From somewhere in Portugal to somewhere in Uganda. Today’s podcast takes a few turns and comes with a bold declaration to take it back to the old school. Weekly podcasts are back? Can it be? Listen to all if it and subscribe in your podcast app. CTRP is in there somewhere.
Tag Archives: uganda
2 Days to Uganda Elections
We are less than 2 days from presidential elections in Uganda, a place that already is regularly left out of the front pages and trending topics in many parts of the world. When you add to its usual lack of coverage the fact that right now whatever international news is getting attention is focused on any and all protests in Algeria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Iraq or Bahrain, it is a bad time for anyone that wants to hear more from Uganda.
Myself in my own work, though I say I focus on under reported news, Uganda and Ugandan elections are topics that I have not touched on often enough. Still, with a president election this weekend, what I do know is that there is a president (Museveni) who has been in power for more than 25 years. Regardless if he would be a perfectly charming and benevolent president, 25 years qualifies as too long and a matter of suspicion for this citizen journalist. After having eliminated limits on how many terms a president can serve, the Ugandan leader has earned similar criticism and concern in his home country and among the international community.
In the lead up to this election, my sources on the ground have warned of fraud. They’re concerned with how easily it could happen, especially if the government can manipulate final vote counts. There is a need for eyes on the ground, for reporting, and observing. It seems anyone involved it trying to do so is going to have a major challenge on their hands. This challenge deserves the same kind of support we’ve seen pouring out over the past few weeks for Tunisia and Egypt.
One place I will be looking throughout this process, besides the various voices on twitter, is on the UgandaWatch site. UW is an Ushahidi report-mapping system where Ugandans can submit, via sms or web, reports about what they are seeing wherever they are in the country. This will help, though it doesn’t tell the complete story, to understand what is really going on compared to whatever the office of the president may tell us.
Let’s hope it is a good weekend for voters, journalists and election observers in Uganda.
bm180 What Blogging Means to Uganda
In the western world, blogs are famous for being both about nothing and something. We see different examples of how blogs are used everywhere as we travel the internets. But what about in Uganda; who is blogging, what are they talking about, and why?
my guest, sitting with me at a bakery in the heart of Amsterdam, is Josh from In An African Minute.
We talk about:
-What internet access is like in Uganda, how the average person accesses the net.
-Dominant media in Uganda, which are they, and how do they report the news.
– Bloggers in Uganda, what are they concerned about?
– who are the bloggers, the profiles of Ugandan bloggers.
– the importance of blogs in talking about events in Somalia, and the military deployment there.
– Computers in Uganda, and who has them.
– The future of the blogosphere, as compared to neighboring countries.
– And more.. so give it a listen!
We also mention the following recommended reading:
Jackfruity
GLobal Voices Online
Uganda’s Beloved American Blogger
The question is frequently posed: what do I like about living in Amsterdam.
One common answer, that proves very true this season, is that it feels as though Amsterdam is the center of the world. Or rather; a meeting point for the world, en route to somewhere else. Probably because that airport is so dam big!
This past weekend I had a visit from Josh, a man I know as a Uganda based blogger, originally from the US. I guess it’s more than just this city, but also the power of blogging, podcasting, etc., that made it possible for us to have exchanged emails a few weeks ago and finally meet for some drinks and important conversation.
We spoke at length about the role of the internet in Uganda, and perhaps in the larger African picture. The man has plans, and he has already kicked-started them. And underlying everything, is the hope that I share, that this technology must become more accessible, so that those that are disenfranchised, forgotten, disillusioned, lost, yearning for knowledge and communication; all these people and beyond, will have these tools which we enjoy here in the wealthy west, or elsewhere.
But indeed, it is a long way off in a country recovering from so much conflict and loss. Certainly a story that I hope to bring forward using my own tools, especially audio and video for all of you.
All-in-all, an excellent though brief meeting with another world citizen who is using his abilities and his strength to go somewhere very few are willing to go and doing a job that can truely make some direct impact on a population in need.