Fierce Defender...

Of the LGBT community.

Ahem, I think I am misquoting someone. I know enough to do so. Ever considered that a fight to the death can be amazingly interesting. Have a quirky sense of humour, like I do this morning, and, even the blood spilling and the struggle may seem invigorating. Life is, interesting!

Hillary Clinton. She is the one that I was referring to.

Now, I have learnt to go out there and look for mention. It is like trying to figure out what someone else is doing. Sherlock Holmes....!

I think my country, my Ugandan leaders think this thing is going to go away. I mean, can you contrast this story in the New Vision, the Government paper (Uganda to host AIDS vaccine centre) to a similar story that I picked up from AP and posted here. (Anti-Gay Bill may cost Uganda Research Institution). Noticed the difference? I bet you have.

But, will anyone in Uganda know better? Certainly, a few. Maybe.

Diversion, again. Yes, Hillary Clinton, mentioned Uganda in a speech about human rights. Tacked away in its innards. Here. I got it from Towelrod.

"Calling for accountability doesn’t start or stop at naming offenders. Our goal is to encourage—even demand—that governments must also take responsibility by putting human rights into law and embedding them in government institutions; by building strong, independent courts and competent and disciplined police and law enforcement. And once rights are established, governments should be expected to resist the temptation to restrict freedom of expression when criticism arises, and be vigilant in preventing law from becoming an instrument of oppression, as bills like the one under consideration in Uganda to criminalize homosexuality would do."

Full speech here.

Do you think my leaders have changed their mind as to the moral cleansing they would like Uganda to have in the matters of sexuality?

I dont think so.

But then, I am gay. Stullifying factor.

The day is beautiful. Hope you are enjoying it.


gug

PS.
I have just noticed, I am actually not following the monies and connections of Langa, Bahati, His Excellency. That story is playing out in the US, fiercely, as more information comes to light. Interesting.

But, I am a Ugandan in Uganda. I am concerned, but, it just doesnt resonate with me as it does in the US. So, they exported the 'phobes and the money. Ok. It is my countrymates that are trying to kill me. I will not exonerate their teachers, their idealogical mentors. But, nevertheless, it is interesting to follow the bigger part of the picture. Here. More connections to the US. Watoto Church is the big Kampala Pentecostal Church, isnt it? Where Scott Lively held one of his seminars, or preacheries, or whatever. Interesting connections. And, seems it is the same story, unravelling. Here.

I love the quote. Hate is not an African Value.

Indeed, it aint.

Not, for that matter, of any other place. But, my American friends surely have some interesting exports! Eh, dont take it badly. I have countrymates who want to kill me in the name of God, Love and morality. To protect the family and children.

Sounds very, very similar, doesnt it?

gug

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In the Huffington Post, someone pleads for the defence of the Fierce Defender, on Gay Ugandans' behalf.

I would like to quote some of your Oslo statements to request action from you to back up your words. As you probably know, Uganda is about to pass an anti-gay bill that could result in the execution of many homosexuals. You echoed former President George W. Bush in your Norway speech when you said that "evil does exist in the world." I can't think of anything more evil that killing a person just because they are gay.

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I am asking you to speak out against this atrocious bill. I know it is not your style to intrude on the politics of other nations (Iran's election, for example). But as the leader of the Free World and a descendant of a Kenyan father, you have much influence on the African continent.

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This human rights issue is global. When one gay person is executed anywhere in the world, we all suffer the loss of life. If we don't speak out, we are condoning the action.

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Lives are at stake. As a country we can once again become a world leader of human rights. Even your anti-gay Inaugural Invocation Preacher, Rick Warren has come out against this bill, hopefully not too belatedly. Our American Christian leaders have sent mixed messages to Uganda for years, preaching that homosexuality is a sin that causes AIDS and falsely accusing gays of being child molesters. Is this not an intrusion on another's culture, perhaps even facilitating the passage of this hateful legislation?

We need you to set the record straight and be true to the principles that you adhere to.

very moving, indeed.

Thanks, Ms Dowlin.

from a grateful gay Ugandan.

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The Democrats in the US are lining up behind their infuriated voters. The power of participatory democracy. Very interesting. See this article.

Movement....

Ha, not the political party in Uganda.

But, there is some movement occuring. I think, at least.

The rumours of the involvement of the Christian Right in America are becoming more and more believable. Hey, I am writing from Uganda. It seems sort of unbelieavable, but, well, I have been following the articles more and more. There are definately some Christian Rights Organisations, which have a stake in this anti-homosexuality bill in a tiny East African country called Uganda, and, who are hell bent on having such a genocidal legislation become law. Here is another plank in that particular coffin.

So, what does it mean for me? Well, I can understand why my people have become more and more homophobic over the last five years or so. Homosexuality is not new in the country. What is new is the current level of hysterical homophobia. I was talking to a Tanzanian friend who was suprised at what is happening here. Homosexuality is something that happens in Tanzania. No one asks, no one talks. It is a fact of life.

And in Kenya? Well, despite the church and other things, homosexuality IS talked about in Kenya. In addition to having an HIV prevention programme for gay men.

So, why Uganda? And, despite poor homosexuals being blamed for being in the pay of 'foreign masters' are the actual sell outs Bahati, Nsaba-Buturo and Museveni?

Bahati also refused to clarify reports originating from the United States that his anti-gay campaign was linked to an ultra-conservative group known as The Family. As we reported last week, an American journalist and author Jeff Sharlett told National Public Radio that Museveni and Bahati were in bed with The Family, a group he said fights homosexuality and promotes dictatorship. (See Museveni, Bahati named in US ‘cult’, The Observer, November 26 - 29)

Oh, the mad man Scott Lively was definately involved. But, it is likely he is also a pawn in a larger game. Guess it is matter of fact that pawns can become queens.

I am really glad that US LGBT people and friends are taking up that fight. Because it is too much for puny me this end! Not the reach, and, of course, I have no knowledge of the American jungle. And, it is a jungle out there.

Though Hillary Clinton didnt mention Uganda, clarifying remarks at the end emphasized that Uganda was indeed in her diplomatic sight screen. We will see what happens.

The UN Secretary General Special Envoy on HIV in Africa, Grace Mataka is in the country. Apparently, she came to talk to the government about two pending bills. One is the anti-homosexuality bill. And, another is one which seeks the death penalty and life imprisonment for spreading HIV. Seems as if we Ugandans are really good at working on laws that are stupid. Ahem. [I have the right to say stupid is stupid, dont I?]

But, I have been struck by the reporting. Does The New Vision, the government paper mention her press conference? Well, maybe in the innards of the paper. No headline stories, at least.
The Daily Monitor, second mass circulation daily in the country mentions that she is around. And, mentions the opposition to the HIV bill. Any mention of the anti-gay bill? No. Not in this account which they put on the front page.

Its the Observer, which has been quite on the mark with reporting about the bill in Uganda that rounds up the press conference which the UN envoy held. Yes, the anti-homosexuality bill was mentioned. And, she has been having a high level campaign to say something to the proponents.

"The presence in Kampala of the United Nations AIDS envoy, Elizabeth Mataka, capped a week of increasing pressure on President Museveni and Ndorwa West MP, David Bahati, over their campaign against homosexuality.

Essentially Ms Elizabeth Mataka, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa, came to Uganda to attend events to commemorate World AIDS Day. But The Observer understands that prior to that, she met MP Bahati and was expected to meet President Museveni to plead with the two men to respect the rights of gay people.

In October, Bahati tabled the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 in Parliament, seeking more severe punishment for homosexuality, which is already illegal in Uganda. Among other sanctions, the law proposes the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality – where the offender has HIV or the victim is below 18 years of age, or is a disabled person.


According to diplomatic sources, Mataka was expected to put Museveni in a tricky situation by demonstrating to him how the proposed anti-homosexuality bill will frustrate the impressive fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda for which the President has for long enjoyed kudos."

Cant say I am unhappy about that kind of high profile movement..... Hope it has some effect. Here is the article. It is actually well rounded. Fact, most of the reports in Uganda (Non existent in the New Vision) have been kind of half baked. But the Observer, though well written, is not well read. Not the clout of the other two, or the red rug....

Well, some movement. Will keep my eye on the pulse....

Have a good day!

gug

PS. I have just re-read through this, and, I think I am being unreasonably optimistic. Yeah, it is better to have my eyes fixed on what is the reality, than think that my wishes will become fact. Here is a counter balancing article from Reuters. Uganda is set to pass the anti-gay bill. I think the analysis is good. And, based on facts on the ground.

Cautious Hope?

Sometimes I surf the waves, just to skim the headlines. There is so much information out there that it is impossible to see it all. So, I go for the headlines. Some are so irresistible that the following article I drink in.

Like Rick Warren, Silent Enabler Of Hatred. I laugh at that. But, seriously, if you are a leader, is it any problem when the people you lead expect you to lead? And, it is more like so when you are leading on moral grounds. We expect much of our Muftis and the Churchmen. [shrug], even this non-believer expects them to SET the example. So, if I get this terrible bill and present it to Rick Warren, and he then goes ahead to wash his hands of the bills author without any other action, I am disappointed. Of course, my disappointment is kind of a compliment. I realise that I do not have any ability to stop this bill. And I realise that Mr. Warren does.

Will you blame me if I continue hounding him until he does what I know to be right? Well, I will continue hounding him. His colleague/associate Ssempa is doing all he can this end, to make sure that the bill has 100% chance of passing. It most likely will, but, in his anti-gay zeal, Pastor Ssempa is doing all that he can, saturating the waves, the churches, everything. In the name of stopping the 'Homosexual International', that terrible bill MUST pass. And Ssempa is zealous in its promotion. Well, let people who have control over him do something.

Same with the Church of England. I dont parse words. If politicians have the guts to speak out on a moral issue, what about the Church? Still hoping to repair any bridges? Well, far as I know, your sisters and brothers here are willing to kill me. I am not planning to attend my funeral pyre, thank you very much, so I will insist that you say something to them.

Of course, with those who speak out late, please expect the question, why did you do it so late? To me it is a reasonable question. Black is black. White is white. Isnt my death by judicious murder a horror? So, why do you wait for the firewood to start smoking before you are convinced the fire will be set? Lambeth, and some others are still, 'dithering'? ha ha ha! But some are not.

This bill is very, very frank about what its aim is. To 'wipe out Homosexuality from Uganda'.

If you doubt me, go read it again. Here.

And, while it plans to imprison and kill homosexuals, there is a world body which is supposed to stop genocide. Oh, that is the dictionary definition of doing what the bill says it intends to do. And, here is some lawyerly advice on why the United Nations cannot help. Analysis: Why the United Nations Can't Get Involved with Ugandan Anti-Homosexual Legislation. Funny, someone did mention the word genocide to the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on HIV in Africa. The lady is on a visit to Uganda. Maybe some more quiet diplomacy...

Anyway, what I seem to understand from what that person says, is that killing of a country's homosexual population is not genocide. I dont understand all the convoluted reasoning. Maybe because I am biased. After all, I am a gay Ugandan!!!!


Of the politicians, trust the Scandinavian not to parse words. They dont. The bill is appaling, and they are disappointed in Uganda. From Sweden. They actually made Museveni to take back the order to the Police to hunt us down in 1999. At least, that is what I was given to believe.

But, more reason for hope is the speech given by Hillary Clinton.

(Image from Advocate)

She didnt mention Uganda. Not in so many words. But, the lady came out very much opposed to discriminating legislation. 

Obviously, our efforts are hampered whenever discrimination or marginalization of certain populations results in less effective outreach and treatment. So we will work not only to ensure access for all who need it, but also to combat discrimination more broadly. We have to stand against any efforts to marginalize and criminalize and penalize members of the LGBT community worldwide. It is an unacceptable step backwards — (applause) — on behalf of human rights. But it is also a step that undermines the effectiveness of efforts to fight the disease worldwide.

Reason to Hope, indeed. Well, at least I think so.

And, I know I have to thank friends in the US for this. Your govt responds to you. Certainly not to me. Mine, of course, doesnt respond to me....! Some more reaction from the Advocate.

Mark Bromley, chair of the Council for Global Equality, said he was pleased to see Secretary Clinton take a firm stand against antigay bigotry.

“The United States must make it absolutely clear to Uganda that the passage of the bill, which includes a death penalty provision and criminalizes those who fail to report suspected homosexuals to the authorities, would substantially impact our bilateral relationship and our health investments in that country,” he said.

The United States recently pledged to provide Uganda with nearly $250 million in development assistance, mainly to promote health, agriculture, and business initiatives. The grant was announced when the assistant secretary of State for African affairs, Johnnie Carson, met with Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni in late October.

Clinton’s comments came on the heels of an interview with Ambassador Eric Goosby, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, that concerned many HIV/AIDS activists.

“My role is to be supportive and helpful to the patients who need these services. It is not to tell a country how to put forward their legislation,” Goosby said of Uganda last week during a Newsweek interview.

Many HIV/AIDS activists felt that Goosby’s comments signaled a certain tone-deafness by the Obama administration to the Ugandan issue. But one person who consults regularly with the Department of State said the agency has been heavily engaged with Ugandan officials regarding the fate of the legislation.

“They have been working for several weeks behind the scenes at a senior level within the department to determine what the actual facts are and what the likelihood is of this bill becoming law,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The source said the diplomatic goal was to strike a forceful tone that stopped short of shaming President Museveni, who has yet to take an official stand on the legislation, which was introduced by a lawmaker in his own party, member of parliament David Bahati.

“They are trying to proceed in a way that gives them some private leverage but also acknowledges that Secretary Clinton has an obligation to speak out on human rights issues in her capacity as our top international diplomat,” said the source. “It's been a delicate effort with inconclusive results.”

Elly Tebasoboke Katabira, a native Ugandan and president-elect of the International AIDS Society, said that if President Museveni denounces the measure, it could ultimately kill the legislation.

“Remember, it was written by a person from his own party,” explained Katabira, “so that person would be very reluctant to push something that was not acceptable to the president.”

Katabira added that Clinton’s comments condemning homophobia were “extremely important” since attitudes in so many sub-Sahara African countries mirror those in Uganda. 

“I wish what Secretary Clinton said could be made available to many leaders in our region, because then they would know that they don't have the support of other countries including the U.S.,” he said after the press conference.

Err, Careful Elly Katabira. For that statement, we might have to put you in prison for 7 years for 'promoting homosexuality'. And, of course, we might arraign you for being a homosexual and put you in jail for life. That is, if you havent given up your Ugandan citizenship. Of course You must be a homosexual. Ugandans dont defend homosexuals, do they?

But, very brave of you sir!

gug

Life is not Politics

Cant stop thinking.

That kind of day, bright and sunny at the break of day, but has become overcast. A strange, grayish light all around. It is supposed to be a public holiday.

Well, it is. But my love is already off to work, and I will be following. Soon.

Life is not politics. What do I mean by that?

I have gotten tired of following the ups and downs of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. It is boring, really. They are playing a high stakes game, trying to score points off one another. Like children in the field, their game is ridiculous. So ridiculous that it is painful watching them play, knowing that the result will be the most powerful ‘individual’ on our planet.

But life is not politics. However high the stakes are for Obama and Hillary, they are playing a fools' game of public opinion. It will not change what they are, what they were, before they began playing this stupid game. But, us human beings do mind it. A lot.

Closer at home, I just read of more political games. Uh, not in Zimbabwe, where the farce is continuing. But in Uganda. An article in the government daily talked of a strange incident, when two men drew up at the petrol filling station owned by the guy who challenged the incumbent president at the last elections. As the pump attendant started loading their car with fuel, they got out and stood aside. Soon after, the car engine ‘caught fire’.

Strange fire it was. Nobody was inside the car. The engine was switched off. And the two men ran off, as the Pump attendants put out the fire. Needless to say, the car was not claimed.

Strange happenings. Right out of a thriller.

What makes me think that they were state 'security' agents?

Politics is a strange game, where, for some very apparently huge margins, very stupid things are done. Any wonder that the Zimbabwean opposition leader has opted to stay out of the country as the ‘votes are counted’?

But life is not politics. It is a down to earth struggle, fight for survival. No surrogates employed, or hired. And, so often, it is our very lives on line, in a day to day struggle that is almost too much to believe.

Talked of the neighbour’s wife who is in hospital for a broken leg. She is still there.

Our hospitals are a strange callous mixture of cruelty and inhumanity, where compassion is expected. I am not sure that we have the worst hospitals in Africa, maybe not. I am no expert.

Her leg is broken. She does not have the money for an operation, so she stays on the ward. Waiting for the months it will take to heal. Meanwhile, she looks on at the misery around her, and hears of the struggle to meet ends at home. (With her out of the equation, home finances are not going to be better.) And to get treatment, pain relief, a doctor to push her case, etc, etc, money is needed. A very real struggle. A far cry from the pretend struggles of political surrogates and ideologies.

Life is certainly not politics, nor the pretend struggles of politics.

It is much more than that. Yet human beings are such political animals that they will continue equating life with politics.

Labour day, May 1^st. A new month, and a new beginning, everywhere. Have a good month.

GayUganda

Charisma, People of Charisma

I have followed Barack Obama's riocheting rise to prominence in world politics with a bit of awe. Must admit that there are few people just like him. Made me to start thinking of the power that some people have. The power of Charisma.

What is Charisma?

Dont know whether I can put a finger on what it is. To me, it is the power to sway others. Maybe with intellect. Albert Einstein had that, I think. Maybe with oratory- Churchill?, maybe with writing- Shakespeare, to me at least. And Wordsworth.

Or the force of personality.

Where does Obama fall?

Some are gifted with charisma, and do use it to make others their slaves. Slavery of the mind. I am thinking of the guy who led his cult to death, giving them 'Kool Aid'. And of course the Kibwetere of Kanungu in Uganda. He burnt them dead.

Martin Ssempa is definately charismatic. Yes, and it is our problem that we are up against him in Uganda. Us as in Kuchus.

It is interesting to realise the power of a charismatic person. Ssempa is a case in point.
I personally do not like the guy, so what I am going to write is highly suspect.

Ssempa is a handsome, personable man. Very well spoken, articulate, and knows his way round the field of people politics. He is a 'pentecostal' pastor, with a Church at Makerere University which he founded. He is charismatic, and here lies the danger of charisma.

Ssempa is vain, and not a good man personally. (Ahem, I am allowed my conclusions here, am I?) He does love power, and seeks it. He is not very clever. Well, I must admit that he says he has an MPH and PhD. The honorary kind, if I am not mistaken. But I might be.

Because he is charismatic, Ssempa jumps up and down on his stage and preaches to his enthralled flock about the beuties of sexual abstinence, how masturbation is a terrible sin, and how Uganda has made its name on the HIV front by following the godly family values of abstinence and being faithful. And this to twenty something zealots.

Ssempa is so illogical in his logic that many laugh at what he says. One has to laugh, but when you hear the fervour of his flock, you cannot help getting concerned. They believe in him. Simply, without thought, without criticism, without any fear.

They are willing to injure me, in the name of their god and Ssempa, yes, because one of the things that Ssempa is rabid about is my sexuality. Homosexuality.

Think I am lying? Check out these posts. One and two. That happened in November 2007, and yes, I had no doubt that Ssempa's flock had no qualms about hurting me in the name of their god.

Maybe that is my definition of charisma. The quality to sway other human beings to follow you in a certain direction.

Told you that I do not like Ssempa. He sincerely believes that he is my friend. And I believe that he believes so. He believes that the best thing for me is to die, (maybe be imprisoned, at least) all in the name of turning me away from homosexuality. Yet he is my 'best friend'. That is according to him. His very words.

But all that is charisma, yet used badly. Is there a person who used it well? Jesus of Nazareth. Churchill. Is Nelson Mandela charismatic, or is it the charisma of hype that surrounded his 27 years in prison?

There is one guy that I have no doubt was charismatic. And he was intelligent enough to use this for the good of his nation. As he saw it.
An unsung hero, to most of the world. Reviled by some, revered by others. Julius Kambarage Nyerere. First President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

I know most in the west have never heard of him. And those who did, heard that he was a 'communist' and thus 'bad'.I did have the luck to know a bit. And I must say that I was struck by his charisma.I am not a Tanzanian, and what I write about him are things which I picked up as I grew up.

Nyerere was a school teacher. He led his country of Tanganyika, to independence. And he was President for 26 years.

Yeah, you may say, typical African strongman. President for life.

But that is where you would be very wrong.

Nyerere was indeed a highly intelligent and charismatic, and human person. He had a vision of the unity of Africa. Negotiated the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to make the Tanzania we know.The only still surviving such union in Africa, if I'm not mistaken.

His was the time of the cold war. And the turbulence of post independent Africa. The west courted him. Kenyatta of Kenya was amenable to the west. Nyerere prefered his independence. He did not like the USSR. And, in the cold war, he embraced China. Instead of USSR. He kept his country truly free. In that day of ideological wars, Nyerere liked socialism. I think it appealed to his sense of duty to the country that he led. But he did not want to embrace it as it was exported from USSR and China. He developed a political philosophy of his own. African Socialism, or Ujamaa.

Our nations post independence were nothing like they are now. Disparate ethnic groups united by a conqueror called a Colonialist, and then left on their own in 'independence'. Zaire, or the DRC has never got over the post independence convulsions, to date. In Kenya, an 'African Strong Man', took over, saw his opportunity, made himself rich and powerful and have a dynasty etc. And they were never truly united.
What is happening today in Kenya is basically a symptom of that. Kikuyu against the rest of the country. Reprehensible, but reality.

I was once in Tanzania. One thing that impressed me, then, as ever was the unity of the country. They are Tanzanians, and they know that they are. We Ugandans, are Ugandans second, but either Baganda, Basoga, Alur, Iteso, etc, etc first. Our ethinicity is something which we strongly believe in.The unity of Tanzania, I have no doubt, was Nyerere's doing. His long reign. Oh yes, it was a reign. His ideas, his promotion of one language of unity. Swahili. And his charisma.

Multipartyism came to Tanzania in the late 80s, if my history is not wrong, and people found that they could talk about what they liked and what they did not like, openly. And they did.

At that time, Nyerere had stepped down. Voluntarily.

He allowed (true to agreement) the President of Zanzibar to become President of Tanzania. An imbecile, (I am allowed a personal assesment, aint I), if there was one. But Nyerere was the power behind the throne.

The country started to move towards multipartism. Slowly, hesistantly. And of course the powers that were felt threatened. They decided to renege on that promise.

Mzee Mwalimu Nyerere, revered Father of the nation (Baba wa Taifa) called a press conference. And at that press conference declared that multi partyism was the way to go. And that was it. When I heard that I was cynical. He had ruled without allowing dissent, but now was forcing his succesor to have an opposition? I thought it hypocritical.

But he was not yet finished.

The ruling party had to choose another man to lead. The imbecile (my pen just slips), was term barred. And of course there was jockeying for positions. Who would be the next man?Nyerere looked through the list of the likely candidates, and was not impressed. He declared all of them unfit.

The country waited for Nyerere to play king maker.

Interestingly, the current president was younger but very popular. Nyerere rejected him. Too young, his words, I believe. So, he chose an unknown political entity, Benjamin Mkapa, and proceded to campaign for him across the country, and win him his presidency.
And, personally, I believe that this time the old man saw true. He chose a good man.

I once did hear Nyerere speak, in Swahili. I was amazed.

I did not know Swahili, and Nyerere was not president at that time. I was in a place that was a hotbed of dissent. Cross my heart and hope to die, I listened as this elderly, revered gentleman talked on the radio for over an hour. I understood nothing of the language. Tanzanian Swahili is very, very good. And too hard for me.

What I did understand was the rapt attention of almost everyone where I was. They were not forced to turn on their radios. Indeed, they would revile and joke about the sitting president's escapades and switch off the radios when he was talking. But when Nyerere decided to talk non stop for a full hour plus, on radios which the populace could switch off if they so wanted; they broadcast it, to their neighbours and friends who did not have one. They listened, and listened in the heat of Dar-es-Salaam. Those doing work did their work quietly, listening to that charismatic man.

I must admit I was deeply critical of the man at that time. Well, in keeping with the environment I was in. But, despite my lack of comprehension of the language, I noticed the thrall into which it seemed everyone was. A magic spell that settled on all the listeners.Baba wa Taifa, the Father of the nation was speaking. And literally, the whole nation stopped to listen. And they did listen.

Nyerere is now dead. Still as revered as he was. In keeping with his frugal style, he never amassed the wealth that his neigbours did. When he decided that the 'socialist' way was not the way for his country, he relinquished the reins, into the hands of an (imbecile) but still oversaw, for 8 long years. And during that time, he personally steered the country towards a market economy, and multi partyism, and a democracy, the African way. Using the huge prestige of his charisma and the awe of the populace.

Yeah, I was impressed by the man.

Incidentally, besides writing his own philosophy of leadership in Africa, I hear he translated the full works of Shakespeare into Swahili. Truly a man of many parts.

(I must confess when I heard about the translation I was deeply prejudiced. I was younger, and demonstrably more stupid than I am at the moment.)

Anyway, going back to the subject of charisma, Is Barak Obama in the mold of a Nyerere?If he is, with all his idealism and talk of hope and charisma, well, maybe the US will have a president they will respect, and indeed hold in the awe of JFK. If he becomes president.

If he is indeed as charismatic as that, I do not envy Hillary Clinton's bid to beat him. Even if he is still the underdog.


GayUganda

American Election; (My) African Perspective

I am following the American election year with a lot of interest. It is like a bigger than life reality show.

I bet many people are following it too. The cast is fantastic. A former first lady, wife of one of the ‘randiest’ presidents. (Sniff. Americans and sex. From reputation, our president is randier. But it never makes the papers! Bad form). Who will forget when Clinton came to visit Uganda and all people wanted to talk about whether he did or did not? Do it, you know...

The return of Clinton is pure magic.

Now, he is coming back to support the woman that he spurned for another (they kissed and made up, and lived happily till…) And he is making waves.

And the half-black man, Obama?

I know. Internationally I am treading on the edge of political correctness. Speaking as an African, I must confess that we tend to be more ‘ethnic’ minded than most. What is happening in Kenya is a case in point.

Obama is ours, because he is half black. And of course he is African. Drop the American part. And he is Kenyan, and he is Luo. Sieve through everything. Every African American is an African. To hell with political correctness.

For me, in Africa, it gives me a chance to take sides in this huge reality show. Issues? What issues?

Err, are there any other players in this real life drama? 3 is a good number, isn’t it?
And they are really making waves for our entertainment.

Will Hillary win? My sister recently told me that she supports her. Reason, she is a woman. But that woman can play dirty. She has managed to soil Obama. He was looking too clean at one time. Too charismatic for his own good. I am more confortable with someone less, err, squeaky clean.

Can Obama win? Will he win? Funny. I think at one time, long before the elections started, I was one of the people that were very definite about the chances of a black man becoming president of America. I was a very authoritative authority. Sad. All my calculations have been upset. I wont tell you what I thought.

I should have remembered. A woman trounced a football star to become president of Liberia. And Liberia is in Africa. Yes, I should have remembered that.

When will these delicious political dramas return to the continent? Here elections are run with the inevitability of the triumph of the incumbent’s party.

And what is in it for me as an African?

Dunno. Real life drama. It ends sometime late in the year. Of course it is going to give us so many talking points and idle arguments. The election of the most powerful man (or woman) on earth. I am not a part of the cast. Just a very interested part of the audience, in common with most other people, world over.

Err, I had forgotten. Bush was particularly happy to fund people like Ssempa. I remember being incessed at that. Where is that free floating anger and pain? Seemed to be a constant companion, once upon a time.

I am interested in what happens on the other side of the mighty Atlantic. Wish I was a voter… do it the Ugandan way. Not the Kenyan. It is stupid to be caught, say supercilious Ugandans. There is an unwritten law. ‘Though shalt not be caught in the wrong.’
Or stealing votes, for that matter.

Have a good evening.

GayUganda