::::I've Left Copenhagen for Uganda::::

Hope in the Dark

Twenty-five years ago, AIDS was unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. Today it's overwhelmingly the continent's biggest killer. In Hope in the Dark, photojournalist Jeremy Cowart documents the hope and pain of Africa's AIDS generation - a generation beset by poverty and fear, a generation in which children in some countries are more likely to die of AIDS than not. But despite the sickening odds, Cowart captures brief glimpses of beauty, optimism and joy as he makes his way across the continent. Through this collection of startling, remarkable images, his lens uncovers not just the magnitude of the problem, but also the places where God is undeniably present in the midst of it.

Another beautifull photo book on Africa! Very cheap, too. Check out the project behind the book here. Buy it here.

I left Copenhagen for Uganda, but what will I leave Uganda for?

I left Red Chili this morning at 8 am in Murchinson Falls and arrived in Kampala 5 hours later. The sun was shining. The buffalos grazing in big numbers on the southern side. Countless butterflies filled the air which they always seem to do when the rain has come.

Kept thinking that as much as I have tired myself out of moving up and down this country, I am gonna miss these driving parts when I once am to leave Uganda.

I am thinking a lot about departure stuff these days and of what will come after Uganda... I don't feel finished with Africa, but northern Uganda has taught me a lesson or two on the need for balancing private life with my work. I simply need more things to happen on a social level - after work - or I end up going kuku. So - I will stay in Africa if I get the right job in the right place. Most of you know this is the tricky part - to make this combination operate!

If not - I can always leave Uganda for Copenhagen...

Become a member of Ethno Union (EU)!

Have a Balkan fetich like me?! Then join the Summer University in Serbia!

- It is an annual project of the non-governmental organization Next Stop from Belgrade. The NGO which throughout 2000 gave me sleepless nights in the way I prefer sleepless nights!!

The Summer University will be held for the fourth time in Ethno village Latkovac, this year under the slogan "Ethno Union". If you want to be a member of Ethno Union (EU) , send an application (in attach) to ngo_nextstop@ yahoo.com or visit them here: www.ethno.co.yu.

These guys always rock! (Just checked their very cool website)!

Emin Pasha Was Here!

Emin Pasha is not just a fashionable hotel in Kampala. He was a real person. Somewhere around 1876-1888 (I can't find the precise period) he made it through West Nile in Uganda.

More precisely, he stayed in Yivo. Yivo is a small trading centre between Arua and Koboko, if you drive by the 'backroad' over Katrini.

All what is left today is this monument (which truly does resemble an ant hill) - not to forget that he is also said to be the reason why the Terego klan of the Lughbara tribe in this area is muslim. Though, according to the Wikipedia it was never clear if he himself really was a converted muslim.

Read about this exciting personality here.

'Save Mabira Forest. Do not buy Lugazi Sugar'

...say the text messages which are circulating Uganda these days.

'Mabira forest is among the richest in biodiversity among the remaining forests in Africa. It has also added value for the communities that inhabit and surround it. The value of the forest to Uganda and her people is beyond the values of the trees, but it is also a frequented tourism site for bird watching, forest walks, and other activities; it has cultural and historical values; it significantly impacts the environment as a natural water filtration system and a natural regulator of global climate'.

I got one of these text messages around Tuesday last week. It came as a response to media reports that the government had endorsed the forest giveaway. Congratulations to the Ugandan civil society for reacting! This is a fine example of a non-violent action, which in no time has created massive attention among the population, not just on individual basis, but also institutions and organisations are reacting. And not just within Uganda, it is going global. Campaign-wise this is a very interesting tool; any person with a mobile and airtime can participate.

However, no one said it should be easy; Police Spokesman Asan Kasingye is now hunting the originators of the text messages encouraging the sugar-boycott. He states that this kind of boycott is economic sabotage, claiming probably rightfully, it is illegal in the country. He is prepared to carry out arrests.

In my opinion this man's reaction is proving that the campaign is working! Guess the Uganda goverment is to learn about modern non-violent campaigning methods...(hopefully before it runs out out teargas)

Sign the petition here!

A Momentary Lapse Of Attention

The winners of the 2006 Uganda Best of Blog Awards have been announced here, and the winners are:

Uganda Blog of the Year: I Have Left Copenhagen for Uganda

Best Writing: Dear Mr. Mccourt (now Once Upon Ish)

Best Design: Living Zack's Utopia

Best Photography: Locus Amoenus: Gulu, Northern Uganda

Best Post: mataachi inc.: Kim +10

Not at all unhappy with my placement. It might lighten up my CV ;-). The goal of the 2006 Uganda Best of Blog Awards was to recognize, generate and push the Ugandan blogging further. I belive it has done so - but also that MUCH more is to come! This it really funny - how people get inspired when things rocks.

Let me use the opportunity to encourage the Ugandan bloggers to join the Danish Documentary on Ugandan blogging here! 

Traffic Jam In Arua

If you manage to make your way through the massive crowds of bi-cyclists and pedestrians to and from the market in Arua, all there is left are the negotiations with the Ankole cattle! Left, right or in between?

Around 5 pm everyday the cattle is moved through my neighbourhood. To my knowledge this is the most humane way the Ankole cattle is being moved. Freely and in open space. 

When you have observed how the cattle usually is transported over longer distances, tied up in their massive horns and skinny legs in small trucks, going over potholes and murram roads, you start wondering why cattle is so special to the Ugandans. I sometimes get the feeling that it is all about the quantity of cows and not so much about the quality. No doubt that the amount of cows in your posession sets your standard in the community. The Danish farmers have a bit of the same thing.

A special comment for my communist blogger friend here: - I am profoundly aware that animal wellfare, especially regarding transportations often are no better in Europe!

Parasites

One of the most annoying side effects of living in Uganda, and a reminder that my body isn't originally made for Africa is the fact that parasites never fail to catch me regularly on a quarterly basis.

Again diagnosed with amoebic dysentery!

'Survival of the Fattest'

Always interesting when you unexpectedly find something Danish in Uganda!

This week I visited International Theatrical Movement for Anti-Corruption (IATM) which has an office in the National Theatre Building in Kampala.

I found this poster on their office door, which roughly translated goes; 'Are you sitting well!?' Back in 2003 I was part of making a campaing for MS Denmark dealing with fair trade, and the statue with 'the fat lady sitting on the shoulders of a little African boy' was quite a hit - also called 'Survival of the Fattest' by the artist Jens Galschiøtt.

African Woman

PLEASE DO NOTE THAT I AM NOT REPRESENTING AFRICAN WOMAN. THIS IS ONLY A BLOG POST ABOUT AFRICAN WOMAN.

AS MUCH AS I APPRICIATE BLOG COMMENTS, PLEASE DO NOT DIRECT YOUR PRAISE TO AFRICAN WOMAN HERE - IT WILL NOT BE FORWARDED (SIMPLY DUE TO THE REASON THAT I DO ALSO NOT KNOW HOW TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE REAL AFRICAN WOMAN.

Last year African Woman was launched in Kampala by the Uganda fashion business woman no. 1; Sylvia Owori. Every month it is torn down the shelves. Only 5000 UGX (app. 2,5 dollars). Most magazines, locally made, don't match the quality at all of the African Woman - content and layout wise.

It is a glossy magazine, but it is also a voice for women in Africa. It talks about health and illnesses, stress and oppression, it educates and inspires. The magazine shows women as being independent and self-sufficient and very far from the traditional image of the sub-servant African women, which is ingrained in a lot of us. It is a celebration of the African women, I think we deserve it.

(From the interview with Sylvia Owori in MS Uganda Magazine December 2006).