Empowering SMEs...

Keeping a small business running for many years is hard, but not impossible. The 8th Small and Medium Enterprises Forum was opened by the (Guest of Honour) Right Honourable Prime Minister of Uganda - Amama Mbabazi on Thursday 21st March 2013, the first of three days that would end on Saturday 23rd March at the UMA (Uganda Manufacturers Association) Main Exhibition Hall in Lugogo. After the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Executive Director's welcome remarks, the Key Note Address was given by Mr. Peter Ladegaard, representing IFC (International Finance Corporation) from the World Bank Group. An Issue Paper with questions collected from the participants early in the morning programme was also reviewed and the PM gave his feedback, then awarded certificates to key partner companies including Bank of Uganda, Stanbic Bank, One Solutions, Centenary Bank, Umeme, Jomayi Properties, Fresh Cuts, Warid Telecom, Niko Insurance, Finance Trust and Uganda Development Bank before giving his speech. James Mulwana (founder of UMA) was also remembered in an All-Stand-Up Moment of Silence. Despite the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Scandal being argued in court, the PM humourously asked, "Have you ever suffered a Theft? That's what happened to OPM." As Prime Minister, Mbabazi does not handle public funds at all but being the leader of Government business in Parliament and Secretary General of the NRM Party, he is at the centre of fighting corruption in Uganda and had to speak about what happened in his office. Kazinda had probably been doing his embezzlements for years and when he was about to be transferred, the PM asked for one more day to formally transfer Kazinda's duties through a handover because he noticed something fishy and that is how the rot was unearthed. Now that the barrels of oil drilled in Uganda are in millions, billions or whatever citizens want to hear, the private sector should benefit from this wealth since they are very important contributors to the economy (about 80 percent). Mbabazi complemented that SMEs are very important people government should be dealing with. Entertainment (that the MC reiterated as a jumper) was provided by a group of Karimojong Women who came with their babies for the first time in Kampala. They had saved 3.4 Million in one year simply by each member stashing away 1,500 UgX regularly, an admirable venture. The nearest banks from their homes are many kilometres away in Mbale but they pulled this off. (According to Bank of Uganda, only 20 percent of Ugandans actually have bank accounts while the majority keep their money at home.) Mbabazi, whom the women fondly sang about in their songs added them 1 Million as his contribution. EAC is rated highly among all the communities/ regional blocks in Africa, occupying the 19th spot among the Top 20 in the whole world. Notable is Rwanda which has the Best Start-up Profile for SMEs in the region though all the other countries also have their strengths. Mbabazi warned that the corruption involved in starting the construction of Karuma Dam should be ironed out or else we will return to the old days of "Power Rationing" yet power needs to be maximised. Corruption is systematic. He reminded the audience about the Ghost Soldiers Saga which also affected Government's image. While fighting Kony in Operation Iron Fist, only 100 soldiers lined up out of 1,000 paid officers. "What happened to the other 900?" During the one-on-one audience question session with the PM, a lady from Arua read loud a letter from her colleagues back home about an "expired" teacher for the disabled enterpreneurs especially the deaf and mute. She warned that everyone should be concerned now because in future anyone could have a relative who is disabled. The PM remarked that it should be a concern for every part of Uganda. An architect relayed his grievance of non-payment after contractual work for Ministry of Education and PM offered to follow up. Meanwhile, a farmer from Manafwa also uttered his complaint which the PM didn't understand, it was quite vague, etc. In the hall were exhibitions from URA, MTAC plus various companies including inspirational SMEs and a Turkish Delegation that set up B2B (Business 2 Business) Meetings at the back. This was a very good set up for people trying to start a business, needing advice or financial partners. As an annual initiative of PSFU, the theme of this free event in 2013 was: "Empowering SMEs to Access Affordable Financial and Business Development"...

Managing Uganda's Oil Discovery (19th Joseph Mubiru Memorial Lecture)

“Those with phones from the generation that can’t be silenced should switch them off (completely)!” the MC started with an amusing request to the eager guests. From crying babies to grey haired seniors, the Victoria Ballroom at Speke Resort Munyonyo was incredibly filled on Friday 28th October 2011 by all generations of Ugandans plus some white guests. Many of the previous lectures were also given by whites as evidenced by the video that greeted us as we walked in. Seats were added outside in the balcony area but still spilled over. Rain fell close to the end of the lecture but it didn’t matter. What mattered most was the topic of discussion during Bank of Uganda’s 19th Joseph Mubiru Memorial Lecture. Started in 1988, the annual lecture honours Joseph Mary Mubiru, the First Governor of BOU (1966 to 1971).



(Current Governor) Professor Emmanuel Tumusiime - Mutebile was the first speaker. He was glad to give his welcome address after three milestones in the bank’s history namely: the Introduction of new banknotes in 2010; the Triumph of the new 50,000 note - voted as the Best Design in the World; and his own Triumph - named the Best Central Bank Governor in Africa 2011. “Bugalo!” (Hands Clap), he ordered and the crowd laughed. He’s the one who introduced the Finance Minister.

Maria Kiwanuka (famous for starting Radio One and Two - Akaboozi) was gracefully comprehensive in moderating the discussions. She impressively noted and reiterated the good points.

The Main Lecture though was presented by Professor Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Director at the Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University. Below are some of the ideas he shared: Oil belongs to the entire nation and not only Mining Companies nor the Locals from whose area it is mined though they must benefit or they will riot. “Money corrupts but Oil money corrupts absolutely.” We need to avoid the curse that plagued Sierra Leone because of its diamonds. We need Peace like Botswana that had a similar public lecture after discovering diamonds. Despite the fast tracking of the East African Federation, Uganda’s oil should not be claimed by the other four members of the community just like England’s oil is England’s oil, not Scotland’s. Germany used to be the Worst Performing Economy in Europe until the Germans said, “Never Again!” and they turned the tables. Now they are the Best. Uganda can do that. About 30 developing nations once asked Norway for advice on how to develop like her and they were told to invest capital outside their countries. Norway already had enough capital at home and so for every worker in the country, more was added outside. Uganda cannot use the same strategy because “Uganda is very poor” in capital stocks at home. So oil revenue must be invested within Uganda. There should be Rules and Instructions, Transparency and Accountability. Instead of secretive deals, there should be Auction where the Best Bidder gets to explore Uganda’s Oil. A good leader creates systems that have no use for leadership.

Godber Tumushabe, who critiqued Collier’s paper compelled the audience to himself by speaking without fear that Politicians shouldn’t run the oil economy but leave it to entrepreneurs and trained experts. He remarked that the paper was shy in tackling that aspect. He believed he was suitable for this task because he had read Collier’s books. “I don’t work in government” was the reason he gave for speaking his mind. By the way, he also felt Universal Primary Education (UPE) doesn’t add much to pupils and New Districts should become Centres of Production, not just for Political Votes. “We have boarded a train and it will take us to either Botswana, Sierra Leone or Monrovia…” Despite cries from the public for him to be added more time, Godber agreed to use his remaining five minutes to deliver his arguments. He confessed that Africa never develops because we don’t responsibly use the Time and Resources we are given.

During the audience responses, a miner who descends from a Kisoro family with over 30 years of mining experience blamed Greed for the ruin in Uganda’s Mining Industry. “What happened to copper and other minerals?” he passionately inquired. Check greed and we won’t have an oil curse! Another respondent mentioned human resource as greater than oil and shouldn’t be ignored. Ken Lukyamuzi wowed the attendees with his humourous language and fearless criticism like in ages past. This time he respected the occasion and didn’t repeat his trademark phrase – “What are you talking about? – but threw in a legal term “estopy” that amused many. MP Lokeris and another from Vurra, Arua also spoke, just to mention a few.

The Finance Minister blamed parents for killing children’s dreams. Why can’t someone study history? Why force them to do biology simply because they pass Biology yet their interest is elsewhere? It’s the carpenters and entrepreneurs who will push the economy forward. Maria proclaimed that she got access to some interesting data in her new Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) office that revealed that for five years before 2009, Uganda was listed among the Top 10 Fastest Developing Countries in the World. What do you think will happen when Uganda’s oil is mined, taxed, the money is saved and invested?

[DISCLAIMER: Everything is paraphrased from memory so some ideas may not be exactly what was said but that’s how I grasped them.]

Stone Cold (2011 Film) and Film-financing Tips

Kargo Cinema brings you Stone Cold, a tragic movie about child labour, written by Michael Wawuyo (who plays the role of the man who buys away Kosai’s elder daughter as a babysitter leaving behind the injured daughter) en directed by Ugandan TV icon Irene Kulabako Kakembo who also directed All Our Children (2008). She seems to have a heart for Children. Well, she surely influenced me a lot while I was growing up watching UTV (Currently UBC). The movie was produced by Tri Vision, a company co-founded by Irene’s husband Joseph Kakembo. If this movie doesn’t make you cry, I promise it will move you somehow. It premiered at Alliance Francaise on Friday 17th June 2011 (World Day against Child Labour). Shot for one week in Kampala en 10 days in Kumi, the rain scene at the beginning was engineered artificially but made very believable and so was the bloody climax when stones fell on the main character’s two boys Yeko en Mariko. Imagine Special Effects in UG, those rocks falling on the boys in the gorge are actually sponges (like in a mattress) though they were painted to look like rocks. That’s why the one DSR 250 camera they used wasn’t damaged. During the shooting of this sad scene, a glass was also placed above the camera to minimize the dust falling from the sponges. You just have to watch this to believe me. The sound was also amazing, recorded alongside the video instead of separately, according to Shantos Sekitto (the Sound Man) who also doubled as an actor in the bar scene talking about how to “… turn stones into beer.”

A workshop on Camera, Lighting for film and Film-financing was held the following morning (Saturday) before another mass screening on Sunday, (both events) at the National Theatre en it was very ‘door-unlocking”. In the audience was a jeweler, animator, film maker, accountant, cartoonist, etc. Irene advised, “We (meaning her Crew, though the Actors/Actresses are paid) don’t pay ourselves. We each come once a year to bring something (in form of skills or any other value) to the table… Costs are fuel, food and so forth. Get into groups and work on a project!”

Joseph added, “Money will discourage you… Shoot in phases (even for many weeks)!”

Someone commented that he wished the sad parts were longer so that he could mourn more.

Edu asked Irene the challenges she faced as a director and she said it was during auditioning and casting actors, “Females were few.” Maureen Kibuuka (who acted as Kosai’s one armed wife) was found a week before shooting. They had almost given up on finding the leading actress and Irene, four or five months pregnant then, was contemplating playing the role. Then through someone who knew Maureen, the lady who had always wanted to act in a movie got her first role ever.

Personally, I was mesmerized by the water reflection technique used to film the four kids returning home after breaking rocks. As they get closer to the camera, it pans from filming the water reflection to capturing the upright kids.

After Lunch, the lovely Miss Barbra talked about “How to Keep More of the Money You Make”. Her business presentation defined what being Rich really means. It’s not all about Big Salaries, Cars or Bank Accounts but rather: spending wisely, making money work for you instead of working for it, hiding behind companies, setting goals, managing free time (first 8 hours of your schedule for Jobs, second 8 hours for rest [5 PM to 2 AM] en third 8 hours for your Business), working to learn instead of to earn only, investing in shares plus tithing. Andrew, the animator almost got the squares question right. They looked 16 at first sight as Peninah thought, for me I thought they were only 17 while Andrew counted till 23 en gave up but Barbra revealed that they were actually 30 squares meaning, “Wherever there is a Problem, some people see many opportunities. Instead of complaining about garbage in the city, form a company to collect all of it (en benefit from the problem)!” Irene introduced the participants to a Fixer, someone who finds everything needed in a film project, a job created using this principle since UG lacks professional fixers. Recommended reading was Robert Kiyosaki books. Good Luck!

Four Thumbs Up

I’m a Gooner but strongly believe Manchester United’s football (read Alex Ferguson’s Philosophy) is very efficient every year even if not the Most Beautiful. Expectedly though, on Saturday 28th May 2011, Pep (Josep) Guardiola, the Best Passer of the ball during his playing career, with the help of his "L'equip Blaugrana" Catalans showed the Red Devils why the simple but hard (Spanish) Tiki - Taka Pass and Move is the Most Exciting Game Plan today by winning Barcelona’s fourth Champions League trophy in their second finals appearance against Man Utd (2 – 0 in 2009 and 3 - 1 in 2011). Not only is it easy on the eyes of spectators but also very efficient like the famous Total Football popularised by Johan Cruyff from Netherlands (The Orange Team). One of his best quotes is, "You always have to make sure that you score one goal more than your opponent."

Four days prior to that, (arguably the Team with the Best Facilitation in Uganda) URA FC beat KCC 2 -1 and were crowned for the fourth time in six years as the Eco Bank Super League Champions. The tax collectors clinched the season title in a year when their parent body (who celebrate their 20th Anniversary in September) was praised as “operating at 100 percent efficiency” though one of the departmental commissioners modestly confessed that it is actually 80 percent with room for “more improvement”. Banks and Traders now use their e-Tax Payment System, so heaven is the limit. URA's Tuesday game was like a super precursor of the illusive Pedro, lethal Rooney, gifted Messi and world class Villa spectacle at Wembley on Saturday.

Meanwhile at Casablanca Bar on Acacia Avenue in Kololo (a Kampala Suburb) on the same Sabbath, Orange was showing telecom users that its Lifestyle Portal is the Best in UG. Personally, I’m mesmerized by the ingenuity of the useful business idea and entertaining content on their Lifestyle Webpage (http://lifestyle.orange.ug/). “The future is bright, the future is Orange!” Choice and Today surely changes with Orange as it bridges the digital divide in UG from Koboko to Busia. Together, we can do more.

No wonder, even the colour Orange itself is amazing, though not my favourite. Green would do for me but Orange is a warm, vibrant and flamboyant color like energy combined with fun, the color of the risk-taker, the extrovert and the uninhibited. In Color Psychology it means adventure, optimism, self-confidence and sociability. It's used extensively by Al-Jazeera TV, Fanta Orange Soda, Splash Drink, etc.

Physiologically, orange vitalizes, inspires and creates enthusiasm. It is stimulating to the appetite and social conversation and therefore works well in restaurants and other food outlets. This can be achieved by using some form of orange in the décor, such as in the furnishings or the lighting. An up market restaurant will look more elegant with subdued versions of orange. Combine with aubergine, purple, or blue for a unique, contemporary and classy look!

Psychologically, orange gives the impression of affordability, depending on the shade chosen and its combination with other colors. Gentler than red, it's the energy of creation.

The 5th Successful URA Open Minds Forum

(Photo of Professor Stephen Adei, Courtesy of www.ghanaweb.com)

"Having authority or power doesn't make you a leader. Power is a double edged sword that can be used for both good and bad.", Ghanaian Professor Stephen Adei (once the Chief of the African Bureau of UNDP) taught the gathering at Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala on Wednesday 15th July 2009. This was URA's 5th Successful (and very hilarious too) Open Minds Forum where anyone can "Be a part, be heard, be told"; I attended the first ever forum held at Hotel Africana many months back but this was probably my second. The program is a corporate interactive debate on topical issues of public interest. Allen Kagina, the URA Commissioner General confessed that the forum is always organised with a selfish motive "Aimed at enhancing Tax Compliance" but somehow URA gets to participate in community by promoting interactive feedback and promoting accountability. The theme that day was "Leadership and Nation Building", who would want to miss that?

The usual Chairman magnifique (Ugandan Government Spokesman appointed New Vision Publishing CEO) Robert Kabushenga wielding absolute authority introduced the members on the panel, his old girl URA CG Mrs. Allen Kagina felt she wasn't worthy. On the left end sat Honourable Eriya Kategaya, the current 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda who has been involved in the liberation politics of Africa for a number of decades. He is also a respected statesman trying to rebuild the EAC (East African Community). Next to him was Professor Mahmood Mamdani, one of the lead discussants and also one of Uganda's foremost thinkers who lectures in an American university. He is the husband of Maisha Filmlab founder Mira Nair who also made a romantic movie entitled "Mississippi Marsala" starring Denzel Washington about the 1972 Asian expulsion by President Idi Amin Dada. Professor Mamdani brings original thinking to subjects that have become hostage to prejudice and stereotypes. On the right end was the visitor from Ghana. When Allen Kagina sent Kabushenga an email, his mobile browser told him that the message was truncated. It took 5 minutes to load. Professor Stephen Adei has about 9 degrees, he has worked all over the world and his printed CV fills three foolscaps.

Adei was the first speaker, "Positions give opportunity to exercise leadership ... A good administrator applies rules but good leadership changes dysfunctional rules. A good manager aims at efficiency, man aging the status quo is not leadership, it involves paradigm shifts. Leadership is a function; development of vision, strategies and empowerment of individuals. Having a picture is halfway. Vision without strategy is a dream, ally the relevant people behind your strategies. A leader influences others, takes a stand. In leadership, what you know is less important. Good leadership is an art to be learnt because it comes with principles. Combine talent with training. One of my favourite preachers named Myles Monroe once preached, 'Whenever a nation has a lack of quality legitimate and just leaders, national deterioration occurs.' GOD's answer to our moral problems is righteous leaders. Jews were used for 400 years as slaves in Egypt but when the right leader came about, they were freed in a week. Singapore is just a rock but in 30 years, the right leadership turned it from a third world country into one of those with the best quality of life. Those of us with gray hair know that Uganda has come a long way. Rwanda is one of the African countries that will make it on their own because of the leadership of Paul Kagame. There were two great leaders in the world: Churchill and Hitler. Always make sure that the dysfunctionalities are corrected. When Nkrumah was overthrown, the country was humiliated for two weeks. The soldiers had to beg people to go and work. Learn dependence of followers.

Transformational servant leaders build nations: (1) They tend to be people of character, your credibility is important. It's not an option, people want a leader they believe in and can trust or honour. (2) Highly competent irrespective of the discipline, willing to apply to the situation. (3) Care for their people: If you are a chief, what do you steal money for? I have never seen a person who can ride five bicycles at the same time. You get a free house, petrol, car, security ... Our system takes care of our leaders, it is criminal to be a leader and steal. Africans are very generous to their leaders. A good leader works harder than other people, leadership doesn't come easy to all of us. Our own selfish nature makes us want everything for ourselves. The president (M7) wants the average per hectare of farmland to be 1,000 US Dollars [about 2 Million UgX]

Cost is what makes leaders important: (1) Challenge the status quo for improvement; rebels always look back. (2) Provide a shared vision and get people dreaming again: Create a world class centre. Leaders must bring a new picture, people must be inspired towards a better future. (3) Powerful autonomy who are like a think tank and define a nation e.g. the National Bureau of Economics of Thailand (4) Build functional and effective teams, it is the responsibility of leaders to put together the right team. For this country(Uganda)'s development, not more than 10 ministries matter. Honesty, Capability and Commitment. Leaders balance continuity and change, take major decisions and change things (solve problems). They develop future leaders. They manage well the Prize (Privileges); Price (Cost); and Perils (Temptations) of leadership. Be very careful how you enjoy in leadership! If people realise that you are not with them, finished. Most effective leaders usually will not enjoy the privileges that come to them until they lift up their people.
In Cost, leadership is hard work, so many people are sick and hungry around you. They look at you like a father, you need a think tank, everybody comes to you. All my life, no body told me am handsome until I made it. When I come to the village with a Benz, immediately I assume beauty. The politics in the church is as bad as the politics in the state. If you are a politician, what is your job? What do you mean by nation building? Create a cultural identity for all people beyond their tribal identity! Every country has to come up with a political system. Americans have comfort with two term limits. In Britain, there are no term limits. In France, when you are 55, you are almost going to the grave. Democracy can be defined in terms of the parameters.

Economic Development: Improve the welfare of citizens, realise their full potential. Nations that have grown in the last 50 years had less corrupt bureaucracy; governance situation tends to be above a certain level; there is rule of law; peace; enough technology. None of these is a primary cost. 'Do what I say not what I do' comes from the Devil's Bible. What is the promise that Africa will have such leadership? On the continent as a whole, it's coming too slowly. Things that will make it happen include: (1) Supply of good leaders, the qualification to be President of Ghana (40 years, literate and not mad) is lower than the qualification to be a secretary of Adei, Politicians shift when societies shift. (2) National values. (3) Formal training of future leaders. (4) Civic Education. (5) Create incentive for good leadership. (6) Make the cost of bad leadership high and raise the cost of misrule (The Gospel reigns, most leaders have to change heart). (7) Provide alternative avenues for wealth creation. (8) Need a loyal opposition (They want something bad to happen to the country)


(Photo of Professor Mahmood Mamdani, Courtesy of www.hindu.com)

Ugandan Professor Mahmood Mamdani (who is wanted back at Makerere University Kampala. Chancellor Mondo Kagonyera reported that thinking became idle after Mahmood left) spoke next. He started in a relaxed mode that was meant to amuse. He revealed that he got a call from URA and when the lady on the other side asked if he was the one, he responded with a very worried and faint 'Yes' until the reason why he was Wanted was told; That relieved him immensely. He was basically invited to raise questions, "Professor Adei's argument is that Africa needs transformation. My presumption is that such leaders will never exist, you are talking of saints, not politicians. Any visionary leader given time will turn dysfunctional. Churchill became dysfunctional in peace time and lost the election. What do you do when the leader turns dysfunctional? The professor has no answer in his speech, maybe he has reserved the answer for a speech in Ghana. The answer is not in the domain of leadership but institutions. I begin with an example in the US. During the 2008 Election, CNN did a poll. Most who did the poll believed that the 2000 Election was stolen, the Supreme Court stopped a recount. The reason was political, what would be the cost of a reversed verdict, would the tensions between the red and blue states overtake the system? There was no foreign intervention, instead America embarked on a process to reform. The US survived eight years of usurped bad leadership, millions died in the war against terror. (1) The strength of US institutions helped to contain the damage of bad leadership. (2) There is no single African problem. I will outline two, but their solutions have to be thought through concretely: the Most Serious Political Problem is to be found in Congo, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The political problem is an expression of a deeper social problem revolving around land. Who owns more land? Tribal rights, citizen rights. Zimbabwe was divided by land issues./ Darfur conflict started in the 1980s between agriculturalists and pastoralists (1987 - 9). The latter said, 'We couldn't make a living up north, so we moved south. We have to survive ...'/ Banyamulenge in Congo migrated towards the end of the 19th Century and have conflicts with migrants from Rwanda. But who is a citizen?
Second question is a question that divides the political class. It originated from the colonial system of Big Men, you are appointed from the top and removed from the top. It generates its own corruption, creates sycophants, otherwise they will not survive. It creates arrogance, this is not the critique of any individual. That is the psychology a system creates. Who will ensure a transfer of power. In some kingdoms, it was the work of the wives to blow the whistle if the king was too weak to lead the people. The transfer of power cannot be left to the person who occupies that position. It also happens in the opposition. The base of leadership begins with three fundamentals: Hope, Vision, and Promise. We can hope for the best but must prepare for the worst.


(Photo of Honourable Eriya Tukahirawa Kategaya, Courtesy of www.hindu.com)

Eriya Kategaya (the one who made the famous U - Turn in his political affiliation back to the ruling NRM - National Resistance Movement) was the last speaker from the high table, "We need tools for nation building. The question is skin deep. When Ugandans move from one region to another for instance Masindi, they are called immigrants. We need leaders who can create institutions (which are the guarantee of security) in the country, not strong men like Charles Taylor and Mobutu. Most African wars are intra-state e.g. in Congo, Liberia, Sudan and Uganda. Some groups don't feel comfortable, wrongly or rightly. There must be a mechanism of solving those problems. Anybody can wake up and become a leader but we need systematic delivery of leaders. It must be deliberate. Amin's Vice President was asked if he knew the constitution and he said, 'Karatasi gani?' (Swahili for 'Which paper?')/ Alternative avenues for wealth creation/ Think tanks: Running a country is not a short term exercise, we need people to think through the policies. Lack of a think tank in a country creates earth worm movement. The earthworm doesn't see where it is going so when it meets an obstacle, it changes direction and starts again. We need to look for more leaders in Africa. We have been praying all this long and still waiting for signs. It is people who aren't elected causing us trouble. I stood for Local Council Chairman in my village but lost, the man who won was in the seat for over 5 years but I did not complain.

Famous Public Figures present included DP President Ssebaana Kizito (who wanted the topic widened to include business leadership too), Army Spokesman Felix Kulayigye, Makerere University Kampala Chancellor Mondo Kagonyera, Omar Kassim, Ken Lukyamuzi (well known for the hilarious phrase 'What are you talking about?' which he applied like cream after asking Kategaya a few hard hitting questions and exciting the audience), Reegan Okumu, Uganda Christian University Vice Chancellor Dr. John Ssenyonyi (the first speaker from the audience), Professor Kirya plus many gray haired people and the rest. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Robert Kabushenga assured everyone that he was going to use his power for the day to humiliate people, there would be strictly 3 minutes for the audience speakers to comment or ask the panellists, 5 minutes for Eriya and Mahmood to answer but 7 for the special Ghanaian guest Professor.

A public lecture was also held four days later on Sunday 19th July 2009 at the same venue between 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. "The President (M7) wants a think tank that will give people the Freedom to Think," Professor Stephen Adei from Accra, Ghana spoke about 'The Critical Importance of the Creation of Think Tanks for Africa's Development'. The lecture was organised by S.A.L.T Program Uganda (Sundoulos African Leaders Training) in conjunction with Intercessors for Uganda. Contact persons included Mrs. Allen Kagina (Coordinator S.A.L.T. Program [Uganda], Dr. James Magara [National Coordinator, Intercessors For Uganda) Tel: +256(414)466657, +256(712)959081, +256(712)876006

Using Dialogue to Solve Problems

On Wednesday 22nd April 2009 at Hotel Africana Kampala's Victoria Hall, President Yoweri Museveni chaired a precursor of the International Smart Partnership Dialogue scheduled for July at Speke Resort Munyonyo. About 20 countries will participate. In this national smart partnership dialogue meanwhile, several round tables were set up where people discussed issues. Notable Ugandans included Governor Emmanuel Mutebile, James Mulwana, Maggie Kigozi (UIA) among many others. The president mentioned Migingo Island as one of the problems that dialogues can solve (Kenyans call it Ugingo and claim it is their sovereign territory). M7 said, 'The colonial boundaries were made carelessly...' He added that it's now up to us to bring order.

Instead of arguing over a small mass of rock yet the 1917 Kenya Colony and Protectorate maps - updated in 1946 - show that the other Pyramid and Ilemba Islands belong to Uganda, the two countries would be more at peace doing business like Nakumatt Supermarket that opened a new Kampala Branch on Yusuf Lule Road in April 2009, the third after Kenya and Rwanda. Anything you want, they got it - maybe even the solution for the Migingo saga and the customer service is 24 hours daily even if it comes at a price. When the region becomes East Africa, we will not care who owns Migingo. In fact, it might even be "No Man's Island", sorry Kenyans!

M7 also advised that dialogues can bridge the gap between revolutionary reformers like him and the implementors who are the civil servants...

People’s Cost & Benefit Analysis of CHOGM

The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the writer nor Reed Business Information but different individuals in Kampala (names withheld) who either benefited or gained nothing from the Commonwealth Meetings hosted from Friday 23 November to Sunday 25th November 2007 at Serena Conference Centre.

Those who thought nothing was achieved from CHOGM reasoned that corruption increased after the meeting. Police officers and people in government pointed out in the recent IGG Reports show the decline in financial morality and so does the NSSF Temangalo saga. Individuals circumvent the law to achieve their interests. Secondly, rehabilitated roads are now potholed and many accidents are occurring. In the third place, there are many state dinners that are unclassified yet this is wastage of tax payers’ money. The City Council practices trash instead of following policies formulated. No wonder government once wanted to take over the affairs of ‘Seya’. CHOGM was not for the common man; government used propaganda to excite people including tomato sellers raising hopes which were misdirected and never satisfied. Things backfired on people who invested because they thought they would reap big from Chogm. In addition, the Queen’s agenda was to increase her neo-colonial glory. She saw how much Uganda was in need and allowed the 4 year interval meeting to be held there. It was overhyped but it mainly boosted M7’s self esteem. A patronage system was extended; about 10 Billion UgX was stolen from the road sector alone by unnamed individuals. The event was an avenue for primitive accumulation of wealth; someone called it the Common (poverty) Heads of Gangsters Meeting. People are poorer than they were before CHOGM. It was an ironical blessing, i.e. in a negative sense. It was easy to host but benefiting from it was a problem. Only UBC was allowed to broadcast the event but it was poorly handled yet this was the best opportunity to showcase the nation. The hotels built are kind of a monopoly for the ruling class. There is lack of prioritization because billions of state funds are spent on conferences like the recent tripartite COMESA-EAC-SADC meeting yet the countryside is poor. Instead of reaping from CHOGM, it ripped from Uganda. There was disunity in the higher echelons of society; the Vice President His Excellency Gilbert Bukenya was going for EuroCar while Wavah routed for his Mercedes franchise. One person who was on a CHOGM Publicity committee confessed that “300 Million was eaten by a certain source.” Their team did not gain a single cent so they packed their bags and returned home. These points clearly showed that the higher we climb, the more we expose our bottom for criticism. We are marketing ourselves but forgetting things like absolute democracy and equal distribution of national funds.

Nevertheless, others argue that those who criticize CHOGM only look but DO NOT see. GHOGM was very good because it was not very bad (Hope you get the humorous drift). Visibly and seriously though, Uganda is shining internationally. The Brand Uganda advertisement messages on CNN before CHOGM were geared towards marketing the Tourism potential of the Pearl of Africa and when the delegates arrived, they felt for themselves what had been hyped. Their impressions were positive and very encouraging indeed. CHOGM Money was given to ensure security in the country during the important week and after. Some people reasoned that there were long term, short term and intermediate benefits for example M7 was invited for the Commonwealth Day gathering where the talk was about how to develop Uganda. Credit should be given to those who struggled to ensure that Uganda was awarded venue status. Another individual commented that through institutions, the Multiplier Effect benefits the local man. Uganda is now a leisure centre for other countries. CHOGM shaded light on Uganda’s good governance and democracy. The state captain is garnering support from foreign lands. Hotels built remained in Uganda, for instance OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) had their meeting in the new Imperial Royale Hotel. As a positive consequence, employment was created. I do not think you can find the sophisticated machines people were jabbering about to be the servants during the Queen’s presence in Uganda. The tarnished image of Uganda’s security ability was re-polished to look really trustworthy. Roads were beautified and infrastructure renovated for example the Telecommunication Building that used to look very miserable near Kitante Golf Course was wonderfully re-painted. CHOGM created good connections that can help to mine the oil in northwestern Uganda. The only problem will be whether this money can reach the peasants. During that time last November, Parliamentarians dressed smartly and filled up the house to overflowing. You can only wish on a star for that to happen because it rarely happens in this Parliament of ours. CHOGM also provided a platform for Ugandans to drive forward their ideas and probably get marriage partners. Different institutions played their roles day and night. Lighting systems were superb and security was alert. Uganda became a massive Tourism hotspot. You can now gauge for yourself whether the Commonwealth Meeting was more beneficial or destructive…