Cyber Security in Uganda and the Region.

There is a direct link between the development of technologies and the threats that emerge within that society. 

Computer Related Threats 

Your computer is safest as long as it is not connected to the internet. The advice given to people who are connected to computer networks is therefore to restrict access to certain computers in order to reduce the threats that may emerge from the Internet. This in the present age can be asking for too much. This new age in computing has created a corresponding rise in providers who specialize in the development and creation of anti-virus software. Because most computer users are more accustomed to windows operating systems, they have been much more vulnerable to attack. As such others have chosen to adapt to additional technologies and operating systems like linux. These systems see also vulnerable except the threats have a different nature. 

It is common to see unusual files while using a Linux devices which would be undetected in the windows environment. 

Peripheral Devices and Security 

The increase in capacity and speed of devices has meant that the flash disks has experienced a greater use. As a result these devices have been used and designed to get full access to Unsuspecting PC users. Mini programs can be created and stored on Flash Disks these can then load once the devices are detected by the computer. These mini-programmes can then sit in hidden parts of the system structure where they can wreck havoc to users. Windows has created a unique system especially with it earlier versions of windows experience that repeatedly questions the administrator of the computer whether he/she is sure that the software they are installing is from a verified source. 

People who traffic In malware often take advantage of people and their unwillingness to purchase software. So free software comes with all sorts of hidden programs and viruses that are used to gain access to the user. 

Mobile Technology Related Threats 

Mobile Phone use has increased exponentially in the third world and with this increase we have also seen a rise in harmful software. The rise in usage also created a rise in creation of mobile applications. The same systems that were designed to sit on the desktop have had to be scaled down to mobile. A lot of revenue has been generated by mobile application developers. Unfortunately, these development have also brought with them some major Security challenges. 

Some systems take advantage of the web and use the browser to get into the mobile phones system. The most common use of these invasions is to capture user data, in order to get access to contacts and images stored on the mobile phone. In addition to this there have been attempts to use turn on the microphone or the cameras that sit on these phones in order to gain control of user data for the purpose of blackmail. 

Banks and threats relating to computerization (ATM-asynchronous transmission)

The developed world having made more strides in the use of ATM technologies often employs the same methods to attack less developed countries. There have been attempts before to replicate user data and ATM cards by capturing four digit codes and then withdrawing money. 

Others have bought and installed fake ATM machines where they install cameras in order to see the details of people as they withdraw their Money. 

The ATM systems are connected to Windows Xperience which Microsoft is no longer supporting. This means that to be safe, the bank has to make sure that it is using the latest server systems in order to make sure that they can get access to updates from Microsoft as well as Fixes. 

Payment platforms and banks

The arrival of mobile platforms and the decision to connect this with banking means that an extra level of vulnerability now exists. Because these systems are built by people using certain platforms, there is a great need to secure them to avoid attack. The mobile device has been a breakthrough for banks because it allows the users to be identified as a unique individual and can transform the manner in which the bank relates to the user. The banks have seen this as a calculated risk and have therefore designed systems to match this need. In addition to the changes in banks, the governments in most of Africa have had massive registration drives that have enable most phone users to sign up and therefore have unique identifiers with their mobile phones. This should make the job of banks a little easier. 

Payment platforms for mobile and Telecom Companies

We have seen an invasion of sorts of the telecom company into the finance industry. The reduced costs of mobile devices as well as the registration of mobile devices has brought services closer to people in the third world who are often rather suspicious of large financial institutions. The rise of the micro finance and micro lending systems has also made the adoption of mobile and finance related technologies much simpler. 

The challenge of Security in this regard has therefore given birth to threats from three directions. Telecommunications, Finance and Mobile (device). We have also found the challenge of dealing with the human resource in each of these industries. 

Mobile Money

 

According to an article written recently MTN is said to have traded about 16 Trillion UGX on its mobile money platform (http://www.telecompaper.com/news/mtn-uganda-mobile-money-value-increases-by-24-in-2015--1108916). 

The success of mobile money platforms are part of much bigger coming together of several related and unrelated events or happenings. Digitization or computerization, a change in the fortunes of the middle class, an age of relative stability, changes in Economies that have favored the largely agrarian class, a tendency away from traditional banks and other financial behemoths, as well as the corresponding rise of alternative small lending services. 

Digitization or computerization.

There is no continent on earth with a greater cell phone penetration and in which the citizens have access to more hand sets. This is in part due to the aggressive computerization and digitization policies that have been it into place by governments and their partnerships with Mobile Operators. The decision to privatize many of these telecom operations brought about a sea change in thinking and resulted in much greater investment into these sectors. This also brought about much needed change in the Education Sector as well as in Employment as thousands of students found themselves needed to acquire a fresh set of telecommunication related skills. Others in government identified additional linkages that would cut across sectors and created outsourcing centers and schools which developed call centers, enhanced customer care services and boosted sales and advertising strategies. 

Changes in the fortunes of the middle class.

Employment opportunities and a rise in income mean that citizenry can demand access to better services and enhanced lifestyles. A thriving and active middle class can then begin to engage directly with with an innovative business, entertainment and educational sector to create modern services which favor a group of citizens that control a lot of the cash that circulates in the Economy. 

An age of relative stability. 

The business people and investors often find it easier to invest in stable countries than they do in unstable ones unless off course they are in the business of Relief or the sale of Arms and munitions. 

Changes in Economies that have favored the largely agrarian class.

An economy that is driven by agriculture finds great benefits in payment methods that are simple to engage with and that can guarantee results for the trader, the farmer and the consumer. This works hand in hand with a well established transport system which ensures that goods get to the market within time. Other innovators saw not just the opportunity to revolutionize payment but also to add other related services that would help the farmer interact better with his colleagues (farmers' associations)

As well as with suppliers of machinery, and extension services. 

Tendency away from traditional banks.

Smarter banks on the local scene quickly realized that there were some changes taking place and decided to create smaller but more intimate settings. This took place as small lending services were taking over the business of lending (in places like Bangladesh). In addition to this new banks were starting small and expanding and realizing that the bulk of the users had a bigger preference for small operations.

The rise of alternative small lending services. 

The most natural thing to do for poor communities with limited income was to create small groups to help them save money and also to support larger group projects. Because very few of these groups so the need to leave their traditional settings, small lending platforms were born. They were really community banks run by local citizens and supported in a large part by non governmental organizations which had done the ground work necessary in meeting the citizenry. 

Concerns and threats. 

The platforms have been on the whole effective and have not been designed to operate fully as technical groups in mobile platforms. In suburbs all over the city, we have seen mobile money agents set up small kiosks where users can make payment for essential services like water, power and TV subscriptions. Others have integrated fuel payment options while others are working on enabling users to pay for their groceries. The smarter kiosk owners has therefore found himself having to expand and transform his business to favor the changing needs of his populace. Perhaps the weakness of these platforms has been in not being able to fully eliminate the large amounts of cash that are traded in these spaces. This has therefore made the agents vulnerable to attack and theft. 

Other threats have arisen from software and hardware as wells as from disgruntled employees. 

Job Market in Uganda and the Region

There are many sources of employment in Uganda. the major ones are:

1. Government

2. Non Governmental Organizations 

3. Telecommunications Companies

4. The Education Sector

5. Media

Government

The role of government in Employment cannot be down played. In this regard the nature of politics has meant that to a large extent most opportunities have had to be distributed to trusted mainly pro-movement supporters. This has been an unavoidable path for a system that is built and that depends wholly on presidency as the supreme source of leadership and in respects the only true fountain of honest leadership. This is reflected in many ways and manifests itself in the numerous demands for responses from the president to help mitigate land issues, local disputes within families and many more often trivial issues that many feel would remain unresolved without his hand. While you could argue that this is a weakness in the presidency and especially one that has been in place for so long, we have similar effects in the neighborhood of Tanzania where a party takes that place of the presidency (which is better regulated) and manages to entrench itself in other significant but in some way unrelated aspects of local life such as the employment of citizens and their access to opportunities. 

Local government in the attempts to improve service delivery have found it useful to create patterns similar to those that are used in the health sector where there has been a push to have a health center accessible at a distance of about 4 miles. 

Even if the growth and emergence of more districts has been pushed by many locals, the same has been criticized by others for creating governance and employment complexities. That said, the District Service Commission of Arua For example was responsible for the creation of 55 jobs in health as well as general office management. Gomba advertised 5 jobs, Kabarole Advertised 2 (New Vision Monday 17th February 2014) 

Non-government Organizations 

The civil society groups in the region have played a prominent role as the de facto supporters of the opposition as well as the attempt to play the role of the nations' conscience. By establishing NGOs foreign governments have had the ability to engage with government in creation of employment opportunities as well as in the management of funds often sent in through partnerships with these NGO. The job seekers therefore often has to watch the local space for funds that are released in areas like Roads (European Union), Disease Control (USAID) and Trade Related issues such as AGOA (where the U.S sought to create opportunities that would enable locals to take advantage of American Markets). Because of the linkages between government and NGOs many of these opportunities often take place at the time when government announces the release of funds for specific needs. Reproductive Health Uganda had 11 offers, PACE had an opening for team leader in reproductive health as well as a quality assurance position. In addition to this and in relation to the previous two, there was an opening for marketing and health officer for the Clinton Health Access Initiative (Monday 17th February 2014). 

Telecommunications Companies

The emergence of new players in the always presents new opportunities for employment. The only challenge is that often these companies tend to recruit professionals that are already in place with other local players and that are familiar with the local market. This leads to a recycling of ideas so that the marketing campaigns of new groups bear frightening similarity with those of previous players. 

There is also a balance of hires and fires which means that if 10 jobs are created fifteen can be lost in the same breath. In addition to this it is important to identify jobs that are dependent on larger industries. As such marketing, sales, client support (call centers) are also bound to thrive as an indirect result of the rise of a new player in the industry. 

The Education Sector 

The rise of new technologies and new opportunities often causes a growth in the Education Sector. This growth in Uganda for example would bring about the expansion of programs to include oil and gas (extraction and exploration) as well as other development that sought to capitalize on Uganda unique geographical location (Business Process Outsourcing). 

Gulu University had one opening for an accounting assistant, Kumi University had 2 major top level appointment that were advertised for Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Uganda Christian University had 17 opening for administrative as well as for lecturing and teaching positions (Monday 17th February 2014)

Media (Print, Audio and Visual and Publishing)

The decision to transition from analogue to digital signals has brought about a increase in providers. This has meant that the visual space has flourished. As a result the need to producers, editors, directors as well as presenters has increased. The Vision Group has emerged as a significant player in this sector and had managed to expand the scope of its services from print to visual in not just one language but also into regional coverage, to exhibitions of all sorts from weddings to construction, to business development and innovation and much more. The Vision Group had 39 job openings ranging from camera operators to accountants to engineers and editors. (Monday 17th February 2014)

Regional concerns and other trends 

The push towards regionalism has meant than anyone with any serious career development prospects has had to think critically about the region. This means for example having a knowledge of different policy documents in the area regarding employment and to some extent travel, import and export, infrastructure development, minerals as well as the complexities around governance and leadership. So knowledge of local languages is a plus, ability to travel, a background in consultancy is also recommended. 

These regional concerns also force the keen observer to watch foreign players like China, the U.S, Europe as well as the activities of regional giants like Egypt (which influences development on the Nile), South Africa (which has played a major role in calming political tensions in the region), Nigeria (which is defining the manner in which emerging oil economies in the area navigate with other suppliers and processors). 

The Entrepreneurs

It is also important to take into account the demographics in the region which favor youth. Anyone who ignores the young populations does so at their own risk. It also valuable to realize that the bulk of this group thrives on small business. This is why there must be a deliberate action to create and promote more innovation spaces and to push for more business development services like PAKASA (From The Vision Group) which should be expanded to function regionally and to provide business support services much like the Agricultural Extension Services that were designed to function with NAADS programs. Efforts must also be made to re-connect the young people that have fallen out of the system of education to get back into it and to get hands on training to boost their employability. The entrepreneurs have to be given a unique space because there are very few ads in the paper for this specific group. 

Digitization in Uganda and the Region in the last five years.

The changes that have taken place in the last five years in the digitization space have been monumental. The best way to understand these changes is to restrict this description to the transition from analogue to digital that has been the topic of debate in the region for the last few years. It would be foolhardy to attempt to describe the changes covering digitization as a subject and more so taking on the effects on the region. Restricting this conversation to broadcasting is useful because it presents some of the major ideas in micro form while also allowing us to chart or expand these observations in other related fields (macro). 

It should be understood that the broad term 'digitization' in my view covers a lot more and could be stretched out to include some of the other developments such as the computerization which has invaded many of our service industries from banking, to insurance to the delivery and payment for power and electricity (utilities) and much more. 

The Local Stations

Five years ago, we had about six notable local stations. WBS (Wavamuno Broadcasting Services), UBC (Uganda Broadcasting Coperation), TOP Television (Tower of Praise-Pastor Senyonga), NBS (a fairly recent entrant), NTV (owned by the Nation Group), Bukede TV(Owned by the Vision Group). 

Most of all media activity in the country revolved around the work of the National Broadcaster which held the greatest coverage and had the deepest reach. Every four years when the World cup was held the eyes of over a billion people would focus on the single country which would host the event. The national carrier would then have the rights to broadcast the event. The same would take place for the olympics after two years (but also in the cycle of four). The hold the national broadcaster holds is still significant but a marked change in the effects of this, lies in the decreasing effect armies on the continent see in seizing the national broadcaster for significant military events (insurrections and coup detas). This discussion has to emerge in some part from the national broadcaster because even with the advent of the cable TV (and the decoder), the national broadcaster in conjunction with the UCC (Uganda Communications Commission) has played a central role in managing the transition both technically as well as in logistics and policy. For example, the UCC has been responsible for managing the content of certain broadcasters and the approval of devices which have flooded the market (this development a direct result of the march towards digitization).

As we mentioned earlier, the debate around digitization is much broader and in some regards covers computing and the internet where data transfers of information (which travels in bits) has to be managed and moved by modems which are modulators and signal translators. The same can also be said of telephony from which we have seen the move from cumbersome handsets to hand held devices that have become a multi billion dollar industry.

The Cable TV Providers

On the local scene, the largest foreign cable TV provider was DSTV which has its headquarters in South Africa, the same benefitted from from the popularity of sports (soccer in particular and more specifically the premier league and Champions league). Popularity of this platform led to the entrance of other providers such as Sports TV, Go TV, AZAM (very recent entrant) and Star Times (a chinese owned provider). Some of the providers have taken the industry by storm by merging the software side of the business with hardware as well as broadening the concept of digital space with that of telephone and broadcasting. The chinese for example broadened their reach on the continent by creating an equivalent platform to take over the internet connection space with companies like Huawei (modems, phones, routers, switches, hubs). But the internet device business has on the whole capitalized on the inroads were made much earlier by Telephone Service Providers which in the attempt to expand were also forced to adopt additional technologies.

Policy Issues and Legal Subjects 

The proponents of the digitization have pushed this whole process with ideas such as freedom of information and right to access-information as key policy guidelines and directives aiming to place this at the heart of citizen development. In addition to this the MDG (Millennium Development Goals) and more specifically the goals regarding education, were also concerned in some regard with the transformation of the Education Sector by the inclusion of Information Communication Technology. The argument was that the internet and access to it would help improve learning and integration of students as well as interaction in a world that was increasingly being viewed a a global village.  

Soon access to information was being viewed as a human right and a guarantor to development and the lifting of many in the third world from a viscous cycle of poverty. So while many providers benefitted from the massive profits that were being made at the start of this push for digitization, the United Nations began to push for legislation that was designed to reduce the cost of these services. The figure on the left shows consistency in off-net traffic but a marked rise in on-net traffic and a fairly low amount of outgoing traffic. This could mean that there maybe more opportunities to engage with local audiences than foreign ones and that these linkages may need to be expanded. 

In addition to the policy issues we watched as countries at the coast made attempts to connect to underwater cables that would give them access to much faster fiber optic cabling that would increase the speed of internet. It is in this environment that NITA (currently headed by James Saka) was born to help manage internet infrastructure in Uganda. Already, the ICT Ministry at the time headed by Dr. Ham Mulira (currently advisor to the President for ICT) had already put in place the infrastructure for ministry to ministry meetings that would have completely simplified the meetings and dramatically reduced the need for costly Workshops (and the per diem that goes with them!).

The Rise of New Players

To date there are over twenty local station with a notable advantage over their former competition in that they now have access to a global audience. The right to religion and information have had the combined effect of increasing the stations that are run by religious groups which has also benefitted the faith based groups. New notable players are Urban TV (English channel owned by the vision group), HTV (Horizon TV), Delta TV, ABS TV (Started by a local Pastor-Pastor Yiga), Life TV (Tom Sembera), Lighthouse TV and many more. The figure below shows the annual telecommunications tax revenue figures for the year 2013 to 2014. 

Desktop Activism and Post Event Prophecy II

CONSTITUENTS 

Perhaps the decision of one of the candidates to focus on a specific groups marks a much needed change in strategy in the broader campaign machinery. The president has greater access to several influential groups such as The Boda Boda Association, UTODA (the taxi drivers association) which has suffered much-at least with regard to influence, and to lesser extent KASITA (an association that is run by city traders). 

Meeting with a church group is therefore a step in the right direction, but the situation being as it is I suspect he will soon face some opposition. So there is a need for both the Go Forward Campaign as well as the FDC group to focus more on very specific groups as opposed to regions and the tribal groups that inhabit them. There is some evidence of this with the second day of the campaigns with promises from Kazigo to at least restore agricultural cooperatives. 

THE UNEXPECTED 

Maureen Kyalya-woman candidate is proving to be quite a surprise for the people of Busoga. She is partnering with a pastor who has had a rough patch with the police after claiming to have been kidnapped. The woman's speech is interesting and the manner in which she has been received is quite revealing. She has stated plainly that there presidency belongs to the Basoga. Her belief is that like the queue that was supposed to be used in the NRM, there is another unstated presidential queue that should be organized around tribes and that this time around should point 

East! An interesting entrance and commentary from a local man was also worth noting. He stated plainly that the Basoga would be very foolish to elect others if one of their own had made themselves available. Maybe the Baganda missed the boat when they failed to align themselves around the candidacy former FDC party-another woman who made great leaps in driving the agenda for Federo (federated governance). 

THE PASTORS

Joseph Mabirizi-not too certain if there is a link with Mabirizi Complex, also stands out because he is a man of Faith. In previous posts where we spoke about the rise of the mega pastors, his is an important development because it involves an entrance into an arena that is largely dominated by political men who often quickly prohibit religious men from walking into the governance space. This makes little sense when politicians are assigned the best seats in religious houses and in many cases given access to the podium. So Mr. Ribs is like the mouse that got away from under the grip of the captors and manages to sound the clarion call. One hopes that in the years to come his act of courage will be imitated by other men of the collar like say...Zac Niringiye who has done a lot to push for the expansion of the inclusive space and paid the price for it with blows from baton holding men. 

BROADER REGIONAL ISSUES

The elephant in the region has to do with the broader concern for Rwanda and Burundi on one hand and Tanzania on another. And the extensive influence of the Congolese. Politics in that regions has centered around the Hutu and Tutsi Conflict which has shaped the character of the people, the politicians and their prophets. In the same way in which the restoration of the nation of Israel characterized and defined modern day middle Eastern Conflict, Character and Concern we have a region that is wrapped up in military thinking and that has found itself tied up to the past with concerns about genocide and complex ethnic tensions. This means that it will become almost impossible to function effectively without the use of excessive military force and power. We already witnessed to some extent a clash between the Rwandese and the Tanzanians but much now rests in the hands of the new head of state in Tanzania and the choices he will make in relating with the sitting Rwandese leader. Tanzania because of its influence in the region (mainly attributed to the leader Mwalimu Nyerere) has had a heavy influence in the selection of leaders as well as in the removal of others. 

MASKS 

If there was a group that was uneasy about the influence of certain NRM leaders in other political parties and if there were fears regarding moles, these fears have been in some regards assuaged. Those who hitherto were enjoying the patronage of Kazigo can now support him in some regards without fear. Given the short term memory of many party adherents there should be caution in the approach towards the future. The opposition will find it easy to judge those who in their view sold out or showed weakness in sticking with the ruling party but the bigger picture as stated before points to the Resistance. If the resistance is the greatest goal, then the opposition to this should be the most noble cause given what resistance movements are supposed to be designed for. 

THE NORTH STAR

Do not take Northern Uganda for granted. So far the only thing that has prevented a greater unity has been the existence of post NRM enmities between the Acholi, the Lango and the Kakwa. But the regions has also benefitted from many reconciliation programs and the investment of NGOs in the redevelopment of the region. The people here have also had much greater engagement in the rest of the country as well as an ability to watch from the sidelines. Maybe their influence in the military has lessened but this they have had a significant portion of their populace moving and engaging and fighting for the liberation of their own people. Even if the records exist stating some measure violence, the predecessor of J.Kony, A.Lakwena was to many a prophetess and military leader whose major aim was to help restore and heal the people of the Northern Region. There was as deeper concern over the region and it's spiritual center and fears that something had gone wrong. These thoughts brought about a lot of soul searching and a desire to revive the people of Northern Uganda. 

Desktop Activism and Post Event Prophecy

This is how I think Its going to go down. 

In physics we call it the elastic limit. A point beyond which something can no longer stretch. The point at which it actually breaks. Maybe this is where we are. 

THE CROWDS 

Three 'notable' candidates and three sets of noticeable crowds. This is all taking place in a season of elections at a time when preparations are begin made for the years end...and there is money to be made. If there was a method of changing the manner in which we vote and the street became the ballot box, then many of these candidates would be possible front runners. This manner of force favors the activism that the forum for democratic change through K.B would have preferred. But I am certain that M.M is not convinced but he has little to do given the idea that he has to respect the decision of the delegates. M.M was more concerned about the creation of structures that can be used to cement the forum for democratic change and it's place in the grass roots. But I fear that the pull of the crowds will be too powerful a drug for the three time candidate to resist. Instead he will fight on like the Tanzanians did despite the unevenness on the ground and then when it is too late to demand a recount or too cry foul, his opponents will grab the holy book and march comfortably for another fiver. 

Do not be fooled by crowds. 

THE MESSAGE

The FDC has had one major triumph which I have written about before, it is the idea that they championed the message of change. Now change has become the anthem of the Movement as well as Kazigo's clarion call. There is little that anyone can do to overemphasize this but the FDC must strive to show that at least in this regard, the opposition has tapped into the right vein. This is the dilemma of every unknown and upcoming personality. Because of a lack of place and position all one can do is present ideas which the bigger candidates will often pick up and repackage as their own. The underdog is often too small to be perceived as a significant player and so his enthusiasm and wit are often swallowed up by those who have learned through the passage of time to take that which is good and use it for their own benefit. 

The message is change. 

THE VOTER

If I was to find the genuine voter, I have to go to the smallest candidate in the most rural part of Uganda. I would have to interact with the smallest crowd where there is the least amount of fanfare and the least amount of cash. Part of the problem of the crowd is the problem that our vast population seems to be suffer from. The lack of jobs. It would be a very different scenario if for example the candidates were forced to visit farms where large swathes of their citizens were busy, say harvesting subsistence crops for the season or taking advantage of the rains (which are in plenty) but alas they are making quick cash and claiming to need assistance in restoring agriculture. What if for example they chose to visit industries that they themselves have established over the years. Chances are there would be no now to meet them there for a genuine conversation about how the candidature of the politician would affect their employment opportunities.

The true voter is not going to show up. 

THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

The observers are not going to show up until D-day. Which means that they are placing their Stamp of approval on a single day and claiming that it represents a whole process. This is wrong and needs to be rectified. The electoral process is what the black hole is to the universe. A lot of energy that potentially sucks everything else in. The electoral process not just election day are both one and the same machine. It has become Uganda's largest income generator and job creator. Even if no one budgets for it, we have plenty of groups that are willing to invest in it. This is not unique to us region but it has the potential of being much more destructive because we do not have as strong a base in other aspects of our economy. 

Observation should start much earlier. 

IDEOLOGY

The problem with the communism as an ideology is that in this region it sought to destroy and remove anything that had a semblance to royalty and structure and hierarchy. Even if in some regards there was an attempt (later on) to restore the monarchies in several regions, this was little more than windows dressing and the realization that in these parts culture was much too ingrained in our psyche to replace. We are often unable to gauge the effects of these changes because those who we force out are often too far removed from the new changes and voiceless in defense of their kingdoms. The new generals and change makers on the other hand then have to contend with leadership dynamics that force them to operate in a manner not too different from those they have so vehemently opposed. The monarchies fear that they are powerless to defend their people against the might of the invaders, this plays right into the hands of their foes who by now have recruited enough locals into their armed forces. Soon they are receiving medals and honors from foreign forces and wining and dining in camouflages and international capitals. 

This is essentially a politically active and living space...nurture it. 

THE CONCERN

I have not seen a larger gathering of German Made vehicles in a very long time. Old school combies, beetles and yes even the famous 

Bavarian. Kindly forgive me if I express concern and surprise about how intimately the Resistance Movement has become with a German Brand. I do accept the possibility that there are certain rights that the man who wins the war has to history (in writing it and in shaping its character), but we are not accustomed to viewing mainstream German ideas and brands with Resistance! This is why if history is also false in this regard, the resistance movement cannot afford to split and splinter in the manner in which it has in the last few decades. 

Revisit the resistance space. 

REGIONAL GRIEVANCES

We were told that when push comes to shove, fearful voters will tend to congregate and aggregate along tribal lines. Two regions ok three have remained largely untouched and underdeveloped in the last few years. Busoga, Iteso and greater northern Uganda. One has to commend the government for ministries that were established to attempt to direct more attention to these regions. But it is clear that a decent number of people associate leadership with visibility in the top political space. Busoga has remained nostalgic given some of the massive developments that were seen prior to the drive towards independence. In an attempt to revive the economy, government requested the return of the Asians who in a large part were said to have been part of this development. The question is how far back would you go? Would you also invite the British and undo the work of independence movement? Is there nothing redemptive in Idi Amin's leadership and his move to place Africans at the core of Ugandan Business? 

Act locally. 

The week that was

Protect the prophet and his mantle. 

This week i heard an interesting message from the Anglican camp in which the Archbishop warned the church and its leaders against misusing their office and their authority. There was a danger, he said of loosing the prophetic voice- which was going to be crucial in establishing the place and position of the church of God in this part of the political dispensation.  

The folded arms of an Eastern Uganda Stalwart

Perhaps I was reading a little too much from all if this. But during some of the speeches post elections in the Forum for Democratic Change, there was a image of Nandala Mafabi hands folded, watching the dialogues and speeches from both Col. Kizza Besigye and Gen. Mugisha Muntu. It is too great a task to read his mind. But there are possibilities that in our culturally sensitive region much of his thoughts were wandering about the previous race for the top seat in the FDC. This as you remember took place between the Eastern stalwart and his colleague with proven military experience. 

The attempt to shift the centre of political gravity

Camp Kazigo made some interesting attempts to move the battle to the hills of Bugisu. In his mind, he was trying to take the nation back to a point where he and his colleagues had began some major parts of their battle for the 'liberation' of the country...and I do use that term loosely. He was allowed to move unhindered perhaps with a view of testing the waters to see how much of a pull he would be able to effect. Critics later on would state that the bulk of the attendees were actually main stream opposition groups who would have showed up regardless of who was making the grand appearance. 

Activism versus Structure 

The elections took place after some very interesting political debates managed well by Charles Mwanguhya Mpagi and brought to the citizens courtesy of NTV and a host of Non Governmental Organizations. 

On the whole we could argue that the delegates chose the confrontational style of the previous party president over the cool and collected General. Sandwiched between the two was the man from Bugisu waiting patiently for an opportunity to make his mark on the democratic space but probably feeling crowded out by the western conference. 

Generational challenges and the resistance movement 

So local experts began to talk about what they referred to as a battle between the old guard and the young Turks. Newbies who are itching for an opportunity to take the wheel. In the meantime the proverbial queue (references were made to this when the Blue eyed boy-Kazigo began to think and act as Big Hat's Successor) was brought back to our memory. And so the young ones were also accused of trying to skip the queue. 

Leadership and covering-a crisis in camp Balokole?

So there was a battle that spilled over into some of our tabloids. In my view it is a struggle regarding growth, leadership and methods. Someone begins to grow and his growth affects all those around him. The son begins to rise and his development seems to counter the productivity of his peers. At the heart of this battle is a concern over the registration of the church and parachurch groups. 

Does any organization have the right to register churches that are not in the mainstream (Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox) under any banner other than the Spiritual Banner and the direct lordship of Jesus Christ? 

Is it fair to register churches under the same group that regulates the working and management of Non-governmental Organizations? 

To be fair to the government, we have to realize that we live in a region that is rather susceptible to cults and cultish movements. 

Because we have struggled to see the release of reports from strongholds such as Kanungu (where Kazigo has a leadership edge), it is natural that in some circle fears abound as to the effectiveness of government and its oversight over religion. 

Liberation Movements and Revolutionary Moves 

The leading opposition movement or liberation movement or rebel movement is the Lord's Resistance Army and has its roots in Northern Uganda. No other group has presented so much of a challenge to the broader narrative of the National Resistance Movement (especially with its credentials in the bush). If push comes to shove, and the ballot box loses its value and significance, there will be a resurgence of the LRA. 

There will also and we have already seen this be a rise in militias. This is not on the whole a bad thing. Because we in Africa tend to see everything American as divine, we at some point will begin to think in terms of the Second Amendment (see my  blog titled skirting the issue). Which broadly speaking was defined to help American 

Citizens to think critically about their constitution and their right to protect it. There is a huge part of ones population that needs to be involved in some form of political empowerment. In Kenya the government has revived the National Youth Service. What is really good about this is that the youth are armed not with sticks but with spades (the beating of plowshares to swords comes much later after the young people have gained an appreciation of the core income generating activities as well as the value of Agribusiness in national development. 

One of the reasons why there has been some difficulty in accepting K.B and M.M and other generals as valid opposition figures has been the inability of the People to perceive them as anything but NRM people. This is why there is always talk about Big hat and his plants or spies that are sent out to monitor opposition groups and why in some circles leadership at the top of some of the major parties has seemed to always have a western (Uganda) leaning. 

That said M7 was always smart enough to learn and use and adapt to whatever situation he came into. So he learnt from the Democratic Party, UPC as well as from colleagues and friends in Tanzania, Mozambique and even Kenya. 

The Forth Estate Comes of Age- the lady and the trump

When a historic group of un-biased observers come under attack, we have to begin to prepare from a massive seismic shift in events. News of the World-Rupert Murdoch and the possibility of more closures in the future? Extremes of one perceived estate? 

Maybe this is what causes such a flood of attention for Donal Trump. 

He came onto the scene in an age of reality TV. A time where the line between perception and truth became blurred. Experts told us that the very act of watching an event changes it's state and behavior. So we wonder how much of what we see if reality and how much how much is truth. 

I justified the Apprentice series by noting that in our day, the CEO could not leave independent of social life and media scrutiny and that therefore a series that allowed people to submit job offers in public and sit in board rooms amidst the cameras made some sense. 

And so we sat mesmerized and even took notes and dreaded those words...you are fired! 

So I wonder if in the choice of team we will have yet another event run by one of the stations in the U.S in which the most notable names in the business will compete for a chance to run the candidates 'winning' campaign. 

You cannot watch the events unfold without thinking how much of an effect this one man will have on the issue of suffrage. 

I do not know how many times I have sat on a screen watching the news and it's presentation without fearing that much of my interest was fueled by an unfortunate misuse of one genders advantage over another...at least in terms of appeal! 

Quietly I wondered if my African upbringing was at war with the American way where jocks and cheerleaders rule the day and not geeks. But there were troubling undertones and fears that many geeks would have their way in an age of vengeance and at a time when gun laws and rock music and game consoles were running the show. 

But I digress. 

The point is for some unfortunate reason I was paying more attention to pretty presenters than truthful ones and believing that perhaps truth and beauty had signed a deal. 

While presenters sat shifting nervously to conceal certain parts their anatomy while trying to give their analysis I felt constantly that they were being betrayed. 

So a reported exchange took place between a presenter and a media mogul and she clearly stood no chance. The trump was much too skilled in getting attention and raising the ratings. 

Then I remembered that perhaps the most valuable thing in a woman's psyche apart the nurturing instinct is her look. Standing before her and running for the top job was the man who has managed over the years to put a bulk of his finance behind one of the most important dates in the Female Calender-Miss Universe! 

I cannot be blamed for thinking at least in this respect that this man is a formidable foe. If not for the presidency but for perceptions of femininity in general. 

Lying Low

We were sitting for the final art exam after three vigorous years of training. 

The British system and it's methods of testing was designed to test your skills but also your ability to follow instructions. If I remember correctly the question was about the use of number 1-9 to create a abstract piece (painting). 

There were students three types of students. Those who were skilled and who needed very little practice to prove so. Then there were those who would be forced to follow the instructions a little more in addition to their limited skills. Then there was a group who struggle in the background and  through the term only to emerge and flourish at the end as victors. 

My friend M was part of the last group. He walked into the room and used the energy of the rest of the students to create something good causing him to ace the exam as one of the few top final results. 

I too was fortunate because I followed the instructions and combined that with some skill and training. 

The race of the white house could produce someone from the last category. 

A candidate that is smart enough not too say too much while using the energy of those who are front runners in the race to create a last minute strategy and plan. In the previous post we alluded to this while talking about pace setters. Migratory birds use formations to ensure that they use a limited amount of energy to fly long distances. Candidates that are known can suffer much more attack precisely because they draw attention to themselves. But the choice to fly low can prove disastrous in campaigns that call for so much visibility. 

We have not seen too much of the social media drive that fueled B.H.O's drive for the presidency or the involvement of young people, nor have we seen the massive voter registration forces that reignited interest in the electoral process for black minorities. 

What we see though is a gathering storm that will focus our attention south of the Mason Dixon line and at the borders predominantly affecting hispanic minorities-an interesting and growing voter block. 

We have also seen concerns about voter registration rules for Identification affecting African Americans as well as fall out from the Katrina Disaster that has brought about marked shift in numbers (100,000 black residents from affected areas have not returned ) ten years after the disaster. 

So the deal with Cuba is important because it helps generate much needed income flow but critically, it has alienated some of the countries historic local allies and dissidents. But also changed the dynamics of immigration, economics and trade.

You could argue that the deal with Cuba has done what some believe could happen if the debate to legalize medical marijuana in states such as Colorado is carried through causing a decline in the narcotics trade south of the Rio Grande. 

The low lying candidate therefore needs to have the pulse of the people. 

He/ she needs to know what the numbers are on immigration and the affects of the much needed reform on agriculture and trade in the southern states. 

He/she needs to have the numbers regarding movement and migration in disaster prone areas and implications of these movements on voting. 

He/she needs to know the complexities of race relations in mid-western states and the corresponding legislation that deal with the same. 

He/she needs to be able to harness new media tools for an emerging generation but also balance these with old school town hall meetings for older more influential groups. 

Pacesetters and front runners

In a season when athletes are taking centre stage, I cannot help but think about the five and ten thousand meter races. These metes often have to be governed by pacesetters. These are usually experienced but retired runners who are paid to make sure that the participants stay within a time frame. These times are flashed across the screen and at specific points in the race to make sure that the runners can achieve goals and if need be break records. 

I think this is a fitting description for the race to the white house as it stands. There have been few front runners who have sailed right through the initial party nominations all the way to the 'finals' in most cases, were shielded by the rest (like migratory birds in flying in formation) only to emerge towards the end to achieve the victory. 

So while encouraged by the appearances and attention drawn by Hillary Clinton on the democratic side and Donald Trump on the republican side, there is a possibility that all they are doing is setting the pace for the rest of the runners. 

It is also interesting to note that a ten year anniversary of the Katrina 

disaster (a hurricane that ripped through the State State of Louisiana and possibly turned the tide of the U.S public opinion) has brought about the appearance of the former presidents club of Bill Clinton (D) and George Walker Bush (R). Strategic because both pulled off a controversial eight year terms and both are bound to support the bids by close family members Jeb Bush (R) and Hillary Clinton (D). 

The pacesetters have therefore helped bring certain issues to the fore. 

While the end of the first of two presidential terms is often useful in creating some breathing room, it also presents a shift of thinking focusing on legacy. The battles to cripple the presidency (using shut downs and jerry-mandering) were a mark of these eight years and have been further amplified by determinations by the bulk of the republican candidates (aspirants) to reverse by decree many of this current presidents rulings. 

So the return to Louisiana is significant because it involves the passage back in time where the Republicans can attempt to reclaim their southern territory (bible belt) while the democrats prove their worth and demonstrate to the people in the south that the choice of change was the right decision. In my view, both parties being political animals have to defend their claims using some of the most valuable pieces in their arsenal. 

But while this is significant, these are not the issues at the centre of race as it stands and as presented by the media. 

But this weeks appearances of the 'former presidents club' have placed these two presidents into part of the pacesetter groups if only vicariously. 

We have not engaged directly with Hillary Clinton but she seems to have benefitted from the media attention...or at least she should try to. Maybe a key to this race for her campaign will be in returning to the battle between herself and Barack Hussein Obama and sifting through the noise to see why his version of change was more preferable to her version of the same. Him being an African American and her being a woman (both beneficiaries of constitutional amendments for civil rights and suffrage). 

My guess is that his subscription to the change message worked both against the republicans (and his views regarding their failures) as well as against his democratic foe (who by being in the white house for eight years-albeit as wife, was also viewed as being part of the establishment). 

The battle for the nomination is complex enough for party members and at some point the needs of the whole must be sacrificed for the one. Which is why the entrance of 16 participants in the republican race is such a challenge to call. 

Part of the battle could end up being for the house and for the senate especially if the white house is offered on the altar of sacrifice. But the brutality of coalitions is something few of us want to see. 

Immigration, Race relations in general, The economy, U.S foreign policy, Gun control. 

Regional cooperation and freedoms?

Wondering about the implications of regional cooperation on freedoms in general.

I wrote all of this because as I have mentioned before, there seems to be a replication of ideas in this region by NGOs, Opposition Parties as well as Civil Society Groups. In one of the article I mentioned how Strikes of medical personnel and teachers in Uganda, were being replicated by colleagues in Kenya and Tanzania. I also mentioned how advocacy campaigns by local opposition groups were also finding their way into certain sections of Tanzania (Activists for Change-A4C). Government too was in on the game and had began to introduce complex and costly legislative rules that would make it harder for journalists especially those with an investigative lens to challenge leaders (Kenya). In addition to this back in the home space I also found that a law had been introduced that was designed to make it hard of large gatherings to occur and at least give the government a head start in nipping in the bud any attempts to opposition groups to achieve momentum (public order management bill). 

While these occurrences took place quite a while back, we had a visit from BHO. Soon after that another left handed head of state showed up. His trip was interesting because he addressed parliament and met some important business leaders. But he also took a few jabs at the Opposition. 

His position back at home is complex and he is running government with a coalition (predominantly tribal in nature feeding off of Kenya's strange tendency to coagulate around its regional and language groups). 

In what I have referred to as schizophrenic-like foreign policy responses that pit one branch of government against another, we had no mention of the "choices have consequences" message of the assistant to the secretary of state for African Affairs J.C. 

Instead lawns were mowed and lectures were delivered to African Presidents.

But it was good to see that our man could hold his own against the great eagle and the star spangled banner (nothing against either). And as I have stated in another tweet, it was also good to see the younger man being affirmed by Kenya's second president (a trained teacher) as well as the country's third (an accomplished Economist). 

I was not certain what to make of the message delivered to the Uganda's Opposition. My concern was that the little space that was left was shrinking and that any hope of receiving assistance from Neighboring countries was suddenly vanishing. If this works against the Opposition for now, it will work against the leaders in the future. Because markets are designed around safety the time will come (if the pan African dream is realized) when the presidents will find themselves demoted to senators and their nations to states as the African Union takes shape merging the vast size and potential of our economies with some form of government. The question is where will we place our capital. 

Over to you!

Trouble in Camp Resistance

When we last had this discussion there was a lot of buzz in the media regarding two bulls in the proverbial kraal. The NTV news (part of the nation media group) had some award winning images where the Big Hat and the Kazigo were caught avoiding each other's gazes. Later on, much of this got a little exhausting with each trying to out do the other. 

From sources in our distinguished press as well as other groups, I chose to create a summary of my own of what I view as some key areas. I called it the battle for the western front because many of us are rather uncomfortable with yet another shift in the western region. We may welcome a change in power but in a frighteningly sectarian and tribal  region we wanted to see say a Karamoja or an Iteso rise. Like the Kenyans we were glad to see the throne return to son of the Father of the Nation but we were also itching to see what kind of difference say a Kamba, Luo, Luhya would make. 

King Makers (international).

We were curious why certain people chose to visit the U.K and why certain media houses were keen to have interviews with the top contenders (British Broadcasting Cooperation as well as Chatham 

House). What they were communicating is that there were certain circles which one had to be familiar with internationally, in order to gain any kind of access to power (all things remaining constant). 

Kings Makers (local).

Locally we identified churches (for both Catholics and Christians) as well as Muslims. The battle for these groups was bound to be much more muddy and so the simpler problem was to find access to the top which led our local leaders directly to the Holy See, to Canterbury and to the Saudis (the debate about how much Muslim power lies here is still on the table). 

Our friends who fondly refer to themselves as primates have certain challenges regarding ordination of Women as well as the controversial question of Human sexuality. But the reigns of power are still intact and 

England at least for now is still going to remain firm in its place. 

Military and police force versus sheer intelligence.

Based on what the local experts told us were saw a battle that would be fought in a characteristic manner by Big Hat. The military and it's arms would prove significant and the police too. We have no doubt that the presence of the military in parliament as well as in the Internal Affairs and the police (both headed by military men) would prove pivotal in the battle for kraal. Meanwhile Kazigo would have to refer to his expertise in the intelligence which we are told he headed for quite a while. 

The trouble with the intelligence battle for Uganda was that both Kazigo and Mr. No Regrets were both intelligence men and their decision to air out our security laundry was both unprofessional and unpatriotic (and we dare say treasonable). I am almost certain that they had their Israeli and 

Russian trainers shaking in the boots and sad to see what these students of theirs we're doing with their training. 

The foul dream of Youth 

While trouble was brewing in the resistance camp, we began to see some hope in the youth. This did not last long. Soon the hope for the future were back on the streets doing tasks that were meant for Lumpen Proletariats. Fluidity is great but a strange question would involve what kind of changes will take place if your class of schooled young people find themselves displaced from their institutions (where they are tasked with helping create policy) in preference for rowdy and often violent appearances in the streets. 

And so it became rather evident that none of these young people saw themselves as leaders but were still keen to do the task of politicking on behalf of old men. 

Borrowing from the U.S election.

We also began to see a time when our statisticians would team up with techies as was done in 2008 to take advantage of regional complexities. What would Uganda's Iowa be? What part of Uganda would represent the bible belt? Would be have swing regions (states) where would our Florida be? And so for the first time in quite a while, we were able to have some kind of census. We were also able to see the age in which the mobile phone and the number became the identity of the user. We worked slowly (with the help of a German company) towards a registration exercise. Those of us who were bound by our laws struggled through the process while those who have grown accustomed to living below the radar simply played along and questioned the legitimacy of this process. 

If people used the data well, then they would be able to predict the outcomes of an election way before any voting took place. 

It might get nasty. 

Even as we watch the progress taking place in the U.S we can see how less money will be spent on negative campaign ads. As things stand, the potential nominees are busy slinging stuff at themselves. No need to pay someone else to do that for you. The back and forth is quite entertaining. Also good to know that our billionaire buddy is an equal opportunity slinger and has not stopped at POTUS. And so we also foresee a nasty information battle that will cause the rise of the tabloids and and if played right will bring about a resignation. The only way you can win an intelligence battle is with dirt. 

Negotiation and the need to identify an Ideology.

In some of my previous posts, i mentioned the importance of identifying an underlying ideology in the effort to challenge fundamentalist groups with a view of getting them into the negotiating room. While it may be often more convenient to think of your foe as a evil the manner in which he fights you means that you will never be in a position to win against him. This is what we have come to refer to as the unconventional war.

My reference in particular was to the Boko Haram group which i argued needed to be confronted about its Educational reform ideas. Because of the insistence that Western Education was forbidden, we needed to engage them about what they felt was lacking in local education systems. In a sense we needed to force them into a different battle field-that of the mind.

Now that the aforementioned group was seeking to form union with Al Quaeda and ISIS, this need is becoming more apparent. This is significant because even if the face of modern 'resistance' was changing, these groups were also feeding on each other and benefiting from the numerous research that was available on-line and with many media houses. While some groups (especially suicide bombers) were often encouraging their recruits to prepare for virgins in heaven, Boko Haram is instead creating a heaven on earth for its fighters by providing them young brides. This is a massive and notable change in Ideology. These shifts in thinking need to be exploited and utilized.

What these groups are saying, is that some of what was conventionally expected as heaven in its rewards can now be made available on earth. This is a two edged sword and can serve to fodder or prevent some of those who before were tempted to take their lives in acts of bravery. The downside of this though is that the same African (Nigerian Group) has also started using young girls to take part in acts of violence.  

A Word about the one percent

Luke 15:4-7

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

We recently or not so recently found out that a large portion of all global wealth was in the hands of about one percent of the worlds population. At the moment, the world as we know it is really in the U.S. as a result a movement emerged which was designed to process this uneven distribution. The occupy movement was born and chose as its epicenter, wall street (the financial capital of the world). 

The crisis of 2008 which affected banks and other financial institutions as well as housing and mortgages did much to further complicate the issues. 

A new president was in office having ridden the change wave. Previous republican governments had dealt rather poorly with internal crises in the places like Louisiana (hurricane Katrina), and Americans needed a jolt of unity and patriotism and the good old speech. So this not so new face of politics used his Chicago suave and his ability to mobilize as well as a very well oiled election machine complete with adept mathematicians to sail all the way to the top. 

The state of affairs in the country meant that in 2008, many key players remained rather insulated from the job cuts and massive closures that we're affecting their peers. In fact, many culprits simply sailed through or enjoyed the protections that power an prestige had created for them over the decades. So the president took a few jabs at this group too and made some rather bold moves to stem the power of bankers and other financial elites. 

That he met some resistance is the understatement of the decade! Even if it was not direct, amidst the cheers, the pomp and circumstance, a much more frightening piece of legislation made it through which brought about some sweeping changes in campaign financing. 

While these effects meant little for his administration, future candidates would feel the pinch in much more subtle ways. Much closer home though, the president began to deal with a loss of voter support from one of his most valuable constituents-the tech savvy youth that had driven much of his campaign. Perhaps the nostalgia was over and maybe the sweeping reforms that he had preached about were taking much too long. Soon he was back on the trail canvassing campuses and industries trying to convince the electorate that his plan was working. Some of his detractors felt that the time to campaign for office was far spent and that He needed to shift gears into 'ruling' mode. We suspect that he sensed a need to remind his core voters that the plan was working and that even in the midst of the opposition, change had come and was making progress. 

To believe that he was working alone and for himself would be foolhardy. What he was also doing was setting the pace (as does Bill Clinton) for future democratic leaders and watching to see if any presidential hopefuls would merge out of the woodwork to pick up where he had left off.

A disaster in Jersey and handshakes with Chris Christie did little to help his image within the party but provided good ground to bring to the surface consensus building across blue and red lines. 

Changes in the house and in the Senate mean that his powers in negotiation have been tested but this has not prevented him from pushing for change in Health, Trade, Immigration and broadly speaking in the Military.

What the tea party and the occupy movement chose to do with some of the capital that they gained a few years ago remains to be seen. 

What we can now see though is the emergence of a few prominent campaign agenda issues that in my view will shape the path for some time to come. Gun control, Race, Religion and Energy. 

That FLOTUS has gained much from these eight years is obvious. How much she decides to make of this leverage will be seen in the years to come. It may be too soon to make any sudden moves but I suspect that her advisors are going to begin to point her to a future in a much more prominent place in politics. There have been few first ladies that have managed to have as much of an effect outside the U.S as she has-and that in the U.K!

So my advise for the 99%. Relax...either that or do as much as you can to become part of the 1%! No one in their right mind with all the privileges that accrue to the latter would want to leave this privileged group. They may be lost...but they are also loaded. Anyhow you can at least take comfort in the idea that you are part of God's fold and that you are safe in your numbers. 

1%, 99%, Tea Party, Republicans, Democrats, POTUS, FLOTUS,Bill Clinton, Senate, House, Chris Christie.

The House of Scotts

This month we saw a massive event in one of our local stadia. It brought together the national party and it's leader as well as a healthy chunk of our youthful populace. In a rare and possibly chance encounter, we saw drawn in one sitting two carriers of the sacred name from the house of Scotts. One one hand the founder of the miracle centre churches and on another the CEO of the Vision Group. 

I doubt that the man we fondly made reference to as the last king of scotland was the buffoon we tried to make him become. But he was wise enough to place around him two men who as fate would have it were both at least on the surface from the land of scone. We expect to see much more from his Progeny as politics begins to take on a more filial nature not just in this region but globally (the Clinton's, the Bush family, the Kennedy's, the Kenyatta's, the Moi's, Odingas, the Bhuttos?).

Back to the Apostle and the CEO. Have you ever met your replacement?

Pray to God that this never happens. You get this strange feeling when you meet someone who shares your name and a better portion of your virtues. That sense that in your absence this guy could actually replace you! 

Months ago I heaped praise (deservingly) on the Vision Group for its ability to transform itself from a simple news organization into a larger more complex development oriented profit making organization.

I talked about how a simple newspaper had used the print to transform itself into a large media giant now broadcasting in several languages both visually and in audio form. I talked about how this transformation had also taken place in the web and mobile space and how simple columns formerly dealing with dress and style were now producing influential magazines for brides and then holding large exhibitions and events for the same. 

More recently the CEO in another well designed move has not stopped there he had also made the decision to create a platform for our culinary experts-ordinary women (and I use that term loosely) who use their skills to feed the masses who congregate in the city.

This would help create a lot of interest in their work as well as raise the standard of their culinary delights. In addition to this, this would also help stem the effects of a new and conflicting interest in international cuisine that threatens to overshadow some very special traditional specialties. 

We see the rise or dawn of the age of franchising that was foreign in this part of the world but some level of stability means that we will soon have places in our country that will mirror cities like NY and California. My fear regarding this was simple. Why did we not have a corresponding drive to export our dishes like the juggernauts out there and why we are we not supplying our savory dishes across the continents in support of our hard working citizenry. Maybe ideas like this from Mr. Kabushenga will help create a drive that promotes our food. Maybe renewed interest in our Rolex (a local version of the wrap or barritto) will spark more related projects. Maybe the competition will help place our local dishes on the map and drive a greater interest in this meals. We can only hope that the vision that the people and The New Vision will help steer this ship in a great a tumultuous sea of uncertainty. 

That aside there are some other columns that can use a little more expansion. 

The first is from the Bukedde. The Thursday paper has a section in which it deals with traditional medicine? This Needs to be expanded. Maybe the section of news from this part ouch an be aggregated and presented in a monthly or bi-monthly edition that can then be used and critiqued by local practitioners. 

Then there is the controversial dream interpretation section. My sources tell me that some very influential men from the bible (Joseph and Daniel)both used their skill of interpretation in strategic ways that led them to larger leadership roles. 

Other sections in the English version such as Pakasa can also have a little expansion but should be devolved or taken away from the centre. Creating regional meets would eventually lead to an national event where the best groups from each section or region or district would then be given a chance compete. This has already began to expand with events branching out and bringing in much needed revenue to local venues such as Kampala Parents School and Freedom City and drawing in some amazing speakers from across the spectrum.

P squared

It's been a rather interesting few months in our East African politic.

Our friends in Burundi made some bold attempts to urge their leaders on and this for now seems to have failed. In the meantime right next door in the historically volatile Rwanda, another president seemed to have received the go ahead to keep his spot in the centre. 

I could not help but think about a tweet I noticed on the Internet in which a reference was made to stealing from 'Paul to pay Peter'. And so my thoughts run wild with ideas about Paul Kagame on one hand and Pierre (Peter) Nkurunziza on the other. 

Both military men. Both leading fragile democracies and both being urged to make room for others.

Saint Paul is still a formidable foe and by all accounts quite a military strategist, from what our sources tell us, he does not take to kindly to opposition movements and has managed to stretch the arm of his government all the way to South Africa and France.

Internally and regionally he has found it rather difficult keeping the calm with various groups attempting to wage war against his government from bases in the large Congo. The existence of minerals in the region has done little to help the situation- this as well as posturing from friends and foes alike in the area where the ethnicity card card has been played to the full. 

The South Africans have done their best to flex their muscle in the region and have often stepped in at crucial moments to help steer the movements of their northern neighbors. 

France on the other hand has had to deal with decades of guilt and off course the residue from its colonial years. In attempts to free itself from the disasters in the early nineties, the French have taken on the role of arbiter in the internal conflicts of the country but with limited success. 

The military move in Burundi (by the coup plotters) effectively robbed the rapidly evolving movement of its momentum thereby preventing civil society from claiming its largely peaceful drive towards the protection of the sacred constitution (and the contents of the Tanzanian peace accord and Agreement).

By seeming to attach themselves to the peaceful activity in the streets, the military and it's top men gave the absent president much more power to claim the existence of bad elements in the army and therefore to garner much more support in the center. 

The Politicization of Social Media

You've been there before. You are seated in a taxi and suddenly the
person next to you receives a message. You can tell it is from social media because a familiar sound pierces the silence and your neighbor begins mercilessly clicking away. Its fine until you enter paranoia mode and begin to think that you are being stalked.

We've written about a topic similar to the one above in a previous blog. We were concerned and rightly so because we observed the appearance of the Usual Suspects at a normally technology heavy event. Well dressed young men with a lot of 'bling' but suspiciously watching the crowd as if to monitor the activity of the participants for political or opposition connections. You were saddened that an innovation space so full of potential had been infiltrated by 'eyes' and 'ears' and any sign of true innovation was going to be stifled.   

You were angered because you are very aware that one of the hallmarks of democracy is the existence of political free zones where business, trade and a healthy interchange of idea can take place.
We fight for these free zones because in the absence of these spaces there can only be conflict.

And so the image we chose today is designed to illustrate the idea behind an invasion of a media tool by a political movement and the difficulty faced by citizens in expressing themselves in a politically charged atmosphere.
You and I have to think twice before we adorn ourselves with a T-Shirt of a particular color especially in those tense feverish politically charged moments such as the season in which we have entered.

Ok. We can see that the two bulls in the Kraal have began to appear together and their respective owners are itching for a fight between the two. Naturally as many would have expected, these two distinct groups have drawn in their respective tribes in a battle that we shall refer to as the 'Western Front Assault'.

There are some who have called for a rotation of leadership ala Nigeria where the Mainly Muslim North gets a chance to drive the train for a certain distance as does the Mainly Christian South. This has proved to be successful. Ideas have also emerged that have pushed for the creation if similar moves in ethno-centric areas. This is naturally controversial but in countries that thrive on culture it is a question that we must bring to the surface.     

So the need to monitor media in the shadow of your past fears is necessary but more important than this is to deal with the challenges as presented by your citizenry and to trust them enough not to repeat their mistakes.

War in Heaven-Ebony springs

This week we saw the dawn of what I will describe as an ebony spring. 

Previously with the exception of Burkina Faso, there were springs emerging from predominantly lighter skinned and mainly Arab Africa. 

Tunisia had emerged from its fog after a young man struggling with employment doused himself in petrol and then lit the match. This event had gone on to bring about an awakening in Egypt whose streets were soon overtaken by crowds of eager demonstrators calling for change. 

In previous blogs I had ruminated about the existence of an imaginary mason dixon line which roughly splits Africa into two sections much like the pre-independence America. I had gone on to describe the nature of this divide along mainly religious lines which also often take on a certain hue. 

So Burkina Faso was a breath of fresh air for many. For the first time, the sons of biblical Joseph seemed to have began a rebellion of sorts after decades and even centuries of casualness and passivity. This marked a spring that was now owned exclusively by black people.

The demonstrations in Burundi seemed to have taken in a similar format however my ears grew attentive when for a brief moment the activity in the streets was referred to as war. What this meant was that there was a brief opportunity to capture the narrative away from the agreements that were singed after the civil war (agreements preventing an extension of term limits) as well as ideas behind hallowed documents such as the constitution. Calling the activity in the city war, would therefore justify a measure of violence and if possible nip in the bud any commitments that would be made by any generals or top cops. 

Maybe this calculation would help prevent any strategic moves by influential leaders to steal the thunder from the activists and civil society groups or citizens for that matter. 

There were and are fears about driving a wedge between the two major ethnic groups a la Rwanda but the text was pretty solid and the variations clear. Regardless of the tribe or the current leader, the people...those that had managed to make it into the streets were calling for a respect of their sacred documents. They were challenging the member of the military to abide to the higher law. Similar sentiments were echoes in previous debates between the Congolese who struggled though the same concerns and other ideas would also emerge in neighboring Rwanda. 

All this was taking place across a complex backdrop of immense mineral wealth as well as the rise of well armed and well funded militias drawing in leaders across the region and causing convoluted relationships between states. 

So the involvement by a section of the army was a welcome development but it has not stolen the show from the civil society and the community at large. What it has revealed is a major or for some minor rift in the military machine and brought about a ratcheting up of an already strained management system. 

And while it might be attractive to summarize such complex ideas in such brief spaces, the hope is that we might distill a little more from the initial awakening in Tunisia which in my view was really about youth and unemployment. It should be noted that even after the massive and in some ways commendable changes in that country, the exodus of bright young North African minds has not ceased. If this is an invasion, then it's strategist has chosen an incredible method-and that by depleting the continent of its most prized possession-it's people.