there], I did so many things to make sure the class was running smoothly… I did not do any Art in Primary Seven because it was not examined during PLE. Meanwhile, Miss Kibone assured the pupils after us that I would write like a computer…
Mr. Godfrey Lutaaya (Senior One – Four 1997-2000): I think this was the best and realest Art Teacher in my life (You know what ‘am sayin’?) because he specialised in teaching the Profession unlike the ladies and gentlemen before him; He not only exposed us to masterpieces by old students before us but also took us on Art Tours to Grand Imperial Hotel and Michaelangelo School of Creative Arts just nearby in Kisubi…Taught me how not to fear painting and so many other professional Art techniques besides supplying powder paints, art pencils and brushes to my exclusive Art Class after Senior Three at SMACK. No wonder while at Macos, I often saw him at Makerere University probably for more Art or Education studies…
Mr. Kikolokomba (Senior Five 2001): My very last Art teacher before campus; I studied in his class for the first 3 weeks when I was a day scholar at Macos and struck out because my academic marks where too low considering the effort and spirit I put into my work. To continue building on my Art Dreams though, I willingly took on projects commissioned by students and teachers…Later after campus, I met Mr. Kiko at the National theatre while starting a backdrop painting for KADS and he gave me tips on what to do. Actually encouraged me that I could make it…
Money is not everything!
During the 5th annual Amakula Kampala Film Festival in May 2008, Black South African Vincent Moloi made a film about Leonard Johnson, a white homeless drug addict begging on the street in post-Apartheid Johannesburg. Leonard (not real name as Moloi later found out) had an ancestry of famous high class relatives from Europe. However, after ‘uneducated Blacks’ took over in 1994 as he complained, everything went down hill for him. The laid back white said his begging is not while sitted but just above the pavement while standing so he was not doing badly. Sometimes Leonard and his homeless friend would try to sell jewelry. Actually, he had a bed to sleep on and some of the gifts from generous passers-by he would use to pay rent. One day, a young woman who worked in a bank ran up to him and gave him some money because she had just been paid. How uplifting is that? His wise words are, “A man may have everything and still commit suicide…Why? It is because of his way of thinking.” Everybody came into this world to endure pain. If you want to live in it, you have to smile no matter your status. That is one thing I learnt from the meaning of my own Lugbara surname “Ayiko bua”; ‘true joy or happiness can only be found in heaven’…Here it is just “kiwani” (unreal or fake), but it has to be there for us to survive for a moment… That is why some people create their own dreamlands and others enjoy them as paintings or movies which relieve them from depression.
Sports TV
Thank GOD Ugandans will cease to feel bored after the English Premiership hibernates every May to August. For 24 hours and 7 days a week, we will be able to watch live and recorded classic sports events from seasons gone by. Affiliated to Setanta Network from the UK for the next 10 years, the Sports TV broadcaster will surely take me down memory lane to the times during my childhood when watching telly was better than eating food. No wonder I became a skinny idiot but I don’t give a damn. It’s in the Game!
If you don’t know the directions, ask and you won’t get lost…Ask me why I say so! I had always seen an overhead sign reading ‘Sabrinas’ opposite Kampala Pentecostal Church but never bothered to find out if that was the hyped red light pub (among my peers) second to the media hyped ‘Capital Pub’ in Kabalagala. It just did not look like a pub to me. So when the inter-school hip hop competition was slated for some laid back Saturday in 2007, I boarded a taxi heading to Bwaise and Kawempe since I knew that was where Bombo Road extended not knowing that this other Sabrinas I used to look down on was actually at the point Bombo Road joins Kampala Road or Ben Kiwanuka, whatever. Hoping to find Sabrinas Pub in Bwaise, I asked the conductor to alert me when we reached but got shocked to hear from his dazed countenance that I had left it in the city. In order not to appear lost, I just took the ride beyond the Northern By-Pass and disembarked near a Kawempe Market. Of course, I had to spend double coming back to the city but I took it as a lesson learned. Ask when you don’t know; the same applies in academics and spiritual matters…
If you don’t know the directions, ask and you won’t get lost…Ask me why I say so! I had always seen an overhead sign reading ‘Sabrinas’ opposite Kampala Pentecostal Church but never bothered to find out if that was the hyped red light pub (among my peers) second to the media hyped ‘Capital Pub’ in Kabalagala. It just did not look like a pub to me. So when the inter-school hip hop competition was slated for some laid back Saturday in 2007, I boarded a taxi heading to Bwaise and Kawempe since I knew that was where Bombo Road extended not knowing that this other Sabrinas I used to look down on was actually at the point Bombo Road joins Kampala Road or Ben Kiwanuka, whatever. Hoping to find Sabrinas Pub in Bwaise, I asked the conductor to alert me when we reached but got shocked to hear from his dazed countenance that I had left it in the city. In order not to appear lost, I just took the ride beyond the Northern By-Pass and disembarked near a Kawempe Market. Of course, I had to spend double coming back to the city but I took it as a lesson learned. Ask when you don’t know; the same applies in academics and spiritual matters…
Tina Davis’ Workshop (& the Last ‘Queen’ of Scotland)
I love pleasant surprises. Sometime in April 2008, I saw a banner advertising iVad Productions outside the National Theatre’s Green Room. I had always fancied their film productions so I walked in. Curiosity killed the cat (but revived the dog). I’m not a cat, for heaven’s sake, so as a good dog I got the bone I deserved. The Uganda Arts and Media Academy (UAMA) were organizing a Documentary Workshop during the Europe-Uganda fortnight to develop skills among Ugandan or East African filmmakers. Present were various dudes and some Swahili-mumbling babes like Zippy the first I uttered a word to [who probably came from the Coast of East Africa]. At the start of the workshop, Sade, a Nigerian who works for iVAD alongside the big Caroline Kamya (Everybody loves Carol) taught the gathered pack a discipline game whereby the members of the circle would throw balls at another person straight in front of them while mentioning the name of the recipient and looking into their eyes. After the introductions, everybody was expected to remember several names for a target pitch in order not to look a bum. Luckily for me, I could remember Sara, diagonally on my right. We had been told not to throw on the side but I had no other option. She even asked me later during the tea break if I am related to the famous Akii Bua. Does that mean I have to change the Aiko? No way or let me say Norway where Tina comes from (Pun intended)! Tina was the main speaker at the workshop. I wonder whether this ball-throwing game has some kind of social magic in it because the person whose name you call somehow becomes more interested in you most especially when you have never met before. I told Sara ‘No’ about my relationship to the Olympic Star but added to her fulfilled amazement that Ceasar Okhuti, the Uganda Cranes footballer is my brother…We are both Lugbara so that makes him my brother-by-tribe. See, Kiwani with truth in it…!
[Anyway, the truth is that the one Ugandan Sports personality I’m related to, without a doubt, is neither David nor Denis Obua but former Cranes Coach Leo Adraa. My dad is his uncle because he got married to ‘Dede’, my dad’s niece, also Tom W.’s sister. My dad even used to work with Tom at Nile Bank, my personal bank, in the 90s before leaving at the turn of the new millennium and star Leo Adraa is the only link I’m sure about]
Earlier I had mentioned my name and introduced myself as a cartoonist and writer who wanted to develop a few skills in documentary making so as to make a film about my ancestral culture which did not feature much in the mainstream media. Thinking that no one would probably remember my name, I was stunned when Peggy dressed in gorgeous hip-hugging blue jeans threw the ball at me and beautifully called out “Edward”. I concentrated and later tried to converse with her by asking if Dan Brown was her Favourite Author (She was holding the ‘Angels and Demons’ novel) and she replied that she reads anyone. So I suggested she read my blogsite. I shared the Norwegian Chocolate (Tina brought for different random pairs) and later honored her request by picking a mineral water bottle for her from the table behind. She probably felt I was itching to impress her; just maybe. Nevertheless overall, she was not the best person I could shoot a breeze with because she showed a glimpse of a certain attitude I do not fancy in human beings (I won’t mention it or else I will be arrested by the police in the spiritual realm). Anyway, after Tina Davis the Norwegian speaker at the workshop, Barbra came top among my conversation interests. She introduced herself as the girl who played the role of a prostitute or whore (She ain’t a bitch, haters) in the Oscar-Award winning movie “The Last King of Scotland”. She was to me the Last ‘Queen’ of Scotland. It’s not that I got attracted to her face or anything (Of course she looked a’ight), but I liked the composed and suave way she approached me in her green blouse and khaki pants while I prepared to serve myself some milk tea, gonja, sumbusa and sausage. We shook hands that stayed locked for a few minutes and talked about ourselves, movies and things like that. She had enchanted me somehow, probably skills she was taught in the build up to her role in the Hollywood movie. We went for breakfast together and later talked during lunch before I disappeared when a male friend of hers showed up. I didn’t return for the final afternoon session that featured Tina’s second production but watched other movies in the auditorium (organized by the Uganda German Cultural Society who had alerted me about the multi-cultural festival in an email. I had missed their morning workshop but no regrets whatsoever)
“Bringing Excellence to creativity” – iVAD Motto
Tina Davis, from Norway is hugely talented. Where she comes from, “the land of the Midnight Sun only gets dark for ten minutes in Tromso, Norway”…I’m glad that I once studied in a Norwegian founded school (Kalinabiri Primary School, Ntinda 1995-6 and was in the pink-red Norwegian House). Tina took Media Education in London and graduated in 1996, the same year I did my PLE (Primary Leaving Examinations) at Kalinabiri [Luganda for “He who has two eyes must see beyond”]. She has been working on documentaries and taught a little bit in a Cuban Film School.
Basic theory: the Definition of a Documentary has stretched with time. Central spirit is exploration of actual people and situations. Actors can be used to recreate past and present events. It is Created Treatment of Actuality: Travel, Nature, Science, Industrial, Educational, Promotional e.g. a docu’ in a Soap-Making industry. Socially Critical, uncovers dimensions. It goes more into moral and ethical dimensions. Go into a familiar place to reveal the unfamiliar…Tell stories about anything but take it and tell what’s not known. Look at it from different angles e.g. boda boda cyclists being harassed by women. Prostitutes exchange sex for free rides. Corner of reality seen through human temperament, convictions, conscience and ideology guide you. Persuade viewers into your world. It’s an organized story, narrative tension and integrated point of view”.
[“Artists write; it is the function of all art to give us perception of an order in life by imposing an order on it.” –T.S. Eliot]
Order gives us a perception of life. Controlled, Obstentious, Speechless, Lyrical [no limits to possibilities], profound fascination/ Passion and General Interest
Actuality [Objective, measurable and can be agreed] vs. Realism
TV networks want docu’s about what is seen and proved, afraid of lawsuits/ corporate journalism
Takes you beyond objective notions… Try to present the inner lives of those we film, internal dimensions-dreams, nightmares part of actuality. If you are a writer, sometimes you include yourself. Factual TV balances out opposing views. Unbiasesd views on events, journalism. “I showed all three sides so I’m not responsible for social criticism.”
Subjectivity shows effective use. Art for representation of your subject
Realism is the way you bring actuality to another level. Motivation for producing a docu-drama will impact the people e.g. a docu-drama of the horrible Hiroshima event (bombing). Makes it powerful…Do you shoot a documentary and leave room for viewers to interpret? Sometimes people do not need spoon feeding, you can have sub themes.
Six Basic points during Tina’s Workshop
1. Instinct/ Attraction (Greatest Personal Tool. Unfortunately we sometimes make our Intellect come in the way. Face the opinions, Trust your instincts, Instinct guides you through the process)
2. Aim of the documentary (Why do you want to make this film?) Write; record your thoughts and ideas. Push yourself to be able to achieve the aim…
3. Structure the story (Shooting Script, How you organize your material. If you sit down and create awareness within you, it moves you closer to the core of your film…makes it clear to you. Director’s Notes, Synopsis for the funders…Make choices. Home Videos and Professionals are different
4. Style (Observational)
5. Techniques can be still photos, private material, Montash, Goes hand in hand with style. You can use imagery
6. Character (Identify a strong character as a subject to tell a story; reveal info about your interest). Must be sb who is not an exhibitionist (A show off becomes annoying in the process). Someone who wants to be portrayed…Build trust and get to know your subjects
Fall in love with your character, Connect your audience to your characters. Superficial truths separate us but fundamentals or universal elements can be reflected by others. The better you know a person, the deeper you can portray her Quirks. The more you know about your character, the better access…to all the secrets. We had breakfast and then watched Tina’s documentary.
“BIGGER Than Barbie”
A documentary about a project for women in RSA (Republic of South Africa) where they make beaded dolls. Tina Davis was in Norway visiting a friend when she got mesmerized by colourful quirky dolls. Three months later, Tina saw these dolls in a London shop. She got a number of dolls and went to teach in Cuba. Tina was called back to pay because her credit card didn’t go through. The shop owner told her the story of the dolls: It was an Empowerment Project for women started by 3 artists to create income…The film shows different stories in Africa.
“Make films for educating the TV networks here…I like the choice of music, a Reggae classic by Bob Marley ‘Waste of Time’; it highlights the fundamental truth that the world or life is a beautiful struggle…,”said Tina (This is exactly what I have been trying to preach through my ‘Arua Boys’ stories)
“Live with your heart & appreciation,” this line was spoken at the Monkeybiz HIV Clinic. Mankozi was an invaluable member of the bead community and went to New York where their dolls were selling well at the ABC Store.
Film REVIEW (from the lecture by Tina Davis)
1. Impressed by the community; Humbled/ Learnt the township philosophy in action: Create work that suits the delights of the women not take them to a factory. They should work whenever they want and could. Tina wanted to make an inspiring story for people to follow their dreams
2. The Aim was to make a positive documentary: “Wherever there are people, there is hope. Everybody has potential. Sometimes you need help but it is a matter of getting that potential out…” –Tina
3. This film happened as a result of so many uncontrollable elements…Fragmented funding system (Government body gives a sum, One Big Lesson: “I will never again start until I have a film about a subject on the other side of the world. 90 hours of footage, 4 months…It’s difficult to convey your vision to the subjects in the documentary who may get tired because it may not mean much…”I Could have made many stories from this film…Could have told the story through Mankozi, the lady in Monkeybiz who had HIV…” The film is a portrait of Monkeybiz and all their aspects. If you choose a closed off environment, you do yourself a big favour. If you are not flexible, you will feel your plans are going down the drain…
4. Wanted to make an observational film but because of the language and camera pointing at other places, it was heart-wreaking for Tina. Wanted the subject to come out through the scenes and not Voice Overs. Make sure you have intos to back up your story even if you never intend to use them. Writing edits are very important, rather than polishing each scene before you move to the next
5. Using the reportage at the start from ABC TV was not my plan. A news-crew turned up to do the story. The doll shots were also a technique. Wanted to use animation to show that the dolls are moving or expanding. This would highlight the essence of Monkeybiz. It was meant to be playful and hearty, an interesting touch…A couple of montage sequences in the film (a lot of women making those dolls in their homes). The music too! It creates moods and atmosphere. Finding a rhythm is important. People should not be hang up by the information that is less… [Spent one year getting a license for the soundtrack from Damian Marley… “Make sure you have contracts when dealing with music…Another thing I had to license is the concert and Live Mandela feed…”
6. You can organize but not stage a documentary. “I like to work more spontaneously; that’s more interesting…” Tina revealed…
[Anyway, the truth is that the one Ugandan Sports personality I’m related to, without a doubt, is neither David nor Denis Obua but former Cranes Coach Leo Adraa. My dad is his uncle because he got married to ‘Dede’, my dad’s niece, also Tom W.’s sister. My dad even used to work with Tom at Nile Bank, my personal bank, in the 90s before leaving at the turn of the new millennium and star Leo Adraa is the only link I’m sure about]
Earlier I had mentioned my name and introduced myself as a cartoonist and writer who wanted to develop a few skills in documentary making so as to make a film about my ancestral culture which did not feature much in the mainstream media. Thinking that no one would probably remember my name, I was stunned when Peggy dressed in gorgeous hip-hugging blue jeans threw the ball at me and beautifully called out “Edward”. I concentrated and later tried to converse with her by asking if Dan Brown was her Favourite Author (She was holding the ‘Angels and Demons’ novel) and she replied that she reads anyone. So I suggested she read my blogsite. I shared the Norwegian Chocolate (Tina brought for different random pairs) and later honored her request by picking a mineral water bottle for her from the table behind. She probably felt I was itching to impress her; just maybe. Nevertheless overall, she was not the best person I could shoot a breeze with because she showed a glimpse of a certain attitude I do not fancy in human beings (I won’t mention it or else I will be arrested by the police in the spiritual realm). Anyway, after Tina Davis the Norwegian speaker at the workshop, Barbra came top among my conversation interests. She introduced herself as the girl who played the role of a prostitute or whore (She ain’t a bitch, haters) in the Oscar-Award winning movie “The Last King of Scotland”. She was to me the Last ‘Queen’ of Scotland. It’s not that I got attracted to her face or anything (Of course she looked a’ight), but I liked the composed and suave way she approached me in her green blouse and khaki pants while I prepared to serve myself some milk tea, gonja, sumbusa and sausage. We shook hands that stayed locked for a few minutes and talked about ourselves, movies and things like that. She had enchanted me somehow, probably skills she was taught in the build up to her role in the Hollywood movie. We went for breakfast together and later talked during lunch before I disappeared when a male friend of hers showed up. I didn’t return for the final afternoon session that featured Tina’s second production but watched other movies in the auditorium (organized by the Uganda German Cultural Society who had alerted me about the multi-cultural festival in an email. I had missed their morning workshop but no regrets whatsoever)
“Bringing Excellence to creativity” – iVAD Motto
Tina Davis, from Norway is hugely talented. Where she comes from, “the land of the Midnight Sun only gets dark for ten minutes in Tromso, Norway”…I’m glad that I once studied in a Norwegian founded school (Kalinabiri Primary School, Ntinda 1995-6 and was in the pink-red Norwegian House). Tina took Media Education in London and graduated in 1996, the same year I did my PLE (Primary Leaving Examinations) at Kalinabiri [Luganda for “He who has two eyes must see beyond”]. She has been working on documentaries and taught a little bit in a Cuban Film School.
Basic theory: the Definition of a Documentary has stretched with time. Central spirit is exploration of actual people and situations. Actors can be used to recreate past and present events. It is Created Treatment of Actuality: Travel, Nature, Science, Industrial, Educational, Promotional e.g. a docu’ in a Soap-Making industry. Socially Critical, uncovers dimensions. It goes more into moral and ethical dimensions. Go into a familiar place to reveal the unfamiliar…Tell stories about anything but take it and tell what’s not known. Look at it from different angles e.g. boda boda cyclists being harassed by women. Prostitutes exchange sex for free rides. Corner of reality seen through human temperament, convictions, conscience and ideology guide you. Persuade viewers into your world. It’s an organized story, narrative tension and integrated point of view”.
[“Artists write; it is the function of all art to give us perception of an order in life by imposing an order on it.” –T.S. Eliot]
Order gives us a perception of life. Controlled, Obstentious, Speechless, Lyrical [no limits to possibilities], profound fascination/ Passion and General Interest
Actuality [Objective, measurable and can be agreed] vs. Realism
TV networks want docu’s about what is seen and proved, afraid of lawsuits/ corporate journalism
Takes you beyond objective notions… Try to present the inner lives of those we film, internal dimensions-dreams, nightmares part of actuality. If you are a writer, sometimes you include yourself. Factual TV balances out opposing views. Unbiasesd views on events, journalism. “I showed all three sides so I’m not responsible for social criticism.”
Subjectivity shows effective use. Art for representation of your subject
Realism is the way you bring actuality to another level. Motivation for producing a docu-drama will impact the people e.g. a docu-drama of the horrible Hiroshima event (bombing). Makes it powerful…Do you shoot a documentary and leave room for viewers to interpret? Sometimes people do not need spoon feeding, you can have sub themes.
Six Basic points during Tina’s Workshop
1. Instinct/ Attraction (Greatest Personal Tool. Unfortunately we sometimes make our Intellect come in the way. Face the opinions, Trust your instincts, Instinct guides you through the process)
2. Aim of the documentary (Why do you want to make this film?) Write; record your thoughts and ideas. Push yourself to be able to achieve the aim…
3. Structure the story (Shooting Script, How you organize your material. If you sit down and create awareness within you, it moves you closer to the core of your film…makes it clear to you. Director’s Notes, Synopsis for the funders…Make choices. Home Videos and Professionals are different
4. Style (Observational)
5. Techniques can be still photos, private material, Montash, Goes hand in hand with style. You can use imagery
6. Character (Identify a strong character as a subject to tell a story; reveal info about your interest). Must be sb who is not an exhibitionist (A show off becomes annoying in the process). Someone who wants to be portrayed…Build trust and get to know your subjects
Fall in love with your character, Connect your audience to your characters. Superficial truths separate us but fundamentals or universal elements can be reflected by others. The better you know a person, the deeper you can portray her Quirks. The more you know about your character, the better access…to all the secrets. We had breakfast and then watched Tina’s documentary.
“BIGGER Than Barbie”
A documentary about a project for women in RSA (Republic of South Africa) where they make beaded dolls. Tina Davis was in Norway visiting a friend when she got mesmerized by colourful quirky dolls. Three months later, Tina saw these dolls in a London shop. She got a number of dolls and went to teach in Cuba. Tina was called back to pay because her credit card didn’t go through. The shop owner told her the story of the dolls: It was an Empowerment Project for women started by 3 artists to create income…The film shows different stories in Africa.
“Make films for educating the TV networks here…I like the choice of music, a Reggae classic by Bob Marley ‘Waste of Time’; it highlights the fundamental truth that the world or life is a beautiful struggle…,”said Tina (This is exactly what I have been trying to preach through my ‘Arua Boys’ stories)
“Live with your heart & appreciation,” this line was spoken at the Monkeybiz HIV Clinic. Mankozi was an invaluable member of the bead community and went to New York where their dolls were selling well at the ABC Store.
Film REVIEW (from the lecture by Tina Davis)
1. Impressed by the community; Humbled/ Learnt the township philosophy in action: Create work that suits the delights of the women not take them to a factory. They should work whenever they want and could. Tina wanted to make an inspiring story for people to follow their dreams
2. The Aim was to make a positive documentary: “Wherever there are people, there is hope. Everybody has potential. Sometimes you need help but it is a matter of getting that potential out…” –Tina
3. This film happened as a result of so many uncontrollable elements…Fragmented funding system (Government body gives a sum, One Big Lesson: “I will never again start until I have a film about a subject on the other side of the world. 90 hours of footage, 4 months…It’s difficult to convey your vision to the subjects in the documentary who may get tired because it may not mean much…”I Could have made many stories from this film…Could have told the story through Mankozi, the lady in Monkeybiz who had HIV…” The film is a portrait of Monkeybiz and all their aspects. If you choose a closed off environment, you do yourself a big favour. If you are not flexible, you will feel your plans are going down the drain…
4. Wanted to make an observational film but because of the language and camera pointing at other places, it was heart-wreaking for Tina. Wanted the subject to come out through the scenes and not Voice Overs. Make sure you have intos to back up your story even if you never intend to use them. Writing edits are very important, rather than polishing each scene before you move to the next
5. Using the reportage at the start from ABC TV was not my plan. A news-crew turned up to do the story. The doll shots were also a technique. Wanted to use animation to show that the dolls are moving or expanding. This would highlight the essence of Monkeybiz. It was meant to be playful and hearty, an interesting touch…A couple of montage sequences in the film (a lot of women making those dolls in their homes). The music too! It creates moods and atmosphere. Finding a rhythm is important. People should not be hang up by the information that is less… [Spent one year getting a license for the soundtrack from Damian Marley… “Make sure you have contracts when dealing with music…Another thing I had to license is the concert and Live Mandela feed…”
6. You can organize but not stage a documentary. “I like to work more spontaneously; that’s more interesting…” Tina revealed…
From Father to Son...
Below are some of my Dad’s thoughts he wanted shared in the newspaper media. He sent them to Crusader and New Vision in 1998 but said they were probably never published. Ask Capital FM’s Saturday Night Fever Deejay Alex Ndawula about his book “Talking about Talking” and he might tell you more exhilarating stuff about the wit of the man who used to stay near his wife Drucilla (Magezi)’s crib in the late 1980s (Jinja).
“Many Ugandans do not care for each other”
Why is there poverty among the people when Uganda has plenty of riches? Why are there street children and beggars? Why are the towns dirty? The answers to these and other bad situations lie in the lack of care for each other. Our leaders in government and other bodies start it all with corruption and embezzlements. Where services would be provided to improve on the conditions for the population, funds are stolen. The people working in such places go without pay or are retrenched without adequate package.
These stolen funds are used to acquire houses, wives, cars, etc. It is not surprising to see a family of four having six cars, not even business vehicles that could employ some other people. Ministers, Managing Directors, Permanent Secretaries and other big men and women employ fellow Ugandans as electricians, masons, carpenters, painters etc to do work for them while putting up mansions with the stolen money but they do not pay such. They bully them and the small men coil away in their poverty. The big men prefer to go to relax in hotels within and without the country instead of paying the poor workers who would help other dependants. First of all, they have deprived people of salary in one organisation and they do it again in their own set-up. This is malicious. Businessmen are deprived of payment for services and goods supplied to government in good time and this slows down business. Other parastatal bodies providing services to government are also not paid, thus resulting in poor services to the public, delay in salary payments, retrenchments and other evils which perpetuate the vicious circle.
Our leaders live in mansions on two acre lands maintained on public funds, which are obtained by taxing poor workers all their small earnings. If we really cared for each other, we would not need to beg from abroad through organizations like Africa Foundation, Save the Children, Feed the Children, Uganda Forster Parent Plan, Children Welfare Mission, etc to provide these services. The likes of Sanyu Babies Home, UWESO etc would be financed by citizens who have. Have we ever known how these funds which come from abroad are obtained? Some of these are individual savings donated for a cause for humanity all over the world. Ugandans would prefer to burn old clothes instead of donating to a charitable organisation like UWESO. They prefer to sit at joints draining half a million shillings every evening or acquiring more women to have more children some of whom end up in the streets causing more problems. Food is poured into pits and bins instead of being given to the destitute.
Some people own chunks of land but would not allow people to cultivate it for food badly needed by many. [Bringing that idea forward to 10 years later from when this article was written by my father: On Monday 19th May 2008 while being interviewed by WBS TV’s Daniel Arap Moi (Face to Face: “Say it as it is”), Issa Sekitto, the Spokesperson of KACITA said in order for government to solve Uganda’s problem of rising food prices, each household should have a farm where they cultivate…]
People instead crowd in town shacks on metre pieces of land. When a good planner suggests a document to allow many people own land, landlords go mourning. They incite non suspecting oppressed occupants into believing that the law is bad. Who do you think benefits from the 9000 square miles of land? Is it not the ministers who would be allocated that land and continue to oppress the occupants for whom they do not care?
The small people have also got their share of not caring for each other. They throw rubbish anywhere anytime claiming that someone is earning by cleaning. Why don’t you use the rubbish bins and save someone time to do other things? People even throw rubbish on staircases, on some people’s compounds and on public paths. What do you think of others who use these areas? Just walk into flats like Bugolobi, Buganda Road and others and find what I mean. Places like Universal House on Luwum Street, City House and others should not even hold offices, as they are smelly with urine and faeces on the corridors. Ugandans are careless. Do we need experts to advise on hygiene? If we say Kisenyi, and Kamwokya lack facilities to collect rubbish, how about the other places mentioned above. You just see a well dressed person walking across the street eating sweets or biscuits; or smoking and all of a sudden he throws down the wrapper when a well painted city council bin is in front of him. In the villages, it is even a crime to keep the surroundings of your home clean. All plastic bags will be thrown under your fence or on your path. You either continue to pick them up or get annoyed or leave them but then cholera will not spare you. People do not need your music so why blast it out? Fellow Ugandans, who read these comments, please change for the better.
(The manuscript from which I copied this data was produced by John Galia, a friend to my dad from Tara, Maracha? on 29th September 1998)
“Christianity and the Changing World”
In the early times when Christianity was introduced in this country, the leaders were mostly whites from various European countries.
One was taught to read, write and accept the teachings to become a Christian. It was a conversion from old beliefs to new ones. Once a Christian, one was a new person but equal to his teachers apart from the teachers being more learned. Everyone was a Christian, full stop. There were no issues of some being more Christian than others and the teachers showed no sign of that.
Those of us who accepted Christianity then knew that certain behaviours were to be avoided and once one did that one was a good Christian. All sorts of dancing were not acceptable nor were some instruments allowed. Shouting and yelling was un-Christian.
As time passed by, things did not remain as before. Many indigenous people became learned and read so many books. More foreigners came into the country with their different cultures. These cultures have taken root in Christianity. The same Bible is still being read and the same hymns being sung with modifications to suit the situation. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and does not change. That being the case, why the changes in the way we praise him? The very items refused in the past like dancing, shouting and yelling are now acceptable by various groups. Youth can no longer go to ‘dull’ churches because they enjoy music more than anything else. And the dancing! Is there a difference between such dancing and that of Pepe Kale, Lucky Dube and others? Even when the word GOD is used in hymns, so it is in the other songs.
Are we on the right track in our religion? In the past, religion united people as one family. In one church, there were no divisions between family members, couples and all the Christians. Nowadays you will hear such things like saved people, converts, and people with or without the Holy Spirit in them. I was in my local church one time for a meeting and there was so much division there that attendance in the church was dwindling. The reason was that some people considered without Holy Spirit in them were not allowed to participate in leading service. The qualification to have the Holy Spirit was to declare that one was saved. You can hear children talking of daddy or mummy’s church. They do not pray together with their parents except at nursery age. They do exactly opposite of what the parents do or teach.
If we are following the unchanging GOD and our beliefs are based on the Bible which is what was left by eyewitnesses of GOD’s work on earth in the past as we believe, how come we change the teachings of the Bible by change of terminologies, phrases, and our own judgement? Are we saying that the early teachers of the Bible were not knowledgeable about the Bible? We nevere refused preachers, lay readers to have Holy Communion even when they were not wedded in church. In 1950s and 60s, most of those leading in church were not church wedded. Does this mean that the teaching then was fake? It was a necessity for one to accept Christianity on his own accord but babies are now made Christians and many of these divert after coming of age.
We have seen that the way people tend to conduct Christianity has made Christianity a dividing doctrine rather than what the teachings were meant to do. Christianity is one, that is the doctrine concerning Christ. The way the world is changing has made people also change methods of worship. People’s behaviours have changed and Christianity teachers are bending to those changes also. They consider the old methods archaic. But is that correct?
Saved people believe that there is no better Christian than one who has declared that he/she is saved. The Bible teaches us that no one is saved except by the Grace of GOD. So how can one really say or know one has a place in heaven? Is it the public announcement declaring your sins or is it what you do in your life according to the teaching of the Bible which saves you? GOD sees in secret so must we open to anybody other than GOD? How sinless are the people one declares to? These issues are really controversial and when one brings them up like this, it is considered as devil’s work.
There have been so many reasons why people have done things in their lives including having church affairs. One may want to achieve something by being in a certain group and if the best way is by doing something acceptable to that group, one will do it without believing in it. I mean here for example, I may declare that I am saved because I want the favour of a priest or some other person for a scholarship, job, etc. you will notice that the moment one achieves the goal, he or she may drop the belief. Many ‘missionaries’ have come for other purposes but under the guise of strong Christian beliefs or being born again. As the world has become so diverse with issues, being a member of a certain group may give one a consolation from world’s problems and Christianity is good at achieving that.
Some Christian groups think theirs is the best belief. Someone told me recently that if I want to get the true GOD, I should join Pentecostal Churches. Isn’t this a division in Christianity? Others believe in healing power without medicine and have caused deaths by denying people medical attention. Are these any different from traditional healers who consult spirits? Even the traditional healers are wiser in that they still give herbs which cure and not the spirit power alone. I think GOD has given us the world and all the good things to use and one good gift is to sustain life with the help of medicine. All the faculties of seeing, thinking, deciding are given to us to help ourselves. The saying is that GOD helps those who help themselves. You are given eyes to see both good and bad things and on seeing danger, other faculties allow you to escape. Teachers of some Christian groups will feel they have succeeded in preaching if they convert people. They do not realize that by so doing they are bringing divisions. As I mentioned at the beginning, becoming a Christian is a conversion already and the constant teachings delivered should make one judge oneself and inwardly change for better. What use is it to declare your sins and out of church, you commit the same again: Backbiting, anger, quarrelling, jealousy, name it and you have not changed?
Can a Christian really overcome the problems of life in this changing world and particularly in urban areas? To me the answer is “No”. This is a sincere and life experience answer. Take your family which should be your first contact. You cannot convince all your children to follow your beliefs. If you fail that, can you convert all the others? You will always face resistance in your attempt to reach others. Come to money problems. Much as you would not like to be indebted, you will be forced to. You even become selfish. Just imagine, the only way you can have food is with money and you only have enough to care for your immediate family. I do not think you will give it away to feed someone else. You become unsociable because you do not have the money to travel or contribute for functions. Segregation is common, either due to differences in beliefs, clans, education, marital status, etc. you even notice at functions where Christian equality fails.
By James Dramani (1998)
“Many Ugandans do not care for each other”
Why is there poverty among the people when Uganda has plenty of riches? Why are there street children and beggars? Why are the towns dirty? The answers to these and other bad situations lie in the lack of care for each other. Our leaders in government and other bodies start it all with corruption and embezzlements. Where services would be provided to improve on the conditions for the population, funds are stolen. The people working in such places go without pay or are retrenched without adequate package.
These stolen funds are used to acquire houses, wives, cars, etc. It is not surprising to see a family of four having six cars, not even business vehicles that could employ some other people. Ministers, Managing Directors, Permanent Secretaries and other big men and women employ fellow Ugandans as electricians, masons, carpenters, painters etc to do work for them while putting up mansions with the stolen money but they do not pay such. They bully them and the small men coil away in their poverty. The big men prefer to go to relax in hotels within and without the country instead of paying the poor workers who would help other dependants. First of all, they have deprived people of salary in one organisation and they do it again in their own set-up. This is malicious. Businessmen are deprived of payment for services and goods supplied to government in good time and this slows down business. Other parastatal bodies providing services to government are also not paid, thus resulting in poor services to the public, delay in salary payments, retrenchments and other evils which perpetuate the vicious circle.
Our leaders live in mansions on two acre lands maintained on public funds, which are obtained by taxing poor workers all their small earnings. If we really cared for each other, we would not need to beg from abroad through organizations like Africa Foundation, Save the Children, Feed the Children, Uganda Forster Parent Plan, Children Welfare Mission, etc to provide these services. The likes of Sanyu Babies Home, UWESO etc would be financed by citizens who have. Have we ever known how these funds which come from abroad are obtained? Some of these are individual savings donated for a cause for humanity all over the world. Ugandans would prefer to burn old clothes instead of donating to a charitable organisation like UWESO. They prefer to sit at joints draining half a million shillings every evening or acquiring more women to have more children some of whom end up in the streets causing more problems. Food is poured into pits and bins instead of being given to the destitute.
Some people own chunks of land but would not allow people to cultivate it for food badly needed by many. [Bringing that idea forward to 10 years later from when this article was written by my father: On Monday 19th May 2008 while being interviewed by WBS TV’s Daniel Arap Moi (Face to Face: “Say it as it is”), Issa Sekitto, the Spokesperson of KACITA said in order for government to solve Uganda’s problem of rising food prices, each household should have a farm where they cultivate…]
People instead crowd in town shacks on metre pieces of land. When a good planner suggests a document to allow many people own land, landlords go mourning. They incite non suspecting oppressed occupants into believing that the law is bad. Who do you think benefits from the 9000 square miles of land? Is it not the ministers who would be allocated that land and continue to oppress the occupants for whom they do not care?
The small people have also got their share of not caring for each other. They throw rubbish anywhere anytime claiming that someone is earning by cleaning. Why don’t you use the rubbish bins and save someone time to do other things? People even throw rubbish on staircases, on some people’s compounds and on public paths. What do you think of others who use these areas? Just walk into flats like Bugolobi, Buganda Road and others and find what I mean. Places like Universal House on Luwum Street, City House and others should not even hold offices, as they are smelly with urine and faeces on the corridors. Ugandans are careless. Do we need experts to advise on hygiene? If we say Kisenyi, and Kamwokya lack facilities to collect rubbish, how about the other places mentioned above. You just see a well dressed person walking across the street eating sweets or biscuits; or smoking and all of a sudden he throws down the wrapper when a well painted city council bin is in front of him. In the villages, it is even a crime to keep the surroundings of your home clean. All plastic bags will be thrown under your fence or on your path. You either continue to pick them up or get annoyed or leave them but then cholera will not spare you. People do not need your music so why blast it out? Fellow Ugandans, who read these comments, please change for the better.
(The manuscript from which I copied this data was produced by John Galia, a friend to my dad from Tara, Maracha? on 29th September 1998)
“Christianity and the Changing World”
In the early times when Christianity was introduced in this country, the leaders were mostly whites from various European countries.
One was taught to read, write and accept the teachings to become a Christian. It was a conversion from old beliefs to new ones. Once a Christian, one was a new person but equal to his teachers apart from the teachers being more learned. Everyone was a Christian, full stop. There were no issues of some being more Christian than others and the teachers showed no sign of that.
Those of us who accepted Christianity then knew that certain behaviours were to be avoided and once one did that one was a good Christian. All sorts of dancing were not acceptable nor were some instruments allowed. Shouting and yelling was un-Christian.
As time passed by, things did not remain as before. Many indigenous people became learned and read so many books. More foreigners came into the country with their different cultures. These cultures have taken root in Christianity. The same Bible is still being read and the same hymns being sung with modifications to suit the situation. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and does not change. That being the case, why the changes in the way we praise him? The very items refused in the past like dancing, shouting and yelling are now acceptable by various groups. Youth can no longer go to ‘dull’ churches because they enjoy music more than anything else. And the dancing! Is there a difference between such dancing and that of Pepe Kale, Lucky Dube and others? Even when the word GOD is used in hymns, so it is in the other songs.
Are we on the right track in our religion? In the past, religion united people as one family. In one church, there were no divisions between family members, couples and all the Christians. Nowadays you will hear such things like saved people, converts, and people with or without the Holy Spirit in them. I was in my local church one time for a meeting and there was so much division there that attendance in the church was dwindling. The reason was that some people considered without Holy Spirit in them were not allowed to participate in leading service. The qualification to have the Holy Spirit was to declare that one was saved. You can hear children talking of daddy or mummy’s church. They do not pray together with their parents except at nursery age. They do exactly opposite of what the parents do or teach.
If we are following the unchanging GOD and our beliefs are based on the Bible which is what was left by eyewitnesses of GOD’s work on earth in the past as we believe, how come we change the teachings of the Bible by change of terminologies, phrases, and our own judgement? Are we saying that the early teachers of the Bible were not knowledgeable about the Bible? We nevere refused preachers, lay readers to have Holy Communion even when they were not wedded in church. In 1950s and 60s, most of those leading in church were not church wedded. Does this mean that the teaching then was fake? It was a necessity for one to accept Christianity on his own accord but babies are now made Christians and many of these divert after coming of age.
We have seen that the way people tend to conduct Christianity has made Christianity a dividing doctrine rather than what the teachings were meant to do. Christianity is one, that is the doctrine concerning Christ. The way the world is changing has made people also change methods of worship. People’s behaviours have changed and Christianity teachers are bending to those changes also. They consider the old methods archaic. But is that correct?
Saved people believe that there is no better Christian than one who has declared that he/she is saved. The Bible teaches us that no one is saved except by the Grace of GOD. So how can one really say or know one has a place in heaven? Is it the public announcement declaring your sins or is it what you do in your life according to the teaching of the Bible which saves you? GOD sees in secret so must we open to anybody other than GOD? How sinless are the people one declares to? These issues are really controversial and when one brings them up like this, it is considered as devil’s work.
There have been so many reasons why people have done things in their lives including having church affairs. One may want to achieve something by being in a certain group and if the best way is by doing something acceptable to that group, one will do it without believing in it. I mean here for example, I may declare that I am saved because I want the favour of a priest or some other person for a scholarship, job, etc. you will notice that the moment one achieves the goal, he or she may drop the belief. Many ‘missionaries’ have come for other purposes but under the guise of strong Christian beliefs or being born again. As the world has become so diverse with issues, being a member of a certain group may give one a consolation from world’s problems and Christianity is good at achieving that.
Some Christian groups think theirs is the best belief. Someone told me recently that if I want to get the true GOD, I should join Pentecostal Churches. Isn’t this a division in Christianity? Others believe in healing power without medicine and have caused deaths by denying people medical attention. Are these any different from traditional healers who consult spirits? Even the traditional healers are wiser in that they still give herbs which cure and not the spirit power alone. I think GOD has given us the world and all the good things to use and one good gift is to sustain life with the help of medicine. All the faculties of seeing, thinking, deciding are given to us to help ourselves. The saying is that GOD helps those who help themselves. You are given eyes to see both good and bad things and on seeing danger, other faculties allow you to escape. Teachers of some Christian groups will feel they have succeeded in preaching if they convert people. They do not realize that by so doing they are bringing divisions. As I mentioned at the beginning, becoming a Christian is a conversion already and the constant teachings delivered should make one judge oneself and inwardly change for better. What use is it to declare your sins and out of church, you commit the same again: Backbiting, anger, quarrelling, jealousy, name it and you have not changed?
Can a Christian really overcome the problems of life in this changing world and particularly in urban areas? To me the answer is “No”. This is a sincere and life experience answer. Take your family which should be your first contact. You cannot convince all your children to follow your beliefs. If you fail that, can you convert all the others? You will always face resistance in your attempt to reach others. Come to money problems. Much as you would not like to be indebted, you will be forced to. You even become selfish. Just imagine, the only way you can have food is with money and you only have enough to care for your immediate family. I do not think you will give it away to feed someone else. You become unsociable because you do not have the money to travel or contribute for functions. Segregation is common, either due to differences in beliefs, clans, education, marital status, etc. you even notice at functions where Christian equality fails.
By James Dramani (1998)
Tuesday
Valuable wisdom
“An artist must be a thoroughly educated analyst and researcher.” –Russian Painter Pavel Filonov
Wealth is given to a Muslim so that he may perform prayers perfectly and pay the annual charges known as Zakat in Islam. But the human being is so greedy that he knows no extent to his desires. He goes on collecting wealth until the last breath.
In the last third of every night, our LORD descends to the lower most heaven and says, “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness and I will pardon him?
Wealth is given to a Muslim so that he may perform prayers perfectly and pay the annual charges known as Zakat in Islam. But the human being is so greedy that he knows no extent to his desires. He goes on collecting wealth until the last breath.
In the last third of every night, our LORD descends to the lower most heaven and says, “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness and I will pardon him?
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