UgandAshis 75 Uganda’s Boozing Bill
To say Ugandans like their alcohol is to put it mildly. In 2004 the World Health Organization ranked Uganda as the leading consumer of alcohol in the world. In a recent school survey by Victory Rehabilitation Centre 71% of urban secondary school students drink alcohol. When you leave my house and walk along Ggaba road you will see a string of bars miles long and most are full at any given time in the week and weekend.
The government has shocked with the potential Bill to limit drinking of alcohol in public from 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Afterwards all bars need to be closed. I understand the government’s concern for alcohol related problems; crime, violence, broken families, rapes and destroyed livers. Yet it does not have a good track record of keeping its own harsh benchmarks: seat belts, helmets for boda bodas and so forth. It seems the Born Again section in parliament has not only highjacked the Gay Bill but the Alcohol Bill as well.
What I hear on the street is simple: politicians are amongst the heaviest drinkers, let them mind their own business - Ugandans will drink late. My boda boda had a good one; It will never happen in this country even if they pass the law. And I hear prostitutes are going to stage a strike as this seriously affects their livelihood. In the 1930’s the USA went dry and as a consequence: mafia and more drunks. History let’s learn.
Namaskar
Ashis Brahma
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Monday, 15 March 2010
Thrivability: A Collaborative Sketch
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Thrivability: A Collaborative Sketch
View more presentations from Jean Russell.
Thrivability: A Collaborative Sketch
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Thrivability: A Collaborative Sketch
View more presentations from Jean Russell.
Friday, 5 March 2010
UgandAshis 74 Budada landslides
UgandAshis 74 Budada landslide
While the world mourns for Chili and Haiti nature struck in Uganda as well. Near the Kenyan border on the slopes of Mount Elgon three hamlets were swept away. This is day three of the search, rescue and evacuate mission. So far there are 81 deaths, 340 residents unaccounted for and 6000 still at risk for further landslides and outbreaks of cholera. I many cases there is nobody remaining form the family to participate in the funerals.
To cater to the at risk population temporary refugee camps are set up and the government is forcing residents to leave the area as smaller landslides are still taking place.
The causes of the slide are manifold: deforestation, over grazing, building on steep slopes, climate change. There is an emergency response set up in Uganda and Red Cross, Army and civilians are working close together. It is estimated seventeen million dollar is needed to address the regions needs. So far an emergency $100.000 has been released by the government.
There is a huge benefit of living on vulcanic ground, steep slopes world wide. To a certain extent one can understand why people live a high risk lifestyle. Yet at the same time farming methodology (slash and burn, deforesting the entire slope) puts lives at risk. These are sad days for Uganda and the inhabitants in Budada. Sadly the lessons will likely not be heeded and similar situations will take place very soon.
Namaskar,
Ashis Brahma
250 words Uganda
While the world mourns for Chili and Haiti nature struck in Uganda as well. Near the Kenyan border on the slopes of Mount Elgon three hamlets were swept away. This is day three of the search, rescue and evacuate mission. So far there are 81 deaths, 340 residents unaccounted for and 6000 still at risk for further landslides and outbreaks of cholera. I many cases there is nobody remaining form the family to participate in the funerals.
To cater to the at risk population temporary refugee camps are set up and the government is forcing residents to leave the area as smaller landslides are still taking place.
The causes of the slide are manifold: deforestation, over grazing, building on steep slopes, climate change. There is an emergency response set up in Uganda and Red Cross, Army and civilians are working close together. It is estimated seventeen million dollar is needed to address the regions needs. So far an emergency $100.000 has been released by the government.
There is a huge benefit of living on vulcanic ground, steep slopes world wide. To a certain extent one can understand why people live a high risk lifestyle. Yet at the same time farming methodology (slash and burn, deforesting the entire slope) puts lives at risk. These are sad days for Uganda and the inhabitants in Budada. Sadly the lessons will likely not be heeded and similar situations will take place very soon.
Namaskar,
Ashis Brahma
250 words Uganda
UgandAshis 73 Infidelity
UgandAshis 73 Infidelity
Kampala, December 23, 2009
Where in the world can you find a bill board with a gentleman of about 45-50 stating the following: “I am a good husband. I do my HIV tests every few months” or another one “Trans generational sex; sugar daddies and mommies should stop; pick your own age!” Birth rates 6.9 children per mom. Over one million people living with HIV/AIDS. Sex tourism is one of the foundations of tourism it seems.
Yesterday a Toyota Pajero four wheel drive got stuck in front of my house.Stuck in the gutter. A young chick with a gentleman of middle age. They had just spent a relaxing evening in Hotel Olympia my across the street neighbors - a lot of people tend to use that vicinity as such. My saved neighbor had come out to preach the lesson that Jesus must have sent to this sinning gentleman.
Sam my boda boda man had just come to pick me up for an evening sheesha and card game in the flaming chicken. So we did our best to aid our fallen knight. As we pushed and pulled it became clear a break-down was required. We hopped on the bike and left to search for a tow vehicle. On the way out he could hear the gentleman woo and croon to his wife that his work meeting was still on and that he would be home as soon as possible.
Plunging in to a discussion between a rastafarian and rastafarini in the restaurant about the death penalty for gay people in Uganda. For a peaceful religion it became clear that ‘anti-natural’ behavior as homosexuality should be punished by death. At least according to him. She seemed much more accepting of different life styles. What always amazes me in this debate is that I hear so many times that homosexuality does not exist in Africa. Well if that is the case why is there a need for this ridiculous new anti-gay legislation?
As I have written about before polygamy is more or less accepted here. If you have the money you are allowed to marry as many girls as you wish. At any age. There is very little influence the churches have on those century old practices. Easy to say that my western-eastern mind frame can judge that. Then again so is my acceptance of homosexuality. It is so easy to presume your judgement is worth more than some one else’s. So where to draw the line. What can you accept? A life being taken because of sexual orientation. Under age marriage of an 80-year old with a 14 year old? That same dinosaur marrying 8 or 10 times not knowing the names of children. Or nowadays the average man having children with multitudes of women not knowing exactly how many?
Clearly I do not know and it seems women, children and gays are losing out so that men can prosper.
Namaskar,
Ashis Brahma
Kampala, December 23, 2009
Where in the world can you find a bill board with a gentleman of about 45-50 stating the following: “I am a good husband. I do my HIV tests every few months” or another one “Trans generational sex; sugar daddies and mommies should stop; pick your own age!” Birth rates 6.9 children per mom. Over one million people living with HIV/AIDS. Sex tourism is one of the foundations of tourism it seems.
Yesterday a Toyota Pajero four wheel drive got stuck in front of my house.Stuck in the gutter. A young chick with a gentleman of middle age. They had just spent a relaxing evening in Hotel Olympia my across the street neighbors - a lot of people tend to use that vicinity as such. My saved neighbor had come out to preach the lesson that Jesus must have sent to this sinning gentleman.
Sam my boda boda man had just come to pick me up for an evening sheesha and card game in the flaming chicken. So we did our best to aid our fallen knight. As we pushed and pulled it became clear a break-down was required. We hopped on the bike and left to search for a tow vehicle. On the way out he could hear the gentleman woo and croon to his wife that his work meeting was still on and that he would be home as soon as possible.
Plunging in to a discussion between a rastafarian and rastafarini in the restaurant about the death penalty for gay people in Uganda. For a peaceful religion it became clear that ‘anti-natural’ behavior as homosexuality should be punished by death. At least according to him. She seemed much more accepting of different life styles. What always amazes me in this debate is that I hear so many times that homosexuality does not exist in Africa. Well if that is the case why is there a need for this ridiculous new anti-gay legislation?
As I have written about before polygamy is more or less accepted here. If you have the money you are allowed to marry as many girls as you wish. At any age. There is very little influence the churches have on those century old practices. Easy to say that my western-eastern mind frame can judge that. Then again so is my acceptance of homosexuality. It is so easy to presume your judgement is worth more than some one else’s. So where to draw the line. What can you accept? A life being taken because of sexual orientation. Under age marriage of an 80-year old with a 14 year old? That same dinosaur marrying 8 or 10 times not knowing the names of children. Or nowadays the average man having children with multitudes of women not knowing exactly how many?
Clearly I do not know and it seems women, children and gays are losing out so that men can prosper.
Namaskar,
Ashis Brahma
Monday, 21 December 2009
UgandAshis 72 Quiet X-mas
UgandAshis 72 Quiet X-mas
Kampala, December 21, 2009
It was half way the year when President Museveni declared that the global economical crisis would have and had no effect on Uganda. We are several months further down the path and it seems mzee was wrong. Droughts have lead to famine. This in a country that is so fertile where ever you drop a seed with out any support a plant will grow. Boutiques are not finding customers and have less than half the sales of last year. Advertisements for X-mas are just starting to be rolled out. Business in Flaming chicken a bench mark as a restaurant in a usually thriving Kabalagala is slow. And the worst sign of all nightlife in a ever busy Kampala in the student holiday season seems to be much less than in prior years.
One wonders what bubble the leaders of this nation live in. ‘Droughts are caused due to the lazy nature of certain tribes’ (Minister of Emergency). ‘Business as usual, no deficit in the budget.’ (President Museveni) It is time to make homosexuality a capital crime (certain member of parliament).
While classes of people are graduating from University their chances for jobs seem to diminish each and every year. All around me I am hearing people are struggling to pay school fees (supposedly primary school is free), rent, water and electricity bills. And then there are the ever expanding scandals, government money lost, bribes, big fish absconding, a judiciary that cannot keep up with the case load.
Museveni and his National Resistance Movement came to power on a 10 point program. One of his famous statements was that he should not remain in power for too long. That was in 1986. He is slated to run again in 2011 and likely in 2016. The opposition have managed to form a coalition. Now to find one candidate to represent all those parties. It is said the results of the election in 2011 are already fixed. The Supreme Court ruled that the prior Election Committee had made grave unconstitutional errors yet was reinstalled with one new member (a school teacher and wife to a NRM politician)
In the land of the blind however one eye is king. When I look at the rhetoric of the opposition leaders I see those that wish to come to power so they can fill their pockets. A peasant once told me that he knew the bag of sugar he got every 5 years and the promise to a road to his village was but a small appreciation for a vote. The road has never been built and he knows no other politicians so he might as well vote on the known one of the candidates.
Uganda has such a bright potential - people are really nice and at the same time you wonder how it is that so many people do not manage to finish secondary school (up to 72% estimates). Choice or chance?
Namaskar,
Ashis Brahma
Kampala, December 21, 2009
It was half way the year when President Museveni declared that the global economical crisis would have and had no effect on Uganda. We are several months further down the path and it seems mzee was wrong. Droughts have lead to famine. This in a country that is so fertile where ever you drop a seed with out any support a plant will grow. Boutiques are not finding customers and have less than half the sales of last year. Advertisements for X-mas are just starting to be rolled out. Business in Flaming chicken a bench mark as a restaurant in a usually thriving Kabalagala is slow. And the worst sign of all nightlife in a ever busy Kampala in the student holiday season seems to be much less than in prior years.
One wonders what bubble the leaders of this nation live in. ‘Droughts are caused due to the lazy nature of certain tribes’ (Minister of Emergency). ‘Business as usual, no deficit in the budget.’ (President Museveni) It is time to make homosexuality a capital crime (certain member of parliament).
While classes of people are graduating from University their chances for jobs seem to diminish each and every year. All around me I am hearing people are struggling to pay school fees (supposedly primary school is free), rent, water and electricity bills. And then there are the ever expanding scandals, government money lost, bribes, big fish absconding, a judiciary that cannot keep up with the case load.
Museveni and his National Resistance Movement came to power on a 10 point program. One of his famous statements was that he should not remain in power for too long. That was in 1986. He is slated to run again in 2011 and likely in 2016. The opposition have managed to form a coalition. Now to find one candidate to represent all those parties. It is said the results of the election in 2011 are already fixed. The Supreme Court ruled that the prior Election Committee had made grave unconstitutional errors yet was reinstalled with one new member (a school teacher and wife to a NRM politician)
In the land of the blind however one eye is king. When I look at the rhetoric of the opposition leaders I see those that wish to come to power so they can fill their pockets. A peasant once told me that he knew the bag of sugar he got every 5 years and the promise to a road to his village was but a small appreciation for a vote. The road has never been built and he knows no other politicians so he might as well vote on the known one of the candidates.
Uganda has such a bright potential - people are really nice and at the same time you wonder how it is that so many people do not manage to finish secondary school (up to 72% estimates). Choice or chance?
Namaskar,
Ashis Brahma
Friday, 18 December 2009
UgandAshis 71 The way
UgandAshis 71 The way
Kampala, December 18, 2009
Turaco mischieveiensis aptly named
Take and break papaya’s fruit
Mischievous turaco
Nectarinia venusta a godly delight
Industriously in your blissful flight
Variable sunbird
Canis lupus familiaris of you two
Bhima brings might and passion
Yogi transcend and detach
Milvus migrans shine a light
Bring guidance to the astral path
Black kite
To stumble and bumble
To seemingly lose
Makes you humble
A condition to choose
When all is not well
Friends put you under a wicked spell
With diligent labor
The solution will favor
Unconditional love for One
The world is maya
The way is clearly shining
The way is clear
The way
Ashis Brahma
Kampala, December 18, 2009
Turaco mischieveiensis aptly named
Take and break papaya’s fruit
Mischievous turaco
Nectarinia venusta a godly delight
Industriously in your blissful flight
Variable sunbird
Canis lupus familiaris of you two
Bhima brings might and passion
Yogi transcend and detach
Milvus migrans shine a light
Bring guidance to the astral path
Black kite
To stumble and bumble
To seemingly lose
Makes you humble
A condition to choose
When all is not well
Friends put you under a wicked spell
With diligent labor
The solution will favor
Unconditional love for One
The world is maya
The way is clearly shining
The way is clear
The way
Ashis Brahma
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