Burundi peace talks mediator President Yoweri Museveni talks to the facilitator Benjamin Mkapa, the former President of Tanzania
For the second time in few weeks, opposition groups in Burundi have indicated they lost trust in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue Mediator, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the Facilitator, former Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa.
The development follows Mr Mkapa’s weekend endorsement of Pierre Nkurunziza as the ‘legitimate’ President of Burundi. According to Mr Mkapa, president Nkrunziza is in office legally following the 2015 controversial elections and “there is no reason for the legitimacy of Nkurunziza to be questioned.”
“Legitimacy is lent by Burundians and those who think I am the one that is lending legitimacy, are absolutely out of mind,” he said. The 78-year-old added: “Ambassadors come in Burundi and present their credentials to President Nkurunziza. Isn’t it a way of recognising him as a President of this country? So what is this foolishness?”
But opposition leaders and some civil society activists in Burundi have repeatedly questioned Nkurunziza’s controversial third term following what they called the violation of the Burundi constitution and the Arusha peace Agreement.
And in a statement by the National Council for the Restoration of the Arusha Accords and the Rule of Law, CNARED, the main opposition coalition made of people in exile, said it didn’t ‘believe in the mediation any longer’, and rejecting both Mkapa and mediator Museveni.
But responding to the acuusations levelled against Mr Museveni, his Senior Principal Press Secretary Innocent Don Wanyama said last week that the President was performing his roles in accordance with the EAC timelines. And, just like Mr Mkapa, Mr Wanyama said President Museveni believes peace in Burundi can only be guaranteed by the Burundians themselves.
Meanwhile, Mr Mkapa has said that his roadmap includes starting peace talks in January and concluding them by June.
ANNOUNCED RECALL: Burundi's foreign minister Alain Nyamitwe
Burundi’s foreign minister says the country’s ambassador to Belgium has been told to return home amid diplomatic tensions related to political violence in the central African nation.
Alain Aime Nyamitwe said that Burundi’s embassy in Brussels remains open despite the recalling of Ambassador Jeremie Banigwaninzigo.
Nyamitwe says relations with former coloniser Belgium “are not really good. We have called our ambassador to assess relations between the two countries.”
Burundi’s government has persistently accused Belgium of backing the exiles who opposed President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision last year to seek a third term. Hundreds of people have been killed in political tensions since then.
Many protests have been staged outside the Belgian embassy in Burundi by demonstrators who accused Belgium of supporting opponents of Burundi’s government.
FINANCES TO BE PROBED: Former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh
The loser in the Gambian Presidential elections Yahya Jammeh must hand over power after defeat in elections, the UN Security Council has said.
President Jammeh initially conceded to Adama Barrow in last week’s vote but has since refused to accept the end of his 22-year rule.
Mr Barrow said he was sure the military supported him as the country’s new leader.
The UN added that a handover should come without condition or delay.
President Jammeh first seemed to accept the loss but then backtracked and said, on Friday, that he ‘totally’ rejected the result.
In a unanimous statement, the UN’s 15 council members called on him to ‘respect the choice of the sovereign people of The Gambia’.
The president’s U-turn was condemned by The African Union (AU), who described his statement as ‘null and void’.
His reluctance to step down has also been criticised by the US and neighbouring Senegal.
A heavy military presence has been reported in the Gambian capital, Banju, but the streets have remained calm.
The media says the main question now is whether President Jammeh has managed to split the army, retaining a faction ready to back his announcement.
According to the electoral commission, as a result of the vote on 1 December, Mr Barrow won 222,708 votes (43.34%); President Jammeh took 208,487 (39.6%); A third-party candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 89,768 (17.1%)
Mr Barrow, a property developer, is due to take office in late January.
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, with a population of fewer than two million.
In his 22 years in power, Mr Jammeh acquired a reputation as a ruthless leader.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has appointed Dr Renish Achieng Omullo, a Kenyan national, as his country’s special envoy to Germany.
The appointment is detailed in a December 8 letter, which was signed by the South Sudan leader.
“This Decree shall be cited as “The Republic Decree No.324/2016 for the Appointment of the Republic of South Sudan Special Envoy to the Federal Republic of Germany 2106 A.D.” shall come into force on the date of its signature of the President of Republic,” it noted.
Omullo, in a separate letter, will reportedly take charge of South Sudan’s international and regional affairs on the same capacity.
The special envoy reportedly brings lots of experience in international trade and diplomacy affairs, having worked as the Business Development manager for Africa for Celle Brunnenbau, GmBH.
Over the years, however, the Kenyan national has been engaged with issues of South Sudan in trade and diplomacy for a long time.
Omullo welcomed her appointment by President Kiir and pledged to serve diligently to the benefit of the citizens of South Sudan.
“I am fully focused to do my best to serve well. I take the opportunity to thank President Kiir for the confidence and trust he has bestowed on me,” Ms Omullo was quoted as saying.
George Agaba, the former Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) Director of Physical Planning is dead.
Sources told EagleOnline that Agaba died in an accident in Ibanda district. He was reportedly travelling in the same vehicle with Dr. Violet Kajubiri a member of the Education Service Commission and a sister to President Yoweri Museveni.
In 2012 Agaba and his bodyguard Santos Komakech Makmot were involved in a shooting in Luzira, where they had gone for an eviction exercise.
Subsequently, Mr Agaba and Komakech were cleared of the murder charges by Justice Faith Mwondha.
A controversial figure, Agaba was involved in the 2010 National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries that pitted Lwemiyaga county legislator Theodore Sekikubo against foreign affairs minister Sam Kahamba Kutesa.
EALA Speaker Dan Fred Kidega poses-for-a-picture-with-the-EALA-and-Uganda-teams
The Uganda Parliamentary teams for football and netball have qualified for this year’s EAC games finals following a crashing defeat of the East African Legislative Assembly and Tanzania in the two sports, respectively.
Parliament of Uganda beat EALA 3-0 in the football semi-finals at Mbaraki Sports grounds Thursday with two goals from Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko and one by Brian Arinaitwe.
Uganda will play Burundi in the final on Sunday, after the troubled central African country eliminated Tanzania 1-0 in the first semi-final.
Meanwhile, the Uganda ladies team defeated Tanzania Parliament with 35 points to 25 goals in a heated netball encounter played out at Makande gymnasium in Mombasa. MPs Sarah Babirye Kityo and Suzan Amero led the scoring.
Earlier in the day MP Maureen Osoru won gold while her compatriot Anne Ebaju Adeke walked away with the silver medal in the 4x400m relay.
The ladies team also won gold and silver in the 1500meters race at the Mbaraki Sports grounds. Uganda Parliament Men’s team bagged silver in athletics but lost the volleyball semi-final 2-0 to Rwanda.
The Democratic Party National Executive Committee has endorsed Fred Mukasa Mbidde as their sole candidate for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) 2017 elections.
Mbidde, who has been a legislator with EALA for the past five years was proposed by the DP Party President Norbert Mao and seconded Mr Paul Sembajjwe and a one Mugambwe, who are also NEC members. The NEC meeting took place at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel, Ndeeba.
Paul went ahead to post on his face book wall about the development that the party had reached adding that ‘’ Go and win as you have always done’, Mr Ssembajjwe urged the DP nominee.
A lawyer by profession, Mbidde, a member of the third EALA, is a DP Vice President and was elected to the regional legislative assemby in June 2012.
Meanwhile, Wakiso DP youth leaders Lillian Ndagire and her deputy Brian Stephen Kaggo, a councillor of Nasana westward zone urged the youth to converge at One Love Beach Busabala, for a sports gala.
The youth are participating in activities including football, volleyball, boat racing, and swimming.
Ugandan popstar, Maurice Kirya is eating big in Tanzania. The ‘Mwoyo’ singer has been lined up among the performers at the prestigious East Africa Television (EATV) Awards. He is the only Ugandan artiste to perform at the inaugural awards.
He is to share the stage with some of the biggest musicians in East Africa including Vanessa Mdee, Alikiba, Shetta, Lady JayDee and Wahu from Kenya.
EATV and radio are arguably the biggest stations in the region since their inception in 2003 as a music channel and radio station in the region; the first of its kind in East Africa.
According to the Tanzania based stations, the awards that aim at rewarding artists’ music and film from East Africa countries will be an annual event.
“The introduction of these awards is intended for artistic appreciation and bring competition to this sector of the art in this region of East Africa,” the station says.
“This year, there will be a total of ten components including six elements of music and artists; three aspects of the film and one aspect of honour.”
Among the music categories to be awarded in the awards is Best Male singer, Best Female singer, Musician best sprout, Video of the year, Song of the year and Best group of the year.
Ali Kiba, Shetta, Gnako, Ben Pol and Mwana FA are tussling it out for the Best Male Singer of the year award while the Best Female singer of the year category includes our own, Lillian Mbabazi.
Lillian faces competition from Linah, Vanessa Mdee, Ruby, Lady Jaydee and Linah. Navio’s song, ‘Njogerezza’ has also been nominated among Best Video of the year.
On the other hand, the categories for films include Best Film of the year, Best actor and Best Actress of the year.
A poster showing some of the artistes that will perform at the ‘People of the Nile’ festival in Kisumu beginning today.
Uganda’s dancehall queen, Cindy Sanyu has been lined up among a long list of artistes from over 10 countries that are set to perform this weekend in Kenya at a festival that has been dubbed ‘People of the Nile’.
Other musicians expected to perform at the event include Kenya’s award-winning group Sauti Sol, Hitmaker Timmy Tdat, Octopizzo, Benga star Makadem and Kidum among others. The Bongo Flava star Ommy Dimpoz from Tanzania and Baby One from Sudan will hit the stage as well.
Set to be hosted in Kisumu, the festival is a three-day event kicking off today till Sunday, with artistes from more than 100 cultures meeting for a mind boggling music, art, dance, culture and food extravaganza.
The participating artistes are from Uganda, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo and the melting point of all these rich cultures is Kisumu, Kenya.
The festival, as the name suggests, aims at bringing the various cultures that enjoy the benefits of the Nile River as a ‘timeless lifeline’ and issues like managing the ecosystems and creating harmony among citizens that benefit from River Nile will be discussed at the cocktail session.
“Issues of climate change will be tabled such as prolonged drought and floods which pose a threat to human life. Four of the Nile basin countries are facing severe water scarcity yet populations projections hint to double up in the next thirty or so years,” one of the organisers said.
He added: “The acts involved will leverage each other’s musical and arts strengths while unearthing the unique sounds so diverse. The food will vary from roast meat, smoked beef and fish, matooke, groundnut sauce and all types of culturally prepped meat will be on the menu.”
SMILE OF SUCCESS: John Edwin Danze of Fireworks Brainchild-Burson advertising agency
As we grow older we realise a few things along the way that make us regret ‘growing up so fast’. This is because no one told us that this comes with life and having to face the dastardly thing.
Facing life has really shown most of us ‘millennials’ fire, with some stuck in permanent ‘kawu’ and reminiscing the number of things we took for granted, like our parents care and their countless sacrifices.
Now life has kicked so many of us about to the point we suffer amnesia at such an early age (I think it’s only in Uganda where the youth riot claiming retirement packages whilst still at university). Seriously though, even birthdays cannot be forgotten now thanks to social media apps like Facebook and Twitter. And for crying out loud, I’d forgotten my birthday this year up until I logged in.
The challenges of growing up in the modern day are numerous, with afflictions like unemployment, inflation, drugs and alcohol, all leading to recurring poverty, hunger, unhealthy competition with peers, debt…the list goes on.
So, out of sheer desperation, over the last couple of months I’ve made it a point to interact with the select few who’ve managed to make it in life and thus enjoy the true benefits of the independent life in the hope that they might pass me the anecdote. Mind you these types of individuals are very rare, particularly those who have a background story worth writingabout, and not one that starts off with the usual boring ‘I was lucky’ cliché.
No, those ones I avoided. Instead, I mean those who’ve worked hard and applied all that they have learned to ensure they make it in life. John Edwin Danze is one such person.
Twenty-eight year old Danze is the average Ugandan lad with an affinity for the digital world and its gadgets with a very distinct all-white Colgate ad smile that indicates a fun-educational rapport and tags him as one of the good people. With little to no political affiliations whatsoever, as is often the case with most of us, seeing as the system has failed the youth countless times, Danze is more inclined to discuss the pros and cons of managing Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Facebook account than his stance on democracy.
Nonetheless, this doesnot leave Danze with a great sense of loss as he manages to make up for it by contributing to the quality development of the media industry in Uganda. We’ve seen the recent colorful and energetic Pepsi Sala Puleesa advert featuring local artistes MunG and Nwagi and I think it is safe to say that we have come a long way and vastly improved from our ‘Chai garden tea’, ‘Hedex’ or even ‘Vicks Kingo’ adverts from back in the day.
COLLECTIVE SUCCESS: The Fireworks team shows off the awards won at the just-concluded Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) awards ceremony.
This is all thanks to creative individuals who have taken time, energy and innovation to improve not only the quality of media used by millions in Uganda but also to promote the various platforms that allow and encourage creativity and invention. So, it came as no surprise when Danze and his colleagues at Fireworks-Brainchild Burson dominated the recent PRAU awards, taking with them a number of awards. EagleOnline caught up with Danze for an interview and below are excerpts.
EagleOnline: Congratulations! How do you do it?
(Laughs) I guess its hard work and networks … but I am groomed through struggle so I do not waste opportunity.
Eagle: Are where you are because you had someone help?
Help of course. I also had mob kiboko (caning) and mistakes allowed me to improve. The fact is that I owe so much to my family; friends and God above all, got me here. Also I had to fend for myself especially around campus because my parents retired and I’m the first born son so I had to do my part.
Eagle: Who is Danze? How would you describe yourself?
Danze is really just a guy! (laughs heartily) I think I’m a self-believer, designed by circumstances and fortunate enough to be in the space that I am. I believe in self-expression and ideas especially those from my friends but my life still has a story, I feel I haven’t gotten there. Plus, I dont want to get there alone.
Eagle: Tell us about your work? What is Fireworks? Was it your idea and what do you guys do?
Fireworks is an advertising agency. We deal with public relations, media, creative and client service. In fact we handle Pepsi, Total, NSSF, Centenary Bank, Etihad among other companies here in Uganda. On the second question, no, Fireworks wasn’t my idea, I just work there personally with digital media like social media, web pages, events etc.
Eagle: Have you always worked towards this career path or did it just occur to you eventually?
I like to think it was inevitable because before that I was into art. But then art evolved into digital so I met so many people that work in places that required it. However, managing Sylvia Owori’s public profiles and Global Connections is what really introduced me to the digital world, as well as my love for games and movies which allowed me to explore the digital world some more.
Eagle: I notice you guys deal with major companies here in Kampala. What is it like?
Yes, very high bar. By the time I joined Fireworks I wasn’t that ‘professional’ until after some many boardroom moments and client interactions. I had a very supportive team and of course the correct training thanks to my boss. Also, the culture at Fireworks is that they invest so much in their employees.
Eagle: Fireworks recently scored big at the PRAU awards. Why did you win and which advert made the trick for you?
We have actually won for the last three years and we won because we are a ‘result-oriented’ agency: evidence based strategies and public relations gurus. The campaigns that did it were: Pepsi Uefa champions league, a campaign we did for Crisis Management and #SalaPuleesa for the value added media strategy. I believe we focused on the clients key objectives like sales and conversions; most agencies give good ads, fancy jingles and nice posters but they don’t do campaigns in ways that will effect growth of their brands or consumer love.
Eagle: What is it like making these adverts? Are the artists easy to work with? How much time and energy goes into these things?
It never gets easy. But if you work smart, apply research and the correct strategy especially if it’s been tried and tested or measurable and relevant to your market and the correct processes, you achieve the perfect advert and campaign. Of course, not forgetting the right platforms where to place it.
Eagle: Why would someone with a strong brand say like Coca-Cola still need your contact? How and what do you think PR contributes or has to offer an individual or society in general?
Well… a brand like Coca-Cola would still have the contact because for big brands it’s not a luxury to have an agency, it’s a must. PR contributes to brand awareness, crisis management and communication whether corporate or thematic. PR is basically how your image is presented to your consumers, target audience or other brands.
Eagle: Do you think PR management plays a role in development of any given society?
Yes it does. PR is basically telling your story: How you tell it and how it is received by different audiences through different platforms with effectiveness.
Eagle: Communication is key for development; speaking of which, Kiswahili was passed as one of East African Community’s official languages, so how do you think this will affect business and life here in Uganda?
I don’t think it will affect much; business works in all languages and besides Kiswahili is more or less the East African language after English and our mother tongues. Infact it will create a sense of unity. PR will work in any language, it’s the message you are transmitting through that Swahili that matters.
Eagle: What are some of the challenges you guys encounter on the job?
The tools to use to pull off exceptional campaigns in Uganda are still developing, so the better your tools the better quality of your results. Also, clients killing ideas and not wanting to take risks. Time is another major factor because plans and campaigns need enough time to reach their target audience. These are major issues in almost all agencies and competition is steep so it’s a ‘do or die’ situation. Although the birth of social media made things easier, it also made it harder because now content is consumed at a very high rate so you have to be every creative in order to capture the attention of any consumer in this fast paced world. Social media makes PR become a 24/7 job with so many opinions shared across platforms; a tweet or blog can affect an entire campaign or change the mindset of your consumers; it’s a diverse community now.
Eagle: Social media is a strong tool and can be used for both good and bad, to spread truth or propaganda. What is your take on the Kasese killings and these grotesque images circulating on social media?
Well, I am not that into politics but what I see is unrest and what the rest of the world takes home is that in Uganda there is political turmoil. We can’t stop the content spreading unless they censor it like during the elections.
Eagle: True. Other than PR what else are you involved in?
I am heavily into digital media; I’m just in the PR department because it is in all communication practices. Other than work (Fireworks) I do a lot of youth mentorship where I help those with young ideas as well as do some trainings for small new ideas. I do a lot of gaming and I’m very keen on Cinema under #TalkingMoviesUg where I do movie reviews, promotions etc.
Eagle: I am an avid follower of yours on Facebook and I have realised you make even the simplest of subjects interesting. But here in Uganda we are still lagging far behind when it comes to the digital sphere compared to other nations like Kenya and Nigeria. What do you think is needed here in order for us to get to those standards?
We just need to apply cultures from across the globe. Kenya for instance accepts so many cultures and has a booming tourism industry so it helps a lot. We simply need to be more expressive, research more and participate in global trends.
Eagle: You mentor people; what is the key thing you impart that you feel will motivate them to achieve? And is it the same principle you live by?
I tell them the truth; I tell them how to achieve what they want by showing them ‘how’ instead of telling them what links to visit or what books to read; show them how their businesses can successfully be promoted online.
Eagle: Are you single? Where do you see yourself in a few years from now? What is your ultimate goal?
Not single. I see myself in a better part of my career with my own company and still doing youth empowerment of course.
Eagle: The government is currently telling the youth all about wealth creation. How would you as a PR practitioner help the government go about it?
Like I’d said, I have very little political opinions, actually do all but stay away from them. But for an institution that impacts a nation they need to invest in better PR especially when it comes to response time and crisis management processes. Wealth creation would be better bolstered by actually rethinking the education system and money allocation in youth ventures.
Eagle: Thanks a lot Danze. We really appreciate your time and effort. Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping in your journey to success?
God
Eagle: Okay. Just God?
I mentioned the others in the beginning.
Eagle: Alright. And how can people reach you? What handles or names do you use on social media?
@deejahn on Twitter and Instagram & @danzedeejahn on Facebook and Snapchat.
Eagle: Something else you think the reader out there ought to know?
Well, people should know that until you try you won’t succeed and until you try new things, even those that scare you, you will always remain in the ‘what if phase’.
