Male and Female Remote Controls

Way to go Rwanda!!!

Over the last 10 years I have travelled to Rwanda often. I have even been more frequent in the last 3. What never ceases to amaze me is the speed at which change is taking place. You can call Kagame a dictator, repressor or whatever, but his own people are not complaining. They are happy and proud of the developments taking place in their country.

I asked my friend who picked me from the airport why the airport never changes despite the fact that increasingly there are more and more flights using the airport. He answered that instead of expanding the existing airport, government had decided to build a brand new one 10 kilometres outside the city. He said plans were in advanced stages and that construction is to start soon.

As we approached the city, I saw that the skyline had changed from what it was 6 months ago. There were many more cranes, an indication of the speed at which construction was taking place. I compared the new buildings to the Dutch designs. Here in Kigali it is like there is a competition over who has the best designed building. It is like it is not a matter of putting up a bland plain Kirumira towers. Design has become an important component of building.

At Remera, one of the troublesome areas with thick traffic, a round about to ease traffic flow had been put in place. 6 months ago when I was last here, it was not there.

The city as usual retains its cleanness and traffic rules are respected, just like an advanced country. I was told there is a fine of Rw francs 10,000 (approx. US $10) for walking on the grass!

I was also pleasantly surprised to see long queues of people waiting to board the taxis in the evening. It is no longer the strongest that fight to enter first, but first come first served, a real civilized way of doing things.

Go Rwanda go, go!

Uganda - a Police State?

Ready for action against peaceful demonstrators

Kaihura in serious Competition with Hollywood

Ali Balunywa in Kampala

Events unfolding in Kampala, Uganda last week seemed like a thriller (movie) directed by Major General Kale Kaihura, the Inspector General of the Uganda Police force, seconded from the Uganda Army by the president of Uganda. The actors included opposition politicians under their umbrella “Activists4Change” organization.

During the first week of April, opposition politicians belonging to all parties met and agreed to form the organization-Activists4Change. They also decide to walk to work every Monday and Thursday in sympathy with Ugandan workers who walk to and from work everyday because they can’t afford to use buses or taxis. Another objective was to demand government to do something about the serious price hikes for all necessities of life including fuel.

Drama unfolded on Monday 11 April 2011. I had just flown in from Kigali and was resting at home and decided to catch up with news. NBS station was broadcasting live from Kasangati. Dr Kizza Besigye, the leader of Forum for Democratic Change party, was surrounded by mean looking security in different types of uniform. He was being prevented from walking from his home to his office 20 kilometers away. It seemed like over 100 police officers with anti riot gear including APCs, pick-ups, tear gas canisters and water cannons… Here was a small army of heavily armed Uganda security accosting one unarmed civilian.

Dr Besigye stood his ground and insisted it was his democratic right to walk to his office, but the tough talking security informed him that they had orders “from above” not to allow him to proceed. They formed a human ring around him, and he decided to sit in the centre of the ring. Father Anthony Musala, a catholic priest who lives close by expressed dismay at how the police was treating a leader of the opposition: “ This is an infringement of people’s rights and of the rights of our brother” he said.

Sooner than later, the commander announced that Besigye was under arrest and he ordered his men to force him onto the police truck. He was lifted off the ground like a bag of potatoes and physically thrown onto the truck! In an interview with the Monitor newspaper, Dr Besigye said: “They threw me on top of a patrol pick-up truck and drove like mad men, almost knocking everything and swerving dangerously until we got to Kasangati police post from where they threw me in a cell”

Elsewhere, the drama continued to develop as other opposition leaders where picked and shared the same treatment Dr Besigye received. In Ntinda, a suburb of Kampala city, Mr. Norbert Mao, the president of the oldest party in Uganda - the Democratic Party while trying to walk with a number of party members was forced not to. Gunfire, tear gas and a few beatings of civilians culminated in the arrest of Mao and his assistants. They were imprisoned at Kira Road Police station in the North east of the city.

Other opposition leaders including members of parliament were arrested on Jinja road just close to the city. These included: Wafula Oguttu, Nandala Mafabi, Anne Mugisha, Abdu Katuntu, Jack Sabiiti, Phiona Busingye and Peace Kansiime who where denied entry to the city and they too received the Besigye treatment of being thrown onto police pick-up trucks and imprisoned at the Jinja Road Police Station.

Moses Kasibante, another leader was arrested in Rubaga division and imprisoned at Old Kampala police station. Asuman Basalirwa, the leader of JEEMA party, Mathias Mpuuga of Masaka and Odonga Otto managed to walk to their offices without incident. Ken Lukyamuzi, president of the Conservative Party and Betty Nambooze tried to walk but the police turned them back to their homes.

All this drama was unfolding live on most television and FM radio stations. Social networking sites like face book and Twitter were also providing minute-by-minute updates.

Later in the day all the arrested politicians were paraded in different courts and given bail to regain their freedom. They will report to court at a future date. The released politicians have vowed to continue walking to their work places every Monday and Thursday. They have also promised not to ask for bail if they are arrested.

The Uganda government has been condemned by all sectors of society and foreign governments. The Uganda Human rights Commission boss, Mr. Meddie Kaggwa had this to say: “It is worrying that the police as an institution for protecting human rights is topping the list of brutalizing Ugandans through tortures, unlawful arrests and detentions.”

In a statement, the United States State department acting deputy spokesman Mr. Mark V. Toner expressed Washington’s concern over the arrest of former presidential candidates Kizza Besigye, Mao and other opposition leaders participating in a walk to work protest over rising prices in the country. It reminded the government of Uganda of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental human rights and critical components of a functioning democracy.

The British government echoed the US government’s position thus: “ the British government encourages the Uganda police to respond proportionally to public order situations”: Mr. Chris Ward of the British High Commission in Kampala said.

Amnesty international commented that: Uganda’s unjust ban on public rallies is part of an unlawful blanket ban against all forms of public assemblies that has been in place since the conclusion of the February general elections on the grounds of ensuring public security.

Uganda law society noted with great the prevailing situation/events in the country orchestrated by the police force under Inspector General of Police, major General Kale Kaihura, leading to the brutal dispersal and arrest of peaceful demonstrating/walking citizens especially targeting opposition parties.

The following Thursday 14 April 2011, the members of “Activists4Change” group again attempted to walk from their residences to work. The police was more brutal this time. Dr Kizza Besigye was shot in the arm, several members of parliament and leading opposition leaders were arrested, some imprisoned and others harassed. In Kasangati near Kampala an 8-month pregnant lady was shot in the stomach and her intestines came out. She is in hospital, and doctors claimed the baby was fine. At the same place police and military fired tear gas in a primary school and a health centre causing pain to the pupils and patients.

In Northern Uganda, the arrest of Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party president while walking caused chaos in the city. Trigger-happy policemen shot at the crowds and 3 people lost their lives! The walk to work action spread to most towns in Uganda. The police treated all walkers the same way – tear gas, harassment and arrests.

During his victory speech after the February 18^th presidential elections, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni promised to crush the opposition and eat them like samosas and cakes! 15 years ago, the president used to accuse the police of being opposition supporters because those times it was a civil force. The president then decided to appoint military generals to head the force. Since then the police is viewed as anti people, uses tear gas to disperse unarmed civilians, tortures suspects and generally regards the opposition as enemies of government. Government has acquired for them equipment that reminds one of the apartheid regime 20 years ago!

The country is bracing for more walk to work tomorrow. It is envisaged that more walkers in more places will participate in tomorrow’s walk to work. I shall keep you updated.

Police truck carrying expired chemicals they throw at demonstrators

Facebook, Facebook, please let me study!

Reason why never visit a 5 Star Hotel !!

Question : "What would you like to have ..Fruit juice, Soda, Tea, Chocolate, Milo, or Coffee?" Answer : "tea please" Question : " Ceylon tea, Herbal tea, Bush tea, Honey bush tea, Ice tea or green tea ?" Answer : "Ceylon tea " Question : "How would you like it ? black or white ?" Answer : "white" Question : "Milk, Whitener, or Condensed milk ?" Answer: "With milk " Question : "Goat milk, Camel milk or cow milk" Answer : "With cow milk please. Question : " Milk from Freeze land cow or Afrikaner cow?" Answer : " Um, I'll take it black. " Question : " Would you like it with sweetener, sugar or honey?" Answer : "With sugar" Question : " Beet sugar or cane sugar ?" Answer : "Cane sugar " Question :" White , brown or yellow sugar ?" Answer : "Forget about tea just give me a glass of water instead." Question: "Mineral water or still water ? " Answer : "Mineral water" Question : "Flavored or non-flavored ?" Answer : "I'll rather die of thirst

I want a Divorce

A married couple is driving down the interstate doing 55 mph. The husband is behind the wheel. His wife looks over at him and says, "Honey, I know we've been married for 15 years, but, I want a divorce."

The husband says nothing but slowly increases speed to 60 mph.

She then says, "I don't want you to try to talk me out of it, because I've been having an affair with your best friend, and I love him and he's a better lover than you."

Again the husband stays quiet and just speeds up as he clenches his hands on the wheels.

She says, "I want the house."

Again the husband speeds up, and now is doing 70 mph.

She says, "I want the kids too."

The husband just keeps driving faster, and faster, until he's up to 80 mph.

She says, "I want the car, the checking account, and all the credit cards too." The husband slowly starts to veer toward a bridge overpass piling, as she says, "Is there anything you want?"

The husband says, "No, I've got everything I need right here."

She asks, "What's that?"

The husband replies just before they hit the wall at 90 mph, "I've got the airbag!"

You Want Another Hotel? Yeee Ali

A hotel room of Laico Umubano - Kigali

Ali Balunywa in Kigali Rwanda

I have spent the last week in Kigali Rwanda on a private visit. My host booked me at the Laico Umubano Hotel in Kigali. It is one of the oldest hotels in Kigali built by the former colonial masters, the Belgians. The LAICO Kigali Umubano is a 4 star hotel located 5 km from the centre of Kigali atop one of the many hills that make up the city. It offers the convenience of meeting rooms, Wi-Fi Internet and a business centre. The hotel also features a bar and restaurant, various leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, fitness, aerobics, sauna and tennis court. There is also a bank, several shops and parking on site. It is found at Boulevard l'Umuganda, just near Urugwiro village – the president’s office.

LAICO stands for Libyan Arab Investment Company. It has a string of hotels in over 12 African countries. Laico bought the hotel when it was privatized. It was one time run by Novotel.

On arrival I was impressed with the hotel ambience and the way I was checked in at the reception. A bellboy was around to take my luggage to the room. We had a delay at Entebbe airport where I spent about 5 hours. So I was tired and just needed a rest. I slept from 6 pm to midnight. I went to the dining but found the kitchen closed for the day. I called a friend who took me for dinner somewhere in town.

I don’t normally eat breakfast, but since I had a long day ahead, I decided to get some fruit and coffee! Everything is self-service apart from the coffee. A waitress came to my table and rudely asked: “What do you want to drink?” I did not get what she meant, so she simplified by asking if I wanted coffee or tea. I asked for the former and she brought it in a flask, poured for me some and went away with her flask! To get a second cup, I had to look in all directions for a good 10 minutes before another one surfaced with 2 flasks! I told her that I wished to have another cup of coffee. She poured and brought a bowl of sugar, I thanked her and explained that I did not take sugar with my coffee…then she asked me why?! I had no answer for her so I just smiled.

The dining area of Laico Umubano - Kigali

I drunk my coffee quickly as I had my first appointment at 9.00 am and it was close to that. I tried to waive my hand to attract attention so that I sign my bill, but seemed no one was noticing. After a 10 minutes wait, I decided to approach the service desk. Somewhere in a corner where 4 waitresses busy chatting/or is it gossiping? When the one who served me saw me, she quickly left the group and approached me. She had the bill under her armpit. She apologized saying she had forgotten. I signed quickly and went away.

At the reception I asked how I could log onto the Internet. I was advised to go to the hotel business centre or buy a voucher for my laptop. And I had thought they no longer charge for Internet at hotels! Most so in Kigali, where you find free Internet even on verandahs! I paid for a 12-hour voucher the equivalent of about US $ 20! Getting on line was a problem. I could connect to the Internet, but web pages were not opening! Meanwhile, the minutes where going by and of course the money units. Anyhow I suspended it and went for other appointments.

In the evening I had an appointment with an official in the hotel gardens. He had other people to meet, so he asked me to be patient a few more minutes. I ordered a drink as I waited. The official came we talked for around an hour and he left. There was no drink yet. I decided to go away. At dinner, I saw the waiter and asked what happened to the drink I ordered. He sheepishly smiled and said he had forgotten!

The next day I had problems with the Internet so I called the IT guys. They sent one over to my room to check. He also failed to establish the problem, but I continued being charged for no Internet. He promised to go for his laptop to find out if the problem was my computer. He promised to return within a few minutes. Meanwhile, the charge continued. I waited and waited, 5 minutes, 10, half an hour, an hour plus plus. I decided to go and do other things. I asked the receptionist to get him access to my room should he surface.

When I returned later in the day, all my time on the voucher was consumed because the technician didn’t return! I asked at the reception and they told me he could have forgotten! I took out another voucher for 12 hours.

The next day was a public holiday, so the business centre was closed. I could not get to the technician. Today, I called the office and I was invited to their office. The guy was away, but they promised to get in touch with him so at least I could be compensated with more credit. After a couple of hours, I called to find out the status…the manager had forgotten to tell his technician about his forgetting about our appointment!

If they asked me: ”You want another Hotel”, I would happily say “Yeeee Sevo”

Laico Umubano Hotel in Kigali