Ok. So you now see Africa has more than a fair share of dictators...no shortage of Gaddafi-type rulers. Do you think Museveni is one of them?
Corruption is their tool to buy loyalty.
All who feel the despot's dirty grip should go beyond the "we wish, we wish" sentiments.
Translate sentiment into redemptive action! Participate in stopping the cruelty of the dark-hearted!
Do civic education (in your own small ways like with village family members, wives and children, friends...and any where, any time, including church).
Let the media fully take pro-people sides (There is nothing to balance when everything is wrong!.
Act knowing neo-colonialism has a hand in most dictators' type of leadership(What for example was an IMF senior representative in Uganda doing in the NRM political party Kyankwanzi meeting? Or, what has Obama so-far done to any African dictator as he threatened?)
Never say you hate politics and that you will keep away from it! Bad politics will send you to hell!
Saturday, 29 October 2011
In Uganda, we Stealth where we Worketh…then we posture!
You might think there are renewed efforts to fight corruption in Uganda. You might think the big fish is being tackled. You might even be tempted to think the implicated big fish’s necks are on the political chopping block.
During these times, you are keen not to miss the next news bulletin so you don’t let pass the latest development on big shots in court. You mention their names (including their traditional ones last officially used in 1980 or there-about). You quote the figures of money they have hauled to ‘Numbered’ Swiss Bank Accounts. You praise the newly found courage of the hither-to weak-willed anti-corruption agencies.
But dear friend, you could be mistaken.
Does it mean anything to you that when top politicians are taken to court over corruption, the president calls a press conference and announces the accused are innocent? Does it matter that the president declares in public that evidence to be brought against these accused VIPs is fake?
To me, it matters.
Lawyers have complained that the Chogm money-swindling minister suspects were charged with the ‘wrong’ offence where the likelihood to find them guilty is less. And it could be intentional. The charge should have been about their illegal procurement of the Chogm cars, the lawyers opine. Of-course many other would-be suspects in Chogm are walking free.
Now I hear the Chogm suspects have appealed to a superior court. Their concern is: Why should one’s ‘dear’ bail be cancelled just because he/she has been committed to the (higher) Anti-Corruption Court for trial? Gilbert Bukenya raised the same argument. The Magistrate ‘ignored’ him. The same Magistrate has agreed now that it is a serious concern which the constitutional court should first determine!
You surely have heard of ‘delaying tactics.’ This could be it. From there, they will appeal to another court which has no Coram of judges. The appointing authority (of judges) will look on, knowing what it means.
On Uganda’s yet-to-be produced oil, corruption is already intense. Parliament (which might be posturing) passed resolutions. Now Uganda’s higher Parliament, the NRM caucus, has directed that those resolutions made by the lower House have been overturned.
Again, does this matter to you? Does it? That if you keep opposing the president he will leave State House and go to the bush? This is what he allegedly said at Kyankwanzi NRM retreat!
During these times, you are keen not to miss the next news bulletin so you don’t let pass the latest development on big shots in court. You mention their names (including their traditional ones last officially used in 1980 or there-about). You quote the figures of money they have hauled to ‘Numbered’ Swiss Bank Accounts. You praise the newly found courage of the hither-to weak-willed anti-corruption agencies.
But dear friend, you could be mistaken.
Does it mean anything to you that when top politicians are taken to court over corruption, the president calls a press conference and announces the accused are innocent? Does it matter that the president declares in public that evidence to be brought against these accused VIPs is fake?
To me, it matters.
Lawyers have complained that the Chogm money-swindling minister suspects were charged with the ‘wrong’ offence where the likelihood to find them guilty is less. And it could be intentional. The charge should have been about their illegal procurement of the Chogm cars, the lawyers opine. Of-course many other would-be suspects in Chogm are walking free.
Now I hear the Chogm suspects have appealed to a superior court. Their concern is: Why should one’s ‘dear’ bail be cancelled just because he/she has been committed to the (higher) Anti-Corruption Court for trial? Gilbert Bukenya raised the same argument. The Magistrate ‘ignored’ him. The same Magistrate has agreed now that it is a serious concern which the constitutional court should first determine!
You surely have heard of ‘delaying tactics.’ This could be it. From there, they will appeal to another court which has no Coram of judges. The appointing authority (of judges) will look on, knowing what it means.
On Uganda’s yet-to-be produced oil, corruption is already intense. Parliament (which might be posturing) passed resolutions. Now Uganda’s higher Parliament, the NRM caucus, has directed that those resolutions made by the lower House have been overturned.
Again, does this matter to you? Does it? That if you keep opposing the president he will leave State House and go to the bush? This is what he allegedly said at Kyankwanzi NRM retreat!
An African Does not Defy Authority? No Sir, He Does!
"An African does not often defy authority. He will follow anyone who asserts himself as leader, however inept. His crops can fail, his children can die, his government can treat him grievously and the African still carries on, uttering no protests, sharing no complaints..." David Lamb in his book, The Africans. (Book is in the MUK MAJC Book Bank.)
Is contemporary Africa proving Mr. Lamb wrong?
While Africa is sprinkled with examples of despots hauled out of palatial State Houses, the earlier examples of 'liberators' were military rebels and coup takers.
Today, it's people power. The common man in action (...in acts of: Kill the beast, cut his throat, spill his blood...William Golding in his book, Lord of the Flies).
But wait a moment:
The people-power thing in Africa is so-far limited to the Arab Maghreb.
Is there wish action should roll South of the Sahara? Hell yes!
But, what is the possibility of a spill-over?
Why is Museveni, Mugabe (he two days ago threatened to dismiss his whole cabinet for suggesting cabinet meetings should start with a prayer), Mutharika, Males, Mwai (who blatantly stole a vote) Mswati (who rivals King Solomon in number of wives and concubines)etc. seemingly un-bothered?
Why?
As we ponder the above, we should also remember that many revolutions in the world and Africa in particular have tended to be as bad or worse than their predecessor regimes.
George Orwell's Animal Farm is the clearest illustration.
Equally, reliance on revolutionary rioting is likely to cultivate a cycle of violence. While there are attempts to establish a new and truly acceptable legal framework in Egypt for example, rioters have often returned to Tahril Square, and in my view, with minor reasons.
Whatever the drawbacks from the North Africa revolutions might be, the public good is (so-far) being done.
And African strongmen and woman can only ignore these events at their own possible peril!
Is contemporary Africa proving Mr. Lamb wrong?
While Africa is sprinkled with examples of despots hauled out of palatial State Houses, the earlier examples of 'liberators' were military rebels and coup takers.
Today, it's people power. The common man in action (...in acts of: Kill the beast, cut his throat, spill his blood...William Golding in his book, Lord of the Flies).
But wait a moment:
The people-power thing in Africa is so-far limited to the Arab Maghreb.
Is there wish action should roll South of the Sahara? Hell yes!
But, what is the possibility of a spill-over?
Why is Museveni, Mugabe (he two days ago threatened to dismiss his whole cabinet for suggesting cabinet meetings should start with a prayer), Mutharika, Males, Mwai (who blatantly stole a vote) Mswati (who rivals King Solomon in number of wives and concubines)etc. seemingly un-bothered?
Why?
As we ponder the above, we should also remember that many revolutions in the world and Africa in particular have tended to be as bad or worse than their predecessor regimes.
George Orwell's Animal Farm is the clearest illustration.
Equally, reliance on revolutionary rioting is likely to cultivate a cycle of violence. While there are attempts to establish a new and truly acceptable legal framework in Egypt for example, rioters have often returned to Tahril Square, and in my view, with minor reasons.
Whatever the drawbacks from the North Africa revolutions might be, the public good is (so-far) being done.
And African strongmen and woman can only ignore these events at their own possible peril!
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
publicaffairsreporting@makerere: Mass Media or Public Media?
publicaffairsreporting@makerere: Mass Media or Public Media?: In his 1956 book The Power Elite the American sociologist C. Wright Mills sketched the difference between a 'public society' and a 'mass soc...
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Taking a Bull by the Horns and a Goat by…the B***s
Uganda’s 9th Parliament is surely cut in a different cloth from that of the 8th. This clearly showed when 190 MPs, from both Opposition and NRM, in a bipartisan stance ‘forced’ Speaker Kadaga to recall them from recess.
Then the sparks went airborne.
The saying; taking a bull by the horns (and as my grand-father would add…and the goat by the balls) is what has so-far defined the 9th Parliament’s discussion of corruption in the oil sector.
The IGG is also staggering on towards the positive…by hurling (alleged?) minister-swindlers of CHOGM cash to court, albeit selectively.
So, could this be the political end (and never financial end, I suppose) of these repeatedly accused (of corruption) super persons who are so close to Uganda’s other super person, the Fountain of Honour?
The Colour of Patriotic Tears
A celebrated TV show host. A renowned soccer promoter and soccer Academy owner. A respected sports columnist and I. We, the four, in different locations including the airwaves of a TV station, sobbed when the Uganda Cranes lost the African Cup of Nations finals bid.
Many fans sobbed like us, writhing in pain like helpless children in bed stung by merciless bedbugs.
So, did we lose because bad luck had us in its sights?
No, I say! Uganda lost the bid when we took the same campaign to Angola in September. Then, the team was divided. There were loud grumbles over monies un-paid. Existence of silent protests over dime was an open secret. Reported compromises made in that line did little to soothe the dejected players.
The man at the top, Lawrence Mulindwa, comes into view as a ‘bully’ who uses the advantage of money and political connections to suppress positive criticism, so it’s said. I agree.
The last nail in the coffin (of Uganda’s failure) was not hammered during the actual game in Mamboole. It was when Mulindwa showed up abruptly in the training camp and made a declaration: President Museveni was visiting the camp and no player was going to ask him any question!
Very likely, Mulindwa has no clue what Articles 29 1(a) and 43 of his country’s constitution say. But following the declaration of ‘no questions to the Head of State,’ David Obua, Uganda’s soccer goal-scoring machine walked out of camp, saying he could not be suppressed from asking questions. Coach Bobby (with Mulindwa’s visible pushing hand) expelt Obua from the camp and line-up.
That is why I will ask again: Why this childish tendency to punish Obua?
Failing to answer the question was why I cried again; a day after the lost bid. I was in a Barber’s shop at Wandegeya, on Sunday Oct. 9, 2011. A sculpture of a Crested Crane stood on the barber’s shaving desk— majestic in its various colours.
My last wish was that the colour of my tears would alternate along the colours of a bird disgraced the previous day.
Makerere Suspension of Master of Journalism a Step to the Rear
By James Thembo,
October 19, 2011
The Closure of the Master of Arts in Journalism and Communication programme at Makerere University this academic year (2011/2012) is a stunning example of the challenges facing Journalism training and education in Uganda and East Africa as a whole.
For the profession and craft that Journalism is and the role it plays in society, me thinks Makerere University should have put staid endeavors in ensuring continuity of a course that started at the University at undergraduate level in 1988.
Suspension of the programme having been due to the departure of two professors (one of them on Sabbatical leave) and another senior lecturer, is highlight enough of the nature of exodus of highly qualified journalism instructors (call it local brain drain) to the private sector where pay is better.
Some of the commonest destinations for departing graduate practitioners and lecturers are the areas of Public Relations and private consultancies. Most PR and Information Officers and Consultants have increasingly become essential mediators in virtually all government departments and private organisations.
What will be the impact of suspension of the programme, you might ask. Well, Makerere University is (has been) the only institution where the Master of Arts in Journalism and Communication programme (exists) existed.
First, the academic dreams of over 100 students who, according to the University Administrators, had applied for the programme this year will be smashed until the course re-opens.
It also is a step backward instead of a move toward to starting a PhD programme in this area. In the mean time, it could lead to an even bigger shortage of lecturers at the department, including at the Undergraduate level.
Suspension of the programme will similarly affect prospects of media research development since at the M.A level, student research works, part of the requirements for this degree’s award, are scholarly.
For solutions, Makerere University should end senior staff shortage by hiring expatriate staff, pay existing staff well, adopt on-line teaching and use of satellite instruction links and up-date equipment at the various colleges to enable technologically-linked training.
Equally, relevant Associations like the African Journalism Educators (CAJE) and the African Media Educators (FAME) should rise to the occasion and think-out long-lasting solutions.
thembojms@yahoo.com
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
The 'Treaso' in walking to office
From March to today Tuesday October 18, 2011, you are in all probability feeling squeezed by the high price of food and gasoline in Uganda. But authorities are saying you should starve to death in peace than begrudge the grand political corruption you are seeing. Police is saying you can move to your creator on a hollow stomach than hurl huge rocks at them (police) on the streets.
Attempt to walk to work and you are a 'treasonist.' If you are a Journalist, report about 'walkers' and you are promoting activities of treason and terrorism. This is Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura's latest version of high-level crime in Uganda. And he holds a Masters degree in Law!
But to ask: What is the treason in walking? what should be treason: Walking to office or political theft of $30m? Isn't the latter higher treason?
I think the IGP has overtaken Amarula Family and Theatre Factory (comedy groups in Kampala) at their trade.
After explaining the above to a friend, she jokily insisted that we should begin calling 'Treason' as 'Treaso.' Reason? The later sounds fairly chic. Then she said, " Isn't this what the Minister for Crocodiles calls 'Manvi Yo Kuku?' " (You remember the Ugandan Minister who quite seriously said he could become Minister for Crocodiles? He is now Minister of Justice.)
More seriously, i think that the issues at stake are the 'death' of the right of Assembly, Association, Speech, Expression, Freedom of Movement and Right to practice ones profession (which is my case is Journalism). And these are fundamental rights enshrined in the Uganda constitution!
Attempt to walk to work and you are a 'treasonist.' If you are a Journalist, report about 'walkers' and you are promoting activities of treason and terrorism. This is Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura's latest version of high-level crime in Uganda. And he holds a Masters degree in Law!
But to ask: What is the treason in walking? what should be treason: Walking to office or political theft of $30m? Isn't the latter higher treason?
I think the IGP has overtaken Amarula Family and Theatre Factory (comedy groups in Kampala) at their trade.
After explaining the above to a friend, she jokily insisted that we should begin calling 'Treason' as 'Treaso.' Reason? The later sounds fairly chic. Then she said, " Isn't this what the Minister for Crocodiles calls 'Manvi Yo Kuku?' " (You remember the Ugandan Minister who quite seriously said he could become Minister for Crocodiles? He is now Minister of Justice.)
More seriously, i think that the issues at stake are the 'death' of the right of Assembly, Association, Speech, Expression, Freedom of Movement and Right to practice ones profession (which is my case is Journalism). And these are fundamental rights enshrined in the Uganda constitution!
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Rats of Libya
Rats and Chariots
Rats whiz outward
And ride Elisha’s chariot.
They nibble at mottled loins
Whereupon the sovereign loses hold.
It’s a triumphant entry of the other type…
Into New Jerusalem.
James Thembo.
Hi World
Hello world. I am happy to join the blogging you. I am just another human being who wakes up every morning, puts one leg in-front of another in a process called walking....
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