While on Campus, two friends really bothered me and made me spend lots of my airtime trying to hook them up with a certain chick called Blessing. She was beautiful and a true fighter even in tight situations. So when she finally came to UCU alongside probably her brother to check on the two boys, they were not in sight for a moment. But when they reappeared around the Bishop Tucker Administration Tower, the main dude walked through the arc as though he did not know me. He was holding a business card in his left hand (given to him by another man he was following). I did not know what to do but asked him why he did not want to talk to Blessing. He retorted that he never had any feelings for her before and would maybe think of seeing her in future. For now, he had an urgent deal to chase with this man who was beautifully clad in elegant men's clothes. I asked his friend who was behind them but the lad seemed indifferent.
I left them to go their way and walked down to the old gate while consolingly holding Blessing's left arm with my left arm stretching behind her back as she wept. I told her I was sorry for what I had put her through and the airtime she had wasted calling these guys. The shorty had broken down completely but she told me that she had already forgiven me for everything... How love relieves us, my mind was now free. I knew she would have a brighter day some day but not with these boys who had played with her heart and emotions.
Monday
Is Uganda Developed?
Someone asked me on Wednesday 11th June 2008 if Uganda is developed and I half heartedly replied 'No', there are two sides to this issue. "We ain't that developed but are heading there at a rate of 9 per cent...
Okay, the first reason why we aren't developed is that when it rains heavily, murram roads are muddy and almost impassable.
Secondly, we still use bicycles and haven't learnt how to travel on skateboards. [Nevertheless, there is a skateboard rink somewhere in Kitintale, Kampala (‘The first’ of its kind in Uganda according to Sunday Vision in June 2008)]
Leaders or MPs (Members of Parliament) take long to implement infrastructural development policies in their constituencies despite displeasure and expressed annoyance from their people.
In the forth place, lovers are not expected to go far and know the relatives of their partners before a formal "Kwanjula". What if your mother calls me by name before you tell her or I get your brother's contacts from him before you have introduced me, am I going too far?
Pastors have different powers, it seems. Some go underground, others use electric shock gadgets or undisclosed powers. Robert Kayanja will bless you, then when you go to another pastor, you start having (wet or) bad dreams, nightmares to be precise. Does that mean we have to remain loyal to one church, but I thought the church was bigger than just one pastor...Okay, if you follow what you see in the dreams, you might realise your developmental progress hampered somehow in real life.
Lastly, people still borrow phones from their friends. "Why don't you get your own?" An MTN kabiriti costs only 40k, that's almost the Poverty Line that stood at earning about 24,000 UgX per month a few years ago...I hear some autographs by Ugandan stars cost 10 to 20k or more, sign here please!
Okay, the first reason why we aren't developed is that when it rains heavily, murram roads are muddy and almost impassable.
Secondly, we still use bicycles and haven't learnt how to travel on skateboards. [Nevertheless, there is a skateboard rink somewhere in Kitintale, Kampala (‘The first’ of its kind in Uganda according to Sunday Vision in June 2008)]
Leaders or MPs (Members of Parliament) take long to implement infrastructural development policies in their constituencies despite displeasure and expressed annoyance from their people.
In the forth place, lovers are not expected to go far and know the relatives of their partners before a formal "Kwanjula". What if your mother calls me by name before you tell her or I get your brother's contacts from him before you have introduced me, am I going too far?
Pastors have different powers, it seems. Some go underground, others use electric shock gadgets or undisclosed powers. Robert Kayanja will bless you, then when you go to another pastor, you start having (wet or) bad dreams, nightmares to be precise. Does that mean we have to remain loyal to one church, but I thought the church was bigger than just one pastor...Okay, if you follow what you see in the dreams, you might realise your developmental progress hampered somehow in real life.
Lastly, people still borrow phones from their friends. "Why don't you get your own?" An MTN kabiriti costs only 40k, that's almost the Poverty Line that stood at earning about 24,000 UgX per month a few years ago...I hear some autographs by Ugandan stars cost 10 to 20k or more, sign here please!
The 2nd Annual Kampala Street Art Festival
I missed the first Kampala Street Art Festival simply because I thought potholes were going to be painted (at least that's what the theme expressed). However when my brother phoned me on Saturday night to ask me if I knew about it [The Pre Party was going on], I made up my mind to check it out on Sunday afternoon. Left home at around 2 PM, three hours late but got into the colourful vibe. In the First Year, I attended the Pre-party (though I walked out early with my soda coupon to catch a Real Madrid match at Shiners’ Pub near home) and missed the festival. The game was just enough to make my weekend though I got a terrible headache due to the high-pitched music blasting in the pub. This year, I missed the party but enjoyed the Festival. The first stall I sighted on the Southern side of Bukoto Street had shoes (bought from Owino) with soil and plants in them. They were sold between 1000 and 3000 UgX as a fundraising drive by UGCS (Uganda German Cultural Society)for the next Street Art Festival within the year. The first guy I could recognise was seated under the tent on the opposite side of the shoe gallery. Denis Kato is a guy I had met just a few days before at Bahai painting. Man, his neighbour Allan in shades on the left had a wonderful piece of a gorilla on cloth. Another artist sat on his other side, my right. I walked to the middle of the street to watch musicians perform, couldn't buy anything, neither sofa covers nor designer shirts but they looked okay though. After music by the 2008 Bell PAM (Pearl of Africa Music) Awards PRO singing to a clown in the middle of the road (This guy actually drew the kids around most), I headed to the other end of the street (It had what I wanted to see) near Record TV and the old UGCS offices before returning for more musical entertainment.
Present on the street were the usual suspects: Tina Wamala, one of the MCs (If you don't know her face, you must be from Mars or Venus) alongside her workmate, a very knowledgeable lady in matters of Sports (Record TV's 'Half Time Show' co-host, that is); Roberta (UGCS Director); Xenson; Ras Jjingo (holding a camera and clad in the First Bayimba Festival's promotional T-Shirt; Peter Otim; plus two of my musical old boys form Macos. Other beautiful people included models showing off comfy Stella Atal, outrageous Xenson and artistic Latif's designs plus another guy who had only one design, tie and die with a big ganja desin on the back.
The musicians stage was mounted on the pavement in front of purple QC Saatchi & Saatchi block. Sarah Ndagire clad in black pants and a pink Indian style dress ( with dark pink and black block designs at the front like those by Peter Otim) stole the show with 3 or more songs from Bunyoro with background Afro beat music performed by 'Soul Beat Africa?' that included my two OBs. Other performances were the crazy "Aka hee? Aka Hee ho!" band of musicians. One 'Kanyama-man' dressed in a devilish mask and trousers with the word 'Jaguar' repeated all over first danced before jumping through a bicycle wheel with a friend and then showing off his tough body by lying on nails while his colleague stood on him. The Fattest Lady in the crowd who was called to do the standing gave up because she thought he would die. Maybe she had accepted the call thinking that she was only going to be carried.
Teenagers who had traveled in many towns of Uganda to spread the message of peace through Break Dance lightened up the faces of 'bazungu' with their street hugging club house dances. Background music included American hit songs like "Promiscuous Boy" by Nelly Furtado; A song by Lil' Kim, Method Man and "Touch my Body" by Mariah...Every body seemed to be moved.
Sponsors of the 2008 'La Ba' Street Art Festival included Goethe Institut, UGCS, iguana Bar & Lounge, Freedum, Sadolin Paints, Alliance Francaise plus the German and Dutch Embassies.
There were public art mounts of mechanical wheels pivoted together to make a majestic tower. Another blocked the road. One of Xenson's crazy fashion designs had Coca Cola cans on a wobbly dress and another had a wierd mixture of cloth from different attires for a lady's trousers. My best revelation for the day though was the new Casalina Art Gallery and Casalina K. Fashion. When I asked the beautiful lady at the tent how long it had been around, I was shocked to learn that it was only "three months old". If that was not newsy enough, then how about the location: somewhere in Kisementi where I pass every month...Plot 3, Cooper Road behind Aisha Salon. They showcase pieces from various artists including Jjuko, my best for the event.
An Alur singer called Suzan? spiced up the evening with two or three songs in her mother tongue mixed with English perhaps for translation. One rhymed, "I'm just a child, without a dime...". The other had, "My wealth is in my soul...". These were fantastic jams though I couldn'yt decipher the Alur but I think it is a good idea when West Nilers combine their lingual with ESL (English as a Second Language).
Mukiza and his troupe also performed skits. Two white babes and a black one danced ballet before the latter joined Mukiza and another black man to produce a tri-logue about 'Committment'. The woman defined it as a man-friend listening to her while the men considerd committment to be the fact that I can have my woman's body, that way you will be committing to her and her great sex antics. Mukiza reasoned that, "GOD intentionally made men few so that they could have more than one woman." I wonder why some chick suddenly came from no where and caressed my left arm from behind. I looked behind and we were both shocked to see that we did not know each other. I was tight lipped and she apologised immediately. You see what committment can do...I'm committed to Art.
Present on the street were the usual suspects: Tina Wamala, one of the MCs (If you don't know her face, you must be from Mars or Venus) alongside her workmate, a very knowledgeable lady in matters of Sports (Record TV's 'Half Time Show' co-host, that is); Roberta (UGCS Director); Xenson; Ras Jjingo (holding a camera and clad in the First Bayimba Festival's promotional T-Shirt; Peter Otim; plus two of my musical old boys form Macos. Other beautiful people included models showing off comfy Stella Atal, outrageous Xenson and artistic Latif's designs plus another guy who had only one design, tie and die with a big ganja desin on the back.
The musicians stage was mounted on the pavement in front of purple QC Saatchi & Saatchi block. Sarah Ndagire clad in black pants and a pink Indian style dress ( with dark pink and black block designs at the front like those by Peter Otim) stole the show with 3 or more songs from Bunyoro with background Afro beat music performed by 'Soul Beat Africa?' that included my two OBs. Other performances were the crazy "Aka hee? Aka Hee ho!" band of musicians. One 'Kanyama-man' dressed in a devilish mask and trousers with the word 'Jaguar' repeated all over first danced before jumping through a bicycle wheel with a friend and then showing off his tough body by lying on nails while his colleague stood on him. The Fattest Lady in the crowd who was called to do the standing gave up because she thought he would die. Maybe she had accepted the call thinking that she was only going to be carried.
Teenagers who had traveled in many towns of Uganda to spread the message of peace through Break Dance lightened up the faces of 'bazungu' with their street hugging club house dances. Background music included American hit songs like "Promiscuous Boy" by Nelly Furtado; A song by Lil' Kim, Method Man and "Touch my Body" by Mariah...Every body seemed to be moved.
Sponsors of the 2008 'La Ba' Street Art Festival included Goethe Institut, UGCS, iguana Bar & Lounge, Freedum, Sadolin Paints, Alliance Francaise plus the German and Dutch Embassies.
There were public art mounts of mechanical wheels pivoted together to make a majestic tower. Another blocked the road. One of Xenson's crazy fashion designs had Coca Cola cans on a wobbly dress and another had a wierd mixture of cloth from different attires for a lady's trousers. My best revelation for the day though was the new Casalina Art Gallery and Casalina K. Fashion. When I asked the beautiful lady at the tent how long it had been around, I was shocked to learn that it was only "three months old". If that was not newsy enough, then how about the location: somewhere in Kisementi where I pass every month...Plot 3, Cooper Road behind Aisha Salon. They showcase pieces from various artists including Jjuko, my best for the event.
An Alur singer called Suzan? spiced up the evening with two or three songs in her mother tongue mixed with English perhaps for translation. One rhymed, "I'm just a child, without a dime...". The other had, "My wealth is in my soul...". These were fantastic jams though I couldn'yt decipher the Alur but I think it is a good idea when West Nilers combine their lingual with ESL (English as a Second Language).
Mukiza and his troupe also performed skits. Two white babes and a black one danced ballet before the latter joined Mukiza and another black man to produce a tri-logue about 'Committment'. The woman defined it as a man-friend listening to her while the men considerd committment to be the fact that I can have my woman's body, that way you will be committing to her and her great sex antics. Mukiza reasoned that, "GOD intentionally made men few so that they could have more than one woman." I wonder why some chick suddenly came from no where and caressed my left arm from behind. I looked behind and we were both shocked to see that we did not know each other. I was tight lipped and she apologised immediately. You see what committment can do...I'm committed to Art.
Friday
oneGOD...
HE is the LORD of the Universe. No devil can claim to be greater than GOD so we worship only HIM. Some call HIM JEHOVAH, others call HIM MUNGU, KATONDA, YAHWEH, ALLAH, RUHANGA en so forth. The names don't really matter 'coz they are so many. What matters is that we give HIM the honour HE deserves...GODisgreat!
All prayers are answered
“When you pray for something; watch out for the opportunities that come your way. They may be reversed in such a way that all you do is think of a move to claim the blessing in real life… GOD always answers prayer by putting us in a situation where you simply use your brain to get what you want."
–AIKO (17th Feb 2005)
–AIKO (17th Feb 2005)
(About the Author of:) "Talking about Talking"
The author of this book (First printed in 1983, Second Edition by Design Centre in 2010) Mr. James E.O. Dramani comes from Ojapi Parish of Maracha County in Arua District. He started his Primary Education at Ojapi Village School in 1954 and went to various schools including Tara, Ibia and Paranga primary schools. He completed Junior Two at Nyangilia J.S.S. in 1961 and joined Sir Samuel Baker School in Gulu for Secondary Education (1962 - 7).
He joined Makerere University in the 1968 Academic Year and studied Economics, Maths and Statistics. He was one of the pioneers of the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics Department of the University. After graduation in March 1971 with a Second Class Honours [BSc.] Degree, he worked with Ministry of Planning as a statistician, then with Bank of Uganda and later joined Nile Breweries Limited where he was an accountant as well as Assistant Managing Director. He rose from Treasurer to Chairman of Nile Breweries FC which won the 1980 League Cup during his administration. In 1984, he went to Glasgow, Scotland for further studies.
He also studied Banking and Accountancy by correspondence and holds certificates in parts of the Professional Exams. By the time of this re-print, he had obtained a Diploma in Business Management and Administration. He is computer literate and has worked as a manager at Nile Bank (Spear House), an indigenous bank bought by Barclays, before retiring to his Home District where he worked as the Arua Municipal Council's Principal Treasurer for four years. He also worked as a Financial and Operations Advisor with a local NGO - YODEO Arua Limited for a short period and as a Retail Shop Owner.
Go out into bookstores near you like Canaan (in Arua) and buy the book (Call 0772-662415 in Arua or 0772-624952 in Kampala for a copy) to get more revelation about one man's hilarious experiences and observations from the 1960s to the 2000s ... Good Reading
SMACKOBA Alumni Re-Union [Sunday 8 June 2008]
Started with mass which I attended about 50 minutes late; actually entered during offertory time, what an entrance! I sat next to some guy I usually meet on Nakasero Hill Road. The students looked just like us; I did not feel any older than them. The Choir was still as angelic as during our years. After mass, me, Kiyinji and another lad one class ahead of us toured the former German Room (now Senior 1D), saw Yellow Man (the Agriculture teacher), Sexie (The French teacher), the Junior Library, walked behind 1C and checked out the Senior 4 classes (Empty at that time because of breakfast, you know) before heading to the Main Hall. I almost registered before D’Arbela, one of the 4 SMACK Old Boys to be honored that day but allowed him to write his name before me in respect. He actually wanted me to do it first but it was his GOD-given day, so he had to come first. Doesn’t that mean that the honourable can also honour the noble like me? I have always had such wishes. If the most beautiful woman (at least acclaimed by respected establishments) tells you that you are beautiful, do you feel ugly? Actually during the reading of his citation by a true admirer, I was satisfied that he had written his name before me. As a medical genius, he had inspired so many and worked both in Uganda and overseas countries even residing in Saudi Arabia for quarter a century. He would say mass at his house on Sundays.
Before the function, I had picked a leaflet about Naalya flats and signed in the visitors book at the National Housing and Construction Company Limited stall (One of the sponsors of the meeting alongside Nile Breweries, can you imagine? And Ethiopian Airlines Wow!) The Chairman of NH&CCL said that since he was also a SMACK product, he became selfish and decided to sponsor the re-union, “It takes an entire village to make a man.” He further praised J.C. Kiwanuka for his dedication to teaching Mathematics, “We do not honour this man enough; He has sacrificed doing other things in order to make us the men that we are today.”
While serving breakfast (A banana, juice and cake; I couldn’t drink tea and the sumbis were finished; Okatch got me the Mineral Water), I saw Emily Mwebaze, the beautiful solo-singer plus WBS TV news reader and reporter just one person ahead of me. I wanted to greet her and tell her how I marveled at her beauty but also did not want to be overcome by this syndrome of being struck by a star. “If the stars can’t recognize you, why should you worship them?” The same applies to crushes: Why cant life be so easy? Of course, the babe looks more beautiful in reality than the beauty we see on the silver screen but as a boy, I did not want to tamper with the peace of another man’s woman. So I let her remain in tact.
The award ceremony was very inspirational simply because the recipients of these accolades, given to them by the Katikiiro of Buganda (Engineer J.B. Walusimbi) also a SMACK OB, had achieved so much over a course of 50 years. I told Nicholas Mwanja, an OB and Lourdel dorm mate for 4 years, sitted next to me that we had about 50 years to get there. The 4 guys honoured were at SMACK in the 1950s and 60s. Paul George D’Arbela, the one who wrote his name before I (Remember?) was introduced by an OB who literally worshipped him. Everything D’Arbela did, this guy followed. When he went out to work in Saudi Arabia, this guy followed. The awards he got, this guy worked to get. It was just totally unbelievable how some one could honour another one’s legacy to such an extent. During his acceptance speech, D’Arbela said, “Lourdel House back then was not good at Sports but via the brain, they were on top,” No one objected.
The Second Awardee was Francis Xavier Kitaaka who came with many members of his family, actually the Most Escorted Guy that day I can say. He narrated how he survived death twice by GOD’s grace during the turbulent times. The scientist turned businessman said, “Any one can be rich; Capital is the head, Caput. Use your head. Only three principles made me successful: GOD, Trustworthiness and Business.” His revelations emphasized some of the rules I had read in a 2007 Richard Templar book entitled “The Rules of Wealth” carried to the re-union by an OB sitted ahead of me.
The Third recipient was Henry Ssentongo, also from the green-flaged Lourdel House, my house. This was the guy I was waiting to hear from simply because he designed the fantastic blue and white Workers House, renovated State House Entebbe and the new Centenary Bank Main Building (Still in the pipeline, will be known as Mapera and one of the Most Fantastic Bank Offices in Uganda). He is also the Patron of the SMACK Chapel Choir and was the guy who donated a 2 Million Shilling keyboard from UK during our time (Late 1990s), masterfully played then by Mwanja sitted next to me. After leaving Uganda to study Architecture in Kenya as the only Black in his class (Afterall blacks were only taught hospitality courses to work as hoteliers or kitchen servants), Henry was given an aptitude test in which three half naked women entered a room and he was told to draw what he saw. Unfortunately, he did not know how to draw. After the test, he cried in his room because he felt he had let down his parents. When one Indian saw him weeping and offered to help, they made a deal that he would teach the Indian mathematics, pay him a third of his allowances while the Indian taught him how to draw. In the long run, he became the President of the Association of African Architects and a member of other bodies.
The Last OB on the Honours list was Prof. Charles O., Vice Chancellor at Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi whose son is also a faculty dean there (I think they were following age). He advised that, “There is an Asante saying: ‘If you follow your father’s footsteps, you will learn to walk like your father’…” As the guest speaker, he had earlier said that we need “Quality Time on Task…A vision with a task can change the world…We become persons by relating.” Being an author of tens of books and an acclaimed orator, the professor had basically given an earth moving presentation before the awards though I missed it briefly. Nevertheless, his acceptance speech was brief and concise. He graduated from SMACK in 1960…
“I look forward to seeing the first person plunged into the swimming pool…,” said Headmaster Edward Bukenya. The Speaker of Parliament Edward Sekandi, also an OB came in late and was honoured by being called to the high table next to the awardees.
Andrew Opolot, the SMACKOBA President Elect and Swimming Pool Coordinator said, “The pool had been an incomplete 40 year project but would be finished by the end of the year.” Some of the speakers wondered why the attendance was low and J.B. Walusimbi advised that we should get some tips from the former President, Architect Sentongo whose regime had fuller meetings.
“During the next SMACKOBA meeting, we should all plunge into the swimming pool,” J.B. Walusimbi humorously concluded the Re-Union and Award Ceremony.
Theatre Factory provided the entertainment after 4pm and it lived up to people’s expectations. Though their first two skits were already presented on NTV’s Sunday Barbed Wire Show, the one about SMACK seemed new and kind of rocked. It must have been produced after the invitation to perform at the function; it simply employed a joke creation technique that sizzled: In the scene, a librarian was required to fill a job vacancy so the first applicant (a sharp actor who impresses me a lot while acting drunk) came in and answered the interview questions correctly. When asked who SMACK’s headmaster was, he replied, “It used to be Father … but is now Brother Edward Bukenya.” OBs were amazed. The second question wanted to find out when the school began. He replied, “1906 and super-modified in 2006” (because of the 100 years celebration I guess). The last question was: Can SMACKists build a class on Planet Mars? “Some people think so but it has not been scientifically proven. Absolutely! ...,” The applicant was so confident that he had passed. So when the interviewer went to ease himself, he tried to give the next applicant (role played by Hannigton Bugingo) the ‘marking guide’ as he called it. He probably did not know that the questions would be changed for his friend. So the second guy walked in with a spring step and was asked what his name was. He stupidly replied, “It used to be Father … but is now Brother Edward Bukenya.”/ “When were you born?” Without thinking, “1906 and super-modified in 2006”/ “Are you mad?” “Some people think so but it has not been scientifically proven.”/ “Are you insane?” “Absolutely ...,” This applicant was simply chased away but he had a joyful smile on his face thinking that he had passed. This was half of the crew performing but after the lunch, they promised to give another dose of their humorous entertainment. Unfortunately, I had already made up my mind to catch the Benin vs. Uganda and missed the fun ... Former classmates present included Ogwal (Usual suspect told me Tinyiro didn't come because he had downed too many), Ocuku, Gerald Okol,Kon Paul (Wow, nice name for a Sudanese!),Walugega, Kasolo, and a few others.
(The information below was copied and pasted from Vickie Kayaga's Email to the OBs)
Hullo OBs, i know you will be interested in reading this educative, informative and inspirational speech by Prof. Charles Olweny presented on the SMACKOBA REUNION DAY.
RE-UNION DAY SMACKOBA 8 TH JUNE, 2008
The Guest of Honour and Chairman of the Board of Governors of St. Mary's College Kisubi, Owekitibwa, Engineer Walusimbi, The Headmaster of St. Mary's College Kisubi, Brother Edward Bukenya,President of SMACKOBA, Mr. Henry Kibirige, Fellow Honourees or Awardees, Fellow members of SMACKOBA, Ladies and Gentlemen
To day is a great day for me as it represents an official home coming after 48 years of absence. I graduated from St. Mary's College in 1960 having been among the first batch to start A-level course here. The warm welcome so far accorded to us makes me feel I might be the prodigal son. The fattest calf has been slaughtered and there will be dancing and jubilation as the celebration continues.
Our human identity is first and foremost relational. We become who we are through relationship with other people. It is not that we become a person first and then relate; rather we become persons by relating, reflecting, knowing and making meaning of our God given gifts. I therefore congratulate you all for keeping the fire of St. Mary's College Old Boys Association burning over the years.
Mr. Henry Kibirige in his letter inviting me to this occasion requested me to be the Guest Speaker and to talk on the theme: “Quality Education and Professionalism”. In preparing for this presentation I asked myself what is QUALITY? What is EDUCATION? And what is PROFESSIONALISM? I will try to share my perceived or shall I say my preferred definitions of what these words mean to me. Quality is the degree to which services to an individual or population are (a) likely to achieve desired outcome and (b)consistent with current professional knowledge. Quality has nothing to do with how shiny or bright a product is or how much it costs. A customer who buys your product or experiences your service has certain needs and expectations in mind. If the product or service meets or exceeds those expectations time and time again, then in the mind of the customer it is a quality product or quality service. Quality therefore relates to the customers perception and in that regard quality may be defined as ”meeting the customers needs and expectations”. Most customers are reasonable. They expect a Mercedes to have leather seats. They do no expect the same of Toyota Corolla! Customers may switch from one supplier to another not just to get a better price( although a good bargain would come in handy) but rather to secure better service, reliability, accessibility and courtesy. Customers are the most important assets of any company although they do not show up on our balance sheet, they are an asset to be nurtured. Let me then ask who are our customers at St. Mary's Kisubi? It is the students, their parents, their sponsors, the Church and the people of Uganda. Has St. Mary's lived up to or exceeded their expectations? If the answer is yes then St. Mary's is a quality institution.
What about education? There are many different definitions of education. Some tell you what education is NOT as for example ,”Education is NOT just filling a bucket with knowledge”. My late parents taught me three things viz. Fear God, work hard and respect authority as all authority comes from God. They instilled in me the notion that you can never have authority until you respect authority. You need to find some authority worthy of your respect. I have added a forth dimension or value to my children, namely, “be disciplined”. Discipline is doing the right thing when no one is watching. It is , when you are alone , instead of eating in the kitchen, laying the table, carrying food to the table, sitting down, saying prayer before meals and eating the food; and when it is all done, taking the plates and washing them before retiring. Discipline is not just demanding people to take action; it is to do with getting them to first engage in disciplined thought and then take disciplined action. In this regard my parents were my first educators. My own preferred definition of education is, “what is left when all that you learnt at school, college or university is long forgotten.” What is left is “education” When you can no longer define the principle of Archimedes, when you can no longer deduce Pythagoras' theorem, when you cannot impute E=MC2, when all the neuroanatomy, or biochemistry is gone, when all the calculus you learnt no longer makes sense then what is left in you is education. A good education empowers us; provides us with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake important tasks in our lives, exploits all our potentials, prepares us to become global citizens and above all teach us to think critically. Text books teach people subject matter but they do not teach people to think let alone to think critically. I believe St. Mary's gave me a good education. St. Mary's instilled in me the notion of discipline. I recall the early morning wake up call from Brother Louis or Bother Paul Major, rain or no rain, would roar at the door, “May Jesus live in our hearts” and the chorus, “Forever”still ring loudly in my ears. We were taught the appreciation of classical music. I developed then a passion for classical music to this day. We were given dancing lessons. I wonder how many of you can dance foxtrot or waltz or calypso? We were given courses in etiquette. We were encouraged to ask questions and to ask the right questions when faced with complex decisions. We were trained not to cone by rote, but or cram but to try to understand issues and express them in our own words. Now that I can no longer remember the academic issues, what I have left in me is education and I can proudly announce it was a good education.
Lastly, what is professionalism? The definition I found is , 'being engaged in one or other of the learned professions i.e. Legal, medicine, engineering etc. A better definition is exhibiting a courteous conscientious and generally business like manner at the work place. Another definition of professionalism is the conduct , aim and qualities that characterize or make a profession or a professional person. The majority of us here are professionals or belong to one or other of the professions. Do we exhibit courtesy? Are we conscientious ? Are we business-like in our work place? Do we exhibit qualities that should characterise our profession? Are we reliable, accessible and courteous to those we serve? I leave it up to each of you to answer those questions
Our mission in this world, according to the late Pope John Paul II, is to seek God, study the world and serve humanity. All of us have a mission to fulfil. If we are still alive then that mission is not fulfilled and definitely not completed. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, “God's grace works through nature”. Encountering God in the bits and pieces of every day life is what we should strive for. Remember the people you encounter in the streets, in the class room, in the market, in the taxi park are your gods. This earth is crammed with heaven. The people who come to your consultancy rooms whether you are an Architect, an Engineer or a Medical Doctor are all your gods. Please treat them as if they are God. Take your heart to work and ask everybody else to do the same. Don't let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth, don't let them get swallowed up by the great chewing i.e. Complacency. The ancient Buddhist expression states, “ If we are facing the right direction all we have to do is walk” I was amazed to learn that a SMACK old boy designed the Chogm logo, not me brothers.
I suspect Mr. Henry Kibirige wanted me to talk about quality university education. I have intentionally avoided doing so because quality education begins in the home. The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people. Quality education begins in the primary and secondary schools. Unfortunately, by the time the students get to university, the dye is cast and it is almost impossible to mould them into quality products. I thank you for listening to me.
Before the function, I had picked a leaflet about Naalya flats and signed in the visitors book at the National Housing and Construction Company Limited stall (One of the sponsors of the meeting alongside Nile Breweries, can you imagine? And Ethiopian Airlines Wow!) The Chairman of NH&CCL said that since he was also a SMACK product, he became selfish and decided to sponsor the re-union, “It takes an entire village to make a man.” He further praised J.C. Kiwanuka for his dedication to teaching Mathematics, “We do not honour this man enough; He has sacrificed doing other things in order to make us the men that we are today.”
While serving breakfast (A banana, juice and cake; I couldn’t drink tea and the sumbis were finished; Okatch got me the Mineral Water), I saw Emily Mwebaze, the beautiful solo-singer plus WBS TV news reader and reporter just one person ahead of me. I wanted to greet her and tell her how I marveled at her beauty but also did not want to be overcome by this syndrome of being struck by a star. “If the stars can’t recognize you, why should you worship them?” The same applies to crushes: Why cant life be so easy? Of course, the babe looks more beautiful in reality than the beauty we see on the silver screen but as a boy, I did not want to tamper with the peace of another man’s woman. So I let her remain in tact.
The award ceremony was very inspirational simply because the recipients of these accolades, given to them by the Katikiiro of Buganda (Engineer J.B. Walusimbi) also a SMACK OB, had achieved so much over a course of 50 years. I told Nicholas Mwanja, an OB and Lourdel dorm mate for 4 years, sitted next to me that we had about 50 years to get there. The 4 guys honoured were at SMACK in the 1950s and 60s. Paul George D’Arbela, the one who wrote his name before I (Remember?) was introduced by an OB who literally worshipped him. Everything D’Arbela did, this guy followed. When he went out to work in Saudi Arabia, this guy followed. The awards he got, this guy worked to get. It was just totally unbelievable how some one could honour another one’s legacy to such an extent. During his acceptance speech, D’Arbela said, “Lourdel House back then was not good at Sports but via the brain, they were on top,” No one objected.
The Second Awardee was Francis Xavier Kitaaka who came with many members of his family, actually the Most Escorted Guy that day I can say. He narrated how he survived death twice by GOD’s grace during the turbulent times. The scientist turned businessman said, “Any one can be rich; Capital is the head, Caput. Use your head. Only three principles made me successful: GOD, Trustworthiness and Business.” His revelations emphasized some of the rules I had read in a 2007 Richard Templar book entitled “The Rules of Wealth” carried to the re-union by an OB sitted ahead of me.
The Third recipient was Henry Ssentongo, also from the green-flaged Lourdel House, my house. This was the guy I was waiting to hear from simply because he designed the fantastic blue and white Workers House, renovated State House Entebbe and the new Centenary Bank Main Building (Still in the pipeline, will be known as Mapera and one of the Most Fantastic Bank Offices in Uganda). He is also the Patron of the SMACK Chapel Choir and was the guy who donated a 2 Million Shilling keyboard from UK during our time (Late 1990s), masterfully played then by Mwanja sitted next to me. After leaving Uganda to study Architecture in Kenya as the only Black in his class (Afterall blacks were only taught hospitality courses to work as hoteliers or kitchen servants), Henry was given an aptitude test in which three half naked women entered a room and he was told to draw what he saw. Unfortunately, he did not know how to draw. After the test, he cried in his room because he felt he had let down his parents. When one Indian saw him weeping and offered to help, they made a deal that he would teach the Indian mathematics, pay him a third of his allowances while the Indian taught him how to draw. In the long run, he became the President of the Association of African Architects and a member of other bodies.
The Last OB on the Honours list was Prof. Charles O., Vice Chancellor at Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi whose son is also a faculty dean there (I think they were following age). He advised that, “There is an Asante saying: ‘If you follow your father’s footsteps, you will learn to walk like your father’…” As the guest speaker, he had earlier said that we need “Quality Time on Task…A vision with a task can change the world…We become persons by relating.” Being an author of tens of books and an acclaimed orator, the professor had basically given an earth moving presentation before the awards though I missed it briefly. Nevertheless, his acceptance speech was brief and concise. He graduated from SMACK in 1960…
“I look forward to seeing the first person plunged into the swimming pool…,” said Headmaster Edward Bukenya. The Speaker of Parliament Edward Sekandi, also an OB came in late and was honoured by being called to the high table next to the awardees.
Andrew Opolot, the SMACKOBA President Elect and Swimming Pool Coordinator said, “The pool had been an incomplete 40 year project but would be finished by the end of the year.” Some of the speakers wondered why the attendance was low and J.B. Walusimbi advised that we should get some tips from the former President, Architect Sentongo whose regime had fuller meetings.
“During the next SMACKOBA meeting, we should all plunge into the swimming pool,” J.B. Walusimbi humorously concluded the Re-Union and Award Ceremony.
Theatre Factory provided the entertainment after 4pm and it lived up to people’s expectations. Though their first two skits were already presented on NTV’s Sunday Barbed Wire Show, the one about SMACK seemed new and kind of rocked. It must have been produced after the invitation to perform at the function; it simply employed a joke creation technique that sizzled: In the scene, a librarian was required to fill a job vacancy so the first applicant (a sharp actor who impresses me a lot while acting drunk) came in and answered the interview questions correctly. When asked who SMACK’s headmaster was, he replied, “It used to be Father … but is now Brother Edward Bukenya.” OBs were amazed. The second question wanted to find out when the school began. He replied, “1906 and super-modified in 2006” (because of the 100 years celebration I guess). The last question was: Can SMACKists build a class on Planet Mars? “Some people think so but it has not been scientifically proven. Absolutely! ...,” The applicant was so confident that he had passed. So when the interviewer went to ease himself, he tried to give the next applicant (role played by Hannigton Bugingo) the ‘marking guide’ as he called it. He probably did not know that the questions would be changed for his friend. So the second guy walked in with a spring step and was asked what his name was. He stupidly replied, “It used to be Father … but is now Brother Edward Bukenya.”/ “When were you born?” Without thinking, “1906 and super-modified in 2006”/ “Are you mad?” “Some people think so but it has not been scientifically proven.”/ “Are you insane?” “Absolutely ...,” This applicant was simply chased away but he had a joyful smile on his face thinking that he had passed. This was half of the crew performing but after the lunch, they promised to give another dose of their humorous entertainment. Unfortunately, I had already made up my mind to catch the Benin vs. Uganda and missed the fun ... Former classmates present included Ogwal (Usual suspect told me Tinyiro didn't come because he had downed too many), Ocuku, Gerald Okol,Kon Paul (Wow, nice name for a Sudanese!),Walugega, Kasolo, and a few others.
(The information below was copied and pasted from Vickie Kayaga's Email to the OBs)
Hullo OBs, i know you will be interested in reading this educative, informative and inspirational speech by Prof. Charles Olweny presented on the SMACKOBA REUNION DAY.
RE-UNION DAY SMACKOBA 8 TH JUNE, 2008
The Guest of Honour and Chairman of the Board of Governors of St. Mary's College Kisubi, Owekitibwa, Engineer Walusimbi, The Headmaster of St. Mary's College Kisubi, Brother Edward Bukenya,President of SMACKOBA, Mr. Henry Kibirige, Fellow Honourees or Awardees, Fellow members of SMACKOBA, Ladies and Gentlemen
To day is a great day for me as it represents an official home coming after 48 years of absence. I graduated from St. Mary's College in 1960 having been among the first batch to start A-level course here. The warm welcome so far accorded to us makes me feel I might be the prodigal son. The fattest calf has been slaughtered and there will be dancing and jubilation as the celebration continues.
Our human identity is first and foremost relational. We become who we are through relationship with other people. It is not that we become a person first and then relate; rather we become persons by relating, reflecting, knowing and making meaning of our God given gifts. I therefore congratulate you all for keeping the fire of St. Mary's College Old Boys Association burning over the years.
Mr. Henry Kibirige in his letter inviting me to this occasion requested me to be the Guest Speaker and to talk on the theme: “Quality Education and Professionalism”. In preparing for this presentation I asked myself what is QUALITY? What is EDUCATION? And what is PROFESSIONALISM? I will try to share my perceived or shall I say my preferred definitions of what these words mean to me. Quality is the degree to which services to an individual or population are (a) likely to achieve desired outcome and (b)consistent with current professional knowledge. Quality has nothing to do with how shiny or bright a product is or how much it costs. A customer who buys your product or experiences your service has certain needs and expectations in mind. If the product or service meets or exceeds those expectations time and time again, then in the mind of the customer it is a quality product or quality service. Quality therefore relates to the customers perception and in that regard quality may be defined as ”meeting the customers needs and expectations”. Most customers are reasonable. They expect a Mercedes to have leather seats. They do no expect the same of Toyota Corolla! Customers may switch from one supplier to another not just to get a better price( although a good bargain would come in handy) but rather to secure better service, reliability, accessibility and courtesy. Customers are the most important assets of any company although they do not show up on our balance sheet, they are an asset to be nurtured. Let me then ask who are our customers at St. Mary's Kisubi? It is the students, their parents, their sponsors, the Church and the people of Uganda. Has St. Mary's lived up to or exceeded their expectations? If the answer is yes then St. Mary's is a quality institution.
What about education? There are many different definitions of education. Some tell you what education is NOT as for example ,”Education is NOT just filling a bucket with knowledge”. My late parents taught me three things viz. Fear God, work hard and respect authority as all authority comes from God. They instilled in me the notion that you can never have authority until you respect authority. You need to find some authority worthy of your respect. I have added a forth dimension or value to my children, namely, “be disciplined”. Discipline is doing the right thing when no one is watching. It is , when you are alone , instead of eating in the kitchen, laying the table, carrying food to the table, sitting down, saying prayer before meals and eating the food; and when it is all done, taking the plates and washing them before retiring. Discipline is not just demanding people to take action; it is to do with getting them to first engage in disciplined thought and then take disciplined action. In this regard my parents were my first educators. My own preferred definition of education is, “what is left when all that you learnt at school, college or university is long forgotten.” What is left is “education” When you can no longer define the principle of Archimedes, when you can no longer deduce Pythagoras' theorem, when you cannot impute E=MC2, when all the neuroanatomy, or biochemistry is gone, when all the calculus you learnt no longer makes sense then what is left in you is education. A good education empowers us; provides us with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake important tasks in our lives, exploits all our potentials, prepares us to become global citizens and above all teach us to think critically. Text books teach people subject matter but they do not teach people to think let alone to think critically. I believe St. Mary's gave me a good education. St. Mary's instilled in me the notion of discipline. I recall the early morning wake up call from Brother Louis or Bother Paul Major, rain or no rain, would roar at the door, “May Jesus live in our hearts” and the chorus, “Forever”still ring loudly in my ears. We were taught the appreciation of classical music. I developed then a passion for classical music to this day. We were given dancing lessons. I wonder how many of you can dance foxtrot or waltz or calypso? We were given courses in etiquette. We were encouraged to ask questions and to ask the right questions when faced with complex decisions. We were trained not to cone by rote, but or cram but to try to understand issues and express them in our own words. Now that I can no longer remember the academic issues, what I have left in me is education and I can proudly announce it was a good education.
Lastly, what is professionalism? The definition I found is , 'being engaged in one or other of the learned professions i.e. Legal, medicine, engineering etc. A better definition is exhibiting a courteous conscientious and generally business like manner at the work place. Another definition of professionalism is the conduct , aim and qualities that characterize or make a profession or a professional person. The majority of us here are professionals or belong to one or other of the professions. Do we exhibit courtesy? Are we conscientious ? Are we business-like in our work place? Do we exhibit qualities that should characterise our profession? Are we reliable, accessible and courteous to those we serve? I leave it up to each of you to answer those questions
Our mission in this world, according to the late Pope John Paul II, is to seek God, study the world and serve humanity. All of us have a mission to fulfil. If we are still alive then that mission is not fulfilled and definitely not completed. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, “God's grace works through nature”. Encountering God in the bits and pieces of every day life is what we should strive for. Remember the people you encounter in the streets, in the class room, in the market, in the taxi park are your gods. This earth is crammed with heaven. The people who come to your consultancy rooms whether you are an Architect, an Engineer or a Medical Doctor are all your gods. Please treat them as if they are God. Take your heart to work and ask everybody else to do the same. Don't let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth, don't let them get swallowed up by the great chewing i.e. Complacency. The ancient Buddhist expression states, “ If we are facing the right direction all we have to do is walk” I was amazed to learn that a SMACK old boy designed the Chogm logo, not me brothers.
I suspect Mr. Henry Kibirige wanted me to talk about quality university education. I have intentionally avoided doing so because quality education begins in the home. The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people. Quality education begins in the primary and secondary schools. Unfortunately, by the time the students get to university, the dye is cast and it is almost impossible to mould them into quality products. I thank you for listening to me.
Breaking the Curse of Poverty
Many times I see people who have the assets to get out of tight financial situations, but because of laziness or fear, they never use the leverage of their assets to make the corrections that are needed to continue their prosperity. Then
poverty and want come upon them like an armed man, and in the process of
time they end up with nothing. (Excerpt from “Breaking the Curse of Poverty” by Dr. Wayne C. Gwilliam)
poverty and want come upon them like an armed man, and in the process of
time they end up with nothing. (Excerpt from “Breaking the Curse of Poverty” by Dr. Wayne C. Gwilliam)
The 2008 State of the Nation Address
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)
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)
.jpg)
(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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
![Elekitoro Komisoni Ongu [EC Race] 2021](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo2xbJR5ARnWe_U1As57tS-D9aSdj6KR1hY01W8yFB1zNRGcVVQy9lDHv6mZFOBYCWrohl9bjA538bXyUrERcUNs9HVPvuR1_-jXCuI-npTMsKM4SxPul3mEZG8NDky0RotfGX5XqawQ/)
