EAST AFRICA__PERIPATETIC

EA feelings

2006-04-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

READ
Movement of labour
Tanzanians believe/trust their gvt

KIBAKI IN A NEW CRISIS

2005-12-08T01:45:00.000-08:00

Now the Kenya president Mwai Emilio Kibaki has announced his new cabinet. Suprisingly, he has left out all the rebel ministers mainly to maintain cohesion and loyalty I suppose.
What we have to expect is the two years of chaotic politics Kenya has never seen ever. To live out people who have people's mandate following the recent referendum, I think Kibaki is in the wrong side. Do you know what is going to happen especially for Raila Odinga? Read
What has made difficult for Kibaki is that some new appointees for ministerial position have refused the post read
Let's see now what this man can do; I believe he knows how to respond with the situation but how? I guess for the two remaining years in office Kibaki should somehow be a little bit dictator to handle the pressure that will be mounted by the Orange movement.

KNOW MORE ON A JAILED OPPOSITION LEADER IN UGANDA

2005-12-08T01:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a full story of who is Dr. Kiiza Besigye.If you read here you will know the role played by this man in the struggle to bring democracy in this country.
The struggle which began long time ago but now he is suffering in jail.

UGANDA'S FIRST LADY IN ACTIVE POLITICS

2005-12-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

POLITICAL LADIES: Janet (for MP) and Miria (for President)
These two women in Uganda have decided to get into active politics. One might wonder why I just bring this as if it is an issue. However, these are women of high status in Uganda.
The first one, is the current Uganda first Lady while another one is the former wife of the first president of this country, Uganda, Dr. Milton Obote. She is Miria Obote, the first lady number one for Uganda who has been living in exile for the past 23 years.
In brief, Janet Museveni is to contest for MP post in Ruhama where she was born; a constituency where the current MP who was among the people went into the bush with Museveni but after Museveni's bid to contest for the third term the man decided to rebel against Museveni. The woman is angry and she wants to unsit the MP.
To some it seems as a political ploy for Janet to ascend into powerful position when Museveni leaves after five years. We shall see! for more just READ
Miria Obote is to contest for presidency; I do not think she can get anything. I think is just a wrong move for her. She should have rested.

WANT TO KNOW MUSEVENI'S TRUE COLOUR?

2005-12-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

I understand many people know Uganda president as well admire him. Of recently to some of people like me have started to see the man with a lot of sceptic views.
I believe it is important if you have started to be like me to first read this article which you can now decide to judge your intuition.

BESIGYE IS NOT CONNECTED TO LRA REBELS

2005-12-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

One of the main charges against key opposition leader in Uganda, Dr.Kiiza Besigye is his connection with the rebels who are fighting against Museveni government for the past two decades now.
The case is still on but last week through a radio talk show in Kampala, one of the rebel leader, called from the bush and denied thoroughly of any connection. read

NO PRESIDENCY

2005-12-01T11:26:00.000-08:00

It is clear now that the men in uniform here in Uganda do not want Dr.Kiiza Besigye to contest in the forthcoming general election.
They are ready to do anything to ensure that the man will not get that chance to unsit Mr.Museveni. read

BESIGYE WAS A TROUBLE MAKER

2005-12-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Many people are blaming the Uganda government on the detention of key opposition leader.However, as a former soldier,this man seems to be a trouble maker.
If you will read this story, you will not be surprised why he is suffering now.My guess the man will not even stand for election. read

UGANDA'S GENERAL

2005-12-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today I just want to show who is the man incharge of the Court Martial here in Uganda. Remember the court is charging the main opposition leader here.
Readhere

UGANDA SOLDIER & POLICE AT THE SAME TIME

2005-11-24T22:39:00.000-08:00

To a lot of people hearing that there is every signs to believe that the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni is a dictator has been a taboo.But now here everything is under soldiers.
Now, for instance, the army is working as police force, can you imagine? READ HERE
The whole political process is militarised.

What is thanksgiving?

2005-11-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

Let me just congratulate Americans in this Thanksgiving day.However, I should ask, what does it mean?

HIGH COURT vs SOLDIERS IN UGANDA

2005-11-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

When the High Court of Uganda began to prosecute the rebels suspects who are believed to associate with the opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besyige in Kampala, then it gave bail for them but soldiers were there to rearrest them to face the court martial trial.
Is it a double standard? I don't know but here many think is just a manifestation of dictatorship. Demokracy was raped on that day .

BLOGGERS IN IMMINENT DANGER

2005-11-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

Let me say congratulations for the winning of the english blog.
But then is it safe for us bloggers?Last week in Tunisia, there was a big conference on IT. My concern is due to the pleas raised by the governments which want to control internet.
I'm sure now if that will be accepted then we are doomed for hard time in future. Read this which has made me to believe that if it will prevail then dictators will take it as the means to control the spread of truth. Are we in danger?

ZANZIBAR ELECTION WAS SHAM AFFAIR

2005-11-20T05:36:00.000-08:00

The whole of East Africa, all the three countries are in the mood of high tempo politics. Uganda expects to start campaigns for the next year general election; Kenya is tommorow expecting to vote for the refferendum to decide whether to implement the new proposed constitutional draft or to remain with the current Constitution.
In Tanzania still campaings are up while waiting for the election next month. However, one part of Tanzania has already conducted election: this is Zanzibar-semi autonomous islands-where there were a lot of malpractices though a lot of observer gave it a big tick.
There are news that the International Community has started to show it dissatisfaction with what believed by many as a sham election. They have threatened a lot. read .As any independent mind person would like, I think these guys deserve to take some actions on this matter.

Here is Julius Nyerere.

2005-11-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

BE POLITICIAN--BE RICH

2005-11-19T02:50:00.000-08:00

There is a big crisis simering around African continent. Most especially in the civil service, where civil servants are paid low in terms of salary.But going back to the politicians, huge amount of state finance is specifically for them.
What is happening in Tanzania is a case where you have doctorsjread who expected to help various sick people with just a peanut. They have decided to wake up, however, this has been detrimental to the patient as many patients are in danger of death due to the strike called by doctors countrywide.
Now all the technocrats are running for political office, imagine where we're heading?This is a crisis to be tackled.

IS THIS GOOD GOVERNANCE IN UGANDA?

2005-11-17T04:02:00.000-08:00

Uganda has been rocked with riots following the arrest of the opposition politicians and charged for treason.However, the goverment has always maintained that Mr. Besyige will face a fair trial, something seemed unlikely to many here.
Yesterday, in what seemed as one of the bad image demonstrated by the goverment soldiers during the hearing of the case involving those who are accused to be involved with the rebelion against the government, the soldiers wanted to prevent read the judges at the High Court to release the accused on bail.
This has been one of the event to instil fears to the people not to vote to the opposition.

NEW AFRICA'S DEMOCRATIC PATTERN IN UGANDA

2005-11-17T03:50:00.000-08:00

I do not understand whether really it matters for an individual to contest for presidency in one's country more than two terms of five years. Furthermore, I have started to doubt whether it is an issue to be a president in a state where constitution allows for a limitless terms in office.
Here is case in Uganda read where the incumbency has mobilized the Mps and they voted overwhelmngly to amend the constitution.This has caused a lot of complains but always the man maintains that people love him.
Early today morning I heard from the radio-bbc that even in Nigeria it is the same pattern: amend constitution the contest for the third time.What a absolute power corrupt!

IS IT POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN UGANDA?

2005-11-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

As I said in my last article, democracy in Uganda seems to be a pipe dream. Just today, the main opposition leader who is also a presidential candidate against the incumbent Yoweri Museveni has been arrested and charged for treason and rape. READ MORE
This definitely will shatter his dream of contesting for presidency next year.His supporters protested in the capital Kampala but in vain.I think now it is clear Museveni if endorsed READ HERE by his party NRMO this week, which is likely, will continue to rule this country.
The major charges against Mr. Besigye is treason which he is allegedly to be involved with the rebel group planning to overthrow this country. To make matters worse, UN has confirmed last week that the group is operating in Congo DRC, something Mr. Besigye has been denying consistently. However, many here believe that this is just a hoax created by the government. READ MORE
The arrest of Mr. Besyigye caused a lot of mayhem in Kampala where police fought with protestors. readhere

UGANDA'S POLITICS OF THE SOLDIERS

2005-11-13T00:33:00.000-08:00

While most of us contaplating how African countries can attain democracy here in Uganda things seem not to have a right future. Soldiers likes politics, they seem to believe without them this country cannot be ruled.Last week there was a statement which irritate a lot of people with good mind here.
The Chief of the army threatened for any retired officers read who will try to oppose the president as a politician.I do not know if how you you readers will find this but try to look this then you'll tell me.However, if we try to follow the historical background of this country, one will realise that many coups in this country in the past have not yet changed the attitude of soldiers here.

TIME FOR WOMEN HAS COME

2005-11-13T00:21:00.000-08:00

With the recently elected the first woman president in Africa, in Tanzania a lady emerged as the best student in one university graduation.read
You cannot believe this was the main news in the front of many papers.I think it is time women are trying to show their superiority.

WAS ZANZIBAR ELECTION RIGGED?

2005-11-10T22:25:00.000-08:00

Elections in Tanzania Mainland were postponed following the death of Chadema’s presidential running mate Jumbe Rajabu Jumbe three weeks ago.

The campaign for the election will start next week after Chadema appoints its presidential running mate, who should come from Zanzibar, since the party's presidential candidate is from the mainland. This is after a chaotic election held in Zanzibar last two weeks where it is alleged to have a lot of malpractices. A lot have bee said about Zanzibar since then in support of opposition claim of foul play during election.

The opposition also received a boost from the US government, which called for the release of all "political detainees" in Zanzibar and the establishment of an independent inquiry into reported irregularities in last week's voting.

Tanzanian security forces surrounding CUF headquarters in Stone Town should be withdrawn as well, said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack on Thursday. "This massive police presence is hindering the exercise of basic civil rights, such as freedom of speech and assembly."

Mr McCormack also called on the Zanzibar opposition to "refrain from inciting civil disobedience during this time of heightened tension. The best way forward for Tanzania," he said, "is through peaceful participation of all political groups, including elected members of the opposition."

A US senator also criticised the Tanzanian government’s actions.

Russ Feingold, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised the possibility of withholding aid for Tanzania because of what he termed "serious allegations of voting irregularities and unfair pre-election conditions" in Zanzibar.

Mr Feingold called on the Bush administration to join with other donor countries "to send strong, unmistakable signals to the Tanzanian government that the disenfranchisement of the people of Zanzibar is simply unacceptable."

Such an implied threat to withhold aid comes at a time when Tanzania is being reviewed for eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Account.

The multibillion-dollar programme provides special development assistance to countries that meet US-established performance standards.

The October 30 elections in Zanzibar were "a cruel repeat of the presidential and parliamentary elections held in 1995 and 2000, which were widely considered to have been mismanaged, resulting in serious irregularities," said Mr Feingold.

However, his assessment of the election differs markedly from the State Department’s initial comments on the voting.

Mr McCormack said on November 1 that US election monitors in Zanzibar had noted "a vast improvement" over previous polls.

Mr Feingold said the US should take cognisance of its negative image in the Muslim world as it responds to alleged injustices in Zanzibar. All these shows how Zanzibar politics are so complex.

ZANZIBAR ELECTION--REALLY RIGGING?

2005-11-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

After Zanzibar election Tanzanians are waiting for the election in 14 th of next month. There were many happenings in Zanzibar, last week. But what really occured there?I came across with what I think can give us just a glimpse of the reality on the ground and it can be a platform of thinking for the future.
Just read the following clickhere

TANZANIA--DANGEROUS PLACE FOR JOURNALIST

2005-11-06T06:35:00.000-08:00

I am a blogger journalist, however, I found sometimes very dangerous to write on some issues. In Tanzania, presidential and parliamentary election is expected very soon. What has dissapointed me is the uncivilized behaviours of some people when they see what has been written affects their interests.
Here is a case clickhere where you can realize how it is dangerous to be a journalist in Tanzania.

SOMETIMES NO PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE IN UGANDA

2005-11-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

Uganda president is driving alone.Can you imagine that he does not need a presidential motorcade to disrupt people in their normal activities.
I found it very interesting for him driving alone yesterday.Read the following story clickhere you can see unimaginable thing here in Africa.Though this is rare here in Africa, I found very interesting if my president in Tanzania can try to do the same.

UGANDA DEMOCRACY STILL A BIG DREAM

2005-11-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

If is to talk of democratic development in Africa, I doubt if at all we can achieve it. Here in Uganda, one of the key political party to bring back the democracy from the long military rule is FDC-Forum for Democratic Change.Last week it nominated Dr. Kiiza Besyige as its flag barrier in the forthcoming election next year.
Worse enough is that the party is said to be built in the same foundation of the ruling party where almost all the leaders of FDC defected from.For more knowledge of what is main problem just clickhere and you will see whether the current situation of the FDC really can help for the future of this country.

KENYA'S HIGH TEMPO POLITICS

2005-10-31T04:17:00.000-08:00

In Kenya, it's time for on going campaign for the forthcoming referendum over whether Kenya should adopt the new draft constitution or continuing with the current one which is believed to have alot of flaws. There are two camps here: those who support the new draft released by the government through the attorney general and those oposing it.
Voting will be on november seventeen, where the supporter of the new draft will vote for the sign banana while those opposing will vote for the sign orange.With this situation, currently the situation is so chaotic where by there had been a lot of exchanges in acrimonious mood.While following the situation there, I was deeply touched by this argument by one East Africa Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament over the flaws in the new draft especially in relation to the women rights.

UGANDA POLITICS IN NEW CHAPTER

2005-10-30T05:53:00.000-08:00

Last week the chief opposition politicians in Uganda returned back in the country after staying in exile for about four years.Mr. Kizza Besyige left Uganda claiming that his life was in big threat due to government persecution over the opposition politicians.He had been staying in South Africa for all that time and his coming back seem to have awaken the tempo of politics here as the country is expecting to have general election next year.
Yesterday, his party, FDC, held a special conference to arrange its leadership hierarchy CLICK HERE and to plan for the next election.The major issue in politics of Uganda has been the controversial move by the parliment amending one article in the constitution to remove the presidential term limits of five years twice. This has been seen as a personal benefit for the incumbent president, Yoweri Museveni who is about to finish his second term, so he will be able to contest for another five years.
Surprisingly, Mr. Besigye, who was appointed a presidential candidate yesterday still has to face the charges clickhere from the Museveni government as it is alleged that while living in exile was involved with the rebel group planning to overthrow the government.
As Uganda has allowed multipartism, FDC seems as the only party with all the potential to replace the rulling party, NRMO. This is because the party's leadership includes many of the disgruntled politicians from the ruling party.Let's hope there will be a good transition as FDC believes; but are they really politicians to believe?Because Museveni came with popularity but at last what we are witnessing is a man with the urge to cling to power.

IS THIS NOT POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN TANZANIA?

2005-10-30T05:37:00.000-08:00

Very many times we hear that African politics are so complicated.One cannot imagine that one of the weapon used by the incumbent ruling parties in most African countries is killing. This is been taken as elimination process of any threatful opposition politicians.
Though it has not been publicised to the extent of affecting the trend of election campaings in Tanzania, however, I found one of the opposition politicians clickhere complains so deeply touching.This is the serious allegation which calls all the key stakeholders in the African politicians to note.
I think it's so difficult for me to come up with any sound conclusion but it's time for us African to contemplate where are we going as well as where we came from in all those four decades of independence still we are thinking of killing each other rather than what matters so much like our poverty and diseases and economic development.

TANZANIA ELECTION POSTPONMENT: A RIGHT MOVE?

2005-10-30T05:33:00.000-08:00

Tanzania is mourning the death of one of the presidential candidates in the forthcoming general election to be held next Sunday. Therefore, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has postponed presshere the election till December 18^th this year. This move has led to a lot of comments from different circles of Tanzanians.

I have failed to swallow this completely though as a patriotic Tanzanian, I have to tore the line and wait for the day. You know there is a big problem facing among many African politicians. Here are my experience to make my point: Three years ago I traveled to Nairobi, it was a very exciting moment among many Kenyans as they were assured of getting away of their long president Moi.

One thing struck me that moment till today. Among the candidates to contest for the vice-presidency was said to be unwell. He had to undergo treatment in abroad. However, he appeared through the television and refuted that he was so serious sick though was so fragile. Outside, there was a lot of speculation over his sickness, that he was suffering something that could end his life. Hearing what Kenyans were speculating I felt he was not fit to stand. Ridiculously, he stood and eventually became the Vice President after election. Not more than a year he succumbed from his illness. The government had to spend lavishly for his last resting exercise.

Back to Tanzania, here is the contestant who was sick I suppose for sometimes. I do not know really what was the complication; however, I guess he must have been not fit by the time he decided to contest within his party. This is what has led to the postponement of the election. I’m trying to envisage how expensive the election will cost this my beloved poor country.

Questions to ponder: should we have a healthy policy to check for an individual fitness before contesting in our election? Is it that when we think of power then our rationality is taken in long holiday? There is a need for various Africa governments to check on the whole issue of potential health of our politicians.