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. 

Regress or Progress: a film series drawn from a continent a far off

Its been a few months since black history month. I am planning to attend the event at the U.S Embassy in Uganda, thrilled that I have access to an impressive library of books and other resources. 

To get to the venue, I will have to negotiate Kampala's interesting transport and infrastructure system. One taxi from Mengo to Kla. The driver pulls a first one and decides to go through Lubaga instead of going down Namirembe Rd. there are some complaints in the Taxi but the driver and his healthy assistance are without response. 

We disembark many of us rather disoriented. The crew that had promised to take us to one destination have changed their minds and their route. I need a quick route to the taxi park that has been designated to take us to the Kansanga, Bunga, Ggaba area. I chose a boda boda. 

The chauffeur will use a complex route of interwoven streets interspersed with white chalk like covered males in narrow stretches of visibly prosperous but not so obvious business places. 

This is a hub of business for millers of maize. It is also home to a large Somali community as well as the headquarters of one of Kampala's most popular Christian ministries. 

Halfway in the chaos, I spot a young lanky dark lady bent and searching for something on the ground. She is barefoot and wrapped in dark clothes and picking beans and corn right behind the massive trucks that are transferring grain into the millers. 

This is not the first time I have seen a similar scene. I have seen this before in Owino Market or St. Balikudembe (they are in a state of peace). 

In another setting an louder lady is doing the same thing and collecting precious beans which she will evidently sell or at least cook for the young one who is not too far from the scene. 

Both women, if I am to go by there garb are Karamojong. A long way from home and living way below the level that Citizens of this country are supposed to live.

Then I remember that I am on my way to see a series covering slavery and it's history in the seventeenth century. 

Leadership Suggestion Box

Its been ages since the last reshuffle. Ok...its been
about a year. Strange that i did not notice this last time
around...but clearly our UN Representative made a come back
to the office of health. Yes indeed although he was then referred to
as Ndugu or brother or Comrade (in those former communist
and revolutionary years).
Anyway we are not certain if there will be similar shakeups in the
royal kingdom but what we are almost sure of is that there will
be more suggestions about the possibility of some shrinkage.
On another note we are hopeful that there will be more moves
to ensure the safety of our citizens that that we will make few heroic
moves that place ordinary men in the face of fire.

When we last talked i hinted on some changes that i would make in
the cabinet and in the Ministers of State where to a great extent there was an overreach in form and function. Knowing well your tendency to think of leadership in
military terms i thought long and hard on the challenges you would
continue to face in the process of administration when you were having to
deal with so many sources of information.

For those who are charged with the task of advising you on various issues of
governance, i made the suggestion that these pieces of information be published
for all to see in regular columns in state sponsored newspapers for records sake
and also in your well designed web portal. Maybe all of this would go under the planning ministry which would be used by future presidents...God Forbid!

While i recognize the challenges you may be facing in splitting up your cabinet
to include sectors of development, I would prefer the creation of sectoral clusters
like Energy, Agriculture(Fisheries, Animal Industry), Regional-Internal (Teso, Luwero triangle, Northern, Central, Karamoja), Regional-External (EAC, AU,) Economic (Privatization, Micro-finance, Investment, Finance, Planning,Trade, Industry) Lands (Housing, Transport, Roads)Internal Affairs (Defence,Local Government,Public Service)Education (Primary, Secondary, University)Sports, Gender and Culture (Youth, Elderly).
. 

Cabinets and Cards

It seems the man at the head of the table has chosen to shuffle the cards in this amazing gamble. The use of the word shuffle is appropriate in the sense that most of the pack is still the same.

We see a group that is fighting desperately to be meritorious in nature but the complexities of African governance are coming into play.

Last year i wrote about what i thought the major trends would be in 2015 and one of the 'P's was Propaganda. We have seen the use of social media (an effective tool in modern day to bring about agitations in governance) to stir up leadership in the Ruling Party.
As a result few of us believe anything unless it comes from the horse's mouth. And maybe that is a unique skill which we will attribute to big hat. His manner of forcing all those with influence to deal with him directly and to have him at the center of all dispute resolution issues.
You are right in calling this micromanagement effective for some but exhausting for others.   

Interesting in the reports from the press regarding some of the figures in the reshuffle.  The local daily Bukedde (the sun has risen), referred to the Attorney General's time in office and some of his experiences as battles. It is rather tragic that ones tenure in office in an age in which we are learning to do what we love can be characterized in similar terms as warfare. And maybe this is a description of what is at stake. 
They mentioned about five major battles:
A battle with the Ministry that handles Roads with special emphasis on the recent Katosi scandal (reports from the anti corruption coalition describe deficiencies in finance totaling up to 165 Billion UGX) , The Uganda Law Society with regards to his ability to advise government, The Inspectorate of Government on Karuma (a dam project), and then a skirmish regarding the case against our Embattled mayor Elias Lukwago.  

Given some of his past experience as an Advocate, State Attorney, Member of Parliament, and counsel for the office of Inspectorate of Government, we can only expect or believe for bigger battles.
There is a gap in the seat of the office of Chief Justice. This would be a major blow in the hands of the Uganda Law Society which would then be forced to call him his worship and to in effect pay obeisance. All his challenges with the ULS notwithstanding, it is probably time for him to step up into a new strata-the league of judges.   

I doubt that the new Attorney General will have time to enjoy his new office. While we are wrestling with the best of corruption, our western allies (and i use that term loosely) have dished out a fresh new anti-corruption training program and turned their attention to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The new project aptly named SUGAR Strengthening Uganda Anti-corruption Response) will focus on technical mechanisms and involves about 78 Billion UGX.

Interestingly, while all of this is happening, our friend is commissioning (and campaigning) some new roads and capturing the headlines....

So what are the take aways?
1. If you are fine where you are, do not accept a job offer. You might be better off handling your business on the side lines.
2. If you take the job, be strategic about it and use that time well to serve but also to consolidate your power.   
3. Try as much as possible to differentiate between service of the party and service of the nation. In the current case, the two seem to have become one and prying them apart will be very difficult.

Another major trend that in my view would characterize 2015 is the concept of Proxies. Put simply, this involves the use of others to fight your battles. This will and has affected political appointments. What is does is give you a false sense of worth and authority when power really lies elsewhere.  Because a seat in a place of influence is rather 'crowded', the only way to get anywhere close to enjoying any privilege is by enriching uranium (which is why the Iranians must stick to their guns and if opposed must fight for a more open and better use of the non-proliferation treaty).

We can see and expect to see a need for money to finance the campaigns of the ruling party. Obvious sources for these funds will probably be some of the more obvious ministries many of which will prove to be a challenge for the new faces at the top. Even if the idea of having to leave office is a challenge, it is better than being locked up and being in charge in an election season and knowing that your powers over your finances are limited!