Sometimes I’m so blinded, By pain, poverty, hunger. I fail to appreciate the blessings Of family, friends, my land. To see the beauty that surrounds me In my country Kenya.
I only see the bad. I want to be angry At the disappointment around me. Sometimes I don’t see the love shared, In this country of poor governance and corruption, In this country, Kenya.
Sometimes I forget the pleasure That comes from sharing a common unique language In a country of forty plus tribes. I forget the sincerity of a handshake With hands hard from toil; The sincerity of a smile Masked by eyes filled with loss, In my people, Kenya.
I want a better government. I want a better job, a better pay. A better economy, better infrastructure, more security. I want a better day with no fear, no bribery, For you and me My fellow Kenyan.
I love to travel in my country. To see the green land and high mountain peaks. To see the lakes, the ocean and wildlife. To meet people and dream together, Remind ourselves that all is not lost And hope still inherently resides In our home Kenya.
O Lord of all creation, Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in Unity, Peace and Liberty, Plenty be found within our borders. In my country Kenya.
Runway Africa Showcases Beauty,Talent of Motherland
WASHINGTON — Magenta, yellow, coral, gold, kente, stripes, peacock, mesh, cheetah, red, black and green. Rarely have I witnessed this myriad of colors and prints in the same place at the same time and liked it. But this time it was different. This time it was rich and beautiful. This time it was deep and vibrant. This time it was Africa.
On Saturday September 15th I headed to the French Embassy in Washington DC to attend Runway Africa – an international fashion show with a humanitarian base. The official title of the event was Inspiration Africa, LLC partnered with The South African Embassy, presents RUNWAY AFRICA 2007, presented by Amarula Cream Liqueur, but I think I’ll stick with “Runway Africa.” It’s simple. I walked into the gratuitously lit embassy and was greeted by photographers, a mini red carpet, international fashionistas, diverse hues, and eclectic music. I sauntered around for a bit scanning people’s outfits and looking for the press room – the press conference was scheduled for 6pm and I had a load of questions to ask: what is Runway Africa? Who are the designers? Where are the proceeds going? What is Africhic? The press conference, however, was cancelled which gave me, my friend Simone, and photographer Andrea a good two hours before the runway show to search for answers on our own. This should be interesting…
I first noticed a series of “I AM AFRICAN” posters along the wall – all part of Keep A Child Alive – the recipient of the evening’s proceeds. Iman, David Bowie, Seal, Heidi Klum, Sarah Jessica Parker and other celebrities adorned in tribal paint and jewelry – all to make the symbolic point that Africa’s issues are our issues…it’s amazing what a celebrity nod will do for exposure and coverage. I admired the posters, yet wondered if this campaign would gain as much attention and support using a regular person like me for the artistic ads. The marriage of celebrity and humanitarianism simultaneously excite and concern me. Excite because it’s amazing when an individual uses his or her celebrity for the benefit of a critical cause such as AIDS in Africa; concern because using celebrity for a cause is all too often the cool thing to do – a fad. And we all know that AIDS in Africa is not a fad. I found myself getting a little off track with my thoughts so I peeled myself away from the posters and continued on…
I strolled around more – people-watching, taking mental notes, and looking for a place to sit because my high heels had a one-hour standing limit. As soon as I found a seat and got comfortable, five models strutted out of a room and walked around the lounge area. They arranged themselves in a line and displayed their ensembles: a canary yellow halter dress, kente print leg warmers, a baby-doll printed dress, gold jewelry, and more – all items from various designers submitted for the silent auction. I thought to myself, ‘If this is just a taste of what is yet to come, I can’t wait for the runway show!’
Eight o’clock rolled around, the seating process began, the room filled-up, and the anticipation for the show heightened…
Demain, demain, demain
Si il reste un lendemain
Demain, demain, demain
Je le veux en paix pour les miens
Les Nubians, the French/Cameroonian Afropean Hip/Hop and R&B duo, was blasting on the speakers, setting the tone for the pan-African show that was soon to begin…
A series of organizers, sponsors and supporters got up on stage to explain their roles in the program. With each speaker I understood the unique significance of Runway Africa and the notion of Africhic more and more: humanitarianism, responsibility, creativity, kindness. Elizabeth Santiso, the Vice President and Director of Communications of Keep A Child Alive, read statistics on AIDS in Africa like The World Health Report: Shocking, disheartening, yet truthful. She left the audience with one vital charge of empowerment: “We want you to help save your people in your way.” Yes. How important it is to heal from the inside out.
Perhaps the most lasting words were voiced by Tyrone Marc Gunnie, the Second Secretary of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa.
“[Runway Africa] allows a platform to present the wonderful tapestries we have on the continent…it presents us with an opportunity to carve-out opportunities for ourselves…,” he said.
And that was the true essence of the evening – a display of Africa’s talents, skills, artistic abilities, and culture – which all have the potential to open-up doors for other considerable opportunities such as economic development, healthcare access, and community empowerment. Gunnie went on to discuss the importance of creating niche markets and not waiting on the government to do so. Was I at a fashion show or a rally? It was a little bit of both and it was the perfect pair.
Clarissa Abban, a young and spirited Ghanaian-American and Creative Director & Producer of Runway Africa, clearly poured her heart into this project; for it is one that she had envisioned for years.
“I just wanted to manifest the beauty of Africa…We have so much to offer…beyond AIDS and poverty. Take it all in. I’m sure you will all love it,” she passionately explained.
And love it folks did!
Independent and agency models worked the runway in various African-inspired designs. The show commenced with designs by Sika. Strutting to Jay-Z’s “Show Me What You Got,” the models presented Sika’s Wonderland line: baby doll dresses, jeans and blazers – all with Afrocentric designs. Sika, created by Phyllis Taylor of London, used her rich Ghanaian roots for inspiration and labor – she has all of her clothes manufactured in Ghana by skilled seamstresses and tailors.
Next up was South African lingerie and accessories line Ruby, designed by Robyn Lidsky. And as part of an initiative to create more jobs, Ruby employs 30 women from Cape Town (known as “The Ruby Beading Circle”) to handcraft the beaded jewelry. So where does one go for fun and funk? Harriet’s Alter Ego. Designers Ngozi Odita and Hekima Hapa brought their Brooklyn-based label to the runway with denim, tie-dyes, embroidery, and Kente prints – a taste of tradition with a foundation of flair. In the future, Harriet’s Alter Ego hopes to open a sewing cooperative or factory in Nigeria. Fashion with a cause…I was beginning to see a pattern.
Khaki leisure suits, modern designs, and evening gowns…all with serious panache…or shall I say, Africhic? These pieces, which were part of Teddy Legbedion and Patrick Osaghae’s Blokes “N” Divas label, delivered style and edginess. But jaws dropped and hands clapped when Angela Asare, Ms.Universe Ghana, stepped out in a colorful peacock dress capturing the beautiful essence of Africa in just a few graceful strides. The evening ended with the African and Asian-inspired designs of Bezemymailan of Paris – perhaps a symbolic message of where we must go to truly progress collectively. With the “I am African” tribal designs on their faces, the models marched-out to Soul II Soul’s 1989 hit “Back to Life.” It was as though every single culture on the planet was represented in the eclectic designs. I could identify several different cultures in one outfit alone – perhaps another attribute of Africhic.
At the end of the fashion show, I flipped through the program to read more about the designers, their influences, and their goals. A quote from Aba Kwawu of The Aba Agency piqued my attention: “Africhic is a term that’s used to describe African textile and design, but it’s more than that, it’s the style and grace with which Africans carry themselves.” And it all came together – Africhic is a way of life. Africhic is wearing bold colors and African prints with pride. Africhic is using creativity and style in your daily life to bring creativity and style to others. Africhic is heeding the responsibility of healing your African roots. Runway Africa is Africhic.
Africa is not just a continent in need of international attention. It’s in need of appreciation. Culturally, creatively, economically and artistically it has so much to offer the rest of the world – and this is proven through the African influences we witness internationally in music, food, fashion, culture, and more. Take notice – pretty soon you may see the presence of Africhic all over the world. You will certainly see it at Runway Africa 2008.
For more information on Inspiration Africa, LLC, Runway Africa and future events click here.
Wynfred “Billy Dee” Russell, a Liberian-born educator and longtime resident of Minnesota, announced Thursday that he will contest for the presidency of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, adding excitement to what is already braced to be a contentious election year.
Russell, 34, an adjunct faculty member at North Hennepin Community College and a former lecturer at the University of Minnesota, told a crowd of Liberians that OLM had been dormant for many years and needed to be rejuvenated.
“Previous leaderships have missed opportunities for grassroots participation and good will,” Russell said. “They have lost the impetus for partnership and collaboration with many essential community members.”
Russell was speaking at a press conference in the African Food Market store in Crystal. He said some Liberians had ceased to associate themselves with OLM because the 30-year-old organization had failed to reach out to the entire community. The reason was because OLM did not have clearly-defined goals, and was focused on too many issues, some of which could not be attained without involving the entire community, he said.
“OLM is not an elephant that’s going to do everything alone,” Russell said. “We are not going to do everything.”
Instead, Russell promised to achieve OLM’s mission of serving Liberian immigrants by involving already-established organizations and creating networks to empower the community.
Russell outlined what he called “the five pillars” that he would implement if elected. They include: creating children and youth programs to reduce teen pregnancies, violence, drug use, and school dropout rates; writing grants for a $200,000 emergency fund; and setting up education and professional development program for adults. He also promised to create a health and social welfare awareness program to educate Liberian immigrants on HIV/AIDS, diabetes and cancer, and also to advocate for Liberians on Temporary Protective Status to get permanent residency before the 18-month extension given by President George W. Bush on Wednesday expires.
Russell also said that his team was already soliciting money for a $250,000 scholarship fund to benefit Liberians who can’t afford college.
OLM elections will be held on Nov. 20. So far only Russell and OLM board member, Georgette Gray, have declared candidacy for the top post. Martha Sinoe, OLM’s current president declined to say if she would be running for re-election, but said she would make an announcement sometime next week.
Russell said he would run a “tight, clean and professional campaign” free of personal attacks and promised to reconcile with the other candidates and their camps, regardless of the poll outcome. That is something Abdullah Kiatamba, OLM’s current chairman of the board of directors, said lacks in OLM.
“Candidates played the politics of character assassination and personal attacks,” Kiatamba said. “The organization sometimes gets too political and that has driven people away.”
President George W. Bush extended the stay of Liberians who are on Temporary Protected Status yesterday, ending the anxiety that has been looming over citizens of that country, as the Oct. 1 deadline for them to leave the United States came closer.
“Although the armed conflict in Liberia ended in 2003 and conditions have improved, I have found that the political and economic situation in Liberia continues to be fragile,” President Bush wrote in a memorandum to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff.
In reaction to the good news, the President of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, Martha Sinoe, said Bush’s announcement was a result of tireless lobbying by not only Liberians, but also human rights organizations and other well wishers.
“We are very thankful to the people of Minnesota, the media and advocacy groups that helped bring attention to the cause,” Sinoe said.
There are approximately 1,200 Liberians residing in Minnesota under TPS. Various organization, local and national have been rallying for Congress to extend the status of Liberians who fled the civil war and were allowed to resettle in the United States temporarily.
African Immigrants Honored for Entrepreneurial Achievements, Community Service
A non-profit organization started in Minnesota three years ago to help African immigrants entrepreneurs navigate a complicated U.S. financial system, honored some of them Saturday for their success in business.
The executive director of African Development Center, Hussein Samatar, said that through their success, those honored had given ADC credibility and contributed to its growth. Samatar said the founding of ADC was out of realization that although Africans were one of Minnesota’s fastest growing immigrant communities, they were lagging behind in entrepreneurship and as home owners.
While presenting the winners with their awards, Robert Lilligren, a Minneapolis City Council member who represents District 6, said he was impressed by the success of the African immigrant community in Minnesota. He urged Africans to invest in homes.
“Homeownership brings tremendous stability to the individuals and families that make up a community,” Lilligren said.
Approximately 13 percent of Minnesota’s foreign-born population is African – the highest rate of any state in the United States. That number continues to grow, and so do businesses and the need for financial services among the community. In 1994, there was no significant African immigrant business in Minnesota. Currently there are about 1,200 businesses owned and managed by Africans.
ADC works within the African communities in Minnesota to start and sustain successful businesses, build assets, and promote community reinvestment, according to its founders. The third annual dinner, which also served as an outline of ADC’s growth, was attended by several prominent African business people.
One of ADC’s most notable achievements is the tailoring of loans to be Sharia-compliant to make them attractive to Muslims. Minneapolis is the first city in the United States to offer such a financing product. These loans targets low and moderate income borrowers.
Achievement Awards
Some of the businesses honored were Tam Tams, a restaurant that serves East African cuisine, and Afrik Grocery, both in the Riverside/Cedar area of Minneapolis.
The proprietor of Afrik Grocery, Abdikatar Aden, was given the evening’s Hero Award for community service, for his commitment to helping his customers –particularly Somalis – understand American culture. As his clients buy their daily groceries, Aden teaches them simple English words and general American culture. His tutoring has helped initiate Somalis into the American system.
Steven Kaggwa, who owns Tam Tams Restaurant, said that working with ADC had been a humbling experience for him. Kaggwa, who is from Uganda, had been unable to get financing from mainstream institutions because he only had one year of credit history. As with all its customers, ADC helped him not only finance his dream, but also trained him in entrepreneurship.
Hussein Ahmed Ali a trucking business owner amused guests with tales of his inexperience in business before ADC came to his rescue.
“I had no idea on how to get a loan, let alone fill out a form," said Ali.
Ali is ADC’s first client to entirely pay off his loan. He has two trucks and looks forward to expanding his trucking business to ten trucks within the next 10 yrs.
After Amina Ahmed moved to Minnesota from Somalia, she did not know what her future would hold. Thanks to ADC’s loan services, she now owns a fast growing store, Lucky Fashions, at the Village Market, on 24th Street and 10th Avenue, in Minneapolis.
When Sadiyo Warsame wanted to buy a house, she attended ADC’s home ownership and financial literacy training. According to ADC officials Warsame wanted to buy a six-bedroom house. However, ADC’s budgeting classes allowed her to see that a three-bedroom town home was a better financial decision. She bought the three-bedroom home and is very pleased with the decision she made with ADC’s help.
"I have now realized my American dream," Warsame said.
At midnight, the atmosphere at the Eritrean Community Center was one of a regular social gathering rather than a concert. A few people danced to the East African tunes that DJ Dan from Kenya was mixing on the turntables, but the great majority were in their seats chatting with buddies.
“Did I come to a concert or did I come to church?” joked Veronica Rotich from Kenya in reference to the seating arrangement in the hall.
An hour later the scenario was very different as Chameleone rushed on the stage to the beat of his hit song “Kipepeo,” the Swahili word for butterfly. Chameleone was a dazzling sight impeccably clad in white from top to bottom, adorned with rings and a bling pistol for a belt buckle. At the end of the night he gave one of his rings to a very pleased female fan.
With him on stage was a new addition to his Leone Island record label, younger brother Weasel, dressed in a brown T-shirt and jeans. As the duo worked through Chameleone’s award winning hits like “Jamila,” “Dorothea,” “Mama Rhoda,” and “Sivyo Ndivyo,” they hyped up the crowd with their energetic dance moves. By the end of the night Weasel could not keep up with his brother and opted to sit at the back of the stage despite Chameleone’s nudging him to rejoin him at the front of the stage.
For those closer to the stage, mostly the younger crowd, the concert was extremely enjoyable and entertaining. Albert from Kenya repeatedly expressed his delight by saying, “This is good! Everything is good!”
Next to him was a young lady also from Kenya who screamed her way through every song, but “Mama Mia,” which she sang.
“I am not from Uganda and I don’t know many of the words to his songs, but I absolutely love him!” she exclaimed.
At the end of the night she was visibly exhausted.
“I have to go now, I can’t breathe!” she said.
For those further in the back the reactions were different.
“He is a good performer, but the sound quality in here is terrible,” remarked Abass Mawanda from Uganda.
Event organizer Francis Ssenoga from Uganda echoed the same sentiment.
“The sound is so bad,” said Winnie Muyingo, who later made her way to the front of the hall for a better experience.
The turnout though high, fell short of what many had anticipated would be a jam-packed night.
“I expected to see more people here,” said Joba Mawanda, who had attended Chameleone’s concert in Boston a few weeks earlier. “The Boston concert was sold out, despite being held in a hall three times this size.”
Some speculated that the reason that others may have decided to skip the concert may have been the choice of venue.
“In the future hopefully we will have African concerts in nicer places downtown,” said Kakuba from Uganda.
Born Joseph Mayanja, the artist took the name Chameleone from his mom’s advice, for what she said was his ability to adapt to whatever environment he is in for his advantage.
Since the release of his first album ‘Bageya” in 2000, Chameleone has put out an album every year and with each he continues to prove that he is a musical force to be reckoned with. He has gathered numerous accolades along the way, which include winning two Ugandan PAM Awards (Pearl of Africa Music), a East African Kisima Award and nominations for the prestigious Sub-Saharan Africa Kora Awards, UK MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) among others.
Detectives: Progress on Murders of Kenyan Mother, Daughters
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. – The detectives investigating the murders of a Kenyan mother and her two daughters, whose badly battered bodies were discovered on Aug. 1 in their Atlanta area home, said they have made significant progress in the case.
Speaking to Mshale in two separate interviews, the detectives said they were following crucial leads and assured the public that they would apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous acts.
The attack that killed Jane Kuria, 45, and her daughters Isabella Kuria, 19, and Annabel Kuria, 16, also left the woman’s son, Jeremy Kuria, 7, and his cousin Peter Thande, 10, seriously injured and unconscious.
Kenyans – both in the United States and Kenya – have been eagerly waiting for information on the apprehension of the killers. Investigators have been silent about the case, sparking accusations by frustrated Kenyans that the authorities are not giving the matter the seriousness it deserves.
The lead investigator in the case, Detective William Hewell of the Powder Springs Police Department said the progress made so far was promising, although he declined to disclose further details.
And Detective John Dawes of Cobb County Police Department, who is helping with the investigations, said he was waiting to interrogate some of the Kenyans who accompanied the bodies to Kenya, as soon as they return to the United States. Dawes said he was also scheduled to speak to young Peter and the boy’s mother when they returned from an undisclosed out-of-state location. He added that he would soon be analyzing forensic data, which was being processed.
“I must also say that most of the people who we have talked to us so far have been very co-operative,” Dawes said.
The officers appealed to the public to be patient, saying that the homicide case was delicate and complicated and that the investigations could not be rushed.
The Kenyan ambassador to the United States, Peter N.R.O. Ogego, asked Kenyans with any information that may help solve the murders to step forward and give it to the police. Ogego said he had full confidence in this country’s justice system.
“It may seem as though they are not doing much right now, but I can assure you that regardless of the length of time it takes, the perpetrators will be brought to book,” Ogego said on a phone interview from his Washington, DC office. “I have been speaking to the detectives on a regular basis and they have told me that they are on top of things.”
Ogego said that the authorities had assured him that there would be no victimization whatsoever and that any information given to the police would be treated confidentially. A sister of Jane Kuria said that she hoped the killers of her sister and nieces would be caught. Speaking from her home in Lynn, Mass., Margaret Njeri expressed her optimism that the police would soon nab the culprits.
“My mom back home and my three siblings, one of whom is here with me, are also hopeful that we will soon get answers to the many questions that we have been asking,” Njeri said.
Jane Kuria and her children arrived in Boston in 2001, after the death of her husband. She and her daughter applied for asylum, saying that because of their opposition to female circumcision, their lives were in danger if they returned. After her death, her immigration lawyer, Charles H. Kuck told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her asylum was denied and he was in the process of appealing before she was murdered.
Speculation has been rife as to who and why anyone would commit the crimes that left many with more questions than answers. Kenyan online forums have thrown around the name of Mungiki, a violent Kenyan group that has been said to kidnap and circumcise women.
Following the murders, Rev. Dr. G.G Gitahi of Kenya American Community Church, where Jane Kuria fellowshipped just two days before she and her daughters were murdered, cautioned the congregation against speculation.
“Careless speculation can only exacerbate the situation,” he said. “I urge you to shun unsubstantiated statements and let the investigating authorities do their work.”
Anyone with information on the murders is asked to call Cobb County police Crimes Against Persons Unit at (770)499-3945. Those who do not wish to be identified may call Hewell gave two tip-lines where those who do not wish to be identified may call (678)567-2490 or toll-free, (888)322-8884).
MINNEAPOLIS – Teachers of Islam should refrain from actions that go against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad in order to keep the faith of their flock strong, Islamic scholars said at a Minnesota conference held during the Labor Day weekend.
Sheikh Abdilbary Yahya, a leading scholar and the Imam of the Seattle Mosque in Washington state, told hundreds of Muslims who attended the seventh annual Islamic conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center that Muslim teachers especially have the call to propagate with humility the message of Allah to others.
Sheikh Yahya said it was incumbent upon Muslims who wish to teach the religion of Allah to emulate the Prophet’s way characterized by love and wisdom.
He said Prophet Muhammad was a successful teacher because he showed respect and love for his students. He was kind, showed humility, was merciful, desired best results from his listeners, used wisdom in his messages and did not scold or cane anyone, but treated everyone as “best friend [and] companion.”
To prove his point about the Prophet’s humble character, the scholar told the audience a story.
“At one time a Bedouin walked into the Mosque of the prophet and [urinated] inside the prayer mosque on the wall,” Sheikh Yahya said. “The prophet’s companions were furious and wanted to be physical with him, but the prophet asked them to calm down and, ‘Let the visitor finish his business.’ The prophet explained to his companions that the Bedouin was used to the nomadic desert culture where ‘every corner place is a bathroom, therefore he should be guided wisely without demonizing him.’”
The scholar said the way of the Prophet is the role model for Muslims, and that teachers of Islam should replicate the Prophet in order to be effective in their transmission of religious and other useful knowledge to their students.
In his lecture, Sheikh Yahya described Prophet Muhammad as a teacher like no other, as his audience gave big smiles of appreciation.
Another leading Islamic scholar, Sheikh Hamdy El-Sawaf of Minnesota warned that if Muslims do not obey the guidance of Allah on matrimonial matters, the marriage institution would collapse leading to adverse consequences such as poor parenting and the disintegration of families.
Sheikh El-Sawaf, who has counseled many Muslim married couples, said available statistics in America today show that approximated 50 percent of all contracted marriages end in divorce. He said the emerging trend was troubling and Muslims, who have clear guidelines from Allah’s laws on how matrimonial and family relations can be sustained, should adhere to their religious teachings to maintain strong family ties.
“If you wish to drive in American roads, you must follow the traffic code,” he said. “Why do Muslim spouses fail to obey the clear laws from God to have healthy relationships?”
Sheikh El-Sawaf said Muslims when choosing their partners should use the criterion of the level of righteousness of their intended spouses as the measuring scale. He said that although other considerations like beauty, wealth and good family ties may have merit, such yardsticks must be treated as deen, secondary to religious faith.
The scholar decried domestic abuse among couples, physical and psychological, which he said was against Islam. He lashed at husbands who abandoned their families and turned alcoholics or worked many jobs to the extent of having little time for their spouses and children.
“A husband and father is not just an image,” he said. “He has to be real. He should give attention to his wife and must be a role model for his children.”
Sheikh El-Sawaf said the Islamic Holy Book, the Qur’an, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad define in clear terms the husband and wife reciprocal roles and responsibilities to each other.
The teachings of the Prophet call for true love and compassion among married couples and mandate couples to control their anger that might lead to fights, he said.
“If you become angry while standing, take a chair and sit down, and if your anger is still high, lie down in bed; and if this does not restore your calm composure, cleanse your body with water (udhuu),” he said.
Sheikh El-Sawaf discouraged the prevailing mood by many couples to demand divorce at the slightest misunderstanding.
Although Islam permits divorce under extreme cases of incompatibility, the teachings of the Islamic faith point to the reality that of all the lawful things that Allah has permitted, divorce is the one thing that annoys him most. It is said that it literally sends tremors to His throne when executed by married couples.
The theme of this year’s Annual Islamic Conference was “Correcting the pathway for reaching the goal” and Sheikh El-Sawaf advised Muslims to take the first steps in correcting their ways inside their families. He said the way to go about it was to strictly adhere to the guidance of Allah on how to raise successful families.
Hundreds of participants traveled from as far as Canada and other U.S. for the conference. Sheikh Abdirahman Omar, Imam of Minneapolis’ Abuubakar As-Saddique Mosque and president of the Council of Imams, said he hoped the conference would raise the level of faith for all participants.
The Abuubakar Islamic Center has been engaged in the teaching of Islam (daa’wa) for over a decade now and has been responsible for building Islamic institutions that have enabled Muslims practice their faith and understand how best to raise their children.
The new president vows to work with his deputy, who ran a campaign against him.
SAN FRANCISCO –Lt. Frank Musisi, a U.S. Army Reserve from Los Angeles, Calif. claimed the presidency of the Ugandan North American Association Sunday, handily defeating incumbent Abdul Kimbugwe of Boston, Massachusetts, and narrowly surpassing challenger Moses Wilson, also from Los Angeles by a mere 10 votes.
Musisi garnered 242 votes against Wilson’s 232. Kimbugwe, the incumbent, received 109 votes, while Sophia Anyomokolo, the fourth candidate and the only woman in the race, got a paltry eight votes.
Musisi ran the most spirited campaign of any candidate, with a visible pack of supporters soliciting votes with placards and postcards outlining his platform throughout the weekend. But in his victory speech, the new president described himself as “non-political.”
“I do not subscribe to any political party from Uganda or the United States,” Musisi said. “Our work is to help our brothers and sisters in the community in North America, and this is what we’re going to do.”
Musisi then called upon the audience to contribute to a collection being held to allow the body of an uninsured Ugandan reverend who recently died in Los Angeles to be sent home for burial.
“I believe, as the new UNAA president and our board, it is appropriate for us to start from this gathering here to mobilize funds to help our brother be taken back home.”
He concluded his remarks by extending an olive branch to Moses Kalemba, the new UNAA vice president, who had campaigned alongside Musisi’s rival, Wilson.
“I am so happy that I am going to be working with our senior member, Mr. Moses Kalemba. I know his wise counsel will guide us in the next two years,” Musisi said.
The brevity of Musisi’s 10-minute speech was heartily welcomed as the banquet in the grand ballroom of the San Francisco Hyatt Regency Hotel stretched on towards midnight. The event was more than three hours off schedule, prompting some to joke that the event was keeping Africa time.
The poll results, announced by UNAA Electoral Commission chairman Alexander Zabasajja of New Jersey, returned Treasurer Brenda Kalema to office. The incumbent Secretary Francis Ssennoga ran unopposed.
The closest contest saw Felix Kabuye-Kayanja defeating Becky Wamala-Brown by only seven votes to become the next Board Member at Large. Henry Nsereko was reelected in a tight race for Board Member,Uganda.
Zena Mbega and Moses Male ran unopposed to become Youth Board Members, as did John Mutyaba for Board Member, Central.
Ronnie Mayanja was chosen to represent the Eastern region, and Julius Kabukuru, the Pacific.
The position of Board Member, Canada was left vacant.
the Vice President of Uganda, Gilbert Bukenya, and other ministers and dignitaries who attended the three-day conference congratulated the new UNAA president. Once all the election results had been announced, Bukenya led the crowd to the dance floor.
Musisi was a member of the UNAA board from 2003 to 2005 and was on the convention committee when it was held in Los Angeles in 1994. He was born in the Bumangi Ssese Islands, in Uganda’s Kalangala District, and immigrated to the United States in 1990. He holds a degree in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine. Musisi enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000 and served in war in Iraq. He is currently assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Centre as a Support Operations Officer in Los Angeles.
Uganda’s VP tells Diaspora to buy cows, praise Museveni
Multi-party politics bad for Uganda, says Bukenya.
SAN FRANCISCO – Vice President Gilbert Bukenya addressed the Ugandan Diaspora Saturday, reiterating hopes that their country can export more finished goods, and optimism about newfound oil and natural gas resources.
Bukenya also encouraged Ugandans to spend remittances on income-generating projects.
Delivering a keynote speech at the 19th annual Ugandan North American Association conference in San Francisco, Calif., Bukenya deplored Ugandans for being asleep at the wheel by exporting raw coffee beans and cotton, while roast coffee sells for three times as much and T-shirts sell for 40 times as much.
“We will no longer sell lint cotton to anybody in this whole world. We don’t want to sell anybody green coffee,” Bukenya said, while displaying slides of new coffee roasteries and textile factories that are being set up in Uganda.
Bukenya invited the audience to invest in the new industry.
“This is my challenge to you. Make that money,” he said.
With an annual GDP growth rate of 5.3 percent and decreasing dependence on the agricultural sector – it now accounts for 29 percent of the GDP, compared to 54 percent twenty years ago – Bukenya called Uganda’s economy ripe for investment.
Addressing concerns that oil and natural gas would intensify corruption and lead to conflict as witnessed in oil-rich nations like Angola and Nigeria, Bukenya assured Ugandas that the discovery of the new resources would not be a spoiler.
“There are very many skeptics who are saying, ‘The chaos is going to come to Uganda, all of the oil is going to be stolen. We are finished.’ The answer is no, you are not finished. The leadership is going to be strong in dealing with oil.”
Bukenya said Uganda is planning to apply the “Norwegian Model”, putting all the revenue from the sale of the oil and gas into an offshore account, and drawing the interest for poverty eradication, capital investment in agriculture, transportation infrastructure and education.
The vice president painted a less rosy picture of microeconomics in Uganda.
“Our people are sleeping in grass huts, even some of your relatives," he said " When they improve, they put some steel sheets on top, they still sleep on the soil. If they begin earning money, it will change them."
Bukenya asked Ugandans abroad to teach their relatives to invest remittances.
“You’ve been spending a lot of money,” he said.
The International Monetary Fund estimates that Ugandans in the Diaspora sent $642 million home last year.
“You have been sending money to your mother to buy a blanket, or to eat for the next two weeks, then you send a little more," Bukenya said.
“You can earn money everyday from this cow,” he added, pointing to a slide of a black and white heifer. “Why don’t you buy her one?”
Bukenya implored the conference attendees to fund income-generating projects for their relatives, suggesting that they buy cows for producing milk, chickens for eggs, mango or apple trees, even bees for honey.
The Vice President concluded his address with an endorsement of his boss, President Yoweri Museveni. The president has been in office since 1986 and has thrice been returned to office by direct elections that were first held in 1996. Museveni persuaded Parliament to abolish the constitutional limit on presidential terms in 2005, allowing for his reelection in 2006 and leading some speculations that he has no intention of ever stepping down.
Bukenya said Museveni deserved praise for the dramatic decrease in the HIV/AIDS infection rate from 30 percent to 6 percent and implementation of free universal primary education that Uganda has enjoyed during his tenure. Taking a jab at partisanship in the United States, Bukenya implied that Uganda should keep Museveni in office and hold off on engaging in multi-party politics, which the president has long restricted.
“The government has been a good government. And I think you should give it more time. Some people are still in slumber, let it continue until more people wake -up and you should have reason of political practice.”
SAN FRANCISCO – Ugandan finance and banking officials had a simple message Friday for citizens who gathered for the annual Ugandan North American Association conference being held in San Francisco, Calif.: “bring your money home.”
Remittances sent back to Uganda more than doubled between 2000 and 2006 from $242 million to $642 million, according to International Monetary Fund estimates. IMF researchers have speculated that hundreds of millions more are not being counted, with as much as half the money being sent to sub-Saharan nations flowing through informal channels.
But Uganda wants to get more out of that cash flow.
Ugandans have been sending their money to support “the grannies, the kids in school, the wives you left behind,” as Semakula Kiwanuka, Minister of State for Investment put it to a room full of professors, accountants, and investors.
Kiwanuka said Uganda is now aiming to leverage the wealth of its citizens abroad to strengthen its position as a regional hub for development in East Africa.
“We are stable. We have democracy,” Kiwanuka said. “So now I want to convince you to bring more of your money, and (have it be) channeled in such a manner that government can also access it in order to do those things that can’t be done individually.”
Uganda wants to securitize remittances with an initiative backed by the East African Community in May. The government hopes it can issue bonds which Ugandans abroad will buy into, and which it can then deploy for mortgage financing in the country.
“I know it has been a major challenge in terms of you guys sending money home, and maybe being ripped off,” said Stephen Kaboyo of the Bank of Uganda. “You send a thousand only two hundred is realized. This structure eliminates that shortcoming.”
This kind of cross-border banking has been helping to buoy economies in Latin America, Mexico in particular, for more than a decade.
“It works miracles, because you have on one hand, an investment, on the other hand a loan opportunity,” Kaboyo said. “I want to see hands for those who say it doesn’t look good.”
No hands were raised, instead the audience applauded.
However, several in attendance also expressed concerns about corruption and electricity shortages continuing to impede investment in Uganda.
