Uganda Media Centre Blog

State of the Nation Address

4mediacentre — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:20:34 +0000

President Museveni yesterday assured Ugandans that the economy of Uganda has withstood the economic recession a point that has attracted criticism from some members of opposition who accused the president of hiking the figures to confuse Ugandans. However, during his State-of-the Nation address the president referred to his critics as “doubting Thomases who want to first touch the scars to believe.” The president said that despite the global economic crisis that has been adverse on many economies around the world, “Uganda’s economy is alive and well.” Provisional data by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that the Uganda economy has continued to grow at a robust rate of 7.0% per annum, despite the global economic crisis. The president attributed this to diversification of Ugandan economy to the export and service sector. On energy the president said, “I pointed out that I cannot accept Uganda to continue being part of the suicidal and rather unserious schemes promoted in Africa.” All the rivers in Africa have the hydro-power potential of 456,630 megawatts. This is not enough to power a modernized African society of 1.3 billion people by 2015. The present plans and talk are mere jokes. We need real seriousness. Cheap energy and transport will mean lower costs of doing business in Africa and, therefore, more competitiveness. President Museveni yesterday assured Ugandans that the economy of Uganda has withstood the economic recession a point that has attracted criticism from some members of opposition who accused the president of hiking the figures to confuse Ugandans. However, during his State-of-the Nation address the president referred to his critics as “doubting Thomases who want to first touch the scars to believe.” The president said that despite the global economic crisis that has been adverse on many economies around the world, “Uganda’s economy is alive and well.” Provisional data by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that the Uganda economy has continued to grow at a robust rate of 7.0% per annum, despite the global economic crisis. The president attributed this to diversification of Ugandan economy to the export and service sector. On energy the president said, “I pointed out that I cannot accept Uganda to continue being part of the suicidal and rather unserious schemes promoted in Africa.” All the rivers in Africa have the hydro-power potential of 456,630 megawatts. This is not enough to power a modernized African society of 1.3 billion people by 2015. The present plans and talk are mere jokes. We need real seriousness. Cheap energy and transport will mean lower costs of doing business in Africa and, therefore, more competitiveness.

Does migingo need an international boundary commission?

4mediacentre — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:53:24 +0000

By 1884/5, the conference at Berlin decided to share Africa like bread, the impact of slicing Africa has continued to East Africa (Uganda vs. Kenya). Recently, a delegation from Kenya was in Uganda for talks in order to solve the question of the tiny Island floating on Lake Victoria. Some experts on the floating island are wondering whether it is on Uganda or Kenya’s side.
What does the East African treaty say on the common resources that member states share? What if some fish want to cross from Uganda to Kenya, do they need a passport or visa? Is Migingo Island a classic example of rhetoric in favour of regional integration?
Boundary disputes in Africa relate to the way European colonial powers curved up the continent for themselves and here the implications are hard to sort out. The row over Migingo Island in Lake Victoria could turn out to be such.
The island may not be of obvious strategic importance, it’s rocky, tiny and nothing grows on it but it is no small pumpkin, it’s a fishing island that could have strategic value like any other island. We pray that leaders in the two states resolve this matter without a lot of hullabaloo otherwise it sends bad signals for anticipated regional integration, the issue of the distance from the borders of both countries does not hold water since all countries are aspiring to become one .
Let us not even attempt to go to court ,the experience on the continent is not good e.g. the row between Botswana and Namibia over a small island in river Chobe was submitted to the international court of justice at the Hague in 1996 after the regional body, the southern Africa Development Community(SADC) failed to resolve it.
It took the world court four years to settle it after 600 pages of hearings and 38,000 of written memorandums including 2,200 of historical documents and80 copies of historical maps. In addition, six scientists involved in the case made written and oral presentations regarding the island’s hydrology, geomorphology ,cartography and history all necessary evidence in the adjudication.
The dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon over the oil rich Bakasi peninsula also went to the world court in 1994 after 30 years of failure to resolve it with the intervention of regional leaders and institutions including the economic community of West African States (ECOWAS). It took eight years of court hearings and submissions to be settled. The court ruled in favour of Cameroon but it took Nigeria several more years agonizing whether or not to accept the ruling.
Closer to East Africa, Ethopia and Eritrea went to war in 1998-2000 over a small town on the border called Badme. After the war, they agreed to have an international boundary commission the border, using old colonial maps the commission delimited the boundary in April 2002 and gave Badme to Eritrea which Ethiopia had administered for four years. Ethiopia is still administering Badme, arguing that the boundary commission acted in error; therefore it is important for leaders in the region to sort out Migingo Island soon.
Otherwise it will be a bottleneck for the regional integration that has already reached appreciative stage. It took years of reconciliation, mediation and litigation to resolve other cases on the continent. If Migingo Island takes fifteen years to resolve then forget the integration.

The Ugandan making news this week.

4mediacentre — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:43:28 +0000

Badru Lusambya

“Victory belongs to the most persevering.” Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821)

On Sunday March 22, Scottish-based Ugandan boxer Badru Lusambya, alias “Mr. Crush,” delivered on his nickname with a devastating knockout victory over Chas “Croydon Bomber” Symonds at York Hall Bethnal Green. Lusambya, 27, who lives in Glasgow, put behind memory of his only defeat, to Gary McMillan, with his strong performance, and seventeenth career knockout. This victory puts him on the list of challengers for a Welterweight Commonwealth title.

Symonds, unfortunately had to be taken away on life-supporting oxygen, after the fight.

Mr. Lusambya put up a good fight and made Uganda proud!

The ’08 Quadruplets of Africa

4mediacentre — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:28:18 +0000

Africa was tagged “The Dark Continent” by New York Herald American journalist and adventurer Henry. M. Stanley, in his 1872. This was during his quest for the ailing Scottish missionary-explorer David Livingstone on the island of Ujiji. However one would beg to differ from Stanley’s view of Africa. Just like a goose providing warmth to its golden eggs, that’s what Africa was and is to its people. A continent all covered with enormous resources and treasures that give no room for light rays of mystery to spread through. Thus reason why the foreigners were so moved by such an abundance of wealth and all that could come out of their mouths was dark. A word characterizing of failing to see beyond what the ordinary eye can view.
Israel and New breed a gospel choir, in their 2008 album sang “I hear you crying for help, please don’t blame yourself. You are not forgotten, you are not forgotten.”
Right from the 1900’s Africa has had a blood thirsty ground till to date. From the fights against colonialism, apartheid to genocide’s (that of Rwanda for instance). But one thing is still out standing the unity surpassing all the bad fumes created from tiny misunderstandings, all together. God has had all the cries of the African child as the Israel new breed song goes “I hear you crying for help, please don’t blame yourself. You are not forgotten.”
” Behold,” writes Isaiah, “the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
God does not forget his flock its only it that turns away from him through the acts of inequities. His love has been pretty evident this year like it has always been though the sea saw kind of formatting.
The first of the 2008 African quadruplets came by on Saturday 3rd May, 2008 at the Beijing nest stadium, with a quick baptism of gold for the supersonic athlete Usain Bolt. Just as the name “Bolt” suggests he is a fast paced lightning human when placed on a race track. Bolt has three Olympic medals to his name and truly shows the gifting of Africa when it comes to the race truck as African history has it of Shaka Zulu and his men. The warriors run long distances bare feet as Abebe Bikila did during the 1960 Rome summer Olympic s, where he was the first independent African athlete to win gold at the prestigious games. Bolt on the other hand didn’t have shoes to worry about as his mind was set for gold? The record breaking medal’s won by the Jamaican of African heritage were a fore sign of the other three incoming historic quadruplets.
The first gold of 9.69 seconds in the 100 metres in its stature surely deserved the next born of the African mother, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton the current formula one champion after a spree of races throughout the year proved his prowess at the Brazilian Grand prix. The 23 year old became the first black and youngest champion of the formula one sport, taking over from Kimi Raikonen of the Ferrari phenomenon.
Then there came the 200 metres with a record time to beat of 19.30 seconds a double race track of the previous event of 100 meters. This was not any different from the race of the “Jaluo” President- elect Barack Obama passed through. With him having to run the first half of the event striving for a Democratic Presidential seat in contention with Hillary Clinton who was not that easy opposition to beat. Barack on the second half of the truck race not only did he have to convince the Democrats of his potential but also the entire United States of America. The land slide victory of Barack Obama set the entire African continent a blaze, as did by Usain during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, where he was clear ahead of Sen. John Mc Cain.
Usain Bolt in collaboration with his Jamaican team mates needed a joint effort to take home the ever contested 4x 100 metres relay, dominated by the Americans for the past years. Uganda in a bid for the non- permanent seat at the UN Security Council needed the support of the other member states. Uganda due to a unanimous regional backing ran uncontested. Thus succeeding South Africa and being the only African representative at the UN body.
Oh! Not forgetting Paul Ince, of Black Burn Rovers coach, the first black to coach a side in the English Premier League. One wonders whose next could it be you?

OIL; A CURSE OR A BLESSING?

4mediacentre — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:50:17 +0000

There is an adage about wealth and democracy that says, “the more well-to-do a nation, the greater the chances it will sustain democracy.” This literally means that oil rich nations with large oil deposits (a clear absolute advantage) should shine far beyond all others as beacons of democracy and freedom.
Unfortunately, according to a paper titled, “Are oil rich nations really doomed to autocracy and inequality?” by Samuel R. Schubert, nothing seems further from the truth.
“Among the world’s top ten oil exporters, only Norway and Indonesia can be realistically described as democracies. While others like Nigeria, Russia and Venezuela demonstrate a mere semblance of freedom,” Mr. Schubert states.
The idea that oil resources might be more an economic curse than a blessing began to emerge in the 1980s. From 1965-1998, in the OPEC countries, gross national product per capita growth decreased on average by 1.3%, while in the rest of the developing world, per capita growth was on average 2.2%. Today, oil constitutes 30% of total export revenues in some 34 less developed countries and none can be classified as democratic.

This trend should obviously defeat all logic, but only if consideration is not given to the genesis and cycle of internal conflict within oil producing countries. In this model, the oil resource is the spark and fuel for long running conflict. On the one hand, for any opposition force to destabilize a nation it attacks the main source of income i.e. the oil producing region. Secondly once in control of these regions, either fully or marginally, the resources are then utilized to finance the rebellion, hence creating a perpetual cycle of conflict. The wars in Angola, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are perfect examples of this phenomenon.

Angola for example, is Sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest oil producer after Nigeria. Recent discoveries suggesting it could soon become the largest. But the 1999 UN Human Development Index placed Angola at 160 out of 174 countries, according to social indicators. Angola, by all standards, should have a thriving economy. Instead it suffers from incessant internal conflict, with massive proportions of national wealth unaccounted for, and the well being of the population seemingly not a priority to the government.

Why? Studies have shown that oil dependence leads to skewing of political forces. It concentrates production to geographic enclaves and concentrates power into the hands of the few elites.

Sudan’s seemingly endless civil wars, perhaps the longest running conflicts in Africa, also explain this phenomenon. Since oil began flowing from the government controlled Heglig and Unity oilfields, which lie uncomfortably close to the battlefields in the war-torn south, there has been an escalation of the conflict in the Sudan. It also explains why the South has failed to become a fully independent entity and hopefully peaceful state. South Sudan’s nascent oil industry and reserves are estimated at as high as three billion barrels.
Countries that depend on oil for revenue bask in wealth, but overwhelmingly suffer what The Economist has termed a “poverty of policy”. The Ghanaian Chronicle of 28 Feb 2008 explores this phenomenon in an article titled, Nigeria’s resource curse. Below is an excerpt;
Nigeria is a heart rending paradox. A rich country with desperately poor people. Despite its massive earning from oil, 70% of its estimated 140 million people live below the poverty line.
More than 80 million Nigerians live on less than 1 USD a day, in a country that has earned 340 billion dollars since the 70s. Nigeria is ranked 144 out of 146 by Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2004. It is therefore right to state that Nigeria’s oil wealth has failed to generate development and rather only produced deep-rooted corruption as the bedrock of internal policies.
To further understand this trend, one needs to understand the economic concept known as the Dutch Disease. This refers to the potentially adverse effects of a booming export sector on the performance of other exports and the industries competing against imports. Essentially strengthening – appreciation – of the exporting country’s exchange rate. In the 1960s, the Netherlands experienced a vast increase in its wealth after discovering large deposits of natural gas in the North Sea. Unexpectedly, this seemingly positive development had serious repercussions on important segments of the country’s economy. The Dutch guilder became stronger – 30% appreciation – making Dutch non-oil exports less competitive.

Iraq’s economy has long been dominated by the oil sector, which has since the 1950s provided the country with about 95 percent of its foreign exchange earnings. The country’s petroleum resource base is truly impressive. Proven oil reserves of 112.5 billion barrels and potential reserves of 200 billion barrels. Of these reserves, 75 billion have not yet been developed as a result of the political and military turmoil of the past 20 years.

The current Bush-Iraq war was never about weapons of mass destruction, as alleged by the American Intelligence reports. To date, not even one weapon of mass destruction has been found. With world fuel prices on the rise, the primary reason for the US undertakings in Iraq was oil. In May 2003, the top American Iraq administrator, L. Paul Bremer III, stated that Iraq was “open for business.” As the conflict goes on, America has shamelessly completed building a stretch of oil pipelines. The US, the world’s largest consumer, has spent a great deal of its own resources over the last decades literally in blood money to keep oil flowing smoothly to itself and its allies.

So where does Uganda stand in all this? Very poorly, unless the country guards vigorously against the problems faced by the majority of oil producing countries. There are signs that oil curse prophesy may be proven true. Although a new entrant among Africa’s oil producing countries, Uganda has seen tensions rising over the Island of Rukwanzi. The tiny Lake Albert Island has already become an area of contention between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The island lies in the Albertine Gorge which is the foremost area of recent oil discoveries. It also lies along the disputed 160 km long border of Western Uganda and the DRC. Although the island is barely three kilometers wide it is strategically located as a base for oil exploration, which has been ongoing for several years. Hostilities broke out when a Canadian Heritage Oil worker was shot and killed on 4 August 2007 by the Congo soldiers.
Furthermore, though there is a belief that projected revenues to be accrued from oil shall rescue Uganda from external budgetary support, in the near future, this may well come to naught. The key to economic independence, regardless of increased resources, will be a commitment to fighting corruption. President Museveni’s 2006 inauguration statements on zero tolerance of corruption need to be backed by tough and concrete action. Otherwise, the increased wealth in the Albertaine region will do little to benefit this nation. To further complicate Uganda’s situation, uranium deposits have been discovered in the country. Though not yet confirmed as commercially viable, this is one mineral resource the West would dearly like to keep tightly controlled.
No study of world energy would be complete without including Russia. According to an article written by one Marshall I. Goldman; “Through its egregious mismanagement of these resources, Russia has become one of the world’s most inefficient and wasteful producers and consumers of energy. This is due in part to the presumption that there will always be more oil or gas to be discovered, and, as a result, there is no particular need for Russia to use what it has efficiently”.
Actions taken by former President Putin, using oil resource to develop Russia, may well prove Mr. Goldman wrong but we wait to see.
Juan Pablo Parez Alfonso, a founder of OPEC complained in 1975: “I call petroleum the devil’s excrement. It brings trouble. Look at all the waste, corruption, consumption, and public services falling apart. And debt, debt we shall have for years” Economist May 22, 2003.
The problems faced by oil exporters has spawned a lot of literature, laden with colorful terms such as “The Dutch Disease,” “The Paradox of Plenty,” “Flawed Prosperity,” and even “The Banyan Tree Problem” (Tsalik, 2003).
But the core issue seems to have been forgotten. Oil is neither a blessing nor curse, it’s simply a resource. Nations without oil but with commercial endowment of gold and or diamonds face the same problems. The problem of persistent poverty is mainly attributed to lack of visionary leadership coupled with inept management of state resources especially in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa must solve its leadership problems and improve the management capabilities of its administrators; only then could we effectively reduce poverty.
Uganda is advantaged in that oil discoveries have come later rather than earlier. We need to learn from the mistakes made by other countries and make the most of this opportunity. Otherwise, in the words of James Russell Lowell 1819-1891, mishaps (oil) are like knives that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle.

PUBLIC A LITTLE TOO HARD ON THE POLICE

4mediacentre — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:46:19 +0000

“By appreciation, we make excellence in others as our own property,” are the words of renowned French Philosopher and writer Voltaire. The police have been like a woman always going to the salon for a facial and never appreciated but rather told of how out of vogue her style is and can do better.
The Uganda Police forces date back to the British government era of 1900, where they were an Armed Forces Constabulary of 1,400 men playing a combined role of soldiers/ policemen. These used to quell wars and disturbances which were continuously breaking out amongst the various tribes. It was not until 1906 that the Uganda Armed Constabulary then of 975 was renamed Uganda Police Force, comprising of men of all ranks, according to the Forces website.
The police have over the years been blamed for their corruption rate and inefficiency in terms of services offered. True they have been known for taking on bribes from the public and sidelining with false accusations but isn’t the public being a little too hard on the law enforcement makers?
Honestly the public should take the time to appreciate the Police forces basing on the ever increasing/ influx of cars and bad drivers on the road in our poorly planned city. The police should be given credit for putting in place traffic officers at the never passable areas in the morning for instance Ntinda kumwokya, Bukoto, Bweyogerere Kireka, Luzira Bugolobi and others. The early birds can bare me witness that the play station kind of drivers wouldn’t find it easy to make it to work, if our brothers in khaki uniforms were not on duty. They work from morning to evening in the cold and ever scotching sun.
Basing on the Inspector General of Police’s brief Wednesday 26/11/08 interview, (on phone) on 104.1 Power Fm morning show dubbed “GO,” Major General Kale Kayihura expressed his dismay towards the public’s response on the forces. He said the public should take time to honestly appreciate them as the influx of road accidents has been greatly reduced due to stringent efforts taken by the Uganda Police Forces. Adding to that the Major General spoke about the forces carrying out a campaign come early December in an endeavor to sensitize the public on Ugandan traffic laws.
He said the police have applied the iron feast in enforcing discipline amongst its officials which has seen many being put behind bars, in accordance to non-ethical acts. He advised the public to go ahead and utilize the toll free lines given and not to be call shy as far as corruption is concerned and promised that action would be taken. The police have taken great strides from the weekly press briefings by the ever media loved Kampala central police spokesperson Simeo Nsubuga and Judith Nabakoba the Police spokesperson to the cracking down on the iron bar men. Such briefings have made the public to appreciate and acknowledge the work carried out by police forces in combating crimes in the country.
The campaign will be a great step in improving the use of roads by both pedestrians and drivers, but a series of campaigns would do it best. This puts us on the memory lane of Uganda Television now Uganda Broadcasting Corporation 1990′s programming. Where the police would air programmes of how best pedestrians and drivers should use the roads. Programmes of such a kind gave the public in depth knowledge of things which seemed too obvious and considered as nitty gritties but relevant. Thus need to have such programmes (on the road on WBS) running on other television and radio stations not leaving out the newspapers as an act of Corporate Social responsibility by the media houses. A comprehensive or multimedia communication strategy/format would do best to carry on the message, due to varying choices among the public’s and their lack of appreciation for the Forces.
They say one can’t take life with him, but Life on the other hand can be kept a worthwhile when at hand. Many have been lost to car accidents due to reckless driving (pilots on the road I call them)most especially on black spots even before saying bye to their families, which are only left yearning for a little more time with their loved ones. So it’s best people embraced the police as friends and not as enemies, as their slogan goes, “Protect and serve.”
We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way. Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don’t overlook it.