What network are you on?- A Character Exhibition

Two years ago I met up with Jesse "Tuks" as his friends know him and we shared ideas on how the youth and the future were the key to changing Uganda and its direction. he introduced me to the most debate and conversational conundrum i had faced to date. I still use this discussion in my talks with young people and as mind nibbler.

Jesse's passion about a righteous nation did not stem entirely from a religious stand point, but also from a deeply human place. He argued that a society's leaders were elected because they were the best that society had to offer; they were its torch bearers, they were the society's benchmark of morality, goodness, kindness, honesty, generousity, hospitality, diligence and passion! He was riled by the stories that were in the papers everyday where politicians, leaders, teachers, parents and icons just got caught up morally compromising situations. It angered him. Not because it prevented him from progressing but because he felt that with role models like this, the future was not protected - our children were not safe, and hence the nation stood on a precipice.A dangerous place where if we were not careful we would plunge into the abyss!

His friend Moses on the other hand believed that leaders were a reflection of what a society was. They had no moral right, or authority or right to be better than the people they led; they were after-all a selection from among the people. Hence in his argument, leaders were society's moral compass, telling of the society's decadence or its depravities.

However both these gentlemen agreed that something had to be done to heal a broken nation.they believed that today's generation had to do something to heal the divide otherwise it was only;y a matter of time until something catastrophic happened.Until the "Have-nots" rose up against the "Haves"and forced them to "return" what was theirs. It is a scenario that has played out across the world for millenia.

Enter Character.Inc, an organization formed to encourage young people to do the right thing, despite all the competing communication around them; don't litter, be honest, work diligently, never cheat, have integrity, have Character - because its "Worth the Price" 

This is how they express their call to all Ugandans, if you get this forward it on to someone, maybe we can build our community, one choice at a time.

And so when they went to Bududa district to take relief to the landslide victims this is what they had to show: Check out the BUDUDA.PDF REPORT.

Enough said.

Come to the Character Exhibition:

GO UGANDA!!!

Who is Charles Ssali?

Charles Ssali is an Icon in my eyes. This 12 year old has traveled the world talking to presidents, leaders, policy makers and pushers, literally everyone who cares to listen to commit to the fight against Malaria. He is the Ambassador of the “united malaria campaign” and the “Roll back Malaria Partnership”

I had a chance to speak to Charles when he ran by my office to drop off something and I realized something; Charles was a symbol of a brave new generation who were taking the fight to the world saying
"Its not enough to give Aid"; commit to see the end of Malaria-related deaths in the next five years. On his phone there are pictures of Charles standing with David Beckham, the President of WHO and other dignitaries.

I have questions with the fact that the campaign is funded by an American organization and that no African organization could have funded this. Or they could have but maybe oil-rich Libya, or Egypt or South Africa don't struggle with Malaria as much as we do.

In my tropical sub-Saharan country, Uganda, everyone is a survivor of malaria. In fact one of my American friends considered it a "badge of honour" to suffer from the parasites. Then I think about all the 8 million people who die every year across the continent because everyone on the planet will not commit to kicking out a parasite-driven disease denying us of our happiness.

Charles's story is an amazing story of triumph over extreme hardships, his guardian tells his story with teary eyes. He carries a sombre undercurrent about him and yet his smile, like a bolt, emerges when you talk about football. His life, his passion, his dream. He is not just an African boy chosen to carry a campaign. If they had searched the whole continent, I don't think a worthier candidate could have been found for his is indeed a story to fall in love with.

This Christmas, as you go through your new year's resolutions, Please commit to see to the end of Malaria, in your voice, talking to your people. We kicked polio out of Uganda, there is no reason why Malaria should stay.

If not for Charles Ssali, then do it for the hundreds of thousands of kids across the planet who need the chance to grow up and learn of David Beckham, or Samuel E'too, or even, Brian Umony. Let's give them a fighting chance.

Because imagine the look on his face when he walks up to Sepp Blatter next year to present him with the football signed on by so many others to endorse a campaign that will have traveled full circle around the globe to make it to the World Cup Final, where Charles will stand: at 13 years.

We can make it happen, we can help him achieve his dream.

PRESIDENT OF BURUNDI VISIT TO CIT.

When the President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunzinza, visited Uganda a few weeks ago to sign a MoU with the Government of Uganda, he took some time off to tour and talk to the people at Makerere University Faculty of Computing & IT.

Apart from touring the facility [currently Africa's largest computing, teaching, research, and consulting facility], he thanked Uganda for continuing to be the regional educational hub. He talked of the possibility of training Burundi graduates at the National Software Incubation Center, instruction in IT, the newly introduced Software Engineering Bachelor's Degree, and the now looming possibility of Uganda as a Business Processing and Outsourcing center for the region.

Some pictures from that occasion:

President Pierre Nkurunzinza with Makerere University Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera; and Faculty of Computing & IT, Head of Corporate Relations, Michael Niyitegeka

In the end, it matters more that he saw it fit to visit than that he signed an MoU with our government. the first counts, the second one, well...story of my life.