asante

your complimentary copy .

t h e i n f l i g h t m a g a z i n e o f a i r u g a n d a p a r t o f t h e

i s s u e n u m b e r 0 1 1 a u g u s t - o c t o b e r 2 0 1 2

The P

earl of Africa Turns Fifty

Inside this Issue:Bayimba International Music Festival

Semliki Land of Plenty

The Cave Elephants of Mt. Elgon

Celebrating 50 Years of Sports

SemlikiLand of Plenty

The Thames Diamond Jubilee

Festival of Music and Arts

Maurice Kirya Sings from the Soul

Celebrating 50 Years of Sport

SemlikiLand of Plenty

The Thames Diamond Jubilee

Festival of Music and Arts

Maurice Kirya Sings from the Soul

Celebrating 50 Years of Sport

Celebrating 50years of Independence

Celebrating 50years of Independence

i s s u e n u m b e r 0 1 1 a u g u s t - o c t o b e r 2 0 1 2

ENTEBBE | NAIROBI | JUBA | DAR ES SALAAM | MOMBASA | KIGALI | BUJUMBURA

WE ARE THE WINGS OF EAST AFRICADirect flights. Different countries. Affordable fares.

Fly with us every time.

www.air-uganda.com

NairobiKigali

Mombasa

Dar es SalaamEn t ebbe

JubaBujumbura

ENTEBBE | NAIROBI | JUBA | DAR ES SALAAM | MOMBASA | KIGALI | BUJUMBURA

WE ARE THE WINGS OF EAST AFRICADirect flights. Different countries. Affordable fares.

Fly with us every time.

www.air-uganda.com

NairobiKigali

Mombasa

Dar es SalaamEn t ebbe

JubaBujumbura

as

an

te

iss

ue

nu

mb

er

01

1 a

ug

us

t - o

ct

ob

er

20

12

CM

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

SAMSUNG Laptop series9 Celestair 28.3cmx21cm.pdf 1 Jun/14/12 5:44 PM

Welcome aboard this Air Uganda flightand thank you for choosing to fly with us.

Every morning I make it a point to thank God for the gift of life and the opportunities life brings. I believe that Air Uganda has enabled you to explore some of these opportunities. Our aim

is to give you a memorable experience and try not to make your travel with Air Uganda a mere chore. We are committed to ensuring that a booking on Air Uganda means a smooth and painless journey, from selecting your flights at our call centre or website, to check in, and on board our flights.

That aside, I am excited to introduce our new sports and entertainment features as well as book reviews in this issue. In our entertainment section, we shine the spotlight on the Ugandan award-winning musician, Maurice Kirya, who is well known for his masterly guitar skills, both nationally and internationally. In sports, we feature and celebrate the one thing that unites Ugandans - the Uganda Cranes.

We are elated to have reached one of our milestones at Air Uganda by moving to what is called a Self Handling Airport Operation. On 22 May 2012, we became the proud handlers of our own Airport operations and customers at Entebbe International Airport. This long awaited self handling project means that all airport related functions at Entebbe, from check in to flight dispatch are handled by our very own staff and not a third party handler. This also means that an Air Uganda staff member gets to handle you at every step of our flight process.

Finally this time round, our main feature story is focusing on Uganda which will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on 9 October 2012. In remembrance of the same date in 1962, when the Union Jack was lowered in favour of the black, yellow, red national flag, I would like to invite you to join me and the rest of Uganda as we celebrate our 50th Golden Jubilee Independence in October 2012.

On behalf of the entire Air Uganda team, I would like to thank you for your business and value you as our customer. We are committed to getting you to your destination on time and look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Asante!

Jenifer B. MusiimeHead of Sales & Marketing

EDITORIAL

1 asante aug oct 2012

Camerapix Magazines Ltd Rukhsana HaqRoger BarnardCecilia W. Gaitho

Sam KimaniCharles Kamau Azra Chaudhry, U.K Rose Judha

Rukhsana HaqJenifer B. Musiime

Publishers:

Editorial Director:Editor:

Editorial Assistant:

Senior Designer: Creative Designer:

Production Manager: Production Assistant:

Editorial Board:

The Pearl of Africa is shinning again.

8 Celebrating 50Every September, Kampala comes alive as a vibrant and eventful city a veritable hub for innovation and creativity.

14 Bayimba: International Festival of Music and ArtsMaurice has taken Ugandan music, fused it with R&B and jazz, and developed a unique style that will soon be recognisable worldwide.

18 Maurice Kirya: Really Sings from the Soul

Discover the rainforests of Semliki Wildlife Reserve, a slice of paradise on earth, wondrously blessed with topography, flora and fauna.

30 Semliki: Land of Plenty

The views expressed in this magazine should

only be ascribed to the authors concerned,

and do not necessarily reflect the views

either of the publishers or of Air Uganda.

The printing of an advertisement in Asante

does not necessarily mean that the publishers

or Air Uganda endorse the company, product

or service advertised.

Explore Dar, the largest and richest city in Tanzania with a picturesque seaport and fascinating blend of African, Arabic and Indian influences.

City of the Sultans,Dar es Salaam40

What was a spontaneous act of celebration four decades ago is now known as the lap of honour or victory lap.

26 Celebrating 50 Yearsof Sport in Uganda


Editorial by Head of Sales & Marketing

Air Uganda News

Bookshelf

Air Uganda Flight Schedule

Asante News

Healthy Travelling

Tips for the Traveller

Air Uganda Offices

Route Map

Abato Corner

Crossword Puzzle & Sudoku

ASANTE meaning Thank you in Kiswahili is published quarterly for Air Uganda by Camerapix Magazines Limited

P.O. Box 45048, 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya | Tel: +254 (20) 4448923/4/5 | Fax: +254 (20) 4448818

E-mail: [email protected]

Editorial and Advertising Offices:

Camerapix Magazines (UK) Limited | 32 Friars Walk, Southgate, London, N14 5LP | Tel: +44 (20) 8361 2942

Mobile: +44 79411 21458 | E-mail: [email protected]

Air Uganda, Marketing Office | Tel: +256 (0) 414 258 262/4 or +256 (0) 417 717 401

Fax: +256 414 500 932 | E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Investment House, Plot 4, Wampewo Avenue, Kololo

Correspondence on editorial and advertising matters may be sent to either of the above addresses.

2012

CAMERAPIX MAGAZINES LTD

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

All photographs by Camerapix unless otherwise indicated.

Here are a true wonder of the natural world and a must see species for any visitor to Uganda.

36 The Cave Elephants of Mount Elgon

At the heart of every Olympic sports event, is the glorious medal ceremonies.

22 A Nations SpiritFrancis Asiimwe.

Your most up to date events calender.

20

6

Meet the Staff

Whats Up Uganda

With an innate desire for variety and change, white meat is a welcome treat.

50 Feathered Creatures for the Table

Regulars

1

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

60

Cover picture: Watoto Childrens Choir, Uganda.

4

24

Marking 60 years of The Queens reign, the Pageant was the highlight of a number of Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

46 The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

What makes the perfect gift, graciously given?

The Art of Giving44


Special Golden Jubilee Fare *Fly Daily to KigaliUSD50 * return

* Taxes and surcharges exclusive.

Flying between Entebbe and Kigali just got better as Air Uganda has introduced a return special Golden Jubilee fare of $50 (exclusive of taxes and surcharges). With a choice of convenient daily flights, this promotional fare is available through travel agents or the website at www.air-uganda.com.

Nairobi Same Day Return From USD282* return *taxes inclusive

For those travelling for business to Nairobi, Air Uganda offers same-day return journeys between the two cities. Our value-for-money fares from as low as $282 return (inclusive of taxes) enabling you to wrap up your business in a day.

Fly Direct to Mombasa 5 times a week for only

USD60 *One way, taxes exclusive.

With the recently introduced direct flights to Mombasa, Air Uganda has launched a promotional one way fare for car dealers heading to the Port of Mombasa. From as low as $60 (one way exclusive of taxes), customers can book their flights from any of the Air Uganda offices or travel agents. Book now while seats last.

Self Handling

On 22 May 2012, we became the proud handlers of our own Airport operations and customers at Entebbe International Airport. This long-awaited self-handling project means that all Airport related functions at Entebbe, from check-in to flight dispatch are now handled by our own staff and not a third party handler.

AIR UGANDA NEWS

Personalised Customer Service

MAHOGANY DOORS MODERN STYLE KITCHEN

ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS SANDWICH PANEL

TEL.: +256 41/4286019 / 4286604 EMAIL : [email protected] M/243, NTINDA INDUSTRIAL AREA, P.O. BOX - 7628, KAMPALA (UGANDA)

HWAN SUNG INDUSTRIES LTD.

QUALITY

ON-TIME DELIVERYAFFORDABLE

Latin Flavour NightExperience a mix of

various Latin dances

at the National

Theatre, Kampala. Enjoy the thrills

of New York Salsa, Cuban Salsa,

cha cha cha, merengue, samba,

bachata, jive and rumba.

WEAVER BIRD fiest ARTThis event aims

at celebrating and

promoting community

arts. It features local Ugandan,

regional and international artists.

The festival is hosted three times a

year by the Weaver Bird Community

for the Arts in Masaka, Uganda.

Source of the Nile FestivalThe Festival on the Nile will celebrate cultural identity and unity through diverse cultural

art practices of people along the Nile and traditional arts and cultural practices from other

parts of the world.

COMMUNITY FOR THE ARTS weaver bird

5th Annual Nile Gold Jazz SafariThis will feature Regina Belle, Gerald

Albright and Marion Meadows in a Jazz

&Soul tribute to Michael Jackson / The

Jacksons and Whitney Houston.


The Young Professionals Technology SymposiumAn annual event that seeks to recognise, reward and

promote technology among young professionals

plus create opportunities for commercialising their

technologies by introducing them to mentors and financial institution.

700 participants from the region are expected.

International Trade FairUganda Manufacturers Association will hold the 20th

Uganda International Trade Fair at Lugogo. The intention

is to provide a wide platform for displaying products

or services all over the world. This will help to extend

industrial investment and economic growth in Uganda.

Commonwealth Games Federation General AssemblyDelegates from 71 countries are expected to attend the

CGF. This will boost Ugandas economy through flights

and accommodation at the Munyonyo Commonwealth

Resort. The CGF is the organisation responsible for the direction and

control of the Commonwealth Games.

50th Jubilee Celebrations Uganda got independence in October 1962 and will

celebrate 50 years of Independence. Uganda invites

everyone to come and participate in the celebrations.

The Nile Kayaking FestivalNew kayaking events and rafting races on the warm

waters of the Nile.

Watoto Childrens Choir, Uganda.


celebrating

jubilee celebrations

On 9 October 2012, Uganda celebrates 50 years of independence since the day it gained its freedom from Colonial rule in 1962. The country had been ruled by Great Britain as a Protectorate since 1894 but that era

came to an end when the Duke of Kent formally handed over the instruments of freedom to Milton Obote, Ugandas Prime Minister. With Independence came great expectations for the people of Uganda: the hopes for improved infrastructure; better health facilities, greater respect for local citizens and unity among the diverse groups in Uganda.

Photo: Watoto Childrens Choir, Uganda.


In truth, Uganda did not exist as a single

country when, in the 19th century, the

first western explorers arrived, since

at that time the area was divided into

kingdoms. Shortly afterwards, the first

missionaries came to Uganda and in

their wake came trade. In 1888, the

British government gave the Imperial

British East Africa Company control of

a territory consisting mainly of Buganda

Kingdom.

After the Treaty of Berlin in 1890, when

Europeans carved up Africa without

consulting any Africans, Uganda, Kenya

and Zanzibar were declared British

Protectorates in 1894.

When the Uganda Protectorate was

established the territory was extended

beyond the borders of Buganda to an

area that roughly corresponds to that of

present-day Uganda, except for a portion

that is now in Western Kenya. The British

ruled indirectly, giving the traditional

kingdoms a considerable degree of

autonomy, but favoured the recruitment

of Buganda people for their civil service.

Other tribal groups, unable to make inroads

into the Buganda-dominated colonial

administration or commercial sector,

were forced to seek other avenues for

advancement. The Acholi and Lango soon

became dominant in the military. Thus were

planted the seeds for the intertribal conflicts

that were to tear Uganda apart following

independence. By the 1950s the winds of

change were blowing through Africa and

many colonial rulers made preparations

to grant independence to their colonies.

In Uganda the first elections were held on

1 March 1961. Benedicto Kiwanuka of the

Democratic Party became the first Chief

Minister.

In the period leading up to independence

there was considerable jockeying for

position between rival parties and after

April 1962 Ugandas National Assembly

consisted of 43 UPC (Uganda Peoples


The late Jayant Muljibhai Madhvani, leading entrepreneur, was born in Jinja.

Striking monument in the h

eart of Kampala commemor

ates Ugandas independen

ce.

uganda at 50

as the Secretary General of the UNLF.

This government adopted a ministerial

system of administration and created

a quasi-parliamentary organ known as

the National Consultative Commission

(NCC). The NCC and the Lule cabinet

reflected widely differing political views.

In June 1979, following a dispute over

the extent of presidential powers, the

NCC replaced Lule with Godfrey Binaisa.

In a continuing dispute over the powers

of the interim presidency, Binaisa was

removed in May 1980 and for a few

months Uganda was ruled by a military

commission.

The December 1980 elections returned

the UPC to power under the leadership

of President Milton Obote. He ruled until

27 July 1985, when an army brigade,

composed mostly of ethnic Acholi

troops took Kampala and proclaimed a

military government. Obote fled to exile

in Zambia. The new regime, headed by

former defence force commander Gen.

Tito Okello opened negotiations with

Yoweri Musevenis National Resistance

Congress) members, 24 KY (Kabaka

Yekka) members, and 24 DP (Democratic

Party) members. The new UPC-KY

coalition led Uganda into independence

in October 1962, with Milton Obote as

Prime Minister and the Mutesa, King of

Buganda becoming President a year later.

In succeeding years, supporters of a

centralised state vied with those in

favour of a loose federation and a strong

role for tribally-based local kingdoms.

Matters came to a head in February

1966 when Prime Minister Milton Obote

suspended the constitution and assumed

all government powers, removing the

positions of President and Vice President.

In September 1967, a new constitution

proclaimed Uganda a Republic, gave

the President even greater powers, and

abolished the traditional Kingdoms.

On 25 January 1971, Obotes government

was ousted in a military coup led by armed

forces commander Idi Amin Dada. Amin

declared himself President, dissolved the

parliament, and amended the constitution

to give himself absolute power.

Idi Amins six-year rule ended when the

Tanzanian army, backed by Ugandan

exiles, waged a war of liberation against

Amins troops and the Libyan soldiers sent

to help him. On 11 April 1979, Kampala

was captured and Amin fled with his

remaining forces to Libya.

After Amins removal, the Uganda

National Liberation Front formed an

interim government with Yusuf Lule as

President and Jeremiah Lucas Opira

Army (NRA) and pledged to improve

respect for human rights, end tribal rivalry,

and conduct free and fair elections. In

the meantime, human rights violations

continued as the Okello government

carried out a counterinsurgency in an

attempt to destroy the NRAs support.

The NRA seized Kampala and the country

in late January 1986, forcing Okellos forces

to flee north into Sudan. Musevenis forces

organised a government with Yoweri

Museveni as President.

Just as in the Independence celebrations of

1962, the post 1986 epoch ushered in a great

sense of hope in Ugandas chequered history.

Twenty-six years later, the regime remains in

place and much has been achieved, but there

is still work to be done to meet the aspirations

of the people.

One area which has seen great strides is

womens rights. Since independence, women

have been given a platform to air their views

on a wide range of issues that contribute to

Ugandas development. Today, women make

up 35 per cent of the Ugandan Parliament,

occupy some key positions in government and

the private sector, as ministers, ambassadors

and academicians.

In his swearing in on the steps of the

Parliament Building on 26 January 1986,

Museveni referred to the National Resistance

Movements victory not as a mere change of

guards, but a fundamental change.

A great deal has been introduced that

has changed the Uganda political scene:

peace exists in most parts of the country;


One area which has seen great strides is womens rights. Since independence, women have been given a platform to air their views on a wide range of issues that contribute to Ugandas development.

participatory democracy based on the

system of Resistance Committees and

Councils has been introduced and taken

root; and, perhaps most important of all,

a new national constitution, based on the

views of the people of Uganda, has been

debated, enacted, and promulgated.

In the realm of economics, the National

Resistance Movement (NRM)

administration has embraced the economic

medicine prescribed by the International

Monetary Fund and the World Bank, based

on the total liberalisation of the economy

and the full reorientation of that economy

toward free-market forces a strategy

which, the NRM leadership assures

Ugandans, will transform Uganda from a

peasant to an entrepreneurial society. The

economic policies now in place are another

example of fundamental changes that have

been introduced.

Uganda is still an overwhelmingly

agricultural country, employing 7 out

of 10 Ugandans, and its main export is

coffee. Overall, the Ugandan economy

has grown strongly and there is every

reason to be optimistic about its future,

although the country currently faces

some harsh economic difficulties, in

keeping with the rest of the world. Among

measures planned to stimulate growth

is a programme of road improvements.

The impending commissioning of Bujagali

Hydropower Dam and the reliable power it

is expected to provide, is another positive

for the economy.

Today, as the population of Uganda

approaches 35 million, the prayer of many

Ugandans is that peace and stability

continue to prevail, as the road trodden by

the countrys people since independence in

1962 has been difficult (as indeed has been

the case with many African countries).

Many feel that there is now light at the end

of the tunnel; Ugandans hope that whatever

lies ahead will enable them to enjoy peace,

tranquillity, and more prosperity. All this

will benefit not only Ugandans, but also

their friends abroad, to whom the country

has opened its doors, for them to visit as

tourists or conduct business as investors. In

this way the Pearl of Africa is shining again

'VIEXMRK3JJMGIW8LEX;SVO

4)6*361%2')*962-7,-2+7908(P.O. BOX 14016, Plot 8 Hannington Rd , Kampala Uganda (Opposite Serena Hotel)

XIP +256-312-261774 +256-792-261774 +256-772-261775JE\ +256-312-261775IQEMP [email protected]

;SVOWXEXMSRW7IEXMRK *MPMRK'SRJIVIRGI'SRWYPXEXMSR

asante_feb-apr.indd 21 2/4/11 4:31:26 PM

uganda cities

FORT PORTAL

Set on the moist, verdant northern foot

slopes of the Rwenzori, Fort Portal is one

of the most attractive towns in Uganda.

It is surrounded by Crater Lakes of

Kabarole district, caves and tea estates.

It is well placed for visits to the primate-

rich Kibale National Park and scenic

Semliki National Park and Semliki Game

Reserve hence a good starting point for a

rich adventurous tour. Additionally, Fort

Portal is the capital of the Toro Kingdom,

hence the presence of the Royal Palace

that overlooks the town.

KAMPALA

The vibrant capital of Kampala, like

legendary, Rome was built on seven

hills. Head for the hills and take in the

older cultural, historic and religious sites

including the imposing Gaddafi Mosque

the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, the

Bahai Temple, the only one of its kind

in Africa and the Namugongo Martyrs

Shrines now a world heritage site of

UNESCO (United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization)

where the Ugandan Martyrs died. Other

popular drop-offs include the Uganda

Museum, the Uganda National Theatre

with its big crafts centre and Nakasero

Market among others.

ENTEBBE

Entebbe is located on the shores of

Lake Victoria, only 34 kilometres south

of Kampala. It is home to Entebbe

International Airport, the only one of its

kind in Uganda. Three kilometres away

is the well known Entebbe Botanical

Gardens, a paradise for bird-watchers

and botanists. Another popular tourist

site is the Entebbe Wildlife Education

Centre, a showplace of Africas vast

wildlife species. In addition, a boat

excursion on Lake Victoria to Ngamba

Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides

a great chance to see and interact with

chimpanzees.

JINJA

This is Ugandas second largest town,

located at the banks of Lake Victoria.

It is here that the source of the Nile is

marked by a plaque. The Nile River near

Jinja has several grade five rapids which

offer exhilarating white-water rafting and

is ranked as one of the most thrilling and

safest in the world. Presently, the eastern

bank of the Nile between Jinja and

Bujagali is the mecca for water sports;

quad biking, kayaking, bungy-jumping, jet

boat riding, river surfing and sportfishing.

Nearby is Mabira Forest Reserve, home

to an astonishing variety of bird and

monkey species.


feSTIVAL

Photos Meltem Yassar

Left: A visit to the Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is like going to another, seemingly mythical country, a hip and thrilling Brigadoon that appears every year.


The brainchild of the

Bayimba Cultural

Foundation, the Festival

was first organised

in 2008, and is the

main and most

visible activity of

the Kampala-based

company, whose

vision from the very

outset of its inception was

to form a vibrant arts and cultural sector

that was professional, creative, viable and

contributed to the social and economic

development of Uganda and East Africa,

while increasing awareness of the

important role that arts and culture play in

the societal community.

At its launch in June 2008, only 1,000

people attended the Festival which was

held at the famous Kyadondo Rugby Club

in Kampala, home to the MTN Heathens,

Toyota Buffaloes, Stallions, Thunderbirds

and ENGSOL Tigers rugby teams, but it

was nevertheless the first of its kind in

Uganda and attracted the interest of the

media.

Small wonder the next venue chosen for

the Festival was the Uganda National

Cultural Centre, more often known by

its official acronym the UNCC. A semi-

autonomous body, the Centre was

officially inaugurated on 2 December 1959,

and is now a vibrant institution guided by

Ladies and Gentlemen the

Season has begun! Time to

slip the bonds of the office,

get out those new summery

outfits, picnic baskets, old school blazers,

gorgeous strappy sandals, and head for

Ugandas vibrant capital home to the

Bayimba International Festival of the Arts,

says Peter Holthusen.

Even if youre not a fan of music and

the arts, youll be perfectly aware that

the quintessentially African setting of

the Uganda National Cultural Centre

in the heart of Kampala, with its

spectacular Auditorium, Dance Studio,

Restaurant, Resource Centre and world-

renowned Nommo Gallery, is steeped in

entertainment history and that for one

three-day period every September it

becomes the focus of the world.

unity in diversity, integrity and relevance

to national development, nourishing,

celebrating and promoting arts and

culture.

Today, the Bayimba International Festival

of the Arts has grown into a multi-cultural

event that attracts more than 50,000

people to the city of Kampala, drawing a

diverse mix of locals, expats and tourists

to a three-day celebration of the finest

visual and performing arts, with a budget

of approximately 110 million UGX.

The Bayimba team, under the guidance

of Artistic Director Faisal Kiwewa, has

built tremendous capacity in Festival

programming, technical and logistical

planning, artist handling and promotion.

Bayimba has also joined numerous other

Festival and event networks within the

region, such as the celebrated African

Music Festival Network (AFRIFESTNET),

and established links with a considerable

number of famous festivals throughout

the world, enabling mutual learning and

artistic exchanges.

With a varied and qualitative

programming policy, presenting exciting,

innovative and creative ideas to large

audiences, each Bayimba Festival

brings an unparalleled feast of music,

dance, theatre, film, and visual arts from

renowned and upcoming Ugandan,

East African and international artists to

Kampala.

Above: The Bayimba Festival has become a highlight on Ugandas exciting cultural calendar and a template for all the festivals that have since followed its example.

Below: Now celebrating its fifth year, the 2012 Bayimba Festival will feature an extensive line-up of Ugandan artists, and is already shaping up to be one of the greatest yet.


BAYIMBA FESTIVAL

The Bayimba Festival has become a

highlight on Ugandas exciting cultural

calendar and a template for all the

festivals that have since followed its

example. Every September, Kampala

comes alive as a vibrant and eventful

city a veritable hub for innovation and

creativity. The Bayimba Festival is eagerly

awaited by local artists and local people

alike, while artists from abroad and

visitors from as far afield as the United

Kingdom, the United States of America,

Australia and Latin America pour into

Kampala to take full advantage of the

exciting artistic experience. It is rapidly

developing into an important East African

destination Festival, enhancing both

national and international cultural tourism

in the process.

Now celebrating its fifth year, the 2012

Bayimba Festival will take place from

21-23 September in the Auditorium at

the Uganda National Cultural Centre, and

is shaping up to be one of the greatest

yet and so it should be in the year that

Uganda commemorates its 50 years of

Independence.

Much as it has in the past, there will be

an excellent and extensive line-up of

Ugandan artists, with established names

such as Afrigo Band, one of the longest

surviving popular bands in Uganda, and

Baxmba Waves, the multi-cultural fusion

band, presenting their latest artistic

ventures, together with popular acts like

the comedians from Fun Factory, and new

and upcoming artists that will perform for

the very first time at the Festival, such as

the Beautiful Feet Dance Company and

Mbale-based Titan.

Other Ugandan participants include

world-class acts such as Yoyo, Kabuye

Semboga and, of course, Bakayimbira

Dramactors, who have developed into

a formidable troupe. As usual, local

Kampalan artists will be joined by others

from the region while Festival revellers

can reckon on a considerable number of

surprise acts from other parts of the world

as well. The Festival will also include an

interesting programme of art films and

fascinating documentaries while the

venue will also open its space to fashion

shows and artistic installations.

In common with world-renowned

Festivals such as Cambridge and

Glastonbury in the United Kingdom and

the celebrated Edinburgh Festival in

Scotland, a wide range of fringe events

will also be organised in conjunction with

the Bayimba International Festival of the

Arts. Training sessions for new artists,

exchanges and collaborations with visiting

artists and various networking meetings,

are all aimed at developing and promoting

Ugandan and East African music and arts

by building audiences and an appreciation

for the arts and culture of the region.

Most importantly, to highlight the Jubilee

celebrations of both Uganda and Bayimba,

the unique Visionary Africa - Art at

Work travelling platform, a joint initiative

of the African Union and European Union,

will be coming to Kampala at the time of

the Festival with an itinerant urban exhi

bition of contemporary African artistic

practices, providing through the eye of

African artists, a snapshot of the many

transformations that have occurred on the

African continent over the last 50 years.

And if that isnt enough to tempt you to

come to Bayimba, the National Theatre

Restaurant at the Uganda National

Cultural Centre is unrivalled, at least in

Kampala. On Friday, the first day of the

Festival, you can try culinary delicacies

such as the famous finger-licking

luwombo, the celebratory meal from

Buganda that often comprises chicken,

beef or goat meat and ground nuts

mixed with dried fish or mushrooms

each individual portion steamed in

banana leaves. I cannot begin to talk

about the mouth-watering malewa,

(their popular smoked bamboo shoots,

a delicacy from Eastern Uganda), and

eshabwe (ghee sauce) from Western

Uganda, with crowned vegetables and all

very often served with matooke or rice.

A visit to the Bayimba International

Festival of the Arts is like going to

another, seemingly mythical country, a

hip and thrilling Brigadoon that appears

every year. Coming to Bayimba involves

a fair amount of travel, and probably a

queue to get in but, when you get past

these minor impediments, you will be

well rewarded for charting a course to

her doors. This is the yardstick by which

other Festivals must be judged.

[The Bayimba International Festival of the

Arts: www.bayimba.org]

Left: The celebrated Bayimba International Festival of the Arts has grown into a multi-cultural arts Festival that attracts over 50,000 people to the city of Kampala.


)RUHQUROPHQWVSOHDVHYLVLWZZZJFLVQDLURELFRPRUHPDLOUHJLVWUDUBFLQ#JHPVHGXFRP

Really Sings from the Soul, by Kalungi Kabuye.

STAR profile

It was just an exhibition by a local telecoms company. Entry was free, as was the music interlude that was to follow. It was to be in a small room

that quickly filled to capacity with hordes of young people, the ones who will show up any time there are free things to be had.

A couple of artists took the stage and did one or two songs, actually mimed them, and were on their way. The crowds didnt seem to mind; after all, they were up and close to the singers. Then a break was announced, after which a band set up on the small stage.

You could almost touch the thick air of anticipation in the audience. This was unexpected: a live band at a free concert. Who could it be? A few minutes later they found out as Maurice Kirya bounded onto stage, dressed in a T-shirt with the words Kirya for President on the front. He then proceeded to turn the planned 20 minutes free performance into a full-blown concert. He sang most of his songs, cracked jokes with the very appreciative crowd, gave away copies of his CD, and really, really sang. At the end everyone in the audience could have sworn that Maurice Kirya was the best musician in the land, and none would have disagreed. They are all my fans, he said at that time, and I will give them all I have, wherever they are, whatever they paid, and whatever the occasion is.

It did not seem to matter to him that he was just coming off a Central African tour to almost a dozen countries; he gave it his all, just as he had been doing a day earlier in Addis Ababa.

Kirya is a new breed among musicians in Uganda, and probably the whole region.

Although he did grow up in what could be called a ghetto, the Ndeeba

suburb of Kampala, he does not wear it on his sleeve. He

does not wear dreadlocks, although he recently

shaved his shaggy hair (that is

another

story) and has never been known to abuse any substance.

His clean-cut image is what is making waves, together of course with his music. In an industry where street creed is currency, he distances himself from the street and the dancehall beats that are preferred. Not to say that he has not paid his dues along the way.

Growing up in a family of five siblings, Maurice at times had to look for his own school fees by doing odd jobs, errands, farm-work, working on building sites and working with local restaurants. He paid all of sh2,000 (less than a dollar) for his first guitar, which had been rescued from a garbage skip.

I got the wood fixed at a local carpenters, he said, and then I had to find wires to use as strings which I did, using clutch pedal wire from a garage!

His first guitar lesson was from a village drunk who showed him how to tune it and taught him his first chords. Meanwhile his elder brothers were dabbling in dancehall and hip hop, and two of them, Alex (now known as Sabasaba) and Elvis (Vampos) are star musicians in their own right. Maurice was inevitably in awe of them, but was to break away, busking as he put it.

Basically, its what musicians often do in New York, Detroit, the streets of Parisoffering free performances to passers-by, breaking out into acapellas or running through a saxophone solo on a street corner.

He formed a group called The Outkamaz, and they would raid birthday parties, gate crash graduation parties and insist on performing, free. At this time he was also singing regularly in church, at his mothers insistence, in addition to attending piano lessons.

His formative years came to a head when he started the Maurice Kirya Experience, a once-a-week gig at a disco in Kampala. It was one of only two live band acts in town, the other being the Jam Session at the National Theatre.

All that seems a long time ago, and it really changed with his album Misubbaawa, one of the best to come out of Uganda in years. It was released in 2010 in what was to become a watershed year for the rising singer. That year he became the first Anglophone singer

to win Radio France Internationals Discovery Award for Best New African Artist.

That award came with a cash prize and an amount that goes into his various tours and promotions. He has never really looked back since then.

Kirya was also nominated in three categories of the 2011 eWorld Music Awards held annually in Hollywood, in the United States. He won the Best World music artist and best Indie Group/Progressive.

And when he held his first concert at the Serena Victoria Hall every single seat was taken, and the tickets were the highest-priced that Ugandans had ever paid for a concert by a local singer. After that he embarked on an African tour that took him to more than a dozen African countries, making him a bona fide continental star. And in the process it might just help save Ugandan music.

Most Ugandan artists prefer dancehall, and many of them just copy stuff from the Caribbean, said a Kampala music critic. But Maurice has taken Ugandan music, fused it with R&B and jazz, and developed a unique style that will soon be recognisable worldwide. Our other musicians should take a page from his book.

The Book of Kirya is what his second album, soon to be released, will be called. It will continue his unique blend of music which he calls Mwooyo, a Luganda word for soul.Soul is what Maurice brings to the table every time he performs, as those young folks at the free expo found out. And at the Big Brother Star game eviction show, Africas largest TV reality show, he had the audience singing along with him the chorus of the song Misubbaawa. No artist has ever done that, then or since.

Maurice Kirya is easily becoming the biggest music star in the country today, which is a good thing, said music critic and musician Dennis Asiimwe. As a musician has his strength in an area that a lot of other musicians seem to take for granted or simply lack: songwriting or composition. This is his strength, more than his voice, even way more than his ability as a performer. It is his strength as a songwriter/composer that helps him stand out, and because song writing and composition are so innate, Maurice himself probably doesnt know just how ingrained

this trait is in him.

www.mauricekirya.com www.twitter.com/mauricekirya


MEET THE STAFFFrancis Asiimwe

Having lost both my parents in the 1986 war in Fort Portal in western Uganda, I was taken to an orphanage at a very tender age of three years by an organization called Ambassadors of Hope. My

hope was renewed. I had a chance to live again as any child with parents. I was introduced to music and I joined the African Childrens Choir.

A most exciting part of my life followed, having the opportunity to travel around the world to the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America, singing with international personalities like Sandi Patty, Ron Kenoly, Michael W Smith and many others. I went through school majoring in the American Standard of Education and the Ambassadors of Hope/African Childrens Choir catered for my needs for school, right from primary level through to University. Through travelling and meeting different people I was inspired to work in an industry that catered for peoples needs. I decided to pursue my dream by studying Hospitality Management and Tourism with the hope that after I graduated I would be able to join either a cruise liner or an airline. I graduated from Makerere University in 2006, and I did my internship at Kabira Country Club and Emin Pasha, in Uganda. Finally my dream came true when I applied for, and was accepted for, a job with Air Uganda as a flight attendant in 2008. I wake up every day and I am living my dream. I still do charity work with the Ambassadors of Hope and also hope that, one day, I will be able to help children orphaned at such an early age to find a home like I did, and also achieve their dreams. I am thankful because that light could have gone out many years ago had I not found caring people to take me in. I meet new people every day when I get to fly and I am dedicated to making their experiences worthwhile for the time that they are with us on board the aircraft, because they are the reason I am living my dream.

AIR UGANDA


'VIEXMRK3JJMGIW8LEX;SVO

4)6*361%2')*962-7,-2+7908(P.O. BOX 14016, Plot 8 Hannington Rd , Kampala Uganda (Opposite Serena Hotel)

XIP +256-312-261774 +256-792-261774 +256-772-261775JE\ +256-312-261775IQEMP [email protected]

;SVOWXEXMSRW7IEXMRK *MPMRK'SRJIVIRGI'SRWYPXEXMSR

asante_feb-apr.indd 21 2/4/11 4:31:26 PM

feature

The coveted gold is bestowed,

bunches of flowers handed

over. And then the supreme

moment that tugs at the hearts

of every citizen of the winning country:

the national anthem crackles over the

loudspeakers. If only theyd put the words

of each anthem up on the screen, we

could all join in, and then we really would

have a great time.

The oldest national anthem in the world

is Wilhelmus van Nassouwe. The Dutch

national anthem was written for Prince

William of Nassau in 1568 and set to the

music of a French soldiering song. Not a

word of its 20 verses has been changed

since, although the Dutch make do with

singing just the first and eighth verses.

One of the newest national anthems, on

the other hand, is that of the United Arab

Emirates, for which a competition for

best lyrics was held in 1996; the winner

scooped a US$120,000 prize.

Which is the worlds most famous

national anthem? Hard to say, but

La Marseillaise must be among the

contenders, a stirring and blood-thirsty

song first heard during the French

Revolution. Not all Frenchmen are happy

with their songs violent lyrics. It was

suggested that the line March! March!

That their impure blood may drench our

furrows be changed

to the more genteel

March! March!

That an azure sky

may shine upon the

horizon, but the

French National

Assembly turned

it down.

Many national anthems are surprisingly

bloodthirsty, since they were usually

created at a time of great political change,

revolution or war. The Marseillaise was

written in one night in 1792 when the

French army was encamped outside

Strasbourg, defending the city against

invading Prussians, with a swaggering

tune intended to stir French soldiers

to battle. Another much-recognised

anthem, God Save the Queen, was written

when the British were worrying about an

invasion from Napoleonic France. Scatter

her enemies, make them fall, trumpet the

verses. Some voices, including that of

Andrew Lloyd-Webber, have called for

changes to these words too, particularly

the desire in the fifth verse the rebellious

Scots to crush.

The Chinese national anthem is also far

from benign. Arise! Arise! Arise! it goes,

before exhorting the Chinese to March

on! Brave the enemys gunfire! Perhaps

the most casual in its attitude to warfare

is the anthem of the Congo, which

comments, And if we have to die, what does

it really matter?

Other anthems celebrate great victories.

The American Star-Spangled Banner is the

most famous example, but who couldnt

fail to be moved by the Cambodian

song, which runs: Hurrah for the 17th

of April, That wonderful victory had

more significance than the Angkor

Period! And Im sure it did.

But let us all hope beyond

hope that some athlete

from Burkina-Faso wins

A Nations SpiritThe Olympics may have come and gone but the National Anthems endure. Frankly, there have been occasions where I just wished theyd only show some shortened highlight, because the sports only distract me from the main event: the medal ceremonies, says Brian Johnston.

a gold medal, so we can all sing Against

the humiliating bondage of a thousand

years / Against the cynical malice / Of

neo-colonialism and its petty local servants /

Many gave in, but some resisted.

Neutral Switzerland avoids any

bloodthirsty lyrics, and with great

diplomacy offers one verse in each

of their four national languages. The

Czechoslovakians, when the country was

split in two, politely opted to split their

anthem down the middle as well. And

theres nothing violent about The Call

of South Africa, which is a gentle song

that includes the suggestion that South

Africans should Bless agriculture and stock

raising and well as Banish all famine and

diseases and then Fill the land with good

health.

Countries take their anthems very

seriously. Until recently there was a law in

the USA prohibiting alteration to the tune,

harmonies or words of The Star-Spangled

Banner. In the 1960s Jimi Hendrix caused

uproar with his electric guitar version at

Woodstock. Classical composer Benjamin

Brittens version of God Save the Queen

also caused quite a stir long before the

days when the Sex Pistols dealt it a final

blow.

But the Brits arent the only people with

an interest in their

tune, which

was written

by noted

composer

Henry Purcell in a reworking of a

popular French court air. Many of

the newly created European states

(such as Germany and Norway) used

it for their own anthems throughout

the 19th century, and its still used by

Liechtenstein.

God Save the Queen tends towards

the slow, hymn-like Victorian mood

that is now echoed in the anthems of

many Anglo-Saxon countries.(New

Zealands is a good example). Monarchs

are saluted in the national anthems

of a variety of countries from Japan

and Monaco to Bhutan and Morocco.

Denmarks national anthem is based

on a national hero and former king.

Curiously enough, there are no official

words to the Spanish national anthem,

the Royal March, although different

words have been penned by two

lyricists.

South American anthems, on the other

hand, are neither martial nor hymnal but

sound like arias from an Italian opera,

and tend to be just as long. The music

for at least three of them was actually

composed by Italians and they tend to

be ambitious and complicated affairs.

Brazil takes the crown, with over 100

bars to its anthem (O beloved, idolized

homeland, hail, hail!). But beware of

Greeks, since that country probably has

the worlds longest national anthem,

with 158 stanzas of four lines each. It

was written in 1823 about the heroic

deeds of Greek freedom fighters: Twas

the Greeks of old whose dying / Brought

to birth our spirit free / Now, with ancient

valour rising / Let us hail you, oh Liberty!

If you havent got the stamina, stick

with the anthems of Middle Eastern

countries; many of these are short and

sweet, little more than a fanfare flourish,

and some without any text. Qatars takes

just 32 seconds, which some might see

as a great improvement on Uruguays

full five minutes.

A final category of national anthems

is the slightly folkloric style, largely

taken up in Asian countries, who

arrived relatively late with their national

anthems. The songs of Myanmar, Sri

Lanka and Japan are based on folk music

and some Asian anthems actually call

for indigenous instruments to be played.

Perhaps the most gentle of all anthems

belongs to Bangladesh, which runs: In

spring, O mother mine / The fragrance of

your mango groves / Makes me wild with

joy. The words were penned by Nobel

Prize-winning poet, Rabindranath Tagore,

who also wrote the lyric to the Indian

national anthem.

If a representative of some unexpected

country does win an Olympic medal,

prepare for confusion. In the Tokyo

Olympics of 1964, Abebe Bikila of

Ethiopia became the first person to

win two consecutive marathons. At the

medal ceremony the band realised to

their alarm that it had no idea what the

national anthem of Ethiopia was. They

settled instead on playing the far more

familiar Japanese national anthem, much

to the confusion of the spectators.

Fortunately these days all the national

anthems are stored electronically, ready

to play at a moments notice. Let us all

wait with bated breath if only those

preliminary sporting events would be

over quicker!

The wind of change which blew through

African colonies in the 1950s and

60s spawned a host of new national

anthems for those nations which became

independent.

Uganda was no exception. Fifty entries

were submitted and considered by a

committee headed by Prof. Senteza

Kajubi. Words for the winning entry

were produced by Prof. George William

Kakoma in collaboration with Mr P.

Wyngard, an English master at the then

Makerere College, and set to music

by Mr E. A. Moon, director of music

with the Uganda Police Force. The new

anthem was played on Radio Uganda for

the first time on 9th August 1962. There

was subsequently a small alteration to

the wording, before it settled on the now

familiar version:

For Ugandas neighbours, the national

anthem of Kenya became official in

1963, on the date of the countrys

independence. The words were written

by a commission appointed by the

government.

The task given to them was to select

a tune that took into account the

traditional music of Kenya, which would

both have dignity and also lend itself

to harmonisation and orchestration for

performance by orchestras and military

bands. The music would also have to fit

both the English and Swahili lyrics.

Tunes from many parts of the country

were considered. The final choice was a

tune sung by mothers for their children

from Pokomo country.

The lyrics, which begin: O God of all creation,

Bless this our land and nation were meant to

establish a common identity for Kenyans

from all tribes and to express convictions

held deeply by all of them.

The words of the Tanzanian national

anthem, Mungu Ibariki Africa (God Bless

Africa), were written by a committee and

set to the music of a hymn composed in

1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a South African

Methodist school teacher. Parts of the

same anthem were used to form South

Africas new anthem in 1997.

Oh Uganda! may God uphold thee,

We lay our future in thy hand.

United, free, for liberty

Together well always stand.

Oh Uganda! the land of freedom.

Our love and labour we give,

And with neighbours all

At our countrys call

In peace and friendship well live.

Oh Uganda! the land that feeds us

By sun and fertile soil grown.

For our own dear land,

Well always stand,

The Pearl of Africas Crown.

Uganda National Anthem


Speak Swahili DammitBy James Penhaligon.

This is an extraordinary, hilarious and heartbreaking book an inspiring biographical account of a young white boys chaotic life in a remote, wild, corner of East Africa.Born in Africa, Jamess childhood

is spent on an isolated gold mine

near Lake Victoria, Tanganyika,

with just his sister and mother;

his father tragically dying through

injuries sustained from World War

II. His upbringing is mainly left to

a tribal ayah called Amina and an

elderly Swahili man, and he learns

to speak Swahili before English.

In this unusual setting he soon

discovers some stark facts about

life through tragedy and danger,

but it is the local watu, imbued

with kindness and irrepressible

humour, that save him from

despair, and with whom he learns

to fish with home-made lines, eat

insects and famously abuse the

European hierarchy in real Swahili!

Known as Jimu to his friends, he

marks out his own country with

a Sukuma boy named Lutoli, falls

deeply in love with the beautiful,

but older, German girl Gretchen

and throws himself out of the back

of a bus to try to avoid being sent

away to school.

Once at school, in Arusha,

James tends to mix with other

non-conformers and presents

a dilemma to teachers he is a

white boy with a black spirit.

His gang gets up to nefarious

enterprises, bringing them into a

state of permanent conflict with

the system.

James is fascinated with the

history of Tanganyika back to

the time when it was a German

Colony until 1918. The unparalleled

courage of the German leader Paul

von Lettow Vorbeck against the

British is a beacon to the young

boy of what can be accomplished

against adversity.

Above all James discovers

the world, and life, a little by

education, a lot by accident,

but overwhelmingly by fate and

happenstance, in circumstances

few people in the developed world

have experienced.

PrayerBy Zion Mukisa.

Prayer is an absolute necessity in our lives, says the author. The level

placid beauty of a group of sleeping Malawian children. Theyre not sleeping, Sachs tells a shocked Chambers. Theyre in malarial comas. A few days later, they were all dead.So begins Chambers mission

to eradicate a disease that has

haunted mankind since before

medicine began, still infects half

a billion people a year, and kills

a million of them. The campaign

draws in presidents, celebrities,

scientists and enormous

funding and becomes a stunning

success, saving millions of lives

and propelling Africa towards

prosperity. And by replacing

traditional ideas of assistance

with business acumen and hustle,

Chambers upturns the whole

notion of aid, forging a new path

not just for the developing world

but for global business, religion

and even celebrity.

As he follows three years of

the campaign, award-winning

journalist Alex Perry takes the

reader across Africa, from a

terrifying visit to a Ugandan town

that is the most malarial on earth

to a star-studded World Cup

concert, encountering scientists,

fugitive guerrillas, presidents,

religious leaders and icons of the

global aid industry. In Lifeblood,

he weaves together science

and history with on-the-ground

reporting and a riveting expos

of aid as he documents this

race against time. The result is a

thrilling and all-too-rare tale of

humanitarian triumph that has

profound implications for how to

build a better world.

Alex Perry is the Africa bureau

chief for Time magazine.Publication

date: September 2011

bookshelf

of understanding of this necessity however, varies from person to person. Even those who do not pray or go to church would often be heard muttering especially in difficult situations, the words such as lets hope and pray. Some people only pray when

times are hard, others make an

effort to pray but their prayer

time is something they would

rather see the end of as quickly as

possible.

Zion, in her book, Prayer, has

expounded on many things that

could make our praying enjoyable

experiences. Prayer will inspire

those who are keen to take their

prayer lives to another level.

LifebloodHow to Change the World, One Dead Mosquito at a Time By Alex Perry.

One day in 2006, the rich, well-connected but very private philanthropist Ray Chambers flicked through the holiday snaps of his friend, the development economist Jeffrey Sachs, and remarked on the


sports

of Sport in UgandaL

ater this year, as the spectacle of

the London Olympics draws to a

close and Uganda clears its deck

in preparation for a gargantuan

50th Independence celebration that will

undoubtedly touch all walks of life, the

world of athletics will be commemorating

an equally significant anniversary of its own.

Forty years ago, at the Olympics in Munich,

an athlete, hardly known until then, ran

the race of his life to cross the finish line

10 metres ahead of the field. He then

picked up his national flag from a spectator,

unrolled it, held it high, and encircled the

stadium absorbing the adulation of an

audience that had been bewildered by his

world record performance. The flag was a

Ugandan one, and the athlete was 23 year-

old John Akii-Bua.

I just carried on running and running, he

said later. A legend was born, and so was a

tradition. What was a spontaneous act of

celebration four decades ago is now known

as the lap of honour or victory lap and

has become an ingrained Olympic tradition

performed by virtually all triumphant track

athletes. The man who started it in 1972

is Ugandas legendary 400 metre hurdler

who, on that evening, obliterated a field

of distinguished athletes that included

Britains David Hemery, the previous record

holder and a red hot favourite for the gold

medal.

Running in the inside Lane, the lanky

Akii-Bua looked to be trailing irretrievably

By Joseph Kabuleta.

at the halfway stage and only emerged as

a contender on the final bend. But by the

time he crossed finish line he was well

clear of his closest challenger. What made

his triumph all the more remarkable is

that there was nothing from the hurdlers

previous performances that suggested

that such a feat was within the realm

of possibility.

Akii-Bua had finished a distant fourth at the

1970 Commonwealth games in Edinburgh,

Scotland and hadnt accumulated any

competitive experience in the consequent

years. But his ascent to greatness was in

many respects birthed at London when

a 27 year-old PE teacher in a Bristol

secondary school and part-time athletics

coach answered an advert in Athletics

Weekly. Malcolm Arnold then went for

an interview in Londons Trafalgar Square

and returned home to tell his wife and two

young children that they were headed for

Uganda.

His name was difficult for us, so we simply

called him Mzungu, a Kiswahili word for

white man, Akii-Bua said in his pencil-

written memoirs left with the coach.

Arnold encountered a rudimentary

competition structure, patchy grass tracks

and talent. He introduced a little modernity

to the training regime that included

scientific periodisation of an athletes year

into different phases of preparation, the

first to build endurance and stamina, then,

in the weeks before the season, honing

speed, sharpness and technique.

What was a spontaneous act of celebration four decades ago is now known as the lap of honour or victory lap.


as he looked nostalgically back to his days

in Uganda and the triumph in Bavaria. He

came from very poor circumstances, living

in a hovel while working as a policeman.

We worry today about the technology of

drugs; he struggled for one square meal

a day. From there, his achievement was

incredible.

He had everything: enormous talent, a

huge commitment and capacity for work,

a very astute mind, and from nowhere

reached dizzy heights. Yet the sadness is,

he only really had two years. Reviewing my

own career has made me realise quite how

remarkable he was, concluded Arnold.

The story of a policeman who rose from

obscurity and blew the Munich field away

to set a new world record has been told and

retold, but it still has not been equalled. As

Uganda marks 50 years since the British

Union Jack was lowered and the black-

yellow-red flag of the Colony was hoisted

amidst ululations, Akii-Buas 1972 feat still

stands unchallenged at the pinnacle of the

countrys sporting success. Whether that

points to a nations underachievement or

Above: Commonwealth Games - Australia-Melbourne, Inzikuru celebrates gold 22.03.06.

Middle: Cranes striker Brian Umony leaves the Namboole pitch in tears after Uganda could only draw 0-0 with Kenya and failed yet again to qualify for the African Nations Cup.

Right: Ugandas John Akii Bua races ahead of Britains David Hemery to win gold in Munich 1972.

Perhaps Arnolds biggest success was in

convincing Akii-Bua to abandon the 110m

hurdles for which he wasnt suited and

concentrate on the 400 metre hurdles.

Even if he didnt compete much in the

two years between Edinburgh 1970 and

Munich, Akii-Bua engaged himself in the

most gruelling training regimes imaginable.

He did hill-running in a weighted vest,

repeated 600m runs with just a minutes

interval, morning and afternoon. The athlete

acknowledged in his notes that such a

programme was not natural. But it was

effective.

The Ugandan national anthem played

(at the medal ceremony) as I stood to

attention with the whole stadium in respect

to this small nation, which was on its way

to disaster in the years to follow, wrote

Akii-Bua.

After his success in Uganda, Arnold moved

back to Britain in the early 1970s and

worked with such luminaries as sprinter

Linford Christie and the Welsh 110 metre

hurdles legend Colin Jackson. He went on

to head the Great Britain track and field

team to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta,

Georgia. Yet in an interview with the

Guardian newspaper in 2008, the soon-

retiring coach admitted that the first cut

was in many respects the deepest.

Of all the athletes I have worked with, I

put John (Akii-Bua) number one, he said,


old Kipsiro was seen as a prospective new

king. But he missed the event for unclear

reasons. He could still make amends

at London 2012, but anybody who has

followed the careers of previous Ugandan

athletes will not be quick to put a wager

on him.

The Uganda Cranes, the national soccer

team, played all the way to the final of

the African Nations Cup in 1978, where

they lost to hosts Ghana, and a period

of dominance thereafter was expected.

Instead, Uganda went into an unmitigated

decline and has not qualified for the biennial

tournament since. Consequent qualifying

campaigns have been about hopes raised

before being cruelly dashed.

Yet in spite of all the heartbreak suffered

in more than three decades of exclusion

from the big stage, football is unrivaled

as the abiding passion of the country and

Cranes are the single most unifying force

in Uganda. Every campaign is treated with

the same excitement and expectation that

this could be the year when all the pent-

up pain gives way to euphoria. Draws for

the next Nations Cup have dealt Uganda

a cruel blow, it would seem, as the Cranes

will take on reigning champions Zambia

for a place in South Africa 2013. But

Ugandans are bubbling with expectation

nonetheless and the symmetry of their

arguments is difficult to ignore. The final

leg of the qualifying campaign will be

played in Kampala in October, the very

month Uganda celebrates 50 years as an

independent nation.

The first 50 years of sport have been

about random success and unfulfilled

potential. Will the invisible scriptwriter of

the next era be a little kinder to Ugandan

sport and inscribe some happier endings?

Could it all start in the festive month

of October with a victory over African

champions Zambia and that long-

awaited trip to the African showpiece?

What a script that would be; one to rival

Cinderella and the fitting shoe for fairytale

romance. Ugandans wait.

Joseph Kabuleta is a freelance journalist who writes

on sport and culture: [email protected]

But just when Ugandans were looking

forward to the prospect of a rivalry between

one of their own and the dominant Michael

Johnson, Kamoga, without any warning,

clocked out before his time and has not

been seen competitively since.

Next on the catwalk of Ugandan one-hit

wonders was Dorcus Inzikuru. The country

girl from the northwest of the country

surprised the world and herself when

she won the 3,000 metre steeplechase

gold medal at the World Championships

in Helsinki 2007. She was only 24 at

the time and an era of dominance was

similarly predicted. Instead, like others

before her, she vanished in the mists and

hasnt competed, much less won, at an

international event of that magnitude since.

Then along came Moses Kipsiro. After

threatening to burst on to the world scene

for a number of years, he won the 5000

metre and 10,000 metre gold medals at the

Commonwealth Games in New Delhi two

years ago, becoming the first athlete in the

70-year history of the Games to win both

distance events. With Ethiopian legend

Kenenisa Bekele battling injury, the 5,000

m stage was vacant at the 2011 World

Championships in Daegu and the 26 year-

accentuates the greatness of its forerunner

is open to debate. Its probably a bit of both.

The athlete spoke of how he lost three of

his brothers in that period. Amidst such

disquiet, his training for the 1976 Olympics in

Montreal was far from sufficient, which was

just as well because he never got the chance

to defend his medal. He had arrived with the

Ugandan team in Canada, ready to compete,

when the 25 African countries withdrew

from the Games because New Zealand,

which had a team at the Olympics, were also

playing rugby against South Africa. Akii-Bua

was on a plane back home when the 400

metre race was being run in Montreal. When

he landed, a journalist broke the news to him.

Your record is gone.

Davis Kamoga, another gifted athlete, came

out of nowhere and shook the world briefly

before returning straight back to oblivion.

The 400 metre runner spent much of

his formative years attempting to forge a

football career that he never had the talent

to sustain, then out of frustration tried his

hand in athletics. Within less than two

years he had won a bronze medal at the

Olympics in Atlanta 1996. The following

year he snatched silver at the World

Athletics Championships in Athens.

Above: Dai Greene presents athletics coach Malcolm Arnold with the J.L.Manning Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Sport the SJA 2011 Sports Awards on December 7, 2011 in London. Arnolds first success was with John Akii Bua in Uganda.

sports


Driver Training for harsh environments

www.OnCourse4wd.com tech @ OnCourse4wd.com

+256 772 22 11 07

S unlight filters down through the dense tree canopy above, sparkling off dew-dampened leaves and moss-

covered boulders. The humid air

wraps itself around monumental

tree trunks and ferns, while in

the distance a waterfall tumbles

into a crystal-clear pool. Insects

hum, birds call across the almost

infinite horizon.

Welcome to the rainforests of

the Semliki Wildlife Reserve,

a slice of paradise on earth

I have enjoyed the privilege of visiting Uganda on a number of expeditions in the past and

Semliki has always held a very special place in my heart. If your idea of peace and tranquility is a green and golden landscape studded with

trees and scattered with herds of pretty Uganda kob,then this is the place to come, writes Peter

Holthusen.

Semliki Land of Plenty

featurePh

otos

cou

rtes

y of

Cam

erap

ix/D

avid

Plu

th

and only five hours drive from

Kampala. Previously known

as the Toro Game Reserve,

Semliki is the oldest protected

area in Uganda and home to

a staggering array of flora and

fauna. It is unique, beautiful

and blessed with a tortured

topography of natural barriers

that have formed a veritable

haven for wildlife.

The Semliki Wildlife Reserve,

located within the boundaries of

the new Semliki National Park, is

situated 375 kilometres west of

Kampala in the lush and verdant

basin of the Western Rift Valley.

It is one of the most diverse

habitats in Africa with wonderful

examples of riparian forest,

gallery rainforest, Borassus palm

forest, and short and high grass

savannah. The habitat diversity

within the 558 square-kilometre

area of the Reserve supports

an array of fauna including

lion, leopard, elephant (both

savannah and forest species),

Uganda kob, buffalo, impala,

and chimpanzees as well as a

staggering number of birds, with


the DRC, via the Semliki National

Park and Sempaya Hot Springs

or to do what we did, turn right

across the savannah and aim for

the Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

The Semliki National Park is

located in Bwamba County, a

remote part of the Bundibugyo

District on western Ugandas

border with the DRC. It was

elevated to the status of a

National Park in October 1993,

and is one of Ugandas newest

National Parks, with no less than

194 square kilometres of East

Africas only lowland tropical

rainforest being found in the park.

It is managed by the Uganda

Wildlife Authority and is one of

the richest areas of floral and

faunal diversity in Africa, bird

species being especially diverse.

From 1932 to 1993, the area

covered by the Semliki National

Park was managed as a forest

reserve, initially by the colonial

government and then by

the Ugandan Governments

Department of Forestry. It was

made a National Park in order to

protect the forests as an integral

part of the protected areas of the

Western Rift Valley.

The Park is part of a network of

protected areas in the Ugandan

sector of the Albertine Rift

Valley. Other protected areas

in this network include the

Rwenzori Mountains, the Bwindi

Impenetrable Forest National Park,

the Mgahinga Gorilla National

Park, the Kibale National Park, and

the lush savannah of the Queen

Elizabeth National Park, with

its elusive giant forest hog and

legendary tree-climbing lions. This

largely forested Park represents

the eastern-most limit of the great

Ituri forest of the Congo Basin

and contains numerous species

of flora and fauna associated with

Above: Uganda Kob.

Above left: From 1932 to 1993, the area covered by the Semliki National Park was managed as a forest reserve, initially by the colonial government and then by the Ugandan Governments Department of Forestry. Today it is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and is one of the richest areas of floral and faunal diversity in Africa.

Opposite page: The spectacular Semliki Wildlife Reserve, 375 kilometres west of Kampala, is one of the most diverse habitats in Africa with wonderful examples of riparian forest, gallery rainforest, Borassus palm forest, and short and high grass savannah.


over 400 species having been

recorded in the area.

To reach the Reserve, you leave

Fort Portal (the closest town to

Semliki) by the road towards the

Democratic Republic of the Congo

(DRC) and a bumpy three hours

drive. Once a winding gravel or

murram road, this is now rapidly

being transformed into a broad

four-lane tarmac highway and

no doubt shortly to be the main

route out of the DRC for all their

precious minerals and metals.

Once at Karagutu, at the bottom

of the escarpment, the traveller

makes a decision to go either to

Bundibugyo, on the border with

Central rather than Eastern Africa.

Semliki is the only Park in Uganda

composed primarily of tropical

lowland forest. The land is quite

flat, creating a startling contrast to

the rugged Rwenzori Mountains

nearby.

The Park borders the Semuliki and

Lamia rivers which are watering

places for many animals. There

are also two hot springs located in

a hot mineral encrusted swamp.

This amazing field of boiling

water at the Sempaya Hot Springs

ejects a conspicuous cloud of

steam seen as far away as two

kilometres. According to the

records at the Uganda Wildlife

Authority, Sempayas water

temperature at over 1,000C

is well above the maximum

temperature of most hot

springs worldwide. The average

temperature for most hot springs

is about 500C.

Tourists have been seen to

boil eggs, cassava and green

bananas in the two geothermal

heating springs. The first hot

spring is a pool 12 metres in

diameter and the second is

a field of geysers. Both ooze

steamy sulphur-scented waters

reputed to have healing powers.

One of the springs Mumbuga

regularly forms a 50 centimetres

high fountain. These spectacular

natural wonders attract a large

number of shorebirds and they are

a valuable source of salt and other

minerals for many animals.

To the north of Semliki is Lake

Albert whilst to the east dense

woodland climbs the steep valley

wall. On the western horizon are

the Congolese Blue Mountains

and in the south a spur of rugged

hills climbs up to the ice-capped

peaks of the legendary Rwenzori

Mountains of the Moon. The

majority of the Reserve is open

acacia woodland and grassland

whilst patches of gallery forest

border the rivers.

The area that Semliki covers is

a distinct ecosystem within the

larger Albertine Rift system. The

Park is located at the junction of

several climatic and ecological

zones and, as a result, has a high

diversity of plant and animal

species and many microhabitats.

Most of the plant and animal

species in the Reserve are also

found in the Congo Basin forests,

many of which reach the eastern

limit of their range in the Semliki

National Park.

Of the 400 bird species found in

Semliki, 216 of these (66 per cent

of the countrys total bird species)

are true forest birds, including

the rare forest ground thrush,

Congo serpent eagle, long-tailed

hawk, forest francolin, the lyre-

tailed honeyguide and Sassis

olive-green bulbul. Nine species

of hornbill have been recorded

in the Park, while the shore of

Lake Albert and the swamps that

surround it are home to a variety

of common and rare waterbirds

including the enigmatic shoebill

stork and vast colonies of red-

throated bee-eaters.

The game populations in the

Semliki Wildlife Reserve were

at one time enormous but the

poaching and hunting that

occurred during the civil war and

throughout the 1980s saw the

numbers plummet. However, since

the early 90s the Reserve has

been protected by the Ugandan

Government and, although the

numbers do not yet equal those

of the reserves heyday, they are

increasing rapidly.

In addition to the resident

population of lion, leopard and

semliki

Above: The Semliki (also known as Semuliki) is a major river in Central Africa. It flows northwards from Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, across the Ugandan border and through the west of the country in Bundibugyo District, near the Semliki National Park.

Below: The amazing field of boiling water at the Sempaya Hot Springs are one of Semlikis most spectacular natural wonders. One of the springs Mumbuga regularly forms a 50 centimetres high fountain.


ENJOY RESPONSIBLY . EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. STRICTLY NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS.

Above: Semliki is the oldest protected area in Uganda and home to a staggering array of flora and fauna, with over 400 bird species having been recorded in the area including the striking red-throated bee-eater..Below: The forests of Semliki are also the home of the Bantu-speaking Batwa, or Twa people, an indigenous community of short-statured people also known as Pygmies who still largely live as hunter-gatherers.

Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Pet

er H

olth

usen

Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Pet

er H

olth

usen

semliki

elephant, Semliki has over 60 mammal

species, including forest buffalo,

pygmy hippos, mona monkeys, water

chevrotains, bush babies, civets, and the

endangered pygmy flying squirrel. Nine

species of duiker are found in the Reserve,

including the rare bay duiker. The forest

has eight primate species and almost 300

butterfly species.

Uganda kob are now commonly seen

along with reedbuck, waterbuck,

bushbuck and buffalo. The breeding

population of elephants and lion appear

to be re-colonising the Reserve from over

the Congolese border, including the large-

maned lions for which the reserve was

once famous. The gallery forest is home

to a variety of primates in addition to the

chimpanzees, including black-and-white

colobus and red-tailed monkeys.

The forests in Semliki are of great socio-

economic importance to the human

communities that live near the Reserve.

The local people practice subsistence

agriculture and use the parks forests to

supplement their livelihoods. Some of

the products they obtain from the forests

include fruits and vegetables, bushmeat,

herbal medicines, and construction

materials. The forest also plays an

important cultural and spiritual role in

local peoples lives.

The forests are also the home of

approximately 100 Bantu-speaking Batwa,

or Twa people, an indigenous community

of short-statured people also referred

to as Pygmies who still largely live as

hunter-gatherers. The Bantu term Twa is

generally translated as Pygmy. However,

in the Western conception Pygmies are

short forest-dwelling people, whereas

southern Twa populations do not live in

the forest and may not be shorter than

the farming/village population, generally

not reaching the anthropological

definition of Pygmy as males averaging

less than 150 centimetres in height.

The Batwa and Bambuti Pygmies are

the countrys most ancient inhabitants,

confined mainly to the hilly southwest,

and they are anthropological relics of

the hunter-gatherer cultures that once

occupied much of East Africa. They left

behind a rich legacy of rock paintings,

such as those at the Nyero Rock Shelter

near Kumi.

Past practices of the managing

authorities that excluded the local

people created resentment among

them. This reduced the effectiveness of

conservation policies and contributed to

the occurrence of illegal activities such as

poaching and logging. However, since the

1990s, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has

actively involved the local communities

in Park planning and Semliki is rapidly

becoming one of Africas leading wildlife

conservation areas.

With its relatively easy access from

Kampala and Fort Portal, Semliki is

Ugandas prime ecotourism destination

and offers employment opportunities

for local villagers, giving them a financial

alternative to clearing the forests for

subsistence farming.

For conservationists, Semlikis discovery

is timely. It brings hope that these ancient

trees and the rare endemic species that

live among them may be preserved for

future generations. For scientists, the

new creatures that almost certainly await

discovery in the shelter of the massive

trees, caves and streams that dot this

spectacular landscape are an irresistible

lure. I, for one, cant wait to go back


It is my first morning in the

Mountain Elgon National

Park and I wake long before

dawn. The sky is still dark

and the birds have just begun to

twitter. Sitting on the lower slopes

of the oldest and largest solitary

volcano in East Africa, I can see

the surrounding landscape of the

plains and the distant Great Rift

Valley spread out beneath me.

Three decades previously, when I

started my career as an explorer, I

used to come to this spot to watch

the more secretive animals; to

listen for the roar that signalled

the arrival of the king of all

creatures, or look out for the shy

herd of breeding elephants who

enter Mount Elgons labyrinth of

caves to lick the salt they gouge

from the walls with their tusks.

Mount Elgon is an extinct shield

volcano on the border of Uganda

and Kenya, north of the port city

of Kisumu and west of Kitale.

The spectacular National Park

within which it lies covers an area

of 1,279 square kilometres and

is 140 kilometres north east of

Lake Victoria. Mount Elgon is an

important water catchment for the

Nzoia River and the Lwakhakha

which flow into Africas largest

lake and for the Turkwel River

which flows into Lake Turkana.

The mountain is named after

the Elgeyo (also known as the

Keiyo) people, who once lived

in the huge caves on the south

side of the mountain. The Mount

Elgon massif consists of five

major peaks: The mountains

highest point, Wagagai at 4,321

metres, is located entirely within

THE CAVE ELEPHANTS OF MOUNT ELGON

Peter Holthusen recently relived his excitement of watching the

mysterious elephants

disappearing into the dark labyrinth of caves on Mount Elgon to

excavate the mineral-

rich rock for salt.

The elephants enter these caves as whole families, very often with youngsters in tow, and walk as far as 160 metres into the pitch darkness to find a salt stream in the rock.

Photo Ian Redmond via Peter Holthusen

Photo Ian Redmond via Peter Holthusen

wild zone


Uganda; Sudek (4,302 metres) in

Kenya; Koitobos (4,222 metres),

a flat-topped basalt column in

Kenya, and the peaks of Mubiyi

(4,211 metres) rise majestically

in Uganda and Masaba at 4,161

metres in Kenya.

Although Mt. Elgon was

asante

Documents

i r u g

u g u s t o c t o b

i g h t

r t o f t h ei s s u

t h e i n f

uganda cranes

rest of uganda

air uganda flightand