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

If you can do the party you can also overcome the day after...

Another rule applying to this kind of world is that if you can do the party you can also overcome the day after - including any kind of hangover, pack your stuff, deal with the world's most annoying and inconsequent border patrol, drive on to the next destination, and get ready for work.

Sunday I drove us out of Kajo Keji into Moyo on the Ugandan side and then half way to Yumbe, then my colleague Peter took over to Koboko. Then we both drove from Koboko and then back into Southern Sudan reaching Yei just before dusk.

Today I had to facilitate a workshop which I actually thought was sceduled for tomorrow with the same group I found myself with this morning, having completely lost track of dates matching with what days. However, I think I sort of got away with it. At least, my colleague Peter expressed a thank for good facilitation at the end of it. Thinking twice he might as well have referred ironically to the my personal rule above. I might have to ask. I am not 25 any longer.

I work for a Danish NGO which doesn't allow jerry cans...

Our MS Uganda administrator keeps texting us development workers SMSes which i.e. go like this one; 'Bukoto, Entebbe, Gayaza Rd., Gulu, Keyfuel, Kibuli, Masaka Centre, Mbarara will get some diesel 2day. Keep checking there...'

Ugandans know why. Uganda has had a shortage of fuel for weeks. It is said that the major cause of the current low supply of fuel is caused by technical constraints on the Kenya pipeline system, which is facing frequent shutdowns due to lack of power.

Wednesday morning I was in Gulu, spending most of my morning searching for diesel. I finally located a Delta Petrol station which obviously had fuel, and so had the rest of Gulu. A fight for being first in line had begun.

Fine. This is Africa. Those are the conditions. But I almost turned violet violent when I realised that people can walk straight up with a couple of drums and eight 20-liter jerry cans, and get them filled. Meaning that the drivers behind wheels don't have a chance (unless they carry jerry cans, too - which everone else except I did). But it also means that the majority of jerry can carriers most likely will walk off and sell the fuel for a convenient profit around the next corner.

I had only waited in the line for few minutes when a guy approached me with an offer which could have lowered my irritation of the hassling of pushing cars in front of each other. I did say no, though I have to admit that I felt tempted to ask for his telephone number - just in case. Incidents like this make me pick up on something which doesn't cling well with being a decent Danish development worker working for anti-corruption and good governance. I push my car persistently forward every possible inch, I use the space someone else was forced to make to get another truck out, and I make it to the pump where the woman fills my car. Call it adjustment to African standards.

And wish me luck - today I have to locate diesel in Arua...

It is me from MS Uganda!

Do you want a lift?!

At one point we discussed if you can use it as a pick up line that you work for MS Uganda. Something like if MS as a brand is sufficiently cool (if you yourself are not) to create an immidiate attraction, or if you have to offer a lift in your car, too.

I haven't got enough factual experience to make a decent assesment, but my feeling is that there is something about the phenomenon. Especially, if you consider that when and if I return to Copenhagen, the only transportation option I have is an old bi-cycle. Besides, there is something big about offering people a lift to a no-go-area.

NB. The two MS colleagues above had no idea that they were going to pose in relation to this text when I took the photos.

Cheap Petrol In Congo

The direct route from Mombassa to DRC Congo goes through Uganda: Jinja-Kampala-Karuma-Pakwach-Nebbi/Arua - from where there are few kilometers to the official border posts.

This petrol tank, amongst many, I passed yesterday had a Tanzanian registration plate and is most likely entering Congo, unloading its petrol which from here will return to Uganda in jerry cans and coca-cola bottles in order to be sold on Arua Market at lower prices than the one at the gas stations. (A thing I appriciated once I was running out of gas between Moyo and Yumbe where there is no gas station).

The reason is 'due to the political instability' as my Aruan passenger Rita explained; 'they simply don't claim official taxes of the petrol in there'. The rumours say a lot of other things which can't easily be bought in other places, can be bought there, too. Like gold, diamonds, ivory and mahoghani, plus the certificates, too, claiming those are legally acquired. Never seen it myself, though. But the images in my head definitely add to my idea of Congo as one of the wildest places in Africa.

Launching the Anti-Corruption Week in Uganda

On the Anti Corruption Coalition's homepage you can read, that The Danish Ambassador to Uganda His Excellency Stig Barlyng expressed bitterness about Uganda’s alarming corruption levels. Referring to the 2005 corruption perception index of Transparency International where Uganda scored 2.5 as opposed to 2.6 of 2005 the Danish envoy said “any score below 4 is simply unacceptable to Ugandans or the donors”.

The ambassador was speaking during the launch of Anti Corruption Week 2005 at the Constitutional Square in Kampala on October 31, 2005. He urged civil society anti corruption activists to strive to be more strong and united to demand for transparent and accountable leadership.

The photo is taken by my colleague, Ejnar Søndergaard.

Join Anti-Corruption Week Procession in Kampala

Monday the 30^th October 2006 starting at 9.00 am.

The theme for this year’s Anti-Corruption Week (ACW) is “Tackling Corruption in Universal Primary Education (UPE)”. The Anti-Corruption Week 2006 will take place between the 30^th October and 5^th November.

The week will be launched with a procession in Kampala. The procession will be flagged off by Prime Minister at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, Lugogo and will then match to Buganda Primary School (in Buganda Rd) via the Parliament where a petition will be presented to the Speaker.

At the ground of Buganda Primary School the coordinator of ACCU will make a brief presentation followed by representatives from civil society organizations, religious leaders, the Interagency Forum and development partners. Children will be encouraged to read aloud letters to the MPs. There will be forum theatre and the activist award will be handed out. The Prime Minister will be present to officially launch the Anti-Corruption Week.   

The objective of the procession is to draw the attention of government and the general public to the negative ramifications of corruption in UPE and lobby for reforms. It is during the processions that anti-corruption activists come out physically to demonstrate concern and resentment about the undeterred levels of corruption in the country. It is important that we mobilize a critical mass to join the procession in order to display public support for better quality and management of Universal Primary Education.   

The procession will be spearheaded by Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU). For further information please contact Coordinator: Geoffrey Rwakabale  (0772611482) or Advocacy Officer: Jasper Tumuhimbise (0712527737)

I want, I need, I'm entitled...

In the Ugandan parliament at least 50 members are to get a third free vehicle if the scheme to grant them Shs60-80 million luxury vehicles is approved. One of Uganda's leading dailies, Monitor, carried out a survey, asking some of the 50 members if they would take this offer or not. Less than 10% said no. The grant scheme has been criticised by the public, but the majority of parliament members doesn't seem to be troubled by this criticism.

Bear in mind that most of the politicians already have government cars, and that some have previously received cars on other schemes, and additional interest free car loans. However, the absolute funniest part are the reasoning and arguments for accepting this grant (see below), as expressed by some of the parliament members. (To be fair some also reject the grant). They use words as facilitation to perform duties, assistance, the cost has gone up, and I'm entitled.

Those are the exact same words we're fighting when we do workshops, seminars and make budgets for the organisations MS Uganda work with. No doubt that getting your way round Uganda is a challenge, and that a goverment should seek to provide proper transportation for its' politicians. It is the attitude of being entitled to receive which puzzles me the most.

Citizens are to copy the attitude of parliament members, especially in an authoritative system like Uganda. The problem is that I doubt the Ugandan national budget can cater for luxury cars - if Uganda also wants to solve some of the more urgent matters - the list is long. This sort of makes international aid absurd. Or is it just me?! The international aid doesn't cover these cars (I hope), in stead international aid very often facilitates attitude changes on i.e. good governance and anti-corruption. And it seems like Uganda is providing enough work for international aid organisations for years to come. So - maybe we'll all benefit?

Listen to what some of the members argue. In particular, I like the one arguing that she will get a headache going upcountry - to Koboko (if in a second hand car)...

• Margaret Baba Diri (Koboko), NRM
  I will get the money. Getting a vehicle is very expensive, second hand vehicles give headache especially when you are travelling upcountry.
• Hanifa Kawooya Bangirana
  (Ssembabule), NRM
  It is not the first time MPs are being facilitated to perform their duties. They have to deliver their services and I look at that as facilitation. We should be supported to ensure that we perform.
• Bucyanayandi Tress
  (Bufumbira), Independent
  The cost of new vehicles has gone up and the amount is justifiable.
• Omara Atubo
  (Otuke), Independent
  It is a matter of principle. The policy has been there since the Obote time. I support that all MPs be facilitated with transport.
• Nulu Byamukama
  (Kitagwenda), NRM
  Why not take the money? It is even too little compared to what other civil servants get. Let them purchase for us vehicles worth that amount.
• Emmanuel Dombo
  (Bunyole), Independent
  The Shs60 million buys a car of 1998 [model]. We would have preferred brand new cars which cost more than Shs200 million.
• Mr Edward Ssekandi
  (Speaker), NRM
  Why not? I took it in the Sixth Parliament, Seventh Parliament and what has changed this time? It is not new for members to be facilitated.
• Pereza Ahabwe
  (Rubanda East), NRM
  We are worthy that money and no MP will reject it. Am waiting for it because I need facilitation
• Zaake Kibedi
  (Youth Eastern), NRM
  As a leader, I have a big role to play. I have to seek my people's views, legislate and inform them. To do all that, I need transport. I’m in total support of the money to buy good cars for MPs.

Check the full list here.

When you are offered things for 'free'

When I drove out of Arua last Tuesday, I was stopped by the traffic police at the speed control some 10  km from Arua. Two smiling men in tight khaki-uniforms. The acceptable limit is 50 km/hour, and I drove 73. My first thought was - '73 km/hour is a bit ridiculous' -  the fine is the same disregarding the speed. Anyway, apparently I am not as insane as the ones who get caught for 120 km/hour...

Fair enough. I am then asking them to write me the fine to get it over and done with. Instead they start beating round the bush with questions like: 'How do you pronounce your surname in Danish?' and 'Are you really that person in the picture?' (pointing at my international driver's licence). All questions to add time for me to realize that they want something else, and the session hasn't lasted long, before the big guy suggest that 'instead of me paying the 100.000 UGS, they could also just warn me at a price I decide'.

For a 100.000 UGS I could get 5 nights including breakfast at the best guesthouse in Arua, Del' Ambience; I could get a whole month of Internet subscription and around 6 meals of sushi in Kampala.

No doubt, the officers think their idea is brilliant - they get cash and I wouldn't have to let go of 100.000 UGS. I mean, MS doesn't cover our speed fines, for sure. However, the easy way out honestly doesn't occur to me. It is not worth it, and I would also rather pay for the sight of the look on their faces when I ask: 'I am sorry, but what you ask me, I don't understand. In my country we call it corruption. Are you really asking me to pay you money without I get a receipt!?'  The officer smiles, indicating; 'Finally, this muzungu woman gets the point'.

The officers are actually very polite, but also very insisting. Implying that the alternative is to take my car back for inspection in Arua, which would be some hell of a good waste of time for all. This conversation starts to annoy me, strangely they offer no attempt to write me the bill. So - I go: 'You know I work for this Danish NGO and we promote good governance, democracy and anti-corruption. Pointing at my logo, getting terribly pretentious and self-rightious: ' - I have to be a good example myself. You should do the same thing, man! Cut out this corruption business!'. Driving in a car with an MS-logo obliges you. Working with MS does. The red cars are famous from Adjumani and all the way down to Kampala, and if one development worker sticks out, we are all associated.

I would have been pissed off with me, if I was him. Instead, he states - 'Ok, you better continue your work. This time you get it all for free. This time, we only warn you'. They didn't even bother to write me an official fine. Nothing.

Uganda has been rated among the most corrupt countries. In company with Iraq and Congo. Scandinavia among the least corrupt nations. Take a look here: http://ww1.transparency.org/cpi/2005/cpi2005_infocus.html