Regina Kiiza Memorial and Development Fund: A Life Innocently Lived and Beautifully Left

Regina Kiiza Lived A Very Challenging But Innocent and Compassionate Life

"Born innocent, Lived innocent and Died Innocent"

- Jacob Waiswa

Regina Kiiza was born in 1985 and died in 2017, leaving behind great compassion and beautiful life that those around her struggled to keep until limits of human nature led to their untimely end at the physical. In spirit, the beauty and compassion live on. And hopefully, we can help renurture such a life for the disadvantaged others to thrive in such a world that challenges the most vulnerable to cope and find peace.

Regina contracted meningitis, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy conditions at birth. She has since overcome these conditions to reach the age of 32. As a child life was very promising despite suffering from multiple physical and mental challenges, as support systems were readily available. A daughter of a single mother and retired civil servant, Regina was graced with a spacious home as part of the benefits of civil servants that her single parent benefited from. The location and decent house attracted extended family members –who resided there as students, newly employed youths in town and as job seekers. The public house also had tenant houses that brought in friendly people to live with. As such  Regina had a vast social support system between 1985 and 2000. After retirement, her single mother lost only job and got hit hardest as bread winner. She was forced to find lowly jobs in emerging organizations to support Regina and herself as well as rent makeshift house in the town, closes to the main hospital. The strategic location ensured that Regina has access to emergency treatment. The new life was very challenging, as the social support system had soon collapsed and none of the extended family members were in sight,  anymore; no even friends. Loneliness loomed the life of Regina in a very restricted and unhealthy living environment. Even her 3 siblings had long started new families and left her extremely lonely. Her single mother and caretaker spent most hours of the day toiling for a living. At age of 66, she was still running around to farm and work as support employee with local development organizations. The only chance Regina met her was after 9pm. Loneliness, immobility and lack of direct contact of sunrays, left her so vulnerable to infections and it was not so long when she contracted a life-threatening Tuberculosis (TB), which at first was mistaken for regular flu and cough. Malaria fever too joined the list of infections and conditions afflicting Regina. Regina was suddenly thrown back to early-childhood trials and tribulations of life, even worst after she contracted with a very terrifying and resistant TB virus that took her into comma and feeding as well as passing out only from tubes. But thanks to her very resilient single mother and her own experiences of living in unconscious states and facing pain and misery from greatest part of her life. Great Samaritans too came in to offer unlikely support and hope to the single mother threatened by poverty, disease and uncertainty. But Regina’s own resilience brought her back and gave her chance to life again amidst scares of TB deaths in the same hospital wards each day. Upon this victory, the future now has key lessons for Regina, her mother  and the world

Regina was lucky to live again

Her care and support cannot be guaranteed.

Care and support can only come from outside family circles, from new adoptable families and friends as well as wellwishers, who may be happy to share love, hope and a better future with Regina.

Regina was transferred to Kiruddu from Jinja hospital 3 days ago (July 22). From comma, she was responding well to treatment. The 2 months and 2 drug combinations did well, until 4 days ago when she was set to adopt a 4 drug combinations. Unfortunately for Jinja medical people, the drugs they had were very strong for the liver type. When IMI inquired from main mulago, it was revealed that such cases call simply for 2 weeks break off drugs. Other colleagues suggested same, one other said only 1 of the 4 was problematic and could be withdrawn for sometime, then get reintroduced. Well, I am yet to understand what Kiruddu people have decided. We neglected this disabled girl for some years immobile and deteriorated to levels TB took a chance. It was very regretful since it was such a prevented case. Seeing the pain she is going through alongside other vulnerabilities, we too now have emotional pain to deal with.

Kiruddu is crazy place. At least 20 people die every week. Sunday 23 July was witnessed by me. On 6 floor alone, some 5 people died and left behind fears and anxieties for patients and caregivers. Reason fronted is late transfers/referrals for management after other hospitals have failed. And patients are brought in closest to death. I was among those moved by the deaths, in absence of standby medical person to resuscitate life. ~ Besides, Kiruddu location is disastrous. It is a beach environ, near Lake Victoria. The night long weather is fatal for the struggling patient, far destabilising for the care-giver.

Unfortunately Regina passed-on on July 27, around noon. It was a brave fight by her caregivers, who fell sick around her last 5 days of life from burnout and respiratory infections. It was a painful death that onlooker would experience too. The death itself was worst event as there was greater hopes of recovery before she was transferred to Kiruddu. Whatever the regrets (medical negligence, caregiver burnout, new infections and hazardous hospital environment), Regina (32) is gone, leaving behind a lot of emotional pain and love.

We hope from her loss, the struggle for better health care system, patient justice, vulnerability redress, sharing the love Regina amassed, giving hope to the bereaved families and supporting them through difficult times, and achieve a life she much longed for, will benefit the living so that they can live at peace with the dead through events as funeral and memorial services as well as family livelihood and health improvement activities in their memory.

We appreciate the timely local support from family and friends:

Jinja Medical Center/Dorothy

Jinja Referral Hospital (despite deploying student nurses, helped take Regina out of comma)

Waako Emmanuel (through sickness and death)

Jacob Waiswa (through sickness and death)

Babirye Racheal (through sickness and death)

Namulemo Daisy (Mother, from birth through death)

Matumbwe family

Mama Hellen

Stephen Kisira

Isooba Dan

David Mukunya

Isaac Waako

Waako Richard

Waako George

Kigenyi Mariatah

Uncle Bairu Fred 

And the great Elizephany family

Key areas of interventions are;

-Building decent shelter for affected family.

-Providing land for gardening from which to produce food and meet their nutritional values and employ her single mother as grocery dealer and help support medical bills. 

-Support to family’s immediate nutrition needs.

-Volunteering to train affected family (ies) in life skills, 

-Relief grant (USD1500 per year) to help affected family (ies) run business, supported by 2-4 workers for at least three years.

Rebuilding affected family (ies) and communities with similar socioeconomic and disability challenges shall be run by the Integrated Mental health Initiative -IMI (www.integratedmhi.blogspot.ug and www.facebook.com/integratedmentalhealthinitiative ) was the focus between April and July by IMI, an organization that designs environments and human environments to reduce vulnerability, accelerate healing and achieve sustainable wellbeing. The IMI has been at the forefront of researching and giving support information to Regina mother, mobilizing local support resources from friends and using its own resources to buy recommended medicine and food for Regina, in order to sustain healing. Since longterm wellbeing of Regina was in question, the IMI now establishes a fully-fledged programme under it to extend support to bereaved families and communities faced with challenges as that suffered by Regina and her family – to overcome vulnerabilities towards otherwise fatal preventable diseases as TB, Malaria, liver and Kidney conditions.

Any material, financial, volunteer and advisory supports are highly recommended, sought and very welcome. Any such assistance will support;

Conduct funeral service for Regina Kizza

Rehabilitate her grave as part of the celebrations of her life amidst lifelong trap within nest - of physical and emotional afflictions.

Champion the life she desired: better shelter, better nutrition, freedom to move from one place to another, right to community participation and socialization, and family health and harmony – through the living as greatest connection with her.

Create awareness about the state of the health-care system and work to improve it through construction of model client-centered health facility, where life comes before money, promotion of pro-patient professionalism, promotion of alternative sources of health care, advocate for basic health care trainings and empowerment of poor communities – who cannot afford quality health care, and promotion of health care task-shifting in the health care system.

Relief aid to vulnerable families: beddings, food, medical supplies, and psychosocial support.

Business development and livelihood support grants for the socioeconomically challenged families.

How else to contribute:

• Volunteering as psychotherapist, physiotherapist, social worker, community mobilise, fundraiser, social change advocates and project administrators – for 3 – 12 months..
• Donate books.
• Support financially for as low as $50.
• Sponsor shelter building project for poor families for as low as $1500.
• Messages of support to affected families.
• Making contact:
• Express interest to volunteer by email to: dishma.imhs@gmail.com
• Donate books by DHL - Plot 15, Narambhai Road, Jinja, Uganda
• Make financial contribution by Western Union - Jacob Waiswa, Jinja or through Barclays Bank, Jinja Branch, Uganda, AC No. 6004667822

Sex and Genderbased Violence Workshops, Uganda 2018-2020

Championing Gender Equality and Peace Earlier in Life

Introduction
Sex and Genderbased Violence Workshop 2017 is an activity of the Integrated Mental Health Initiative (IMI) under the theme "mental health and peace twins for sustainable livelihoods and wellness". It aims at making sense out of gender issues and easing as much as succeeding at efforts towards poverty eradication and conflict transformation for sustainable development, wellness and peace.

Expectations:
The workshop will present rightful tools for understanding gender and SGBV and transforming the lives of affected and at-risk groups for better health, livelihoods and peace.
The workshop will empower individuals and organizations working in gender and peace development sectors with best practices for creating behavior chance and transforming SGBV into peaceful co-existence and inclusive development.
The workshop will speed up efforts towards meeting sustainable development goals.

Context
There is a steady rise of women and gender movements advocating equal treatment for women as for men. They have helped to cause awakenment and mass consciousness. However, women and movement have not actualized yet the principle of equity as responses have proved to be a more a conflict between feminism and masculinism without common ground for approaching development challenges. This  conflict has ironically evolved masculine tendencies in women to compete and struggle against men rather than work together. Many such women have ended up straining marriage relationships and opting to live as either single women, lesbians or single mothers. As such women movements created a worse social structure and imbalances that deny families stability and happy development of children. Rather than stabilize society women and gender movements have destabilized them, with increasing number of women as much as men failing and support continuity of society. Empowering service providers and at-risk communities help gain access to greater protection for affected communities and allows survivors to fully recover and live their lives in dignity.
Unique aspects of the training 
The Gender Based Transformative Workshop provides rightful understanding gender, sexuality and gender equality to improve behavior of men and women towards equal access to development opportunities and roles in meeting community challenges, without breaking and undermining the existing social structure for social continuity, such that men remain men and women as such, and that efforts to emancipate women do not victimise men - so that both contribute and benefit to and/or from development opportunities available regardless of their respective nature and conceivable thoughts on potential differences.
Objectives:

• To reduce burden of women and in key production areas needed for stable families and society.
• To ensure transmission of rightful message and programmes on gender to beneficiaries of respective organizations
• To support gender mainstreaming in key sectors of development
• To encourage weaker genders attain their development goals, without bias 
• To prevent violence based on gender 
• To realise peace and security as a whole 

Key programme outcomes:

• Equal access to development opportunities.
• Active and mass participation in economic production 
• Rapid socioeconomic growth and development 
• Socioeconomic stability and peace
• General state of wellness.

Championing Gender Equality Yields a More Equal World, Sustainable Development and Peace

Target:

• Civil servants
• Corporate managers 
• Parents 
• School heads and class teachers
• Student heads

Dates: 25/09/17 - 29/09/17

Venue: 

Jinja Central Division
Plot 15, Narambhai Road
Jinja, Uganda

Fee: $50 per participant

Accommodation:
$20

Contact us to request registration form:
Phone: +256774336277/+256752542504
Email: dishma.imhs@gmail.com/waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk

Call for development partners

Call for Development Partners to Support Mental Health Development

Integrated Mental Health Initiative was started in 2015 as a community based organisation  that designs, integrates and applies programs that promote mental wellbeing.
www.integratedmentalhealth.org

It would be a pleasure if you shared information about this organisation with humanitarian foundations and ministries as well as development students and workers to support this organisation, which applies psychological approaches  for mental wellbeing, peace and development. And also develop ways to strengthen peace and development initiatives through sustainable efforts.

I am supporting this organisation to succeed in Uganda and Africa. We also welcome volunteers who can come, support, and give it a stronger foundation. You can also like our Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/integratedmentalhealthinitiative

I will be grateful if you helped promote it there and in case we are needed there to come learn from you or share our expertise, or otherwise wish to hear more information from us, please do not hesitate to let me know.

One Billion Dollar Lesson

Development comes from accurate concept of business ideas, analysis from within the individual and then goes outside to the real world application to attain mass growth and development, henceforth; helping to resolve socioeconomic problems. Thus, is the notion: 'before you ask what America has done for you, what have you done for America.'

The Worth of Borrowing and Lending Money

Jacob Waiswa, Peace and Conflict Program,
Makerere University

Money influences standard of living and eases the struggle to reach life goals. There can be relentless strive to reach one’s life goals, with or without money. Both the lazy and hardworking characters develop strategies relevant to meeting their immediate and long term needs.

It is believed that working hard everyday yields good results. However, there are a lot of cases that show success in people’s lives, who are known to have worked less to attain it. It is at this point that the aspect of luck begins to mean something to admirers.

While hardworking people incur equal amount of effort to attain much-needed development levels in life, the lazy ones look for short-cuts. Of the two categories of individuals, the actions of the hardworking person are most acceptable.

It is widely understandable that hardworking people excel in all their endeavors and eventually become wealthy. The lazy ones either resort to ‘unacceptable’ means to success or choose passive living, so that their survival costs are met by the hardworking group, through begging.

The race to success is accelerated by social status of one’s family, size of social support group, and the nature of social influences from ones social environment. The challenges faced to reach life goals arouse given emotional, psychological (justification of the need), and behavioral state or orientation.

With a supportive social environment, an individual will have a positive outlook towards life, a strong attitude to achieve his or her life goals, high confidence, high self-esteem, enthusiasm to perform well at work, ability to take action steps, passion towards work, critical problem-solving skills, and resilience along the path to success.

Unfortunately, not everyone reaches his or her dreams, a measure of them or even, at all, make begin a journey to register achievements. The fact that some people work so hard for nothing while others do very little or nothing to succeed is an everyday puzzle. Such inequalities cause animosities, for which God and earthly leaders are usually blamed.

Hardly do people accept roles for their failures, so much that even when they have the means to work out their way to success, they keep blaming other people for their woes. Otherwise, it can be true that some people are just not doing enough to change their bad situations for the better. If they did, probably, they would not clamor. Or perhaps steps used to achieve their goals are the ones worth questioning.

In modern times, the greater pressure to meet primary needs, as food and sex, is helped by money. Its absence prompts people to resort to aggressive behaviors and other unethical ways to have those needs. The non-assertive ones resort to self-destructive ways, as substance abuse and suicide to cope with the symptoms of depression.  

Borrowing is one coping strategy that many economically-hurt people turn to for temporary relief. Events towards pay-back, however, resurrect depression and associated psychological symptoms. Like it is for smokers and alcoholics, people find themselves borrowing, until it becomes a hardened habit.

Borrowing, though, is an acceptable channel to reaching one’s economic objectives. But its enslaving nature places it among the most evil practices worth giving no legitimacy to. Failure to pay back the loan worsens existing miseries of life as the feeling of guilt and pressure to pay back the loan triggers health concerns as hypertension, headaches, and even death.

As pressure to meet primary needs builds internally and from the outside of the individual, he or she is compelled to seek relief through borrowing. And when the relief is found, the individual regains the much-needed sense of calmness and total cessation of the reason to pay back the loan. It becomes more of the lender’s concern.

And because the pressure to seek the loan was emotional rather than a well-intentioned and reasoned-out process over time, the individual will only feel victimized of the ‘fact’ that he or she has to pay back the loan. It seems to him or her as an issue of the past, not now. He or she will struggle away from the new pressure to pay, whether he or she is able to pay or not.

It is at that level that criminalization of the individual takes root. Under criminal procedures, there must be evidence before prosecution takes effect. However, court action worsens the victimization effect more than it solves, and will move to cement hatred between and among relationships.

Traditional borrowing is based on brotherly and friendly relationships, aimed at bailing out loved ones or those cared for, where signing of contracts is never a big deal. The borrowers are motivated to pay back, basing on the need to preserve existing relationships between them and the lenders.

The emotional-based borrowing pays no attention to that; instead, it pushes individual to downplay the need to pay back the loan at any cost. As would be expected, the relationship soon falls apart. Mending the relationship not only calls for paying back the loan, but also rebuilding it.

It takes years to build an exciting relationship, but a little while to break it. It is the reason that influences more caring people to desist from placing business and money matters at the center of relationships. They find it better to give out money without strings attached than to lend it out expecting pay back, sometimes with an interest.

The approach strengthens existing relationship and prevents the ills of broken relationship from developing. And the borrower will be saved from the adverse health outcomes as depression, pressure, stress and associated psychosomatic manifestations.

In cases where the lender cannot afford the amount of money the borrower needs, he or she would explain why he is willing to give the stipulated amount, more over without expecting it back.

And if the person approached for financial assistance can not at all donate any money, it is wiser to acknowledge lack of it than to promise or feel guilty for not fulfilling the ‘obligation’ to give. Free giving and free receiving can then be a solution to modern-day problems; both at individual, national, and global levels.

It is important that emotionally-driven people limit their plans within the available resources, until a time when the amount of resources at their proposal increase to support new ideas. Before that happens, new ideas should remain in files awaiting action.

At some point the kind of patience is needed, as it remains clear to the would-be borrower that the long-awaited time for activating ideas will come. And when that happens, individuals will not have to put pressure on themselves or others. Instead, they will be elevated to new levels of life, happiness and good health.

Effects of Microfinance Institutions on Communities in Uganda

Jacob Waiswa
Peace and Conflict Programme, Makerere University

Despite too much faith that was placed in micro-finance projects in early and mid 2000s by mainly citizens working in the informal sector, it was not long when the managements disappeared with client's money. 

As a result, the once faithful clients fell victims to what later turned out to be the deceitful yet so persuasive campaigns of micro-finance institutions -showing how how in every way they would help solve the business challenges of small business owners. 

The usually reliable Bank of Uganda was very slow at protecting micro-finance clients until around 2009/10 after many crooks had taken advantage of struggling Ugandans and made themselves rich. In fact the trend only popularized the traditional bank institutions as many ran to them to find safe hands for their monies.

Besides, micro-finance institutions work for the haves, however small. The very poor will always have or feel nothing to do with micro-finance institutions. 

During the savings sensitization and recruitment, I remember some of the people who afforded to listen to me telling me they had nothing to keep with the micro-finance, instead asked for money assistance without having to save to the institution while others did not find the idea of interest good at all. They felt if it was in the best interest of them, then there was no need of asking them extra money to pay back along with. They looked at it as extortion, which reminded them of earlier con-men and women under the guise of micro-finance companies. 

 Management inefficiency was highly characteristic of them; if they had the project manager as professional, the other lots were entirely not, neither training nor experience were looked at recruitment. Instead, they had the culture of bringing in family members and friends to work in the companies. Neither the board nor the members ever communicated along, or even held assemblies to create management committees and board members annually, or after a given period of time.

Even the first and last members of the board did not have expertise, not even experience to do with micro-finance projects and development. The criteria of receiving a loan, which every business person yearned for was so stringent that soon they found it irrelevant to keep their money with the companies. 

After failing to secure loans, it was very common to clients to withdraw all their savings and quit. It was asserted that the client had to have a certain percentage in order to get a given percentage loan. If he or she had saving of say 250,000, he or she could borrow 500,000/-. Some times for some reasons even if the client reach the said proportion of money in saving, never would they grant him the loan. Because of the incoherence that existed between the board and management, decisions to grant loans were either delayed or never given at ll -to the disappointment and anguish of the clients. 

Uganda is known to have attractive regulatory frameworks and policies, but also known for non-implementation or poor implementing them. 

Unless that is achieved, and an excellent reputation created, and people be convinced of that reputations, micro-finance institutions will have a rough ride in the country. 

You can also read: http://ezinearticles.com/?Microfinance-Service-Development-in-Uganda&id=5024105

Is there Good and Bad Corruption?

Jacob Waiswa
Peace and Conflict Center
P.O. Box 7062,
Makerere University
Kampala-Uganda
jwaiswa@arts.mak.ac.ug

The word corruption has widely been used to mean misuse of public and digressing to the norms of administration within an organization. It involves buying favors, or paying for assistance –where such payments are not necessary. It also about incompetence and failure to deliver public goods as obliged by virtue of holding a public office.

As a consequence of corruption, the poor have failed to benefit from national development initiatives as the funds are swindled long before they trickle down them. Because the political and economic structure denotes that the very few privileged people far aloof, funds fail to trickle through when they are tasked to implement development programs.

Yet, successful program implementation will mean breaking the structure along with their privileges -a huge cost they will not want to see. According to them, peace is peace if the structure is preserved as long as possible. Any attempt to break it comes with serious losses of human life.

A ruling dynasty has shaped up like that of the legendary banana republic who control the national economy with a handful of friends and those who through compromise succeed at breaking the thick protective dynastic wall.

The services or infrastructure build are either appalling or short-lived. Officials who are charged with ensuring the implementation of government programs employ many middlemen –with whom to share huge commissions while leaving less or nothing evident on the ground. That can be frustrating for those who cannot buy the favors or give tokens of appreciations in order to genuinely receive government services.

There are, however, instances were upon satisfaction of work done or in helping process a need to its final stage, a beneficially may feel so happy that he or she gives a token of appreciation to the government representative.

The disadvantage, though, is that while tokens of appreciation mutually benefit both parties and may be for the common good, it could become a norm in the near future. It would mean an obligation of every Ugandan to have money every time nations seek public services –more so quality ones. Here the poor ones lose out.

Ability to offer rewards makes some people more powerful than the others. In case of political elections, it is never easy to win without a powerful wealthy source of money. No wonder, incumbents in Africa are diamonds to break in nation’s general elections. It is ever the opposition politicians who cry foul.

It is made even worse when government moves to break opposition parties’ source of funding that are interpreted as a strong motivation to overthrow government. Foreign governments that offer support to the opposition are soon labelled enemies of the regime while individuals involved are promptly arrested and charged for treason.

It is irresistible for the rural poor to accept money given when back home there is no food. Such a temporary motivation to love a leader who until election time was not concerned about them worked for the incumbents.

The rural areas are homo-ideological, most inclined to the present and respond easily to fear of the unknown and threats from government representatives. It, for a long time, becomes tooth and nail to change such a government democratically.

The same is the case with 'generosity': if misery of the population penetrates the heart of a leader, he or she donates items or money to improve their lives. To the Ugandan politician, donation is never so parse, but political capital for reinvesting themselves into the lives of their electorate.

In the other sense, the donation goes on to build strong links and relationship between the donating person or country and the recipients. Such a relation is never easy to break down as the case with the national resistance movement and the rural majority supporters. Despite dying due to simple and preventable diseases, dropping out of school and massive starvation, the relationship remains unshakable.

Within corruption, now, are opportunities for engaging it. Non-government organizations are mushrooming to benefit from the desperate need to arrest the situation. However, with corruption well socially, economically, culturally and spiritually structurally made concreted one wonders whether those organizations will not fall prey by compromising with the big corruption system that has been seen grow over years.

Showing generosity and appreciation is not limited to politics; it all begins from the relation between two dating individuals, forming a family and that family getting absorbed into the wider society. At the level of courtship, it will be a show of power through giving generously –considered good for a romantic relationship.

The same will be at famine level when children are initiated into earning money as a reward for doing well or to support good behaviors. Besides, it can be argued that good corruption is one that supports mutual relationship while the bad one destroys it, which guarantees fairness rather than discriminate and limit achievement of citizens’ dreams. We can only avoid corruption if we can avoid the good and bad corruption. How possible is that?

Microfinance and Project Developments in Uganda

By

Jacob Waiswa
Dishma Inc.
P.O. Box 8885, Kampala-Uganda
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com
dishma.imhs@gmail.com
waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk


St. Balikudembe Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Owino Saaco) is one of the very many cooperative companies spread around the country –and masterminded by government in 2006 –to empower economically marginalized Ugandans. And it is one of the most promising government-founded savings and credit cooperative societies in Kampala Sub-region.

St. Balikudembe branch started operating in 2007 from its first home in Nakivubo trading area to offer market vender-tailored services, like sending out field officers to collect savings from client stalls rather than them (clients) walking to company offices, its strategic location within market premises –and the practice of giving business-friendly loans.

It set out to strengthen existing businesses and support enterprise initiatives by opening up to the business community in its area of operation. They did so through purchase of shares. It was stipulated that minimum amount of shares a member bought were five (5) costing five thousand shillings only (5,000/-) while no limit was put on maximum amount one wished to take.

It was at the time clients needed to borrow that members were required to hike shares held from 5,000/= to 30,000/= Uganda Shillings. This helped to increase loan repayment security. In that respect, low income earners were encouraged to save or raise membership fees in bits or small amounts they could afford such that, at end of the day, they took full rights and benefits of their membership while clients with shares expected dividends at the end of the year.

To completely secure membership to sacco, basically, clients had to pay 16,000/- where 10,000/- was charged to open an account, 5,000/- in payment for the minimum shares a client ought to have –and 1,000/- as charge for passbook or account book. From there, one began the run to self-driven economic liberation –as at that time they qualified to receive loans depending on the amount saved while amount of shares remained constant at 30,000/-. If for example a member had 75,000/- in savings, he or she was eligible to access a loan of 300,000/=; 125,000/- = 500,000/-; 250,000/- =1,000,000/-; and the limit amount of money they could borrow was 2,000,000/-. Before 2006, there was very little knowledge about saccos: their intentions, operations, management (efficiency and effectiveness, financial trust, safety and insurance).

Going into it them opened doors for one to learn about management issues of saccos, role descriptions and executions, working in a busy market environment, general organization structure, general history of saccos in Uganda, customer-relations, client training and recruitment of new ones. That, of course, had its challenges, like the taunting history of saccos –involving a series of them in the same area (Owino). In fact, stories of that nature were widespread; not only in Owino but all over Uganda.

Interestingly, however, government-founded saccos (GFSs) had financial and social security safeguards better than small privately individual own saccos. Not all did represent the truthfulness of a sacco. While saccos stood for ownership by members, in their operations, it was something different –personal business.

Unlike privately-owned saccos, GFSs enabled access to loans in the friendliest manner, flexible pay back, based its decisions to lend money on membership fees and amount of money accumulated and by sought signatures of at least three (3) people; one of them, a fellow member to the sacco and others; a market zone leader, and a local government leader in the area of residency. That facilitated a healthy and trustworthy relationship between sacco management and clients. But in both, the client had to have some kind of security –in possession of a business stall, immediate asset (as collateral security) or belonging to a responsible group of five (5) people.

In attempting to build confidence in would-be clients during sensitization, it was critical to clearly state such advantages as the possibility to save or repay loans in amounts they could afford and to expect a monthly bank charge of 1,000/= cheaper than the system of instituting percentage charges basing amount saved and withdrawn (e.g. 20,000/= charge on 40,000/=, 40,000 charge on 80,000/=). This would indeed promote poverty rather than fight it.

But, also, the advantage that GFSs were not individual properties that single owners will one day walk-away with –along with client money compared to private ones –simply because they were entities owned by members with shares and savings in it. Hopefully with constant yet close supervisions of sacco affairs, St. Balikudembe Sacco will turn out to be the safe-haven of everyone wishing to improve his or her economic life.

However, there was need to build effort and expertise needed to increase client-base for or membership of St. Balikudembe Savings and Credit Cooperative Society. On top of that; understand business environment, study company history and operation system, identify key staff support units (or officers) –and gain experience at working in as busy areas as Owino or St. Balikudembe market.

Approaches adopted were; client-based services that involved engaging clients –right from their work area –a kind of mobile office, exploit areas with already existing members as these acted as role-models, role clarity and avoid unnecessary mix with work unpaid for or meant for other staff, plan for my field work everyday –to include right content and presentation style done in after a small meeting before setting off, evaluate day's work and record planned actions for the next day's field mission, daily short message service, time table for work changed from 9 am to 10am of the less busy days to 11am and above for busier ones and enough time was given for rain to down-pour and flood entire work area until it stopped and drained out –and pass on information to the understanding of would be clients and questions were well answered and, where more information was needed, consultation was always the last nail in the coffin of the matter.

To understand the business environment, a lot of questions were raised for the old staff who readily answered all to the best of their knowledge. They covered the geography of Owino sacco, existing branches elsewhere, timing to return after several financial scandals, management composition, busiest days of the week, legal requirements, weather concern when working in the open, working days of the week, and tactics best known to them applicable to winning clients.

Marketing documents (catalogs and brochures) were read for the right information to present to prospecting clients –giving name and location of the company, its legal status, composition of management, clientele base, requirements to join, safety issues -and streamlined share-holder benefits. Armed with such information, it was helpful to build confidence in self before prospecting clients during one on one or one on five presentations or training.

A system of operation was developed –where in case of any gap during presentation time, right people to consult were available. These included the project manager, vice-chairperson of the board –and enthusiastic staff members with experience at working in the same environment for over a year. The same units acted as reinforcements to concretize information already passed-on to the satisfaction of the prospecting or harder-to-persuade prospecting members. And once recruited, they were referred to right people –with whom to keep in reach or expect to see collecting their savings right in places where they worked, or at their stalls.

It had been understood during staff orientations that the purpose of any dynamic youthful staff working, having got the opportunity to prove one's role-skills, knowledge and abilities was to excel and register tangible results. And at the end of the work tenure one could transfer experience to a higher position or another job for individual and social progress.

It was evident that as time went on, confidence rose so high that work became fun. Communicating company position and making every effort to persuade prospecting clients more over in a vast, very busy and noisy market area was more clear and comprehensible well enough to prompt a yes response. Some of the achievements were: reached 200 people where in three zones; 150 showed commitment and willingness to join, only 25 showed up but only 5 were confirmed to be active members; pledges to join remained a dream of the staff (field officers); and sacco management reported increment in membership to a tune of seven million per week in collections from those who saved with it (from Monday to Sunday).

Like in any undertaking St. Balikudembe did not go without challenges –moreover hard-biting ones:

To Clients
• Too poor to save and to affords collateral security –which turned sacco into a club of the haves rather than the don’t haves –escalating the rich-poor divide.
• Lost confidence in saccos and preferred bigger banks. Clients had negative experience with other microfinance institutions that operated in the area. It was reported that client money ranging from 20,000/- to 10,000,000/- was swindled so victims opted for other banks and decided never to join area cooperative society.
• Sacco demanded a lot to qualify clients to receive loans. Dividends were not given either.
• Hated mixing market politics with sacco management affairs –to which market executives were part –moreover most of them had been cited in scandals. In addition, was understood as a project of the ruling party –which prospecting members of other political parties would not join.
• They did not have sufficient training, or information about the sacco. Publicity was inadequate as at no time did venders' voice advertise sacco services.
• They were insecure about future changes in management and safety of their money as well as possible change of government –since government had a stake in sacco.

To Management
• Increased competition from private saccos and big banks.
• Failed to organize annual general meeting since 2007.
• Limited number of staff and inability to meet staffing costs.
• Role ambiguity to fill staffing gaps.
• Repayment follow-up was difficult to sustain to dictate staff payment.
• No living wage for staff who were required to meet the requirements of client full membership and saving strength to 50% level of confidence before 2000/= pay per convincing client entered.
• Long distances to the place of work
• Unreliable commission pays to field officers
• Lack support services like breakfast chefs as this wasted staff time when they took time to prepare own breakfast.
• Inactive members of the board.

Opportunities:
St. Balikudembe Sacco can be leading GFS in Uganda –emplyment between 15 to 30 employees in the next 10 years. But that could be possible only if the management ensured a child- loving mother relationship with it.

Way forward:
• Introduce living wage for staff alongside commission received.
• Reduce interest rates from 20% to 16% to increase comparative advantages over other microfinance companies.
• Employ cook or introduce breakfast at the kitchen place so that staff do not add that to already busy days.
• Make possible for people who want on-spot loans to get them.
• Emphasize role clarity so that each staff (or member of the management team) knows and understands his or her work.
• Provide field gadgets as umbrellas.

In conclusion:
The future is bright for St. Balikudembe Sacco if only can trigger some changes in the management and operations. Otherwise, it was interesting experience to discover and develop this report.

The Relationship between Decision Making, Level of Attachment, Circumstances at Conception and Environment in Healthy Child Development: A Case of Children Growing up in Kampala and Wakiso Districts

By
Jacob Waiswa,
Dishma Inc


Introduction:
Parenting is a responsibility one finds himself or herself under voluntarily or involuntary. During adolescence, gradual changes that may be cognitive, emotional, biological, physical and social or environment occur. The qualities of changes are influenced by how well decisions are made at different levels of interaction (cognition, instinct or biology, emotional, social and/or natural environment) in relation to one’s sexuality. It all begins at conception –through important stages of birth, special care of newborns, weaning, and child in playful stage, socialization and learning, gender roles or interests, young stardom, youthful period and adulthood.

The study explored parents’ basis of taking on the responsibilities, quality and level of attachment, parent’s ability and circumstances under which she or he conceived and the parent’s nature of the environment and lifestyle. It went on to find specific relationships between parent’s decision making and quality of attachment, circumstances at conception and attachment, nature of environment and attachment –and environmental, itself, and decision making.

Method:

The target groups were young parents (18 years to 45 years) subjected to both structured survey questions and focused group discussions (FGD); and children (8 to 18 years) that participated in FGD only. The study had 52 participants of which 33% were from urban areas, 10% (urban) and 58% rural; 40% males and 60% females. SPSS tool was used for data analysis. Appropriate questions were constructed that enabled participants –to freely and honestly speak out from their own experiences. Group focused discussions with equal number of girls and boys (2:2); and adults (women and men) =3:3 were convened guided by specific themes –regarding gender issues, human rights, risky behaviors and behavior change, relations with parents, knowledge of life goals and problem solving amidst family and environment hazards. Unique cases were also sought of how children from poor backgrounds and as for parenting care managed to succeed late in life.


Results:

Correlation between decision making and quality of attachment was significant –showed by r=0.317, where p= 0.05 < 0.022. Correlation between circumstances faced at conception and quality and level of attachment was not significant because. r=0.261, and p=0.05 < 0.05. Correlation between environment and level and quality of attachment was not significant –indicated by r=0.124, when p=0.05 < 0.381. Correlation between environment and decision making was not significant –determined by r=0.187, p=0.05 < 0.184. From FDGs, equal treatment between boys and girls was emphasized (4:4) and (6:6) so that they both benefited from development opportunities; of education (both formal and informal) and employment. Friendliness between parents and children was highlighted (4:4) –with correcting behavior attached to light beating -with strongest emphasis put on friendly talking with children (6:6). However, to parents, family planning was still a big challenge –as hardly at all did men approve of it (regarding condom use), while women complained of hemorrhage and delayed resumption of pregnancy as most negative (2:6). Furthermore, condom use was out of every parent’s mind, given the fact that they were married (6:6). 1:6 of parents said that, because her husband did not care about family planning, she adopted inject-plan secretly. 2:6 of women nurtured a norm that alcohol eased delivery and was associated to healthy and pretty babies. In conclusion:

Failure of parents to ensure child health growth and development was by and large a result of poverty. This greatly hampered decision making as observed from r=0.317, where p=0.05 < 0.022. In rural and semi-urban areas it is only mainly men who went to work while women stayed home to cook and bare children. In the same category, the nature of jobs determined by their level of education did not at the same time help meet children development needs as women complained of men’s negligence. There is, thus, a need to start life skills education, poverty alleviation program and reproductive health (or health education) programs to help better family-life situation.

PROMOTING A PEOPLE-CENTERED LEADERSHIP...

JINJA WEST MUNICIPALITY ELECTIONS
2011


AN APPEAL FOR FUNDING


PREPARED AND PRESENTED


BY


WAISWA JACOB
MP CANDIDATE FOR JINJA WEST CONSTITUENCY
DISHMA INC.
P.O. BOX 8885
KAMPALA-UGANDA
+256774336277
waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk













Introduction

So much had been promised by successive members of parliament like to revitalize Jinja as an industrial hub. But all have ended up being summed up as taking people for a ride to nurse selfish interests.

At no moment whatsoever did the out-going Member of Parliament condemn the acts of social injustice nor mobilize people for development. He simply has been quiet all along. As a result Jinja development has been put before God for his mercy.

Thanks to the forces or influences from outside as government interventions and increased tourism influx. Even with the common sense of the area endowments, at no time did the leader use any media outlet to market the district to global scene.

Whereas it true that no law denies any stand to contest anywhere in Uganda for political positions -as long as he or she is a registered voter there, area attachment by birth and growth matter most at influencing strong solidarity to area development.

I happen to be a son of the land who was born there, grew up there and schooled there. I dearly hold Jinja by my heart –and being part of its political force to oversee development can be a hearty acceptance and honor to take.


Vision
An established yet excellent socio-culture, socio-political and socio-economic image in Jinja

Mission
Unite the people of Jinja in strong solidarity for development -regardless of political affiliations and differences in ideology

Goal
Attain a socio-culture, socio-political and socio-economic development platform on which everyone participates

Approach
Media as a vehicle to global stage and area-marketing
Consultative leadership is basic way to empowering people and forming people-centered decisions through implementation
People participation creates some kind of role to play in development -and own it as theirs to consolidate or even improve
Existing social, political and economic establishments can be brought on board to play key support roles to development
Fighting corruption is basic to cushioning development initiatives
Forming constituency committee (with representatives from each sub-county and office to spearhead research and reporting


Specific Objectives
Strengthen cultural values through existing establishments cultural, educational and religious institutions
Promote consultative approaches to decisions making in the areas that be political, economic or cultural
Promote stakeholder involvement in development like government, other constituencies, media, foreign development partnerships (e.g. Friendly MPs elsewhere or their people) and donors
Strengthen efforts to wipe out corruption in the areas as this is a cancer to development

Some of the Activities
Consultations of stakeholders
Fundraising
Constituency meetings
Registration for political office
Placement of campaign posters
Household visits
On-foot campaigns
Talk shows
Seminars and conferences
Begin pilot projects for development
Sensitization on policy
Debates on constituency conflicting issues
Research on area endowments and development strategies
Journaling and media coverage on important results

Indicators of Success
When all the above activities are running
Reports showing successes of the above
And public opinion indicating success in all the above

How To Monitor and Evaluate
A constituency team consisting of representatives -one from each sub-county shall conduct surveys and report on key socio-political and socio-economic issues
Such (as above) shall focus on challenges and action plans tackles or reviewed every month
An an annual development report shall be compiles for reporting on a set public function officiated by a key government representative

Sources of Funding
Private sources
Friends and well-wishers

What Has Been Covered
Public address system
Considerable good level of stakeholder consultations
Booked two vehicles for hire


What is Still Challenging
Facilitation costs for voter education
Design and printing of posters
Registration as area candidate
Car fuel costs
Facilitation of campaign agents
Hiring truck to carry public address system

Budget Summary

Item Quantity&Cost Unit Cost
Public Address System....................28 days x 200000/- 5600000/-
Stakeholder Consultations...............56 days x 100 x 10000/- 56000000/-
Booked two vehicles........................56 days x 2 x 50000/- 5600000/-
Voter Outreach and Education.........56 days x 100 x 5000/- 28000000/-
Design and Printing Posters............100posters x 6Div x 10000 6000000/-
Nomination Fee...............................1 x 500000/- 500000/-
Car Fuel...........................................56 days x 50000/- 2800000/-
Campaign Agents.............................56 days x 6Div x 10000 6000000/-
Truck hire.................................56 x 50000/- 2800000/-
Total Estimated Cost.......................................................................112500000/-

NB: Where 1 dollar = 2000 Uganda Shilling
Any donation can be channelled to account number 5800857181 (Barclays Bank -Uganda)

ANY CONTRIBUTION IS HIGHLY WELCOME AS WE STRUGGLE TO BUILD A BETTER JINJA AND NATION










THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT

MEDIA AND DEVELOPMENT

MEDIA FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOMENT PROPOSAL FOR THE AWARD OF GVN MEDIA FELLOWSHIP





BY





JACOB WAISWA (BCP, HBC, YEP)
New Hope Africa Children Ministries
P.O. Box 528, Busia-Uganda
waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com



Background
The impression created by the media over years has been held with mixed feelings. Whereas some media corporate world are known to have positively helped transform societies politically, economically, culturally and technologically; some other have only torn the world apart through negative reporting that supports aggressive confrontation, glorifying terror activities to make eye-catching headlines with selfishly money motive.

Similarly, the aggressive, corrupt and oppressive groups and individuals (religiously, politically or economically) have been glorified in the way that sustains situation that steadily extinct some societies. Their content hardly provided or suggested solutions to alarm-triggering headlines. And much of the media activities have lacked a social responsibility that is tangible to give a voice to the voiceless and direct transformative opportunities to the poor, disabled and other disadvantaged groups.

Introduction
Journaling is a key communication tool. All organisms by nature communicate either verbally or non-verbally, yet attempting to make sense of whatever cues that are exchanged or evaluated.

True; we tend to be evaluative of one another whilst trying to figure out what intentions the other party could have towards you. The aim can be to help measure up the relationship that possibly could be developed, whether health or not.

Of course, in certain encounters some people could be threatened, suspicious, lack confidence, defensively withdraw or get on well in a healthy and rewarding relationship. This, indeed, is how communities can influence attitudes and behavior towards one another. That way, we could manage, control and direct directs and behavior. What a powerful tool a pen can be!

But success through journaling it self needs a period of training and practical experience, such that we can communicate to effectively make or unmake relationships or evolve life through the aspects of observing, reading and listening to words and actions of others and things.

The primary motivators to writing is the element of having an opinion yet unique. As part of research steps, one would be required to publish a final report or summarized article from the investigations, results and analyses carried out. Other researchers or students would want to review literature about statements pending investigation. From their successes, investigators either get awards or promotion.

Needs Statement
Media, being a vessel for global change, needs to be developed both at individual and corporate level, and experience provided for enthusiastic young people so as to contribute towards poverty eradication, health, human rights and democratic governance, conflict resolution and peace and care for the vulnerable groups and their development.

Main Objective
To neutralizing human and ecological problems as abject poverty, wars and war threats, nuclear activity, diseases, ignorance and global warming –to make a world a better place for everyone to live in.

Specific Objectives
1) Promote of peace, human rights, initiatives for conflict resolution, and democratic governance
2) Empower young people to take on developmental challenges (career, educational, health, economic and political) with enthusiasm to ensure certainty of the future.
3) Encourage innovations and adoption of appropriate technologies to support local community development initiatives in an environmentally-friendly manner.
4) Support the physically and mentally handicapped, the elderly, widows and orphans through suitably designed and adoptable rehabilitation programmes to attain dignifying and meaningful lives.
Strategy/Activities
1) Effective communication at well organized fora through an effective system of monitoring and evaluation.
2) Net-working and publishing to fill knowledge gap and mobilize resources.
3) Development-oriented music, dance, drama and cinema shows, and video recordings for knowledge and skills training.
4) Volunteer technological transfers and exchanges for human and ecological security
Focus Area
Changing lives of the poor, handicapped (mentally and physically), other vulnerable groups in communities and environment education through the media

Significance of Project
Empowered communities: technologically, politically and economically able to determine their future, dignified living and, global peace, global justice, global unity and habitable world.

A DISHMA INTIATIVE: FOR DETAILS ABOUT MEDIA AND DEVELOPMENT, CONTACT;
DISHMA CONSULT
P.O. Box 8885, KAMPALA-UGANDA
+256774336277
waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENT: IS IT NOT A MULTIFACETED THING?

Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com


Development is widely defined as the quantitative and qualitative increase of goods and serves over a given period of time. It characterizes both periods of abundance and improved welfare and/or standards of living. At that time people would probably complain less and so would be the talk of harmony, peace and stability.

Development too could entail the natural, evolutionary cycle of human beings go through mentally, physically and emotionally, which characterizes specific changes in different periods of time. For example; 0 to 3 years, 4 to 13 years, 14 to 20, 20 to 50 and 50 onwards -could show different events in a person’s long his or her development path. Some people could go through the entire cycle successfully, while others not –depending on several scientific or medical explanations reached after comprehensive analysis of a given developmental disorder or problem.

Depending on the dimension one presents him self in, he or she should be ready to tell us -as to what extent have the successes been. The cultured ones could, for example, talk of cultural development rather than its degeneration. The politicians could, on the other hand, most likely, think of political development -mainly about how long they have stayed in power and the many years to come -celebrating comfortable status quo. And so would be the economists, medical personnel, religious leaders among others –in their attempt to measure success and attain it as by their sector missions.

Here, thus, is a revelation that sub-systems interact within a system in a given period of time, and positive trends observed or felt –showing progressive shifts from one positive step to a more advanced one. The sub-systems would tend to work at equal efforts towards change, where in absence of any part, progress would stall, turn slower.

Of course these sub-systems could be natural by their existence such that they evolve into something strange again and again, especially if one was not involved and keenly observed such changes as he or she ensured checks and balances. Lack of human involvement and extreme aggression tendencies could break the balance, and at an increased likelihood, lead to a disaster –as part of system break down.

Indeed, unless equal effort was placed about a human and/or ecological challenges, problems like un-balanced development-led violence or unequal amount of influence-led aggression-potency, human aggression-led famine and drought, religious and cultural break down-led out-of-control immorality etcetera.

Understandably, development, as well, could be viewed in terms of perceptually different out-looks considerable as indicators of development and positive strides taken over time along specifics and/or specialized schemes people often form. We would then be required to divide the resultants of people’s quests by the nature of effort incurred.

It is important to note that some people could develop poor philosophies, dangerous beliefs, self-defeating principles and anti-development ideas –while others form positively rewarding values and ethics of work applicable to achieving positive development.

Any misjudgment in the areas of decision and policy making could, as a consequence, lead to misery in different forms. For example; extremism-related violence, socio-economic structural break-down, positive cultural and moral erosion, population explosion-led scarcities, environmental pollution and out-of control pandemics.

Using words likes intellectual poverty and behavioral poverty –as used by renowned authors like Professor John C. Munene, would not only explain development paralysis but also help summarize all about the relationship between specific perceptions and development.

Looking at the basics that determine welfare like having positive attitude to development (as could have been learnt from fore-fathers or inherited), successes attained against poverty, social support (richly obtainable from health family relations, friends, and international partnerships), social services and infrastructure (including provision of clean water, health services, good transport networks etcetera), and pro-people legislations and policies (that empowers people with practical knowledge and skills through education and/or vocational training): development challenges could be managed.

In bid to address key development problems, important steps determined by policy analysts could be taken -to ensure human and ecological security or survival. Research, for instance, would be an important area that could be exploitable to help solve human and ecological problems and as a basis for policy formulation processes.

Besides, promotion of education has been linked by several authors as one way to delay marriages and subsequently early or unwanted pregnancies. Real education would also help dissolve self-destructive cultures for the better ones. Unfortunately, some people do waste a considerable number of years in schools and colleges without ever learning anything –mush as they might have scored highly in tests and exams.

As the saying would go, “an educated fool could be harder to transform than the uneducated.” They (uneducated fools), surely, could be a source of lasting underdevelopment firstly to themselves, and later, to the community. Definitely, such elements should never be given attention and room to stand in the way of development.

Much though the communities approach to development could hardly leave them behind. World over people are complaining of high food prices and recession. If these were held concerns under communities approach to development, probably, the population pressure-led land conflicts, environmental and reproductive health problems would be checked.

But poverty could limit one’s ambitions like attainment high education. This too could be addressed through initiatives as upgrading farming systems, repairing roads for market accessibility and expanding vocational and entrepreneurship training for those who need it. Meanwhile, it would be injustice to leave out the vulnerable or special needs category. National resources and planning authority must consider them. And of course, gender-wise, mutual respect should be the rule.

In any intervention by development planners, government and non-government organizations, a community (ies) approach would be best used -without biases linked political inclinations, tribe, sex or race. Community problems –be it at international level could be addressed concertedly to get comprehensive results. People or countries, whether small or big must, thus, be mobilized against development distracters in the name of anti-development people, diseases, ignorance and poverty.

In addition, policies and legislations must be development-friendly, while sustainability at every developmental step gets taken as a value -in order to create a human-ecological balance for future generation to survive. In fact, man must co-exist with natural environment, while ensuring, concern, understanding, responsibility and particularly renewability of resources under utilization.

Community participation and mobilization should, therefore, not serve as merely vehicle for political support and individual achievement. Instead, be understood as multifaceted lines of engagement that may have to do with economic development, socio-cultural development, health human and environment sustainable interaction determined by choice and decision making.

UGANDA: THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN POLITICAL PARTY DEVELOPMENT

Throughout history, young men have been used as the heart of political parties –acting as both young democrats and militant wing. Lately, women too went aboard. They sustained the political parties’ “lives” -while out of power and worked to celebrate with it in power.

Uganda, young people were critical in the struggle for independence. Through political parties like Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Kabakka Yekka (KY), they relentlessly advocated to free Uganda of foreign rule.

Their energetic selves and ability to risk helped in organizing and executing political rallies in the country side, and made strategic alliances that ensured success of the independence bid. Those who engineered the struggle were young charismatic Ugandan youth. They managed successful political rallies that readied Ugandans for independence.

In the pre-colonial times, the youth were providers of security to the community or kingdoms. Political parties today too could be banking on the youth to mobilize other others, rally majority support to it, and in protection of votes against rigging.

UPC had the youth league, while the rest Uganda People’s Movement (UPM) and Democratic Party (DP) -where themselves, the youth. Upon dissatisfaction from the 1980 elections, UPM and DP young men and women went to the Bush –fight UPC out of power.

And because of the youth power, among other things, UPM turn National Resistance Movement (NRM) and DP were victors in a war against an elected government of Late A.M. Obote, and together formed a government –famously referred to as broad-based government.

Perhaps, Busoga support for a young Kyabazinga could be of much value in as far as development and putting across kingdom pertinent issues is concerned. As a youthful Kyabazinga, he could want to see, for- example, all kingdom property controlled by it and helping register Busoga presence at local and international scene. And, at the same time uniting Busoga for development actions.

Kyabazingaship too should be able to attract foreign visitors -resultant from its influence. And signing and ensuring common protective policies with other kingdoms that would preserve the integrity of Busoga. This would be the true sense of the return and presence of tradition institutions in Ugandan rather than a mere conversation about it.

Unlike with the elderly politicians, who struggle to preserve status quo, for the youth would think and act for reform, rather than sit to “baby sit” hands. They would always want to search and experiment new political or leadership ideas and implement them to meet sky-rocketed visions. Also, they would be out and forth to defend their political party goals, and even want to sacrifice life in the process.

They would be highly strategic in either finding their way into government or consolidating political party’s rule. And they could want to do anything to that effect –be it rigging elections violence and intimidation, formation of coalitions, and power- sharing –in case of general elections.

Mass youth political pressure could be so powerful that no tear gas could easily break them down. They always have their country at heart -and are willing to struggle up to the last minute. 2011, for example, would come as an opportunity for political victory of the youth. This gives them an earliest period to take action. People say knowledge is power, but in this case, the youth are a power, and must exercise it.

But success of youth movements would also depend on the health organizational structures of their political parties -that answers questions about flexibility to changing times, whether it easily deals with external pressures or challenges, whether it has able widely acceptable leadership (internal democracy), whether it carries out periodical survey about its strength and carry out necessary checks, and above all; whether it is impermeable to allow the youth demonstrate their leadership potential

The DP is one party that relishes the youth as its vehicle into the future, voluntarily defend party goals, express and demonstrate their political rights -and on behalf of Ugandans -while, also, speaking for the voiceless. These unique features are no where in other parties. Most political parties in Uganda are comfortable with old folks and do anything to suffocate the youth’s influence.

The NRM that could follow DP in that regard is like a person who hosts a visitor, but does not allow him or her cross the door to a sitting room. Rather, chooses to have any entertainment with them, in the compound.

And the youth usually get come in response for war drums –when Kizza Besigye makes a shock political pose to the regime. Unlike DP –where youth act voluntarily, in NRM, they are paid. This is not sustainable. This, still, presents DP as the most youth friendly party. It is capable of taking its youth for a meeting as far as the bedroom.

For Forum for Democratic change (FDC), the youth presence therein is like in boxing –where after a long of one being undisputed champion as if no more challenger left, people get bored and begin disliking the whole state of affairs.

Luckily, one man stands up and says, “Come and see. Come on and support me. I am going to fight and defeat this man. Hey! Come and check out.” This is how the youth might have ended up in FDC.

It seems from the strategic alliance made shortly before independence, DP chaps thought nothing of value about it –whilst boasting of popularity in the mainly central Ugandan and some parts of eastern Uganda.

It seemed as though the thinking was that one -who was victor in central would take it all. The subject of coalitions, therefore, remains alien to them. It is no surprise, there fore, that they are now not subscribing to it.

On the other hand, where arms would involved, the youth are capable of wrecking havoc, terrorizing masses, triggering mass killings, maiming and raping, destruction of infrastructure and taking country to several years back from the current level of development. Observers say Uganda is over thirty years behind Malaysia and Indonesia in as far as their development levels are concerned.

Moreover, It would be more likely for young men to have unlimited power in the running of government. There fore, dictatorship could be more from them than out of youth category (elderly) -where a person with initially good intentions turns out to be oppressive and undemocratic.

He could expectedly suspend the constitution and rule by decree. Life presidency would, actually, begin here with the youth -and with nepotism, as though a monarch. It can be observed that future dictators might have taken the throne as youths. At this stage and with addiction to power along the reign, a return to democratic rule could be more a dream than reality. Anarchy and apathy could, then, be the ultimate.

They could be very unpredictable –who would with ease shift away from one ideology to another depending on what political youth peers or night dreams say. And implementation would be by decree.

The shift across political ideology by youths -whose political parties are out of power, could also as popular as to defect from one political party to another –where there is more youth friendliness.

The main worry with young people could be that they are opportunistic. Their ambitions are usually a combination of intuition, partly in response to adolescent changes –with desire for identity. Economic reason would be the other –something that has to do with need for employment. For them, they are always ready to take on the challenges and chances.

Waiswa Jacob
Community Psychologist
+256774336277 or 0754890614
DECISION MAKING AND SITUATION MANAGEMENT -DISHMA
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

UGANDA: ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOPMENT: WHAT DOES IT TAKE A YOUTH?




JACOB WAISWA:
A SITUATION HEALTH ANALYST




Development, as advancement in terms of quality of human life, is an automatic wish for everyone. Even animals do have a natural development sequence that is only threatened by environmentally aggressive and greedy man. It could have a long history of wealthy stature or strive for high social class.

While for a nation -it requires patriotism, national character or identity and citizenship, individuals need work values, having essential skills to run and manage projects -and adventuring in them.

Development-oriented work culture has always had a background support to development. Within it, people not only own satisfaction -without cheating on anyone else, but also, for the good of the community in which they live.

Countries like China have manifested such qualities on their way to becoming a world economic power. They have their country at heart and are proud to be Chinese. For a typical African living in Uganda, showing greed is the rule as soon as they assume positions of authority or office.

With globalization racing everyone away, greed, readiness stiff competition for personal and business goals has become a bold move –with nothing to be a shamed of in order to fit in the global village. People find themselves doing whatever it takes to achieve their numerous goals, regardless.

It is a system, where apart from providing an economic atmosphere for the global trends; government may not have an active hand in its people’s welfare, but for them, only to act with faith to overcome the dangerous effects of villagisation of the globe.

However, the kind of pressure has forced many into undignified acts of seeking bribes and involvement in dubious business as for the working class, and prostitution, stealing, impersonation, and reckless behavior by the unemployed.

And for the newly employed, life is centered around celebrating money pleasure through un-planned spending, luxurious living, and compensating for missed glory over time, and sex festivals -now that he or she earns some money to meet them all. Some of the behaviors here could be reckless especially if it is motivated by desire to meet long awaited dreams

As Professor Ali Muzrui put it, in one of his recent writings on Makerere University, globalization has out-raced institutions like this historic institution of higher learning (Makerere University Kampala). Moreover, bureaucracy and fear of even positive change remains the stumbling block.

While most reforms could be for the good of the nation, leaders and managers are rather insensitive about carrying them out. Instead, they fearlessly act against their own country or people –through showing lack of social responsibility and being unproductively to the ones they serve.

As if planning was not part of work and development, such things as it (planning) are for formality doing, but never followed. People, rather, like following their anti-people attitude, insensitivities and selfish interests.

And as would be expected in such a situation, the kind of culture developed never allows government to prioritize to key areas that need revamping like; health, research and education –as a whole. Yet, any development could be based on them.

Instead, emphasis is placed on how best to sustain the greed and siphon public funds. And because of their shielded positions no one says a word. If so, with reservations that show indispensability and are only treated carefully with hands in gloves. More so, relentlessly dispel any attempts that threatens status quo.

Future leadership and managerial accountabilities would rotate around hijacking private achievement of community members and own owning them as their own. Thereafter, hear claims emerge during general elections considering private developments as part of government successful programmes. There places one could visit, but with entirely private developments.

At the same general elections, citizens are hoodwinked to think power belongs to them, could seriously get enslaved by the thinking. The enslavement continues to favor leaders, while victimizing the electorate.

This, really, shows a great deal of dishonesty and disrespectfulness on the part of politicians. It could partly explain why the number of voters who go to polling stations has significantly declined. In future, as it has been, more people could choose to stay back with their families, eat, and sleep rather than waste time on opportunists.

During budget readings, all is made so political that Ugandans are not recognized for being hard-working and as part of the figures fronted. It can not just be government, but Uganda, who could be praised for the celebrated growth figures.

In what could be partnership, we see government as trying to stabilize the country peace-wise, while citizens work for developmental success. It would be best to call it a collaboration or social contract between government and its people to make common ends meet. That way, it would make sense.

But, there have been talks of no development for constituencies that send into parliament members of opposition political parties. It has for sometime been used as; both campaign threat and slogan during general elections. Yet, for sure, political inclination would not have been an indicator to development –with it being an all-embracing path in everyone’s life.

For Busoga, it has been different. In spite of giving the ruling regime almost 100% every presidential election, it has barely benefited from the annual growth figures. It must be noted that much of Busoga is remote and impassable.

If one traveled by private means, the vehicle could by any means end up in garage on returning back to Kampala. Mayuge alone, as a district, has no roads with tarmac! Unfortunately or fortunately, the people there (in Busoga) never want to present their problems as long as they converse whole day, sleep and drink.

It is not, therefore, surprising that Late Kayabazinga was part of the passive leaders in Busoga -in as far as solving Busoga’s economic problem. Actually, the president was right to call him a kind of Jesus, unlike his (Kyabazinga’s) counter-part in Mengo. And he was in the category of leaders that president Museveni wanted. It is could be likely that government de-tests politicians who tell the truth about their electorate and talk the same on its behalf whilst in parliament.

The reason was simple. The Kyabazinga was, well, selfless during his reign, able to fulfill the ceremonial stature of cultural kings as agreed with government, and cared less about championing Busoga development views.

He seemingly never wanted to bother government with Busoga concerns, much as the region had numerous problems and above all, was the failure to unite Basoga. In doing so, the region suffered like an orphan. In fact, soon the “kids” –prominent politicians began fighting each other. This, in turn, stalled areas’ development prospects at large.

Being ceremonial, meant that traditional rulers had to be idle just in the same way as opposition political parties. Government acted like; a person who hosts a visitor, serve him or her food and soon after orders the guest not to eat. Isn’t that as good as to never have hosted the visitor?

No wonder, many say he (Kyabazinga) politically sold Busoga to the NRM, while economically sacrificing it. And as anyone would notice, he had no impact on the Basoga as compared to Kabakka Mutebi reign in Buganda. Therefore, with or without kingship in Busoga everyday business would, still, have been normal.

As if to reinforce the point above, kingship business in Busoga is something that was copied from the surrounding kingdoms in Uganda –especially Buganda which was a local imperialist to it, then. So, as the saying goes, Busoga could not fit in the shoes of kingdoms like Buganda.

Elsewhere in Uganda, different areas have shown potential to develop with or without government support. This is evidenced in places in places like Kabalagala, Munyonyo, Ntinda and Nalya. Any claim that it was government responsibility, as the song is, could perhaps, mean ownership of such developments by either it or its officials, and that all Ugandans’ engagements –be it at night or day are government planned and monitored.

Besides, there could be some truth –having noted that while in China government instituted a one child policy, in Uganda some policies are imaginary liberal. Could this be the kind of consolidation of achievements that is famously talked about?

Could the question be the lack of morals as growing up children or overwhelming desires for power or status that is responsible for the political and economic fraud? The latter could make much sense because one can find people dying either upon retirement or because of pressure to perform well in office.

And it could be public knowledge that people are willing to do anything to keep their comfort zones. Do you always need to ask anyone whether or not is interested in keeping respectable position and highest in the land?

The other question could be: where in development are the youth? Having special interest group representatives to parliament is not enough –as their role benefits entirely themselves (the representatives).

Under the present structures, the youth, understandably, are not accommodated and matter less, if so, it is only at election time. But, being the most energetic force in a community, they need utilization. While if they are not taken care of, they would fade into acts of substance abuse and criminality.

As the situation implies, youth would only have to help themselves rather than wait for Christly government intervention. It would call for action planning and to participate in all channels for self emancipation.

Now that 2011 is beaming, chance must be taken by the youth to take on anyone for political office. It is a time for action of joining elderly folks in consulting of voters. In Kenya, there is already an on-going youth movement to take care of the youth values. The youth there believe they have not gained from the elderly class of politicians.
Are the youth in Uganda anywhere development-wise?

Under solidarity associations and political parties funding problem could easily be addressed. Meanwhile, talents and hobbies would be transformed into economically gainful activities for current survival. Working on small projects patiently with commitment to ones goals, skillfully dealing with health challenges, could bring up developmental surprises in a long run.

On the other hand we would need to commit some time to serving society that we wish to lead. A potential leader must, himself, be a servant. This would mean having to focus a little bit more on the long term plans that carry links to auxiliary business projects.

If is agro-based, fore-example, there must be a shop, restaurant, transportation business, milling, processing or semi-processing and export –as in the process one plans a shift to simpler means of making money. The rule here could be: to save or invest – either one at a time or both at ago.


Jacob Waiswa,
+256774336277
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com