Kasese Massacres Cannot Be Justified At All!

There are always alternatives, but the war culture in these people resisted. How can a weak person fail to negotiate if you have all the money, all the weapons, all the technical people -local and international, to consult and have a peace settlement! Do we care to take deep insights before or after the tragedy? We should be able to get unbiased answers, free from Egos! Surely, there is nothing inevitable, nothing Divine or natural about justification of Kasese massacres! Remember, we have had same massacres before in this country that help us understand how humans can stop being humans, deliberately and later unconsciously. There was much in common with the senseless killings in #SouthSudan. And somebody simply sits back, relaxes and be happy about that, as job well done? What a world! And, therefore, there are completely no justifications that can be imagined for the killings, unless there is something seriously wrong also with the person doing so. You know we all die for once and for good. It is not a holiday or leave from work. The fact that no one is immune to death should make us have a heart for others, show some love and care, and some empathy where sympathy fails! But that ease of conducting so much killings show something terribly wrong that must make everyone worry about the kind of people in our amidst and the future with them. If a sobber man is found fighting a drunkard, what difference does it make of the two? Even mad men and wild animals are tamed! These massacred victims are humans like those who claim to love their lives more, and were entitled to life and emancipation and become civil citizens that could live happily in peace with the rest of the Ugandans! Much us it is said that, a seed of violence has been planted by those massively killed, like for so many killings that have happened in this country, what happened in Kasese were new seeds planted of future killings, immediately after harvesting all those lives. Who know who the future killings could affect. Nothing prophetic about this! It is a natural law and justice! Architects are in 'good' moods about job 'well done', a victorious 'war' and 'worthy' for a professional soldier (a Noble protector and servant of the people) to 'die' for. Even war has rules that we didn't see in Kasese killings! What sort of soldiers does Uganda have!?? Are Ugandans safe!?? And what can they hold of the future??? Then, what message do we send to the rest of the World, that we operate in as a unit??? There is nothing surely to boast about, be proud about or to celebrate about these massacres, really! Who can you be to do that, like yourself you kill at will and have mandate to kill fellow humans with ease, as though oneself (killer) is immune to death at any other single moment? Really, we need to have some respect for life, humility before others (servant leadership, regardless) and show a difference between levels of civilisation and animal nature in us, much as we all have the elements to kill by our natural design. Let's be a little bit human for the beginning, at least.  May the people of Kasese live to see the true judgement, justice happen and peace return to the land, country and region, already in fear or threatened!

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY

REVISED: Are Women Really the Weaker Sex?

After the world war, women came to the limelight, and many flocked to workstations -having impressed in war adventure. Occupation-wise, they moved to the same radar as men.

Success of civil rights movements in 1960s helped to strengthen the position of a woman in Western Europe. Events soon set impulses to the Middle East. Women, there, did not enjoy the same privileges as men. And they were vulnerable to physical and verbal attacks.

Numerous prejudices were channeled to them. The structures in place had its oppressive dos and don’ts for them. But women, still, were the most oppressed –as they did not enjoy economic, educational and economic rights. Instead, as let down by Napoleon Bonaparte, women in the Middle East were a reserve of the kitchen.

In Uganda, strides have been made to liberate women. The country, now, boasts of reasonable number (of women) in political offices at different levels. Employment opportunities too are very much open to them, as is the gate to further studies. As a result, very many are rising to prominence.

Emphasis on women education has seen off women take positive advances in life. Even adults now go to adult literacy centers for further training which has helped guard against men chauvinism; increase their economic and social power. Women now find themselves capable of doing anything a man would like; managing a business firm, contesting a political office, and acting in self-defense against men violence

Biblical personalities like Mary (mother of Jesus Christ), Ruth and Bathsheba -who played leadership roles in Israel. God used them to fulfill his purpose in the world –of bringing salvation to sinful mankind.

There also exist women groups or associations that advocate and uphold women successes in their economic, educational and political strides. In these networks they enjoy advantages of sharing support information, encouraging and supporting education of the girl child etcetera.

The secret of women’s indomitable power tends to only be a preserve for the military. They are usually aware of the problem of trusting women. Soldiers, who all victim of women irresistible influence, could be doing so at own peril.

No wonder, women have proved best workers for defense or security intelligence gathering. This could explain why President Muammar Gadaffi of Libya preferred women power to men's for recruitment as bodyguards. So, why are women considered the weaker sex?

With such, it sounds great deal of capital for any successful negotiations. It would only be a matter of asking herself, “what?” Surely, women are bound to be decision makers anywhere and anyhow. Already, there are acceptable assertions to that regard –given the saying, “behind every successful man, there is a woman.”

As it is already happening, in future, all decisions would no longer just be bedroom-based -but in all spheres of human activity. Simply, it would be a woman’s availability that would matter -whether one or two of them -to cause an effect by her will.

But women are gradually coming to terms with the changing cultural and socioeconomic realities. It is very possible to find a woman entirely supporting a family without the help of a “man” -while at the same time married to “him”.

It would, therefore, be true that the so-called decisions men of any caliber make are actually women’s. Men could simply make any such decisions unconsciously. And so is a wave, this time round, called the strength or power of a woman. We could as well see cultures that earlier genetically discriminated women, get eroded. Should we expect emergence of men movements, thereafter, to advocate gender equity as women movement could have done?

FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN UGANDA

Social Events

1) The Uganda Buddhist Centre will celebrate its 6 th anniversary on April 10, 2011. This aniversary will mark the 6 th year since the official introduction of Buddhism in Uganda by the Ven. Buddharakkhita. Please stay tuned...



2) The Uganda Buddhist Centre will celebrate The Vesak Day and International Conference on Peace and Mental Health ( ICMH) from April 29 to May 2 , 2011.

Venue: Meditation Hall, Uganda Buddhist Centre, Plot 31, Garuga Road, Bulega, Entebbe, Uganda.

The Event is Jointly organised by Wat Thai Norway, Wat Buddharam, Sweden and the Uganda Buddhist Centre, Uganda

Features of this event:

* The event will start from April 29 to May 2, 2011.
* This event is expected to gather many lay people, Buddhist monks and nuns from Europe, Asia, America, Africa and other countries.
* This event is going to attract scholars, meditation practioners, health professional and other participants from all over world.
* The cost of attending the event is FREE !!!
* The International participants will meet their International airfare expenses.
* The UBC will provide accomodation, food, beverages, and local transportion for International participants.
* The UBC will food and beverages to Ugandan participants.
* The UBC will NOT provide accomodation and local transportation to the Ugandan participants.
* The event will include, meditation sessions led by prominent Buddhist meditation teachers , Ugandan cultural shows, Dhamma Talks by the partipants, discussions, Inter-faith and Cultural tour for International partipants to all interesting places in Uganda.
* ALL Participants are advised to begin booking NOW since we have very limited space.

For further information please e-mail us at : ugandabuddhistcentre@gmail.com