Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Did Obama make a point in Africa?

The debate of whether Obama said too much in Africa but did/gave too little is raging. My take is that he did more than his two predecessors for African political activists. He ushered in an era of diplomatically isolating Africa's strongmen, who 'sprinkled' an election here and there in their corrupt, repressive governance and then walked around claiming democratic credentials. It is an era of hope. Here are my thoughts:

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Here is your chance to influence US policy in Africa

Obama ends his current foreign tour in Accra, Ghana and he is inviting Africans to ask him questions ahead of his historic visit. The speech he will make in Ghana has been touted by the White House as one in a series of 4 landmark speeches: The first was on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in Prague, the second on US relations with the Islamic world in Egypt, the third was in Moscow on US-Russia relations, the fourth will be made in Accra this week and it will focus on democracy and development.

Obama will be watched closely by Africans who have a lot of trust in what he can do for the continent. Watch the videos of his interview at and text him a question.

To text Obama from Uganda, simply text 'English' to +61418601934. If you don't receive confirmation in 10 minutes, send again to +45609910343. Text President Obama and ask him to comment on democracy in Uganda and to support electoral reforms ahead of the 2011 elections. Thank you!

Why would anyone oppose reforms?

It is suspicious, very suspicious; that any right thinking Ugandan would stand in the way of electoral reforms. The Supreme Court ruled, not once but twice; in 2001 and 2006 that the presidential elections had not been carried out in accordance with principles of transparency and fairness. That in fact there was rigging.

Now let's for the sake of argument say rigging was carried out by all sides in the poll, why would any right thinking Ugandan not want to remove the loopholes that allow any side to cheat?

Me thinks its cheaters that dislike rules for a level playing field...


Uganda is heading into election season and it will become increasingly difficult to tell fact from fiction. We will be inundated with bizarre stories and theories, some true but unbelievable, some untrue but convincing. There are already a number of puzzling issues related to the election campaigns:
  • Is there a rebel group in northern Uganda?
  • Why doesn't the president want rebels in Northern Uganda arrested?
  • Will KB face a recycled treason trial? Is that why the President is advocating no bail for treason suspects?
  • Will KB run for the presidency again? Should he?
  • What if Olara runs for president?
  • Why do government's major projects have a due date of December 2010?

'Mbu' is a blog dedicated to attempting to separate facts from fiction, reducing the confusion to make the election season more fun than annoying. It's your stress reliever after politicians wind you up.

'Mbu' is not a place for bitching and bad mouthing anyone. It's a place to seriously consider information, develop theories, make meaning of political puzzles and then declare our opinion..'Mbu.'