Do you offer to buy them a beer or not?

It was a great weekend spent in home! every evening whenever I am home, I like joining the discussions with the 'old lads' and youth at the shops near home, call them small separate bars. the 'old lads' (guys of my grand fathers and fathers age) will forever ask me to contribute a fee to their days liquor! I don't know if its right or wrong to offer small notes to them for this. they forever expect me to buy for them some whenever I am around, they somehow make it my responsibility by way of convincing me so more often than not, I will spend just UGX 5,000= on the evening that I have to join them and one can read the appreciation on the faces. I do not taste liquor my self and I always feel that its wrong to buy alcohol but I somehow commit the offence of my conscience and go away with it. Whet do you do to such lads?

That a side, the discussion at the bars this weekend was mostly around politics, women and money.

Politics: ngu Amama and Museveni nibamanyana..they are just confusing us the voters. Ngu Amama is wise, he has bought all the foreign currency (essente zamahanga gaheeru) from Uganda and he is trotting the outside countries. By his actions, the USD has lost value. ngu Amama has an army and if Museveni is not careful he will start a war..Tokureba okwarikugambisa amaani, aine ekyarikwesiga.. etc ectc
Local Politics & Religion: ''Ebyokurwanisa Bishop bitutamire..." Omuntu atemba ekituti kyekanisa kwanika Bishop?.. "kwonka Katonene nawe nomusheija mubi munoga!" The impact of the conflict between the Bishop and his flock is great at the local church. "mbwenu abaana oburonde baburugireho?" Tihakiriho kutebwaho?'' Those who have stood the fight against the Bishop seam to have an upper hand in contesting the upcoming political elections.

Women: ngu "abakazi nibo barikutegyeka Uganda hati.." owenguuto nomukazi, owemishooro nomukazi, owamajuta na oil nomukazi, orikutegyeka kampala momukazi, nangwa na AWIST erugireho orutaro na Katonene netegekwa omukazi" hahah this was a killer from an old Kajabago ka Rubanda! He added: ''go to Kabwohe and count how many cars are driven by women Vs those driven by men! That was his analysis!

Money: Apparently fewer homesteads have coffee in our place because of the "infamous Toduura disease" I was educated that the disease attained its name from its nature of being not discrimitave..toduura! The money discussions centered around, the current good price of coffee, matooke, cattle and Boda Boda. In fact serious youth in boda boda business seam to be doing well. The SACCOs have also had their way. People are using them!

I liked the discussions this weekend but came along thinking: Will the ultimate measure of a choosing any leader in Sheema District be the contending leaders stand and effort to the fight against Katonene?

This Should not Happen again Anywhere !

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/669608-mother-of-two-held-over-child-torture.html

Restore the Church of Uganda Leadership in Sheema District

Christians of the Anglican Community in Sheema District resolved to secede from Weste Ankole Diocese. Christians met at Saturday 30^th May at St. Emmanuel Church in kabwohe and appealed to the Province of the Church of Uganda to split the current Diocese of West Ankole to form another Diocese of ‘Central Ankole’. The meeting was well by many including Cabinet Ministers of Government hailing from Sheema District, Members of Parliament, prominent former leaders and members of the District leadership. 

Bishop Y. Katonene the reigning Bishop of West Ankole Diocese had a media briefing in Mbarara the following day where he described the decision by the section of Christians as ‘null and void’.  Accordingly, the Bishop went on to state that the resolution by the Christians “was dangerous and poisonous to the flock.”

Expressions of disgruntlement between a section of Christians in Sheema and the reigning Bishop are not a new thing. The wrangles have taken over two years and they stem and rotate around the Bishop’s wish to transfer part of Ankole Western Institute of Science and Technology (AWIST) to another location in Bushenyi District. The Bishop’s desire did not go well with a section of Christians who formed a task force and it “Sheema Stakeholders”. The ‘stake holders at one time petitioned President Museveni who chaired a meeting between the two parties. For some time, after the meeting with the president, there was a semblance of calm in the land but this is no more!

The Bishop has since been escorted by Police to attend boycotted church functions. Some church leaders have been chased away from church premises or humiliated for being loyal to the bishop. In some parts of Sheema District, the churches are run on the sole advice of the ‘Sheema stakeholders’.

The strategy of the leadership at the Diocese to resolve the impasse has been confrontational. Amicable dialogue through conflict resolution strategies has lacked and a war of verbal abuses, accusations and threats have persisted. There is a semblance for lack of leadership in resolving the conflict.

As this conflict rages, some prominent Christians and leaders have decided to keep quiet about it. This is in disregard of the high importance of a proper functioning church in not only Sheema but also in our country. The church was instrumental and still holds the founding status of key educational and health institutions in this nation. Without a proper functioning church, the governance bodies of some of these institutions are in limbo. This has a greater impact on our education system. A proper functioning church is the headlock of morals to a christian dominated community like ours. What will be the explanation to the current generation of young children who have watched their fathers run after, abuse or humiliate church leaders? What should be sacred alters in church premises are now pulpits of castigating messages against church leaders.

As the Bankole say ‘’eka eteine nyineka etembwa ebikyere’’ literally translated; a family without a head will crumble one day.  

It’s high time the Province of the church of Uganda stepped in the gap to resolve the impasse. The Christians in Sheema and one can easily say that Anglican church community in Sheema district is at cross roads of a revolution or distraction.

Mark Mwesiga's Blog: 'Smoke' withot Fire

Mark Mwesiga's Blog: The can be 'Smoke' withot Fire

There can be 'Smoke' without Fire

The Rt. Hon.Jacob Olanya - Deputy Speaker of Uganda's 9th parliament came out to say that lack of research was affecting parliamentary debate. According to him, parliamentarians are always politicking, instead of discussing real issues of development. He also criticized some journalists for giving Uganda poor publicity which affects the appeal for investors to come here. Regardless of the basis of the Deputy Speaker's comments he was spot on and should be praised f
or coming out strongly. One can easily countdown un researched stories that have originated from parliament in recent times. These stories normally appeal to social networks and spread as fast as wild fires in Uganda.

One of the most recent stories is that of the high salaries paid to staff in state house. State house has clarified that the high salary figures displayed in the media were wrong but this correction may not go as far and as fast as the first story. In our country and perhaps in contemporary world, people have keen interest for ''bad'' news. Any story that portrays injustice, cruelty, shame, inequality, deception, rage, theft or conflict spreads faster and generates more debate. It is disheartening that some of these stories do not necessarily carry the truth. It has been said by some people that ''in Uganda, anything can happen!'' Some people therefore jump to conclusions without giving rumor, errors or hear says any benefit of doubt. In other words, what some people have termed 'wolokoso' is what is driving major debates in Uganda. Such stories do not only arouse wrong emotions among the public but also tarnish images of organisations and personalities.

The media is not short of stories of leaders who have been falsely accused and publicly hated only to be exonerated by courts of Law. The act of spreading and receiving of unfounded accusations is not limited to the press. One can only imagine that there could be some people who have been denied employment in companies and organisations based on wolokoso. In some instances, decisions based on falsehoods have affected would be thriving relationships, families and marriages.

 There is a very interesting story in the book of John in the Bible. The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman whom they had caught in adultery. The ''sinner'' was made to stand in front of a group of people and her case was read. '' Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now what do you say?" (NIV) Jesus answered by calling upon any of them that was without sin to cast the first stone. On hearing this, all people who were present began to go away one at a time, until Jesus was left with the woman alone. Jesus then asked her: "woman where are they? ... Go now and leave your life of sin (NIV)." This could mean that people found of raising accusations do not take time to reflect before speaking out! Whereas the urge for news that appeals to emotion is on great demand, let all in charge be alert to avert alarmist tendencies.

There is need for those charged with shaping public perception to do due diligence before passing on information to the public. Managers and entrepreneurs also need to be conscious of any information that is accusing or alleging unbecoming behaviors of their staff. The notion that ''there is no smoke without fire' should not be stretched to include fog.

To my MP about the Marriage & Divorce Bill

Dear Honourable, The marriage and Divorce Bill which we all along new as the Domestic Relations Bill has caused a lot of storm and is now the talk all over your constituency. As you sought our votes, I am yet to see you at our local church to seek our views about this bill. These never the less are my views: The name of the bill Honourable, why are we calling it ‘Marriage and Divorce Bill’? Having ‘Divorce’ in the name of this proposed law betrays its good intention! Not all marriages will end in divorce. You also have noticed that the name of this bill when translated into our local language sounds vague. This is because our language cherishes marriage but loathes divorce. Religious leaders and elders concerns I appeal that you listen to our Bishops, Sheiks and elders before going ahead to pass this bill into law. They have a legitimate right to be concerned. Most marriages of our land are made at church and mosque but broken in court using laws! The religious leaders perhaps know more about making marriages than our courts and parliament. These leaders do pre marital counselling, conduct weddings, post marital counselling and initiate/baptize children. They are part of the family lives of many and know more. The Children This bill is not so clear about the plight of Children in case of divorce. By children, I mean all people less than 18 years that should be under the care of adults; the biological children, the children of our extended family, those adopted and children begotten out of wedlock. This bill should be clear on their rights in case of divorce. The poor women I do not want to join the rest of the people who have termed this a bill of the “learned” woman. Nevertheless, Honourable, you and I know about women in our villages that own not property but are hardworking and rich at heart. They did not inherit any land, cows or education from their fathers but are married to men who inherited the little they leave on. What is the fate of these women on sharing property in case of divorce? This bill in its current states may exploit the rights of such mothers. Our Culture This bill touches on a number of our values and norms. A marriage in our culture is not a two people affair as the bill insinuates. It is a tribe, clan and family affair. For example at okuhingira (give away ceremony), the bride is handed to the groom’s father and his clan. This aspect of culture signifies new birth, a smooth bond of two families and protection to the young woman. Our culture also appreciates conflicts, separation and provides for ‘repentance’, forgiveness and re-union in marriage. Does the bill provide for this after divorce? The Best way to fight awful culture is not through enforcement of controversial laws but through sensitization. Widow inheritance is dying this way. Most of our cultural practices are not harmful but have been manipulated by our corrupt modern intentions. Lastly Honourable, the heart of the bill is on the sharing of property. The clause is however void of the virtues of wealth creation. It falls short of promoting hard work and stewardship among on spouses. Won’t such mere sharing of property promote laziness and theft? I hope my letter will reach you.

Let 2013 be a year of peace, change and development

The 'long gone' 2012 was a year special for Uganda! It was supposed to be a year of joy, celebration and unity of all Ugandans regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation. As Ugandans, we were supposed to join in the Jubilee celebrations as a family and focus on what unites us other than what divides us. However, political intrigue, selfishness, corruption, negligence and other vices continued to manifest in the ‘jubilee year’! Some politicians labeled the jubilee celebrations a waste of time and money, huge corruption scandals were reported while hatred amongst top public figures grew. Let 2013 be a year of peace amongst civil servants and politicians where the drive to provide leadership and services to the people supersedes personal egos and political disguises. Let this be a year of public accountability. Let it be that the drive to serve overrides the drive to steal. When those in government ministries, Commissions and authorities decide to be good stewards, then those in local councils will be forced to follow suit. This would reduce the strain on the national budgets already affected by donor cuts. Let 2013 be a year of commitment to duty for all in public offices. Let it be that no mother dies in labour due to negligence of health workers. Hellen Keller, an accomplished author and the first deaf blind to earn a Bachelors of Arts Degree once said, ‘’the world is moving along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker<’’. Let the next eleven months be a period of honest work and ultimately peace and development will be realised for all of us.