Letter to Rishi Sunak-No need to apologize

Dear Prime Minister, 

First I want to thank you for taking the lead and stepping up to the plate. In my eyes you did a great job. Both you and Mr. Macron took great risk and decided to present your complex political challenges to a vote. Commendations on this. 

I must say that I was excited when you took your position in 10 Downing Street and were even able to celebrate your ancestral culture and religion. Like many before, in what some of us call the minority, you view represented us all. Those who came from the Caribbean with big dreams and hopes of helping Queen and Country to rebuild after the Great War as well as those who had come decades before and served in previous wars with great acts of service and valor. 

In the US and some parts of South Africa, there are those who rejoice at any progress made by people of color and I think that I am one of them. While we may have differences between us a ‘lesser’ races, your victory was indeed our victory. Even as India launched into space with their first lunar mission we here in Africa also thought about the possibilities. 

When you won the election in the UK, I had just published a piece about why Indians make great CEOs (a piece by Avi Patchava that I found on LinkedIn). It was something I came across online and thought was quite inspiring and I was trying to find ways in which we too on this side of the racial divide would benefit from similar traits. Leadership is great as it often accords you a sense of visibility which allows those who share your ethnicity to see the possibilities and perhaps even step up to the plate. It is a sort of pyramid from which those at the base can also seek to rise. 

While I watched you lead I also saw some of the challenges including a sad scene when you were taking a jog and were verbally accosted by a fellow citizen with some nasty unrepeatable phrases. 

Some of my fears were laid bare when a mix of emotions overcame me a few months ago as almost all the penalty kicks that were handled by my color mates in the English team of the European Championship failed to hit the net. I guess I was a little concerned at the optics of a ‘sacrifice’ that placed black people at such critical points in time only for ‘us’ to fail. 

There was some exhaustion at the prospect or idea that some of us were not really British that even after so many years of giving and losing, there was something missing. Our contribution to the overall culture notwithstanding. 

Maybe my fears about a rising India were overplayed a few weeks ago when I stated what I stated about OSS and Nationalism in India. My hope though is that you will get another opportunity to shine through your party. 

There was a little unease when you called forth someone from the past to help you run government (Mr. Cameron). Maybe it was optics maybe it was just that little piece of inadequacy that troubles all minorities when we find ourselves in positions of power. I don’t know. Imposter syndrome? 

Image above from axios site

As we step into the future your greatest ally is also readying herself for an election in the next few months. 

The crowds that were present when PM Modi the now famous ‘Chaiwalla’ visited the US and filled a stadium with excited crowds showed me what is possible. I just hope that we will not have to deal with an election and later on a withdrawal from the forefront by another Enterprising American of Asian (Indian) descent in the likes of former Candidate Nikki Haley (who for a while had my support-South Carolina) or VP Kamala Harris (although both would be emerging from different camps). Both potentially great picks but whose attachment to Hindustan at least in their heritage might cause them to sink back even when so many are rooting for them. 

Image above from politico site

Social Media Summary for 2023 with a Focus on Education and Entertainment-Social Commentary.

Story One: Pretty Nicole

The year that was presented some interesting challenges and insights into our country. I think that there are three or four stories that illustrate these complexities. The first story is one of a young girl who calls herself Pretty Nicole. She came to the attention of Ugandans on Twitter when someone filmed her being beaten by a ‘rival’ female who had found out that she was involved with her boy friend. Netizens shared this video and as a result a measure of justice was served to the angry young lady.  Then a flurry of events took place where Nicole was placed into a school which she promptly escaped. A few scandals about some leaked videos followed. Desperate pleas from her mother to get her back into school. She responded but what was notable was her concern about the system and her request that she join the music industry as an entertainer. The young girl is barely fourteen. But at that age you are really starting to feel like you have an effect on the world. Your bust and your curves are being noticed and you are starting to make a dent on a largely skewed male population. All things considered, you are in your prime in your teens but with little guidance. 

Many of those who have gone before you and succeeded or not with their degrees often complain about the education system and Pretty Nicole is no different. She is having trouble seeing how valuable what she is being taught is while at the same time realising that quite a number of not so educated youth are making a killing in the Entertainment Scene. 

As we speak the numbers reveal that the number of students who registered for Primary Exams has decreased drastically. So you really cannot blame her. 

Here is where social media comes in. As we speak it seems the young girl has amassed quite a following. I recently looked at her page and found that she had landed an influencer deal. Not bad for a kid who wanted to drop out. Maybe she will have a chance to finance her own education or entrance into the entertainment world. 

Story Two: Alien Skin

This young man is built different. His music has taken the country by storm. He even has the guts to take on Bobby Wine (this is a no go area just ask some famous Pastors). You see the Ghetto President as he is affectionately known has a following that does not take criticism of the principle lightly. But when someone rises to the level where they can take jabs at the GP, then you know something is cooking. In the bigger picture of the Ugandan political scene, the playbook that is being used is similar to what happened in Kenya in the late nineties and frankly to this day is the same strategy. At the height of the democratization of Kenya or some could argue from its very begining, the two party system was exploited through its leaders by creating tribal alliances and factions which later led to the blossoming of personalities and later parties galore. So the Democratic Party of Uganda, Forum for Democratic Change as well as UPC have all had some sort of split or struggle as to who serves as flag bearer with internal coup d’etats being normalized. 

Back to the music. Alien skin has emerged as a breath of fresh air for an industry that some could argue was suffering from a hernia. There was a sesne in which some of those who felt like they helped pave the way for others were feeling entitled and expecting the upcoming artists to kiss the proverbial ring and pledge allegiance. The ability to appreciate those who have come before you goes without saying but there are many ways to do that. Some have chosen to redo music done by those long gone while others have decided to use monetary gifts. All this helps. But this struggle for dominance is real and permeates the Radio Stations as well as the ecosystem of event cordinators and promoters and MCees. 

His music is different. He seems to be having a conversation with his audience and this suits his style. But there is no mistaking the fact that the young people are taking in his stuff and dancing to it. And that is all it takes really. In the bigger picture we struggled to find a universal voice or a defining tune for the country, but my guess is that we are pretty close. 

Story three: Champion Gudo

A few years ago a young boy called Fresh Boy hit the scene with his music. He made an impact and was quickly snatched by one of the leading Primary Education Institutions for a scholarship. This was about two or three years ago but it set a precedent. Ofcourse the school saw this as a marketing win but others also saw an opportunity. The young boy excelled and continued to pursue his career in music but he seemed to be guaranteed a pretty successful future. Enter Alien Skin and champion Gudo. As already described, Alien skin was making waves but as is the nature of our culture in which Kings often invited promising young people into the court to raise them as leaders, Champion Gudo was taken on to learn the ropes at least by association. There was a back and forth where many said that the young boy needed to be left alone to study while others called it a publicity stunt. If memory serves me right, the young one was offered a place in a school? What followed was interesting. Some parents shared a letter with the school’s management stating that they preferred that their children study in a safe space independent of ‘these other children’ (my words). Maybe this is really the way of our society. Classify and separate by wealth or color and manage the distribution of wealth and power by these groupings? 

What are your thoughts? 

PS these photos are taken from Social Media Accounts. 

On the Brink by Yosiya Lwanga

It is very difficult to write or review a book written by someone else about such personal struggles especially when it is written in such an honest manner. 

The author is trained as a creative writer and is well versed in American (read the book and you will figure out what i mean) law but his education in quite a number of countries and in varied languages put him in a unique position to write and describe his experiences. 

The first thing i thought about after reading a few pages of the book was access to rights to a movie. It is written in very descriptive lanugage and Yosiya’s skill in this regard is unmatched. It is a mixture of several ideas and has you moving from Uganda to West Africa to Europe as well as the United States. It is an exploration of deep pain and the work it takes to navigate through this pain into recovery. It is a book about the struggle to get it right and the battle to learn as you grow. It is a lecture about American life in high school and college from parties to clubs to life in the city to wrong turns. It is a glimpse into race, education, bits and pieces of incarceration and more. It even gives you some insights into the law and how it works and the justice system. The book is also about relating to God and understanding human behavior. It is groundbreaking in that it also captures some of the most modern media tools into a three in one. 

While there are many different tools that can help readers who are struggling with addiction the book is also a great resource for those who want to explore the human mind and some of the theories that exist about this area…at least those that Mr. Lwanga has chosen to share with us. 

Mental Health Day.

This article is in four parts first a story, second explanation, third the technical ideas, fourth implications and applications. 

THE STORY 

Recently, in one of our hotels in Uganda, there was a story about a tourist who lost his temper and then decided to descend upon one of the people at the front desk where he assaulted him physically as well verbally. The whole incident was recorded in video. It is said that the culprit was an American born, Christian, Vietnam war veteran that was in Uganda for a holiday whose outburst was diagnosed as bipolar disorder. 

This upset many people who wondered why he was allowed to travel in the first place. 

THE EXPLANATION 

As one who has been through the grind and who knows a thing or two about that thin line between Sanity and Madness I was concerned primarily because on the spectrum or continuum of illnesses, many of us are really not too far for a range of conditions that could place us equally in the same position as him. 

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING 

His story carries weight because he illustrates a few important ideas that need to be referenced. First, his experiences, and his service. The Vietnam War Veteran is bound to have scars and there should at least be some method of recognizing and therefore anticipating some effects from this. Experts therefore often split between experiences and environmental effects on one hand and the effects of ageing and genetics on another (neurodegenrative illnesses). Inbetween though there exists a catergory that is a mash up between the age, genetics and environment. Sometimes these can be triggers that 'release' previously undetected conditions. The war and it's effects would in our Days be described as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The restlessness of children could be a mix of diet, environment and life stressors that we call ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). 

On the spectrum that I mentioned previously, you have restlessness, stress, depression, a moment of excesses (mania), bipolar disorder (which is a mix of manic and depressive),schizophrenia and then psychosis. 

From what we see in the treatment, the blood tests are used to check on the release of certain action or flight controllers which are responsible for the mania and or the depressive tendencies that accompany these illnesses. Bringing the body back into equilibrium is therefore the goal. This can be achieved by rest which is why most medication makes you lethargic. The counseling also helps bring the mind to the place where it can sort itself out vocally. 

APPLICATIONS

To date there have been quite a number of discussion that have been centered around health where some experts have sought to create a "tell all" policy for diseases such as HIV. This is troubling given the stigma and discrimination that is still attached to the disease. Even if quite a lot of progress has been made, there still a lot of work to be done in workplaces where people have been denied jobs or even fired on account of testing positive. We see a situation where for example if one disclosed a mental illness, the same could happen. 

We also see the need to adopt models such as that developed by Basic Needs In Uganda and Basic Needs U.K where there is focus not just on the people with illness but also their families and duty bearers. The office space thus comes fully equipped to deal with stressors and to help prevent situations that can bring about unnecessary distress. 

The disclosure of illness would in some situations be appropriate where we have for example heard of cases where people with mental illness were wrongfully arrested and shot in cities in the U.S.A. Clearly in the case above the signals should be read and clear when dealing with War Veterans both internationally and locally. We also while not aiming at being critical see the need to create room for a future that is sensitive to present and past change pressures such as the Northern Uganda Conflict, Land Disputes and Evictions or other unexpected changes that are bound to affect the manner in which people think and therefore act. 

The Presidential Debates in Kenya-an attempt to find the issues.

Transition, Transformation and Radical Thinking. 

Entertaining other possibilities.

So the day came and passed by swiftly. After a consultation with the debate organizers, the decision was made to have it only between two of the top candidates. Few of us have entertained the idea or possibility of the loss of both men maybe because it is so far fetched. But what would happen if the two most popular leaders ceased to exist. My guess is that the whole process would go into a tail spin and all of a sudden we would have no option but to listen and make space for the rest of them. 

The task of two and the role of one. 

From what we are told there was some expectation that Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta was going to be present but that was not the case. Instead Raila Odinga faced the crowds on his own. We were told that the numbers were impressive (in the age of digitization this process of monitoring is made much simpler). What the result of this was that Baba (as those who hold him in their affections refer to him) took on the role of both candidates. 

A question that was presented helped bring this idea to the fore. The moderators were wondering if both candidates were simply extensions of their fathers both of whom were political giants in the history of the nation. 

Were the two families holding the nation hostage? 

Characteristic tribal affiliations.

Kenya has some similarity with Zimbabwe in the sense that those who were at the forefront of the fight of resistance against the British in this case the MAU MAU (Mzungu Arudi Ulaya Mwafrika Apate Uhuru) have always felt a sense of ownership over the country. In Zimbabwe the liberation fighters are still at the heart if the leadership of the nation and part of Robert Mugabe's unpopularity stems from his unwillingness to negotiate with the white settlers. A similar vein appears in South Africa with Julius Mlema whose attitude towards the white South Africans has drawn him quite a lot of ire. More recently in Kenya we have seen some of these ideas re-awakened with challenges against the ownership of precious tracts of land in the highlands as well as issues of land for pasture. What you have as a result of this is the creation of a historic few whose hold on the reins of power is now being questioned. I argue that the emergence of the Mungiki in the last few years in Kenya was probably a manifestation of this rift in thinking at least in the ranks of hard core Kikuyu resident. The battles against the British would have characteristically involved more Kikuyus especially because back in the day the territories that were being fought for were tribal lands. 

The question regarding an entrenched core (or what is referred to as Mafia) stems from this period which merged the idea of oath taking and silence (OMERTÀ as it is known in the Italian language-the vow of silence). 

Closer home too, we have seen the rise of this type of thinking especially as regards the removal of Idi Amin and Milton Obote. Those who were more prominent in the liberation struggle or at least those who made sure they were seen as being prominent have created a sense of entitlement. 

The question regarding youth and employment. 

The rise of the Mungiki was probably was manifestation of a problem regarding change within the youth who on one hand were close to their parents but distant with regards to experience. But this was unique to the Kikuyu as a core group at least in terms of population in Kenya. Maybe the same can be said of Somalia which survived for so long without a government but whose youth feel a sense of loyalty towards their faith and their territory. In the latter case, here has also been a merger of two rivers that represent the local youth and the young people that have grown up outside of Somalia, perhaps in places like the United Kingdom whose educations system is good at generating forward thinking graduates. 

An export of western models in eastern contexts. 

The debate format is probably an export from the west that is proving popular in our days. I think that the success of this method varies and depends heavily on the caliber of citizenry and the level of interest in these types of engagements. On the whole it seems as though the debates are have a larger audience abroad than locally. From what we saw similarities were drawn between the incumbent and our very own both of whom were not present at critical moments of the debate. The difference is that there was not too much of a reference to the empty chair as was the case in Uganda. The other difference is that on the local scene the hard of state got a chance to make up for the no show. What has emerged in the last few days is the use of FB live by Uhuru Kenyatta probably as a means to further engage his audience. It will be difficult to tell if there will be repercussions for the no show. 

The polls, news items and social media. 

2016/2017 was the year in which the poll was supposed of have fallen out of favor. No one saw or called the Rise of DJT. As things stand now, the pollsters are calling it even. There are no others on the radar unless they are flying low. But what is changing now is the extensive use of tools that seem to have affected the elections in the U.S such as false news. 

The question of land, rents and landlords. 

Historical Problems. 

Probably the most telling moment for candidate was when he used the opportunity to remind the audience about his experience in Prison. The lights were affecting him and this helped serve as a reminder of the Moi years and the difficulties that many leaders faced when the stood in opposition to the KANU. What is interesting is the almost impossible task of figuring out the political party history of the country. From the FORD days (Forum for the Restoration of Democracy) and the split that created FORD Kenya, FORD ASILI to what we have now. Which is really the rise of those who were at the heard of the resistance movement of the day and who to this day can be trusted (at least in the eyes of the populace) with the political future of the Country. 

The double edge sword of women emancipation.

Transition, Transformation and Radical Thinking. 

There is a popular debate on the radio regarding the new change in the corporate circles that has brought about an increase in participation of women in traditionally male dominated spaces. 

The dynamics are changing the way we do business and the manner in which we relate. 

These developments have drawn my attention to the U.S and the battle for liberation with specific regards to the black movement. At a very critical point in the fight, the adversary (whoever this is) made a strategic move that in my view was disguised as the women's liberation. There were some great leaps made in this regard to bring the issues that were troubling women to the fore but something else changed. It was a deliberate master stroke the draw women into the fight in a sense that destabilized the men. The women was thrilled at the chance to get equal and rightly so, but it also brought about a fundamental change in the psyche of the men who inadvertently found themselves withdrawing for their traditional roles.

Not wanting to be seen as the opposition, many simply drew back. Yes they were glad to have women fighting beside them and engaging with the ideas of the age but they now had to settle for few or no jobs and a system that began to skew in favor of their counterparts. 

Maybe this is why we also saw a increase in effeminate men. 

LXB and BXL

 LXB and BXL

Transition, Transformation and Radical Thinking.

The last few months have been momentous for Asia Watchers. The economist run a article in which they asked if China had lost its conscience. The piece was written in reference to Liu Xia Bo or LXB as he came to be know on social media. China and it's citizens and those who follow the scene in a heavily restrictive environment had created a set of initials to get past the world's most stable and impenetrable firewall. 

This was done after the state chose to restrict coverage of the controversial Nobel prize winner especially after his illness became , known. This activist and social commenter had become a thorn in the flesh for the ruling class with his calls to end one party rule. As is often the case, the the rebel became a darling of the west while managing to alienate himself in the site of his own leadership. 

In the meantime, another promising political voice Bo Xi Lai (BXL) presents an extreme on the other end of the spectrum for a country that needs to find its conscience. He was a party insider who Father was once part of a core group. He grew up in the system and was even seen by some to be readying for the top job. He quickly fell out of favor when some scandals emerged that were to grave to ignore. 

So where is China 's middle ground? 

This week and on another platform, two key voices were pitted against each other for their role in Modern China. The first Chang Kai Shek, the second Mao Tse Tung. 

One a champion of the revolution and therefore an advocate of the communist movements, the other an anti-communist. 

Both men tied to history and the need to preserve the status quo but both confronted by the forces of change. 

What is most interesting about the emergence of both men is that the age that proceeded after the end of Kingdoms necessitated or seems to require large chunks of time. These large periods of time both created a cult sense around these two leaders and resulted in a monarchy re-imagined. A study of china's history therefore has to be done with regards to those who gained prominence on one hand and those who fell victim to the forces of change both controlled and uncontrolled. A study of Mao Tse Tung involves as can be expected a look at his history. His relationship with his father, his peasant background, his love for literature, his exploration of the ideas that furnished the revolution in Russia, his marriages, University life and work life, role in the major systems that governed a post revolution china, ideas he presented once he came into power and then relationships with foreign nations. 

The possibility of a collapse of the union as it stands in China is still a long way away. But it is a possibility. Thinkers that watched the collapse of the soviet union have to think about those that functioned under the ideology in the past and that still cling on to it. While the new head of state is still holding the fort and for all intents and purposes trying to revive the glories of Russia sans Czar this reality is should be dealt with by Chinese thought leaders. The trouble is there is no counterbalance of forces. At the moment the state is strong and it has successfully merged its power with its extensive purse. 

Meanwhile In Uganda we are troubled why a few CEOs by passed our territories in favor of Kenya and Rwanda. Maybe God covered us with a kisubi (to cover one with grass as a protection measure). For it is going to prove increasingly difficult to split between the function of China as a government and those of China and it's influential business people. Should the business people rise as they should they might end up being on a collision course with a state that has its hands firmly on the state. 

Seem have argued that much of the development on the local scene has been good for the region especially because China has taken no meddling position. But what the Dragon has demonstrated in her territories is a thirst and hunger that is unquenchable and a willingness to use force in the acquisition of additional territory and resource.