Uganda Perspective

Please Don't Drink the Kool-Aid

It seems I kicked over a nest of bees with my last post.  Kony 2012 fans have been writing to tell me I really am missing the point.  They politely implore me to look at the awareness the campaign has built - look at the change the movement has wrought...  Hey, the top military guy in UG has a K2012 poster on his door.   I appreciate the polite part but those people are not reading these blogs very well.   The point is I.C. is and has been raising millions of dollars which are not being spent to support the originally stated mission statement emblazoned on the organization's home page before K2012: Education, Protection and Rehabilitation development for LRA victims in Uganda.  Now the mission statement is

Invisible Children uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in East and Central Africa to peace and prosperity.

Here's the problem.  Tons of money are being spent on film, creativity and social action and God only knows what... only an afterthought amount goes to the restoration part.  And all this to eradicate a scourge of a couple hundred people holed up in the jungles of Central African Republic.  This is using a sledge hammer to squash an ant. It's much ado about little.  The Emperor Has No Clothes.

I'm hoping I.C. decides to really make a difference with its next film Assad 2013 to incite people around the world against the atrocities happening in Syria.  Maybe this awareness would actually do some good.  Centering on Kony is a scam.

Invisible Children: Shame on You for Kony 2012

Okay, this is my last post on the subject of Kony 2012.  It’s probably time because the movement seems to have lost steam.  I think this but then I learn of teens still staging fundraisers for the movement.  I see kids with T-shirts.  I hear they are still ordering the Action Packages.  Please stop. 

Here’s why.

At the website for Invisible Children, you can find the organization’s filings with the  I.R.S. from past years.   The most important is Form 990, a document that is required of all non-profit organizations to state before God and the Revenuers that funds received are truly being used for humanitarian purposes.  The site’s forms only go back to 2006 which is significant as this deals with revenue received AFTER Kony was chased out of Uganda, making the film Invisible Children irrelevant.

 

 

So, AFTER the entire basis for the story of Invisible Children was gone, the organization took in, year date, $31.9 million.  Of that money, some 43% was spent on “program services.”  You can go look for yourself to see where the rest went.  Sources in Uganda tell me that even the program services money that reached Uganda has not been spent wisely.  Altogether, it appears only some 14% of donations are actually turning into humanitarian projects.

The stated purpose of Invisible Children is to provide resources for “education, protection, rehabilitation and livelihood development” in the places Kony has operated.  These are good and noble goals.  And those who have received benefit are truly grateful.

But here’s the deal:  If you paid for a dozen eggs and you only got two, wouldn’t you wonder what happened to the other 10?  That’s the question here.  All the good-hearted teens who sent their allowance to I.C., all the schools that ran events that raised millions for I.C., for all the Paypal transactions and for all the organizations that bought into this story … including the very savvy Oprah Winfrey Foundation, you’re all suckers taken to the cleaners by some very clever hucksters.

I am passionate about this subject because I know the needs in Uganda.  They are great.  I also know a dollar goes a long way to solving much of the human misery.  If spent well, the money raised by I.C. could have virtually eliminated poverty in northern Uganda.  But dollars are hard to find for such purposes.  And for I.C. CEO Ben Keesey to openly solicit funds from good-hearted people long after the need he is over– and then launch a sequel appeal in Kony 2012 - and THEN only spend less than half the funds collected on humanitarian need is truly the work of a Madoff-level, world-class con artist. 

Can we please tell our teens the truth and get them off the Kony 2012 band wagon?  There. I feel better now.

Zeroing in on Kony, Obo is the new Gulu

We haven’t heard much about the 100 U.S. special forces sent to Uganda last year to help catch Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army- until yesterday when this article appeared on the Associated Press.

The article reiterates the problem with catching Kony lies in his ability to slip easily across the porous borders of Uganda, Congo, Sudan and the Central African Republic (C.A.R.).  Now, thanks to US technology and expertise, and enthusiastic, unprecedented cooperation between the various countries, the LRA is being tracked and the noose is tightening.

Activity is currently concentrated around the town of Obo in the C.A.R.  Conditions there today are much like they were in Gulu, Northern Uganda for decades as people were terrified by Kony’s roving marauders.  Farmers do not stray more than five kilometers from town.  People fear saying anything that might be heard by LRA spies.  US-led local troops apparently freed a group of people recently captured by Kony – so the man remains determined and dangerous.

There are huge resources behind the capture of Kony – more than $25 million in U.S. aid and millions more from other donor nations.  It boggles the mind to think that if Kony were not an issue, the investment of those funds into enterprises throughout the region would work to alleviate poverty.  The Youtube movement called Kony 2012 is having zero effect on the capture effort.

As for the marauding rebel himself, it is estimated he has between 150-300 followers still with him.  Even as small bands are captured, Kony stays on task.  “I can still be effective if I have only 10 men,” he says.  Here’s hoping he has zero men and ends up in prison by the end of the year.  What a waste.  Thanks to Ralph Cervantes for finding the AP story.

KONY 2012 – Ugandans Say "Thanks for Nothing"

It is one thing to hear about Kony 2012 from people in the West – virtually all of whom are void of even the basic facts of the situation involving Uganda, Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army.  It is quite another to hear from people in Uganda who have lived with this idiot in their midst and are thriving in the aftermath of his idiocy.  

In a column in the Ugandan New Vision newspaper today, the film was decried as a scam.  You can read the full column HERE, but here is an excerpt:

“In fact, let me be blunt by saying that even if Invisible Children had dedicated less than one-tenth of the funds raised from around the world with their first film, it would have significantly improved the lot of thousands of children in northern Uganda.  They did not do that. Despite what Invisible Children has claimed in the media about the good work it is doing in northern Uganda, the San Diego-based organisation is merely in it for itself, and not for children in northern Uganda.” - Opio.oloya@sympatico.ca

Here are words from Stephen Oola, a Kampala-based lawyer with Refugee Law Project and originally from Gulu, reporting from Voice of America:

"The people of northern Uganda are not looking for the kind of international military action Invisible Children is trying to rally, a fact that the video’s makers blithely ignore. Couldn’t they consult? Couldn’t they include some local voices? People on the ground do not buy the messages, and they don’t want that help," he said. "Even if Invisible Children thought they were helping, that is not the help people want.”

Kony 2012 is, for those who haven’t followed the phenomenon, is a film by the same people  who produced Invisible Children.  It has now gained more than 100 million views worldwide and perhaps as many tweets and has raised some $9 million.  As stated in my previous blog, it is a brilliant promotion of a film based on a non-issue imploring people to do something that will most likely not make any difference – except raising money for the producers.

Only time can anything stop this phenomenon.  We can only pray the growing positive reputation of Uganda has not been soiled because of this stupid stunt.    

Kony 2012 – Scam or Strategy – You Decide

Since Monday, March 5, the film KONY 2012 has gone viral on the Internet with, as of this writing, more than 64 MILLION views.  Also promoted under the name "Visible Children,” the film depicts the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) over the last 30 years, mostly in Uganda, and urges viewers around the world to push their governments to find this man and bring him to justice.

The exploits of the LRA were documented in a film called Invisible Children, produced by the same people and shown to thousands of high school kids around the world.  The film generated millions of dollars in donations. 

But the LRA was put out of business in Uganda in 2006.  And the film is still being shown.

In my opinion, this film – KONY 2012 – is the sequel, the next attempt to exploit young and naïve people to join a cause that needs no joining.  The premise is that by making Kony famous and taking to the streets, somehow the UN will step up efforts to capture Kony and bring him before the International Criminal Court in The Hague.  The film producers claim that their efforts are responsible for the U.S. sending 100 special forces troops to Uganda to help in the capture of Kony. 

First, let me say the film is brilliantly done.  And the producers’ ability to promote their product/cause is just possibly the most astounding and inspiring piece of work this old promoter has ever seen in his lifetime.

But here’s the problem with this thing:  The premise of “the movement” is that if you get enough people yelling in the streets, the problem will be solved by somebody.  If that worked, why wouldn't  we have millions in the streets yelling for world peace?

But wait, there’s more.  The producer keeps saying Uganda, Uganda, Uganda when referring to Kony.  Kony hasn’t been in Uganda since 2006.  If you access the producer’s Kony-Finder, you see the rebel has operated throughout central Africa in at least four countries.  HE ISN’T IN UGANDA!   When pushed by an NBC interviewer today, he admitted Kony is believed to have less than 200 followers.  “Soldiers…” he corrected.  “And that’s 200 abducted children…” he added.  Last reports were Kony is living like an animal in the jungle with 200 ragged followers.  THEY ARE BARELY SURVIVING… NOT ABDUCTING CHILDREN.  And finally, it has been reported only 32% of the NINE MILLION DOLLARS collected so far on this project goes to help Kony’s victims.  The producer says, “Oh, we have a different model of charity… it’s message, movie, mobilization.”  What the heck is that?  IT’S NOT A CHARITY.

This whole thing sounds like the perpetrator is on an adrenaline high funding a movement just to make noise and, well, line his pockets.   As long as Kony isn’t caught, the movement continues to stir the hearts of young people and naïve celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber and generate donations.   And if Kony is caught?  I wouldn’t be surprised if the film goes on for years. 

Maybe you are stirred by the message.  I think it’s a brilliant, brilliant scam.  

Gorillas Earn Uganda Top International Tourist Spot by Lonely Planet

Of all the places in the world, Lonely Planet chose Uganda as THE top tourist destination for 2012. 

It was mainly the attraction of seeing mountain gorillas in their native forests that caused the choice.  CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING VIDEO OF AN ENCOUNTER WITH WILD GORILLAS. But there were the other things as well – the national parks full of wildlife, the good hotels, improved roads, white water rafting on the Nile, climbing to the snowy peaks of the Rwenzori, the safe environment for trekkers and backpackers and the stability of the nation.  This is a major milestone for Uganda which was one of the world’s top tourist destinations before independence in 1960, a status that caused Winston Churchill to call Uganda “The Pearl of Africa.”

Most people following Lonely Planet will most likely spend their time in Uganda with professional tour companies or guides who are highly personable and knowledgeable.  The net experience will be good since the pros understand what it takes to give a pleasing tourist experience. People met along the way will enhance the experience because of course the Ugandan people are naturally welcoming and pleasant. 

But outside of the professional tours, eco-lodges and large urban hotels, I have to say there remains a huge void in hospitality service.  In the last three weeks, frequenting restaurants at all levels, I’ve regularly encountered laziness, resentment and downright stupidity among servers.  One restaurant owner argued with me that I needed to pay in full with my order because the place was often crowded and they couldn’t control people running away without paying.  We were the only people in the place.  One waitress showed me to a table and then pulled out a wet rag to wipe it down, flipping it my way.  While I waited for my table to dry, she came around and draped a table cloth over it and into my lap.  Eventually the coffee came.  Once it did, a guy came around swabbing the floor on his hands and knees, all of which contributed to a delightful breakfast experience.  Like, they couldn’t have been ready for clientele BEFORE the doors opened?

Everyone agrees there needs to be training of hospitality workers but who is to do it if even restaurant owners don’t understand the concept of service?  The owners are often foreign-born Middle-Eastern or Asian who treat their help like cattle and hide behind their cash drawers.  I find it ignorant and deplorable and, even with the immense leeway I give people in Uganda because it’s Uganda, how can people operate with such an innate lack of common sense about service?  Can’t they treat people as they would like to be treated?  A friendly smile, a warm welcome, someone who understands English in this English-speaking country and wishes me a good day… is it too much to ask?  Ask me next trip.

PS:  The next best locations named were Myanmar (Burma), the Ukraine and Jordan.

 

The Power of a Soccer Ball

We are building a soccer pitch in the middle of a moonscape field, in the middle of nowhere.  Why?  Because it will transform a community.  Listen to this:

A few days ago, I was with Headmaster Norman, the guy who has started building this project.  The ground is littered with sharp lava rock, it is uneven, it has potholes.  We were just two guys scoping out the place but I had a soccer ball so we could take some “before” photos of the project.  We were just going to take a few pix, that’s all.  But within seconds of the soccer ball appearing, almost as though an invisible signal had been sent throughout the town, children appeared.  Then a half dozen grownups.  The photos were taken, Norman tossed the ball toward the onlookers and then magic happened.

People started to play. 

Everyone.

Old, young, boys, girls, barefooted, sandaled, dress-shod, the ball darted right and left.  Gaggles of kids chased it when it flew into the bush.  More people joined the game, drawn by the squeals and laughter. Then spectators arrived.  There were no teams, refs, rules or goals but on and on the ball flew, through skirmishes and headers and chases and passes.  The best player was a little barefoot guy dressed in rags.  At the end of an hour, the Headmaster called a truce.  He was worn out and we needed to go.

In that one hour, we affirmed what we knew was there from the beginning: this field in the middle of a subsistence farmer community where people need to struggle just to have a liter of water in the house will be a place of joy and pleasure and a community coming together for generations. It will definitely be part of "saving life."

Want to help fund it?  It will take several hundred truckloads of fill and loam.  Want to come open it in July?  Naming rights to the field are still available.  ou can donate HERE.  If you want to be part of the project, reply to this post.  If you want to have your name on the field, comment here or send an email to info@amagara.org and I will respond to you.

Palestine To Open Embassy in Kampala

See this news story from Uganda's New Vision on 1/8/12

I find this interesting for two reasons.  First,  Museveni seems tohave no problem welcoming a terrorist organization onto Embassy Row even though the al shabbab terrorists killed 80 of his citizens during the last World Cup Finals. Perhaps the Somalis are next.   And second, this is clearly another failure of the Obama foreign policy.  If we had a strong president, he would pressure our allies to shun Palestine as an aggressor nation to Israel just as we have – but then, I guess apparently he doesn’t have the clout or perhaps he doesn’t care or perhaps he doesn’t understand the strategic relationship the U.S. holds with Uganda.

In his defense, Museveni is good at “following the money.”  Mahmoud Abbas looks like a money player, doesn't he?  His Excellency welcomed the Aga Khan when he wanted to build a new hotel in Kampala.  He welcomed Moammar Gadaffi when he wanted to build a $2 billion mosque/university on Old Kampala Hill.  And now he’s welcoming Hamas.  Let’s just see how further abetting the Muslim agenda in Uganda will play out.

Mak U Unveils Electric Car

For anyone who thinks Uganda is some kind of backward African place, check this out. 

Makerere University has successfully tested an electronic vehicle, Kiira EV, manufactured by students of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology.

Makerere Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba who flagged off the car at the college premises described the technological innovation as a historic moment. “It goes on to confirm that Makerere is a top institution,” an all smiles Byaramureeba commented. “When we say Makerere is a great university, you say, ‘are you sure?’ The level of development at Makerere will blow you away. If we keep this up, Makerere will be ranked among the top five universities of the world,” he added.

At the demo, Project Manager Paul Musasizi took to the driver’s seat to embark on the test drive the 1000kg, green two-seater car. The car powered by a 40-amps 64-cells Lithium ion battery snaked out of the college parking yard drove around the university campus, a distance of about four kilometres.

Journalists who gave a chase on foot could not keep up with its pace while those who used their personal cars conceded it was a first runner. “I did perhaps 60kmh,” Musasizi commented afterwards. It’s built to cruise at a speed of 100kmh. The battery can last for a distance of 80km before recharging for 3-4 hours with electric power.

The official explained that choice of the car’s colour, green, was to illustrate the university’s commitment to good environmental practices which include, going green and reducing emissions. The car has zero noise and fumes emissions. “Apart from the stone and iron age, Uganda has been left out. Now we want to have a seat on the electric car bench in the world,” Musasizi remarked.

“I hope I will witness that day when half of Ugandans are driving a car made at Makerere. I hope it will we cost effective. We shall keep improving it. When you look at the benz of 1960 and the one of today, there’s a difference,” Baryamureeba commented. 

And now Uganda has joined Japan, Korea and the U.S. as a leading provider of green technology.  Thanks to New Vision Uganda for the details.

Meet Patrick, the Only Hope for Street Kids in Kabale

You read my piece on street kids in Kabale.  That was the problem.  Here is the solution.  His name is Patrick Tushabomwe and this man is dedicated to getting every street kid off the streets of Kabale.  Estimates are there are only 95 of them so the goal is achieveable but the work will not be easy.

On January 4, Patrick opened The Shepherd Centre in Kabale town, in a rented house, and in the presence of board members, supporters, government officials and clergy.  It was a great event, particularly because there are 14 young boys under his care. The facility offers housing, counseling, parenting.  The kids get to go to school.   It’s a good start.

Patrick’s heart was broken for street kids more than five years ago.  He started seeking them out just to let the kids know someone cared.  He provided soap and some food for them at Christmas.  He learned where they stay, how they live, and began to understand the family situations that would cause them to be tossed onto the streets.  Even while he underwent intense discipleship and evangelism training in the ABIDE program for Juna Amagara Ministries, he thought of the kids in Kabale.  Even while he earned his bachelor’s degree,  Patrick planned facilities for the kids. 

Eventually he found some backers from the U.S. who caught the passion and now Shepherd Centre can provide safe shelter, parental love and discipline AND reconciliation services for families.  None of this easy or cheap but great progress has been made.  The goal?  Zero street kids in Kabale.  However long it takes.  Whatever it takes.  That’s what Patrick says and I believe him.

To support to The Shepherd Centre, click HERE.  Check them out on Facebook HERE.