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KABOZI

April 25, 2010
12:06
The changing face of the Kwanjula
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I attended the Kwanjula of a close relative a few weeks ago and the social changes our lives are undergoing hits me in the face like a brick. Gone was the close knit family gathering organised and planned to receive and host the in-laws to be on our ‘turf’. This was replaced by an organising committee that fundraised from family and friends, the budget would easily outdo any church wedding and the ‘program’ would have given my dearly departed grand parents an ulcer.

The cows were replaced with cold cash, the DJ took the place of traditional musicians in fake animal skins, there was a cake to be cut, the bride to be gave gifts to the groom to be……. Transgressions galore, the master of ceremony was thoroughly confused and could not tell what would happen next. And you could almost here the old timers clicking their tongues in disapproval.

But is it really a bad thing to give the Kwanjula a more modern twist. After all in most cultures in Uganda it is act Read Full Post
12:05
Last of the green patches
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Spending a weekend in Kampala the other day I still marvel at the speed with which sky scrapers pop up all over the place, The even the Hilton is finally showing its ‘head”, but I have to spare a thought for Windsor crescent.

This the little patch of green is found at the junction of Acacia Avenue and Kiira Road at Kisementi. And therein lies the problem, there is now a huge building site that will soon emerge as a petrol station and …………a ‘childrens play park’.

The green cover that kampala used to have is fast disappearing: Bat valley, Lugogo, kitante green belt. The list is endless. We are well on our way to becoming a bonafide concrete jungle, Lagos is not pretty, so why on earth do we want to look like it? Read Full Post
April 01, 2010
14:47
A bleak future?
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(copyright Karsten71)
I look at the picture of this child and wonder whether there will be anything for him to inherit when he comes of age. Everytime I open the newspaper the CHOGM scandal burns my eyes, how much worse can it get.

Now half way through the financial year the government has requested parliamet to cut the health, education and agricultural budgets. Good lord in heaven, it does not take rocket science to know that our hosppitals are crumbling, our kids are studying under leaking roofs and agriculture is the back bone of our economy...so why would anyone think it prudent to cut the budget of these vital sectors.

The real kicker in this tale ( or stinger in th Read Full Post
October 01, 2009
17:37
Its Official: India.Arie and I
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With great embarrasment, I have to admit that until 6 weeks ago I had only known of India.Arie by name. She always generated rave reviews whenever her name was mentioned and I just played along, not daring to admit that i had never really listened to her music.

All that has since changed, many thanks to my good friends back in Joburg. I have her loaded on my Ipod Shuffle and can't play anything else. Its simply that acoustic, unplugged sound,which is coupled with the clearly audible and equally deep meaning lyrics. Add her striking 'african'beauty and you have me cheering from the rafters.
The effect is the same as when I first heard Tracy Chapman sing, way back when I was still in O-level at King's College, Buddo.

Sh Read Full Post
September 27, 2009
11:55
What does it mean to be Ugandan?
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After a long hiatus from blogging I must ask my fellow citizens: what does it mean to be Ugandan, is there really anything holding us together or are we staring the inevitable in the face, things will fall apart sooner or later. Allan Tacca's article in today's sunday monitor says it all, we simply do not build things to last, we have the incessant need to tear down all our institutions and rebuild all over again, every few decades.

So I ask again, what does it mean to be Ugandan, is there really anything holding us together?? Read Full Post
May 22, 2009
16:30
Makerere's greed will be its undoing!
from » ‎ KABOZI

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I came across the headline story in the New Vision newspaper to day that just leaves me dumb founded. Apparetnly makerere university is to admit 5,000 more students this academic year.
Well this may not sound too bad until you read on and find out that the annual enrollment of new students will now reach 20,000!!!!!! What on earth is going on???
20 years ago Makerere had a total student population of approximately 7,000. And even then we were feeling the squeeze. But it was just great. everyone knew everyone else, the residential hall wa Read Full Post
January 06, 2009
13:00
Photo for a new year: Only in Uganda
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A brand new year brought us a brand new bank robbery attempt/ crime of passion/ whatever. All took place at the Stanchart Bank branch at garden city yesterday. But with it came hope for a humourous year. This security operative provided a true 'Miami Vice' moment, even though it is bordering on the ridiculously bizzare . I am now taking bets on which branch of the security services this guman works for: my money is on the CMI. Read Full Post
December 10, 2008
12:13
A haunting photo from the past and an ethical debate
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This is a picture that has haunted me for a decade. It was taken by a South African photographer called Keith Carter during a famine, in a sudanese refugee camp in 1993.

The story is told that as he watched this child crawl towards the feeding centre a vulture landed and showed great interest in the dying child. The photographer watched the unfolding scene for twenty minutes, having positioned himself in a way that would not disturb the bird, hoping it would spread its wings!

He later claimed that he chased the bird away.

Are we so wretched that a dying african child is not worth protecting. Any one with an ounce of humanity would not sit and watch a vulture liking its lips (or beak). even for a great photo opportunit Read Full Post
November 26, 2008
12:47
Conquering the wild waters of the NIle...... and my fears
from » ‎ KABOZI

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Last week I finally got to do something I have always wanted to do, that is white water raft the Nile. Another of my life goals conquered.
Over the last 8 years I have tried often to get a group of friends to ‘do’ the Nile with me, but everyone seemed to drop off the list as the date grew closer. So I gave up until this year. The fact that Bujagali dam grows bigger by the day and will one day block off a great section of the rapids played a big part in my ‘do it now’ mentality.

I was picked up by the Adrift rafting company in the middle of Kampala and we passed by a back packers hostel in Mbuya to pick up 3 other people ( an Italian lady and two aussies), business was apparently low and I was informed that only one boat would be doing the distan Read Full Post
November 04, 2008
17:15
Can we imagine an 'Obama' in Uganda?
from » ‎ KABOZI

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Scenario: A 47 year old man who was born in Kampala, has lived all his life in Uganda, his mother is Ugandan and he holds Ugandan citizenship. His father is Congolese and he uses his father's Congolese surname.

Question: Could this man ever be elected president of Uganda? Read Full Post
October 28, 2008
17:27
How to write about Africa?
from » ‎ KABOZI

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A book I once gladly picked up at the book store was the 'Dark Star Safari' by Paul Theroux. I generally love travel stories and this one was brilliant.........that is if you are not an African. It dripped with all the stereotypes and condenscention that only one with a self perceived superiority could generate, especially one who has spent so much time on the continent, that he is admired as an 'old africa hand', an expert of all things inherently native.
This is one book that really got my blood boiling.
I have recently across an essay written by Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, called 'How to write about Africa', and it really got me thinking. I have pasted the link below and I aknowlege the author. Read Full Post
October 25, 2008
14:30
Is Uganda a failing state?
from » ‎ KABOZI

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The Fund for Peace annually produces a survey that depicts the state of national stability around the world. [www.fundforpeace.org]

In its 2008 Failed States Index, Somalia came in at No.1 (no surprises), and Uganda, came in at No.16! And we are in good company: 14. Haiti, 15. North Korea, tied 16th with Ethiopia, 18. Lebanon, 19. Nigeria.

Our Neighbours rank better: Kenya 26, Tanzania 75, Rwanda 42.

How did we sink so far down the food chain? The Fund for Peace calculates the score according to various factors:

Mounting demographic pressures (Score 8.7/10). My take is that with one of the highest growth rates in the world, the youngest populations under the age of 15 years of age, and a political nutcase telling us we cannot develop our economy unless we breed like the rabbits this could be a time bomb ticking as we scramble fo Read Full Post
October 14, 2008
18:00
Hail Maximus!!!
from » ‎ KABOZI

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My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, Loyal servant of the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, Husband to a murdered wife, And I will have my vengeance in this life or the next. Read Full Post
October 12, 2008
12:41
Are You Still Holding Your Tongue?
from » ‎ KABOZI

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Around one year ago the Uganda parliament passed a law that made it mandatory for all phone companies to have a permanent link to the government Communications Monitoring Centre. Reason: the security can prevent terrorism and treason by having unfettered access to the private conversations of Ugandans.

Previously, as in many other countries in the world, the police would have to get a judge to sign a court order authorising a phone tap. And this was on a case by case basis. This was obviously required in order to protect the civil liberties of the individual citizen.

However, it is commonly believed that illegal and unconstitutional phone tapping has been going on for years, only it could not be mentioned in public and subsequently such evidence is inadmissible in a court of law, as evidence acquired through an illegality is basically null and void.

All that is required now for your phone conversations to be tapped is authorisation from either:
Min Read Full Post
October 10, 2008
13:30
Investing in the Uganda Securities Exchange- 2 years on
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Two years ago I took the plunge and bought my first allotment of shares on the USE. It was the stanbic Bank IPO. A novel idea for Uganda and the public was understandably not too sure what it was all about and consequently did not take up all the shares on offer. Regrettably I bought fewer shares than I should have because I thought the issue would be over subscribed and thus I would spend days trying to get a refund.

As it happened I got my 20,000 shares, at Ugx 70/- and it had appreciated to a high of 255/- at one point, well over 300%. And I was delighted, wished I had bought more, but by then the price was too high. It is profitable company, pays good dividends per share, has a large market share, I am happy to hold it a Read Full Post
October 01, 2008
13:34
Can Uganda Survive the Global Economic Meltdown?
from » ‎ KABOZI

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One of my favourite columnists is Sunny Bindra in the Sunday Nation. He offers simple, but damn practical insight about all things commercial. In his latest column he dissects the current turmoil in the US banking sector and its impact on the Kenyan economy.

Why it caught my particular attention was the fact that I read last week that Dr. Maggie Kigozi, head of the Uganda Investment authority, declared that the country would not be affected by the economic crisis.

How naïve indeed. Sunny Bindra did point a couple of insights, that show how inter connected our economies are, even in deepest ‘darkest’ Africa.

Our search for foreign direct investment (FDI) is likely to hit a brick wall. All global multinationals are tightening their belts and aiming to maintain cash flows. So investing in a housing project in ntinda is not likely to show up on their radar screen.

Uganda relies heavily on donor aid to support its capital and recurrent budget Read Full Post
13:21
Hands Off The mini Skirt!
from » ‎ KABOZI

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I try to keep off frivolous chat, but this thing about banning mini skirts has got me irritated. I had to watch the Minister of ethics and integrity, Mr. Nsaba Buturo, lecture the nation about how we are conservative and thus not used to seeing women ‘almost naked’. Apparently its not our culture.

Well lets explore a little:

Since he decided to let loose the tradition genie, lets start there. Isn’t it true that most young girls in African tribes wore short skirts made of animal skins and bark cloth. The skirts only getting longer when the girls got married…..not before!

Secondly, can you just imagine a prosecutor standing before a judge , demanding that young Nakawunde needs to be jailed bec Read Full Post
September 21, 2008
12:25
Down Memory Lane
from » ‎ KABOZI

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(Photo: malcom McCrow)
Any guesses where this is in Kampala?
Read Full Post
September 18, 2008
17:54
Books, Books and More Books.
from » ‎ KABOZI

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I came across a post on the Ugandan insomniac's page. It was all about books we have on our shelves and yet we are embarassed to say we have not yet read.

So here's my spin on this:

Books that have given me the greates joy!!!!!
1. Tick bite fever
2. No.1 ladies detective agency (series) ( Alexander McCall)
3. Miguel Street (VS Naipaul)
4. Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda A)
5. The Prince (Machiavelli
6. Shogun (Jame Clavell)
7. Asterix
8. Tintin
Books that I have and have not read (Shame!)
1. Great railway bazaar (Paul theroux)
2. Isles of Oceana (Paul theroux)
3. A bend in the river (VS Naipaul)
4. Art of War
Books that I seriously need to buy ( and hopefully read)
1. A long walk to freedom
2. A house for Mr. Biswas
Books I have been told that if I haven't read then I am semi literate
1. War a Read Full Post
September 06, 2008
17:44
Buying land in Temangalo ( The NSSF way)
from » ‎ KABOZI

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Two weeks ago the story broke in the papers of a land deal that the NSSF was involved with that has the public shaking their heads in disbelief. It runs something like this:
1. Minister Amama Mbabazi has 400 acres (or so) of land to sell in Temangalo.
2. He asks the NSSF to buy it off him.
3. The NSSF, in their wisdom, realise its a serious case of conflict of interest, so they 'cleverly' advise Mbabazi to first sell the land to Mr. Amos Nzeyi (well connected business man and owner of the ugandan pepsi franchise) and they would then buy it off him.
4. Mr. Nzeyi, being the entrepreneur, adds another couple acres to the lot and then sells a total of 463 acres to the NSSF
5. Parliament sees red and demands an explanation!
6. Simple arithmetic shows that the land titles add up to a lower acreage than was purchased (414 to be exact).
7. The government valuer was avoided because he has 'frustrated' the NSSF before and so a private valuer wa Read Full Post
17:17
Dare I say I told you so
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After a such long lay off, technical reasons, I am back to blogging and am determined to make a better meal of it, now that I have a jet powered laptop and a great internet connection.

So I cannot help but start off with with one of my favourite subjects and that is airlines. especially our beloved Air Uganda. Remeber her, that beautiful plane and all the optimism and hope of a land locked nation resting on her shoulders, everyone praying that she woould take on the big red machine (KQ) and win.

Well despite the deep pockets of the Aga Khan development fund and the management expertise of Meridiana airlines, the cracks have appeared and even grown into fault lines!!!

The 98% on time performance has gone to the dogs, delays lasting h Read Full Post
March 19, 2008
14:55
Oh Lord! Not Again!!!
from » ‎ KABOZI

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First we were told Revolutionaries Live forever.Then he came and promoted a lieutenant to a major.Now we are told revolutionaries cannot retire, apparently term limits are not African.Honestly!!! Anyone who thinks we do not need presidential term limits in Africa needs a serious psychiatric evaluation, especially when you have thousands of sycophants cheering you on.
Read Full Post
December 03, 2007
13:10
Battle of the Skies
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Well finally we have another David trying to take on Goliath. This time in the name of Air Uganda. We can only hold our breath and hope not to turn blue!
Air Uganda is a consortium that is made up of Aga Khan Development Network and the meridian airlines group from Italy. This is clearly a total departure form the amateurish attempts of the East African airlines and the VIA to take on Goliath (Kenya Airways). This is a well heeled, monied and managerialy experienced outfit, which they have to be because KQ takes no prisoners.
The Nairobi-Entebbe route is undoubtably one of the most profitable in the world, from an airlines point of view. And the most unbelievably expensive route if you are a passenger. After all its just a 45 minute hop, so why on earth do you have to pay $350 for a return ticket. You can almost get to Dubai with that and that is a 5 hour flight! Read Full Post
November 30, 2007
15:34
Hitting the Uganda Stock Market For Six
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Well almost a year ago I made my first tentative steps investing on the USE. My target was Stanbic Uganda. And we all heard the rumours of who mught be the real shareholders of this patch of financial muscle......thats kabozi for anoher day. Now the IPO was a roaring success as Ugandans and kenyans dived in head first and that includes myself. The price was an attractive UGX 70/-. Which in all honesty was a good deal indeed, considering the way the bank has been performing, paying dividends every year to shareholders for quite a while. Now the price of the shares is UGX 205/-, that is almost 300% growth in value in about a year!! Am I pleased? Very much so. It has balanc Read Full Post
September 13, 2007
15:49
Research in the Bag
from » ‎ KABOZI

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I don't know if you saw this story in the papers 2 days ago, but if you didn't well I will give you a brief summary:

A bag with over 20 million Ug Shs was stolen from the official car of the Commander of Defence Forces, General Aronda Nyakairima. The money was for his 'Research' Project! And his body guards have been arrested and will soon be court martialled.

Its not the fact that the theft was attributed to indiscipline and not low pay in the Forces that left me gobsmacked, but that the fact that someone so high up the food chain would have to carry research money, in cash, in his car!!! That begs the question what is the research project and why is it not managed as part of the regular military administrative duties and pay outs made via the paymaster?? Read Full Post
February 09, 2007
21:40
Our History is Back
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Our history has come back to Haunt us. As always.

Forrest Whittaker just played, to much critical acclaim, Idi Amin in the movie 'The Last King Of Scotland' and to be honest I have decided not to watch it because I feel it it will just bring back all the painful memories that many of us carry.

The trauma of the years 1971-79 have left few families unscarred. We all have an unle Fred that nobody can quite tell you what happened to him., just that he died during 'Amin's time'. The wounds have not quite healed, but like the truly stoic people we are, we quietly brush it under the carpet and act like nothing ever happened. The onus is on the inquisitive to let sleeping dogs lie.

I remember the famous travel writer, Paul Read Full Post
January 31, 2007
1:45
Only on Nalubale!
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Only in Uganda!: free enterprise, private initiative, innovation and the insatiable desire to talk. Read Full Post
January 26, 2007
16:24
Stanbic Has Landed
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From a IPO priced at 70/- a share to one priced at 205/-, that is almost 300% investment growhth. Not many investment schemes can deliver that. And it is a well deserved pat on the backs of all long suffering sons and daughters of the soil.

I bought 20,00 shares, on the 2nd last day of the offer.......and boy am I smiling, wish I hads bought more, just did not think I would be allocated a bigger share.

Its great that a public holiday has dampened a bit of the euphoria, because the hard work of maintaining ones new found wealth, and more so keeping it growing, has begun. The stock market can be a ruthless place for the unweary, but with knowledge and research one can make a tidy profit.

International fund managers and other institutional investors who mis Read Full Post
January 21, 2007
20:57
A Kenyan Colony?
from » ‎ KABOZI

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I am sure many have read the article by Dr. Ian clarke that appeared in today's edition of the sunday Vision newspaper. He simply stated something that we all have noticed, but typically we mutter under our breath and look on.

The invasion of the kenyan professional manger on the Ugandan scene is a well established phenomenon and shows no sign of subsiding. The entire senior management of many multinantionals and subsidiaries of kenyan companies have all been hired almost exclusively from across the border.

This in itself is not a bad thing as they have capabilities that the 'locals' may not have. and for ther economy to grow it is always necessary to import migrant skilled labour from anywhere on the planet if necessary. But is there really that dire a shortage of skilled local labour??

What isn't okay is the fact that ugandan professionals in Kenyan do not enjoy the same upward mobility. Getting a work permit is an absolute nightmare , even for someon Read Full Post
January 18, 2007
16:41
A new econmic beginning???
from » ‎ KABOZI

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The Stanbic IPO is now officially over and the returns are in. We all have got the shares we applied for and for many this is the birth of their stock portfolio. With it will come the ups and downs that the roller coaster ride called the stock market will bring.

But the upside is that it is also a new dawn in the way people save and grow their wealth. I need not go into the lousy interest rates that banks offer and the very high ones they charge when you go to borrow it back!! Now a new way of investing money other than the usual suspects: land, houses, bufundas and the very fashionable but rediculously named high schools.

Expect to see unit trusts or mutual funds showing up on the scene. Expect more companies to launch IPOs, no doubt impressed by the long queues of eager citizens, having dug up the money from a hole in the bottom of the garden and coming out to buy shares. These are truly exciting times.XHTML1.0, CSS2.0 --> Last Update: Tue 07 Sep 2010 11:53:37 AM EAT

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