Living in Uganda

Uganda golden jubilee celebrations

2012-10-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

As Uganda was celebrating 50 years of independence at the Kololo grounds, several heads of state from over 15 countries were in attendance. These included Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Salva Kiir from South Sudan, Pierre Nkuruziza from Burundi and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe among others.

Other dignitaries included the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward who represented the Queen of England, His Royal Highness the Aga Khan. The President of Uganda who was also the host arrived a few minutes past eleven in his black Mercedes Benz Limousine. However the absence of most of the country's opposition politicians could not go unnoticed.

There was lots of entertainment from various artistes like Pastor Wilson Bugembe, Juliana Kanyomozi, Jackie Chandiru. The Golden Jubilee anthem Yoga Yoga Uganda was played live. Afterwards, President Museveni took to the podium to give his Golden Jubilee keynote address.

The celebrations went on smoothly though rain disrupted the event. However, the rain was symbolically taken as a blessing for the next 50 years to come. "The President told his guests that we cannot obstruct God's plans." Helicopters and Fighter jets were flying over the Kololo Independence grounds entertaining thousands of guests that turned up for the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Like all other events, there is always a funny bit to it. The Ghetto President, Bobi Wine, also known as the Omubanda Wa Kabaka caused a fracas. He walked in with a swagg as usual trying to make his way to the Presidential pavilion. He was being followed by some his Fire Base Crew members.

Security moved in swiftly to end a situation some plain clothes operatives were terming as abnormal. Bobi Wine assured them of how he was paid to come and attend unlike other Presidents who were given cards.

Be aware of this URA job fraud

2012-09-17T07:29:00.002-07:00

Some people have decided to take advantage of job seekers to defraud them. Graduates seeking employment are so desperate that they have become prey to fraudsters. They do this by availing them dubious in lucrative firms like URA. However, they end up asking them to deposit money on personal accounts which may be hard to raise hairs of desperate job seekers. Below is how a friend of mine fell victim.

It began with a face book inbox from one of his many friends who calls himself Ruth Kayle Nyaiti (Hilary Semaana Rugema). Following are the opportunities promised

UGANDA REVENUE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Eligibility

URA does not marginalize some people basing on physical, racial, national backgrounds.
All competent candidates are entitled to all job opportunities.

JOB STATION: Kampala

Job title: procurement assistant (6 posts) S/N:URA/0900

Duties

Under close guidance, coaching and mentoring of Procurement Officer,

Works and Services, the Procurement Assistant, Works and Services

shall be responsible for carrying out of procurement activities in

accordance with the Rules and Regulations and any special requirements of Development Partners.

Reports to the Procurement Manager.

Key duties &responsibilities

1.To carry out Procurement and Disposal Planning based on requests

from User Departments and consistent with PPDA

2. To propose appropriate procurement methods as provided for in the

PPDA Act and Regulations for final review by the Procurement

Manager, Works and Services and Director of Procurement before submission to the Contracts committee;

3. To prepare notice of invitation for Tender/Bids for advertisement and

follow up its placement on appropriate media;

4. To prepares Solicitation Documents for each procurement requirement;

5. To provide Bid clarification/ addenda during tendering/bidding period;

6. To organize Tender/ Bid closing and opening, pre-bid meetings and site

Qualifications

Applicants must have a minimum qualification of a diploma in procurement and supply chain management.
Possession of membership in chartered institutes for professional procurement practitioners is an added advantage.

Accountant Assistant (10 posts) S/N:URA/0901

Accountant Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

He or she will be responsible for maintaining the balance sheets of the company..

He or she shall prepare and manage budgets and maintain them..

He or she shall assist the senior accountants and help them..

He or she will be responsible for entry of investment data and as well as in entry on gains and loss.

He or she shall to do all the basic works of an accountant such as reconciliation of balance sheets accounts, petty cash payments, payroll related payables, loan and notes receivables and deferring of income accounts.

He or she shall do the compilation entry, and posting monthly adjusting journal entries.

He or she should have to prepare profit and loss accounts.

He or she will assist senior accountants in preparing audit schedules and working for the auditing also so closely with the auditors to ensure that auditing is completed in time.

He or she will have to assist with closing the books and in producing monthly accounts showing profit and loss statements.

Accountants Assistant Skills and Requirements

He or she should have the skills of good writing and spoken communication.

He or she should be very good in scheduling and monitoring skills.

He or she should be initiative and innovative with the work.

He or she should be very good at problem analysis and problem solving.

He or she should have the ability to work in a team and relating well with other staff members.

Junior Accountant Education and Qualifications

The candidate should have at least a diploma but a bachelor’s degree in Accounting shall be an added advantage.

The candidate should be very proficient in use of accounting software like workbooks, Microsoft Excel.

As it is the job of an accountant knowledge and proficiency of finance and accounting principles is very necessary.

Job Title: Human Resources Manager (9 posts) S/N:URA/0902

Human Resources Manager Job Duties:

Maintains the work structure by updating job requirements and job descriptions for all positions.

Maintains organization staff by establishing a recruiting, testing, and interviewing program; counseling managers on candidate selection; conducting and analyzing exit interviews; recommending changes.

Prepares employees for assignments by establishing and conducting orientation and training programs.

Maintains a pay plan by conducting periodic pay surveys; scheduling and conducting job evaluations; preparing pay budgets; monitoring and scheduling individual pay actions; recommending, planning, and implementing pay structure revisions.

Ensures planning, monitoring, and appraisal of employee work results by training managers to coach and discipline employees; scheduling management conferences with employees; hearing and resolving employee grievances; counseling employees and supervisors.

Maintains employee benefits programs and informs employees of benefits by studying and assessing benefit needs and trends; recommending benefit programs to management; directing the processing of benefit claims; obtaining and evaluating benefit contract bids; awarding benefit contracts; designing and conducting educational programs on benefit programs.

Ensures legal compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable human resource federal and state requirements; conducting investigations; maintaining records; representing the organization at hearings.

Skills/Qualifications:

Must possess a bachelors degree in human resource management

Must have knowledge about:

Hiring, Human Resources Management, Benefits Administration, Performance Management, Communication Processes, Compensation and Wage Structure, Supports Diversity, Classifying Employees, Employment Law, Laws Against Sexual Harassment, Organization

Job title: I. T specialist (15posts) S/N:URA/0903

Duties

Network management, software development and database administration.
IT specialists will also provide technical support to employees and train non-technical workers on the entities information systems.
Advanced information technology specialists will design systems and assess the effectiveness of technology resources already in use or new systems that are being implemented.
Additionally, they will determine the practicality of changes and modification of systems.
Skills and qualifications
Typically, analysts shall qualify for entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree in in Information Technology, candidates holding a bachelors degree in computer science accompanied with professional skills in CISCO are on an added advantage .

Salaries and Benefits:

Appointments will be made on very attractive, negotiable monthly salary packages plus

a range of benefits.

How to apply

Download an application form by logging onto www.ura.go.ug, and go to 'Notifications' for quick view , fill in the provisions given and send it back to email below :
humanresourceura1@gmail.com

Send your Curriculum vitae accompanied by:

A capability statement detailing the applicant’s general qualifications.

Detailed curriculum vitae duly signed by the applicant on each and every
page.

Note: URA uses no agents to hire its personnel.

Three referees, Postal addresses and day telephone contacts of applicant should be strictly sent on-line, via this email: humanresourceura1@gmail.com addressed to:

Uganda Revenue Secretariat
P.O. Box 7279, Kampala (U)
Email: humanresourceura1@gmail.com
To reach the secretariat registry not later than Friday 7th September 2012 at 17.00 hours

For GENERAL INQUIRIES please email us at: humanresourceura1@gmail.com Or call on Tel :0414258882. Mobile : 0703686142

Note: shortlisted candidates shall undergo a professional course training of East African customs clearing and Forwarding which will be accompanied with awarding of certificates of completion by Freight and Excise Department (FRED) before other recruitment stages are administered !

After doing all the application steps he received the email below

Dear,

Thank you for your recent application for employment with Uganda Revenue Authority, Kampala duty station.

And we bring to your attention that your resume was one of that kind and surely it impressed the personnel evaluation panel.

An interview is scheduled for you on Monday 17th/09/2012 at 10:00am in our board room, this will be accompanied with a two days East African Freight Forwarders Practicing Certificate course (EAFFPC) training that has been scheduled for you on 21st Friday-22nd Saturday September 2012 at 9:00 am – 12:00pm whose accomplishment will be accompanied by an award of EAFFPC certificate of merit that is the basic requirement in this career. Your interview code is: URA/908/043

Attached on here is an EAFFPC job training form that an applicant is required to fill in only section (A) ,B and C are to be filled by ‘URA’

Download and print this attached form, fill in the provisions and return it to our offices as you come for interviews.

Note: URA does not solicit for any monies in the course of any recruitment for the job.

However, the management has approved that applicants shall be required to pay thirty thousand shillings (30,000/=) through CRANE Bank A/c Number: 0140074020300 A/c Name: VERNASIUS NUWAGABA (Senior Training /personnel development officer) only for the training.
Endeavor to come with the original of the required documents (i.e. academic credentials, EAFFPC application form and attached with the bank pay in slip)
Obtain a valid receipt from Accounts office for your payment verification on Monday 17th/09/2012 and proceed to the board room for interviews.

For more information contact directly our offices in Nakawa, Kampala (U) during working hours Monday-Friday
Or Call the office line: 0414258882
Yours;
Vincent Turyamureeba
Assistant, HRM
Good Luck!

He paid in money to the given account but to his dismay, when he reached URA offices at Nakawa they had no idea about all that. So all job seekers watchout.

Sports betting becoming more than a pass-time

2012-09-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

The sports betting craze has taken a lot of Ugandan youth by storm. Betting was not so common about 10 years ago in the country. Only gambling spots like Kampala Casino existed for the rich to pass time. Of recent there has been a wave of sports betting companies opening up in the country. A lot of young people have taken on sports betting with a lot of enthusiasm. It has become more like a source of employment as a visit to any sports betting center will reveal.

Sports betting in Uganda started with only one company SBA,but currently there are more than 10 other betting companies. For example Gemex, Gaming, Gal's Sports Betting, Bingo, Kings Sports Betting, Victory and Royal Sports Betting. The profitability in this business has put pressure on the competing companies themselves to become more innovative. Now one can even bet using his mobile phone, free internet access to on-line betting guides and putting up large TV screens for their customers to follow their favorite matches live.

The popularity of sports betting can be attributed to the state's legalization of gambling. Uganda is the second nation in Africa to legalize betting activities. More so there is a high market potential especially in suburban areas of the country. High unemployment rates also answer for the high cases of sports betting. The betting stakes are as low as 200 Shs that every one can afford to participate

The prospect of staking about 1000 shs and winning more than 400000 shs rings high in any of the betters' mind. Many youths spend entire days or their lives at betting spots and it has become their source of livelihood. Losing today does not mean that he will not win the next day. Ironically this has worked in favour of the betting bosses who bag millions in a single day. Betting centers used to open by 8 in the morning and could close by midnight. However, concern was raised in the parliament about the growing trend of youth towards sports betting instead of more gain-full employment. The last reading of the budget for next financial year saw a 20% levy on betting companies. And the working hours were reduced, now betting centers have to begin operating at mid-day.

Technology has helped improve the betting environment with the introduction of on-line betting platforms. Further, there are internet based betting guides on which people can base to stake their money. Soccer matches are the most preferred but virtual games like horse racing are also taking shape.

Bloody smart phones

2012-09-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

The world's most neglected emergency, according to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, is the ongoing tragedy of the Congo, where six to seven million have died since 1996 as a consequence of invasions and wars sponsored by western powers trying to gain control of the region's mineral wealth. At stake is control of natural resources that are sought by U.S. corporations-diamonds, tin, copper, gold, and more significantly, coltan and niobium, two minerals necessary for production of cell phones and other high-tech electronics; and cobalt, an element essential to nuclear, chemical, aerospace, and defense industries. To confirm this was the massacre of striking miners in South Africa for better pay.

Columbo-tantalite, i.e. coltan, is found in three-billion-year-old soils like those in the Rift Valley region of Africa. The tantalum extracted from the coltan ore is used to make tantalum capacitors, tiny components that are essential in managing the flow of current in electronic devices. Eighty percent of the world's coltan reserves are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Niobium is another high-tech mineral with a similar story.

Sprocket reports that the high-tech boom of the 1990s caused the price of coltan to skyrocket to nearly $300 per pound. In 1996 U.S.-sponsored Rwandan and Ugandan forces entered eastern DRC. By 1998 they seized control and moved into strategic mining areas. The Rwandan Army was soon making $20 million or more a month from coltan mining. Though the price of coltan has fallen, Rwanda maintains its monopoly on coltan and the coltan trade in DRC. Reports of rampant human rights abuses pour out of this mining region. Coltan makes its way out of the mines to trading posts where foreign traders buy the mineral and ship it abroad, mostly through Rwanda. Firms with the capability turn coltan into the coveted tantalum powder, and then sell the magic powder to Nokia, Motorola, Compaq, Sony, and other manufacturers for use in cell phones and other products. Keith Harmon Snow emphasizes that any analysis of the geopolitics in the Congo, and the reasons for why the Congolese people have suffered a virtually unending war since 1996, requires an understanding of the organized crime perpetrated through multinational businesses. The tragedy of the Congo conflict has been instituted by invested corporations, their proxy armies, and the supra-governmental bodies that support them.

The process is tied to major multinational corporations at all levels. These include U.S.-based Cabot Corp. and OM Group; HC Starck of Germany; and Nigncxia of China-corporations that have been linked by a United Nations Panel of Experts to the atrocities in DRC. Extortion, rape, massacres, and bribery are all part of the criminal networks set up and maintained by huge multinational companies. Yet as mining in the Congo by western companies proceeds at an unprecedented rate-some $6 million in raw cobalt alone exiting DRC daily-multinational mining companies rarely get mentioned in human rights reports. Sprocket notes that Sam Bodman, CEO of Cabot during the coltan boom, was appointed in December 2004 to serve as President Bush's Secretary of Energy. Under Bodman's leadership from 1987 to 2000, Cabot was one of the U.S.'s largest polluters, accounting for 60,000 tons of airborne toxic emissions annually. Snow adds that Sony's current Executive Vice President and General Counsel Nicole Seligman was a former legal adviser for Bill Clinton. Many who held positions of power in the Clinton administration moved into high positions with Sony. The article "Behind the Numbers," coauthored by Snow and David Barouski, details a web of U.S. corruption and conflicts of interest between mining corporations such as Barrick Gold (see Story #21) and the U.S. government under George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, as well as U.S. arms dealers such as Simax; U.S. defense companies such as Lockheed Martin, Halliburton, Northrop Grumman, GE, Boeing, Raytheon, and Bechtel; "humanitarian" organizations such as CARE, funded by Lockheed Martin, and International Rescue Committee, whose Board of Overseers includes Henry Kissinger; "Conservation" interests that provide the vanguard for western penetration into Central Africa; and of course, PR firms and news outlets such as the New York Times.

Sprocket closes his article by noting that it's not surprising this information isn't included in the literature and manuals that come with your cell phones, pagers, computers, or diamond jewelry. Perhaps, he suggests, mobile phones should be outfitted with stickers that read: "Warning! This device was created with raw materials from central Africa. These materials are rare, nonrenewable, were sold to fund a bloody war of occupation, and have caused the virtual elimination of endangered species. Have a nice day." People need to realize, he says, that there is a direct link between the gadgets that make our lives more convenient and sophisticated-and the reality of the violence, turmoil, and destruction that plague our world. Update by Sprocket There are large fortunes to be made in the manufacturing of high-tech electronics and in selling convenience and entertainment to American consumers, but at what cost? Conflicts in Africa are often shrouded with misinformation, while U.S. and other western interests are routinely downplayed or omitted by the corporate media. The June 5, 2006, cover story of Time, entitled "Congo: The Hidden Toll of the World's Deadliest War," was no exception. Although the article briefly mentioned coltan and its use in cell phones and other electronic devices, no mention was made of the pivotal role this and other raw materials found in the region play in the conflict. The story painted the ongoing war as a pitiable and horrible tragedy, avoiding the corporations and foreign governments that have created the framework for the violence and those which have strong financial and political interests in the conflict's outcome.

In an article written by Johann Hari and published by The Hamilton Spectator on May 13, 2006, the corporate media took a step toward addressing the true reason for the tremendous body count that continues to pile up in the Democratic Republic of Congo: "The only change over the decades has been the resources snatched for Western consumption-rubber under the Belgians, diamonds under Mobutu, coltan and casterite today." Most disturbing is that in the corporate media, the effect of this conflict on nonhuman life is totally overlooked. Even with a high-profile endangered species like the Eastern lowland gorilla hanging in the balance, almost driven to extinction through poaching and habitat loss by displaced villagers and warring factions, the environmental angle of the story is rarely considered.

The next step in understanding the exploitation and violence wrought upon the inhabitants of central Africa, fueled by the hunger for high-tech toys in the U.S., is to expose corporations like Sony and Motorola. These corporations don't want protest movements tarnishing their reputations. Nor do they want to call attention to all of the gorillas coltan kills, and the guerrillas it feeds.

It is time for our culture to start seeing more value in living beings, whether gorillas or humans, than in our disposable high-tech gadgets such as cell phones. It is time to steal back a more compassionate existence from the corporate plutocracy that creates destructive markets and from the media system that has manufactured our consent. It is not just a question of giving up cell phones (though that would be a great start). We must question the appropriation of our planet in the form of a resource to be consumed, rather than as a home and community to be lived in.

Thumbs up to Uganda Police

2012-08-21T00:28:00.000-07:00

I have always had a different notion about the way the police operates in Uganda not until yesterday. To many people, the police in this country is associated with all forms of violent behavior from tear gas and pepper spraying opposition leaders during the infamous 'Walk To Work' protests last year to high corruption. But yesterday my earlier notion about the conduct of our police officers was proved wrong.

It all began last week on Saturday when i decided to take my laptop to Kampala to have its hinge repaired. My final destination was Kampala Road as that is where most computer technicians are located. I made up my mind to have it repaired at E.M PLAZA. Before i entered the plaza i met a marketing guy handing out flyers to passersby. He stealthy noticed i was carrying a laptop and inquired whether i saw selling it or for repair. I replied that i needed it repaired to which he offered to take me to the shop he was marketing. He took me to O.J Investments in room 109 in the basement floor

I met Jimmy, the chief technician and we negotiated the costs involved to which he asked me to deposit at least three quarters of the total cost. I obliged and keenly told him that i wanted my laptop as soon as possible since i use it very often for my work. He assured me that it would be ready if i only give him three hours to finish the job. I left his shop by 11 am and told him i would be back by 2pm for my laptop. I went to see my friend at Equatorial shopping mall and by 2pm i was back at Jimmy's for my machine. I was told that he had given it to some guy in Kiseka market to repair the hinge and he was done, that he was on the way bringing my laptop back.

I waited up to 4 pm but Jimmy kept on telling me how my laptop was on the way. I began smelling a rat since Kiseka market is just a 10 minutes ride on a Boda-boda to Kampala road. Also Jimmy's behavior was not helping much, he had not even a speck of customer care in him. He kept me waiting at his shop for three hours without even offering a seat to me. He just went on minding his business without any care in the World that i too had other things to do. When i clocked 5pm i told him to tell me when my laptop would be ready and he told me to come back the next day which was a Sunday and most of all Eid day. I never bothered to go to his place on a public holiday until yesterday Monday which was a working day.

Guess what happened..........same story your laptop is on the way, time check 10 am. I lounged around his shop up-to midday but my laptop was no show, still same story 'Guy is coming". Talking to Jimmy was not helping much as he kept on telling me how he hates being pressurised and worst of all bragging to his mates how he is a 'Bad Man'. I lost my cool and decided to take things to another level. I thought of all the police men lounging around at City Square. I could get two or three to come and teach this Jimmy guy a lesson. I hit the road to City Square but on the way i made up my mind to try the Central Police Station (CPS) located nearby.

At CPS, i spotted two mean looking officers brandishing AK47 rifles, i thought 'yeah' these could do the job. I approached them and told them my situation to which they asked me whether i had a reference letter. I was told that i needed that letter in order to have some one arrested and i could only get it after recording my case inside the station. My first reaction was to ask how much i would be made to pay in order to report my case, amazingly these officers assured me i had to pay nothing. I had heard stories that you have to first pay in order to record your complaint with the police!. Also i hoped to find some meaning looking officers offer them some money to gO and teach my tormentor a lesson he would never forget, i did not think i would be made to follow criteria.

I had no choice but to venture into the much feared station where all my fears were dissolved. I met a lady who directed me to Room 7 from where i could get help, here i found two officer a lady and a gentleman. The lady officer advised to try and get the guy's telephone contact, there is a system at the station which gives room for negotiation between the aggrieved parties. The officer called Jimmy and talked with him for more than five minutes about my complaint. In the end the guy told me to go pick my laptop at his shop. A simple as that my case had been solved in an amicable way and i was not even asked for money for the airtime!. The lady assured me that if i go to Jimmy's and my laptop is not there, she was ready to go with me and other officers to have him arrested.

The magic worked, Jimmy hired a bike and i went with him to where he had put my machine and he refunded my money as the laptop had not been worked on. Though i did not get my laptop repaired, the incident made me realize the gentle side of police in solving conflicts. I say again thumbs up Uganda Police especially the officer in Room 7 at CPS.

Wake up call

2012-08-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

THEY ARE STILL OUR SLAVES. We can continue to reap profits from the Blacks without the effort of physical slavery Look at the current methods of containment that they use on themselves: IGNORANCE, GREED, and SELFISHNESS.

Their IGNORANCE is the primary weapon of containment (we think we know a lot yet we are ignorant of how the white man consistently gets rich). A great man once said, 'The best way to hide something from Black people is to put it in a book.' (This is an insult because we get education but we cram to pass but not to apply the knowledge to day-to-day life). We now live in the Information Age (the dot-com era/Facebook).

They have gained the opportunity to read any book on any subject through the efforts of their fight for freedom, yet they refuse to read (we think reading is for only the educated. This is a poisonous thought that will still keep us an undeveloped country for decades to come. It doesn’t matter how far u went to school or did not go at all, the way to success is through the books and these books are written by already successful people who want those who have big dreams like theirs to achieve them). There are numerous books readily available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com (theses are websites with the most bestselling books in the world written by successful investors to help people get successful like them) not to mention their own Black Bookstores that provide solid blueprints to reach economic equality (which should have been their fight all along), but few read consistently, if at all.

GREED is another powerful weapon of containment. Blacks, since the abolition of slavery, have had large amounts of money at their disposal. Last year they spent 10 billion dollars during Christmas (we Africans work to eat a lot of food at Christmas and forget to invest that money in order to stop being broke at the beginning of the year i.e. Jan-April), out of their 450 billion dollars in total yearly income (2.22%). Any of us can use them as our target market, for any business venture we care to dream up, no matter how outlandish, they will buy into it (poor class goods from China, Gay NGO’s, pornography). Being primarily a consumer people, they function totally by greed.

They continually want more, with little thought for saving or investing (Okukuba Enjawulo, counterfeiting products instead of establishing industries, busy waiting for the government to start up factories, yet it is busy giving out free land to foreign “investors”). They would rather buy some new sneaker than invest in starting a business. Some even neglect their children to have the latest Tommy or FUBU, and they still think that having a Mercedes, and a big house gives them 'Status' or that they have achieved their Dream. They are fools! (This is true because all these assets are not going to generate profits but just consume your money on maintenance fees). The vast majority of their people are still in poverty because their greed holds them back from collectively making better communities (not giving back to the community or working as a community to be developed we are still waiting for the miracle of FEDERAL a.k.a. FEDERO).

With the help of BET (Black Entertainment Television), and the rest of their black media that often broadcasts destructive images into their own homes (we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, get up and work for economic development, stop waiting upon the government to fulfill your dreams because it doesn’t know them. You alone know what you want in your life). We will continue to see huge profits like those of Tommy and Nike(Tommy Hilfiger has even jeered them, saying he doesn't want their money, and look at how the fools spend more with him than ever before!). They'll continue to show off to each other while we build solid communities with the profits from our businesses that we market to them.

SELFISHNESS, ingrained in their minds through slavery, is one of the major ways we can continue to contain them. One of their own, Dubois said that there was an innate division in their culture. A 'Talented Tenth' he called it. He was correct in his deduction that there are segments of their culture that have achieved some 'form' of success. However, that segment missed the fullness of his work. They didn't read that the 'Talented Tenth' was then responsible to aid The Non-Talented Ninety Percent in achieving a better life (these are ministers who ignore their duties or whoever is responsible). Instead, that segment has created another class, a Buppie class that looks down on their people or aids them in a condescending manner (most of our politicians who want to get big positions to live the “good life” and forget who voted them).

They will never achieve what we have (we have a lot of individualism, instead of fighting a common plague i.e. poverty); their selfishness does not allow them to be able to work together on any project or endeavor of substance (a lot of embezzlement of funds with no accountability or prosecution of the guilty in courts of law and those who can buy their way into the law get away with it). When they do get together, their selfishness lets their egos get in the way of their goal. Their so-called help organizations seem to only want to promote their name without making any real change in their communities (MP’s who only appear on funerals and turn them to rallies or campaigns). They are content to sit in conferences and conventions in our hotels, and talk about what they will do, while they award plaques to the best speakers, not to the best doers (those who talk a lot and do nothing are praised and those who do anything are not recognized, noisy politicians). Is there no end to their selfishness? They steadfastly refuse to see that TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE (TEAM WORK).

They do not have SHARED VISIONS. They do not understand that they are no better than each other because of what they own, as a matter of fact, most of those Buppies are but one or two pay checks away from poverty. All of which is under the control of our pens in our offices and our rooms. Yes, we will continue to contain them as long as they refuse to read (reading means to get KNOWLEDGE and KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. KNOWLEDGE IS WEALTH. We all go to school and read to pass exams which should not be the case. Reading means read material that will give you the knowledge to get closer to your dreams. They continue to buy anything they want, and keep thinking they are 'helping' their communities by paying dues to organizations that do little other than hold lavish conventions in our hotels (conferences that waste money while nothing helpful is discussed, while they are busy drinking all the milk and black tea, eating queen cakes and sleeping throughout the conversions waiting for the next food (health) break. By the way, don't worry about any of them reading this letter, remember, 'THEY DON'T READ!!!!

DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR ECONOMIC STATUS AND GET OUT OF THE POVERTY LIE, THE AVERAGE EARNER LINE? DO YOU SERIOUSLY WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE WORLD, IN AFRICA AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IN YOUR COUNTRY (UGANDA)? YEAH, YOU AND I CAN MAKE IT. WE DO NOT NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE US A GOOD LIFE. WE CAN CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH. LET’S JOIN HANDS IN THIS STRUGGLE FOR POSITIVE, JUST AND LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE. THIS IS NOT WOLOKOSO, IT IS REAL. (Someone shared this on Facebook)

My money my time

2012-07-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

One cannot stop wondering why some companies cannot leave up to the expectations of their customers. They come up with promotions that do not live up to their billing. Stiff competition in the Ugandan telecom sector has put service providers in a catch 22 situation. Each is trying to come up with innovations that can keep current customers and entice new ones.

This has seen many persuasive and misleading advertisements all over the place. Most noble of these is the Mobile money service. Almost all telecom service providers jumped onto the band wagon of mobile money services. However, what managers do not mind about is the quality of services provided to their customers. Imagine failing to withdraw money to get you out of a difficult situation just because the network is down. Most annoying of all is that it can be off when you want to make a withdraw but OK when making a deposit.

It is not the companies' priority to see that their mobile money service reach all places in the country. So it it no wonder going to a region and you fail to notice presence of mobile money dealers of some companies. The telecoms leave it to local business people who have interest to invest in their mobile money franchise. What infuriates even further is that you can not check your mobile money balance or access the service if you have zero balance on your main airtime account. There is a growing trend of encouraging payment of utility bills like electricity and water

through mobile money service. But with the network down-times i do not think it will be very efficient. For example,imagine your DSTV subscription expiring while watching your favorite program on Discovery, you decide to resubscribe through mobile money but network is down! My telecom service provider says you can even purchase airtime using your mobile money account. What this company does not reveal is that you cannot use that service if you have zero airtime balance. That means that if you ran out of airtime in the middle of an important phone call, your mobile money balance cannot salvage the situation since you can not access the mobile money service with zero air time balance.

Affiliate Marketing growing

2012-07-08T13:10:00.002-07:00

The current generation of Ugandans is growing at par with current trends in the global business environment. Affiliate marketing is currently one of the fastest employment opportunities taking root in the country. This is mainly being done on a part-time basis and some have taken it on on a full-time basis.One can easily continue with his regular job while carrying on his affiliate marketing on the side and earn some extra cash.

Affiliate marketing is being appreciated in Uganda because it presents many benefits which traditional employment opportunities do not. These may include being one's own boss,flexibility, cheap start-up and the ability to take on more than one affiliate marketing program at the same time. Some of the most common affiliate programs operating in Uganda include.GNLD, Forever Living, Q-Net, SFI, Triple Clicks and many others. Also some pyramid schemes had started operating but were banned by the government after reports that they were schemes which were dwindling money from unsuspecting people.

The growth in affiliate marketing in Uganda can be linked to factors like easy start-up, since capital is the biggest hindrance to entrepreneurship in the country. This is because some affiliate marketing programs require no capital like SFI. One's participation and commitment are the only requirements to succeed in affiliate marketing. One has to create a big network of friends from whom he can get potential prospects to join his team.

On the other hand, this type of business is not for those who want to realise quick returns on their investment. One's commitment and participation in the program determines how returns are realised. It is only after one has mastered the art that he rests and beginning earning from his team's participation in the program. One of the major hindrance which deter many Ugandans from joining affiliate marketing programs is that they can never be sure of how much returns they will realise from their investment.

Affiliate marketing can easily be done by word of mouth among friends, peers and family. Other programs are carried out on the internet especially with the growth in social media usage.

Uganda makes leap in BPO

2012-06-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

Uganda has has started making steps to become a major Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub in Africa. The government has shown strong commitment to promote this new form of employment creation. It is trying to follow other countries like China, India and South Africa which have reaped many benefits from the service. The government has shown strong commitment to support investors in the BPO sector.

It has teamed up with investors like Dhanush; an Indian BPO firm, Raps-Spanco; a joint venture between Raps an IT firm in East Africa and Spanco an international BPO firm and TechnoBrain. Many youths are going to get jobs when these firms start operation this month. About 500 youths were trained in skills like call center operations and data entry by Makerere University, the ICT Ministry and firms like the African BPO Academy.

The government is to provide incentives like subsidized power, internet bandwidth and free office space on the third and fourth floors on Statistics House in Kampala. This is a positive gesture by the Ugandan government towards promoting job creation. With this, Uganda joins South Africa to become the next best thing in BPO in Africa. South Africa provides investment grants to investors in the BPO sector. For example the South African Government launched a Government Assistance and Support programme in March 2007 to promote investment in the BPO sector.

Further, even education institutions have followed suit in a bid to promote BPO in the country. Management Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) at Nakawa has started offering certificate courses in BPO related fields. For example starting July courses like Call Center Manager Certification and Certificate in Customer Service will be offered to interested applicants. This will enhance professionalism in the BPO sector.

The BPO sector is not new in the Uganda. A team of private individuals already have an established BPO firm in the country. Zundati International has been in operation for more than five years. It is run by a team of professionals who have done work for reputable firms like Ancestry,com. It is an international firm with a subsidiary in the US. A lot of youths have been able to earn income through doing offshore work at Zundat International at their local office at Kansanga.

Profile of Zundat International.

With the joint effort of both the Ugandan government and private investors there is great hope that Uganda will be a force to reckon with in the BPO sector. This is because the country is blessed with a good customer service culture, improved internet coverage, improved power generation and an indegenious English speaking population, all these which are vital in the success of the BPO sector.

Pioneer Easy Bus adventure

2012-04-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

The newly introduced transport mode in Kampala is bound to give you some adventurous experiences.

Reduced transport costs
Ever since Pioneer Easy Buses started operation , i have managed to cut on my transport costs. Taxis used to charge according to the amount of traffic on my Kampala-Bweyogere route. Can you imagine that one could pay 700 SHS in the morning from Kampala to Bweyogere and pay 2000 SHS for the same route in the evening. The taxi operators would easily adjust the fare whenever they could detect increased traffic flow. However that has now come to pass with the coming of Pioneer Easy bus. Now sure of paying just 800 SHS and easily save 700 SHS for other costs.

Queuing culture.
Taking the Pioneer Easy bus means one has to adopt the queuing culture into their normal routine. The buses usually attract a huge number of people in that there has to be some order in order to access them. People who normally take the bus have to line up since access is on first come first serve basis. It is normal to see the Pioneer Easy bus queue making a bend since every one has to respect the one before him when accessing the bus. I personally hate lining up but if it means saving an extra buck i have no problem with it other than shoving myself up with others trying to enter a taxi as before.

Hustle free travel

Traveling by taxi was never short of drama; from arguing over transport fare to cases of theft of passengers' property by unscrupulous taxi operators. Inside the bus, you can never hear arguments over one's balance or fare, there are limited chances of getting ones property stolen by operators and most of all no interruptions from people communicating unsolicited information inside like gospel preachers. I was even amazed one day when a salesman was prohibited from giving out his fliers to passengers inside the bus. That guarantees one hustle free travel to his destination. I wonder whether the buses have immunity from traffic police because i have never seen any one being stopped unlike taxis.

Formalised transport

I can now manage to budget for my travelling needs and easily find out how much i can spend on my travel. One does not have to worry that the fare may rise after a heavy downpour or when there is a Chamilion Album Launch at Kyadondo Rugby Club. There is the joy of getting a receipt for your payments and this has proved that now you are a genuine customer the service provider. One has to be issued with a ticket on paying to the bus clerk indicating the amount paid suitable for his destination before entering a Pioneer Easy bus.

Enough room for everyone
No one is left behind by a Pioneer Easy bus. With its capacity to carry 61 passengers is better off than taxis which are licenced to carry 14 passengers though they overload. If you are not early enough to grab a seat, then you are destined to reach your destination standing up or wait for one to disembark early so that you take over his seat. I had never experienced travelling while standing until i took the Pioneer Easy bus. This has exposed the goodness in some people for example when a gentleman offered his seat to an elderly lady.

Social media revolution

2012-04-23T14:54:00.002-07:00

The social media revolution has taken on Ugandans by storm. Almost all aspects of life has been taken over by social media. Be it politics, business, interaction, health and traditional aspects like Ssengas. All this can be accessed through social media in the country.

Rise of free Facebook

Mobile phone operators have given many Ugandans a chance to experience social networks by providing them with free Facebook access. Orange Uganda offers m.facebook.com and MTN moble network offers Facebook0 to their subscribers. That has greatly contributed to the Facebook craze in the country.

Increase in smart phones

Many middle class Ugandan are proud owners of the latest tech gadgets and smart phones. These enable them to be always on the go with their social networks everywhere. These smart phones can easily be bought in any mobile phone shop like those at Mutasa Kafeero plaza and some are introduced by mobile phone services operators.

Facebook market place

Innovative youths came with ideas of forming Facebook pages where anyone can go and buy or sell any item.This has provided a cheap marketing platform for people looking for marketing opportunities and enables buyers to interact with providers of goods and services cheaply. Notably among these include Zillionsclub classifieds which has amassed more than 35,000 members and Tradelinks Africa.

Reduced costs of keeping in touch.
Communication has been made easy for Ugandans by the emergence of social media platforms. Now the cost of keeping in touch with long lost friends has been minimized with the emergence of Facebook and Twitter.One can easily search for a lost pal by just doing it through a friend search in Facebook. Now people from the same institution can form a facebook page in order to keep in touch with each other.

Popularity of fan pages
Businesses learnt to incorporate social media in their operations as a means of keeping up with the current trends. Now it is mandatory for a company to host a fan page where it can interact with its customers. It has become a norm for television broadcasters like NTV and NBS to air out views of their social media followers on different topics on air. Even government institutions like KCCA realized the potential of social media and embraced them.

Be street smart

2012-04-20T06:56:00.001-07:00

You can keep your valuables safe while on the move with some precautions

At the mall

Do not forget to leave your valuables like laptops in your car at the parking lot of the mall. Many cases of theft have been reported of valuables stolen from people's cars under the watchful eye of security guards at many shopping malls. So its better you move with your valuables than leaving them inside your car however locked because it is not safe!

In a jam

One can not miss to notice the long queues in traffic jam in the morning, lunch hours and evening on many roads like Entebbe road. This has been taken advantage of by people seeking to reap where they did not sow. There fore it is wise to keep your car window up because you can never know what may attract some one to steal be it your bracelet, phone or any other thing. Many people's phones have been snatched while they are talking on them in traffic jam.

Avoid mobs.
Kampala streets are never void of drama which attract stares from people. To be on a safe side it is better never to join in on whatever people are starring at while on your way on the street because among those looking are people ready to disappear with your wallet or phone without your notice.

Keep away from dark paths

Try as much as possible to avoid short-cuts passing through dark paths however short it may be to your final destination. Most times these are the havens of muggers who waylay unsuspecting people and rob them of their belongings at whatever cost. You can never under estimate the danger these muggers may pose.

Keep away from strangers

Every one of us has been taught since childhood to keep away from people we do not know however we can not avoid it especially in crowded places where one can never know who to expect. However people who come to you on the street asking for monetary help are in most cases fakes who use that as a hoax to earn from kind people. Though it may seem harmless, it gets irritating meeting that same person many other times using the same technic to try and get money from your pocket.

Hitchhiking

Picking a stranger on the road in your car might seem as being kindhearted but it very risky. Women take advantage of this and ask strangers for help only to blackmail them for money. More so it is not safe to let strangers give you a ride because you might never know their motives.

Downtown
When travelling to downtown parts of the city always take extra precaution. Never leave your house wearing that expensive bracelet or earrings if you are going to pass through the lower side of the city. They are most likely going to be snatched from you by people who think they have better uses of them than you.
Hold your handbag very tightly towards you if you are a lady and make sure that you put your valuables deeper in your backpack. And do not talk on the phone while walking on the street because it is definitely going to be snatched on streets like Luwum and William in Kampala

Beat the blackout blues

2012-04-14T02:11:00.001-07:00

You can stop cussing UMEME and make good use of electricity power blackouts, its possible. Here are a few suggestive ways on how you can make life go on without whining about the power outages synonymous with the power distribution company.

Visit a friend

You can catch up on lost friends when there is no power. There is always that special friend you have been neglecting of late because you have been busy watching Series and Soap operas. Now you have no excuse go and catch up on lost times.

Call friends

At least 6 out of 10 of Ugandans have more than one mobile line including you, take advantage of that. Telecom companies have promos where they offer reduced call rates on same network calls. Airtel has Kika where you can get 30 minutes of talk time for just 1000 shs and Warid has Pakalast. You can talk with your pals for all that long and might even forget you in a blackout, see who needs electricity except to charge!!!!!!!!

Do some exercises

All of us have cravings for those abs as seen in most music videos. You can work on that now since there is no movies, Don't mess with an angel, Agataliiko Nfufu, Video games or internet to distract you. Simple exercises like sit-ups, jump skipping, stretching and push-ups can do the trick. Just imagine looking in your mirror to see your much desired new shape when power comes back.

Meditate

Who does not desire peace of mind ?. Our minds need to be at peace in order to be in good shape. Meditation helps one to reflect on what has been happening during the course of the day. It can be a good stress removal from our minds. Just picture yourself having internal peace reflecting on your goals and aspiration for the future in a serene environment.

Tell tales

Our fore-fathers used to tell stories as a means of informal education to their children before invention of electricity. So why not go the traditional way, after all we were not born in electrified places most of us. For parents, power blackouts can be a moment to talk to your kids about life building ways. Now is the time to have parent -child talk which is usually rare to most parents.

Play games on your phone

For the teen in us, you can play games on your phone during power outages. Most phones come loaded with games of all sorts. Or you can download some from websites like waptrick.com. However your phone has to be with a lasting battery life.

Go to your local bar

In case of power blackouts, it is most likely that your local bar has a standby generator to mitigate that. There fore you can easily catch up on your favorite soap, news broadcast on soccer match from your local bar. Also you are protected from bore-doom at home in pitch blackness when you go to your local hangout and socialise.

Finally sleep
This is the most natural way to react when you are at home and power suddenly goes. You now have all the time to catch up on all the lost sleep if you are a workaholic. The brains desperately need to rest and you can just do that when power goes by taking a nap until power comes back.

Social slang in Uganda

2012-04-12T01:26:00.000-07:00

Album launch- Artists introducing new songs to the public officially

A crowd during an album launch

Rolex-Chapati rolled with fried eggs

Special- Cab

Campuser-University student

Tycoon- Social spendthrift

One of Uganda's tycoons

Malaya- Prostitute

Summers- Ugandans on holiday from abroad

Shell-Refueling station

Model- Petite lady

Mzee-Elder

Easter merry-making

2012-04-07T03:35:00.000-07:00

The Easter holiday has come once again bringing another holiday. To the civil servants that means another four day holiday starting from Good Friday up to Easter Monday. To the business class that means another mouthwatering chance to make a quick buck from those preparing festivities during the Easter holiday. Every one is busy shopping delicacies to devour on the D-Day. The local butcher is not left out in this as everyone has to include the much desire beef on their Easter menu at whatever cost. The butcher does not even mind closing up shop later than the usual hours because he has to make as much profits as he can on this once-a-year day. All the parking lots of the supermarkets and shopping malls get filled to capacity.

Shopping in downtown Kampala

To the old fashioned, Easter holiday means having to travel back to their home villages and share the fun with their extended families. This means that a lot of shopping has to be done in order to have items to take back to the village from the city. In the current economic crisis it is only the privileged few who can still afford to buy new clothings for their loved ones on Easter as the norm was. Operators of transport means are not left behind in cashing in on the Easter holiday season. Many people have to travel a lot like doing shopping and travelling up-country to their home villages. This drives transport fares to be hiked almost triple than the normal fee due to the huge human traffic.

All city junctions get filled up with traffic of all forms, cars, buses, Boda Bodas, Bicycles and humans rushing to perform their numerous errands or getting to their homes.

Some churches even prepare special prayers for their brethren on this special day. Namboole stadium attracts a lot of traffic in a bid to attend Easter prayers prepared by christian leaders with special themes.

Luwombo, a local delicacy common at Easter meals

The Easter menu has to include all the local delicacies like rice, matooke, beef, chicken, green vegetables, macaroni washed down with a soda or a beer. This kind of meal can not be afforded by an average Uganda but everything has to be done possible to make it on the dining table on Easter at whatever cost even if it means saving.

After the heavy Easter meal, then its time for continuing the fun else where, going out or joining up with friends and other relatives becomes the next agenda for the day. Many concerts are organised with a lot of activities like theatre, comedy, music festivals and many others according to one's taste. Fun continues until the wee hours of the morning and Easter Monday is a day to kill off the hangover and a day to have a climax of the Easter fun to others

Having fun at a concert

Traveling in Uganda

2012-04-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

There are many available means of transport to choose from within the country. This depends on one's budget, urgency, distance. location and time period. The means available include buses, commuter taxis, special hire cabs, motor cycles, bicycles, ferries and aero-planes.

Pioneer Easy Bus service

This is a revived transport means in the city center and the neighboring suburbs like Kawempe, Bweyogerere, Kireka, Ntinda and Bwaise. Its the most relatively cheap means of transport as it charges a flat fee which is half of what the public commuter taxis charge.

The buses have well built stops where commuters can wait for the buses to arrive and they are well sheltered fro the harsh weather conditions which are common in the country like sudden heavy downpours and bright sunshine. These take relatively longer periods to reach designated destinations because they load a maximum of 61 passenger however time wasted at the bus stop is compensated with the amount of shillings saved. Buses charge a flat rate of 800 Shs and passengers going to and from outskirts of Kampala save about 1000Shs if they take the bus more especially during peak hours of the day. However, buses are more suitable for those who travel to city suburbs.

A taxi park in Kampala

Taxis or Kamunyes are the most common means of transport in the country. These can be found in almost all parts of the country. They are licensed to carry 14 passengers but depending on time of day and location overloading is done though it is illegal. These have designated parks where they are found but they can also be accessed anywhere since they pick passengers along their routes. Taxis charge according to distance but they can over charge during peak hours of the day. They are convenient for both short and long distances since they can stop anywhere.

Boda Boda motorcyclists are another means of transport in Uganda. These are fast, convenient and easily accessible anywhere. It is the most convenient means to beat the peak hour traffic jam in the city center and during late night travel to outskirts of the city center. Price usually depends on one's negotiating ability with the cyclist.However they are not for the fainthearted since some Boda Boda operators are famous for reckless riding. These can go any distance depending on the customer's needs and budget.

Bicyclists also provide another means of transport in Uganda. These mainly operate around busy traffic junctions and in rural areas. These load a single passenger and in the city center are used to beat the heavy traffic jam at places like Queens' Way. Price usually depends on the distance and the negotiating ability of the customer.
These usually operate during the day time period.

Special Hire cabs are used to travel privately. They charge according to the distance, time of the day and negotiating ability of the customer.Mostly found in the urban centers. They operate 24 hour periods.

Flight services are used mostly for international travel. However chartered flights can be arranged within the country. The major airport is at Entebbe on international level and many air fields are found in other parts of the country. There are international airline services like Qatar Air and British Airways and many local ones carrying out operations in the country.

Ferry services are used to move from mainland to island ares of the country like Kalangala Island.