Today, this lesson is not just historical; it is commercial and strategic. In recent days, escalating conflict in the Middle East has caused Iran‑linked drone strikes to damage key cloud computing infrastructure operated by Amazon Web Services in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, disrupting data centre operations relied upon by businesses and financial services across the wider region.

Data centres are the backbone of the digital economy, the physical heart of global cloud computing where, data is stored, applications are run, and financial transactions are processed. When two AWS facilities in the UAE were struck directly, and a third in Bahrain sustained damage, the physical vulnerability of our digital systems was laid bare.

The immediate effects were tangible: intermittent outages on banking apps and disruption of cloud services used by regional lenders and commercial platforms, reflecting a ripple effect from geopolitical risk into financial‑services reliability.
For business leaders, this incident is more than a headline. It is a strategic wake‑up call. It underscores a critical reality:

Geopolitical instability can no longer be treated as a peripheral risk. Digital infrastructure like physical borders, must be evaluated for resilience, sovereignty, and risk exposure. As an entrepreneur and innovator, I recognise that organisations, whether nations or companies, must balance engagement with global partners against the potential vulnerability that comes with outsourced infrastructure and foreign strategic entanglements.

This is where the leadership of Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni resonates beyond borders.President Museveni has explained that when asked to host deeper foreign military presence, particularly from the United States and the United Kingdom, Uganda deliberately declined, choosing instead to retain full jurisdiction over security and legal matters on its soil.

He stated plainly thus; “Foreign armies for what? We can defend ourselves; we don’t need anything from anybody.” Uganda also did not sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that could cede legal control over foreign troops, firmly anchoring sovereign authority locally.

From a business perspective, this mirrors sound risk management and sovereign control, similar to a company deciding whether to keep critical operations in‑house or outsource to an external partner in a volatile region. The AWS data centre damage illustrates what happens when critical infrastructure sits in areas that are not fully under local control or risk‑mitigated.

Strategic restraint, in this context, is not weakness. It is discipline. It is the choice to prioritise long‑term resilience over short‑term gains, sovereignty over dependency, and preparedness over exposure. Just as Arkhipov’s calm decision under pressure helped avert catastrophic escalation, President Museveni’s principled approach reflects a leadership mindset that values stability and protection over geopolitical positioning.

In an era where cloud infrastructure, financial services, and global commerce are so tightly linked, the world desperately needs leaders who understand that resilience, whether in foreign policy or business strategy, is an essential foundation for peace and prosperity. For these reasons, I urge the international community and the Norwegian Nobel Committee to consider President Museveni’s long‑standing commitment to sovereign stability, risk‑aware engagement, and peaceful statecraft as exemplary contributions to global peace.

Richard Rays Kyorakunde is an Innovator | Entrepreneur | Design Thinker | Founder of THIRDSPACE, PRK Brand & Communication, and Kechi Bee Source Farm | Building Ventures that Drive Growth and Meaningful Impac

National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Masaka Area has held a high-level stakeholder engagement meeting to provide updates on the Bukakata–Masaka Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Project, a flagship initiative aimed at improving water security and sanitation services in Masaka City and surrounding areas.

The engagement, convened by the NWSC Masaka Area General Manager, Eng. Mujuni Emmanuel, brought together city leadership, central government representatives, project consultants, contractors, and NWSC management. The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to collaborative implementation and improved service delivery for the region.

The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Masaka City, Hon. Namayanja Florence, and the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Masaka, Mr. Ahamada Washaki, underscoring strong political and administrative backing for the project.

Their presence highlighted the importance of coordinated leadership in ensuring successful implementation and community ownership of the project.

Leading the NWSC delegation, Eng. Mujuni emphasized the Corporation’s commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement, and timely project delivery. He was supported by the NWSC Headquarters Project Team led by Eng. Allan, who reinforced the project’s strategic importance.

Eng. Mujuni noted that the Bukakata–Masaka project is designed to address both current and future water demand while contributing to improved public health, urban growth, and economic development in Masaka and its environs.

A detailed technical presentation was delivered by Eng. Gloria, leading the project consultant team from We Consult. The presentation outlined the project scope, implementation strategy, timelines, and anticipated outcomes, including enhanced water supply reliability and improved sanitation services.

The project contractor, SOGEA SATOM, also made a comprehensive presentation led by Eng. Hama, highlighting construction methodologies, mobilization status, health and safety measures, and the planned sequence of works. The contractor reaffirmed its commitment to quality execution, safety compliance, and adherence to agreed timelines.

In her remarks, Hon. Namayanja Florence welcomed the project, describing it as timely and critical for addressing water shortages, supporting Masaka City’s urban expansion, and improving public health outcomes. She emphasized the need for continuous community engagement and clear communication throughout the project lifecycle.

The RCC Masaka, Mr. Ahamada Washaki, commended NWSC for its proactive stakeholder approach and called for close collaboration between the project team, city authorities, and local communities to ensure smooth implementation.

Following the engagement, stakeholders conducted site visits to Bukakata Kaziru, where the water intake and treatment plant will be constructed, and Kako, the proposed site for the reservoir tank. The visits allowed participants to appreciate the project’s scale, understand site-specific considerations, and strengthen collective ownership of the initiative.

NWSC Masaka reaffirmed its commitment to sustained stakeholder engagement, transparency, and effective coordination as project implementation progresses. Once completed, the Bukakata–Masaka Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Project is expected to significantly improve access to safe water and sanitation services, contributing to better quality of life, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in Masaka City and surrounding communities .

KAMPALA, Uganda: Uganda and South Sudan have long enjoyed a strong and cooperative relationship, marked by deep diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. However, concerns are growing in Juba that this vital partnership is being undermined by negative media coverage, particularly from The Daily Monitor, a prominent Ugandan publication.

These resolutions target various aspects of the climate change challenge. Accelerating the clean energy transition will be a central focus. Imagine a world powered by renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal. Resolutions might push for ambitious national targets for renewable energy deployment, streamlining permitting processes to expedite clean energy projects, and attracting green investments to make this vision a reality. But transitioning away from fossil fuels isn’t enough. Boosting energy efficiency is equally important. Resolutions might address improving energy efficiency in buildings, industries, and transportation sectors. This could involve promoting energy-efficient appliances, building codes that prioritize sustainability, and investments in public transport infrastructure to reduce our reliance on private vehicles. The world is already experiencing the devastating consequences of climate change. UNEA-6 recognizes this urgency. Resolutions might focus on strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather events, supporting adaptation measures in vulnerable communities on the frontlines of climate change, and building climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand the coming storms.

Combatting pollution, in its various forms, is another crucial battleground. Plastic waste has reached a crisis point. Resolutions could explore bans on single-use plastics, a move that would significantly reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and landfills. But plastic isn’t the only culprit. The safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste pose a significant threat. Resolutions might address stricter regulations on the use and disposal of hazardous chemicals, promoting cleaner production methods that minimize waste generation, and supporting developing countries in managing hazardous waste effectively. Sand and dust storms create a range of environmental and health problems. Resolutions could target sustainable land management practices to reduce soil erosion that contributes to dust storms, as well as promoting research and development of dust storm mitigation technologies.

Protecting biodiversity is intricately linked to tackling climate change and pollution. UNEA-6 resolutions might focus on expanding protected areas, creating safe havens for endangered species and preserving critical ecosystems. But protected areas alone aren’t enough. Sustainable land-use practices are essential. Resolutions could encourage sustainable farming methods that minimize environmental impact, promote land restoration initiatives to reverse past damage, and combat deforestation through responsible forestry management and economic incentives for local communities. Land degradation is another major threat, impacting biodiversity, food security, and human well-being. Resolutions might focus on promoting sustainable land management practices like crop rotation and cover cropping, restoring degraded lands through reforestation and soil conservation techniques, and combating desertification through improved water management and techniques to prevent soil erosion.

The success of these resolutions hinges on effective implementation. UNEA-6 recognized the importance of multilateralism, a united front where various stakeholders come together. Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in raising awareness, mobilizing action, and ensuring accountability. UNEA-6’s inclusivity serves as a platform for their vital contributions. The voices of youth activists are critical in demanding action and shaping a sustainable future. UNEA-6’s engagement with youth activists sends a powerful message of hope and inclusivity. Businesses have a significant role to play in adopting sustainable practices and developing innovative solutions. Collaboration with the private sector is essential for translating environmental commitments into concrete action.

The resolutions adopted at UNEA-6 offer a roadmap for action, but the journey towards a sustainable future has just begun. Key challenges remain. Developing robust implementation plans with specific targets, timelines, and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation will be crucial. Holding countries accountable for their environmental pledges is essential. Establishing clear reporting mechanisms and robust enforcement will be vital. Securing adequate resources is another hurdle. Developed nations need to fulfill their commitments to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries, ensuring a united global effort to overcome the triple planetary crisis.

Behind the curtain of unity and anticipation lies a tale of contradiction and determination. While the Federation of Ugandan Football Associations (FUFA) spearheads the nation’s bid, a glaring question emerges: Why is the government relying so heavily on the private sector’s shoulders to bear the weight of hosting a monumental event that ostensibly demands its unequivocal support?

The true story, hidden beneath the surface, centers around the stark imbalance between the government’s role and its actual commitment. Amid the apparent harmony, concerns bubble beneath the surface, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The government, propelled by FUFA, appears eager to present an image of capability and readiness, but the reliance on the private sector raises eyebrows.

Examining the dynamics reveals a puzzling situation: the government’s leaning towards the private sector reaches almost 90%, while the stakes demand an unwavering 100% commitment. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) mandates that the public sector must wholeheartedly rally behind their football associations if they aspire to clinch the rights to host continental tournaments like Afcon 2027. The glaring question persists: Can a bid built predominantly on private sector prowess truly portray the nation’s readiness?

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, united under the EA Pamoja bid 2027, ambitiously stand against established contenders like Algeria, Egypt, and Botswana. However, a closer examination exposes a troubling truth: Uganda’s government appears to lack genuine investment in sports infrastructure and facilities, raising concerns about their readiness to host such a grand event.

The government’s minimalistic approach and seemingly disinterested stance towards sports are starkly contrasted by the words of President Museveni. In 2022, he publicly dismissed sports as a frivolous endeavor, urging Ugandans to prioritize “serious work.” The contradiction between his words and the government’s sudden declaration of support for the bid is evident.

However, this newfound support lacks the financial backing required for such a colossal undertaking. The government’s budget allocation of a mere 48 billion shillings for the sports industry in the fiscal year 2023/24 pales in comparison to the monumental funding needed to prepare stadiums and infrastructure for the Afcon games.

The spotlight shifts to the private sector, which emerges as an unsung hero in the bid’s narrative. CAF Inspection officials from PricewaterCooper (PwC) embarked on a meticulous evaluation of Uganda’s sporting infrastructure, laying bare the nation’s strengths and weaknesses. Privately owned venues like Nakivubo Stadium, KISU-Bukoto Stadium, St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende, and Denver Goodwin Stadium-Garuga took center stage.

Nakivubo Stadium, undergoing renovations by Ham Enterprises, aims to be a key venue for Afcon 2027. Yet, questions about its location’s safety linger as it rises amidst the heart of the city. Meanwhile, the Denver Goodwin Stadium, a sprawling multi-purpose complex, wrestles with construction delays attributed to financial strain, casting shadows over its completion timeline.

The story of St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende, a private facility banned by CAF due to inadequate accessibility and road infrastructure, exemplifies the sector’s struggles. Even as private venues step up, the question arises: Can the private sector, with all its ambition, truly fill the void left by a government seemingly disengaged from the endeavor?

As the Afcon 2027 bid unfolds, Uganda stands at a crossroads. The delicate dance between government and private sector, showcased through the lens of the EA Pamoja bid, raises concerns about the nation’s readiness to take on this monumental task. With CAF’s apprehensions about artificial turf and safety, the story of Uganda’s bid becomes a microcosm of the larger tensions between public and private interests.

Ultimately, the nation’s ability to pull off a successful Afcon 2027 hinges on a harmonious partnership between the government and the private sector. As the journey towards the prestigious tournament unfolds, the tale of Uganda’s bid serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between ambition, commitment, and the pursuit of a common goal.

Lutaaya, who in 1987 returned to Uganda and held a mammoth concert dubbed ‘Born in Africa’ off an album titled the same at Lugogo Indoor Stadium, after a long sojourn in Sweden, would thereafter become a house hold name. He would later return to his adopted country, where his health begun to fail, courtesy of persistent fevers, and coughs among other diseases.

He was later diagnosed with HIV and begun a marathon of music recording activations that included tens of songs that are featured on several albums like ‘Tumusinze’ (let’s praise him) Lutaaya would later at the beginning of 1989, return to Uganda to make the announcement that he was suffering of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and that he didn’t have a lot of time to live.

He however said he was determined to educate his fellow countrymen, and the world on the dangers of living positive and how to avoid catching the virus. Though many thought he was bluffing, his declaration earned him respect from home and world leaders, including president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. World bodies like the International Red Cross/Crescent followed suit, respecting and pouring praise to the then ailing musician.

He would gain phenomenon legendary status with the release of his ‘Alone and Frightened’ album that sealed his stardom. Lutaaya, a father of three, indeed lived progressively positive up to until December 15^th 1989 when he succumbed to Aids-related complications. Since then, there have been several activities by his Philly Lutaaya Initiative to mark his passing but little has since been celebrated about his musical person by the Ugandan entertainment industry.

With the Afrigo Band and Guvnor paying homage to Lutaaya, it gives hope to his family, especially his children led by Tezra Nakiganda Lutaaya, that their father’s works will one day bare the so much-needed financial independence and support for the amendment of the 2006 Copyright and Neighboring rights act. Continue resting in eternal peace Philly Bongoley Lutaaya.

Gender equality, also known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender. In that case therefore, equity leads to equality in any given community or society.

That known, gone are the days when a woman remained behind, locked out of job and political markets, and totally out of decision and policy making. Nonetheless, isn’t the woman asking for so much? Are they not stepping and injuring the male gender?

Well, Maybe, Maybe Not!

History not the subject, but the past gender setting in the community tells us that for centuries, women were locked up in the prison of ignorance – for they could not access education, locked up in poverty – for they never owned anything for themselves on earth among many other socially constructed narratives that left them on the page bottom on the ladder.

Nonetheless, a woman today thinks like one but acts like a man. They have studied, they seek and, or create jobs and are leaders in their own right. They have resorted to several advocacies to see to it that they break the socially constructed beliefs and norms. And, there is apparently a steady progress recorded since by the female gender on their journey to what they are advocating for – ‘Equity and Equality’ in Uganda’s case.

Largely regarded as a weak sex, a house wife and, or a source of dowry to families, lately the stereotyping is breaking and the narrative has since changed. Today, women are in offices as CEO’s and Directors, and have since left the kitchen and those other back rooms. A woman today thinks what man can do she can do and the reverse is true, especially if it’s not biological and, or scientific.

For instance, a man cannot conceive and that is natural just like a woman cannot imbue or impregnate, which is also natural and these are fundamentally acknowledged by either gender. The public policy concept of assessing the implications for people of different genders, policy planned action or call it gender mainstreaming, including legislation and programmes, has offered a pluralistic approach that values the diversity among people of different genders especially the female gender.

This concept of gender mainstreaming was first proposed at the 1985 Third World Conference on Women and has subsequently been pushed in the United Nations development community. The idea was formally featured in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, and was cited in the document that resulted from the conference, the Beijing Platform for Action.

That in action and with the girl child continuously kept in school learning up to institutions of higher learning, the girl has been empowered to do a lot more than just kitchen, bedroom, babying and garden work-call it ‘Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW). The ancient style has undeniably changed and you can’t find a woman for a wife today like your grandma or your mother. Very different species today!

So, when your dear wife once challenges you to “Marry your mother” if you wanted her to serve you water in the bathroom for bathing don’t complain. She is only reminding you that you both can do anything or everything regardless of our sexual characteristics. Not stepping on you and injuring your rights. Look, that early morning when she is breast feeding among other careful things to fix on the baby before she leaves for the market where she earns an extra penny to the home/family, you can be doing something else for yourself as a man, or else help her prepare breakfast meals.

Woman is not a Donkey!

In the ancient setting, families had indeed lessened the girl/woman to a donkey. Reason. They have been engaged in domestic work like gardening and a lot of other domestic work. While the men went unquestionably in bars, on jobs and with other women and also idling out unproductively. The million-dollar question however is, is a woman a donkey?  Nope!

In the women at heart campaign, gender issues experts share why the female gender should be at the center in all walks of life. Judith Atim, Program Officer at Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Uganda & South Sudan and also an expert on the gender issues says there is need in the community to break such community and social constructs.

She says, social constructs aside, the women and their societal roles have since evolved through this generation. They therefore are each day looking at taking a step, a very bold step by-the-way, walking towards equity and equality through the different gender issues’ advocacy opportunities.

Starting the Walk

“Change the narrative, shape positive narratives and begin Portraying the woman not as exceptional, but as leaders and as experts in their own right” Atim maintains. Though some circles will tell you that a woman is more respected when married than not, Judith Atim says, yes, but according to her, there is more to life than marriage. Atim does not honestly advocate for opting out of marriages (Divorce) but if the relationship is the kind where the husband does not respect the wife, divorce is apparently inevitable. For marriage is mutual and respecting.

The Walk

Along the way the woman will face challenges in the process of walking from their current point to the next one. The women ongoing struggles include ensuring equal economic opportunities, educational equity, and an end to gender-based violence. For many women advocating or on the journey of equity and equality, it’s true it’s a challenging journey but will get there someday hopefully.

Say if this woman becomes a single mother after divorcing, she is challenged by single motherhood somewhere. The different female gender equity and equality is however not preaching divorce, but preaching fairness because separation from the marriage relationship will impact negatively on the children. Talks of the feelings of say loss, the anger, the confusion around the whole process especially impacting on the children as everything transitions.

These children need an outlet for their emotions and would therefore require someone to talk to, someone who will listen. Slain South African reggae/raga artist Lucky Dube in one of his songs, ‘think about the child’ strongly noted how a child raised without the parent (Mother/Father) will face the world alone. For, without the mother/father who is gonna tell them that this right/wrong?

At UWONET

In their advocacy, Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET), an advocacy organization that exists to coordinate collective action among women’s rights and gender equality talks of involving the man so that while they walk, they are avoiding stepping on and injuring the male gender. They therefore have involved the men in their struggle to changing the narrative.

The man is being preached to, to stop any prevalence of gender discrimination, and social norms and practices, girls being exposed to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and health, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. In such wisdom the society losses a lot if the girl/woman stands to be marginalized in all life’s aspects. Many of these manifestations can only change if the girl/woman is valued more.

The women intend to change holistically through different policy fora like the National Gender Policy NGP) which identifies gender barriers to access to justice to include the low status of women, power imbalances in the household as well as inadequate knowledge and information on legal rights. Yes, the woman is not injuring the man; She is simple telling everyone that she is also human with same rights like the other gender. Simple!

Now that the plague has cleared with the businesses returning to full routine, the festivities of the Arsenal Africa Fans across the continent comes to Kampala City, under the #Tugendekampala Hashtag, with a great promise to, first, the English Premier league giants and table leaders Arsenal FC fans and supporters, then to the Country’s football fraternity.

The festival will be held during the 2023 Easter season from Good Friday 7^th through to Easter Monday on 10^th April 2023. Every Easter Season, the Arsenal fans across Africa fold in one African City and network, do charity activities in the host city tour and local tourism sites the host city as a way of promoting tourism.

According to the local organizing committee, a lot should be expected at this Kampala City edition which is the fourth edition of activity. The ultimate goal is to give back to community the Arsenal way through charity. Promotion of local tourism by attracting other fans from abroad/Africa, have fun and memorable moments before the main activity that will see fans engage in football games.

The festival’s main goal is championing community change through sports which is always conducted in the host country while promoting local tourism. All traveling fans will participate in the charity event to cause change in the communities. There will be painting of zebra crossings of key public schools on Ggaba Road as part of road safety campaigns in Kampala city.

Cleaning up the Ggaba landing site and the women’s market as part of conserving the environment. The charitable work will also involve a health and/or medical camp. During the same period, the Arsenal supporters club will launch the first ever Arsenal Africa football Cup on the continent for the subscribing nations.

Statistically, Arsenal is largely the most supported football club in Africa and particularly Uganda, with celebrity and big-name supporters like musician Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool, Lord Councilor Mosh Ssendi, former AIGP Asan Kasingye, Kampala Lord Mayor Eris Lukwago, Senior Police Superintendent Fred Enanga, Buganda Premier Charles Peter Mayiga and Mukono Municipality Legislator Betty Bakileke Nambooze, among several others.

Arsenal dubbed the Gunners, is one of England’s most successful clubs after winning a record 14 FA Cups. Currently managed by Mikel Arteta, also a former player at the North London based club averred themselves in the EPL after they won three titles under legendary manager and economist Arsene Wenger between 1998 and 2004. The last of those is the most memorable, as they went a season unbeaten to become the ‘Invincibles’ of English football, a team that featured the greatest footballer to play in England, Thierry Henry.

Record-breaking Arsenal

Arsenal went a record 49 consecutive top-flight league games unbeaten from May 2003 to October 2004, breaking Nottingham Forest’s previous record of 42 set between November 1977 and November 1978. The run ended in controversy at Old Trafford as a harshly-awarded penalty spurred Manchester United to a 2-0 win in October 2004.

In completing this remarkable run, Arsenal also recorded an unbeaten top-flight league season, only equaled by Preston North End who went the season unbeaten in 1888-89. Although Preston North End played 22 league games that season against Arsenal’s 38. During the 2003/4 Premiership season Arsenal failed to score on only four occasions, 0-0 draws with Birmingham, Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester United.

Before the Fulham match, Arsenal had scored in 46 consecutive home league matches, stretching back to Middleborough (home) Sat 14 April 2001 losing 0-3. It’s around the time that the club became a darling of most people especially on the dark continent with many of them becoming fans. Arsenal has not won a Premier League title since then but is on course to end their 19-year wait this season. As hosts, the Arsenal Uganda fans club was officially documented by the mother footballing Club on 7^thNovember 2005 but had already started activities early in 2000 as they mobilized fan numbers.

The scenery from the top floor venue, with a backdrop of Lake Victoria, complete with soothing wind, the stage was set for the event. Guests were ushered into the lobby of Latitude O, with works of the different artists adorning their pieces that dotted the whole rendezvous that dazed many an art enthusiast.

They were later greeted into the main engagements room by immaculately dressed Latitude O staff while official hosts, Mr. Karanja Nzisa and Sven Saint – Calbre ushered in the guests to the waiting party who offered them comfy cocktails and snacks while Lysha Band played live music. The event was officially kicked off by the Day’s MC, Kampala Socialite and art lover, Suzan Ochola aka Sue Ochola.

In her brief remarks, Ms. Ochola attested that art is priceless, limitless and timeless and that, she was glad to be part of Ebirungi fraternity. Miss Mireille Swinnen; an artist in her own right, who doubled as the patron of the show and wife to the Belgian Ambassador to Uganda, said that she was elated to have been part of the final select team that zeroed in on all the works on display.

She informed the audience that she was a teacher in the world of Mosaics whose works have been shown extensively in the United States of America, France, Ireland and Japan. “Our embassy has facilitated a lot of sectors in Uganda, be political or otherwise, but never before like we have done with art,” she observed.

She noted how she was happy that the youth in Uganda were embracing art as a career and that her embassy was open to any art related event. Swinnen told a story of how having been brought up poor, her grandfather took over the mantle of raising her and her siblings through the sale of art works, thus the reason for her dedication to the sector.

The Guest of Honor was Mrs. Esteeri Muhoozi, a conscientious entrepreneur, art lover, story teller and justice enthusiast. She told how she was taken on by the heat of the moment, having initially confessed that this was her first time to grace an occasion as a Guest of Honor. She said thus; ‘Art is to life, what faith is to the human soul’

Muhoozi urged her audience to purchase the various pieces on display as an appreciation of art. There was also a solo poetry performance by Nunu Umuringa, who had the audience feeding from the richness and depth as she recited her poetic works. Bruno Ruganzu Tusingwire, who represented all the EBIRUNGI exhibitors noted that an Artist is a reflection of their society.

He commended Latitude O for being one of the two places in Kampala, where art is appreciated both by availing them space and purchasing the products. A multimedia artist, Bruno is known for predominantly his work in intercepting the waste stream and recycled play grounds. He was later to introduce the official exhibitors who included; Natasha Karungi Kashushu a digital artist, and Adoa Francis, a Charcoal artist.

Others were; Majory Yeko, Nyaminugasha Mbabzi, a line artist, Tayebwa Ossward, Venus, a painter, Chadrack Makano, a painter, Onono Andrew, a painter, Herbert Katima, a painter and sculptor, Lwanga Emmanuel, a sculpture, Dr. Lillian Nabulime, a Sculptor and, Mulondo Patrick, also a Sculptor.

A percentage of the Proceeds from the sales of the art pieces will go to the benefit of FacesUP Uganda, a Charity Organization that uses art to educate and benefit children. The event was crowned by a meet and greet cocktail complete with rich nibbles from the Latitude O kitchen. The EBIRUNGI exhibition themed ‘An Ode to The Creators of Magical Things’ will run for the next 30 days at the same location.

For the last 24 years, it has been a sanctuary for over a hundred rebel groups with each trying to assert a different territorial presence. For the last few months, the M23 rebel group has been in the news for causing all sorts of chaos in the East, to the extent of taking over a whole town of Bunagana, prompting EAC member states to mobilize troops to secure peace.

The M23 openly insist that it was formed to protect the Kinyarwanda speaking Tutsi peoples in the Eastern enclaves of Kivu Province.  The African leaders have done their usual drama of talking, talking and talking without reaching a fitting conclusion, yet the solution is all-over the place.

Congolese President Etienne Tsesekedi and all his predecessors starting from President Joseph Mobutu, Laurent Desire Kabila and his son Joseph Kabila, must have all known that this country is too big to be governed by one man from a remote Capital of Kinshasa – but they all put on a brave-pretense face that all was well.

This country started disintegrating in the 60s when the political dynamics failed to add up. This is when the first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba fell out with the Belgians whom he openly told to leave the country to the native Congolese. He also made statements which were interpreted as communist-leaning, which angered the capitalistic West, culminating into his brutal assassination.

From that moment, the country first became President Mobutu Tseseko’s plaything before it degenerated into a theater of political schemes, economic exploitation and incessant civil wars. The Katanga province had tried to secede from Congo but was defeated. However, it was dissolved in 1963 following an invasion by United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) forces, and reintegrated with the rest of the country as Katanga Province.

If the Katanga leader, Moise Tsombe had managed to secede from the bigger Congo, it would perhaps have translated into a direct blessing of that country with a huge possibility that it should have developed into one of the most advanced African countries on the African continent. And, it would have had the domino effect of tickling other provinces to follow suit and advance their self-determination agendas into viable stable states.

Therefore, it’s fair to say that frustrating Katanga from seceding from Kinshasa was one of the most unfortunate episodes of that country. This stance, because it destroyed an opportunity for Congo to split basing on original, historical foundation, unlike other African countries that were designed and crafted by the colonialists.

Case for self-determination

Some of us feel that African countries which were designed by the colonialists at the Berlin conference of 1888, should be dismantled to fit into the dynamics and realities of African societies.  This Berlin conference was the one that led to the unfair, insensitive territorial designs that have led to the constant bickering and under development of Africa.

History shows us that a country needs to have societies that are homogenous to qualify the billing of a sovereign country. When you look at most of the European countries, you will find that most of their territorial designs were carefully based on homogeneousness of societies. In fact, it’s fair to say that Part of the reason why Japan and China managed to develop this much was because they were built on homogenous peoples who shared the same social-cultural values and a common history.

When Otto von Bismarck was fighting to unify Germany, he made sure that all German speaking communities are liberated and fused into what later became the mighty Germany you see today. Before Bismarck`s efforts, the Germans had been scattered all over Europe in different territorial enclaves.

He made the tough decision by starting from Prussia as a nucleus to liberate all Germans and made a famous proclamation that German unification was not going to be achieved by nice speeches of the politicians. He insisted it would be achieved by iron and blood. And indeed, by iron and blood, we got the emergence of the mighty Germany which still enjoys the honors of being the biggest economy in Europe.

Bankrupt Africa

Now this is what has failed to take place in most African countries. The leadership of African countries is aware that these territorial designs were dubiously crafted by the colonialists but they have spectacularly failed to do anything about it. Although some few intelligent Africans tried to resist this colonial territorial design, they were fought and defeated by the brainwashed fellow Africans.

For instance, in Nigeria there was the Biafra civil war which resulted from ethnic, economic, religious and political tensions which forced the Igbo ethnic group, the majority in the Eastern Region, led by a military officer Odemegu Ojuku, to announce secession from Nigeria. But the bankrupt and colonial Nigerian military officers fought and defeated the secession efforts of Biafra.

They forgot that the Ojukus who were fighting for self-determination of Biafra were trying to create a country based on original African territorial design composed of Africans from the same ethnic background and language. The territorial designs of the colonialists were so insensitive that they divided people who speak the same language into two. We shouldn’t have had Ugandans divided along the borders of Kenya and Uganda, Sudan and Uganda, Zaire and Uganda and Rwanda and Uganda that has led to social disintegration and disharmony.

There is a case of two brothers assuming senior government positions in two different countries. Aggrey Awori became a minister in Uganda and his brother Moody Awori became Vice President of Kenya. What a shame! We should have had wars of self-determination to resolve those territorial contradictions. Despite of possessing limited education, President Idi Amin tried to dismantle those colonial territorial designs by trying to annex parts of Kenya and Tanzania that had Ugandans.

The Much-needed Splitting of Congo

Now for the case of Congo, you have ethnic groups that feel threatened by other ethnic groups compelling them to create local armies for protection, because the bigger state in Kinshasa cannot protect them. The Kinyarwanda speaking people have formed their army in the form of M23 on the pretext of self-protection.

Likewise, the wa-Ndande, the Lendu, the Hema, the Mai-Mai and many other ethnic groups have also formed their militia armies to protect selves from probable genocide. This scenario is enough to justify the self-determination of these people into viable states. But the problem is that the African leaders are too bankrupt to agitate for self-determination of these people.

They fear to tell Kinshasa that it should prepare for the secession of some parts of its territory into viable states to avoid this unending instability. They regard themselves as Pan-Africans, but they have no clue as to what needs to be done to achieve a viable stable African state. These African leaders demonize colonialists but have failed to dismantle the colonial territorial designs of the imperialists.

You cannot agitate for African unity in a continent of peoples who are disunited by ancestry and language, to an extent of annihilating each other. You need to first acknowledge these social differences before you unite into one. For instance, the Sub-Saharan Africa managed to easily unite with the Maghreb Arab north by first allowing the Arabs to forge their own territorial entities with respect to religion and language. But despite of that first act of seeking homogeneity, the Arab north managed to integrate with the Sub-Saharan south into one Africa after first taking care of their own homogeneity in their own backyard.

This is the same model that we need to introduce to parts of Africa that have failed to stabilize. Congo will only stabilize when an original African territorial design that respects ethnic differences and social dynamics is crafted out. How can a country bigger than Western Europe remain unstable for this long without getting dismantled into viable states?

The Way Forward

Since the issue is rotating around Rwanda and the interests of the Kinyarwanda speaking people in Congo, then a hard decision must be made to allow Rwanda to annex all territories with Kinyarwanda speaking people under one administrative unit. This would automatically mean that areas like Bunagana should be added onto Kigali to accommodate all the people who have something common with Rwanda.

In the same breadth, Uganda should seek to annex all the Rwenzori Mountain territories in a bid to integrate the Bakonjo on the Congo side into Uganda. This is because the Nande of Congo and the Konjo people of Uganda are a single ethnic group, which they call Yira (Bayira). They trace their origins to the Ruwenzori Mountains between the two countries.

The languages Nande and Konjo are close enough to be considered divergent dialects and therefore, be easily integrated into one Uganda. If Uganda doesn’t possess the balls to do so, they should allow the Yiira Republic to go ahead with their secession plans. Uganda can also annex Congolese parts of Mahagi to integrate the Alu people in Orientale province.

After catering for the territorial interests of Uganda and Rwanda, other provinces of Congo should seek for self-determination by breaking off from Kinshasa and devolving into a viable sovereign state. And this can only be achieved by iron and blood, just as Otto Von Bismarck once remarked during the unification of Germany.