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.