CHOGM for Ugandan to have it successful and memorable!

By Balaba Asuman Makerere University

muuzy6@yahoo.com

The preparations to host Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has raised many developments in country with the government budget allocation of over Ushs 65 billion in the financial year 2006/7 to cater for activities related to  infrastructure, maintain security, publicity, and 35 billion are to renovate state house Entebbe.

 Controversies rose over the increased redevelopment of city land like Shimoni P/S, once UTV/UBC TV premises for the construction of Hilton hotel.

Kampala Mayor Al hajji Ntege Sebagala embarked on mobilization of Kampala residents in different suburbs to clean-up the city by clearing bush, sweeping and beautifying scenery with plantation of flowers and other trees.

 In an interview with Kagole Kivumbi Spokesperson, National Taskforce 2007 Committee coordinating and planning CHOGM preparations said that by November 2007 all arrangements will be in place.

CHOGM preparations date back in 2003 when the decision was taken in Abuja Nigeria and reaffirmed in 2005, Uganda to host CHOGM in 2007.

 There are 53 member countries in commonwealth and 3,000 guests are expected to attend the meeting. Meetings of this kind are held after every two years to discuss economic cooperation, human rights, good governance and promotion of democracy.

 “Ugandan government is preparing the expansion of facilities at Entebbe airport to enable the parking of 40 aircraft, work on terminal, and provision of VIP facilities.”

 Through the Public-Private sector partnership, Uganda hotel owners association (UHOA) headed by Kibirige Muwanga of Hotel African are to increase capacity from 2,000 currently to 4,000 of  the required capacity and by February 2007 hotels to be graded to international standard of stars rating.

 The government is to spend over 102 billion and it will benefit through taxes from hotel services and such taxes will enable to finance education, health sector among others, but more of Ugandans are to benefit.

This is because, hotels are permanent structures in that investor will reap in a 2-3 days meeting, then to other events in tourism accommodation. Road maintenance will enable accessibility to other places; and tourism will take lead with the grading of hotels to international standard.

In addition, Uganda will be advertised internationally with the coverage of over 700 journalists from all over the world; retraining workers to meet standards will be of value to hotel workers.”

“The different conferences before CHOGM, like sessions of youth, Business and people’s forum will create relationship among youth in developing contact, business ideas on technology and other literature developments.”

 CHOGM preparation is a landmark to Uganda’s government; unfortunately the meeting is only confined in Kampala and Entebbe, creating suspense that other places will lag behind in development as it’s the current situation to Kampala-Entebbe?

However, this adage is wrong, all areas are to benefit for example Queen of England may visit Queen Elizabeth national park and developments are taking place, like improvement of Kasese aerodrome.

 Many companies not yet revealed are to avail hospitality like hotel owners, Road construction in Kampala is under municipal authority with Mayor Al Haji Ntege Ssebagala, member CHOGM taskforce, Ugandan force to avail security and other stakeholders.

Government can not host a meeting alone; it’s a matter of all Ugandans and it is the duty of Ugandans to have it successful and memorable.

Taxation benefits goes to each sector of the society,” and CHOGM is an event officiated once in every two years, which has never been hosted in East Africa and Uganda is taking the offer.

53 heads of government are leaders of over 30 percent of the world population and 25 percent of the world trade takes place in the commonwealth countries.

Media Evolution, and challenges since 1986 NRM inception.
 By Balaba Asuman   
Since colonialism and post independent period, Journalism was muzzled due to prevailing conditions like press censorship 1915, and newspaper surety ordinance 1910, which culminated into banning, intimidation, imprisonment and harassment by colonialist and the same to post independent governments of IDI Amin, Obote I and II.
   
This was accompanied with lack of qualification due to absence of training institutions, absence of arm of journalist or body strengthening activities of journalist, as well as checking their operating principles. The level of economic development was low and the adequate technology in printing and broadcast media was least developed as well the
capital to purchase equipment wasnt accessed by the media house unless the government or foreign proprietors.
    
      
But by 1986 to date, journalism has been recognized and is adequate to brand this period the golden era of journalism because of the following factors political, economic, social, cultural and technological advancement as discussed below.
   
Politically, the coming to power of the NRM government under president Y.K.Museveni created enabling editorial independence in the public media.
   
News papers and Electronic media Radio and Uganda TV as well as Newvision, Etop, orumuri and Bukedde run events criticizing the government without being banned/ harassed or hosting opposition group on radios and discuss their way forward. This situation wasn’t tolerated by the past regime like the colonialist imprisoned and fined Bassude editor of Sekanyolya and Yusufu Bamutta editor of Dobozi lya Buganda and others for criticizing their government through publications.
   
 Also the voice of Uganda (The voice of Amin) publication unquestionably printed Amins and government personnel views as well as misinforming the public. The paper was mainly a propaganda instrument for Amin oppressive government. Other papers that existed did not dare to criticize the government and has to go with the official version for fear of intimidation and death.
   
The same to Obote I and II regime, when Munnansi and the start journalist were detained or paid fine of 50-75 per issue for running an article on military massacre, corruption within the officials or criticizing the government misrule.
   
Although there is editorial independence in public print and electronic media, it’s mostly determined by the officials. For example in 2001 during the presidential elections, more are time and space Museveni event coverage was secured than dr. Kiiza Besigye in new vision, radio Uganda and the uganda broadcasting corporation (UBC TV) and they publicized were Besigye was not fairing well.
   
 There is access to print and elctronic media news and information services within the country and outside. Media houses in uganda run artcles about the public views on the government. New vision, daily monitor, radio stations and televisions access news from international news agencies like AP, AFP, and Reuters, CHINA news agency among others in their day to day informing, educating, entertaining and interpreting events.

In conclusion, the 1986 to date enabled the evolution of the media with the provision of laws, established institutions and universities to train journalist, generated revenue from liberalized economies among others, but still the government in the process to instill democracy, there should be a free space for freedom of expression, press and speech to enable journalist and the media participate in its formation and promotion.