African Tech Roundup.

Who did more to make Donald Trump the First Citizen of America? Julian Assange and his not so subtle disdain for Hillary Clinton or Facebook and it's algorithms (with the claim of filtering content to suit the subscribers)? 

Wow great question. 

I think to understand the question you need to go back to 2008 and the message of change and hope that was introduced and harnessed by Barrack Hussein Obama. Then you need to step back a little further to the Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Mickail Gorbachev. 

All three were important transitional figures who were dealing with forces beyond the control of their traditional governments. The needs of business and the globe were coming to the surface and it was becoming increasingly clear that the Colonial Powers would have to fade in the background. The cold war and almost over and possibilities for business were going to begin to come to the fore. The British were facing an exhaustion that was draining their traditional revenue sources and soon they were about to engage a foreign force on a long disputed Island. The Americans were over extended and were still reeling after the pressure of Vietnam and a loss of confidence driven in part by President Nixon and the Watergate Scandal. You could argue that this was the start of a trend that would favor Journalists and whistleblowers and in a sense place patriots on one end of a skirmish in a direct confrontation with traditional politicians. 

The world was also becoming much smaller and the control that governments had over Information and the monopoly long enjoyed over truth and education was ending. Kingmakers were vanishing and becoming less important and spin doctors were beginning to feel less relevant. The idea that one man however brilliant was in charge of Foreign policy in U.S-China Relations for so long should have Troubled us but we instead preferred the experts fighting on our behalf an someone else taking the blame. Which is really what democracy is about. We do everything we can to place one man in office and then go crazy when he or she makes an error. 

So this is what in my view the FBs of this world represent. It is an attempt to use media and business and data as a filters and to regain the older monopolies around Information. By use of algorithms these spaces can give users the illusion that they have a voice while harvesting tonnes of personal private pieces of information about them which can be dished out an internals in psychological damaging ways. So we can let the machines do the work that educators and propagandists were doing ages ago. It is much more simple now to watch and participate in an engagement and feel as though you area making a difference when really all you are doing is being dulled over. Those of the faith used to complain about the need of followers to get access to the word of God. These days though you do not need to burn the book you need only create a migraine of versions through which you can conceal the truth. In a sense it is the saturation of information that could be the curse of this age. 

Assange in my view has been placed in a corner and finds himself stuck in a fight between powers that are feeling increasingly less significant in an time of reduced Nationalism. His views are probably skewed because he is under attack. It is also important to realize that if the Americans want you they can get you. There are bound to be several losers in this fight. Larger economies were still going to win even if the forces of globalization were asserting themselves because many of these economies already has massive presence globally with some of their multinational companies and the massive investments they had in education. Sometimes it has proven useful to release certain bits of information at appointed periods of time to 'test the waters' not in order to make any significant changes but to further develop and create more intrusive systems. The furor has died down and the world has moved on to the next news item. 

Some have made changes but we were all probably silly to trust the Internet in the first place even when we knew that it was created by the Defense Department in the U.S. 

So there was really nothing impartial about FB. The democrats knew that they needed the youth to win the W.H. They knew that they needed Silicon Valley and it's revenue to and enthusiasm to progress. They knew that the dynamics around popular votes and electoral colleges would still matter and more importantly the need to draw out of hiding disillusioned voters. Then there was the issue of the Undocumented not so much in the power of their votes but in their effect on business by providing cheap labor. The election process and the tyranny of numbers and the troubling facts that favor immigrants were challenges for another day. 

What Trump has attempted to do is use the same vein of change and align himself with an agenda that favors business. What he will Ty and do with the business Obama has done with the Law. 

We saw a few conflicts between traditional giants like FB, Google and Yahoo and Apple as they attempted to push back against the intelligence community but that is a space that is still in contention. 

Now here is a question for you. 

How would you feel as an American (John Stuart) when one of your most popular Saturday night shows was replaced by a South African mixed race host whose first jokes include references to Nazi Germany and Apartheid? 

Battles, Beats, Bars and Rhymes.

Break Dancing and an import of culture (early eighties).

My Interaction with the one small aspect of the hip hop stream began in the early eighties and was due in part with a craze for dance that was generated by personalities such as Shaba Doo, Shrimp and Lucinda Dickey. Some of their dance moves and burn outs were simple enough to replicate and so many of us began to use the same and build on what else we heard. Soon we would engage other children in the neighborhood for competitions in which we would often call out older kids where we would share a stage on which even if we had the disadvantage of much smaller frames we were equals on the large pieces of cardboard upon which we danced. 

The birth of this movement in of dance also brought about an additional drive to use and change the manner in which we also dressed. 

Dance and Discipleship (2001-2003)

Fast forward a few years and add on to that a new location and we came across the same effect except this time around the team that I met with was using it as a method of reconnecting with youth and directing their energies into what Christians call Discipleship. 

Discipleship is the deliberate decision to connect directly with new converts into an experience that is designed to help develop them deeper into personal and public faith with the purpose of sending them out a leaders armed with an ability to do the same. Perhaps one of the advantages of this system was the manner in which we could resolve conflict on eight by eight stages where nothing but dance and rhyme and rhythm and skill would be used arbitrate between two individuals.

Interpreting African Expressions of similar effects (2005-present)

My first attempt to interpret the African expression of this effect in Uganda was started about six months ago. In it i sought to find the most prominent personalities in the 'game' on the local scene in an effort to try to see where this movement was going and those who we would need to watch in the future. I use the simplest method in which I simply classified it in terms of language. The two most prominent personalities in this were arguably Babaluku and Navio of NavCorp. Some of the local history differentiates between Ugaflow. A term coined by local movers and shakers to define the use of rhyme and rhythm and rap in Uganda. Which is also connected to what they define as lugaflow. Which is derived from the term Luga which would be a Swahili term for language or as I used to think Luga for Gandaflow. But as these things normally go and develop and broaden. 

East African expressions.

If you take time to study the manner in which artistic expression is taught globally you will notice the Importance of History in defining personalities and their contribution to the larger narrative. 

In Tanzania for example, you will see a deliberate effort to connect and interpret the same broader hip hop culture and the emergence of local personalities who either joined the broader river or created dams upon which they were in time able to harness the massive waters to create industries and economies of their own. Tanzania is different from Uganda in that they have at least found a unique voice and sound that we call Bongo flavor. The Kenyan community too has had similar effects by emerging with a sound referred to as genge (which in Ganda means leprous!). 

Music and the need for social change.

What you will find with both Kenyan and Tanzanian expression is that both have lose but necessary links with 'common' people especially as we have seen an increase poverty levels. So much of our music has become an drive to interpret and engage with the changes in our societies that are drawing many into previously unknown and unheard of levels of poverty. 

So in some respects, the graduate is no longer defining want you learn the Ghetto is! 

The rise of additional voices.

A visit with the destiny crew.

In the Ganda language we call it 'Katemba Atali Musasulile'. Or free shows or just drama. Funny and interesting stuff you come across as part of your day that helps put a smile on your face as long as you are not part of it. My day began at about midday after a night spent catching up on American Politics and Fox Entertainment and a good mix of inspiration. 

I walked to Mengo Hospital where there is taxi stage that get you to the city at a reasonable cost. The trip was punctuated by a crew of men in yellow (the use NRM colors for city enforcement is not going well) who decided to 'move' some business people along Namirembe Rd. right at the junction that takes you into the New Taxi park. 

The enforcers were not subtle in the execution of their tasks and soon the taxi conductor decided to drop us of at the nearest gas station using our fears about men in yellow to support his impromptu decision. 

Then we walked up along the stretch took a right up onto old taxi park where we crossed the street onto Standard Supermarket (Yamaha Center). The taxis to Namasuba are found along the street at the entrance of shoprite. An exit right after Freedom City, a phone call and a Boda Boda ride later and there it is a blue gate with some graffiti-Destiny Central! 

The place sits at about 1/4 of an acre. There is a group of about three young people talking. It's been very busy (a season of visits from 'outside' countries). There is a set of drums and some fruit as well as a few young people having a hearty meal. The scent of well made Ganda food is evident in the air. The balcony is peppered with a few faces possibly foreign although this term is probably not useful in Makindye (where the Muzungu has become a mainstay). In this case I am clearly the foreigner. 

A few quick introductions and then a release to do my work. 

The notice boards are full of cultural events and happening from Uganda to Joburg and beyond. 

I spot 'looks' as I will call him. Dressed in his characteristic black much bigger than I expected.  

I spend an unusual amount of time having a look at a 'hip hop constitution' that describes some of the major dos and don'ts of the movement at its core. It has some of the historicals in the history of hip hop and I spend a few minutes trying to see if I can pass the test. I can identify Latifah, Tupac, The Ice Brothers (cube and tea), the young lady from the Fugees, Run D MC? Or at least Rev Runs brother (the entrepreneur and business person), Biggie Smalls. The list of rules and practices and ethics is intensely rich, complex and thorough. I have no time to absorb or take in the full extent of the stuff in front of me. So like the visitor of a gallery I simply stand back and take it in. 

The table is full of gadgets of all sorts processing experiences that have quickly faded into history but that one is certain will remain firmly etched in the hearts of of those who have had the chance to engage with the young people from all over the world that have graced these culturally driven events. 

I love kitchens and the magic that takes place in them. Some of the lovely young women are busying themselves. The kitchen too has its house rules. This is clearly much more than just a cultural gathering it is designed with a philosophy in mind it is a family. Unscripted and unhindered. 

There are a few very important events slated for the day. Some video shoots and recordings. There is a track in the Garage where the young MCs in training are putting final touches in the rhymes that will accompany the track. About eight young men will contribute. The broader theme-building. 

I cannot help but wonder what the possibilities would be if each one were given a chance to interpret the same track and left alone with the entire piece of music. 

But this time they will each lay their lyrics on the same thread. 

I meet Spyder, he catches you by surprise. He is very difficult to place he approaches me as people who are dressed with beanies and 'supposed' to be approached with fist clenched. Fist to fist to heart. He asked me a few questions my geeky glasses are a dead giveaway. I respond with the best kiyaye that I can muster. In a moment he switches to impeccable Queens English. He is comfortable and in his element. 

There are a few more faces writing and creating. Most of them tall and with dreadlocks. The Colors are rich and varied and so are the clothes. I love the ceiling in the garage that has been decorated with the colors of rich African design. The dress style of the young men is also distinctive. You will find it very hard to find two similarly dressed young people here. A seam re-done on a pair of jeans with the same colorful material. 

There are a few members of the aviary clan strutting their stuff. Maybe some of them are aware that they will grace the plates of the inhabitants in a strange partnership between unequals. Munsaka y'enva gyebalinsanga. 

In a smaller room, the recording is taking place. A super good quality mike has been placed in front of a thick absorbent material Square shaped (mattress) that will serve the purpose of insulation to prevent the loss of sound. In the next room, the PC is playing the track which is on repeat (possibly using cakewalk). 

I also get to meet Shemy B. dressed in a Cardinals shirt (an import from the U.S and suitable reminder of just how small the world is). We talk extensively about a range of subjects. I do most of the talking. He helps shed some light on hip hop in Uganda. He is interested in and has started a group that takes events to communities where the whole mix of services is provided. Sales for cultural merchandise and much more. He has his sheet for the studio and is ready for the exam. We trade contacts. 

I trace my steps back. A few more members of the team are back. From what I gather the day was full. There is a sense of liberty here that is unusual. The kitchen is clear until the next meal. The table is full of more equipment. Laptops uploading and trading pictures. 

Still rather cloistered and unimposing. I exchange a few smiles, contacts but approach the troop of Vanilla Belles with caution. 

Trade some notes with a young lady dressed in a pair of jeans and black high healed modern creations similar to high tops of old. We will end up sharing a ride to the main road. 

There is a bubbly young lady with an English Accent. I call her Letto. Short for stiletto. She is talking about a conversation we probably shared or listened to describing the liberating effects of the famous shoes. 

The day is almost complete. There is a lot to process. The street is full of people going about their business. I had the impression that Namasuba would be a catholic city. But that is probably naive. The station is peopled with a large group many of whom have also come out in full muslim regalia. Beautiful gowns accentuated with frilly white hair dos or patterns and scarfs. 

The trip back to Mengo will be a little long considering we are driving right back into the traffic filled city centre. 

I have no idea that it will take me about three days to pen these experiences. 

A Fall, A Subission or a Knockout-the last debate as I saw it.

This time around I was fortunate enough to have a front row seat where I was able to watch the activity of the Elections. 

Getting what we deserve or need.

As a start and with hindsight it seems as though the Americans have been blessed with the heads of State they have needed for the unique circumstances their country has faced (external influences notwithstanding and assassinations). 

Two Decades of evidence or proof.

Most recently the country needed to community organizer and lawyer to unite the country under the banners of change and maybe they got that in Barack Hussein Obama. Prior that they needed a military face (and I argue that military service ought to be a pre-requisite to the presidency) and that they got in the extension of King George's legacy. Go back a few years and maybe the governor from Arkansas brought in even more knowledge and experience regarding the law. Prior to this confrontations with the Soviet Union and future altercations in the Middle East brought about the need for another military man with a lot war time experience. The announcement  that came soon after naturally related to the New World Order and the call to 'Tear Down This Wall'. 

In the Early and Late seventies there was an exhaustion from the Machinery of War and those who were at the heart of its effects and influence regardless of who was in charge of the Oval Office. 

Monarchs in name with foreign policy influence.

The challenges and troubles and the fall out that resulted in the water gate scandal brought about some changes that were unexpected but that may have also been attributed to the divine hand. Ford can therefore be looked at as an anomaly. But he too calls attention to the value of good Vice Presidents who are able to step in at a time of crisis should they be needed. You could almost argue that Cheney was the power behind the Bush presidency. Having wielded influence for decades before in the corridors of power long before the emergence of the Monarchs. But he too as I have often argued at least by name may have been a ancient reincarnation of one of those Richards of old. As was Henry who retains as much respect as he held back in the day negotiating peace and various types of contracts between the Vietnamese and the Americans and the Chinese. 

Well split and managed.

So one thing was outstanding about this debate. The manner in which everything flowed and the clarity with which the differences between the two candidates was articulated. 

SUPREME COURT

The closeness with which Hillary Rodham Clinton stuck to President Obama's agenda (especially regarding his choice of Supreme court judge). Donald Trump on the other hand insisted on his candidates as presented to the press and the public weeks before. 

Clearly the changes in the highest court in the land would be monumental and useful in determining the fate of the nation. 

ROE Vs. WADE

The select use of language to describe his position regarding the right to life doctrine versus the right to choice was also another outstanding example of the vast differences that exist between the two candidates and possibly a major turning point in the decision making process for many conservatives (traditional Christians will find it hard to ignore this difference). But this is also problematic because the republican crew has had a very rough time accepting the candidate and his abrasive style. 

WALLS AND DEALS 

We also saw quite a split in thinking regarding how to handle the immigrant question with varying opinions on close neighbors (Mexico) and more distant and possibly more desperate (Syria). But this also worked and was used along the economic and trade question which was milked to its core by Donald Trump who enjoys the use of superlatives and hyperbole in describing the 'worst deal in History'. Fortunately he has some clout in defense of his positions and just when you expect him to speak in generalities he manages to slip in a blade to expose the innards of an unsuspecting opponent. 

ENDORSEMENTS AND MAMMOTH CROWDS 

The question of experience was tackled well by Hillary Clinton who chose it differentiate between her busy last thirty years contrasting these years with her adversary in which she narrowed it down to celebrity shows. Donald Trump was keen and in many moments most sincere when he attempted to question her about why these new changes were only just occurring in the mind of the candidate after a whopping three decades in power. 

The biggest challenge in this regard for Donald Trump will be as he already stated accepting the results that will be given at the end of the race. 

This is because he has been present amidst the crowds and these as we have seen in East Africa (both Tanzania and Uganda-with both opposition leaders) can be very deceptive. The biggest issue will be to convert the mammoth crowds and the discontent into votes. 

SYRIA, IRAQ, IRAN, CHINA, EGYPT AND LYBIA. 

It was almost impossible to listen to the foreign policy question without thinking about the middle east and the vast changes that have taken place threatening to alter the map of the middle east as we know it. Donald Trump made full use of his endorsements from men with military experience and others in law enforcement as well as border patrol. He leaned heavily in the past and the idea that he would have never supported the invasion of Iraq. Each successive leader has to deal with the challenge of war and interests that arise. We have seen how the first few years of office are honey moon years and go quickly the grey hairs invade the scalp. We have also noted how quickly time passes forcing the candidate to think about legacy and second terms...and yes delivering on promises made in campaign highs. 

Deliver us from the bondage of free-dom

The world has two very good examples of negative reactions that have been prompted by two vastly different groups of people that received massive 'gifts' from their governments only for the recipients to turn around and 'rebel'. The first is Libya and the Second Saudi Arabia. From what we hear, the government under the previous head of state allowed citizens to go to school gratis and provided them super allowances as well as access to money for homes and travel. The second might not be a good example given its monarchs are still in charge, but there is a boredom that pervades its youthful citizenry which is synonymous to a form of rebellion. As a result the conservative youngins are often spotted in the sun bathed paradise's streets spinning the wheels of their Sports Utility Vehicles passing time and making full use of the music systems that define their vehicles. Maybe these troubles are part of the organization of oil producing countries all of which have taken advantage of the price of oils to benefit their citizens. 

Nothing wrong with that. But as the prices have plummeted, these economies are being forced to go back to the drawing board. Similar challenges seem to await the Nigerians as well as the Venezuelans even if in the case of the latter, their left wing leanings and veiled attacks against their Neighbors in the North seems to have aggrieved the troubles in their country. 

So how do you create economic development without tampering with the natural in-built ability of people to strive and achieve? How do you generate prosperity without creating an atmosphere of complacency? 

Is it worth the risk creating the short term benefits of growth at the expense of long term changes that are often painful but good for the populace? 

This is what we are asking ourselves on the home front. Our providers have come up with all sorts of neat little tools that can give us free or cheap options that will let us communicate and interact via social media. But is all this worth it? 

Are you ever going to be able to teach people how to work and strive and think by providing free stuff to them?

Is this the same challenge that our friends in the Rainbow Nation are also facing as their students gather demanding free education? 

Will be ever be in a position to provide anything that is of utmost quality st no price? We leave it to you! 

The American debates as we heard them.

The crowds of republicans are gone including those who I thought would make more formidable foes to a democratic party in search of another term. Cannot help but wonder if a Biden Bid would have made more sense. I suggested before that a look into a previous battle between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rick Lazio would have been helpful in creating a strategy for the Republican Candidate. I hope you listened. In the meantime there were plenty of metaphors and useful insights from election watchers of days past that will help inform or at least add to this web log. 

A boxing match. 

If this was a match then it was a nasty fight. All civility was lost after about twenty minutes in the ring. Ears were bitten and blood was spilled. We did not hear as much as we needed to hear about the very important issues. What we heard was an exchange in which both candidates sought to soil each other. One candidate seemed or have been more resigned to their position and was therefore more keen to prove that their adversary was just as soiled if not more. As the days have passed the media seems to have moved in with more stories helping buttress the real estate guru in his position-where he firmly claims to be on the receiving end of mainstream media and its biases. This while managing to attract free advertising and attention from a media that others have had to send gazillions for coverage and ads. 

Body switches. 

It was not clear who was who. At some point it felt like the two candidates had switched bodies. But this is politics. You have to have the ability to blow smoke out of both sides of your neck. You have to depend on short term memory of those who matter while pushing away the long term memory of those who have the power of influence. We have has shift in directions that have made us look like colonies of the USSR as we have championed causes closer to socialism and communism that were previously unimaginable. Try this in the early and late fifties and you would have faced the same challenges as MacArthur? 

But these are challenges that are unique to our generation with its massive young and tech savvy populations with movements such as black lives matter, the 99 percent as well as the tea party making a comeback or at least their presence known. 

Sounds and sights? 

Other insisted that it was better to hear the debates than watch them. This was decided for me when my provider decided to pull the plug at 3:30 AM right after I had made myself comfortable in preparation for debate night. So I listened courtesy of the BBC. The same media group took quite al to of criticism for not availing it's massive crowds the full 90 minute debate instead giving 30 minute chunks. So I listed to sniffles which were later explained away as microphone sabotage. As can be expected the female card was used extensively to Mrs. Clinton's advantage. We heard some evidence of the Trump charm, "...i want you to be comfortable". 

Junior High or Kinder? 

We expected a little more about what we in these parts think are very important issues. The army and veterans issues, health care, retirement, job creation, race issues and challenges, immigration reform, foreign policy, economics with an emphasis on international trade, Canada, Mexico and South America, The Drug Trade. Instead we got something similar to what would take place in a class room between two young children where they for a moment forgot the issues and hand and instead went after each other on things as simple as hairstyle and who was dating who and cheating on who. 

Dealing with the Bear-both economically (markets) and politically.

Here are a few thoughts that you should think about as you prepare for your elections. We are accustomed to conventional king makers. But i think it is time we seriously started thinking about a resurgent soviet union.

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First a story. A young lady shows up with a CCCP Branded shirt and an American quickly wonders how much success to expect at the immigration office.

My response? Where does the former president (Gorbachev) of the Soviet Union live? California off course. What about the Master Chess player (Kasparov)? The U.S.A of course.

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These are the perils of democracy or perhaps the positives and negatives aspects of democracy. On one hand you have to offer asylum to those who are in distress at the risk of welcoming those who are foes. There is also the possibility that citizens will in the future be challenged when war forces their host county to engage in hostile acts. Ask the Japanese about the internment camps. With all this in my it is still not very simple deciding who or what really constitutes of a true citizen. The citizenship tests and the vows notwithstanding!

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Another story. There is a lady who gave a presentation for the centre for policy studies in Ottawa. She was trying to make a case for President Putin as a wrestler (in strategy and thinking) and not a chess player.
A shorter closer contact sport with a few rounds as opposed to a longer drawn out engagement between two adversaries.

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So in the event of an engagement with the Russians, how do you think the most prominent citizens would behave? How quickly can you put into action your sleeper agents? There is plenty of fodder in Hollywood about this Salt is just one example. Where an agent deep in the agency and close to the president attempts to bring about a chaotic situation by 'engaging' a Russian prime minister.

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Another story of note is the rise in whistle blowing that has really damaged U.S relations. Most of what has been done was done in the Interest of Pubic good but at the cost of American Intelligence. And where are these groups turning for solace? Well Russia (Snowden) and South America (Asange).

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The fourth is a story that has to do with a shift in American thinking that brought about an interest in Socialism. This can be reflected in the popularity that brought Bernie Sanders to the fore and that forced an uneasy alliance with Hillary Clinton. The Black Lives Matter Movement, the 99 Percent (occupy movement), and in part the tea party. Are all clusters that reflect the same sentiments and that are bringing about unimaginable conversation about class distinction in a capitalist stronghold.

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Barack Obama "America is too strong to destroy from outside..." the question is if you were to destroy it from within what would you do?

I have sometimes argued that the the series 24 prepared us for a black presidency albeit a troublesome one. Where the protagonist was given the arduous task of protecting a black president from California from agents in the white house who were using his military past to haunt and attack him. Could this be our Gina Davis Moment?

But that is closer to fiction than fact.

If there are any lessons to learn one of these must be never to use your power in office (presidential roasts) and your humor to respond too strongly to an opponent. This has been the fuel in Trumps engine. And it has roared on. 
Perhaps we have also learned something about what it means to walk the fine line across the political divide and create activity and conversations between historical foes. We have also seen how crippling life can get when the hatred for the executive is at its peak and what it means to be entrenched in a system that is rigged for failure and booby trapped with all sorts of neat little gadgets.

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Now the machine rages on and we are already getting troubling subliminal ideas about the possibilities of a rigged vote and that in the Bastion of Democracy. Last time this happened, we invited the Supreme Court of the United States into the picture while we counted chads and effectively handed the presidency back to the Texas Ranger. 
So are we being prepared to believe that the Opinion Polls are going to be the only true factor to decide on the fairness of the U.S election?

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The fifth story has to do with the Brexit and it's effects on Europe Economically, Politically and most importantly Militarily at least in decision regarding Engagement with Russians and by extension NATO.

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This might be good news for the Russians but it might be drawing us closer to the edge as the British pull out of their deals with China.

All this as the Russians begin to assert their authority in the break away republics.

Also in the news is the plan to talk to the Turks a current no go zone for the Americans even if to be fair POTUS, has pardoned a fair measure of Turkey diner on historical thanksgiving celebrations. How the Russians negotiate that space will prove interesting

A three point five estate (in the press) and a fully fledged fifth estate (in the citizenry).

It is my belief that the week that past had helped shape and at least in some regard direct the state of the press in the country. 

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Listening to the radio this week I came across a story about a very disappointed rural group that was complaining about the services 
of their local hospital. Nothing too strange here except that the lady that delivered the report (or at least the witness-whistle blower) was a very eloquent local woman who had had a little too much of her fill of the cup. Her words came flowing and soon our fountain of honor drove to the location for some sanitation work. So a few heads rolled and some doctors were sacked (no the sacks in this case were not carrying anyone's pay) we are a little dry on the additional finance that is why we are hoping that a bail out will help fill our piggy banks. 
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There is a saying here that helps when making judgement. "Tosala Gwa Kawala Nga tonasala Gwa Kalenzi", loosely translated meaning, "do not judge in favor of the boy before you listen to the girl". This we all failed to do and the lynch mob simply cheered while the head of state flexed his muscle. I hope that this was some kind of game between the locals and doctors but I fear it was not. The doctors and our and citizens got to see their hero, but their true heroes are gone and alienated. Yes the fifth estate is alive at least in from of the whistle blowing citizenry but the press as we know it is still wanting, in not giving enough of a voice to the few doctors we have left in the country-and that in the rural areas. So we have called it not the fourth but the three and a half estate. 
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You have to be a very confident citizenry to pass judgement on your health care providers. Now you have two problems, you to only do not have enough drugs, you do not have people to help you administer them. Even if you can change the circumstances to hire new doctors, you will forever be guilty of judging people who took a hypocrites oath. I also expect you to have problems in two other areas. I expect some concern in your schools with your teachers and schools as well as your police and security agencies. Something is wrong because ideally you should have been able to sit with your local leaders at least at LC 1 level to talk about the problems in your village. Should that have failed you should have been able to take it a little further up. Health issues are often linked to education issues which also fold right into secuity issues. I think that your injections will hurt a little. The doctor will work on you well because that is his vow but it will hurt him a lot to think that you did not trust him enough to approach him with the problem. 
"Omusawo Omunyomye Ate nomulopa nomuswaza", you have despised and embarrassed the doctor. 
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So in the future I hope that you will try to talk about your security challenges as well as those in education. I hope that once in a while you will honor those who work in your area with little gifts like food from your gardens and small gifts just to let them know you appreciate their work. Of you can and if they are willing I hope that you will have courage to confront them. It shows respect and love and a willingness to help those who you honestly believe can do Better. This will increase your respect one for another. 
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And that was the week that was.