Her heart beat faster than a throbbing drum. She kept counting the seconds thinking this was just a dream or a figment of her imagination. 'Diane!' the secretary called out. She jumped up startled looking at the secretary. She was tall, pretty and well-dressed. As she walked through the door, she pictured herself as a successful business mogul.
For two years after graduating with a bachelor's in Business Management, moving from one interview to the next, one dead end job after another Sandra Kalungi, knew this was her dream job. She was finally going to design clothes and travel to exotic places which had been her childhood dream ever since she could remember.
At least this is what the job agent from Smart Career path had promised her.
She was sure this was not a scum because they had quickly processed her travel documents. Also the agent had showed her a whole lot of documentation to reassure her that it was a legitimate business.
'My life will never be the same.' is all Sandra can say about the whole predicament. Sandra is one of the victims of the dangerous 'business' that is human trafficking. She sold all her property including a piece of land left for her by her late father and all her furniture in order for her to pursue a brighter future in Dubai which Sidney Kantu her job agent had promised her. She was to work for a design agency Al freed Designs as a personal assistant to one Amina Alfrid supposedly a well known designer in Dubai. She would have a chance to work her way up and possibly start her own design company one day.
When Sandra arrived in Dubai,she was quickly stripped of all her belongings and forced to work as a domestic maid for a large rich family. While there she worked 20hr long days where she did everything from washing clothes to cooking, looking after the children name it, she did it. She said it wouldn't have been so bad if her 'owners' had at least accorded her the least form of respect. She was regularly used as a personal punching bag for the whole family and raped on several occasions by the man of the house and his sons.
On many occasions she was caught and beaten up for trying to escape. Luckily for her one fateful morning she was able to jump over the gate in the night. She frantically flailed her arms trying to get a lift from people driving past.
Finally, a good Samaritan, a middle aged woman stopped and offered her a lift. With a little hesitation she jumped into the car and told the woman to drive fast. She had no idea where she was as for the past year she had been locked up like a caged animal.
After settling down, she narrated her whole ordeal to the woman. She was really touched and shed a few tears. She put her up for the night and the following morning took her to the Ugandan embassy. The officials there helped her to get back to Uganda.
However she says little is being done to reduce human trafficking and many times after the victims get back home they are forced to fend for themselves. In the six months since Sandra came back she considered taking her own life as she had to start life from scratch.
However she has put the past behind her and is trying to move forward. She has teamed up with a group of fellow human trafficking survivors and started a Non Governmental Organisation to fight against this vice and also help to rehabilitate and assist the victims as well
Friday, August 16, 2013
Ugandan Weddings
With the spectacular show of pomp and flair, the whole farce is nothing short of circus. A typical Ugandan wedding would cost you a small fortune. It's no wonder then that cohabitation is the norm today. People can barely make ends meet with the current economic situation much less afford a wedding.
At least everyone who owns a mobile phone today has received a text message inviting them for a wedding meeting.In many cases you might not even know the couple getting married. The wedding meeting phenomenon is whereby a couple getting married invites friends, family and well-wishers for a series of meetings to help and contribute towards their wedding.
The wedding has become so superficial that the ceremony has lost it's sentimental value and has become a huge extravaganza as every couple tries to outdo the last. Even the former prime minister Professor Apollo Nsibambi has something to say about this. At launch of the Great wall of fame that was held on Friday evening at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala he said,“During wedding ceremonies people fundraise too much money, give out presents in form of cars, cows, television sets and bring hundreds of people to escort them because they simply want to show off,” He encouraged the youth to invest the money instead in order to create employment opportunities.
The worst part of these expensive extravaganzas is instead of concentrating on the marriage people are so wrapped up in the wedding preparations. As a result many couples start their married life broke or in debt.
Maybe this materialistic outlook on marriage is one of the contributing factors to the high rate of divorce and separation among married couples. In contrast weddings in earlier times were inexpensive yet tasteful and marriages also lasted longer than the ones of today
Long story short a wedding should be an intimate affair with close friends and loved ones. It should have sentimental value as it is a special day. However if you choose to have a huge wedding cut your coat according to your cloth. Don't spend for the sake of spending or to show off. Remember, it's your day and not a circus show.
At least everyone who owns a mobile phone today has received a text message inviting them for a wedding meeting.In many cases you might not even know the couple getting married. The wedding meeting phenomenon is whereby a couple getting married invites friends, family and well-wishers for a series of meetings to help and contribute towards their wedding.
The wedding has become so superficial that the ceremony has lost it's sentimental value and has become a huge extravaganza as every couple tries to outdo the last. Even the former prime minister Professor Apollo Nsibambi has something to say about this. At launch of the Great wall of fame that was held on Friday evening at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala he said,“During wedding ceremonies people fundraise too much money, give out presents in form of cars, cows, television sets and bring hundreds of people to escort them because they simply want to show off,” He encouraged the youth to invest the money instead in order to create employment opportunities.
The worst part of these expensive extravaganzas is instead of concentrating on the marriage people are so wrapped up in the wedding preparations. As a result many couples start their married life broke or in debt.
Maybe this materialistic outlook on marriage is one of the contributing factors to the high rate of divorce and separation among married couples. In contrast weddings in earlier times were inexpensive yet tasteful and marriages also lasted longer than the ones of today
Long story short a wedding should be an intimate affair with close friends and loved ones. It should have sentimental value as it is a special day. However if you choose to have a huge wedding cut your coat according to your cloth. Don't spend for the sake of spending or to show off. Remember, it's your day and not a circus show.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
The Uganda Film Industry
Evidenced by the flooding of the Ugandan media waves with Nigerian movies and South American soaps, the film industry here leaves a lot to be desired. On the few television stations where Ugandan films and soaps are aired, the quality is below standard
When you compare the American films, series and soaps, their quality, cast and plots are much more interesting and reel the viewer in as compared to their Ugandan counterparts. Also the Nigerians have come a long way in the past 20 years of movie production, in their film industry, Nollywood as we know it. Not only do most Ugandan movies and series have the same old boring plots but the quality of production is poor too.
But what is the way forward for this industry? A prominent film producer and actress, Mariam Ndagire well known for her films like; Down This Road I Walk, Dear Mum and the series; Tendo Sisters which have received international acclaim says; “Filming requires talent, passion and discipline. Hard work can turn the Ugandan film industry into the greatest employer.” Most of all just like Mariam Ndagire most people in the film industry require professional training and education in order to improve on the quality of our films.
The film industry in Uganda although budding is close to non-existent on the international map. Most of the movies and series produced are below standard, have the same old story lines
There is a general lack of originality and right from the plot to the acting and production unprofessionalism is apparent.
However, the fact that we do have a film industry is in itself a positive.With the professional training of the stakeholders in the industry and a lot more investment in film, the future can only be brighter.
When you compare the American films, series and soaps, their quality, cast and plots are much more interesting and reel the viewer in as compared to their Ugandan counterparts. Also the Nigerians have come a long way in the past 20 years of movie production, in their film industry, Nollywood as we know it. Not only do most Ugandan movies and series have the same old boring plots but the quality of production is poor too.
But what is the way forward for this industry? A prominent film producer and actress, Mariam Ndagire well known for her films like; Down This Road I Walk, Dear Mum and the series; Tendo Sisters which have received international acclaim says; “Filming requires talent, passion and discipline. Hard work can turn the Ugandan film industry into the greatest employer.” Most of all just like Mariam Ndagire most people in the film industry require professional training and education in order to improve on the quality of our films.
The film industry in Uganda although budding is close to non-existent on the international map. Most of the movies and series produced are below standard, have the same old story lines
There is a general lack of originality and right from the plot to the acting and production unprofessionalism is apparent.
However, the fact that we do have a film industry is in itself a positive.With the professional training of the stakeholders in the industry and a lot more investment in film, the future can only be brighter.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Let Madiba Go
"Do not allow pain and loss, to stop the process of living." These are the words of Trent Thomas. Wise words considering the medical condition of our African hero and Father, Nelson Mandela also known as Madiba.
This is the second day since Madiba was hospitalised for a lung infection. His condition is serious though he's reported to be stable. The 94 year old has fought the good fight and maybe it is high time we said our goodbyes and bid him goodbye since he is clearly in a lot of pain.
As Madiba said, "I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." And as it is apparently clear that this legend has climbed his mountains and he has set the pace for us to follow.
Nelson Mandela fought the good fight against apartheid and as a result was imprisoned for 27 good years. He passed on the mantle of good leadership as he retired from presidency after one presidential term unlike many African leaders. He spoke out against discrimination of any form and was clearly one of the greatest freedom fighters.
Therefore as Africans and people of the world it is time we thanked this legend for all he has done as he passes on the mantle to the youth. his legacy of freedom fighting and great leadership skills will leave a great impact on us and generations to come.
This is the second day since Madiba was hospitalised for a lung infection. His condition is serious though he's reported to be stable. The 94 year old has fought the good fight and maybe it is high time we said our goodbyes and bid him goodbye since he is clearly in a lot of pain.
As Madiba said, "I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." And as it is apparently clear that this legend has climbed his mountains and he has set the pace for us to follow.
Nelson Mandela fought the good fight against apartheid and as a result was imprisoned for 27 good years. He passed on the mantle of good leadership as he retired from presidency after one presidential term unlike many African leaders. He spoke out against discrimination of any form and was clearly one of the greatest freedom fighters.
Therefore as Africans and people of the world it is time we thanked this legend for all he has done as he passes on the mantle to the youth. his legacy of freedom fighting and great leadership skills will leave a great impact on us and generations to come.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monitor, Red Pepper Under Seige.
By Arinaitwe Elsa Is freedom of expression a fundamental right in Uganda? Yes but clearly it comes with terms and conditions. It has been eight days, since the siege and occupation of Monitor publications even after the court ordered for the men in uniform to leave
Red Pepper is also still under siege and seeking court intervention to compel the armed police to vacate their Namanve offices
Red Pepper is also still under siege and seeking court intervention to compel the armed police to vacate their Namanve offices
Mr Alex Asiimwe, the Monitor Publications Managing Director, said on Monday that discussions around the matter (closure) are now going on "at the highest level possible."
“We are not yet opened,” Mr Asiimwe said; “but by close of business today or tomorrow we
would have gotten an idea of when we will resume our normal
operations.” He said: “As per now I do not have clear timelines but
engagements with authorities are progressing.”
On Monday last week, gun wielding policemen raided Monitor publications stopping operations of the publication.They also shut down Ddembe and Kfm which are also housed in the premises.
The police instead of sticking to their search warrant shut down the premises. They had a search warrant to search for a letter written by General Sejusa Tinyefunza the Coordinator of Intelligence Services, alleging that there was a plot to eliminate top government figures who are opposed to the "Muhoozi Project."
This letter written to the Director General of Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Col Ronnie Balya alleged that those opposed to the take over of the presidency of Mr. Museveni by his son Muhoozi would be assassinated
As referenced from.
Ismail Musa Ladu
iladu@ug.nationmedia.com
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Monitor--Red-Pepper-premises-still-under-police-occupation/-/688334/1864064/-/vadaou/-/index.html
On Monday last week, gun wielding policemen raided Monitor publications stopping operations of the publication.They also shut down Ddembe and Kfm which are also housed in the premises.
The police instead of sticking to their search warrant shut down the premises. They had a search warrant to search for a letter written by General Sejusa Tinyefunza the Coordinator of Intelligence Services, alleging that there was a plot to eliminate top government figures who are opposed to the "Muhoozi Project."
This letter written to the Director General of Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Col Ronnie Balya alleged that those opposed to the take over of the presidency of Mr. Museveni by his son Muhoozi would be assassinated
As referenced from.
Ismail Musa Ladu
iladu@ug.nationmedia.com
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Monitor--Red-Pepper-premises-still-under-police-occupation/-/688334/1864064/-/vadaou/-/index.html
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