By Norbert Mao

The debate over political nomadism is a healthy one. Crosstitutes are everywhere. The debate about individual choices should also reinvigorate the debate about the role of political parties. Representative democracy needs political parties. That is why some of us campaigned tirelessly for multiparty democracy. But it is not enough to have political parties.

 Parties need internal cohesion, internal democracy, farsighted leadership, constructive inter party relations and creative management of internal conflicts. Unlike football leagues where star players are sold and bought, party politics shouldn’t be about mere power. It should also be about convictions. Without conviction, the exercise of power is an absurdity.

Someone once told me that party politics is characterized by three Ds – disloyalty, defiance and defection. Any party has to contend with those three hazards. The party I lead is no exception. Even developed countries have to deal with these hazards.

In 2008 a former US Vice Presidential candidate for the Democrats snubbed Obama and campaigned for the Republican candidate, John McCain. Even the iconic Churchill was a seasoned switcheroo. In 1904, Churchill who was a conservative crossed to the Liberals then crossed back after 20 years. In his defence he said only fools don’t change their minds!

But the record for criss crossing must go to British MP Bob Spink. On 12 March 2008, he left the Conservatives and became Independent. Six weeks later on 22 April 2008 he joined the UK Independent Party (UKIP). By mid-2009 he declared that he didn’t regard himself as UKIP. At that point UKIP also disowned him saying he had not even paid his membership dues.

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By Nabendeh S.P Wamoto

Recent narrative emanating from Africa kwetu trek from Galamba in Wakiso district to Birembo in Kakumiiro eliminates the hitherto puzzle in the under 40s and outline the fact that most of the population including myself who have worked with the military and security as a whole are ignorant of our combat chronicles because much of the stories have been misrepresented and or misinterpreted by masqueraders who try to speak with their mouths shut or at least give the impression that they are holding small potatoes in their mouths.

This reminds me, of an old lady I met coming from a church service, carrying her Bible, and when I asked her how she did enjoy Sermon of the day, she replied hastily “Not very much. I took the wrong book with me; I ought to have taken a dictionary!” Conscious must be seen in the creation. See it in the thinking but not in the walking.

Most of the masqueraders have their own narrow agenda, seeking simple options, ignoring realities just to appear important and out-lining demands which are not principled hence advocating having a share of the national cake yet they were not ready to understand how to bake the same (cake). The revelation by Gen. Yoweri Museveni to the effect that Dr. Col. Kizza Besigye rescued him from death is an artifact to reckon with and great honesty which supports former Tanzanian President, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere who once said “Honesty is not the best policy, but should be the only policy.” Remember a blind child doesn’t know even his/her owns mother and what you crave can make you drop what you already have.

Some, especially our young ones, because of the absence of these facts, are always tempted to think President Museveni has a lot in common with Santa Claus, the mythical white-whiskered gentle man who is supposed to bring presents to people during Christmas season. We all know that even though Santa Claus is supposed to bring presents to only good children (read NRM), he doesn’t miss many of our boys and girls no matter how naughty they may have been most of the year. Santa is not very demanding. Somehow he will find a way to over look a child’s naughtiness and will still get toys at Christmas.

The Galamba-Birembo or Africa kwetu trek is incomplete without FRONASA’s  “Mashuja Wa Mianzi-Mashariki”(Bamboo Heroes of the East) marking approximately 95 kilometres whose land mark start point should be Malukhu district  administration grounds where young student Sebastian Namirundu and Tony Masaaba were executed by firing squad by Idi Amin’s Uganda Army (U.A) in 1973.Then to House 49 (late Maube’s residence where Gen. Museveni narrowly escaped death while his two colleagues namely Mpiima Walidi Kazimoto and Martin Mwesiga were shot and killed in cold blood in the same compound). The trek should move through, Butsongola(Late DIGP Maswele’s village and Bishop Wasikye’s home in Mbale district) through Buyobo (late Wadada Nabudere’s village) – Bushiika, Bumasata, Nabweya, Bukirimwa, Bubiita (Mzee makowe’s village) sub counties in Bududa district, Bupoto through the forest to God’s bridge (Daraja la Mungu) and finally to Soono just before Lwakhakha, the border with Kenya in Namisindwa district.

Afrika kwetu trek would be incomplete without Bugisu’s version and contribution.

Nabendeh S.P Wamoto (0776658433)

simonwamoto@yahoo.co.uk

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By Richard Byarugaba

From this Monday, 13^th to Friday 17^th January 2020, your Fund, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), working with Ministry of Health and the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) will yet again run the NSSF Blood Donation Drive campaign.

This will be the 9^th NSSF Blood Drive for 9 years in a row, since we launched the campaign in 2012. During this time, we have mobilised blood donors all over Uganda to donate 21,425 blood units.

But even with this, and a compounded annual growth rate of 34% in units collected, this is not enough blood. According to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, Uganda’s healthcare system, uses about 1,500 units of bloods daily, but UBTS is able to collect on average 1,250 units daily (83% of the required blood) meaning that there is a 17% deficit every day.

But presenting this problem in percentages, obscures the actual gravity of the crisis. Let us look at it this way. Blood is critical in the care and treatment of coronary heart diseases, HIV/AIDS, perinatal conditions (complications before during and after child birth), malaria, road traffic accidents, cancer and sickle cells etc., which are some of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa- including Uganda.

Blood can be used whole, or separated into its component parts, such as red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and other “substances” that can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. A single unit of blood can be used to benefit several patients.

A 17 percent deficit therefore means that for every 100 people above, who need blood, 17 people never get it. These 17 people could be anyone- it could be me, you or your loved one.

This deficit, according to UBTS varies across Uganda, but North Western Uganda, has a wider deficit (30 percent), followed by Eastern Uganda (19 percent) and Western Uganda (15 percent). But across board, this period of the year, December- January, has the widest shortages. This is largely attributed to the long school holidays- yet students are the largest single group of blood donors. This is exacerbated by the prolonged rainy season which intensifies disease occurrence and prevalence.

Given that blood is unique and cannot be manufactured anywhere and that it is also extremely perishable- lasting for maximum of 35 days, it therefore means that regular donations by unpaid blood donors remains the only source of sufficient, quality and safe blood. Voluntary, unpaid blood donations is therefore almost equivalent to an act of giving or extending life. It is the greatest gift any person can receive or give to anyone.

It is in light of this that I on behalf of NSSF and our partners- Ministry of Health and UBTS invite you all- all able bodied adults, living in Uganda to participate in this noble life-giving exercise- that is taking place across at 23 locations across the country, starting today, Monday, 13^th January 2020.

This time round, we aim to collect up to 15,000 units of blood in this 5-day campaign, to both bridge the annual blood supply deficit but also plug the recurring high demand for blood during the rainy season that is associated with the high disease incidences.

For sustainability purposes, in the medium to long term, the NSSF Blood Drive campaign, also seeks to inculcate a blood donation culture amongst Ugandans, thus enabling Uganda to sustainably meets the World Health Organisation recommended blood collection rates i.e. 10 whole blood units per 1,000 inhabitants

We have made it so convenient- for five (5) days and in the Kampala area alone, we have designated 10 locations i.e. City Square, Clock Tower, Mukwano Arcade, Sekaziga House, Goods Shade, Bwaise Roundabout, NSSF lobby at Workers House, William Street; Opposite Standard Chartered bank, KIbuye Roundabout and Nateete at Samona Building.

In Mukono, we will be at Sombe Supermarket and in Lugazi, we will be at the NSSF office while in Entebbe, we will be in Kitooro town. Other towns are Hoima (Katikara Market), Masaka (Kirumba TC and Katwe TC), Jinja (Central Market), Mbarara (Independence Park Grounds) and Gulu (Gulu Main Market). In Lira we will be at Alebtong Ajuri Market, while Fort Portal, we will be at Mpanga Market, Bududa at Bududa Corner and Buwangani and then Nebbi at Pentagon Grounds.

All blood donations centres shall be open between 08:00am and 06:00pm.

As we are at the tail end of the festive season, I would like to remind and urge everyone that voluntary, unpaid blood donation is a real act of giving life – the greatest gift any person can give to anyone. Since blood can’t be manufactured- getting ourselves to develop a blood donating culture is very vital to reducing complications and sometimes deaths related to lack of safe blood.

Let us all do everything within our abilities- let us donate, let us encourage our friends and families to donate and also encourage them tell their peers to donate too.

Together, we can end blood shortage in our healthcare system.

The Writer is Managing Director, NSSF

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By Martin Zwilling

People who have been followers too long as an employee don’t realize how hard it is to be a leader. Every new entrepreneur has to initiate the right actions to be perceived as a leader in their chosen business domain by their team and by their customers, or the road to success and satisfaction will be lost along the way.

Driving these actions are some basic principles that entrepreneurial leaders, such as Airbnb CEO Brain Chesky and LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner, seem to have learned early. These have helped them build trust and confidence among team members, and effectively sell their message to partners, investors, vendors and customers.

If you want to be like them, it’s time to take a hard look in the mirror to see how many of these actions already show in your persona, and which need a bit more of your focus and learning:

Ability to communicate clearly where you are going and why. This requires that you first know who you are and what you stand for and have a vision for change. Then you need to be willing to communicate that vision to everyone around you. People won’t follow you if they have no idea where you are headed and why it’s good for them as well.

Feels a passion and commitment to the cause behind your business. This conviction is what motivates everyone around you to their best efforts, and keeps them going in hard times as well as good. Building a business is harder than it looks. Seth Godin said that “the average overnight success takes six years,” and he is an optimist.

Can demonstrate domain expertise and experience. In any business domain, there is no substitute for skills acquired by personal experience to supplement any academic training and the Internet. You have to lead by example, setting a personal standard for competence for all to follow if you intend to lead your competitors and customers.

Constantly strengthening your network of relationships. No entrepreneur can build a business alone. Your network of connections needs to grow with you and your business. That only happens if you take an active role in your community and relevant business associations with like-minded people. Make an honest effort to help others.

Willingness to make timely decisions and take action. Remember that a good decision made early will more likely save your business than a better decision made later. In general, any decision is better than no decision. Smart entrepreneurs take reasonable time to consider alternatives, and then move forward, never looking back.

Practices self-discipline and calm predictability. People don’t like to follow a leader who is unpredictable, inconsistent and prone to daily changes in direction. Authentic leaders are willing to open up and establish a connection with everyone around them. They build trusting relationships that result in loyalty and commitment from others.

Encourages innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. In business, this means fostering a mindset of creativity, risk-taking and continuous improvement. Don’t wait for competitors to force the need for better products, lower prices and better customer service. Reward failures as well as successes if the result is a lesson that advances the company.

Allocates adequate resources to overcome constraints. Hoping for good luck and applying pressure is not leadership. Being able and willing to size and allocate the resources to win the small battles will ultimately win the war. This means hiring the right people, providing training and tools, and improving systems to overcome challenges.

Incents business growth and people’s well-being. As a role model, you must continuously upgrade your own skills, be alert for new developments and hone your listening ability. It means rewarding team member growth, no punishment for failures and opportunities for success. This applies to suppliers and business partners as well.

Always accepts responsibility for business actions and results. Entrepreneur leaders don’t need excuses, like a down economy, bad timing or demonic competitors. Every company and every one of us makes mistakes, which are a normal consequence of tackling new business challenges and unknowns.

The good news is that no one is a born leader — all of these habits and mindsets can be acquired by learning and a determination to improve. Leadership doesn’t come with success, but success does come with leadership. Don’t wait for someone else you can follow — you want your team, as well as customers, to follow you.

The Writer is a veteran startup mentor, executive, blogger, author, tech professional, professor, and investor. Published on Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, Huffington Post, etc.

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By Patricia Scotland

Cyclones in the Caribbean and Pacific, devastating bushfires in Australia, recurrent floods and droughts in Asia and Africa, increasingly bring tragic loss of life to our nations and communities, inflicting physical and mental trauma on survivors, and causing irreparable damage to centuries old ways of life and undermining prospects for future prosperity and growth.

The current bushfires in Australia have been among the most distressing manifestations, leading the government to declare a state of emergency. The total cost to the economy of the bushfires with which Australia is grappling seems likely to run into billions of dollars. Continuous drying of undergrowth creates optimal conditions for bushfires, leading to tragic loss of human lives and destruction of infrastructure. There is devastating impact on the precious biodiversity of flora and fauna, threatening drastically to affect the ecology of the region. Heightened levels of air pollution in the affected and adjoining regions are having adverse impacts on the respiratory health of scores of people.

Such extreme events are occurring with rising frequency, destroying the means of livelihood for millions people in Commonwealth countries, increasing vulnerability and reducing resilience. The Commonwealth collectively recognises that without well-planned and integrated national and international action, natural disasters and extreme events will continue to challenge the resilience of affected communities and smaller countries. The Commonwealth Secretariat is working alongside member nations to protect the environmental health of fragile and susceptible ecosystems, including through increased national preparedness for tackling natural disasters and mobilising resources.

For the arid and drought-prone member countries, which are highly vulnerable to dryness and bushfires, the Commonwealth provides support for governments to develop projects on sustainable and resilient landscape management, with the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) helping to unlock necessary financial resources. Similarly, by pooling information into a streamlined platform for better and more convenient access to information, the Commonwealth Disaster Risk Finance Portal currently in development will help countries find suitable sources of finance and support to deal with disasters.

On behalf of citizens of all Commonwealth countries, I express my heartfelt condolences to all families and communities who have lost loved ones in the tragic events of recent days. I commend the courage and commitment of firefighters, emergency service personnel and all others who are battling to rescue and protect people and property, wildlife and natural resources, or human infrastructure. In these testing times, the wider Commonwealth family stands in solidarity alongside the Government and people of Australia.

The Writer is Commonwealth Secretary General

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