State of Play or State at Play:Politics and governance in present day Uganda-an overview.

The value of tribal groupings in the presence of fear.

The recent elections in Kenya demonstrate several things but one thing stood out. When various groups are allowed to act under fear, they will invariably vote or cluster around their own ethnicities. And so large swathes gathered and formed coalitions and won based on shear numbers. The few who chose to think beyond the lines of tribe were drowned out by the massive crowds and were forced instead to ponder and philosophize. 

The role of religion (main stream) in politics. 

We will continue to nurse our wounds from the precolonial period and perhaps even question our monarchs on the role of religion in their fall. Veiled in under the cloak of truth, we will continue to ponder how best to march into the future without essential military muscle or trade to back our claims to leadership. The marriage between state and religion had long stabilized and what was left for the western powers to take advantage of our natural inclination towards all things religious. For those in the west, there was a realization that their monarchs needed to yield some of the religious power that was already entrenched in the lives of their subjects. Without this type of union governance would be impossible. Rome expanded as a force militarily but was also growing religiously. In a sense the feet of clay were functioning fully with those of iron. 

The role of religion (non main stream) in politics.

Other groups that have remained rather silent but nonetheless relatively effective are those which are historical and regionally effective in the attempt to redefine religion and western-African influence. We speak here of the revival movement which is commonly referred to as bazikufu. An offshoot of the Catholic and Anglican movements which commands quite a following and has emerged with a sense of vigor and an ability to influence leadership in an overt manner. 

Geo-politics and governance.

Even if there are certain aspects of this description in the tribal discussion, geography too will plays an important role-especially when you factor in recent discoveries in minerals. But to larger extent though, regions that sit at the border also tend to present great challenges especially because there are often complex relationships that need management with other states and that must be played out at the borders. 

Local monarchs and their function in leadership. 

In the current game, most of the power seems to rest in western parts of Uganda and those who have emerged as challengers to the authority of the Kingdoms. This has not stopped or impeded the progress of other groups with similar interests in kingdom politics. To a larger extent many have fallen victim to the loyalties that often force families to coalesce around one another and to from mini-monarchies around themselves. 

The military and it's role. 

Recent operations in the military have resulted in a force that now to a great extent is closer to our most important resource and on the surface of it, can help manage monies,produce and implements. Uganda is rather strange because it presents very little difficulty in logistics especially the function that has to do with feeding large military groups and dealing with military rations. Moving machinery and men is a challenge, feeding them presents an even greater difficulty. Not here though, there is plenty of food from which wondering militias can benefit from. 

Managing foreign relationships.

Very few people can manage a rise to power without some form of support. Our neighbors here have had a role to play in the politics of our governance. Some tended to feel only a limited need to be involved until they were led to do so by acts of aggression. The man who seeks or govern must therefore identify these groups and seek to endear himself or herself to these groups. He must then find ways and resources (locally) to help feed the appetites for resources that fuel much of their operation. 

Behind every successful man....

Then there is the emotional side of politics. The hand the rocks the cradle. Managing a group of people who forget nothing and harbor a great deal of resentment can be challenge. How you deal with these issues will determine a lot about how you govern. Much of the frustration that is harbored by men stems from usurpations of their power that took place in households. Most men did not read the memo that was circulating amongst the women whose central call was that of liberation. Traditional male dominated (and culturally supported roles) structures were found wanting in an age when their counterparts (or subordinates) began to rake in hundreds of times more than than before. 

No Fundis Allowed

A few years back, there was a set of ominous signs which used to be displayed in Kenyan showrooms. 

The sings read-No Fundis Allowed. 

For those who are new to the language, a fundi in this case is a reference to the carpenter. 

The fear in those days was around the skills of these Fundis who needed just one look at your latest designs and in no time, these would be replicated. 

This is no way to run a business...living off the ideas of others...and many of us do it a lot. But the signs were evidence albeit offensive that the abilities of that group of artisans were at an exceptional level. 

Maybe you need to learn to hold your cards little closer to your chest. Maybe you need to think clearly about what you have perfected. I could be that you have reached a place where your knowledge is frightening to your peers and this is why they do not plan on hiring you any time soon. 

A marriage made in heaven? Not really

In Uganda there was a drive to link the police service with our ever present Boda Boda cyclists. The intent is simple enough...on the surface but is sure to present some challenges in the future. 

The temptation to use the cyclists as an extension of the service or to assist in community policing is noble but there is still a massive challenge of registration and organization. 

It is impossible to expect all your Boda Boda cyclists to rally behind the ruling party or to devote all their energies towards the opposition. My suggestion though, similar to what others have stated is to harness their numbers in the form of an association or group whose needs can then be represented towards one goal. 

The Iranians and the Burmese are some examples of countries that have made use of the cyclists as an extension of their intelligence services but the idea springs a lot more from convenience and speed as opposed to experience. 

It is likely that our countries will continue to struggle and debate the ideas behind intelligence gathering around numbers (quantity) and substance (quality). But there is likely to be a fallout at least in these parts in regards to mass. In a sense, your work is likely to be ruined because of the amount of information you have to process so that the real valuable stuff ends up under the pile of the really unimportant stuff. 

In addition to this, given the tendency to exercise force for which our boys on the bikes are know (mini skirts as a case in point). You are bound to find a sizable amount of abuse in the area of enforcement. 

When Africa hits puberty

There is talk in these parts about the skill often associated with our female colleagues in managing to milk the resources of their male counterparts. 

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The idea springs from our campuses and basically describes a situation in which the average gal can fund her challenging school days from the meager resources of an unknowing suitor or group of suitors. 

You will often hear of a list of chaps whose job function ranges from airtime guy, to meal guy, to upkeep guy and many more. 

Which brings me the article title...in which I suggest that Africa has hit puberty. Finally she realizes that she has goods that are attractive to the market (resources) and suitors. Who would have know that she is in a position to play them all and receive the benefits of her 'attractiveness'. 

The Americans seem to play from a different line. They will not overtly use American workers to to work the roads or to manage their projects but back home a healthy chunk of the cash sent here will be harvested at home and benefit the home front. The Chinese are more overt in their declaration of love interest. But they are making their play from a backwards position. They have the disadvantage of having a language that is yet to be adopted by the rest of the world. Fortunately though we cannot say the same about the possibility of having their currency take center stage in place of he dollar. In addition to this, the Chinese have not always felt the urge to play he game fairly when it comes to trade. 

In addition to this, their use of labor is less restricted and more obvious. 

Perhaps a late comer in this battle is India but there is a likelihood that her resources can still be utilized. What China is to the U.S in terms of development and labor especially in the 20th century, India is to Africa. How India manages to put her foreign populations into the system will determine how much progress she makes. 

So what the the rules and who are the major players. The countries with the largest populations are obvious players. Then there are those nations whose history gives them an edge as colonial 'masters'. Then there are the teeming populations striving to make a change and move from previous positions of supposed inferiority. 

The rules are important because they determine how the changes we need happen and who the true beneficiaries of this change are. The rules also help protect the 'gals' from manipulation and abuse and guarantee a level of fairness ( fairness assumes this to be some kind of game with rules). In a previous post I borrowed heavily from the work of certain practitioners who approach centered on the law and viewed the major players as cats and mice involved in a complex battle for space and a shifting of platforms or fora. Nations that were still fighting for a space and struggling to find a uniting front for themselves were found wanting as sudden shifts were made to regional agreements and rules that were still being understood changed. 

Katebe or Kakumbi

A popular writer in these parts, has written extensively on the role of the military in Ugandan politics. In his writings, he examines how the government in Uganda handles veterans and how those in military service chose to live their lives in retirement. One of the ideas he often plays around with is what we often refer to as Katebe. Recent development have created what I have referred to as a Kakumbi in which men in uniform are now assigned to manage farms. 

Katebe or Kakumbi?

This week there were reports from the BBC regarding the trials of two octogenarians whose lives, histories and actions have come to the fore as Cambodia attempts to deal with some troubling aspects in her history. 

While it is may be clear that these two individuals are just a mere representation of the leadership that was described as part of the problem, analysts still insist that the attempts to deal with this nations history are still quite significant and necessary. 

This story matters because in Uganda, there are some historic records that speak of a rebellion of sorts and the rise of a similar revolutionary movements.  Most of the movements that emerged from Africa used South American nations like Cuba as examples in their struggles and borrowed heavily from writings of men such as Che Guevera. In addition to this though, we find that a group of these countries also used strategies from within Africa as they moved to help liberate their countries. In Uganda for example countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Angola were studied and taught in School in an effort to educate the younger populations on the unique nature of the struggle for independence and later or possibly liberation. There are writers who to this day dispute the reality behind the independence move and instead like to think of it as a handover with intent to govern from a distance. But that is really beyond the scope of this article. Instead I need to highlight a small aspect of the Cambodian struggle and it's relevance in our Context here. 

We have recently made some strategic moves towards a more aggressive  agrarian push. After some struggle implementing certain presidential initiatives like the NAADS, the government has made the choice to use its military men to help monitor and run its drive towards agricultural development. 

Perhaps this makes sense for a government that has strong leanings towards the military. A word of caution though and a special reference to the Khamer Rouge. 

We have similar nomenclature in the assignment of titles and names for the liberators (001,002,003 and so on). This incidentally is the same usage that the people in Cambodia used for their leaders. 

In addition to this, we are pushing for a drive towards agriculture. 

Too simplistic? Maybe! But there is a corresponding drive and loathing amongst some towards the village life. Even if many seem to have developed the ability to handle life on both sides. Making visits to the rural areas when the seasons permit, there is still very little that people see on that front. The discovery of minerals and other natural resources has helped but challenges arising from leadership and structure and especially the delicate relationship between cultural leaders and the central government will continue to cause headaches. 

Another possible challenge is regards the pace at which technology is beginning adopted and the possibilities that exist in industry. 

Concerned about budget allocations in Uganda?

It's been a few months since the release of the budget of the next financial year. At first glance it seems as though the same casualties have come to the surface in the search for desperately needed revenue. 

While we are still rather busy trying to deal with the challenge of an overly enthusiastic parliament (in terms of size) there is no shortage of interest groups from which we can demand attention. 

Some argue that instead of creating an interest group for every significant member of society, we need instead to have few representatives with much broader mandates or manifestos to cover the broad needs of their constituents. 

Similar thinking has lead to thoughts around the generation of revenue.

The idea is not so much about targeting these groups for cash, but using their thoughts in planning so that budgets are prepared with people at the core. 

Maybe this is what the Ministry Of Finance had in mind when they created the whole proud get process. A brief visit to their Internet sight will reveal that around July August, there is what is referred to as the Medium Term Expenditure framework and portfolio error performance review. 

Then in about October and November they have what they call the first budget consultative workshop. This caters for what I referred to as the interest groups but MInistry of Finance calls them Sector Working Groups which gather with alongside local government to prepare Budget Frameworks Papers (BFPs).

There is then further consultation with different ministries to create the daft of the budget framework paper. 

Approval from cabinet then presentation to stakeholders is the next step. This takes place at National Budget Workshop-public expenditure review meeting. 

Fatal budget framework paper is the presented to parliament on the 1st of April (it is made up of the background to the budget and development of estimates).

Finally the draft estimates of revenue and expenditure are presented to the parliamentary budget committee on the 15th of June. 

There are therefore about two major opportunities for your participation 

1. Public Expenditure Review Meeting 

2. First consultative workshop for local governments and sector working groups. 

ICT association of Uganda or the consortium of ICT organizations or the ICT Cluster of Uganda can then present their suggestions for government and make suggestions towards the Alloation of funds in different areas. 

In addition to presentations made as sector groups, direct influence thought their respective ministries can also benefit the budget process. 

Understanding China and Her Hatred of Opium

It is about 1839 or thereabouts. China is at a peak of its development (Qing Dyansty) and currently dealing with the British who are managing trade as well as expansion through contacts with the East India Company. There is a bit of an imbalance in trade with the British and the diplomatic Chinese are having a blast. After some skillful strategizing, the British manage to get their product into the Chinesae market fueling a war and a set of negotiations that cause a reversal of fortunes for the British and the change of the trade dynamics. A letter is sent to the reigning British Monarch which is ignored and misunderstood. The letter written by a representative from the Chinese government, expresses some of the Chinese displeasure over the current conditions and the trade in a comodity that is unwelcome by the Chinese. The letter is full of references to Chinese anger (penalties) and warnings and even suggestions reagarding other possiblities of trade (wheat,tea,rhubarb). The port of choice is no different from the current port and city (back then a central port of entry for ships and traders). The first war takes place lasting about a year and then takes place again later on in 1856 or thereabouts. This time there is French involvement and more casualties on the British side. There is also a fallout amongst the Rich and the Poor of China who have began to engage in Opium related activities. The changes in trade as well as other un-forseen circumstances are taken to be causes of the fall of a Dynasty and the resignation of a rather influential emperor. The troubles that arise in this corner of the world cannot be taken in isolation and much of what takes place here is repeated in other Monarchies as in Russia with the decline of the Romanov Dynasty. Even if revolutionary changes begin to take place in the region and other systems take their place, battles over history and significance will continue to rage in Faculties of History headed by modern day generals or professors. It is therefore no wonder that in the present day, Chinese disdain for drugs and Opium to be more precise is still as strong as it was almost 150 years ago. Maybe other countries need to understand the direct effects that this substance caused in the decline of a powerful dynasty and the traces of this defeat that are still alive in the Chinese Psyche.