[Ugnet] (no subject)
Luganda will do well as a national languageBy Stephen NakonyaMar 2, 2005 The issue of the national language has generated a lot of controversy and debate in this country over the years. In the government's White Paper on the Constitutional Review, Swahili was put forward as the second official language. Swahili is widely spoken over a wide region in this part of Africa and considering the government's move towards the East African Federation, and the fact that it is the national language in both Kenya and Tanzania, it was the language that lent itself as the obvious choice over the other local languages. There are, however, a few things that should be taken into consideration before we jump on the Swahili bandwagon.The first is that language is the receptacle of culture. In other words language is culture and culture is language. Now the language one speaks to a greater or lesser extent influences the cultural orientation of a person. Thus people in Anglophone countries like Uganda want to behave like Englishmen (or Americans by extension), dress like them, eat like them, speak like them etc. Why, because we have in effect been transformed into black Englishmen by the fact that English, for the educated at any rate, is the major language used here. That also affects the books we read, the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the radio and the TV programmes we tune in to. The same applies to people in Francophone countries and their desire to ape things French. Though the question is not replacing English with Swahili but making the latter a second official language, Swahili would soon supplant English in every day usage as it is easier to learn even by the unschooled. Being forced to assume a culture foreign to one's own is not a desirable thing and is a form of cultural slavery, but because of our colonial history and the fact that Uganda like many African countries is comprised of many ethnic groups speaking diverse languages, English was chosen as our official language.Ideally, the best language for anyone is one's mother tongue. But much as we resent the fact, colonialism, with the attendant subjugation of indigenous cultures has been going on from the dawn of history, not only in Africa, but throughout the inhabited world. The coming of the white man to colonise Africa in the 19th Century was just a larger manifestation of what had been going on in all the ages past and still continues today. Cultures and languages have been merging, being submerged or displaced by others either through political conquest or by more peaceful means, throughout recorded history. Indeed all cultures and races in the world without exception are products of colonialism in one way or the other. Bearing that in mind, it is time that we accepted that the various European languages that the white man brought with him to Africa must now be considered, for all practical purposes, as "African languages." With all the disadvantages of having to use English as our official language it has however, got some advantages. English is spoken by many countries across the world, and has also practically become the global language. Thus knowledge of English is absolutely necessary in the modern world. In addition, more than 50 per cent of the books in the world are in English as is 60 per cent of all the radio programmes, and more than 70 per cent of all the computer text. This makes available to us a large fund of information as English speakers, quite an advantage when one considers that in the modern world information is power. By introducing Swahili here it is quite naturally going to orientate us to Swahili speaking lands that is to say Kenya and Tanzania, where hails the indigenous speakers of the language. Now the question is, what benefits are going to accrue to us by making that switch to Swahili? What things or what ideas are we going to copy from the Kenyans and Tanzania, seeing they are as underdeveloped as we are?Living in Kenya some years back, I discovered that compared to his Ugandan counterpart, the average educated Kenyan is not as informed, and is more parochial in outlook. The Ugandan education system is also rated very highly. I tried to figure out why this should be until I discovered that it had something to do with the major languages spoken in the two countries, Swahili in Kenya and English in Uganda. I found that the average Kenyan is oriented to the coast, because that is where the indigenous Swahili live, while the spiritual home of most Ugandans is the UK and other English speaking lands. Secondly, information in Kenya had to cross a language barrier (English to Swahili) whether the information is coming in via print or electronic media, for it to reach the average man in the street. Now since they are very few books in Swahili and there are not as many radio and TV programmes worldwide in that language, it severely limits the information that the population is exposed to. This also applied to things
[Ugnet] Not the Queen's English
Not the Queen's English Non-native English-speakers now outnumber native ones 3 to 1. And it's changing the way we communicate.
By Carla Power
Newsweek International
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7038031/site/newsweek/
March 7 issue - The nameCambridge School of Languagesconjures images of spires and Anglo-Saxon aristocrats conversing in the Queen's English. But this Cambridge is composed of a few dank rooms with rickety chairs at the edge of a congested Delhi suburb. Its rival is not stately Oxford but the nearby Euro Languages School, where a three-month English course costs $16. "We tell students you need two things to succeed: English and computers," says Chetan Kumar, a Euro Languages manager. "We teach one. For the other"he points to a nearby Internet stall"you can go next door."
The professors back in Cambridge, England, would no doubt question the schools' pedagogy. There are few books or tapes. Their teachers pronounce "we" as "ve" and "primary" as "primmry." And yet such storefront shops aren't merely the ragged edge of the massive English-learning industry, which in India alone is a $100 million-per-year business. They are the front lines of a global revolution in which hundreds of millions of people are learning English, the planet's language for commerce, technologyand, increasingly, empowerment. Within a decade, 2 billion people will be studying English and about half the worldsome 3 billion peoplewill speak it, according to a recent report from the British Council.
From Caracas to Karachi, parents keen for their children to achieve are forking over tuition for English-language schools. China's English fever elevated to epidemic proportions by the country's recent accession to the World Trade Organization and the coming 2008 Olympicseven has its own Mandarin term, Yingwen re. And governments from Tunisia to Turkey are pushing English, recognizing that along with computers and mass migration, the language is the turbine engine of globalization. As one 12-year-old self-taught Eng-lish-speaker from China's southwestern Sichuan province says, "If you can't speak English, it's like you're deaf and dumb."
Linguistically speaking, it's a whole new world. Non-native speakers of English now outnumber native speakers 3 to 1, according to English-language expert David Crystal, whose numerous books include "English as a Global Language." "There's never before been a language that's been spoken by more people as a second than a first," he says. In Asia alone, the number of English-users has topped 350 millionroughly the combined populations of the United States, Britain and Canada. There are more Chinese children studying Englishabout 100 millionthan there are Britons.
The new English-speakers aren't just passively absorbing the languagethey're shaping it. New Englishes are mushrooming the globe over, ranging from "Englog," the Tagalog-infused English spoken in the Philippines, to "Japlish," the cryptic English poetry beloved of Japanese copywriters ("Your health and loveliness is our best wish," reads a candy wrapper. "Give us a chance to realize it"), to "Hinglish," the mix of Hindi and English that now crops up everywhere from fast-food ads to South Asian college campuses. "Hungry kya?" ("Are you hungry?"), queried a recent Indian ad for Domino's pizza. In post-apartheid South Africa, many blacks have adopted their own version of English, laced with indigenous words, as a sign of freedomin contrast to Afrikaans, the language of oppression. "We speak English with a Xhosa accent and a Xho
sa
attitude," veteran actor John Kani recently told the BBC.
All languages are works in progress. But English's globalization, unprecedented in the history of languages, will revolutionize it in ways we can only begin to imagine. In the future, suggests Crystal, there could be a tri-English world, one in which you could speak a local English-based dialect at home, a national variety at work or school, and international Standard English to talk to foreigners. With native speakers a shrinking minority of the world's Anglophones, there's a growing sense that students should stop trying to emulate Brighton or Boston English, and embrace their own local versions. Researchers are starting to study non-native speakers' "mistakes""She look very sad," for exampleas structured grammars. In a generation's time, teachers might no longer be correcting students for saying "a book who" or "a person
which."
Linguist Jennifer Jenkins, an expert in world Englishes at King's College London, asks why someAsians, who have trouble pronouncing the "th" sound, should spend hours trying to say "thing" instead of "sing" or "ting." International pilots, she points out, already pronounce the word "three" as "tree" in radio dispatches, since "tree" is more widely comprehensible.
Not everyone is as open-minded about English, or its advance. The Web site of the Association for the Defence of the French Language displays
[Ugnet] CONGRESS
First Kamuntu and now Malinga.Gook are you next? UPC caucus boss joins Movement MOVEMENT BRIDE: Museveni (left) welcomes Malinga (in yellow T-shirt) to the Movement at Budaka sub-county headquarters By Nathan Etengu in Pallisa BUTEBO county MP Dr. Stephen Malinga on Monday crossed from the UPC party to the Movement. Malinga, the chairman of the UPC parliamentary caucus, crossed to the movement at a rally addressed by President Yoweri Museveni at Budaka sub-county headquarters. The crowed cheered when Malinga accepted to have the movement T-shirt and cap put on him, over his striped suit. He was also bedecked with dry banana leaves (essanja) before he was received by Museveni. The move to initiate Malinga into the movement was hatched by Bulangira sub-county woman councillor, Anna Mungono, who invited him to dance to a local tune played to entertain Museveni. Mungono, a younger sister to Kibuku MP Rainer Kafiire, then whispered into Malingas ears before signalling another lady to bedeck him with essanja, the symbol of support for a third presidential term for Museveni. No sooner had Malinga been bedecked in essanja than did people seated nearby jump up with more leaves to decorate him. Malinga was then helped to put on the T-shirt as women sang movement songs. The Minister for the Presidency, Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya and state ministers Christine Aporu and Jennifer Namuyangu, along with MPs Louis Opange, Kirya Gole and Rainer Kafiire, witnessed Malingas defection. Drama then ensued as women and other movement fans surrounded Malinga amid cheers from the crowd. Museveni, who had just completed addressing the rally, left his seat to welcome Malinga. He asked Malinga to sit next to him in the tent. Malinga appealed to the Government to grant Pallisa another district: I will become a full member of the movement if my people are granted a district, Malinga said shortly after the events. The people of this area have worked with you in the past. They want you to continue working with them in future. However, they feel that when the left hand washes the right hand, then the right hand should also wash the left hand, Malinga said at a rally at Kibale primary school. Museveni said creating a new district was okay but needed time and discussions to reach a consensus. Ends Published on: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2005 . ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
Re: [Ugnet] Fwd: Okulonda Omubaka nga March 5 2005
Mr. Opoko, If Abaana ba Kintu were upto something they know better than using Ugandanet and in such accessible prose, if you know what I mean. All the message was doing was to inform residents of S. California of a Baganda election to take place on Saturday March 5, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. Observers are welcome, but the proceedings will be in Luganda. Matek Opoko [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sssemakula What are you short waiving?..are abanabakintu up to something here or what? Matekmusamize [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Note: forwarded message attached. Do you Yahoo!?Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn more. ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 18:15:42 -0800 (PST)From: Ssemakula <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Subject: Okulonda Omubaka nga March 5 2005To: Buganda Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED] Abatuuze Ba Western USA: Okulonda Ababaka Abanakiika eMmengo Nga Saturday February 12, 2005 abatuuze ba Southern California twatuula mu lukiiko ku Kannisa ya BannaYuganda ku Sherman Way mu Van Nuys netukkaanya nti okulonda Omubaka waffe eri Mmengo kuberewo nga March 5, 2005. Kino kyaddirira okusaba kwa Katikkiro wa Buganda Ssemwogerere Mulwanyammuli okusaba Abaganda mu Amerika tulonde ababaka, mu bitundu gyetubeera, abanakolagananga neMmengo obutereevu. Ebaluwa eno etegeeza buli Muganda yenna mu Southern California nti ayitibwa okwetaba mu kulonda omubaka ono okunabaawo nga Saturday March 5, 2005, ku saawa munaana ezolweggulo (2:00p.m.). Okulonda kwa kubeera kundagiriro eno wammanga: 14553 Delano #207 Van Nuys, 91401 Ekifo kino kisangibwa ku koona lya Delano ne Vesper mu Van Nuys. Abali mu lukiiko olwayita munajjukira nti lwali lwa bbugumuko era nga ebirowoozo bingi ebyaweebwa. Kuluno abalina ebirowoozo musabibwa okwanguwako mubyanje olwo tulyooke tulonde nga tumaze okukkiriziganya . Buli awulidde ategeeze munne. James Ssemakula Omukubiriza Wokulonda. March 1, 2005__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
Re: [Ugnet] CONGRESS
Rwanyarare denies MP Malingas defection By Nasser Kayanja Wednesday, 02 March 2005 The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) says its Parliamentary Caucus Chairman Steven Malinga has not defected to the Movement. The New Vision Newspaper on Wednesday carried a story that the Butebo County MP defected when President Museveni visited his constituency in Pallisa district. The paper also carried a front page photograph showing Malinga in a Movement T- shirt and adorned with dry banana leaves. However addressing Journalist at a weekly news conference, UPC's Presidential Policy Commission chairman Dr. James Rwanyarare says the MP has denied the reported defection. Rwanyarare also dismissed ongoing rumors that he is also planning to leave the Party to join one of the newly created opposition groups. Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]: First Kamuntu and now Malinga.Gook are you next? UPC caucus boss joins Movement MOVEMENT BRIDE: Museveni (left) welcomes Malinga (in yellow T-shirt) to the Movement at Budaka sub-county headquarters By Nathan Etengu in Pallisa BUTEBO county MP Dr. Stephen Malinga on Monday crossed from the UPC party to the Movement. Malinga, the chairman of the UPC parliamentary caucus, crossed to the movement at a rally addressed by President Yoweri Museveni at Budaka sub-county headquarters. The crowed cheered when Malinga accepted to have the movement T-shirt and cap put on him, over his striped suit. He was also bedecked with dry banana leaves (essanja) before he was received by Museveni. The move to initiate Malinga into the movement was hatched by Bulangira sub-county woman councillor, Anna Mungono, who invited him to dance to a local tune played to entertain Museveni. Mungono, a younger sister to Kibuku MP Rainer Kafiire, then whispered into Malingaâs ears before signalling another lady to bedeck him with essanja, the symbol of support for a third presidential term for Museveni. No sooner had Malinga been bedecked in essanja than did people seated nearby jump up with more leaves to decorate him. Malinga was then helped to put on the T-shirt as women sang movement songs. The Minister for the Presidency, Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya and state ministers Christine Aporu and Jennifer Namuyangu, along with MPs Louis Opange, Kirya Gole and Rainer Kafiire, witnessed Malingaâs defection. Drama then ensued as women and other movement fans surrounded Malinga amid cheers from the crowd. Museveni, who had just completed addressing the rally, left his seat to welcome Malinga. He asked Malinga to sit next to him in the tent. Malinga appealed to the Government to grant Pallisa another district: âI will become a full member of the movement if my people are granted a district,â Malinga said shortly after the events. âThe people of this area have worked with you in the past. They want you to continue working with them in future. However, they feel that when the left hand washes the right hand, then the right hand should also wash the left hand,â Malinga said at a rally at Kibale primary school. Museveni said creating a new district was okay but needed time and discussions to reach a consensus. Ends Published on: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2005 . ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ \\\Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else.\ Njoki Paul University of Pretoria ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Fwd: Congress seing the light?
---BeginMessage--- Kamuntu,Ogola, Malinga.Hmm? MP Ogola defects to NRM DEFECTED: Ogola By Abraham Odeke HON. Akisoferi Ogola, MP West Budama South and one of the most influential members of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) in Tororo on Friday crossed to the Movement during a public rally addressed by President Yoweri Museveni. My people and I support the lifting of the presidential term limits and we are unanimously requesting you to stand again in 2006, Ogola told Museveni amidst applause. President Museveni was in West Budama South constituency as part of his meet-the-people tour of Tororo District. During the rally the State Minister for Labour, Henry Obbo, introduced Ogola as a good friend who wanted to take advantage of President Musevenis presence to officially announce his new political patronage. Ogola praised President Museveni and the Movement for the developments made since 1986. I particularly admire you for having waged a fierce war against AIDS and illiteracy through the introduction of UPE. Above all, when some of my political enemies wanted to turn me into dust you intervened in my favour. Now how can anyone expect me to say no to a good friend who has come to your house with a humble request, Ogola told Museveni. Ogolas statement prompted the Cabinet ministers and other VIPs who accompanied Museveni to step forward to hug and decorate the former UPC stalwart with several Movement T-shirts, caps and dry banana leaves. Reacting to Ogolas decision to join the Movement, Museveni said only people who lacked vision and focus would feel comfortable being members of the UPC and DP which lack the skills to govern the country. Your decision to join the Movement is good because we are flexible and responsive to local pressures which are not dangerous for our country. The UPC will never manage an army thats why they specialised in being overthrown by the army during the two times they ruled our country, Museveni said. He said the leaders should know that the army is like a spear, which can hurt those who handle it carelessly. However, the Movement has made its own spear and knows how to handle it well, Museveni said. President Museveni also pledged to assist the Jopadhola cultural leader, the Adhola, with transport. Ends Published on: Sunday, 27th February, 2005 . ---End Message--- ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Kiboga meat price falls to sh300
Shoulden't we be spending some money on such instead of buying Kisanja and educating Kazibwe's family at 2 Billion shilling!! By Moses Nsubuga BEEF prices in Kibogas Kyankwanzi, Kapeke and Nsambya sub-counties have fallen to sh300 from sh2,200 a kilo due to the severe drought. The district veterinary officer and extension coordinator, Dr John Atikoro, said recently during a press briefing that the animals have been feeding on dry grass for over two months. Kyankwanzi residents said a cow, which used to cost sh400,000 goes for sh10,000 now. Atikoro said about 50 cattle die daily and 3,000 cattle have died so far. There is no where to sell the meat because people have no money, he said. A resident said they had complained to the district authorities about the severe drought, but no solution has been found. \\\Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else.\ Njoki Paul University of Pretoria ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Males can grow egg cells, too: Does this give clue to Homosexuality?????????????!
March1, 2005 Males can grow egg cells, too Female cells become eggs despite surrounding signals for male development | By Laura M Hrastar In mice, female germ cells can develop into viable ova in male testes, Japanese researchers report this week. Their paper in PNAS suggests that sex determination occurs early in embryonic development before genomic imprinting takes effect. "[Our] paper indicated that once the direction of the sex is determined in germ cells, the following influence from the environment seems not to be significant," coauthor Masaru Okabe told The Scientist in an E-mail. The research showed that female germ cells encompassed by male tissue with XY gene imprinting continue their programmed development into eggs. Okabe, from Osaka University's Genomic Information Research Center, and colleagues combined male embryos with female embryos minus the zona pellucida in vitro to create XX-XY chimeric embryos. Growing the embryos to term, researchers found that the seminiferous tubules of 3-week-old male mice produced meiotic XX germ cells with a normal zona pellucida structure that could fuse with sperm. The so-called "testicular eggs" were smaller and grew more slowly than normal ovarian eggs, and they were present only in anterior and posterior parts of the testis nearby resident Sertoli cells. Like normal ova, the testicular eggs were heavily methylated and in some cases expressed SCP3, a primary meiotic complex protein. Methylation patterns in cells are characterized as sex specific, according to the authors, and have been shown to turn off gene _expression_. "It is difficult to elucidate the role of genomic imprinting in germ cell development, but we consider the imprint as a result of sequential chain events after the initial sex determination of germ cells," Okabe told The Scientist. Previous research has shown that XX spermatogonia-like cells are normally found within the testis but disappear a few days after formation for unknown reasons. Okabe says sex determination in germ cells likely occurs before genomic imprinting because inside the testes, genomic imprinting did not always follow cues from the environmental conditions in which the germ cells were found. Earlier work in sex-reversed mice by Anne McLaren from the United Kingdom's Cambridge University showed that large, egg-like cells could develop in the testes. The new findings published in PNAS lend proof such cells are oocytes by showing they can fuse with sperm, although, Okabe pointed out, they were too small or immature to develop. "One of the intriguing results of this excellent paper is the failure to find any XY growing oocytes in the chimeric testes," McLaren told The Scientist by E-mail. "XY germ cells that are not in a testis have been shown to enter meiosis about 13 days after fertilization, and thenceforth pursue the oogenesis pathway, just like XX germ cells." "The existence of [these] oocytes in the testes suggests that we can separate folliculogenesis from oocyte maturation, which have traditionally been thought to be one pathway," Jana Koubova, a researcher from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, told The Scientist in an E-mail. "Surprisingly, the egg does not seem to need the follicle to develop," said Koubova, who wasn't involved in the study. Links for this articleA. Isotani, "Genomic imprinting of XX spermatogonia and XX oocytes recovered from XX-XY chimeric testis," PNAS, February 28, 2005.http://www.pnas.orgC. Holding, "Sex and the X," The Scientist, February 2, 2004.http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20040202/01Masaru Okabehttp://www.asiaandro.com/journal/board/masaru.htm Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
RE: [Ugnet] Kiboga meat price falls to sh300- Kabonero need some meat?
Paul, People have no money to buy meat as cheap as 100 shillings? This is 20 years after the politics of kisanja? So who has been getting rich on the peoples skulls? Abayombo and his clan members from Rwakitura? Eh? Kabonero Do something about this abject poverty killing our people and our cows first before you ask me to join movenment which , by the way, all Ugandans belong by force of arms since Luwero days! Gook Original Message Follows From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: ugandanet@kym.net To: ugandanet@kym.net Subject: [Ugnet] Kiboga meat price falls to sh300 Date: Wed, 02 Mar 2005 21:54:07 +0200 (SAST) Shoulden't we be spending some money on such instead of buying Kisanja and educating Kazibwe's family at 2 Billion shilling!! By Moses Nsubuga BEEF prices in Kibogas Kyankwanzi, Kapeke and Nsambya sub-counties have fallen to sh300 from sh2,200 a kilo due to the severe drought. The district veterinary officer and extension coordinator, Dr John Atikoro, said recently during a press briefing that the animals have been feeding on dry grass for over two months. Kyankwanzi residents said a cow, which used to cost sh400,000 goes for sh10,000 now. Atikoro said about 50 cattle die daily and 3,000 cattle have died so far. There is no where to sell the meat because people have no money, he said. A resident said they had complained to the district authorities about the severe drought, but no solution has been found. \\\"Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else.\" Njoki Paul University of Pretoria ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar MSN Toolbar Get it now! ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Ministers front for Dairy Corp investor
This is partly why the people of Kibonga cannot aford meat at 300 shillings while the kaboneros sing EKINSANJA! gook Ministers front for Dairy Corp investor By Alex B. Atuhaire Hussein BogereMar 3, 2005 KAMPALA - Two cabinet ministers are behind an unregistered local company that was set to take over Dairy Corporation on behalf of Malee Sampran Plc, the Thai investor that President Yoweri Museveni selected to lease the state-owned corporation at a dollar. Malee Sampran is fronting a local company, Pan African Foods Limited, to take over the Dairy Corporation lease. However, the lease agreement, which was supposed to be signed by February, hit a snag after The Monitor published a story about the deal. The Monitor has reliably learnt that the two ministers behind Pan African Foods are very close to State House. One holds a senior Cabinet position, while the other is a junior minister. The two ministers are in a joint venture with Malee Sampran together with a senior Kampala advocate. Sources closely associated with the process said Pan African Foods Limited could not sign the lease agreement because it needed to register first. However, the two ministers and the advocate are reportedly afraid to register the company because of the controversy surrounding the lease. Registering the company would expose the trio. According to a draft lease agreement, a copy of which The Monitor has seen, the local Ugandan company has no address and directors. A search at the registrar of companies showed there were only two companies with close names East African Basic Foods Limited and African Basic Foods (U) Limited. President Museveni says he offered Dairy Corporation to Malee for a three-year lease market testing period hoping that after the lease runs out, the Thais would invest in a new multi-million dollar dairy and fruit-processing factory. Malee is mainly active in the fruit-processing sector in Thailand. But sources familiar with the lease process have told The Monitor that Malee, which is in a weak financial state back at home, is being used as a smoke screen for Pan African Foods Ltd. Ask yourself why the government is ready to sign an agreement with a company that doesnt exist. There are more questions than answers, a source close to negotiations said this week. One of the ministers behind Pan African Foods is said to have been instrumental in the behind the scenes moves to let the deal through. The minister and his group hope to benefit from the profits of the primary schools milk programme to be funded by the World Food Programme. The schools milk programme is entrenched in the lease agreement. Clause C reads: (The Government of Uganda) desires to promote and develop its school milk programme partly through the utilisation of DCLs production capacity. Clause D adds: GOU in a bid to improve the performance of Dairy Corporation Limited has decided to contract an efficient and experienced company to lease and manage Dairy Corporation Limiteds assets so as to meet the demand for milk for the schools milk programme. Parliament, which last week halted the controversial deal, also questioned the authenticity of Pan African Foods Ltd. The Finance Committee chaired by Maj. Bright Rwamirama tasked the Minister in Charge of Privatisation, Prof. Peter Kasenene to explain the relationship between Malee and Pan African Foods. Kasenene, who has twice failed to provide an acceptable report to Parliament on the matter, was not available for comment yesterday. The minister is out of the country.Musevenis intervention in the privatisation of Dairy Corporation has come under heavy criticism with several sections of society questioning the Presidents support for Malee. The decision to lease out Dairy Corporation to Malee has been contested vigorously by MPs, who say the handpicking of Malee lacked transparency because a competitive bid process for the privatisation of the corporation was halted midway. The Privatisation Unit had in December last year, pre-qualified four groups of companies - mostly in consortium - to bid for Dairy Corporation. These included Dairybord and Renaissance Merchant Bank, both of Zimbabwe; Spinknit Ltd and Spinknit Dairy, both of Kenya; and a consortium of Brookside Dairy Ltd of Kenya, FI Holding Company of Libya, Clover Holdings Ltd of South Africa and Carnations Ltd of Uganda. The companies were supposed to review Dairy Corporations accounts and assets in August and submit financial bids soon after. Its at this stage that the President called a halt to the process and soon after, Malees Chairman, Mr Chatchai Boonyarat appeared in the country.Sources told The Monitor that when asked for a financial plan, Mr Boonyarat said he had been promised a job by the President. The Monitor reported last week that the Thai companys capability to meet its obligations to the Uganda government is highly doubtful. Malees financials reveal that it is in no position to make a
[Ugnet] DRC: Fighting Between UN Troops, Militias Leaves 50 Dead
DRC: Fighting Between UN Troops, Militias Leaves 50 Dead Email This Page Print This Page VisitThePublisher'sSite UN Integrated Regional Information Networks March 2, 2005 Posted to the web March 2, 2005 Kinshasa At least 50 militiamen were killed during fighting between Pakistani UN troops and elements suspected to have killed nine UN peacekeepers on 25 February, Gen Jean-Francois Collot d'Escuries, the chief of staff of the UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as MONUC, told IRIN. The fighting took place at Loga village, 30 km northeast of Bunia, the main town in the troubled northeastern district of Ituri. For a YEAR IN REVIEW excerpt from the Africa 2005 guidebook, click here.(Adobe Acrobat). To buy the book, click here. "The casualties include two wounded blue helmets and about 50 people who were identified as militias," Collot d'Escuries said. The wounded peacekeepers suffered minor wounds in the face and were evacuated to Pretoria, South Africa, for treatment. "Their life is not in danger," he said. He accused the militias of hiding behind civilians during the armed confrontation. "We have proof that the civilian population was used as human shields," he added. The latest MONUC operation follows the killing of nine Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers by militias of the predominantly Lendu Front nationaliste integrationniste (FNI). The peacekeepers were on patrol in Kafe village when they were ambushed and killed. Collot d'Escuries said the militias murdered the UN soldiers "execution style" after they were only wounded during the ambush. During Tuesday's operation, some 30 AK-47 Kalashnikovs were confiscated after the militants fled their camp in Loga. It was fortified and the militias used heavy weapons, Collot d'Escuries said. "We did not open fire first, but we had to retaliate when the 242 blue helmets of the Pakistani MONUC contingent, which is stationed in [the eastern province of] South Kivu, was moved there and received fire from small and heavy arms, like anti-tank mortars," he said. "Our return fire was reasonable and limited," he added. However, he qualified the operation as the largest in terms of victims. The MONUC division in the east will continue to intensify its campaign in the area, he said. "The armed groups will be disarmed, the illegal tax collection points and the militia camps will be dismantled, the criminal gangs, who present themselves as armed groups, have only one alternative - disarm and integrate into the demobilisation and reinsertion centres where 500 demobilised combatants are already registered," Collot d'Escuries said. MONUC will work in concert with the first integrated brigade of the Congolese army, which is also deployed in the area, he said. Relevant Links Central Africa Arms and Military Affairs Congo-Kinshasa Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution Civil War and Communal Conflict According to MONUC, another two militia camps were dismantled on Wednesday. [ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ] Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
Re: [Ugnet] Fwd: Okulonda Omubaka nga March 5 2005
Just that I get this straight. Baganda in North America are electing a representative to Mengo. An institution which does not believe in elections? Matooke is truly a bad deity Em Toronto The Mulindwas Communication Group"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" Groupe de communication Mulindwas "avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie" - Original Message - From: musamize To: ugandanet@kym.net Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 2:06 PM Subject: Re: [Ugnet] Fwd: Okulonda Omubaka nga March 5 2005 Mr. Opoko, If Abaana ba Kintu were upto something they know better than using Ugandanet and in such accessible prose, if you know what I mean. All the message was doing was to inform residents of S. California of a Baganda election to take place on Saturday March 5, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. Observers are welcome, but the proceedings will be in Luganda. Matek Opoko [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sssemakula What are you short waiving?..are abanabakintu up to something here or what? Matekmusamize [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Note: forwarded message attached. Do you Yahoo!?Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn more. ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 18:15:42 -0800 (PST)From: Ssemakula <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Subject: Okulonda Omubaka nga March 5 2005To: Buganda Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED] Abatuuze Ba Western USA: Okulonda Ababaka Abanakiika eMmengo Nga Saturday February 12, 2005 abatuuze ba Southern California twatuula mu lukiiko ku Kannisa ya BannaYuganda ku Sherman Way mu Van Nuys netukkaanya nti okulonda Omubaka waffe eri Mmengo kuberewo nga March 5, 2005. Kino kyaddirira okusaba kwa Katikkiro wa Buganda Ssemwogerere Mulwanyammuli okusaba Abaganda mu Amerika tulonde ababaka, mu bitundu gyetubeera, abanakolagananga neMmengo obutereevu. Ebaluwa eno etegeeza buli Muganda yenna mu Southern California nti ayitibwa okwetaba mu kulonda omubaka ono okunabaawo nga Saturday March 5, 2005, ku saawa munaana ezolweggulo (2:00p.m.). Okulonda kwa kubeera kundagiriro eno wammanga: 14553 Delano #207 Van Nuys, 91401 Ekifo kino kisangibwa ku koona lya Delano ne Vesper mu Van Nuys. Abali mu lukiiko olwayita munajjukira nti lwali lwa bbugumuko era nga ebirowoozo bingi ebyaweebwa. Kuluno abalina ebirowoozo musabibwa okwanguwako mubyanje olwo tulyooke tulonde nga tumaze okukkiriziganya . Buli awulidde ategeeze munne. James Ssemakula Omukubiriza Wokulonda. March 1, 2005 __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___Ugandanet mailing listUgandanet@kym.nethttp://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet% UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] UN takes fight to DR Congo militia ..the UN has run into a Hornets Nest!
UN takes fight to DR Congo militia The death of UN troops has led to increased efforts to disarm militiaAfter years being derided as "tourists in a war zone", the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sent out a new message - that it will get tough on ethnic militias. Known as Monuc, the UN force in DR Congo is one of the world's largest, and one of its most controversial. Nine of its troops were killed last week in an ambush in DR Congo's north-eastern Ituri region, the deadliest attack since Monuc was set up in 1999. Monuc has responded with a high-profile offensive killing 50 militia fighters. UN military spokesman Jean-Francois Collot d'Escury told a press conference that the message of the Ituri campaign was: "We know how to fight". QUICK GUIDE The war in DR Congo Some 15,000 militia in the region - where a recent surge in violence has forced thousands of civilians to flee - have been warned they face more such operations if they continue to resist pressure to disarm. Gen Collot d'Escury said Monuc was determined to dismantle camps used by the fighters, even if it meant using force. The new tough talking follows a year in which Monuc's failure to prevent rebel forces taking control of the key eastern town of Bukavu prompted criticism and anti-UN riots. Strengthened mandate The mission's reputation has also been damaged by claims of sexual abuse of women and girls by peacekeeping troops stationed in DR Congo. Correspondents say the latest offensive marks a significant shift in the way the UN tackles the huge task of maintaining peace in a country the size of Western Europe - and may go some way to restoring its credibility. The Bukavu debacle last summer pushed the UN Security Council to strengthen the mission's mandate in DR Congo. A UN Security Council resolution in October 2004 authorised an extra 5,900 personnel for Monuc, taking the official ceiling for troops and police to 16,700. The mandate for the mission, which includes representatives of more than 40 countries, was also reinforced to "ensure the protection of civilians 'under imminent threat of violence'". UN spokesman Kemal Saiki told the BBC News website the offensive showed that extra troops in Ituri were starting to make an impact, even though the full deployment has not yet been reached. 'Armed crooks' "Before, we had a situation where we did not have a critical mass of military means and tools to conduct this kind of operation," he said. "Our plan is to step up our activities in those parts of the country where there is still a lot of violence and unrest caused by the presence of so-called militias. Monuc has said it is willing to use violence to dismantle militia camps "They are basically armed crooks, rather criminal than political, preying on the population and trying to exploit the wealth of the area." He said the Monuc unit involved in the latest offensive, comprising Pakistani, South African and Nepalese troops, had called in combat helicopters in self-defence after coming under fire while searching for weapons dumps. And he warned the militia could expect many more such operations if they continued to resist the peacekeepers' efforts to disarm them. The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says most people in DR Congo welcome Monuc's offensive against the Ituri militia as long overdue. "The real scandal for Monuc for the people was the fact that the UN wasn't imposing the peace that it was supposed to impose, so it wasn't really fulfilling its task," he says. 'Still reeling' "Now it's managing to do so, people are happy because that is what they want." But although Monuc's stance has been welcomed by Congolese ministers, the struggle to quell the country's violence is far from over. Despite a rise in the number of peacekeepers deployed, Monuc still has far fewer than the 23,900 troops and 500 police recommended by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan last year. The BBC's Mark Doyle, who was in Ituri late last year, says the Congolese people will remain wary about their security. They know that the UN force is overstretched, he says, and are also well aware that the international community will only be with them for a limited time. In the end, he concludes, Congolese politicians will have to sort out a country which has never known democracy and is still reeling from decades of dictatorship and war. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Politics:African Force Too Weak to Stop Darfur Killings
Politics:African Force Too Weak to Stop Darfur Killings
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Inter Press Service (Johannesburg)
March 1, 2005 Posted to the web March 2, 2005
Thalif DeenUnited Nations
Armed with a mandate to stop the widespread atrocities in the violence-prone western region of Darfur in Sudan, a militarily weak African Union (AU) monitoring force is finding itself weighed down by a shortage of troops, funds, logistical support and communications equipment.
To date, only about half of the 3,320 promised personnel -- all of them from Africa -- have arrived in Darfur, whose massive humanitarian crisis was described by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan last week as "little short of hell on earth."
"The expanded AU force was promised in October (last year)," Adrian McIntyre of the international relief agency Oxfam, told IPS. "Every day they're not deployed means another day that hundreds of thousands of civilians in Darfur remain vulnerable to violent attacks."
Emira Woods, co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus at the Washington-based Institute for Policy Studies, says the AU is woefully under-resourced. "It is as if the international community is setting up the AU to fail," she said.
Liberia, a country of three million people, has the largest U.N. peacekeeping mission in the world, amounting to about 15,000 troops.
Meanwhile, the African Union has barely over 1,000 for a region the size of France. "This is unconscionable," Woods told IPS.
Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, AU's special representative in the Sudan, told the Security Council last month that every effort is being made to accelerate the current programme of full deployment of the total strength of 3,320 troops by the middle of April.
But he said he was expecting "continuing indispensable material and financial support from our partners" -- especially the United States, the European Union, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany, among others.
But the assistance apparently has been slow in coming -- or not coming at all.
When he was in Europe last month, Annan told members of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) that the AU is desperately in need of assistance. "Please, help," Annan was quoted as saying.
"It wasn't to take over from the African Union; it was to support the African Union (in Darfur)," U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters.
The AU force includes troops from several African countries in the region, including Nigeria and Rwanda, with additional troops from South Africa and Chad to join later.
In a statement released Monday, Oxfam said that "the world has failed to provide sufficient support needed to protect civilians in Darfur...Atrocities have been committed on massive scale and more suffering is being inflicted on a daily basis."
At least 300,000 people are reported to have died in Darfur, with over two million displaced, since early 2003.
"We've seen that an AU presence helps to reduce threats of violence in the limited areas where they are deployed," said Caroline Nursey, Oxfam's regional director for the Horn of Africa.
"But the current AU mission needs more resources and personnel to do the job properly. A fully expanded AU mission in Darfur, including additional troops, cease-fire monitors and civilian police, must be deployed at once," she added.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a spokesman for an international relief agency told IPS that it's not necessarily true that African countries are reluctant to send troops ("although many troops would probably prefer to join a U.N. peackeeping force since salaries are better").
The biggest problem seems to be logistical capacity and a lack of experienced personnel, he said. Some individual countries might be willing to send troops but lack the ability, and perhaps the funding, to recruit, train and deploy the right kind of people fast enough.
"And it's not just troops that are needed: better management, planning and use of information to get the AU mission up to snuff. We're told that there simply isn't the administrative capacity in Addis Ababa (the headquarters of the AU) -- not to mention at the field level -- to manage a mission of the size/scope requires," he added.
The AU also needs to overcome its pride and be willing to ask for help. The slogan "African solutions for African problems" is great, in principle, but only if the solutions available stand a chance of addressing the scale of the problem, he said.
Asked what's needed, Woods said, first and foremost, financial support to the AU. She pointed out that the EU and the United States have given some minimal funding, yet funds promised to date fall far short of what is needed.
The administration of President George W. Bush had an excellent opportunity to help bring justice to Darfur by allotting funds for the African Union in the supplemental budget put forward last month, she said.
Yet the bulk of U.S. funds
[Ugnet] LRA Rebels Disrupt Vaccination
LRA Rebels Disrupt Vaccination Email This Page Print This Page VisitThePublisher'sSite New Vision (Kampala) March 2, 2005 Posted to the web March 2, 2005 Chris Ochowun and Justin MoroKampala REBELS of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) on Saturday disrupted the immunisation exercise against polio and measles in Ngai sub-county in Apac district. The LC3 chairperson, Beatrice Okello, said the rebels attacked an Amuka local militia detachment, killing three and injuring nine civilians. Residents had to shift to Opit centre in Gulu district and Ngai trading centre for the exercise. Okello said the exercise was extended by one day to allow all the children to be immunised. The rebels, who entered Aryek village where the Amuka militia unit is located at about 7:00pm, also burnt huts and looted food. Nine people were injured, including a child who later died at the health centre. Relevant Links East Africa Polio Civil War and Communal Conflict Uganda In Kitgum district, RDC Santo Okot Lapolo said the immunisation exercise was conducted smoothly but it had to be extended to a third day following the late arrival of the vaccines. He said the UPDF deployed heavily to ward off rebel disruption.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] ...and now some International News:Talks on Iraqi Coalition Government Falter
Talks on Iraqi Coalition Government Falter 2 hours, 10 minutes ago Middle East - AP By RAWYA RAGEH, Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq - Talks aimed at forging a coalition government faltered Wednesday over Kurdish demands for more land and concerns that the dominant Shiite alliance seeks to establish an Islamic state, delaying the planned first meeting of Iraq (news - web sites)'s new parliament. AP Photo AP Photo Slideshow: Iraq Latest headlines: · Talks on Iraqi Coalition Government Falter AP - 33 minutes ago · Navy SEAL Officer Reprimanded Over Abuse AP - 38 minutes ago · A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq AP - 48 minutes ago Special Coverage The snag in negotiations between Shiite and Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq came as clashes and two car bombings in Baghdad killed at least 14 Iraqi soldiers and police officers the latest in a relentless wave of violence since elections Jan. 30. The group led by Iraq's most wanted terrorist, Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi, purportedly claimed responsibility in an Internet posting for Wednesday's clashes and at least one of the bombings as it had for a suicide car bombing Monday that killed 125 people in Hillah, a town south of the capital. "The bombings in Hillah and again in Baghdad this morning are not going to derail the political process that Iraq is embarked upon," National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie said Wednesday. "The Iraqi government will go after and hunt down each and every one of these terrorists whether in Iraq or elsewhere." But forming Iraq's first democratically elected coalition government is turning out to be a laborious process. Shiite and Kurdish leaders, Iraq's new political powers, failed to reach agreement after two days of negotiations in the northern city of Irbil, with the clergy-backed candidate for prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, leaving with only half the deal he needed. The Shiite-led United Iraqi Alliance, which has 140 seats in the 275-member National Assembly, hopes to win backing from the 75 seats held by Kurdish political parties so t can muster the required two-thirds majority for post top posts in the new government. Al-Jaafari indicated after the talks that the alliance was ready to accept a Kurdish demand that one of its leaders, Jalal Talabani, become president. "We, the United Iraqi Alliance, and I personally respect the Kurdish choice for Jalal Talabani to be their nominee for the presidential post. I will convey this honestly to my brothers in the alliance," he said. However, he would not commit to other demands, including the expansion of Kurdish autonomous areas south to the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Kurdish leaders have demanded constitutional guarantees for their northern regions, including self-rule and reversal of the "Arabization" of Kirkuk and other northern areas. Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) relocated Iraqi Arabs to the region in a bid to secure the oil fields there. Politicians had hoped to convene the new parliament by Sunday. But Ali Faisal, of the Shiite Political Council, said the date was now "postponed" and that a new date had not been set. "The blocs failed to reach an understanding over the formation of the government," said Faisal, whose council is part of the United Iraqi Alliance. The Kurds, he added, were "the basis of the problem" in the negotiations. "The Kurds are wary about al-Jaafari's nomination to head the government. They are concerned that a strict Islamic government might be formed," al-Faisal said. "Negotiations and dialogue are ongoing." In another twist, alliance deputy and former Pentagon (news - web sites) favorite Ahmad Chalabi was to meet Thursday with interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, whose party won 40 seats in the assembly. It was unclear why the meeting between the two rivals was taking place. Both Allawi and Chalabi are secular Shiites opposed to making Iraq an Islamic state. Concerns over a possible theocracy are especially pertinent because the main task of the new assembly will be to write a constitution. Although Kurds make up only about 15 percent of Iraq's population, they won 27 percent of the assembly seats largely because most Sunni Arabs did not participate in the elections, either to honor a boycott call or because they feared attack by Sunni-led insurgents trying to disrupt the vote. Sunni Arabs, who comprise about 20 percent of the population, were favored under Saddam's regime, which oppressed the majority Shiite Arabs. Iraqi Kurds are mostly Sunni, but their Kurdish identity is far more significant to them than any tie to Sunni Arabs. Wednesday's attacks in Baghdad began when a car bomb struck an Iraqi army base, killing eight soldiers and wounding at least 25. A second car bomb an hour later at an army checkpoint killed four soldiers. Separate clashes killed two police officers, the Defense Ministry said. Also Wednesday, an
[Ugnet] U.S. Official Says Iran, Syria 'Against All of Us'
U.S. Official Says Iran, Syria 'Against All of Us' 2 hours, 30 minutes ago World - Reuters By Tabassum Zakaria WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States kept up the pressure on Iran (news - web sites) and Syria on Wednesday as a senior White House security official urged the international community to demand that Tehran and Damascus stop supporting terrorism. "State sponsors of terrorism such as Iran and Syria are with the terrorists and therefore against all of us," said Frances Townsend, homeland security adviser to President Bush (news - web sites). "From this day forward the community of nations must be united in demanding a complete end to the state sponsorship of terrorism," she told the Club of Madrid, a group of former government leaders, in a luncheon speech. The United States accuses Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons and is pressing Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after a car bomb killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri last month. Syria rejects accusations that it supports terrorism and Iran contends that its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes. The two countries vowed last month to form a common front to face threats against them. The Club of Madrid is holding an international meeting on democracy, terrorism and security in Madrid next week to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the March 11, 2004 train bombings in the Spanish capital. Townsend praised Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which some American critics say have not done enough to fight terrorism, as "ever stronger partners in the war against terror." She added: "Their continued good efforts must be acknowledged and applauded." Partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan (news - web sites) and others were essential to ensure that al Qaeda and other extremist groups did not find a sanctuary, she said. "If you write a check, if you provide a safe house, if you allow your laws to remain weak and if you fail to pass critical information to your neighbors about terrorists ... if you knowingly allow terrorists to move freely through your country -- you have sided with extremism and against the free world," Townsend said. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Saddam tribunal judge gunned down in Iraq, suicide bombers kill 10
Saddam tribunal judge gunned down in Iraq, suicide bombers kill 10 Wed Mar 2, 1:00 PM ET World - AFP BAGHDAD (AFP) - Gunmen assassinated a judge serving on the tribunal set up to try Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), officials said, as suicide car bombers killed 10 people in attacks on an Iraqi army base and a checkpoint in Baghdad. AFP Photo AP Photo Slideshow: Iraq Latest headlines: · Talks on Iraqi Coalition Government Falter AP - 38 minutes ago · Navy SEAL Officer Reprimanded Over Abuse AP - 43 minutes ago · A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq AP - 53 minutes ago Special Coverage The renewed violence came as an Iraqi-Swede hostage appeared in a video saying he feared he would be executed, a day after a French journalist appeared in a tape pleading for help. Investigative judge Barwize Mohamed Marwane and his son Arayan, who worked as a clerk for the Iraqi Special Tribunal, were gunned down Tuesday as they stepped out of their Baghdad home, a court source said. They were the first known members of the tribunal, set up in December 2003 by the US-led coalition to try Saddam and his lieutenants, to be killed. In a second incident Tuesday, gunmen shot and seriously wounded another investigative judge, Wayed al-Jadr, moments after he left his courthouse in eastern Baghdad, an Iraqi justice official said. Insurgents have killed 20 judges across Iraq (news - web sites) since Saddam's regime was toppled in April 2003, the official said. Saddam's half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti, former vice president Taha Yasin Ramadan and three others will be the first to go on trial, facing charges of crimes against humanity, the special tribunal said Monday. At least seven people were killed Wednesday and 30 wounded when a car blew up outside an army base in western Baghdad, hospital officials said. The same base was hit a few hours later in a mortar attack that killed one soldier and wounded nine others. Would-be recruits and soldiers were queuing by the entrance to the base at the disused Al-Muthanna airport when a white car sped up to the gates, witnesses said. "As he arrived, he blew himself up. Two soldiers were lifted up into the air and knocked across the street," said Hussein Mohammed, who was 20 metres (yards) away when the car exploded. In the second attack, three soldiers were killed and six wounded when a car bomber blew himself up at an army checkpoint in southwest Baghdad, said an army officer. The latest blasts came two days after a suicide car bomb killed at least 118 people in Hilla, in the deadliest single attack since the fall of Saddam's regime two years ago. Hundreds of angry Iraqis protested in the predominantly Shiite Muslim city for the second day on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of local officials they blame for lax security which allowed the attack. In further unrest, two policemen were shot dead in separate incidents in the northern city of Mosul, police said. US-led forces killed two insurgents in the same city and injured another after an ambush, the US army said. In Ramadi, a rebel stronghold west of Baghdad, three civilians were wounded during a firefight between US forces and gunmen, hospital officials said. Two Turkish truckers were shot dead in the northern oil refinery town of Baiji, and the bodies of two Iraqi soldiers were found in the same region, police said. In the latest development in Iraq's long-running hostage crisis, a kidnapped Iraqi-Swede appeared in a new video obtained by AFP, appealing to the pope and to the king of Sweden to save his life. "I have been transferred to the execution unit of the Iraqi Vengeance Brigades, which certainly means my death and execution," said Minas Ibrahim al-Yussufi, the secretary general of Iraq's Christian Democratic Party, who was kidnapped on January 28 in Mosul. A French journalist missing in Iraq for almost two months made a desperate appeal for help in a video obtained by AFP on Tuesday. They were the first images of Liberation newspaper's Florence Aubenas since she disappeared with her Iraqi fixer Hussein Hanun al-Saadi from her Baghdad hotel on January 5. The front pages of all of France's dailies were given over to the video, which showed Aubenas looking gaunt and desperate. French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin told parliament there had been no demand from and no dialogue with her kidnappers, while calling on a maverick lawmaker singled out by name in the video to help free the journalist. Raffarin urged MP Didier Julia to brief French intelligence officers on all he knew and said France must "work on one front, under one authority" and "without any parallel diplomacy" to obtain the release of Aubenas. On the political front, the leading Shiite candidate for Iraq's post-elections prime minister, Ibrahim Jaafari, met Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Jalal Talabani. He met the other main Kurdish
[Ugnet] UN Security Council supports military action against Congo Militias
UN Security Council supports military action against Congo militias Wed Mar 2, 2:27 PM ET Top Stories - AFP UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The Security Council expressed its support for military action by UN peacekeeping troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (news - web sites) (DRC) in response to a deadly ambush by local militias. AFP/POOL/File Photo AFP Slideshow: U.N. Peacekeepers Killed in Congo In a statement, the United Nations (news - web sites) Security Council "condemns with the utmost firmness the attack against a patrol" of UN peacekeepers on February 25 that resulted "in the assassination of nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers." The world body also offered its condolences to the victims' families and to the Bangladesh authorities. The Security Council "considers this aggression, by its intentional and planned nature, to be an unacceptable outrage." The statement blamed a group called the Nationalist Integrationist Front (FNI) for the attack, and called upon the DRC's Government of National Unity and Transition "immediately to take all necessary measures to bring to justice the perpetrators, sponsors and authors of this attack." The declaration was read by Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg of Brazil, who holds the council's rotating presidency for March. The council also expressed support for the robust reaction by peacekeepers with the UN mission in DRC (MONUC) to the ambush. In Kinshasa the MONUC chief of staff, General Jean-Francois Collot d'Escury, said that military operations were under way in the Ituri region, where almost 250 Pakistani and South African troops on Tuesday killed at least 50 militiamen and destroyed two of their camps. The UN mission in the DRC is the world body's biggest. MONUC officers have accused Ituri-based militias of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Several armed militias operate in the region and the UN says their actions affect and destabilize the whole region. Asked about the tough UN response, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "It is part of the mission's more robust mandate." "The UN was attacked, they (peacekeepers) didn't open fire first". The Security Council is likely to debate a resolution seeking to toughen an existing arms embargo on the DRC and council observers believe a vote on the matter could occur this month. The UN statement added that it "is considering additional measures it might take to reinforce implementation and monitoring of the (existing) embargo." Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] U.N. Peacekeepers Kill 60 Militia in Congo
U.N. Peacekeepers Kill 60 Militia in Congo 27 minutes ago World - AP Africa By BRYAN MEALER, Associated Press Writer KINSHASA, Congo - U.N. troops killed as many as 60 militiamen in a stepped-up campaign to clear northeastern Congo of rogue gunmen who have preyed on residents and are suspected in the recent slaying of nine peacekeepers, U.N. officials said Wednesday. AP Photo The peacekeepers, backed by an attack helicopter and responding to fire, killed more people than in any other operation during their six-year mission in Congo. Tuesday's gunbattle between 242 Pakistani peacekeepers and militia fighters broke out at a heavily fortified militia camp near the village of Loga, 20 miles north of Bunia, the capital of the lawless Ituri province, said Col. Dominique Demange, spokesman for the U.N. forces in Congo. "While on operation we were fired upon, so we immediately responded," he said. Peacekeepers returned fire and called in an attack helicopter, Demange said. He added that between 50 and 60 militia members had been confirmed dead. Two peacekeepers were wounded and evacuated to South Africa, U.N. spokeswoman Eliane Nabaa said. The operation marked the first time such a large number of militia had been killed since the U.N. Security Council widened the Congo mission's mandate in October to counter accusations that U.N. peacekeepers have been ineffective. It also sent thousands more troops to Congo. The new mandate gave the peacekeepers the power to deploy to potentially volatile areas. They could deter the use of force, protect civilians under immediate threat of violence and seize illegal weapons. The militia, which belongs to the ethnic Lendu political party Nationalist and Integrationist Front, has been terrorizing villages of the rival Hema tribe for months. Tribal fighters have killed dozens of people, looted and burned homes and forced more than 70,000 people to flee to the hills since December. The United Nations (news - web sites) suspects the same militia is responsible for killing the nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers in a well-executed ambush on Feb. 25. Diplomats and U.N. officials on Wednesday made clear their support for the peacekeepers' action, which targeted a militia that had slain nine Bangladeshis in an ambush on Friday. They also insisted that the peacekeepers were carrying out their mandate of protecting civilians in a volatile area. "The U.N. has traditionally kept peace, it hasn't done war fighting, but when you're confronted with people who are fighting you, you have to exercise self-defense and take them out," Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones-Parry said. There were signs the slain Bangladeshis survived the ambush and were then executed. Late Wednesday, the United Nations said the nine peacekeepers were shot at point-blank range, and their bodies were stripped of all weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and all equipment. "This group continues to loot, kill and rape these people, making life miserable," said Nabaa. "It's time to put an end to this militia." The violence is taking place against a stunning backdrop of sweeping, grassy hills and a patchwork of farms and thatched huts. "Our forces will keep putting pressure on the ground until these militia are dismantled entirely," said Gen. Jean-Francois Collot d'Escuries, chief of staff for U.N. troops in Congo. In January, hundreds of peacekeepers were dispatched to several areas of the isolated, territory to provide security and allow humanitarian groups to distribute food and medicine. But following the slaying of the nine U.N. soldiers, the United Nations announced it was suspending humanitarian assistance to 54,000 people due to increased violence. For several years, U.N. peacekeepers in Congo have been accused of being ineffective. In 2003, a small contingent of U.N. Uruguayan troops in Bunia were quickly overrun when Hema and Lendu militia fought for control of the town, killing more than 500 people. The United Nations drew stiff international criticism for allowing the deaths, many of which were execution-style murders carried out by rival teenage gunmen. The United Nations blamed a weak Security Council mandate that only permitted them to protect U.N. staff. The U.N. Security Council toughened the mandate months later, allowing them to protect civilians. However, they were criticized again in June 2004 when renegade Congolese troops seized the lakeside town of Bukavu in the east, mostly while U.N. troops stood by. The fall of Bukavu sparked riots in the capital. The U.N. mission in Congo is also embroiled in a major scandal in Bunia after many young girls living in displaced camps accused peacekeepers of raping them, or trading sweets and money for sex. The young Lendu fighters who often wear wigs and women's dresses in battle because they believe it will protect them from harm are accused of massacring thousands of Hema in macabre pogroms
[Ugnet] Ministers front for Dairy Corp investor
Ministers front for Dairy Corp investor By Alex B. Atuhaire Hussein BogereMar 3, 2005 KAMPALA - Two cabinet ministers are behind an unregistered local company that was set to take over Dairy Corporation on behalf of Malee Sampran Plc, the Thai investor that President Yoweri Museveni selected to lease the state-owned corporation at a dollar. Malee Sampran is fronting a local company, Pan African Foods Limited, to take over the Dairy Corporation lease. However, the lease agreement, which was supposed to be signed by February, hit a snag after The Monitor published a story about the deal. The Monitor has reliably learnt that the two ministers behind Pan African Foods are very close to State House. One holds a senior Cabinet position, while the other is a junior minister. The two ministers are in a joint venture with Malee Sampran together with a senior Kampala advocate. Sources closely associated with the process said Pan African Foods Limited could not sign the lease agreement because it needed to register first. However, the two ministers and the advocate are reportedly afraid to register the company because of the controversy surrounding the lease. Registering the company would expose the trio. According to a draft lease agreement, a copy of which The Monitor has seen, the local Ugandan company has no address and directors. A search at the registrar of companies showed there were only two companies with close names East African Basic Foods Limited and African Basic Foods (U) Limited. President Museveni says he offered Dairy Corporation to Malee for a three-year lease market testing period hoping that after the lease runs out, the Thais would invest in a new multi-million dollar dairy and fruit-processing factory. Malee is mainly active in the fruit-processing sector in Thailand. But sources familiar with the lease process have told The Monitor that Malee, which is in a weak financial state back at home, is being used as a smoke screen for Pan African Foods Ltd. Ask yourself why the government is ready to sign an agreement with a company that doesnt exist. There are more questions than answers, a source close to negotiations said this week. One of the ministers behind Pan African Foods is said to have been instrumental in the behind the scenes moves to let the deal through. The minister and his group hope to benefit from the profits of the primary schools milk programme to be funded by the World Food Programme. The schools milk programme is entrenched in the lease agreement. Clause C reads: (The Government of Uganda) desires to promote and develop its school milk programme partly through the utilisation of DCLs production capacity. Clause D adds: GOU in a bid to improve the performance of Dairy Corporation Limited has decided to contract an efficient and experienced company to lease and manage Dairy Corporation Limiteds assets so as to meet the demand for milk for the schools milk programme. Parliament, which last week halted the controversial deal, also questioned the authenticity of Pan African Foods Ltd. The Finance Committee chaired by Maj. Bright Rwamirama tasked the Minister in Charge of Privatisation, Prof. Peter Kasenene to explain the relationship between Malee and Pan African Foods. Kasenene, who has twice failed to provide an acceptable report to Parliament on the matter, was not available for comment yesterday. The minister is out of the country.Musevenis intervention in the privatisation of Dairy Corporation has come under heavy criticism with several sections of society questioning the Presidents support for Malee. The decision to lease out Dairy Corporation to Malee has been contested vigorously by MPs, who say the handpicking of Malee lacked transparency because a competitive bid process for the privatisation of the corporation was halted midway. The Privatisation Unit had in December last year, pre-qualified four groups of companies - mostly in consortium - to bid for Dairy Corporation. These included Dairybord and Renaissance Merchant Bank, both of Zimbabwe; Spinknit Ltd and Spinknit Dairy, both of Kenya; and a consortium of Brookside Dairy Ltd of Kenya, FI Holding Company of Libya, Clover Holdings Ltd of South Africa and Carnations Ltd of Uganda. The companies were supposed to review Dairy Corporations accounts and assets in August and submit financial bids soon after. Its at this stage that the President called a halt to the process and soon after, Malees Chairman, Mr Chatchai Boonyarat appeared in the country.Sources told The Monitor that when asked for a financial plan, Mr Boonyarat said he had been promised a job by the President. The Monitor reported last week that the Thai companys capability to meet its obligations to the Uganda government is highly doubtful. Malees financials reveal that it is in no position to make a multi-million dollar investment in a new project. © 2005 The Monitor Publications. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo!
[Ugnet] Re: [UNAANET] Mengo woos MPs to accept federo
Ssemakula [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Rev. K. Ah, I see you heard only part of the story. Actually, volunteers -- including at least one MP,attempted to go to some villages but the LDUs or whatever wouldn't have any of it. I'll see if I can find any newspaper articles about it. On a similar matter do you recall how Gen Muntu was prevented from going to a function on some trumped excuse in the last couple of months or so? Nonetheless, you do have a point. we need to take federo to the people. What will be even more effective would be for those who hail outside of Buganda and understand the benefits of federalism to take it to their home areas so that they too join those of us who are demanding federo to demand it for their home ares so they mightbenefit from it too. Inter-ethnic relations in Uganda are such that only a home-boy home-girl has a chance of delivering that message.Joseph Kamugisha [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mw. Semakula: Your points are still clear as they were before during our heated debate on this very issue. However, i believe thatin the case where the volunteers you are talking about, they were actually demonstratingin the streets instead of going to the villages where there are more prone to be recieved and heard than inthe citywhere Police thinks that demonstrating is a public interfearance of normal activities or something to that effect. I think, nga bwe mwa lugera; "Omweyogereze, takusuuza kayanzi ko", that is exactly what the Mengo MP's have now woken up to. Going to the villages and promote what they think is right and missing in the peoples interests. One thing Mengo keeps forgeting is that just because they keep talking about Federo on radios and in News paper's does not mean that the message is sinking in the peoples minds. Indeed, that is one way of doing it. But then again, we keep asking, how many people have radios and how many listen to all the Federo programes? How many people can afford to buy a daily News paper later on afford to visit an internet cafe? I think the Mengo group should wake up and learn from their "good friend", Museveni. The man is now travelling accross the country promoting "Ekisanja", after wooing the Basoga including their Kyabazinga, now he is Mbale, where they recently crowned him as a "chiefelder" and supposedly "won" some UPC stalwarts. What is so difficult with the Katikiro, or for that matter the Kabaka, to spare a week or two from their comfort and go from one county after another, from one district after another spreading the "gospel according to Federo"? Ebyo bye byange. Nate nziramu, "Eburirire, teffa yonna! Kamugisha Ssemakula [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Rev.K.: This effort has been ongoing for quite a few years -- at least in cyberspace. If one goes to www.federo.com or http://successisthekey.tripod.com/one can see brochures that expalin what federo is in various ugandan languages. Further if one clicks on Regional Models and then on Buganda one would see contributions from several people, including yours truly. The problem many advocates complain of is that Uganda's print media does not allow them space in the local papers, perhaps pictures of nude women and stories about bimansulo are of more import! Further, I think you, too, sawhow volunteers who tried to teach federalisma were greeted by riot police and DCs curtailing their rights of speech at every turn. It seems that Uganda's current rules are afraid of federalism in Uganda -- while advocating it for East Africa. Yet wewould very much likeevery part of Uganda to benefit from federalism. The proof of the pudding is in eating, or something like that. So what are we to do? Joseph Kamugisha [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: "...In a four-hour closed meeting attended by over 55 Buganda MPs at Bulange Mengo, they resolved to sensitise Ugandans on a federal system of government" "Emburirire, teffa yonna.." Kamugisha Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UNAANET/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Thats unethical, Katureebe tells Museveni
Thats unethical, Katureebe tells MuseveniSTRANGE BUT TRUE: With Andrew M. Mwenda Mar 2, 2004 We are back to President Yoweri Museveni's ranch in Kisozi, and it is this exciting 31st day of July 2001. President Museveni is seated with his Attorney General Bert Katureebe and his Senior Advisor of Media and Public Relations, John Nagenda. The three men are plotting a response to the stinging revelations by former Greenland Bank Managing Director, Sulaiman Kiggundu that President Museveni colluded in the fraudulent purchase of Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) through his son, Muhoozi Keinerugaba.Kiggundu has also claimed that Museveni once called him by telephone asking for money to help the President's young brother, Maj. Gen. Salim Saleh to buy Uganda Grain Milling Company (UGMC). Poisonous, Kiggundu's words are, clear as daylight, his motive. Katureebe has advised the President to deny Kiggundu's allegations.But in a remarkable show of political skill and cunning, President Museve ni has insisted he cannot tell a bare-naked lie."Mr. President," Nagenda kicks off from where he was interrupted, "I think you should tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. But you should not tell the whole truth " The President looks askance at his veritable senior advisor on media and public relations.After a pose gauging the President's body language, Nagenda continues: "This thing about Muhoozi " the senior advisor says as the President shifts in his chair, "I think you have a responsibility to protect him as a father and also because he is still a young man. You can write a response to Kiggundu's allegations, but not mention Muhoozi. You will not have lied; you will only not have volunteered information.""I think even that is wrong," President Museveni shoots back with an impatient tinge in his voice, "Kiggundu has specifically mentioned Muhoozi. I cannot keep quiet about it. What will Muhoozi think of me as his father and as a leader?"Katur eebe notices a problem at chips in again: "Mr. President it is unethical for a President to call a managing director of a government bank asking him to lend money to a businessman." Museveni has earlier said he once called UCB MD Frank Mwine asking him to give a loan to Nagenda."It is even more unethical for you as President to call a managing director of a private bank to loan money to your brother to buy a public enterprise," Katureebe says with signs of frustration on his face.At this point, Museveni overrules both his AG and media advisor and begins to craft a response to Kiggundu. What does he say in this response that has never been published? And why was it never published? Next week in Strange But True! © 2005 The Monitor Publications. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Fight corruption, win investment Chalker (alimatum?)
Fight corruption, win investment Chalker By Baroness Lynda ChalkerFeb 27 - Mar 5, 2005 Baroness Lynda Chalker, the former UK overseas development minister and a long time friend of Uganda, delivered the third lecture in the Uganda Society-organised Leadership Lecture Series at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday night. She spoke on Uganda's Place in a Globalising World: The Role of Business. Below is a significantly edited version of the speech:- I am delighted to be at "home again" in Uganda. As a businesswoman running a commercial consultancy [Africa Matters Limited], I care deeply about getting more investment into Africa. GAVE ADVICE: Ms Chalker The world is changing, and changing fast. Competition is greater than ever before. Gone are the days of State direction. The days of the 'commanding heights of the economy' are over. The reason for these changes is that State economies do not produce sustainable growth.Today it is recognised that it is the private sector, which is the engine of growth for Africa as well as for all our competitors all across the world. A thriving domestic private sector not only holds out the best hope for in-country investment. It is also the very best way to attract outside foreign investment and it is the ONLY long-term sustainable way to do so. Attracting that foreign investment is becoming a fiercer and fiercer competitive battle. Even as FDI to developing countries rose in 2003, after three years of stagnation, our sub-Saharan African area did not benefit from this upturn. The majority of FDI for Africa has gone to oil gas exploration and to the solid minerals sector. Slowly more is coming to manufacturing, and the Diaspora is re-investing in their own countries. A key reason is that there are other countries in the developing world, including China, which are much better placed to take advantage of increased FDI available than those in Africa have been to date. Those countries make fewer demands on the investor and businessman and allow business to get on with their jobs with the minimum of necessary regulation. Africa as a whole must recognise this fact. It will not reverse or go away. These facts cannot be sidestepped or put off. They have to be faced head on. How Uganda fares Uganda has many positives, which stand it in good stead. It is strategically positioned within economically important and resource rich east and central Africa, the improvement in macro-economic conditions is commendable, the economy is becoming increasingly monetised, and is gradually emphasising manufacturing and services including trade, tourism and transport. Also, Uganda has one of the best education systems in Africa. Importantly, the current Ugandan labour force is plentiful, fairly well educated, English speaking and ready and willing to be trained. But there is a lack of middle management capacity and technical skills, such as the need to improve skills in the Bureau of Standards. These problems are seen as barriers by investors. And can and must be tackled.Overall, therefore, Uganda is well positioned to demonstrate how successful business can boost a country's position in the world. Role of business Business can and must help government ensure that Uganda is a country in which it is attractive to invest and straightforward to make those investments. What does this mean? First, investors look for a fairly standard series of norms when judging where to direct their investment. Uganda needs to ensure that the country at least meets and, where possible, exceeds these norms.Can the private sector assist the public sector in this exercise? Yes, in many ways. The private sector has the managerial capabilities, and the processes and objectives-setting that is too often missing within the public sector, particularly the civil service. Therefore, a system of mentoring, personnel transfers, or partnerships to increase capacity between the private and public sectors could do much to inculcate these processes in the public sector and allow each to understand the motivations and challenges of the other.I am particularly struck by the success in other African countries, where private sector directors have joined the government, that the results have been much more usually successful than not. Egypt is a real case in point.International companies operating today in Uganda can also help in the process of raising and developing the private sector voice in the country. Success inside Uganda will be of little help to the country unless that success is communicated externally. International companies can also help, therefore, in the process of selling Uganda to the international community. But they have to be honest about the product that Uganda is seeking to sell abroad. Business can also do much to encourage the emergence of sound regional groupings. Actions such as these a true partnership between business and Government will do much to enable Uganda to develop, and to retain much
[Ugnet] Mengo woos MPs to accept federo
Mengo woos MPs to accept federo By Robert Mwanje Mar 3, 2005 KAMPALA - Mengo and Buganda Members of Parliament on Tuesday revised strategies to win majority support in Parliament for the federo deal between Mengo and the government. In a four-hour closed meeting attended by over 55 Buganda MPs at Bulange Mengo, they resolved to sensitise Ugandans on a federal system of government. Mengo will hold conferences with MPs from other regions to ensure that Buganda's long desired demands are achieved. A source that attended the meeting said Mengo officials would visit different districts to elicit support for the new federo arrangement and to discuss how it will be implemented. The MPs unanimously agreed to drop their political differences while pushing for the kingdom's interests. "We have agreed to unite on Buganda's interests despite our political differences. We have to see Mengo's stand passed by the Parliament," the chairman of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus and State Minister for Ethics and Intergrity, Mr Tim Lwanga, told journalists at Mengo.Lubaga South MP, Mr Ken Lukyamuzi, said Buganda needed more support from other regions besides having a common voice. "What we have now is not yet a genuine federo, but it can be used as a launching pad to win more interests," he said. The deal between Mengo and the government provides for an elected Lukiiko that will have legislative and executive powers. But Buganda would be given more powers to manage education, roads, health, agriculture and culture.© 2005 The Monitor Publications.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Residents eat rats over disputed sub-counties
Residents eat rats over disputed sub-counties By Augustine Emojong Mar 3, 2005 TORORO - Two residents of Molo sub-county eager to demonstrate the Iteso's desire for a district ate rats in the presence of President Museveni. Mr John Omoding, 75, and Mr Gerald Omset, claimed they were eating the rats to prove that the disputed county belongs to the Iteso and not the Jopadhola. There has been a long-standing dispute over Molo, Busukuru, Mukuju and Merikit sub-counties.The Jopadhola have for long claimed the sub-counties belong to them, saying only Mela and Kwapa belong to the Iteso. To prove that Molo belongs to the Iteso and that people from the sub-county eat rats, the two men went ahead to eat the rodents in full view of the President. The two men also challenged anyone who claims that Molo belongs to them to come up and demonstrate before the President his/her rat-eating prowess. Omoding told the President that in 1947 the Iteso ate rats at Mukuju county headquarters. He said they ate rats in 1947 when they were fighting to get the current Tororo county, which includes Tororo municipality.He said: "We are eating these rats today to fight for a district status." Museveni said a commission of inquiry he set up on Wednesday starts work on Friday and will give him a feedback in three months. He will then go by the commission's recommendation.On Friday Museveni granted a district status for Tororo county, but the Badama opposed this. They said if Tororo county becomes a district, the Japadhola must not take Tororo town. They said the town should go to West Budama. Museveni arrived at 3 pm and addressed the gathering for about 20 minutes. He headed to Busia district afterwards. © 2005 The Monitor Publications. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Re: [UNAANET] Folks: Does this make sense? What does our government want to do to Northerners? JC
Mr. Senkayi, I beg to differ with you. The Baganda have a saying that "Atalina maanyi tagwa ddalu.", meaning that the weak should not go looking for fights or quarrels. The UPDF has failed miserably to quell this uprising and to vanquish Kony. And, they have hadnineteen (19) years to do it, so it is not a question of time. Lots of blood has been spilled on both sides with untold suffering and agony by the local populace, not to mention the opportunity costs occassioned by considerable loss of treasure in non-productive pursuits -- including, but not limited to: junj army trucks, junk choppers with their $800K bribe to none other than the president's brother plus a $6.5M pricetag borne by the pizanti, junk tanks, junk army uniforms, hordes of ghost soldiers, and so on ad infinitum. The same UPDF went looking for a fight while on a looting spreein the DRC as documented by at least documents of UN Security Council. Our tiny neighbour and one time partner in crime,Rwanda,had no troble trouncing and licking it thrice! Knowing when to quit can be an asset. If Jonny repeated the same class for twenty years, you'd be helping him to try other endeavors. In this case johhny seems to be too stupid to accept help when it it is free offered to solve a problem he has no hope of ever surmounting on his own. Ifyou think Johnny has the smarts totry the only viable alternative left, i.e. a negotiated settlement, I have a firesale on a bridge that would wonderful inyour front yard. The utter insensibility and foolhardiness of this impasse has led some to speculate openlythat Kony funded by elements in the NRM govt itself, because it allows them to loot our treasury with impunity -- the defence budget being off-limits to the parliament and is totally devoid of accountability. That Northerners are being used as cannon-fodder by war-profiteers is inexcusable, if not a crime against humanity. Do you who the minister of defense is or the names of the 5 top ranking officers in the UPDF? War Crimes Courts and Tribunals around the world await. Abu Senkayi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jonathan:Think of it this way, if, for some reason, you werenot able to sexually satisfy your wife, would youagree if some other man offered to come help you withtask? I am sure that you would absolutely say "tohell with them". That is the reason why the UgandaGovernment feels that it does not need any offers ofhelp from Kenya and Tanzania to do its job, even ifthey are not doing it very well. Just a thought.Abu--- Jonathan Chadiha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: FYI. Uganda does not need military help from Kenya Tanzania. Why, when they cannot do the job themselves? Jonathan-Uganda rejects military help on LRA By Frank Nyakairu Agencies Mar 2, 2005 KAMPALA - The government has turned down an offer ofmilitary assistance from Tanzania and Kenya to helpend the rebel Lord's Resistance Army insurgency innorthern Uganda.The proposal was made on Monday at a meeting ofofficials from three East African armies in Arusha,Tanzania. Army Commander, Lt. Gen Aronda Nyakairima and StateMinister for Foreign Affairs (Regional Co-operation)Augustine Nshimye represented Uganda."Stability in northern Uganda is near, so there is noneed for external assistance to fight the rebels inthe north," Nshimye told journalists after the meetingon Monday.Nyakairima said the recent Sudanese peace deal, whichhas effectively denied LRA a base in southern Sudan,was a major step towards restoration of peace innorthern Uganda. "I can now assure you that the beginning of the end ofJoseph Kony has come after the recent Sudan peacedeal," Nyakairima told the press at the TanzaniaMilitary Academy (TMA), in Mo nduli, over the weekend.He said there was no need for an EAC force given thatthe rebel force had been reduced from 4,000 to almost500 at present. The Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mr JuliusOnen, said no formal request of intervention had beenmade. President Yoweri Museveni also rejected requestsby the African Union to mediate in the ongoing talksto end the LRA insurgency. The LRA has been fighting government forces since1988, ostensibly to replace President YoweriMuseveni's government with one based on the biblicalTen Commandments.Additional reporting from IPP media website.© 2005 The Monitor Publications.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Where on earth are Emma Katos partners in crime?
Where on earth are Emma Katos partners in crime?EDITOR'S CASE NOTES: Gawaya Tegulle Mar 2, 2004 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon for a moment thought his eyes were failing him."Did we not throw three men in the fire?" he asked his aides. "How come I see four men walking in the fire, and the fourth one looks like the Son of God?"I was reminded of Nebuchadnezzar's dilemma by the recent arrest and incarceration (he's out on bail) of Emma Kato, for inter alia, corruption and generally conspiring to rob his country of its wealth by supplying junk choppers at an exaggerated price.It was nice to see Emma Kato in court - this country must be seen to frown upon corruption. It is not right that we honest earners should work so hard to pay our taxes, then some big shots wake up one morning, throw their weight around and steal our money.Then they build posh houses and drive super cars, bragging that they are rich and we are poor - yet it is our money that they have stolen to unfairly, illegally and immorally enrich themselves.Kato is a nice fellow, from what we hear. But everytime I look at my payslip and realise that much of what I earn is taken by the tax collectors and then stolen in broad daylight by chaps who are well connected, I say to hell with sentiment. Let those who steal public funds face the wrath of the law. In China corruption of the junk chopper kind is sorted out by firing squad, so we have so far been very lenient to offenders here, even pampering them with the way we marvel that someone could have the guts to steal so much. There is one big problem with the Kato saga though: did we not see people other than Kato implicated by Justice Julia Sebutinde in the junk choppers saga?Where then are Kato's accomplices? To be precise, where is Kato's accomplice-in-chief?What explanation - excuse most likely - does the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have for indicting only one man?If Kato was indicted for giving a bribe, then whoever received that bribe should have been indicted even faster.Basic criminal law theory dictates that under normal circumstances you cannot arraign one conspirator and leave the other. And these look like normal circumstances to me.The indictment of one conspirator should logically mean that of the other - and so should the conviction. Natural justice demands that if Katos partners in crime are not going to face the law, then there is no reason why Kato should face it alone. The people are not really interested in Kato, they are more interested in his partners in crime. That will be the confirmation that Government is really serious. If not... © 2005 The Monitor Publications. Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] Re: Salim Saleh is central in corruption scandals- Matembe
Salim Saleh is central in corruption scandals- MatembeCROSSFIRE: By Charles Etukuri Mar 2, 2004 Just when everybody thought that the government would act on the Sebutinde report that implicated Salim Saleh in the Purchase of Junk Helicopters that saw the country loose bilions of Shillings the DPP preffered to drop chages. Where does this take us in the fight against corruption?The Monitors CHARLES ETUKURI talks to Minister of State for Constituional Affairs Hon Adolf Mwesige and outspoken Mbarara municipality and former Ethics and Intergrity Minister Miria Matembe. Would you consider the Government to be serious in its fight against corruption?Mwesige: I would absolutely say yes. Government is committed in its fight against corruption. The institution of the Inspector General of Government is being strengthened in terms of resources and legal structure. It has been maintained in the constitution and sometimes last year we had some setbacks in far as enforcing sections of the leadership code because of the court ruling we have rectified that lacuna in the Act by amending the constitution itself.We have established the leadership court tribunal charged with the responsibility of assessing the reports of the IGG and enforcing his recommendations as far as public servants and leaders who violate the Act are concerned. We are also going to establish special court for corruption and that I think makes us serious. Matembe: I have always said that Government has never been serious in its fight against corruption. The will to fight corruption ended long time ago and if anybody wanted to steal as much money as he wanted the then the time is right now. Because what is central is the politics of third term. The government is so compromised and blackmailed that it's not prepared to touch somebody who is corrupt as long as they are singing the song of third term for President Museveni. SALEH IS THE BIG FISH TO GO FOR NOT KATO: Miria Matembe AS YOU SEE WE ARE VERY SERIOUS: Adolf Mwesige This started way back when the Government shot itself in the foot and ridiculed the office of the IGG through Kakooza Mutale reinstatement. If the IGG took a decision within the Leadership code and then the President swears an affidavit in favour of Kakooza Mutale and what is really a shaming is that Kakooza Mutale who violated the leadership code and who was supposed to be terminated but has now with the support of the President who swore an affidavit been reinstated in office and is now running the Matembe institute training violent guards for election violence that is now the one entrusted with fighting corruption by attaching his violent guards in public offices to fight corruption. Which corruption can a corrupt person fight?Kakooza is now going to begin witchhunting those that are opposed to the third term but not fight corruption. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) recently withdrew charges against Salim Saleh for his role in the junk helicopter scandal yet Sebutinde Commission of inquiry had recommended that he be prosecuted. Just where does this take us? Mwesige: The DPP is the final person on matters to do with criminal prosecution. And as you know even though he falls under the ministry of Justice nobody directs him in the performance of his function. He is in an independent institution and he did investigate and found out that Salim Saleh didn't have role in the procurement of the Junk helicopters. I have read his report and found its correct. He didn't find any evidence linking Salim Saleh to the Junk helicopter deal and dropped charges against him. That closes the matter. Matembe: Over Shs11 billion of Uganda money was lost because of Saleh's centrality in the purchase of the Junk helicopters and to leave him out of the matter and instead prosecute Kato is to sacrifice a small person for the big one. Government is using Katos arrest as a gimmick to cover the tracks of the bigger individuals who were implicated in the purchase of the Junk helicopters.There is no way Saleh can come out clean on the issue of the Junk helicopters since the whole transaction hinges on him. Its not the first time we are seeing him feature prominently on issues of corruption, his name was a household name in the failed sale of Uganda commercial Bank, he also featured in the Congo Plunder allegations. Emma Katto, the man who gave Saleh a commission of $800,000 is being prosecuted, yet legally one who gives and one who receives the bribe are all guilty. Why shouldnt he be prosecuted as an accomplice ? Mwesige: Saleh is not an accomplice if he was an accomplice he wouldn't have confessed. When someone has been offered a bribe and instead of keeping quite he informs the public and the appointing authority that doesn't make him an accomplice. He would have become an accomplice if he had solicited for the bribe. He didn't solicit for it but it was offered to him. There is no way you can call him an accomplice because he
Re: [Ugnet] Residents eat rats over disputed sub-counties
Could someone book those rat-eating fellows on Survivor or one of those reality shows where their chowing prowess could earn them real money? musamize wrote: *Residents eat rats over disputed sub-counties */By Augustine Emojong / ///Mar 3, 2005/ *TORORO -* Two residents of Molo sub-county eager to demonstrate the Iteso's desire for a district ate rats in the presence of President Museveni. Mr John Omoding, 75, and Mr Gerald Omset, claimed they were eating the rats to prove that the disputed county belongs to the Iteso and not the Jopadhola. There has been a long-standing dispute over Molo, Busukuru, Mukuju and Merikit sub-counties. The Jopadhola have for long claimed the sub-counties belong to them, saying only Mela and Kwapa belong to the Iteso. To prove that Molo belongs to the Iteso and that people from the sub-county eat rats, the two men went ahead to eat the rodents in full view of the President. The two men also challenged anyone who claims that Molo belongs to them to come up and demonstrate before the President his/her rat-eating prowess. Omoding told the President that in 1947 the Iteso ate rats at Mukuju county headquarters. He said they ate rats in 1947 when they were fighting to get the current Tororo county, which includes Tororo municipality. He said: We are eating these rats today to fight for a district status. Museveni said a commission of inquiry he set up on Wednesday starts work on Friday and will give him a feedback in three months. He will then go by the commission's recommendation. On Friday Museveni granted a district status for Tororo county, but the Badama opposed this. They said if Tororo county becomes a district, the Japadhola must not take Tororo town. They said the town should go to West Budama. Museveni arrived at 3 pm and addressed the gathering for about 20 minutes. He headed to Busia district afterwards. *© 2005 The Monitor Publications.* Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/ ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
[Ugnet] All About Female Ejaculation
/All About Female Ejaculation/ It Always Rains in California By Dr. SUSAN BLOCK (www.counterpunch.org) Female Ejaculation and the G-Spot http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/089793380X/counterpunchmaga Deborah Sundahl Hunter House Press (2003) If G-Spot Female Ejaculation is one of the Great Sexual Wonders of the World, then Deborah Sundahl is Wonder Woman. In her book, Female Ejaculation and the G-Spot, she invites all women and their lovers to enjoy this once esoteric phenomenon that is just now flooding the world with pleasure. /Ladies: Uncork your champagne! Gentlemen: Get ready to get wet!/ Called by a variety of names, from the poetic to the worshipful to the silly to the crass, Female Ejaculation is variously called the Nectar of Aphrodite, the Fountain of Venus and the Champagne of Sex. I call it the Geyser of Love, a sparkly spritz of pussy perfume, a waterfall of womanhood, a broken fire hydrant, a vaginal hurricane, a rainforest treat, a baptismal sexual revelation. Yes indeed, it's Holy Water, Brothers and Sisters, and it's good for the soul, not to mention the skin. Squirting! Spurting! Spraying! Splashing. Gushing Female Ejaculation is carnal proof that a woman's ability to hit her lover right between the eyes with her orgasmic juice is equal to that of a man. Often, female ejaculation is even more profuse and forceful than the male variety. Thus, its importance is not only erotic, but political, as it is tangible--not to mention tasty--evidence of female sexual power. Yes, indeed, Sisters: One political message of female ejaculation is: lay down your arms, pull off your panties and shoot the gun between your legs! And while you're at it, you could try getting your man to lay down his arms by baptizing him in the healing holy waters of your liquid love. Hey, couldn't hurt to try. That means you, Sister Laura Dubya B. On second thought, you could just piss on George. Speaking of urine, of course, that's what the naysayers say this is. Over the years, the subject of G-spot female ejaculation has stimulated a thunderstorm of debate among sex researchers, doctors, sex educators and porn stars. Detractors insist that there is no G-Spot, that women who squirt are just peeing while they're coming, and all this hoopla over G-spot female ejaculation is nothing but a glorified golden shower. But those of us who have experienced the power and glory of G-spot female ejaculation-giving or receiving--know that it exists. This is not a matter of faith, Brothers and Sisters, this is the science of sex. We're still waiting for a detailed chemical analysis by a chemical lab (and I hereby offer my studio as a place for any reputable chemist to gather specimens). But in the meantime, we're not holding back the floodgates. Those of us who believe in squirting believe it because we can see it, we can smell it (and it doesn't smell like pee!), we can taste it, and we can feel it. And it feels good. Yes, it does. And this *feel-good* aspect is perhaps another reason that the naysayers have held sway over the years. Female ejaculation is a pure recreational pleasure that has no direct role in procreation, except that women who squirt may, over the millennia, have procreated more, simply because we tend to enjoy sex more. Throughout history, prominent scientists and philosophers have reported experiencing the forceful release of fluids from the vagina during sex. We can begin with the Western world's most famous ancient scientist, Aristotle, who wrote about the phenomenon of women's vaginal expulsions during sex, maintaining that they did not have the appearance or aroma of urine, nor did they stain the lady's toga. The first modern description of female ejaculation came from a 17th century physician from the Netherlands (just going to show that the Dutch have been open-minded about sex for a long time). Dr. Regnier DeGraaf wrote about the urethra being pierced by large ducts through which fluids are discharged, occasionally in large quantities. Sounds like Mrs. DeGraaf must have been soaking the sheets. In 1950, a German obstetrician, Dr. Ernest Grafenberg, found a spot within the vagina which he soon named after himself: the G-spot. He discovered that stimulation of the G-spot could lead to expulsion of fluid from the urethra. Large quantities of a clear, transparent fluid expelled not from the vulva, but out of the urethra in gushes. Sounds like Mrs. G was a gusher And if it wasn't Mrs. G--well, I won't go there. Now we have another important pioneer upon the slippery path of G-spot female ejaculation: Deborah Sundahl, whose discovery of her own ejaculate in a puddle on the floor led her on a wild, soaking wet journey into the center of an orgasmic storm. Deborah is the master, not just of the physical side (though she's quite a long distance squirter herself), but of understanding and explaining how G-spot female ejaculation
Re: [Ugnet] Updates
Countrymen and women, Now I bring you Dr. Valentine Ojo on: Culture, Identity and the Self: Africanism in the Americas. Interesting scholarly work. Go to free articles at www.agrvmagazine.com Ociiocii [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Please check Dr. Onyeani on "Black Race in the 21st Century" @ www.agrvmagazine.com under free articles. Ocii Orukocii [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: TO ALL UGANDANS: This is to inform you that ACHOLI GRV MEDIA, an Online magazine publication welcome your views andarticles for publication on our website. There are sure problems facing Uganda, but I see it diminishing rapidly. If the government can keep its nose out of subjecting people to brutality, and embark on peoples' economic and political empowerment, I don't see why we should go back toour failed history. Therefore, theissue of privatization must be of great concern to us all, given the status of our people, and the movement government under President Museveni should re-think their position on that. We as a people and a countrycan and shouldonly move forward. If you have anything to be published in ACHOLI MEDIA, does not necessarly mean issue concering Acholi or Northern Uganda,feel free to email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] We definitely will have it published. Okello Ocii Oruk publisher Acholi Media [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.agrvmagazine.com Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals___Ugandanet mailing listUgandanet@kym.nethttp://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet% UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___Ugandanet mailing listUgandanet@kym.nethttp://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet% UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web ___ Ugandanet mailing list Ugandanet@kym.net http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
Re: [Ugnet] Fight corruption, win investment - Chalker (alimatum?)
Great Lakes What a pike a crap. Does Linda Chalker know the number of people that have lost their lives thanks to her support of Museveni and Kagame's government? And those on Mwananchi forum, read this idiot's words and see how very similar they are with Pat Anderson's? These people seem to read on the same manuscript. Be ware and understand what she means when she says "I love Africa" Just how does she love Uganda when in her entire flippin speech she did not mentionthe word Northern Uganda, a whole region with millions in camps for twenty years? Where is Iddi Amin when you need him the most? for this kind of crap would not have passed. Em Toronto The Mulindwas Communication Group"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" Groupe de communication Mulindwas "avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie" - Original Message - From: musamize To: ugandanet@kym.net Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 10:52 PM Subject: [Ugnet] Fight corruption, win investment Chalker (alimatum?) Fight corruption, win investment Chalker By Baroness Lynda ChalkerFeb 27 - Mar 5, 2005 Baroness Lynda Chalker, the former UK overseas development minister and a long time friend of Uganda, delivered the third lecture in the Uganda Society-organised Leadership Lecture Series at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday night. She spoke on Uganda's Place in a Globalising World: The Role of Business. Below is a significantly edited version of the speech:- I am delighted to be at "home again" in Uganda. As a businesswoman running a commercial consultancy [Africa Matters Limited], I care deeply about getting more investment into Africa. GAVE ADVICE: Ms Chalker The world is changing, and changing fast. Competition is greater than ever before. Gone are the days of State direction. The days of the 'commanding heights of the economy' are over. The reason for these changes is that State economies do not produce sustainable growth.Today it is recognised that it is the private sector, which is the engine of growth for Africa as well as for all our competitors all across the world. A thriving domestic private sector not only holds out the best hope for in-country investment. It is also the very best way to attract outside foreign investment and it is the ONLY long-term sustainable way to do so. Attracting that foreign investment is becoming a fiercer and fiercer competitive battle. Even as FDI to developing countries rose in 2003, after three years of stagnation, our sub-Saharan African area did not benefit from this upturn. The majority of FDI for Africa has gone to oil gas exploration and to the solid minerals sector. Slowly more is coming to manufacturing, and the Diaspora is re-investing in their own countries. A key reason is that there are other countries in the developing world, including China, which are much better placed to take advantage of increased FDI available than those in Africa have been to date. Those countries make fewer demands on the investor and businessman and allow business to get on with their jobs with the minimum of necessary regulation. Africa as a whole must recognise this fact. It will not reverse or go away. These facts cannot be sidestepped or put off. They have to be faced head on. How Uganda fares Uganda has many positives, which stand it in good stead. It is strategically positioned within economically important and resource rich east and central Africa, the improvement in macro-economic conditions is commendable, the economy is becoming increasingly monetised, and is gradually emphasising manufacturing and services including trade, tourism and transport. Also, Uganda has one of the best education systems in Africa. Importantly, the current Ugandan labour force is plentiful, fairly well educated, English speaking and ready and willing to be trained. But there is a lack of middle management capacity and technical skills, such as the need to improve skills in the Bureau of Standards. These problems are seen as barriers by investors. And can and must be tackled.Overall, therefore, Uganda is well positioned to demonstrate how successful business can boost a country's position in the
