UPOLE

Spain in urgent need to increase its low population

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 5 Mar 2017 07:16:00 -0800

What a discrepancy; Whereas Africa is battling with high birthrates prevailing in the black continent, Spain is urgently looking for ways to boost its unacceptably low birth rates!

No winner for Mo Ibrahim Sh500m prize for African leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 11:38:00 -0800

When you read the heading, "No winner for Mo Ibrahim Sh500m prize for African leadership" you might be tempted to ask such small questions as:

"But why?"

"What does this imply?"

"Anyway, Does it Matter?"

Mo Ibrahim, the chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. AFP PHOTO | CARL COURT

Reading the story further, you come across the following response:

It means that recently retired presidents like Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, failed to prove they had left a legacy worth rewarding.

The full story goes:

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation says there is no suitable winner, again, for its Africa annual leadership excellence awards.

On Thursday, the foundation said none of the former African heads of State and government met the criteria for the 2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

It means that recently retired presidents like Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, failed to prove they had left a legacy worth rewarding.

Set up by Sudanese-British tycoon Mo Ibrahim in 2006, the Ibrahim Prize is given based on the review of a special committee that includes former diplomats, Nobel laureates, business leaders and democracy activists.

This year’s prize committee was chaired by former Tanzania prime minister Salim Ahmed Salim.

The criteria used by the committee to select a winner include the requirement that all eligible contenders be former heads of State or government who left office in the previous three years.

The leaders should have been democratically elected, served their constitutionally allowed terms and demonstrated exceptional leadership.

In a statement Thursday, Mr Ibrahim, the chairman of the foundation, said he agrees with the verdict of the committee.

“The Board respects the decision of the independent prize committee. When we launched the prize ten years ago, we deliberately set a very high bar.

“We want the prize to shine a spotlight on outstanding leadership to provide role models right across society, as well as supporting Laureates to continue to serve the continent by sharing their wisdom and experience,” he said.

Since 2006, the Ibrahim Prize has been awarded four times.

HUMILITY

The last winner, for the 2014 edition, was former Namibia President Hifikepunye Pohamba, whom Dr Salim described then as having “demonstrated sound and wise leadership" while maintaining "his humility throughout his Presidency.”

Other winners include former Cape Verde President Pedro Pires (2011), President Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008) and President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007). Nelson Mandela was the inaugural Honorary Laureate in 2007.

There were no winners in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

But the foundation said on Thursday that the lack of winners last year is more indicative of the tough eligibility conditions rather than a sign of poor leadership on the continent.

“The decision by the prize committee is a reflection of the exceptionally high bar set for potential winners rather than any disappointment with the overall quality of leadership on our continent.

“The tough criteria were deliberately set to ensure only the most outstanding would be considered,” said Sophie Masipa, head of communication at the foundation.

Winners of the award receive about $5 million (Sh500 million) spread over a decade and a further $200,000 annually for the rest of their lives.

Source: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/No-winner-Mo-Ibrahim-Sh500m-prize-for-African-leadership/1056-3252254-kjuivt/index.html

Tanzania: Artists’ trial postponed for a fifth time

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 11:06:00 -0800

Tanzania: Artists’ trial postponed for a fifth time

Mwanacotide

The case against Tanzanian musician Mwana Cotide and music producer Mussa Sikabwe has once again been postponed until 9 March 2017. This is the fifth time their trial date has been pushed.

The two artists were initially set to face trial on 12 October 2016 on charges of producing, singing and distributing a song called ‘Dikteta Uchwara’ (Petty Dictator) that contained “seditious and offensive” content against Tanzanian President John Magufuli.

The October 2016 trial date was postponed to 9 November 2016, then to 22 December 2016, then again to 26 January 2017, then once again to 22 February 2017, and now 9 March 2017.

Tanzanian authorities officially claim the postponements have been due to investigations being incomplete. However, these overhanging charges and frequent trial resets have stifled Cotide and Sikabwe’s ability to work as artists, with Sikabwe’s musical equipment being confiscated and in police custody until the investigation is concluded.

“Not only are the charges against the two artists a gross violation of artistic freedom, but the ongoing confiscation of music instruments continues to take away their livelihoods as artists,” said Freemuse Executive Director Ole Reitov. “We call on the Tanzanian government to drop the charges immediately.”

In November 2016, Freemuse first called for the charges against Cotide and Sikabwe to be dropped and sent a letter to Dr. Harrison George Mwakyembe, Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs. The minister has yet to reply.

The two artists were charged at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate Court in capital city Dar es Salaam on 28 September 2016 for uploading a video of the song on YouTube in August 2016, as well as “distributing the song with intent to offend” the president, which is against the country’s 2015 Cybercrimes Act. The two denied the charges and are currently released on bail.

Since President Mugufuli took office in October 2015 and the Cybercrimes Act was enacted in May 2015, fourteen people have been arrested and charged for insulting the president on social media. So far only one person has been convicted of those charges, reported Global Voices on 30 September 2016.

Source: Freemuse Website

Makonda, Nape: History can be a good teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:45:00 -0800

Makonda, Nape: History can be a good teacher

Nape NNauye, Tanzania's Minister of Information, Culture, Artists and Sports

Paul Makonda, Nape Nnauye etc, may find it helpful at this point in time, to make reference to and learn from what happened in 1990s during the second phase of Tanzanian government led by Ali Hassan Mwinyi (mzee Ruksa). Then, the then Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Mary Chipungahelo aka Chips came at loggerheads with Augustin Mrema who was Minister of Home Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Tanzania.

Madam Chipungahelo stood out as a daring, fearless and bold lady who openly opposed Mrema’s blatant and arbitrary leadership style which she said was too much and was meddling with the functioning of other organs of the state. Shortly after, Chips was removed from heading

Paul Makonda, Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mary Chipungahelo (Chips) Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner early 1990.

Augustin Mrema, renowned Minister of Home Affairs and 'Deputy Prime Minister of
Tanzania early 1990s.

Ugandan Pastor selling "Holy Rice"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 02:28:00 -0800

Gone are the days when people would seek for blessings, prayers, counselling etc as some of the free services that the church provided. Church goods and services have been monetized and as long as they are branded; "holy" this, " Miraculous" that...the followers get determined to obtain it.

From selling holy water, holy handkerchiefs, holy pens etc; Pastor Kakande of the Synagogue church in Uganda recently innovated "holy rice" for his flock and he emphasizes that whoever uses it shall be blessed and receive whatever he/she is yearning for in life

Pastor Kakande’s Holy Rice

Prophet Samuel Kakande of the Synagogue Church of Nations at Mulago is not new to controversy and recently, the Prophet introduced Holy Rice that has spiked too much attention.

This is not the first time the Prophet is selling Holy merchandise. At his Church, he sells holy handkerchiefs, holy pens, holy water among other things.

He is among the pastor’s in Uganda that have been criticized for so long as some call him a fake pastor,

Kakande is closely acquainted to Nigerian Pastor TB Joshua who is also no stranger to many controversies with his recent prophecy of Hilary Clinton being the winner of the US President elections where she lost.

According to the Prophet, his rice is holy and offers miracles to whoever buys it and takes it as a meal.

“Believers should sprinkle some of the holy rice in their normal rice to release blessings.” Prophet told his flock during their weekly service.

This has raised a lot of controversy within the public ragging war against him on social media since he is allegedly selling it for Shs50, 000 compared to the market price of ‘ordinary’ rice which is Shs 3, 000.

His congregation is believed to be able to get miracles through hankies, ‘holy water and now holy rice the most beneficiaries to this new development are the young people looking for jobs,spouses,wealth and favor in Uganda.
http://www.trending.ug/pastor-kakandes-holy-rice/

BBC: Witches cast 'mass spell' against Donald Trump

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 07:16:00 -0800

...and Maybe this tells the world the ugly truth that black, white, yellow or brown, American, African, Arab or Latino; we are simply human beings.

Witches cast 'mass spell' against Donald Trump

25 February 2017

Most of Donald Trump's opponents believe they will have to wait four more years to see him leave the White House.

But America's witches are more optimistic.

At the stroke of midnight on Friday, followers of witchcraft across the US performed a mass spell designed to remove the president from office.

A Facebook group devoted to the ritual has attracted over 10,500 likes, and coined the hashtag #magicresistance.

The development has sparked fury among Christian conservatives, who have accused the witches of "declaring spiritual war".

Writer Michael Hughes, who describes himself as a "magical thinker" posted a version of the spell online, saying he had seen multiple versions on private witchcraft groups.

In it, he suggests using a stubby orange candle, an unflattering picture of Mr Trump, and a Tower tarot card.

Image copyrightAFPImage captionTarot cards are used all over the world to assist in magical rituals

Followers of magic are told to carve the president's name into the candle using a pin, recite an incantation, and then burn his picture in the flame.

'You're fired!'

The words of the spell include a plea to the Wiccan deities to "bind Donald J Trump, so that his malignant works may fail utterly" and so that he "shall not break our polity, usurp our liberty, or fill our minds with hate, confusion, fear, or despair".

Mr Trump's supporters don't escape either, as the spell asks that their "malicious tongues" be curbed too.

Mr Hughes suggests that instead of the normal closing line, "So mote it be!", witches could burn the former Apprentice host's image with the words, "You're fired!"

The writer said he published details of the spell because he felt "it would be very welcome to a lot of people".

Under the tenets of witchcraft, a "binding spell" does not wish harm on its target, but aims to stop them from doing harm themselves.

"This is not the equivalent of magically punching a Nazi," Mr Hughes wrote. "Rather, it is ripping the bullhorn from his hands, smashing his phone so he can't tweet, tying him up, and throwing him in a dark basement where he can't hurt anyone."

MaryPat Azevedo, who took part in the ritual in Arizona, said she saw the ritual as "a unity prayer".

She told the BBC: "A true witch would never cast a spell on anyone without their permission. This prayer is for wellbeing and peace for all beings."

Ms Azevedo said she hopes to see "physical, emotional, and spiritual changes in Donald Trump and American politics".

'Urgent warning'

Participating witches plan to repeat the spell on days when there is a waning crescent moon, until Mr Trump leaves the Oval Office. The next ritual is set for 26 March.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the president's followers are less than thrilled.

Joshua Feuerstein, an evangelical pastor who has previously condemned Starbucks for taking Christmas symbols off its seasonal red cups, issued an "urgent warning", saying "millions of witches" were trying to curse the president.

"Their bippity-boppity-boo isn't more powerful than the name of Jesus!" he declared in an online video.

Image copyrightAFPImage captionSome of the president's supporters see the spell as an assault on Christianity (file picture)

The Christian Nationalist Alliance, a conservative religious group, named 24 February a "day of prayer" to counter the magical fraternity.

In a post online, it called the witches "occultists" who want to summon dark spirits against Mr Trump.

The group said it will urge people to pray every time the spell-casters reach for their candles.

Thus far, Mr Trump has failed to comment on the battle between Bible and broomstick.

source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39090334

Tarot cards are used all over the world to assist in magical rituals

Tanzania: It’s a Working not Feasting phase- A samosa should be ok

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 05:05:00 -0800

Tanzania: It’s a Working not Feasting phase- A samosa should be ok

Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan serving out samosas to servicemen of the Fire and rescue brigade during the swearing in ceremonies of the Commissioner General of the brigade, Thobias Andengenye. State House, Dar e Salaam.

Thobias Andengenye, taking an oath to become Commissioner General of the Fire and Rescue Brigade (Zimamoto) before H.E. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Samosas

And God spoke to 'Trump' saying: "Do not do bad things to foreigners living in your country."

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 03:54:00 -0800

Do not do bad things to foreigners living in your country

Leviticus 19:33-35

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying;

³³“Do not do bad things to foreigners living in your country. ³⁴You must treat them the same as you treat your own citizens. Love them as you love yourselves. Remember, you were foreigners in Egypt ("Immigrant" from another land). I am the Lord your God!

³⁵You must be fair when you judge people, and you must be fair when you measure and weigh things.”

US President Donald Trump

John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of United Republic of Tanzania

Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi

SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS......

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 06:39:00 -0800

Show me your Friends

Wema Sepetu

H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

WAR AGAINST DRUGS AN UPHILL TASK

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:46:00 -0800

'Enormous' £1m cannabis haul found in raid on 1980s nuclear bunker

Russell Hope, News Reporter,Sky News 3 hours ago

Police have found "thousands" of cannabis plants, valued at more than £1m, in an underground nuclear bunker built during the 1980s.

Six men, aged between 15 and 45, have been arrested following the raid on RGHQ Chilmark in Wiltshire, which was constructed to house and protect government officials and dignitaries in the event of a nuclear attack.

Wiltshire police officers targeted the site, which is disused but still intact and has its nuclear blast doors in place, following a tip-off.

Detective Inspector Paul Franklin said they found a huge operation inside.

"There are approximately 20 rooms in the building, split over two floors, each 200ft long and 70 ft wide," he said.

"Almost every single room had been converted for the wholesale production of cannabis plants, and there was a large amount of evidence of previous crops. This was an enormous set-up.

"It is almost impossible to work out how many plants are inside, but we are talking thousands rather than hundreds and we would estimate the value of the crop at over £1 million."

Officers waited outside for people to leave the bunker on Wednesday night, saying the site was all but impossible to enter.

Three men, aged 27, 30 and 45 and from Somerset, were arrested as they left the building, and officers used their keys to enter.

Inside they found several thousand cannabis plants at various stages of growth and three other males, aged 15, 19 and 37, all of no fixed address, believed to be working as gardeners.

The three males found inside the bunker were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production, while those held outside were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production and human trafficking offences.

It is not the first time large hauls of the class B drug have been found in unusual places - or even in a disused nuclear bunker.

In 2015 a man was jailed for two-and-a-half years for growing more than 800 cannabis plants in Drakelow Tunnels, in Worcestershire, a 285,000 sq ft network of tunnels stretching for about three miles.

Last year, police found at least 1,000 cannabis plants at a luxury nine-bedroom country mansion in March, Cambridgeshire.

TANGANYIKA LAW SOCIETY (TLS) PRESIDENCY: WHY NOW?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:32:00 -0800

SOURCE: The CITIZEN

Should 10 year olds be given contraceptives?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 10:31:00 -0800

10-year-old children to get family planning

By PATIENCE AHIMBISIBWE

KAMPALA. The Ministry of Health has proposed to have children as young as 10 years old access family planning services as one of the means to reduce early pregnancies among adolescents.
Commonly known birth control methods include condoms, diaphragm, contraceptive pills, implants, IUDs (intrauterine devices), sterilisation and the morning after pill.
The ministry’s policy statement requires all health facilities to provide quality services to all adolescents irrespective of age, sex, ability to pay, marital status, school status, education level, location or ethnic origin.
Some of the target beneficiaries to the family planning services include universities, schools, religious centres, youth clubs in schools and Local Council/Youth Council meeting places. Others are workplaces, recreational centres, electronic and media platforms and key social gatherings.
“There is need to focus efforts on delaying sex debut and increasing contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents. All adolescents are eligible for the health services. Increase age-appropriate information, access, and use of family planning among young people aged between 10 and 24 years,” reads in part the document titled ‘National Policy Guidelines and Service Standards for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.’
This fourth edition of the 2016 policy is a product of efforts of the Ministry of Health, development partners, civil society and implementing partners.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Ms Vivian Nakaliika, yesterday said the policy was launched some time back but is currently under review. However, she could not divulge the progress on the review.
She referred this newspaper to Dr Blandinah Nakiganda, the assistant commissioner for health services at the ministry. Ms Nakaliika promised to provide us with Dr Nakiganda’s contact today as she had already left office at the time of the interview.
According to the Ministry of Education standards, a child is expected to enrol for Primary One when they are six years old.

This means a 10-year-old, if they have not repeated a class, would be in Primary Five when they start family planning.
Fr Jonathan Opio of Human Life International and Mr Steven Langa of Family Life Network, in a joint statement, called upon parents to resist such family planning attempts which the duo claim are being advocated by donors.
“It is clear that unscrupulous people with support from powerful multi-lateral organisations have mooted an agenda of introducing and promoting comprehensive sex education in schools and institutions of learning. We reject and sternly oppose this ill-intentioned move,” the duo said.
The teachers, through their umbrella, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) have equally condemned the policy, insisting that moral values must be maintained among the young people and urged the government to protect the young generation from being “exploited by money minded Ugandans”.

“We need to ensure our own children get the right information, material, content and guidance from the right people. Government should not lose its way because somebody in the business community is trying to take advantage. We should not be misguided by donor funds and give away our own children,” Mr James Tweheyo, Unatu general secretary, said yesterday.
In the document, Dr Nakiganda acknowledges the contribution of Prof Anthony K. Mbonye, the Director General for Health Services for his leadership and direction and Dr Kaggwa, Commissioner for Community Services for steering the team to the end.
Other doctors acknowledged include Dr Aliganyira Patrick, Dr Mike Kagawa, Dr Charles Kiggundu, Dr Moses Muwonge, Dr Jane Nabakoza, Dr Olive Sentumbwe-Mugisa, Sarah Malalay Ahmadzai, Nakitto, Grace Ojirot, Prof John Chrysostom Lule and Ssensalire Rajab.
Dr Nakiganda says the policy is expected to guide the delivery of quality integrated sexual and reproductive health services and contribute to reduction of maternal and newborn morbidity, disability and mortality.

The policy further suggests to consolidate implementation of family planning policy, interventions and delivery of services in multiple sectors to ensure a holistic contribution to social and economic transformation.
The report notes that overall teenage birth rate or the proportion of birth per 1000 women aged 15-19 has decreased from 204 to 135 between 1995 and 2011 with 24 per cent giving birth to their first child before turning 19.
It highlights that the policy is to create an enabling legal and social-cultural environment that promotes provision of better health and information services for young people.
When contacted for a comment yesterday, Mr Patrick Muinda, the Ministry of Education spokesperson, said he would not make a response until he had read the document.
“We have not received any information in that regard,” he said.
Uganda, like the rest of the world, has committed to the post Millennium Development Goals agenda to embrace a new strategy of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is through this that the ministry of Health is pushing for sexual and reproductive health and rights and empowerment of girls and women as ‘central to sustainable development and creating a world that is just, equitable, and inclusive”.

“Uganda ranks among the top 10 countries with high maternal, newborn and child mortality rates despite attempts in improving health of children, adolescents, women and men in the country. Only 20.4per cent of Ugandan women use a modern method, the unmet need for family planning stands at 34per cent and contraceptive prevalence at 30 per cent while teenage pregnancy is high at 24per cent resulting in unsafe abortions that account for an estimated 28 per cent of maternal deaths annually,” the ministry’s policy document says.
Last year, Saturday Monitor revealed that 100 schools had been introduced into teaching disguised homosexuality through an unauthorised curriculum dubbed: “The World Starts With Me.’
The curriculum was introduced through a computer-based comprehensive sexuality education curriculum which was developed in 2003 by Butterfly Works and World Population Foundation (WPF), in close collaboration with SchoolNet Uganda, young people, teachers and artists in Uganda.

Target
The curriculum targeted secondary school students and their teachers. For instance, it portrayed homosexuality and masturbation as fulfilling sexual habits among people who have consented and one way of controlling unwanted teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
“People can also feel attracted to the same sex or both sexes. If this lasts a long time, they might be homosexuals. People are homosexual not by choice but by birth. However, if a boy forces a boy to have sex with him or a girl forces a girl to have sex with her, this is not homosexual but sexual abuse,” the curriculum read in part.
The document was later disowned by the ministry of Education and the National Curriculum Development Centre. The subject also attracted criticism from President Museveni who discouraged the teaching of sex education in schools.

Reacting to the findings, Fr Silvester Arinaitwe, UJCC Executive Secretary, condemned the material saying it will destroy Christian values on whose foundation the country is built - For God and My Country. He explained that they had a list of schools which have been participating and are planning to take the matter further to establish what impact it has caused on graduates from these institutions.
“We have come to know that SchoolNet is implementing this curriculum. We are very disturbed about the content, which we have seen. We condemn it. It is very dangerous for our children. Some of these NGOs come here disguising that they are going to support us in education when they have a hidden dangerous agenda. We are going to do more research and we shall act. We can’t accept this to go on in our schools,” Fr Arinaitwe charged.

pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HealthLiving/10-year-old-children-family-planning/689846-3805510-7k8usgz/index.html

Music censorship Stories in East Africa:Two songs banned for ‘defamation’

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:30:00 -0800

Two songs banned for ‘defamation’

Two songs by musician Mathias Walukagga – a prominent ‘kadongo kamu’ artist in Uganda’s capital Kampala – was banned from being played or distributed as from 3 November 2009 on the pretext that they were meant to demean and belittle a prominent business man in Kampala, Ssalongo Kasawuli, who is the owner of Samona Cosmetic Products. According to this report from Freemuse’s correspondent, the root of the dispute is a personal rivalry between the two men which literally turned into a ‘song war’

By Lingson Adam, Freemuse’s correspondent

The two songs, entitled ‘Bwino W’omutembeeyi’ (The secrets of the hawker ‘spilled’) and ‘Tuleppukke’ (Well, let’s deal with each other) have been denied play, performance and/or distribution following issuance of an indefinite court order by Mengo Chief Magistrate Phillip Odoki in Kampala.

In addition to the ban, Mathias Walukagga was sued, and as a result was remanded at Luzira prison, Kampala, in November 2009.

Sued for defamation and attempted blackmailing
On Monday 9 November, Mathias Walukagga appeared before magistrate Immaculate Busingye at Makindye court for defamation and attempted blackmailing.

The plaintiff Ssalongo Kasawuli claimed that Mathias Walukagga attempted to blackmail him by demanding 60 million Ugandan shillings as compensation for holding back his new song ‘Bwino W’omutembeeyi’ which is alleged to be damaging to Kasawuli’s business.

Further prosecution pointed out that ‘Bwino W’omutembei’ and its forerunning song ‘Tuleppuke’ carry messages which were aimed at defaming Kasawuli and his Samona petroleum body lotion products. The plaintiff argues that the messages were damaging to him personally and his Samona Company and products thereof.

According to a report for the Ugandan newspaper New Vision by Eddie Ssejjoba, there was drama as onlookers jammed the court, while others remained outside cheering Walukagga, who responded with thumbs-up signal as he was escorted to the bus which took him to Luzira Prison.

Walukagga was, however, bailed out three days later following his lawyers filing in application for release. The music companies Abtex Productions and X-Zone International in return threatened to sue Kasawuli, arguing that they bought the right to market the songs from Walukagga and had invested millions in the project.

Behind the scene
Unconfirmed reports in Kampala have it that what has been happening — including the songs’ ban and the songwriter being remanded — is simply an outburst of the over one year long stalemate grudges between Kasawuli and his Samona products on one hand and Walukagga and his music on the other.

The dispute between the two ‘stars’ is said to have stemmed from a woman they both are keen on. Walukagga allegedly had an affair with this woman but they both called it quits after some time. Stories further hold that eventually the complainant, Kasawuli, took over the lady ‘name withheld’ after winning her heart.

It is said that Walukagga (now former lover of the lady) silently complained that he was being threatened by Samona (successor) who thought that the artist was still having an affair with the said woman. This situation is what is portrayed in Walukagga’s song ‘Tuleppuke’.

‘Tuleppuke’
Things came to the open when Walukagga released his high hitting song ‘Tuleppuke’ which literally means ‘Well let’s deal with each other’ in March 2009.

The story behind the lyrics of Tuleppuke is about the conflict between a rich and a poor man where the underlying source of conflict is a woman whom the poor man had a relationship with but they had their own issues which led them to peacefully separate. The rich man later begins to have a relationship with this woman, but again he holds grudges with the poor man because he thinks that the poor man might still be having affair with her. He even threatens to kill him through telephone calls and other means.

The poor man tries to explain that his relationship with the woman ended long ago, but the rich man insists and continues with his threats.

The poor man asserts that irrespective of money, all of them are human beings, being rich doesn’t make anyone super-human. The poor disregards all the death threats claiming that after all, death is human’s destiny; katuleppuke — so let’s deal with each other perpendicularly and see how far we can go.

He thus remains firm and promises that then it was only a beginning of a long battle, probably against a class he does not belong to.

The story behind the lyrics in ‘Tuleppuke’ concludes by offering a piece of free and voluntary advice to the omutembeyi — the ‘hawker’, the rich business man — to stick to the selling of the merchandise instead of biffing up for a woman.

Song to hit back: ‘Majegere’
According to The Uganda Vision, Kasawuli came to the open as soon as ‘Tuleppuke’ was released claiming that the song was an attack on him and his products, and that the words behind the lyrics were dangerous to the prosperity of his cosmetics business. He threatened to sue the musician for defamation. He did not file any case of the kind for quite long time, and reports had it that he had chosen to handle the issue ‘strategically’.

It was alleged that Kasawuli hired and paid for some artists to compose some songs to hit back at Walukagga. One of the musicians, allegedly hired by Kassawuli, was the artist Fred Nkambwe who recorded with Pentagon Videos the song ‘Majegere’ which is perceived to refer to the Kasawuli and Walukagga row.

The story behind the lyrics of ‘Majegere’ portrays the rich business man as a big caterpillar or bulldozer, and puts forward a clear warning that the irresponsible musician can never manage the ‘bulldozer’. The video shows a beautiful woman who has been deserted in misery by her lover, a musician, and then she meets this rich man who takes pity and falls in love with her. Eventually he takes very good care of her, which irritates the former lover who in turn plans to stage a fight, but then receives a stern warning to retreat or else ‘it will break his knees’.

It was reported that as part of his ‘strategic hit back’ to his foe, Kasawuli influenced different radio stations where he is a main advertiser, to blacklist Walukagga’s ‘Tuleppuke’ from air play. It was also reported that Walukagga was banned from performing at specific events and concerts sponsored by Kasawuli’s Samona company.

‘Bwino W’omutembeeyi’
Then an impasse followed and remained between the two for quite some time, until in October 2009 when Walukagga released his ‘Bwino W’omutembeeyi’ which contextually would mean giving data or profile of someone, where literally bwino is a Luganda word for ink and omutembeyi refers to a vendor.

The song’s lyrics takes further the story in ‘Tuleppuke’. This time the poor hits the rich man by referring to his business products ‘jellies’ as of very poor quality. He narrates that all the lotions do is to darken people’s skin and that they would preferably be fine for use as shoes polish, and that when he tried to use these cosmetics they even attracted mosquitoes to bite him.

The coming into air of the ‘Bwino W’omutembeeyi’ is said to have sparked off the latent hostility, leading to court case.

Apart from the earlier allegations to Walukagga, Kasawuli claims that the singer is also being used by Samona’s business opponents to undermine his products before the public, and that Walukagga illegally solicited millions of Ugandan shillings from the city tycoon so that he could conceal the new song.

Dismissed allegations
When interviewed by Freemuse, Walukagga dismissed such allegations:
“I don’t know anything about this, Samona (Kasawuli) is depending on hearsays. He said I’m being used by Movit Company whom they are in the same business but sincerely I don’t have even any phone number for anyone working with Movit,” he told Freemuse’s correspondent in Kampala.

Walukagga refutes all other allegations claiming that he would never target any particular person, and that if one had followed his music career they would be able to see that he has carried out this principle all the way through.

In the interview with Freemuse, Walukagga said:

“My songs have nothing to do with Samona together with his products. In fact, if you listen to all my songs eight years back, you notice they have almost the same trend. I mean: my songs are about people’s daily lives, they are directed towards certain situations and do carry some message for the people.”

“So, because Samona is rich, he mistakenly thought I was singing about him, ” said the musician.

“I make sure my songs have meaning. So they are intended for people to learn from, apart from enjoying them. Songs like ‘Omuzadde tagulwa’ (a parent can never be bought!) is directed to those people who forsake their parents especially when they become rich; ‘Ekimansa naku’ (every one can suffer) is about those who stigmatize the sick, especially those with HIV/AIDS, forgetting that anyone can die at any time.”

Kasawuli was quoted in the Ugandan Observer saying that he could not share a woman with Walukagga. According to the newspaper, the woman being referred to underlie the whole row was “a bar attendant at AY Makindye before she went to work at Kasawuli’s Pacify Hotel in Wakaliga.”

‘Bwiino wekkomera’ – song about life in prison
As his message to his audience and fans concerning Ugandan music generally and his music in particular, Walukagga had this to say: “I want to encourage them that I’m still strong, I will continue to with my music, I’m not threatened because my songs are not intended to harm anyone,” and indeed his two days stay in the remand prison were suffice to bear him clues and insights as to write another song on the ‘Bwiino wekkomera’ (truth about the life in Ugandan prisons) which has started to be played in several radio stations in the country.

His new song talks about miserable life in prisons and that whoever wishes another person to be imprisoned is wishing death to that person.

Court case rescheduled
Walukagga was to appear in court again on 11 December 2009. However, in a telephone interview on 5 January 2010 he told Freemuse that when his lawyers went to the court on the said date they were told that the next hearing was rescheduled to sometime in February 2010.

Moreover Walukagga refuted reports that he had signed an agreement with Kassauli to resolve the despite out of court and work collaboratively in business, only admitting that the two parties had some discussions on the issue but it was yet to be concluded.

Source: Click HERE

African Data Journalism Fund launches Contest for gender equality stories

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:39:00 -0800

African Data Journalism Fund Launches New Contest for Stories on Gender Equality and The Challenges Women Face in Accessing Health Care and Services

Journalists in six African countries -- South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria -- can win a fully paid study tour to major United States newsrooms as part of a new impactAFRICA reporting contest.

impactAFRICA is seeking stories that shed light on the challenges women and girls face in accessing health care and health services, and solutions to improve the quality of life for them and their families.

Gender inequality is not just an abstract issue. It directly impacts the health and lives of women and girls across the continent, as well as societies and communities. According to UNWomen, 8 in 10 of all new HIV patients are women. Girls across Africa still suffer from a lack of proper sanitation at schools, contributing to a higher dropout rate than amongst boys. A lack of family planning contributes to preventable deaths of women and to keeping a family in poverty.

“African women are often the backbone of their communities and economies, but many of the health challenges they face -- and the resulting impacts on society -- remain underreported. Poor media coverage translates into poor public understanding of the issues,” explains impactAFRICA programme manager Haji Mohamed Dawjee. “We are therefore looking for stories that help demystify complex issues and give both citizens and policy makers actionable information for better decision-making.”

An independent international jury will choose winners in three categories: best community impact; best audience engagement; and best use of data. The winners will spend 10 days visiting newsrooms in three cities in the United States and learning from some of the world’s top digital media outlets.

Journalists who have published, broadcast or produced impactful stories on any platform and in any medium in at least one of the target countries during the period from November 15, 2016 to March 15, 2017. The best submissions will showcase solutions and offer evidence that the reportage has had a positive impact on policies or services.

impactAFRICA is the continent’s largest fund for data-driven investigative storytelling, offering $500,000 in cash grants and technology support, along with editorial mentorship, across a series of funding rounds for pioneering journalism that uses data or digital tools to tackle development issues such as public healthcare, water, sanitation, the effects of air and water pollution on African communities, climate change and its effects on farming communities and food baskets, and other development issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“All impactAFRICA winners help shine a light on blind spots in our societies, using digital and data journalism to help expose under-reported issues in ways that give people information they can use to make better informed decisions,” says Code for Africa director, Justin Arenstein. “Our aim is to support journalism that engages and empowers people.”

Code for Africa, in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), underwrites impactAFRICA as part of a range of journalism initiatives designed to help African media prepare for a more digital future. Arenstein founded both Code for Africa and impactAFRICA as part of an ICFJ Knight Journalism Fellowship.

The Challenges of Women in Africa contest is the second topic-specific impactAFRICA competition. The first contest, which closed on the July 15, focused on water and sanitation issues. impactAFRICA also offers project grants for investigative data projects, with winners covering issues ranging from illegal fishing and maternal health challenges, to collusion in the funeral industry in Africa. The next call for investigative grant proposals will be in 2017.

Source: http://impactafrica.fund/news/2016/african-data-journalism-fund-launches-new-contest-for-stories-on-gender-equality-and-the-challenges-women-face-in-accessing-health-care-and-services

ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: FREEMUSE RELEASES 2016 REPORT ON MUSIC CENSORSHIP

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 07:40:00 -0800

ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: PRESENTING THE FIGURES

(* click on the images to enlarge)

Freemuse registered 1,028 attacks on artists and violations of their rights in 2016 across 78 countries, continuing a worrying trend of artistic freedom increasingly coming under threat. The number of cases registered in 2016 more than doubled the amount in 2015, increasing by 119%, rising from 469 attacks. Of those more than one thousand cases, Freemuse documented 188 total serious violations of artistic freedom and 840 acts of censorship.

The numbers include the killing of two musicians, Amjad Sabri in Pakistan and Pascal Treasury Nshimirimana in Burundi, and the execution by ISIS of a 15-year-old boy in Iraq for listening to Western music.

Freemuse divides attacks on artistic freedom into “serious violations” – which include killings, abductions, attacks, imprisonments, prosecutions and persecutions/threats – and acts of censorship. Acts of censorship are also serious concerns, but separating them from the rest helps to distinguish the nuanced global picture of the artistic freedom world, and the difference between having an art work banned from the other categories which have even more severe consequences for an artist’s life and family.

The increase in the case number can partially be explained by the fact that Freemuse, alongside its partners and expanding network, has continued to improve its documentation methods and increasingly receives more information through its strengthening network. Additionally, the issue of artistic freedom, especially in a year that is seeing a rise in populism and nationalistic views, continues to gain attention, resulting in more bodies and organisations reporting on incidents when artists are being silenced.

Despite these increases in attention and refinement of methodology, artistic freedom violations in many countries continue to be under-reported due to a variety of factors, including lack of public awareness, capacity and political will. Thus, while the number of cases Freemuse sees continues to rise year after year, the sad reality is that the real number of attacks on artistic freedom and violations of artists’ rights is much higher. It is nearly impossible to report on closed societies or determine the number of acts of self-censorship carried out by artists due to intimidation, cultural and social pressure, or living under regimes that threaten punishment for artistic expression of any or all kinds.

In 2016, Iran was the worst violating country for serious violations on artistic freedom of expression with 30 registered cases, including an attack on one artist, the imprisonment of 19 artists, prosecution of six others, and persecution of or threat to four artists. Thus, Iran continues to be one of the worst violators since Freemuse began documenting artistic freedom violations in 2012. Iran also ranked tenth for worst country practicing censorship with nine registered cases (for a more detailed overview of the situation in Iran click here).

Following Iran, were Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, China, Russia, Malaysia, Syria, Tanzania and Uzbekistan as the worst violators committing serious violations on artistic freedom, which combined accounted for 126 of the 188 serious violations in 2016, or 67% of total serious violations.

In the case of serious violations, music continued to be the art form that suffered the most violations of artistic freedom with 86 cases, or 46% of total serious violations. In 2015, Freemuse also registered 86 serious violations for music.

2016, however, saw a rise in serious violations on theatre and visual arts. Theatre ranked second, up from fourth place in 2015, for serious violations with 32 cases registered in 2016. Visual arts ranked third, up from fifth place in 2015, with 27 cases registered in 2016. Combined, music, theatre and visual arts, accounted for 77% of worst affected art forms for serious violations.

Ukraine in 2016 topped the list for worst country to practice censorship with 557 registered acts of censorship, mainly due to a blacklist of 544 films that was made public, mostly consisting of Russian films and TV-series banned as a result of the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Ukraine alone accounted for 66% of censorship cases in 2016 – 557 of the total 840 cases registered.

When a blacklist is made public, or Freemuse is able to obtain it and identify all the individual art works banned, they are all registered as individual cases of censorship; when a list is not able to be obtained, the offence is listed as one case. For example, such was the case in 2016 with Uzbekistan, a country that sources reported produced a blacklist of 700 films. Freemuse was unable to obtain that list and thus the case was registered as one.

While Freemuse appreciates the level of transparency by governments who are public about their censorship, the fact remains that neither such a wide-sweeping act of censorship should occur in the first place, nor should any act of censorship.

Following Ukraine in censorship was Kuwait – a country whose total 61 cases were all acts of censorship, including a blacklist of 54 films Freemuse was able to obtain – followed by China, Egypt, India, Russia, Turkey, USA, Pakistan and Iran. Combined, the top ten censoring countries accounted for 88% of all registered censorship cases in 2016.

In the case of censorship, film overtook music to be the most censored art form in 2016, with 663 registered cases, or 79% of all cases of censorship registered; of course a bulk of those numbers come from the Ukraine and Kuwait blacklists. In 2015, film was ranked second as most censored art form with 31 cases at the time.

Following film, music was ranked second in 2016 with 92 cases of censorship. In 2015, music was the most censored art form with 223 cases; however, that year, Freemuse was able to obtain a 120-song blacklist in China that swelled those numbers. Acts of censorship against film and music combined for 755 registered cases, or 90% of all acts of censorship Freemuse registered in 2016.

This broad overview of the statistics Freemuse collected over 2016 serve to paint a macro picture of how artistic freedom continues to be violated in many countries. In the following sections of the report, we dive deeper into the issues and tendencies that drove governments and other groups to limit artistic expressions, and then go deeper still to look more closely at the six worst violating countries to understand the motivations behind their attacks on artistic freedom.

Among the tendencies, 2016 saw incidents of violent militants or peaceful civil society groups targeting artists and audiences with very different means, but with the same goal of stifling artistic expression. We saw several cases of women, as well as LGBT artists, being discriminated, and even cases where artist syndicates and unions played the role of censor. The conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and India and Pakistan, also showed that when two neighbouring countries fight over a contested region, cultural exchange often suffers greatly. Additionally, 2016 was a year with a number of cases of governments, specifically the governments of China and Turkey, attempting to censor and prosecute artists and art outside their own borders.

Source and to down load full report. Click HERE

Warning: Canada is not what you think it is

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 07:06:00 -0800

Warning: Canada is not what you think it is

If you assume Canada is a welcoming haven from the bile and divisiveness in the age of Trump, you may be mistaken.

Former Canadian PM Harper spent much of his tenure fuelling and satisfying the not-so-latent Islamophobia that was politically appealing to his legion of supporters, writes Mitrovica

Andrew Mitrovica

@AndrewMitrovica

Andrew Mitrovica is an award-winning investigative reporter and journalism instructor.

Warning: if you believe Canada is a pretty, picture-postcard Islamophobia-free zone, then I recommend you stop reading this column. You're about to be profoundly disappointed, shocked, or both.

Scratch its inviting surface and you will discover quickly that, as in most other Western democracies, Islamophobia is not only alive and rampant in Canada, but it has long been a defining characteristic of at least one of its major political parties and large swaths of the country's corporate media.

The most recent evidence of this unassailable fact has been on unsavoury display in the still raw residue of the massacre of six Muslim Canadians at prayer in a Quebec City mosque earlier this month.

Immediately after the terrorist attack, politicians went about the ritual of decrying the murders, while praying for the victims and their grieving families and urging their countrymen to rally around the Muslim community as a sign of unity and support.

Meanwhile, after a burst of attention to blunt any criticism that it took a terrorist attack on Muslims in Canada by a white, reactionary male as seriously as attacks in Paris, Brussels or London, much of the establishment media promptly went on its way, as the carnage in a mosque receded comfortably into the rearview mirror.

But difficult questions remained unanswered. Chief among them: What to do about the Islamophobia that was stoked into a raging bonfire by some of the very politicians and media that were pleading - with all the faux solemnity they could muster - for harmony and understanding?

Condemning Islamophobia

WATCH: Quebec mosque shooting puts Islamophobia in focus (2:43)

Wisely sceptical of the flowery rhetoric, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) - a prominent voice for Canada's Muslim community - has written an open letter to politicians of all persuasions, urging them to take concrete steps to confront Islamophobia and racism and discrimination that exists plainly in their midst.

Among its sensible recommendations, the NCCM said that more money needed to be spent to report and gather data on hate crimes and train police; that, following the province of Ontario's lead, other provinces should create an anti-racism directorate and establish a mandatory high-school course on systemic racism and its corrosive impact on society.

Finally, the NCCM threw its powerful backing behind a largely symbolic, non-binding motion sponsored by a governing Liberal MP, Iqra Khalid, that calls on the House of Commons to condemn Islamophobia and all religious discrimination in the aftermath of the Quebec city attack.

For context, it's important to note that after a few hours of perfunctory debate, Canadian parliamentarians unanimously adopted another Liberal MP's motion in 2015 condemning the "rise of anti-Semitism around the world".

Not surprisingly, Khalid's motion has faced a much more different, tumultuous and instructive fate.

Rather than be approved swiftly and unanimously, Motion 103 has morphed into a running spectacle that has not only dominated Canada's political agenda but has also exposed the pus of Islamophobia still oozing from Canadian politicians and media that only a few weeks ago were expressing sympathy for men murdered during evening prayers because they were Muslims.

'Phantom horrors'

Leading the hysterical charge in opposing the motion is Canada's Conservative Party and the bevy of candidates who are vying to lead it. All but one of the leadership candidates have signalled their vehement opposition to the motion, claiming that, among other phantom horrors, it would stifle freedom of speech and possibly act as a precursor to the invocation of "Sharia Law".

This is, of course, lunacy. But it is lunacy that has coursed its malevolent way through the core of the Conservative Party for a long time and not, as some have suggested, emerged only lately from the swamp of Islamophobia to take up residence at the party's radical "fringes".

Harper not only stocked his cabinet with ministers who shared his embrace of what amounted to hate politics, but also plucked them from obscurity, gave them a national profile, all the while defending and championing them.

This is a revisionist lie. Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper spent much of his tenure fuelling and satisfying the not-so-latent Islamophobia that was politically appealing to his legion of supporters by making the niqab a racist dog-whistle and lauding "old-stock Canadians".

By the way, the NCCM has sued Harper and his former spokesman for suggesting that the respected advocacy group had "documented ties to a terrorist organisation such as Hamas".

Perhaps Harper's signature legacy in this sorry regard was first encouraging, and then promoting, the political career of Kellie Leitch - who, in turn, repaid her patron's largesse with unrivalled zealotry and loyalty.

During last year's election campaign, Leitch fronted the unveiling of a Harper-approved "tip line" for reporting so-called "barbaric cultural practices" - a thinly disguised, bureaucratic euphemism for Islam.

And, today, as a prominent and popular Conservative leadership candidate, Leitch keeps channelling her former boss's odious modus operandi while attending a "freedom rally" stuffed with avowed Islamophobes who are convinced Motion 103 is an Islam-inspired plot to undermine Canadians' rights and freedoms.

"It's great to be in a room full of severely normal people tonight," Leitch told the adoring crowd. "Canadian values are not fringe, and together, I know, we are going to fight for them."

Source:

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/02/warning-canada-170218075910262.html

Freemuse calls for charges dropped against Mwanacotide

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 06:56:00 -0800

Fulgency Mapunda aka Mwanacotide

The World's Leading Organization Advocating Freedom of Expression for Musicians calls for Authorities in Tanzania to drop charges against two musicians

Musician Mwana Cotide (real name: Fulgency Mapunda) and music producer Mussa Sikwabe are set to go trial on 9 November 2016 on charges that their recent song ‘Dikteta Uchwara’ (Petty Dictator) contains “seditious and offensive” content towards Tanzanian President John Magufuli. The artists are also charged with “distributing the song with intent to offend” the president under the controversial 2015 Cybercrimes Act after they uploaded the song on YouTube.

Ahead of the trail, Freemuse calls for the charges against Cotide and Sekabwe to be dropped and have sent a letter to Dr. Harrison George Mwakyembe, Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, and the following Tanzanian officials:

Mwigulu Nchemba, Minister for Home Affairs
Dr. Augustine Mahiga, Minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation
Biswalo Mganga, Director of Public Prosecution
Ernest Mangu, Inspector General of Police
Peter Allan Kallaghe, High Commission of Tanzania in London
Her Excellency, Dora Msechu, Embassy of Tanzania located in Stockholm

Source and to read the full letter click HERE

Giving children a brighter future - actor Amr Waked visits Tanzania

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 03:33:00 -0800

Giving children a brighter future - actor Amr Waked visits Tanzania

Was President Magufuli Right?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 01:58:00 -0800

President Magufuli might have been right when he "wished" social media off

September last year, president John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of the United Republic of Tanzania, when he commissioned two new commercial aircrafts he shared his feelings, wishing 'angels would descend and shut down social media at least for a year', so as by the time they reopen, Tanzania would have made leaps towards middle income status.

Now see this clip trending on social media at the time the Chairman for the main opposition party CHADEMA, Freeman Mbowe is at logger head with the state in line with the Drug dealing/consumption allegations .

Michelle Obama: A case that proved, Behind Every Successful Man....

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:01:00 -0800

Michelle Obama: A case that proved, behind every successful Man, there is a PHENOMENAL WOMAN.

Read her full speech when addressed the crowd on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia (one of her emotional speeches).

Thank you all. Thank you so much. You know, it's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk with you about why I thought my husband should be president.

Remember how I told you about his character and convictions, his decency and his grace, the traits that we've seen every day that he's served our country in the White House?

I also told you about our daughters, how they are the heart of our hearts, the center of our world. And during our time in the White House, we've had the joy of watching them grow from bubbly little girls into poised young women, a journey that started soon after we arrived in Washington.

When they set off for their first day at their new school, I will never forget that winter morning as I watched our girls, just 7 and 10 years old, pile into those black SUVs with all those big men with guns.

And I saw their little faces pressed up against the window, and the only thing I could think was, what have we done?

See, because at that moment I realized that our time in the White House would form the foundation for who they would become and how well we managed this experience could truly make or break them. That is what Barack and I think about every day as we try to guide and protect our girls through the challenges of this unusual life in the spotlight, how we urge them to ignore those who question their father's citizenship or faith.

How we insist that the hateful language they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country.

How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.

With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are their most important role models. And let me tell you, Barack and I take that same approach to our jobs as president and first lady because we know that our words and actions matter, not just to our girls, but the children across this country, kids who tell us I saw you on TV, I wrote a report on you for school.

Kids like the little black boy who looked up at my husband, his eyes wide with hope and he wondered, is my hair like yours?

And make no mistake about it, this November when we go to the polls that is what we're deciding, not Democrat or Republican, not left or right. No, in this election and every election is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives.

And I am here tonight because in this election there is only one person who I trust with that responsibility, only one person who I believe is truly qualified to be president of the United States, and that is our friend Hillary Clinton.

That's right.

See, I trust Hillary to lead this country because I've seen her lifelong devotion to our nation's children, not just her own daughter, who she has raised to perfection...

...but every child who needs a champion, kids who take the long way to school to avoid the gangs, kids who wonder how they'll ever afford college, kids whose parents don't speak a word of English, but dream of a better life, kids who look to us to determine who and what they can be.

You see, Hillary has spent decades doing the relentless, thankless work to actually make a difference in their lives...

...advocating for kids with disabilities as a young lawyer, fighting for children's health care as first lady, and for quality child care in the Senate.

And when she didn't win the nomination eight years ago, she didn't get angry or disillusioned.

Hillary did not pack up and go home, because as a true public servant Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments.

So she proudly stepped up to serve our country once again as secretary of state, traveling the globe to keep our kids safe.

And look, there were plenty of moments when Hillary could have decided that this work was too hard, that the price of public service was too high, that she was tired of being picked apart for how she looks or how she talks or even how she laughs. But here's the thing. What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.

And when I think about the kind of president that I want for my girls and all our children, that's what I want.

I want someone with the proven strength to persevere, someone who knows this job and takes it seriously, someone who understands that the issues a president faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters.

Because when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can't make snap decisions. You can't have a thin skin or a tendency to lash out. You need to be steady and measured and well-informed.

I want a president with a record of public service, someone whose life's work shows our children that we don't chase form and fortune for ourselves, we fight to give everyone a chance to succeed.

And we give back even when we're struggling ourselves because we know that there is always someone worse off. And there but for the grace of God go I.

I want a president who will teach our children that everyone in this country matters, a president who truly believes in the vision that our Founders put forth all those years ago that we are all created equal, each a beloved part of the great American story.

And when crisis hits, we don't turn against each other. No, we listen to each other, we lean on each other, because we are always stronger together.

And I am here tonight because I know that that is the kind of president that Hillary Clinton will be. And that's why in this election I'm with her.

You see, Hillary understands that the president is about one thing and one thing only, it's about leaving something better for our kids. That's how we've always moved this country forward, by all of us coming together on behalf of our children, folks who volunteer to coach that team, to teach that Sunday school class, because they know it takes a village.

Heroes of every color and creed who wear the uniform and risk their lives to keep passing down those blessings of liberty, police officers and the protesters in Dallas who all desperately want to keep our children safe.

People who lined up in Orlando to donate blood because it could have been their son, their daughter in that club.

Leaders like Tim Kaine...

...who show our kids what decency and devotion look like.

Leaders like Hillary Clinton who has the guts and the grace to keep coming back and putting those cracks in that highest and hardest glass ceiling until she finally breaks through, lifting all of us along with her.

That is the story of this country, the story that has brought me to this stage tonight, the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves.

And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent, black young women playing with their dogs on the White House lawn.

And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all our sons and daughters now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States.

So, look, so don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on earth!

And as my daughters prepare to set out into the world, I want a leader who is worthy of that truth, a leader who is worthy of my girls' promise and all our kids' promise, a leader who will be guided every day by the love and hope and impossibly big dreams that we all have for our children.

So in this election, we cannot sit back and hope that everything works out for the best. We cannot afford to be tired or frustrated or cynical. No, hear me. Between now and November, we need to do what we did eight years ago and four years ago.

We need to knock on every door, we need to get out every vote, we need to pour every last ounce of our passion and our strength and our love for this country into electing Hillary Clinton as president of the United States of America!

So let's get to work. Thank you all and God bless.

Watch her here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZNWYqDU948

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/26/transcript-read-michelle-obamas-full-speech-from-the-2016-dnc/?utm_term=.d89356d378d9

Mr. Taxman: What have you done for me lately?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 01:20:00 -0700

Je Huduma zitolewazo na Serikali zinaendana na Kodi kubwa na nyingi?

Waziri wa Fedha, Saada Salum Mkuya

Uhalali pekee wa serikali kutoza wananchi wake kodi kubwa na nyingi unatokana na huduma zinazotolewa na uwajibikaji wa serikali kwa wananchi katika kujibu hoja na madai yao kuelekea huduma bora na kurekebisha kasoro (Obligation to provide explanation and take corrective measures). Sasa hapa kwetu Halmashauri inaweza kuwa na hati chafu hata miaka mitano mfululizo lakini hakuna maelezo ya kutosheleza wala hatua madhubuti kurekebisha hali hiyo.

Kati ya bajeti ya trilioni 19.8 ni bilioni 6.3 tu ndio za miradi ya maendeleo. Hizi trilioni 13 na upuuzi juu zinaenda wapi? NI matumizi ya kawaida yakiwemo nay ale yanayosababisha tuletewe mitandaoni picha za NYUCHIz.

Wasanii Lucky Dube na Masudi Kipanya wameeleza yote. Fuatilia. Jihoji pamoja nao.

Taxman wa Lucky Dube.

Nimeubeba kutoka http://www.lyrics.net/lyric/1630590

I pay my gardener to clean up my garden

I pay my doctor to check out da other ting

I pay my lawyer to fight for my rights

And I pay my bodyguard to guard my body

There's only one man I pay

But I don't know what I'm paying for

I'm talking about the taxman

What have you done for me lately

Mr Taxman

What have you done for me lately

Mr Taxman

What have you done for me lately

Mr Taxman

What have you done for me lately

Mr Taxman

You take from the rich, take from the poor

You even take from me, can't understand it now

I pay for the police to, err...I don't know why

'Cause if my dollar was good enough

There wouldn't be so much crime in the streets

They tell me you're a fat man

And you always take and never give

What have you done for me lately

Mr Taxman

Jikumbushe wimbo wa Dube TAXMAN Bonyeza HAPA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv6AQHKceBA

Vibonzo na picha ya Waziri Saada ni kutoka

Gazeti Mwananchi http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/Picha/-/1597602/2334632/-/3pj5uvz/-/index.html#leaf

Buriani Mwanaharakati Bi Shida Salum

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Mon, 2 Jun 2014 03:18:00 -0700

Buriani Mwanaharakati Bi Shida Salum

Safari ya Shida Salum katika dunia hii iliyojaa dhiki na simanzi imefikia tamati. Amepumzika sasa. Kadri historia ya Taifa hili inavyoandikwa upya Watanzania tutamkumbuka kwa mengi.

Hakika Shida Binti Salum alizivaa na kuzimudu kofia nyingi. Alikuwa mzazi, mwanasiasa na mwanaharakati. Wapo wanaomjua zaidi kama mzazi. Pia wapo wanaomfahamu zaidi kama mwanasiasa. Tupo na tunaomtambua zaidi kama mwanaharakati.

Nilikutana naye kwa mara ya kwanza mnamo mwaka 2006 wakati tuliposhirikiana katika utafiti wa taasisi ya HakiElimu kuhusu haki ya kupata taarifa/habari. Alikuwa akitokea kwenye mtandao wa asasi zisizo za Serikali za Kigoma na Kasulu unaojulikana kama Kigoma and Kasulu Non-Governmental Organizations Network (KIKANGONET). Wakati huo sikuwa namfahamu mtoto wake, Zitto Kabwe, ambaye nilikuja kumsikia kwa mara ya kwanza mwaka 2007 baada ya wanaharakati wa Mtandao wa Jinsia Tanzania (TGNP) kuandaa maandamano ya kumuunga mkono katika viwanja vya Mabibo kufuatia kutolewa kwake nje ya ukumbi wa Bunge baada ya kuibua tuhuma nzito kuhusu ufisadi wa Mgodi wetu wa madini wa Buzwagi. Kwa lugha tunduizi ya Kifeministi, hii ina maana nilimfahamu Shida kama yeye - Shida Salum - kabla ya kumfahamu kama Mama Zitto kwa kuhusianishwa na umaarufu mkubwa aliojizolea mwanae katika medani ya kisiasa nchini.

Tunapomkumbuka Shida kama mzazi aliyemlea mwanasiasa mashuhuri pia tusisahau kumkumbuka kama mwanaharakati mahiri aliyeendesha harakati na wenzake kama yeye na kupata ukubali katika jumuiya za wanaharakati kama yeye na si (tu) kama mzazi wa fulani. Katika harakati za kutafuta haki ya kupata taarifa, alishiriki kudhihirisha kiutafiti ni jinsi gani watu wa kawaida, wakiwamo wenye ulemavu, wanakosa fursa ya kupata taarifa muhimu kwa ajili ya umma. Cha kusikitisha ni kuwa hata taasisi zisizo za kiserikali ambazo zinajiona ziko kiharakati zaidi na bora kuliko taasisi za kiserikali nazo hazikuwa mstari wa mbele katika kutoa taarifa muhimu kwa wananchi pale wanapofika kwenye ofisi zao au hata kutuma maombi kwa barua ama kwa kupiga simu.

Katika harakati huyu ndiye Shida tuliyemfahamu. Mwombolezaji mmoja katika mtandao wa Wanazuoni aliyewahi kufanya kazi katika taasisi ya HakiKazi anamkumbuka hivi:

"Nilimfahamu Bi Shida Salum kama Mwanaharakati tokea Kigoma na kisha hapa Dar na Dodoma kwenye harakati zake za kutetea Watanzania wenye ulemavu na maendeleo kwa ujumla. Ameacha legacy."

Hii "legacy" yake, ama kumbukumbu ya kupigiwa mfano kwa tafsiri ya haraka haraka, tuienzi katika harakati za kuyafanya maisha ya kila Mtanzania - mdogo ama mkubwa, mwenye ulemavu au asiye na ulemavu, mwanamke na mwanaume - yawe bora (zaidi na zaidi).

Nilipomkuta amekaa mbele ya banda alilokuwa akilisimamia katika maonyesho pale katika Viwanja vya Mnazi Mmoja sikujua kuwa hiyo ndio itakuwa mara yangu ya mwisho kuongea naye. Shida niliyemkuta hospitalini AMI, japo hatukuongea, sauti yake bado ilikuwa ya mwanaharakati asiyekata tamaa, akipambana vikali na moja ya vile ambavyo mmoja wa waasisi wa Taifa letu changa la Tanzania aliviita maadui (wakuu) watatu wa maendeleo (yetu).

Ingawa hatutamsikia akipaza sauti yake mwenyewe katika Bunge Maalum la Katiba na maeneo mengine akiwakilisha kundi la wenye ulemavu, sauti hiyo itasikika kupitia wale aliowaachia makabrasha au waliompokea kijiti. Lakini tusiwaachie tu kina Fredrick Msigallah jukumu nyeti la kutetea na kudai haki hizi ambazo, kwa namna moja au nyingine, zinatuhusu hata na sisi ambao hatuna, ama tunaojiona hatuna, ulemavu. Na moja ya haki (za kiraia) za watu walio na ulemavu ni kushiriki kikamilifu katika siasa kwa maana ya kuongoza, kuwakilisha, kupigiwa na kupiga kura n.k.

Maisha ya Shida ni kielelezo tosha kuwa mwanamke mwenye ulemavu anaweza kuwa mzazi, mwanasiasa na mwanaharakati. Tunapojiandaa na Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwaka 2015 tukumbuke pia kurekebisha masuala tete na tata yaliyoibuliwa na utafiti huu wa CCBRT kuhusu changamoto za ushiriki wa watu wenye ulemavu katika uchaguzi wa 2010 ambao kwa kweli ulinifungua sana macho. Kwa kufanya hivyo tutakuwa tunaenzi harakati zake.

Kigoma mpokee mwanao. Binti wa Tanzania. Mtoto wa Afrika.

Buriani Shida Binti Salum.

Imeandikwa na Mwanazuoni Chambi Chachage http://udadisi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/buriani-shida-binti-salum.html

Naam Nenda Mwanaharakati Shida Salum. Umemaliza safari https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrxFySY45wc

Dedication to my Heroes- Bishop Amon Dick Mwakisunga

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Mon, 26 May 2014 21:33:00 -0700

KUTABARUKIA Mashujaa Wangu
Askofu Amon Dick Mwakisunga- Aliyeitwa Kwa Rehema Zake Mungu Kurejea kwake, Mnamo Mwezi kama huu wa Mei 2003 (tarehe 5), Rehema zake Mungu Ziwe Juu Yake.

Katika mengi niliyoweza kujifunza kwa Mpakwa Mafuta huyu wa Bwana ni KUFANYA MAAMUZI. Aliweza kufanya MAAMUZI akapongezwa au Kulaumiwa, lakini Aliamua. Mfano, aliamua kuhamisha Makao Makuu ya KKKT Dayosisi ya Konde kutoka Manow na kuyaleta Tukuyu Mjini. Pale Manow alianzisha shule ya Seminari, ambayo kwa wakati ilianza kuchanua chini ya uongozi wake Baba Mchungaji Mwasamwaja...kabla mchwa haujaingia. Shikamoo mchwa.

Katika ulinganifu mzee wa 'shashaaa' - akimaanisha sasa aliweka mizania kati ya kukuza dayosisi kiroho na kimwili.

Amon Dick Mwakisunga alianza maisha yake akiwa Mwalimu waHisabati, Historia, Jografia na Kiswahili pale Shule ya Misheni ya Kiluteri pale Mwakaleli mnamo Mwaka 1953. Hii ilikuwa ni baada ya kuhitimu elimu yake ya Msingi Manow mwaka 1948, Sekondari pale Bulongwa mwaka 1951 na elimu ya ualimu Rungwe Alliance TTC mwaka 1954.

Kwa upande wa safari yake ya utumishi, alijipatia Stashahada ya Theolojia huko Ujerumani, chuo kikuu cha Hamburg mwaka 1964 na kisha Shahada Takatifu ya Umahiri (Uzamili) chuo kikuu hicho hicho cha Hamburg mnamo mwaka 1967.

Alitumikia katika nafasi mbali mbali ikiwemo kuwa Mkurugenzi wa Vijana wa sinodi ya Kusini ya KKKT, Mhadhiri chuo cha Theolojia Makumira ambapo pia alikuwa Naibu Mkuu wa Chuo, Katibu wa Afrika huko Geneva katika Fungamano/Shirikisho la Makanisa ya Kilutheri (LWF). Na kati ya Mwaka 1989 hadi 2001 alipostaafu, alikuwa Askofu wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Dayosisi ya Konde. Ndio wakati huu nilipomfahamu mimi.

Pumzika kwa Amani Baba yetu. Wengine sisi hatutakusahau daima.

The Wings of Kilimanjaro vs Wings of THE Kilimanjaro....?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Sun, 11 May 2014 10:42:00 -0700

The Wings of Kilimanjaro na Wings of THE Kilimanjaro....ni sawa?

NAULISA...

1. Wings of THE Kilimanjaro
2.THE wings of Kilimanjaro.

Bango la Air Tanzania- maandishi hayo yako kwenye moja ya ndege

Nimeeona tungo hizo kwenye kila moja kati ya ndege mbili za Air Tanzania. Hizo article ZE zinabadili maana? Au basi kwanini zimeandikwa sehemu tofauti ya tungo?

Au ni kwa kuwa Kiingilishi chenyewe kililetwa kwa MELI ama Ndege?

Mliobobea katika Lugha ya Kimombo saidieni.

Napenda kujifunza tu. Nisije ulizwa ugenini nikawatieni aibu.

Ndege yenye Wings of the Kilimanjaro

Tanzania: Yuko Wapi Kiongozi wa Ukweli mtu wa watu?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam) — Thu, 1 May 2014 02:03:00 -0700

Benjamini Mkapa- Uwazi na Ukweli?

Yuko Wapi?

Yuko wapi Kiongozi jabari na mweledi?

Yu wapi kiongozi Mahiri? Yuko wapi shupavu?

Yu wapi Kiongozi mwenye nia thabiti ya kuchochea maendeleo ya taifa hili?

Yuko wapi kiongozi wa ukweli

Yuko wapi aliye madhubuti na hodari kiuongozi akemee Zanzibar kujitungia katiba yenye kuchepusha muungano? Yuko wapi?

Yuko wapi kiongozi kati ya hawa wa kwetu katika chama tawala na kwenye vyama vya ushindani, mwenye kuupenda muungano? Yu wapi?

Nani kati yao hawa wetu viongozi mwenye kuenzi fikra na matendo ya Mwalimu Nyerere kwa kumaanisha? Yuko wapi?

Yuko wapi kiongozi anayeamini kuwa siasa si mchezo mchafu wa ghiriba, hila na ‘usanii’? mmemwona wapi?

Jakaya Kikwete- za kuambiwa ongeza za??

Yu wapi kiongozi hapa nchini anayeamini kabisa kabisa kuwa mamlaka ya nchi yanatokana na watu wana wananchi? Yuko wapi?

Yuko wapi kiongozi anayeupenda Muungano kwa dhati ya moyo wake? Yuko wapi? Tanzania inamtaka na atamke sasa kwamba Muungano wa serikali mbili ziiiiiiiiiii!!!!

Na aseme sasa kwamba muungano wa serikali tatu ziiiiiiii bali twende kwa serikali moja muungano kamili?

Tuamini YUPO. Tuafiki WAPO.

Lakini wako wapi? Kwanini wanajificha? Kwanini midomo yao inakuwa mizito na matendo kwao ni muhali kufanyika?

Yuko Wapi Kiongozi wa Ukweli mtu wa watu? Yuko wapi kiongozi mwenye dhamira ya dhati?


Alhaji Ali Hassan Mwinyi- Ruksaaa- na *li kul-li ajalin kitaab.*