AND THEN COMES THE PUBLIC ORDER MANAGEMENT BILL 2011….

What happened to Article 29 (1) (d) of the 1995 Ugandan Constitution- the freedom of assembly….Hmm. I thought this right was God given and therefore inalienable. Article 20[1] confirms this….. fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals are inherent and not granted by the state…...  the rights and freedoms of the individual and groups enshrined in this Chapter four shall be respected, upheld, and promoted by all organs and agencies of government and by all persons”. Well I guess not anymore this that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Oulanya and a bunch of other opportunistic MPs chose to cut this right short…. What has befallen my Country, what is happening to my once glorious, pro-people, enthusiastic and focused ninth parliament..i wonder. I guess politicians will always be politicians…you do what is best for you not your people at the moment with less regard to later ….

Whereas our once adorable and respected Constitution appears to be patriotic in aspiration and also appears to conform to internationally accepted standards.  The reality is continuously becoming a different matter. First the lifting of term limits, then involvement of the military in politics, then the appointment of retired judicial officials, then the continued violent suppression, oppression and blocking of peaceful demonstrations, shutting down of media houses..wow..the list is endless and now BANG! the public order management bill! After three months of acrimonious debate, Parliament Yesterday 06^th Aug 2013 finally passed the controversial Bill, amid protests from opposition members. Despite the plea from the Opposition leader Nandala Mafabi to halt the discussion on the public order bill, he Jacob Oulanya shocked them with information about the amendment of the day’s order paper to include debate on the bill. Clearly this sparked anger amongst the MPs, forcing them to bang the clerk’s table, and warning him against proceeding with the bill. While some critics condemn the rowdy behavior the opposition MPs staged in Parliament..i feel compelled to salute them for trying. I know one thing; radical situations call for radical measures..i am sure the situation left them with no choice, not after trying to block it aware of its effects on the citizens and activists. This moment I understand was so painful and frustrating…seeing another setback being birthed and added on the existing long list. 

Well I know that the bill seeks to regulate public meetings, for it specifies the duties and responsibilities of the Police and the organizers and participants during public meetings, as well as prescribes measures for safeguarding public order. It reads “A person shall notify the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in writing about an intended demonstration or public meeting within three days prior to the event. The IGP can also authorize a Police officer to issue permission for a public meeting on his behalf on phone" but I ask, is it worth it? Surely has it come to this? Do Ugandans; say a group of students, a clan or family, a group of friends, or farmers that seek to meet to plan for personal functions or catch up on old times need to go through this bureaucratic, lame and creepy procedure because accordingly only registered organizations or associations are exempted. Even though we all know that the same exempted groups have even before this bill was passed been frustrated and failed from assembling.

Clauses 7, 8, 9 and 10 give discretionary powers to the Police to permit or disallow public meetings. Accordingly the clauses also mandate organizers of public gatherings to notify the IGP in writing. Who on earth stops people from assembling? Who knows what MAN will stop next, breathing or talking, since walking was condemned already. Uganda, I Cry my beloved Country!…It is no wonder that the bill has since its birth faced criticism from both local and international human rights and civil society organizations. Clearly Government is playing the role of a small god down here.. no doubt it has birthed and introduced a Draconian law meant to curb civil liberties…what a shame! I think I agree with the Buikwe South MP Hon. Michael Bayiga. He argues that passing this bill means restoring powers of police to prohibit but not to regulate public gatherings – an issue he describes as infringing on human rights. Well I couldn’t agree more, let alone say it better than this.

Shame on you Jacob Oulanya, for rushing the bill. Ugandans witnessed how insensitive you can be…OOOh how fast you put the matter to vote and ruled even before the internal affairs Minister, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, or even his deputy James Baba could stand to present that controversial piece of legislation for the third reading.  And how you even went ahead to congratulate the House for having successfully passed the bill.  For this I despise you Hon. Oulanya Jacob!

COME, LET US REASON TOGETHER

RIC-NET staff, board members and partner representatives on 05th and 6th August 2013 came together at Allan's Resort in FortPortal to reason together on how far they have come and where they are headed.

The team of 21 participants (9 females&12males) critically looked at RIC-NET's programs, mandate, and  relevance now and in the future. These discussions all fed into the organization's Strategic Plan under development for the period 2014-2018. Other things done during the two days meeting were sharing of reports from the seven district E-society Centres and a training session on ICT fundamentals. The purpose of this too was to strengthen the members' capacity in the use of ICT applications and to also keep abreast with the progress and performance of the Centres in question. Among others, members were reminded that RIC-NET's niche is the use of ICTs- development, deployment and use of on-line platforms. Here below are photos from the meeting;

RIC-NET staff pose for  a group photo after the meeting on day one

RICNET Executive director  John Silco facilitating a session on ICT fundamentals at the meeting

The Systems Adminstrator  Asiimwe Charles facilitating a session on website development, upload and management

The Kabarole E-Society Centre  ICT Officer Ategeka Nicholas presenting at the meeting

The Kasese E-Society Centre  ICT Officer  Mumbere Samuel  presenting at the meeting

 

The RWECO Coordinator Mr. Jimmy Odyek stressing a point during the meeting

The RIC-NET board Treasurer Mr.Azoli Bahati sharing during the group discussion

The Bundibugyo E-Society Centre  ICT Officer  Biira Milly presenting at the meeting

Staff at the meeting

RIC-NET ICT head of dept. Mr. Yosia Baluku sharing at the meeting

RIC-NET Director facilitating the strategic planning session

RIC-NET Director welcoming the board members at partners to the meeting

RIC-NET Board members and RWECO Coordinator sharing at the meeting

RIC-NET Program Manager Kyomuhendo Joselyne guiding the group work discussion

RWECO Coordinator  and Staff sharing in their group work discussion

RIC-NET ICT Officer Yosia and Community Outreach Officer Kaliba share points during the discussion group work

Staff sharing during the discussion group work

RIC-NET Community Out Reach Officer  Kaliba Charles presenting at the meeting

RIC-NET ICT intern student Strida presenting at the meeting

LET THE CHILDREN SPEAK

And He said let the little children come to me, Mathew 19:14. Jesus acknowledged that Children too needed to brought on board and also listened to. It is unfortunate however that many times we brush off children’s opinions or even deliberately choose not to consult and or involve them in our plans and decision making processes whether the decisions made will affect them negatively or not.  This has times without number happened in our homes, churches, community and schools. It is a shame and not nice at all if u asked me! Can’t help wondering what happened to the children’s rights and the freedom of speech and expression gospel…And how on earth we go on planning and doing things for people without involving or consulting them

With the mandate and calling to voice the silence and unlock people’s potentials, RIC-NET in collaboration with RWECO Coordinating Unit mobilized over 1000 students and pupils from approximately 40 secondary and primary schools in the Rwenzori region to participate in an essay and poem writing competition and art and painting competition.

This exercise was geared at giving the children a platform to share their opinions on the selected topics. For instance secondary students were asked to write comprehensive essays or poems on how adequate the government interventions in boosting agriculture and education sectors in light of the different, NAADS, USE and UPE initiatives have been. This was aimed at highlighting the impact of government efforts in these sectors.

In addition to this, the same students were also tasked to draw pictures depicting the status of services in the schools within their vicinities. This too was aimed at creating understanding on the status of service delivery in education/ schools in the Rwenzori region. On the other hand pupils were asked to draw and paint pictures depicting a child friendly learning environment. This as well was aimed at creating awareness and bringing out the children’s opinion about an ideal learning environment visa-viz the actual learning environments in their schools.

RIC-NET conducted this exercise with an idea of gathering and understanding the children’s views and opinions. It is planned that the information gathered will be repackaged and shared with the concerned authorities and stakeholders, and also be used for further advocacy where necessary. Approximately 754 children from both primary and secondary

Teachers of english & art marking at RIC-NET boardroom.

schools participated in this exercise. Beautiful, touching and talking art pieces were drawn, while comprehensive and educative essays and poems were also written.  These beautiful pieces have been marked by a team of four competent teachers of English and art. Winners in the different categories have been identified and are yet to be awarded presents for their good work, while the rest of all the other participants receive certificates of participation in this noble exercise.

In the same vein a magazine of the best art, poem and essay pieces is being developed for sharing with the pupils and students, the community and other relevant stakeholders. We believe this will help in bringing to light or to the attention of the duty bearers and service providers what the children think about service delivery and the government interventions in the two sectors and what they want to see to facilitate their learning, development and bright future.

We are grateful to the teachers in the schools that participated. Thanks for finding it within your busy schedules to guide and help the children speak out their minds through the pieces of work shared.

Watch this space for more updates on the winners, the best pieces of work and the awarding ceremony of the best participants.

CONNECTING GIRLS, INSPIRING THE FUTURE!

For a long time the future of the girl child and women has remained uncertain, frustrated or even cut short by fate, selfish individuals and sometimes by their own ignorance stemming from the continued lack of access to information, and their low self esteem as created by society. But this is not all that should be for the girl child. I believe there is still hope and a future for them, only if you and I can brace our efforts and purpose to voice the silent concerns affecting the woman. Which among others include; domestic violence, rape, early marriages, early pregnancies, poor access to health information and services. Related to this, some have been denied the opportunity to go to school or even concentrate by their parents.

Many girls have times without number been denied scholarlastic materials like books, pens, lunch, pads and uniforms, forcing them to either drop out of school or even have unhealthy relationships with their teachers and or peers who seem to provide some of these necessities. And thus, this has led to poor grades, or even lack of interest in school. Reports indicate that some schools do not even have senior women teachers to guide and support the girl child while some do not even have wash rooms and sanitaries to offer the girl child when need arises, hence leaving her in the middle of confusion, timidity and scorn from the rest of the pupils and students. The situation is even worse when it comes to the female pupils with disabilities because most schools are inadequately providing for PWDs whether female or male.

Inspite of all this i am certain of one thing, that you and I can inspire these girls and connect them to their intended future by: encouraging them to study and work hard while in school, encouraging parents to provide scholastic materials, lobby government to provide adequate facilities in schools to the comfort of the girl child, sensitize the community on the need to protect the rights of the girl child and women, reporting any form of abuse, and to encourage young girls who have dropped out of school to get back after delivery. On the other hand, information on health and wealth issues should be extended to the women especially the rural woman who has often fallen victim of circumstances due to the poor service delivery issues in these two areas.

It is on record that many women have carried on with illnesses like Cervical Cancer, Fistula, and HIV/AIDs, without knowledge of their existence in their bodies or where to go or even what to do about them. This has most often impacted on their productivity, health, and also self esteem. For example the Superintendent of Kagando Hospital, Mr. Kapuru Asingia notes that the hospital receives over 100 cases of fistula mothers from and beyond Rwenzori region per year. He revealed that victims of fistula suffer from a bad smelly discharge that has left many women isolated/disserted by their friends and family. Statistics also reveal that several other women are suffering from HIV/AIDs with very little or no access to ARVs and PMTCT services. Related to the above, issues of poor maternal mortality rate are still very rampant despite the local, national and global efforts towards eradicating the same. I guess we still need to encourage more women to utilize health services, check for cervical cancer, HIV/Aids and be treated from them and any other killer diseases for a bright future.

Besides living healthy and literate women should be directed towards economic empowerment. We should encourage them to form groups that can enable them to access funds like the 2,500,000UGX that government remits to Local governments annually if they must realize development in their homes. And to also introduce  and them engage them more in innovative income generating projects and Saving and Credit Schemes.

I personally believe that when a woman’s financial muscle is made stronger, she becomes more self reliant and less subjective to issues of domestic violence.

I would like to appreciate the efforts made by several development partners in addressing issues of women. Particularly I want to thank RIC-NET for inspiring the women through its continued information sharing and dissemination on key maternal health, wealth and agricultural issues through her ICT media; phones, radios, documentaries and community meetings.

I equally appeal to everyone to join in inspiring the girl/woman and connecting them to their beautiful future.

POEM By Gabriel Okara

Once upon a time, son,
they used to laugh with their hearts,
and laugh with their eyes;
but now they only laugh with their teeth,
while their ice block cold eyes
search behind our shadows.
There was a time indeed
they used to shake hands with their hearts;
but that's gone, son.
Now they left shake hands without hearts
while their left hands search
my empty pockets.

‘Feel at home!’ ‘Come again’:
they say, and when I come
again and feel
at home, once, twice,
there will be no thrice-
for then I find doors shut on me
So I have learned many things, son.
I have learned to wear many faces
like dresses – home face,
office face, street face, host face,cocktail face,
with all their conforming smiles
like a fixed portrait smile.
And I have learned too
to laugh with only my teeth
and shake hands without my heart.
I have also learned to say, ‘Goodbye’,
when I mean ‘Good-riddance’:
to say ‘Glad to meet you’,
without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been
nice talking to you’, after being bored.

But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!
So show me, son,
how to laugh; show me how
I used to laugh and smile
once upon a time when I was like you.