News

Corruption is never far from the spotlight. With the European Union’s recent report that corruption is losing the Community billions in dollars a year, corruption is headlines again. European Union report followed reports from Uganda that billions of dollars in aid money meant for war victims of northern Uganda have gone missing from the office of the prime minister. In Kampala the prime minister did not resign much lees lose his job

The ancient city of Harar in the far north eastern corner of Ethiopia is a dreamland. Hanging on a hilltop 1800 meters above sea level the city presents a breathtaking panorama bursting with layers of history and influences, coalescing in a proud mixture of Islamic and indigenous culture dating back to the 7^th century.

There were songs in those days that lifted the spirits of young people from across the globe as in their hundreds they hurried to Spain to defend the beleaguered country against Franco’s fascism. Years later a Frenchmen would pay tribute to them in a splendid and tender movie documentary To Die in Madrid.

The industrial revolution of the late 18^th century that began first in England and quickly spread to other parts of the world caused a major shift in lifestyle worldwide.  New products coming out of the factories made life for those who could afford it more aboundant.

In the soft lights of the mighty hall where once dined and wined the heroes of empire, where trophies and memorabilia of empire still enjoyed the place of pride, he listened fascinated by the novelty and the flow of the new dialectics coming from the stage. What would these statesmen now staring down from the walls, covered in medals and regalia, have made of this gathering?

Last year Uganda celebrated its 50^th anniversary as an independent state. The most striking thing about the celebration was the lack of any critical reflection.  We made no distinction between State and Society.  We all celebrated as if we were the State or part of the State.

Thunder blasts grow louder and more frequent. Peals of lightning illumine the darkening sky. The sun is setting in shades of red, orange and yellow; a marvel to look at.  Across the flat plains of Northern Uganda you can see storms approaching from a far. The grass is still surprisingly green but the dust from three months of the dry season has become unbearable. The approach of rain is a joy.

I was in for a surprise when none of our women turned up in the national attire for women of Uganda the gomesi.  It was at the Convention of the Lango Association of North America held in Philadelphia last June.  Two weeks after the convention I asked one of the ladies who herself had showed up in the West African attire of Liberia, why?