US AGENCY TO ASSIST UGANDA ORGANISE HER TRADE IN OIL.

< By Leo Odera Omolo, API/APN correspondent

26/10/07

  

API/APN in Kampala, Uganda - The United States of America’s Trade and development Agency, USTDA, has procured a US based Consultant, RKR Enterprise, to explore Uganda’s emerging Petroleum and gas industry.

The consultant firm will advise on where the US may ‘’grant assistance’’.

‘’Potential actions that could result from the mission include technical assistance programme, feasibility studies, training activities or orientation visits,’’ statement issued by USTDP.

‘’The actions are to assist the Ugandan government in achieving its development objectives in the oil and gas sector, adds the statement.

According to a report appearing in the Today’s edition of the MONITOR, the US move is consonant with a recent wave of diplomatic overtures extended by China, India and other nations all eager to carve out their share of the unfolding petroleum bounty. Currently, competition is intensifying among the world major powers (US China, India and EU) for the dwindling world petroleum resources.

China has particularly upset the energy status quo as its demand for oil to fuel its industrial juggernaut has upped at a terrifying speed.

Uganda currently has confirmed production capacity of about 30,000 barrels of oil per day from four exploratory wells that were flow-tested. But exploration activity is continuing in Western Uganda and the two companies – Heritage Oil and Gas and Tullow-Oil which have already made discoveries are optimistic, greater reserves of oil will soon be realized.

USTDA said it would assist the Uganda government with technical expertise and training on a ‘’grants basis’’ as it seeks to harness its oil and gas resources.

After initial research and information gathering meetings in the United States RKR Enterprise officials are expected to travel to Uganda to meet with public and private sector.

Ends.

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COMMONWEALTH LEADERS TO DISCUSS GOOD GOVERNANC, DEMOCRACY, ECONOMICS AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

<By Leo Odera Omolo, API/APN correspondent,

Kampala

26/10/07

 

API/APN in Kampala, Uganda - The Commonwealth heads of government are expected to discuss obstacles to free global trade and good governance when they assemble in the Ugandan capital, Kampala for a summit next month.

The tentative agenda for the summit shows the leaders will focus their attention on promotion of principles of good governance including, democracy, human rights, freedom of the press and separation of powers among the organs of government.

Other key issues expected to be on the agenda table include climate change, international rade, intra-trade in the Commonwealth, concerns of small states and Islands, follow ups on 2005 Malta resolution and the threat of terrorism and development of weapons of mass destruction.

The Kampala summit is also expected to elect a new Secretary General, to discuss the criteria of admission of new members and networking the Commonwealth for development through information technology.

James Mugumo the Permanent Secretary in the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the discussion would centre on the theme CHOGM 2007, ‘’Transforming’’.

Ambassador Mugume said for the Commonwealth societies to achieve political economic and development, ‘’we are asking what lessons from those who recently industrialized? Ambassador Mugume was briefing ythe newsmen on the preparation for CHOGM. He was in the company of CHOGM summit organizing committee chairman Job Elobu and Florence Kyasiimire.

He said the parallel meetings the Youth Forum Business, Business Council.

People’s Forum and Foreign Affairs Ministers will also discuss how society can be transformed.

‘’We are looking at CHOGM as the first step of transforming our society. In 1971 Singapore hosted the summit, their premier Lee Khan Yew told his people ‘’you cannot do this, we have big guest coming. Now Singapore is one of the cleanest cities in the world, Mugume explained.

Long after CHOGM has ended, people all over the world will remember CHOGM not because of the hotels and roads built but the declarations made by leaders on these issues.

‘’They will be referred to as Kampala declaration just like we have the Singapore principles and Harare declarations,’’ Mugame said adding that the Commonwealth Ministers Action Group would deal with ‘’countries under distress’’ like Fiji, where there was a military coup and Pakistan, whose President is being monitored on how he will handle the transition.

Meanwhile the Speke Resort Munyonyo hotel in Kampala has completed constructing the 55 Presidential suites where heads of State coming for the Commonwealth Summit (CHOGM) will be accommodated.

The proprietor of Speke Resort Munyonyo, Mr. Sudhir Ruperalia told the Parliamentary select committee on CHOGM that four more presidential suites would be completed by November 10 to make a total of 59 suites.

The Ugandan legislators led by Onyango Kakoba were touring the hotel to ascertain its readiness for the CHOGM meeting schedule for next month.

Ruperalia told the MPs that the 59 suites have cost USD 32 million (about Ushs 50 billion). He added that the facility had 585 rooms, that would be ready for CHOGM by November 10. The first structure has 355 rooms, rated under 4 star and the new one has 230 rooms under 5 star’’ he said.

Meanwhile hotels in neighbouring cities of Kigali (Rwanda), Nairobi (Kenya) and Dar ES Salaam (Tanzania) could as well get their rooms ready as they stand to earn something big from next month CHOGM Summit in Kampala.

A survey of the hotels in and around Kampala City listed to host delegates to next month’s Commonwealth meeting (CHOGM) indicate that as much as the rooms could be sufficient, many of the hotels are lacking in standards.

Most of the so-called appropriate CHOGM accommodation facilities are either small obscure hotels located in shanty city suburbs or lacked some basic facilities that befits the accommodation of VIPs.

According to the official list of hotels obtained about half of the approved 114 CHOGM hotels are small obscure hotels, apartments and guest houses located in noisy, slummy and not-easily accessible areas!!

The areas include Bwaise, Ndeeba, Kitintale, Bakuli, Nakawa, Kureka, Kuyembe lane, Luwum street, Matungo – Biina, Hoima Road and Nakawa.

Some of the places have their access roads in sorry state.

A spokesman of the CHOGM 2007 taskforce Mr. Kagole Kivumbi said at least 5,677 rooms are now ready.

The nearby Kenyan City, Kisumu on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria might also be considered and some CHOGM guest relocated near Kisumu has two 4 – Star hotels the Imperial and the Sunset.

Ends.

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WE WANT MAJIMBO IN KENYA .

Author : Onyango

Commentary

PEOPLE SHOULD MOVE BACK TO THERE HOME PLACE AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS BY MAJIMBO .THE ONLY HOPE WE HAVE IS RAILA.

RAILA FOR MAJIMBO. AT KISUMU THE SHOPS ARE OWNED BY INDIANS AND OTHER TRIBES IF MAJIMBO IS INTRODUCED WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET ALL THE SHOPS AND MOVE NON KISUMU PEOPLE FROM KISUMU.

I AM SURE RAILA WILL BE THE PRESIDENT AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LEAVE WHERE THEY ARE NOT SUPOSED TO BE, THEY SHOULD GET READY TO MOVE BACK TO THERE LAND.

I MEAN ALL KIKUYUS SHOULD MOVE BACK TO CENTRAL PROVINCE .

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Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a means for development - Zambia

<By Wilfred Zulu, API/APN correspondent

API/APN in Lusaka – Zambia like most developing countries, has embraced what are called Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a means for development. The term ICT has recently become common parlance among Zambians, especially tech savvy urban folk.

ICTs can provide the much-needed impetus for development. Having recognized the importance of ICTs for development, the Zambian government embarked on a process to establish a regulatory framework for ICTs in development.

Early this year, government unveiled draft legislation aimed at establishing an independent regulator encompassing telecommunication, broadcasting and related technologies.

Stakeholders from government, business, civil society and media made their input into the draft ‘Electronic Communications Bill 2007’.

The legislation proposes the establishment of an Electronic Communications Authority (ECA), an autonomous and technologically neutral regulator, capable of bringing all ICT related technologies under one law.

ICT Policy Development Officer at the Ministry of Communications and Transport, Victor Mbumwea said there was a thin line between broadcasting and telecommunications technologies, hence the need for the two to be merged.

‘In Zambia today, we have a situation where broadcasting strays into the telecommunications arena and vice verse,” Mbumwea said at the workshop.

Therefore, the draft bill is in response to global trends where there is convergence of broadcasting, telecommunication, internet and related technologies, with tremendous potential for economic growth.

Although the Electronic Communications Bill intends to facilitate convergence, the law, once passed, would exist side-by-side with the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which regulates broadcasting.

Legal Consultant, Cameron Whittefield, who was hired by government to advise on the reform of telecommunications regulation in Zambia, said although the transition to a fully converged regulator was difficult, it was worth trying.

“Malaysia which introduced a fully converged regime in the 1990s, found it to be a long and complicated process which required specific expertise. It may be complex for Zambia, but it is good for development in the long run,” he said.

With the existence of the IBA Act to regulate broadcasting, the proposed enactment of the ECA has stirred debate.

“Since the IBA has already been created and is presently law, it must be given an opportunity to develop in order for the nation to create a vibrant broadcasting sector,” said Edward Mwanza, a media consultant.

He added that it was interesting that television, for example, could be used to watch programmes, shop and communicate, while mobile phones were now capable of receiving audio and video signals, thereby creating a need for converged regulation.

Today in Zambia, it has increasingly become common to meet someone listening to a radio newscast on their cell phone.

So, should the country adopt a converged telecommunication regulatory regime or not, in view of all this?

Such a regime might reduce costs and enhance coordination, instead of having several regulatory regimes operating in isolation. In addition, it might also lead to the creation of jobs in the ICT sector, a welcome development in light of Zambia’s high unemployment.

Developed countries which have converged regulators, have had many years to develop their broadcasting and telecommunication industries. It is only in recent decades that they have converged.

Zambians ought to be allowed to take their time before deciding on a converged regulator just because such a model is en vogue.

The experience of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) where the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors were merged, after initially being regulated separately, is that to all intents and purposes the two sectors are separately regulated in spite of coming under the auspices of ICASA. Presently, however, South Africa has also recognized the need for real convergence.

Sooner rather than later, Zambia will also have to embrace technological convergence, but this must be done in a manner that allows the fledging broadcasting industry to develop, as envisaged in the IBA Act of 2002.

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AFRICAN SCHOLARS SEEK WAYS OF STOPPING BRAIN DRAIN FROM THE CONTINENT.

<By Leo Odera Omolo, API/APN correspondent

Kisumu, Kenya

25/10/07

 

At least 300 chief executives of African Universities across the continent are currently meeting in the Libyan Capital, Tripoli to discuss the alarming increasing problem of brain drain of skilled manpower that costs Africa USD 4 billion annually.

According to a report emerging out of Tripoli, leading donors and multilateral agencies, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB) have challenged the academics to come up with strategies to turn the skills in the Diaspora into a ‘’brain gain’’.

The ADB vice President Dr Zainah E. Bakori posed a pertinent question: ‘’How do we effectively and innovatively harness and utilize the immense intellectual, technical and financial resources of the African Diaspora that remain largely untapped toward faster poverty reduction on the continent?’’

Dr. El Bakari is the ADB’s vice President for sector operation. He made the remarks during the opening of the conference.

Peter Materu of the World Bank argued ‘’global experiences suggest that though it is difficult to stop migration of skills; it is possible to strategically harness the Diaspora as a source that can complement other efforts.

Materu said at the tertiary skills level, Africa has the largest proportion of the tertiary level skills stock outside the continent compared to the total stock available, which is small in the first place’’

The Tripoli conference is being held at the Bab Al Bahr Resort on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It was organized by the Association of African Universities (AAU), the Seventh of April University – Libya in collaboration with Gadhafi Development Foundation.

The conference, according to a Kenyan participant is being held under the theme ‘’The African Brain Drain – Managing the drain working with the Diaspora’’. It was officially opened by the Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Abdelhafeed Zalitni and addresses by among others, the AAU President Prof Njabulo Ndebele, the secretary General Prof Akilapka Sweyer the Seventh of April University President Prof. Shaebau Taher and Nadia Zakri of the African Union Commission.

The conference will feature 16 papers to be presented by experts from within and outside Africa, who will be discussing the issue of ‘’brain drain’’.

AAU is a non-profit continental membership organization started in 1967 by 34 African Universities, but today has a membership of 206. its main objective is to promote cooperation among the member institutions in the whole of African Continent.

Ends.

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Multidimensional and Integrated Peace Operations

The strategic aims of peace operations have changed fundamentally in recent years, and UN Security Council mandates are increasingly multi-dimensional in purpose. This challenges all stakeholders to respond in kind.  It has become ever clearer that the complex range of approaches and instruments that are employed in peace operations require some form of integration if lasting peace is to be secured. Although the UN has taken important steps by adopting innovative policies, mechanisms and programmes, significant challenges remain in relation to improving the integration and coordination of both multilateral and bilateral efforts in countries affected by war.

 

It is against this backdrop that the Norwegian Government has initiated a project to follow up on the report by the United Nations Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and the subsequent conference, launching its findings, in Oslo in May 2005.  A series of regional consultations, and seminars for stakeholders have been held around the world, including Beijing, Addis Ababa, Geneva, New York, Johannesburg and Brussels. The seminars are intended to provide a forum for stakeholders in multidimensional peace operations to exchange views and propose improvements to current practices related to the integrated missions concept. The seminars have featured a number of high-level speakers, including key policy makers from UN member states, the UN Secretariat, UN funds and programmes, international financial institutions, regional organisations, and civil society. 

The main themes include:

• How to reconcile mandates/efforts to improve the coherence and impact of the UN response in conflicts;
• How to better support the peace processes by linking the peacemaking efforts with the conception, planning and implementation of a multidimensional and integrated peace operation;
• How to improve the alignment of mandates, resources and practices;
• How integrated peace operations can enhance effective protection of civilians, while safeguarding the independence and impartiality of humanitarian efforts; and
• How integrated peace operations can augment a demographically and gender sensitive approach.

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Kenya politics - LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD.

Author : Kenyan

Commentary:
WE AS KENYANS ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ENORMOUS DANGERS OF GOING INTO AN ELECTION WITH VARIOUS PARTIES HAVING SECRET AGREEMENTS UNBEKNOWN TO THE VOTERS AND THE GENERAL POPULATION AT LARGE.
 
THE SECRET MOU OF 2002 WAS A GREAT LESSON FOR KENYANS AND THE COUNTRY SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN DOWN THAT ROUTE EVER AGAIN.
A REPEAT OF THE SAME IS IN THE OFFING BUT THIS TIME WITH SUCH FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS THAT WILL SHATTER THE WAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN OUR BELOVED COUNTRY.
 
THE PNU PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MWAI KIBAKI, HAS ENTERED INTO A SECRET MOU WITH UHURU KENYATTA ON THE SUCCESSION. THE KIKUYUS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR GEMA BROTHERS FROM MT KENYA, WILL SUPPORT KIBAKI’S PRESIDENTIAL BID IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTION, 2007, AND IN
2012 THEY WILL ALL THROW THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND UHURU KNYATTA AS THE 4th PRESIDENT OF KENYA AND THE 3rd ONE FROM THE KIKUYUS.
 
IN RETURN, UHURU HAS PROMISED TO MAITAIN THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION THAT WILL ASSURE HIM OF ABSOLUTE POWER AND GROOM JIMMY KIBAKI TO TAKE OVER IN 2023.THIS WILL ENSURE THAT LEADERSHIP IS MAINTAINED IN THE HOUSE OF MUMBI FOREVER.
 
THIS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WILL SEE THE BEGINNING OF A DETERMINED QUEST TO HAVE THE KIKUYU DOMINANCE IN OUR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL LIFE.THIS THEY HAVE SWORN THAT ONCE KIBAKI IS RE-ELECTED THEY WILL IMPLEMENT TO THE LETTER AND THE PRESIDENCY WILL NEVER GO BEYOND KIKUYU LAND.
 
COME 2012 AND WITH THE KIBAI PRESIDENCY COMING TO AN END, THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING STATES THAT POWER WILL NOW SHIFT TO UHURU/JIMMY KIBAKI FOR A MORE YOUTHFUL KIKUYU GENERATION.AS IS EVIDENCED BY THIS MOU THE LUHYA VICE PRESIDENCY IS JUST A PLOY TO GET THE LUHYA VOTE AND NOT TO HAND OVER TO THEM, PEOPLE WHO KIBAKI AND THE KIKUYUS DESPISES AS A SPINELESS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EASILY SWAYED AND HAVE NO ABILITY TO RULE.
 
UHURU STEPPING DOWN FOR KIBAKI WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT BUT A WELL CALCULATED MOVE BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE INTENT ON IMPOSING THEIR WAY OF LIFE UPON MILLIONS OF UNSUSPECTING KENYANS. WHY ELSE DID KIBAKI REFER TO UHURU AS THE BEST LEADER KENYA WILL HAVE AT KASARANI DURING KANU NDC?
 
THE FREQUENT AND VICIOUS ATTACKS ON RAILA BY UHURU AND THE KIKUYUS ARE DRIVEN BY THE FEARS THAT A RAILA PRESIDENCY WOULD DERAIL THEIR WELL LAID OUT PLANS DUE TO RAILAʼS STRONG CONVICTION FOR CHANGING THIS COUNTRY AND DEVOLVING POWER AND RESOURCES TO OTHER 41 TRIBES THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY EXPOSE THE KIKUYU SELFISHNESS.
 
THIS IS WHAT LED UHURU TO SWEAR THAT THEY WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR A NON-KIKUYU AND NEVER ECCEPT A NON-KIKUYU PRESIDENT LIKE WHAT THEY DID TO MOI DURING HIS 24 YEARS.
 
 
KIKUYUʼS OPEN GREED TO RULE THE COUNTRY COUPLED BY THE FACT THAT THEY IN 1969 AND 1984 TOOK AN OATH NEVER TO SUPPORT ANY OTHER PERSON EXCEPT ONE OF THEIR OWN IS PART OF THIS LAID PLAN. WHEN IN 2005 THE KIKUYU RELIGIOUS LEADERS ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE LEADERS DE-OATH THEY WERE FLATLY REJECTED AND THATʼS THE REASON BISHOP GITHII OF PCEA HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE ABOUT DEVILS SIGNS IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES..
 
 
THEIR DETERMINATION TO FORESTALL THE BOMAS DRAFT, PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE IT CALLS FOR THE DEVOLVEMENT OF POWER AND RESOURCES TO OTHER REGIONS IS THE HEIGHT OF THIS SELFISHNESS.
 
ENTER 2013, ENTER UHURU. AS IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE KIBAKI PRESIDENCY, UHURU ENTRY WILL BE MARKED WITH THE CLAMOR, BY THE KIKUYUʼS, FOR THE LEADERSHIP TO REMAIN IN THE HOUSE OF MUMBI FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS
 
FUTURE GENERATIONS OF KENYANS, OUR CHILDREN INCLUDED, WILL NEVER FORGIVE OUR GENERATION FOR MAKING DECISIONS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY RENDER THEM SLAVES OF KIKUYUS, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH THE LIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING FED TO US.
 
LET US STAND UP AND DEFEND OUR COUNTRY, LET US STAND UP AND DEFEND OUR PEOPLE AGAINST KIKUYU APARTHEID.
 
 
CONCERNED KENYAN
________________________________

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Resistance to colonialism in the African continent was never a coordinated adventure - Kenya

Author : Victor Gekara

Commentary:
This is one of those articles composed out of (1)ignorance of historical facts (2) carelessness (3) the need to blindly and emotionally defend one’s tribe. Such words as the ones used in this article have the potential to inflame people during an election charged atmosphere as reigns in Kenya right now. First, the author gets her facts wrong about the Agikuyu showing the rest of Africa the way to resistance.

Note, resistance to colonialism in the African continemt was never a coordinated adventure. There was, therefore, no model that might have been copied from or inspired by the Agikuyu. Second, the author suggests that the Agikuyu are more hardworking than any other tribes in Kenya which is, at best, regretable.

She goes ahead to posit that her tribe bore the brunt of imperialism in Kenya and quite conveniently ignores all the other communities that suffered the same, possibly more, namely the Maasai whose land was confistcated in large chunks, including where Nairobi is located, the Nandi whose highlands were converted into the ‘white highlands’, the Mijikenda of the coast and, indeed, all the other tribes in Kenya who suffered colonial opprression either directly or indirectly. The fact is that resistance was taking place all over the country, much more intense in some areas than others admittedly.

The question to pose to the author of this article is why our politics in the 21st century should be still driven by the issues of the colonial era? Why does she seem to suggest that Kenya should be eternally grateful to the Gikuyu and let their own rule even when he (Kibaki) has demonstrated quite clearly that he wishes to continue the tribal, nepotistic and corrupt legacies of both Kenyatta and Moi? In fact, on the subject of resistance, she should more history - Real history, not the doctored ribbish that the KIE feeds on Kenyan children thus damning them to eternal darkness on the history of their country and continent.

If she ventured to read more widely she would find out that MAU MAU was never supported by the majority of the Gikuyu people; it was demonised by the sons of colonial chiefs like Michuki and Kenyatta who termaed them hooligans because they wanted to eventually take their place at the right-hand-side of the colonial oppressors and inherit their kingdom. Meanwhile
the likes of Oginga. Oneko, Kaggia and a host of others were fighting imperialism. Should the author need a reading list I am willing to provide one.

If we are to mature politically and grow economically and socially as a country we must be careful about some of the uninformed statements that we carelessly make.

In defending his ‘master’recently Dr. Machage claimed that Majimboism is a plot to steal the wealth of hardworking communities in order to give it to lazy ones thereby implying that the people of the coast, especially, and others around the country who have called for the system for a long time are lazy and only a few ‘including’ those in central, where he was addressing a rally, are hardworking. The author is one who is easily influenced by the tribal sentiments of such careless and thoughtless politicians who should not be representing the public in the important task of political, social and economic management.

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