Social Media And Democratic Reforms In Africa

Every time we hear about Social Media and Change, we think about the Arab Spring. Yes, this is a fact but still I believe Social Media can be used for change democratically. Almost every story that breaks here in Uganda, first breaks through Social Media. This wasn't the case 10 years ago when we could all sit on our TV sets to wait for news, or listen to radio 24/7 to wait

One Of The Posters Used In An Online
Movement In Uganda

for the news.

Today any person can actually share their view about any issue they feel is important, be it Politics, Social Issues or Even economic issues. It’s almost hard to spend a day without a friend on facebook sharing a story about politics.

The question is how Social Media can; empower citizens to participate in a democratic dialogue on constructive reforms?

First of all the stories that go around on social media actually pull one’s attention in one way or another, so you either ignore them, or you consider reading and researching a little more. If for example the story is about opposition leaders who were beaten by the police, in this case you will actually know that next time there are elections, your vote counts, so you will actually need to go and democratically cast your vote. The thing is that may be at first you did not care about politics, but when you see that picture of an opposition leader being handled brutally by police, then in one way your mindset about the country’s politics will change, and trust me, you will know that actually it’s you to do something about it.

Secondly, in the old days before social media got serious, it used to be about civil society groups to fight for constructive reforms may be about the laws that govern the country, but today actually Civil society can actually use social media to engage many people to engage in a given reform being pushed for. For example imagine with the widely spread Bribery, nepotism and misuse of public resources in Africa today, Money from mineral resources, for example, Uganda’s Oil would all be going to just a few people’s pockets, but with social media, actually transparency can be enhanced in government departments, because a report will be translated into a picture which will rotate online and actually there will be little gap left to steal public funds.

Thirdly, today there is reduced need for people going to streets to protest. This actually leads to loss of lives and properties, but with Social media, if something is not right, you just come up with say a poster, story, video, e.t.c. Everyone will share that material and the information will actually reach the leaders. At the end of the day, no one will be hurt, and public resources will be saved, because no teargas will be used, or no police man will get extra pay for taking part in the so called restoring peace because people are striking.

Another thing, I think we actually need more people in the Government to engage on Social media, because this is the easiest way to reach to the people. A half hour program on radio costs about $800 and on Tv about $1600 here in Uganda, but on Social Media, even if you were paying for the internet, it would cost you less than $50 to express the same information. I think the information also flows faster on social media, so just in case people want to get something to their leaders, they can just tweet their leaders, and may be something that they feel is not right can actually be rectified in peace and a more friendly way.

I believe everyone who is using social media should actually ask their self, whether the biggest percentage of the stuff they share online actually helps the people they share to and the country at large in moving forward. I believe this should be a question in everyone’s mind, before they share something online. This in the long run will help us actually move to making decisions online, and will bring us closer. It will reduce civil misunderstandings and the crime rate will go down, because everyone will care about the other.

Everything Africa, my continent needs right now is a constructive reform, but to make that reform, we need more than just the governments, but we need every individual’s participation.

Written By:
James Propa
@jamespropa

Over Stay In Power Affecting Human Rights In Africa

So many African leaders tend to be so greedy for power. This is why we have so many wars in Africa. When these leaders come in to office, mainly the presidents, they tend to make the people they fought with happy, by giving them ministerial offices. Some of these people can fight but are not good leaders so they end up doing things the wrong way. At the end of the day, the current president tries to protect his people after they have done wrong things, like taking bribes. Yeah, sometimes this is because of the pressure on their backs from these people, their friends who they fought with.
At the end of the day, what started as a small problem tends to go out of hand, because more and more wrong things are done by the government. At this point the president is even scared to have free and fair elections, because they are not sure if they still have support in the public. I feel even rigging of elections is an abuse of human rights, because at the end you are forcing people to have a president who is not of their choice. Don't you think so too?

Uganda Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Brutally Handled. Pic by guardian.co.uk

Sometimes the president is scared to leave office, because they fear facing justice for the crimes they did. To protect them selves, they instill fear in the minds and hearts of their people, by imprisoning opposition leaders even when there is no need actually.
Brutality is also used on the people, mainly in the opposition which at the end of the day makes the citizens develop so much fear, as they look at the staggering economy, and fear of losing their family when they are killed or imprisoned in demonstrations.
In the above piece, you find there are over 5 types/ ways through which Human Rights are abused.
So, who is going to make a difference? Difference is going to be made by you and me.
You are a leader in your family, possibly. You have to start with the young people, show them how bad overstay in power can be, show them how bad bribes can be. give them live examples, for example if a man stays in their parents' home, 10 years after school the chances are such a person can never be successful, so same applies to presidency. If a president stays more than ten years in power, chances are, we shall not develop.
Educate the African young people for a better tomorrow.
It starts with you and I.
God bless Africa.

This is a piece I have written in respect for The Blog Action Day 2013 #Bad2013
I am really honored to be part of this noble cause.

James Propa.

October Concerts Will Weaken The Industry

Ugandan music has been growing since 1970s. Today we can see that it fairs well on the Africa and world map. You would say, that after Nigeria, and South Africa, we may be coming next, world over.
The last 3 years have seen some people break to the top positions and the top musicians gambling, just to keep in the game. World over, its un usual for an artist or group to have about 3 songs in the top 10 countdown, but trust me, this year it happened in Uganda, when BET Awards Nominees, Goodlyfe had about 3 songs in the top 10 charts, i.e Obudde, Magnetic and Fitting. still with following songs like Can't let you go.
Well let me get on point. Everybody who the year is leaving out, seems to set a launch date in the remaining 3 months. We see over 4 concerts in October, i.e Iryn Namubiru 4th, Rema 18th, Juliana 18th, Walden 18th, Eddy Kenzo 25th, Walukagga then Later this month we see Pastor Bugembe also launching. Then November, Bobiwine on 8th. Not forgetting the battle of champions between Goodlyfe and Bebe Cool on December 6th.
All these people are struggling for the 30,000 Ugandans who attend concerts,more so at this tough economic time.
Well people have money, that's what you think? Yes they do, but remember there are people/ companies sponsoring these events, who spend at least 50 Million Ugx, which they hope to get back after consumption.
This is what I think is going to happen.
All musicians are going to get a crowd, because each of them has a following, but trust me, non of them is hitting the 10,000 people turn up. Well this is not good to the sponsors, because that means they will pull out, and invest else where, may be kick boxing. This will lead to the weakening of our industry which I think no one of us wishes.

What is the way forward?
The mistake was made, everybody put up dates, but next year, we should remember that its not all about launching to show people that you are good, or to get money to help you survive. There are other things an artist can do, like making endorsements, upcountry shows, e.t.c.
These are things musicians should focus on other than all of them looking at launches.

Don't forget to listen to me on Monday, on 90.8 Metro Fm, at 2pm.
Also send me a request on my fb and follow me on twitter also like my facebook page
I love you all.
JP.

Why Should One Die Young?

Today, as young people, each one of us has dreams. Dreams we want to see come true, but one thing you can never think about as a young person is death. Death ends all the great plans we had for oour future. STDs and Accidents are the biggest risks today.

Late Elie Cham

I look back at 11th May 2013, when my good friend Elie Cham an aspiring hard working artist with big talent made his last breath. The guy was really focussed to make things happen, but just an accident could not allow him realise his dreams. The challenges we have as youths today include too much drinking and over speeding. The worst part is that who ever is drink driving or over speeding thinks is in control, but sometimes it all ends in a very sad story.
Last night I heard about a lost media personality Namasaba Susan ''22 of UBC because of an accident she got 3 years ago.
Let us learn something guys. Let us protect our lives and those of our friends. if the boda guy was careful, may be Susan would be alive today.
I am not trying to blame anybody here, but still we need to be open to reality.

Why Should You Die Young??

I WANT ALL OF YOU ALIVE BY 2060.

Rest In Peace Elie Cham, Rest In Peace Susan.

JP

The Pregnant Teenage S4 Candidate

Imagine the time when you were about to sit for your S4 Exams. All excited about the vacation, then all of a sudden, some guy comes and asks to be your boyfriend well, you look at all your friends around and indeed each of them has a boyfriend, so you take this as a Golden chance at the right time.

This is what happened to my classmate way back in Mengo SS, 2007. Love is all she could think about. This awesome guy she was going to spend her vacation and maybe lifetime with. The next thing she got to know was this outing of the S4 class at the Nabinonya beach. Well, this was a great opportunity to spend time with her boyfriend outside the usual school  routine. What ever happened that Saturday at the beach, only God knows. A month later she realized she was missing her periods. This was a reason to get really worried with cold feet.

She sits down this guy, and tells her she must be pregnant. Before she even completes the story the guy is like, “I’m not responsible”, “Find the dad of that thing, and by the way it was just once”. Well, now the only option left was to tell the mum. Of course soon or later they would know, because she could not afford money for an abortion, and after all its all risky and illegal in Uganda. Well she confronted her mum, all scared, the mum got furious on knowing about the pregnancy. Now this was even more stress being a candidate and registration and Mock exterminations were around the corner.

A girl takes a pregnancy test. Photo by uhaweb.hartford.edu

Now it was time for the dad and the whole world to know. This is the scariest part, as its only second term and there is still a full term to go. Will the dad pay her school fees and requirements? Well her mum approached the dad, and of course this caused a war at home. She was sent away from home as peace talks between dad and mum took place. 3 weeks later she was called back home and the dad had agreed to pay for the remaining term, but from there the dad of the unborn child had to take responsibility. Oh God, she was already missing school, because she had been chased from home for 3 weeks. Now this was really stressing and she would wish she’d commit suicide as this was the cheapest and best option in her mind right now. Well she thought about what happens afterlife, and as a CRE student, she ruled that option out. She had to carry on with the pregnancy until she finished the exams. Now it’s about 3 months to the finals and the belly is growing bigger. There is rumor around school that this girl in S4 is pregnant. Now she can’t even go to the Dining hall or the canteen as everyone looks at her with this face, “Oh My God, She is Pregnant”.

The belly is growing bigger and thank God the school allowed her to complete her papers with the pregnancy.

Its  October and the papers are on. She does and completes them, Thank God. Now we wait for the results and everyone is eager to know, what this pregnant babe got. Oh God, Its bad. She’s one of the 3 people in 3^rd grade. Well this is surprising for a middle student to end up in 3^rd grade.

The last time I heard, we were in S5, and she wasn’t schooling any more, so sad. She was working in a small retail shop at her home village.

Mengo SS, 2007 S4 North Class

These stories happen almost each year in Uganda, but from the initial handling of the parents at home, they end up affecting these young people’s lives for a very long time. This girl could have been given a chance to continue school, because hey, mistakes are human, and we all deserve a second chance.

There should also be more parent - child friendship, as it gives chance to the children to hear about such things and protect themselves from them. Government should also encourage schools to let pregnant students continue with school until they can co to deliver. I mean, we all grow up to give birth, some to it early and others do it late.

We don’t need to point fingers.

Based on a true story, from Mengo SS S4 2007.

Note: Events occurrence is not accurate.

General Sejusa's Letter

The press has been awash with coup stories, claims and counter claims. Thistalk, however, is diversionary and masks the real fundamental issues facing usas a country.

Indeed, the coup talk is potentially disruptive and counterproductive.

Suffice to state that the long and odious struggle of NRM has been to moveUganda from dictatorship to democracy, however imperfect it may be, democracyit is all the same.

What would be the implications of this gigantic reversal of the politicalcourse? By the way, people should not confuse a people’s popular uprising witha coup. A popular uprising is a legitimate people’s struggle whereas a coup isan illegitimate anti people activity.

This is, however, a discussion for another day where I have covered thenature of the current clash between Parliament and Executive and showing theinevitability of it in ideological terms.

The central issue, however, that is facing us and indeed staring us in ourfaces, which I think is causing all these frictions is how to manage thedifferent political forces that are taking central stage in the country. When agovernment has been in power for 27 uninterrupted years, it becomes inevitablethat people will start asking questions about service delivery, aboutaccountability, about crime etc, and ultimately will start demanding for changeof some sort. It’s only natural.

The central role of leaders therefore, is to confront, head on, the complexissue of how to manage these changes. Many failures often, result from thetendency of the people who are in charge, keeping their heads down in denialabout this fact.

Often times, precious time and opportunity is lost in this procrastinationand dilly dallying. So all this turmoil we see today, especially among thepolitical actors and between the different state institutions in an inevitableconsequence of maturity (coming of age) of a system which requires a clearlyset out ideological and political frame work.

This is the ideological issue and the core question of our time. And how wehandle this central issue will determine how Uganda as a country and theEastern African region will be, not in the next 20 or 30 years, but may bethree years or less. This is what faces us and must guide us in the choices wemake today.
The other issue that must be confronted and resolved is what I may termgenerational gridlock; this basically refers to generational roles andpositioning of the different generational political/military actors in thepolitical dispensation now and in the future.

There are four generations which can be said to be active in the currentpolitical life of the country. The first is that of independence struggle era.These are people who participated in the independence struggle or were part ofthe political process immediately after independence. This group is representedby elders like our wazei Kintu Musoke, Kirunda Kivejinja, Bidandi Ssali, MiriaObote, Rhoda Kalema, and Joyce Mpanga, Honorable Henry Kajura, Moses Ali andothers.

The second category is that which cut its political teeth, so to speak,during the turbulent post independence years. This group is led by HisExcellency the President, with elders Honorable Eriya Kategaya, Tarsis Kabwegyere,Sam Kutesa, Kahinda Otafiire, Amama Mbabazi, Edward Sekandi, FredrickSsempebwa, John Katende, Richard Kaijuka, Amanya Mushega, Tumusiime Mutebire,Ruhakana Rugunda and others.

The third category is the generation of those who were still in school untilthe overthrow of Idi Amin. This group comprises majority of the currentcorporate class like Dr. Simon Kagugube, Onyango Obbo etc, Generals, EllyTumwine, David Sejusa, Nyakairima Aronda etc, people like Miria Matembe, Prof.Ntambirweki, Mugisha Muntu, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Richard Butera and many of themiddle aged professors, MPs and military generals you hear of today.
The fourth category is the category of post NRM/NRA bush war. These I cansafely term as the children of the revolution. Though this has two segments,they can be joined, for their political and social outlook has been determinedor influenced by the same circumstances.

These are the young people like late Noble Mayombo, Andrew Mwenda, RobertKabushenga, Norbert Mao etc. To this group we can add up many youngprofessionals in many fields today. People like a young Kampala lawyer, EriasLukwago, Theodore Ssekikubo, Abdu Katuntu, Frank Tumwebaze, Richard Todwongetc.

The reason I am raising this, rather unfamiliar subject is the centrality ofthe generational positioning which may have a profound impact on the wholeequation of any change management. The leaders must start focusing on thisquestion if they have to avoid friction and discontent by failure to appreciatethe generational gridlock. This is however, a different subject all togetherwhich should highlight the crucial importance of the matter on the orderlyfunctioning of society in the process of the management of change.

The third component that we must confront is the role of the military in themanagement of the State. Will it remain an embodiment of the aspirations of thepeople from which it derives its legitimacy and power or will it try to subvertthe power of the people and by so doing loose its historic pro people positionwhich would of course result in its collapse and inevitable defeat, for thepeople always win no matter how long it may take. This is in fact why this couptalk is dangerous.

The last point concerns our opposition politicians. Have they discussed ordo they even know what part to play or even how to position themselves in thisinevitable national process? Do they have the ideological depth to manageconstructively the rather complex dynamics of moving a system from democraticcentralism to liberal democracy without disrupting the social and politicalcohesion of the state? For instance, what is the ideological foundation of“Walk to Work” campaign? What is its end state as we say in the military? It isrevolutionary in intent or evolutionary? That is, does it aim at sweeping awaythe current government or reform it? I hope they even fully understand themechanisms of political warfare vice visa strategy and tactics.

The last component and perhaps the most crucial of all is the role of civilsociety and the population at large. With the political and quasi-military(Mchaka mchaka/cadre training etc) empowerment they have attained in the last31 years of NRM rule (1981-2013), how will they behave if their power is challengedby the political class, be they politicians or the military?

All the above will influence the behavior of the international community anddetermine the economic situation in the country and the long term stability ofthe state and the region. These are the issues facing us as a country not thiscoups or counter coups. For in the long run they are not sustainablepolitically, socially, ideologically not even plausible in the geopoliticalsetting.

Gen. David Sejusa (a.k.a Tinyefuza)
(This letter was first published by the Daily Monitor News paper onSaturday, February 2, 2013)

Iryn Namubiru's Arrest Saga In Japan

People have said quite a lot about Iryn Namubiru’s being arrested in Japan, over having cocaine  Well its not clear yet, to all of us, what’s really happening, either she was set up, or she was taking the cocaine by her self. Some of the stories say, she was set up by her Manager and Brother Thadeus Mubiru, in conjunction with Kim the Promoter in Japan.

To me, I actually don’t believe this is true. How can you get on plane with out checking whatever you are going to travel with? Are we being played like young kids here?

Try to remember she has a concert coming up, dubbed, “Tebiba Bingi” so we can’t rule out the fact that this whole thing could be some kind of stunt to hype the show, after all, the song didn't work out as expected. Am not saying this is true, but it all has a big possibility.

Now the question is, who will give you the right information? Her sister Yvete, or Her brother Thadeus who is being accused here? Well to me, we’ll never get the truth, not until we see her in the court house.

This is what I anticipate to happen, if this whole thing is to happen. They’ll play us, like the Japanese government is sending her back to the Uganda government, well because she is a Ugandan. She’ll be lost for a while and then she’ll surface back to the scene, telling us she’s free. Remember she’s part of fusion band, owned by One rich man, and Pilot Kasami, so they can play us that way.

Oops, one thing, Iryn has a French Passport, so may be the Uganda Government can’t interfere here. Now this bring us to the second thing here.

It could be true that she was arrested. Aaaargghh then Uganda is not interfering and its only France that can interfere. Too bad Iryn is not a celeb on France, and her chances of surviving this are really limited. She could face death or even life imprisonment if found guilty.

Well still the truth remains between 4 people, i.e. Iryn Namubiru, Thadeus Mubiru, Yvete, and Kim the promoter in Japan.

I just pray our diva comes out of this, very safe.

One last thing about me, Its sad I left Dembe fm, but now, you can catch me every Monday at 2pm, on Metro Fm 90.8, and on Friday on Record Fm 97.7 at 10am.

Well every First Friday of the month I will be on Katogo, Record Tv, as we analyze the industry for the past month. Catch you then.

James Propa

jkaliisa@gmail.com