from a friend...

I got a message today:

Hello Friend,

I was just thinking of you as I have been reading news about the upcoming elections in Uganda. I imagine that there is a slight feeling of ease in the area with the seemingly smooth passage of the Sudanese Referendum, but i also know that there are still concerns about potential election violence. How things are feeling around there these days? Are you staying around for the elections or are you taking off as previously planned? Whatever it is you do, may it be safe. I'll be thinking of you and your current homeland as these next few weeks pass.

Good Evening,

I hope this message finds you and your family well. Uganda looks optimistic this morning. As I am writing this, I can hear a brass band coming down the street toward my house. Everyone is going out to look. I'll be right back... The band is from the "Inter-religious Organization of Busoga District." There are priests holding signs that say "Elections will end, but people will stay." and "Avoid election violence." Ugandan brass bands are funny. They have uniforms that were made in the the same style and color, but some are old and some are new. Their current color and condition range from clean and crisp to tattered and elderly. The drummers are very energetic - pounding and swinging their arms. They walk first, even before the drum major - the various horns and tubas follow at a high step shuffle. I'm reassured that there is visible evidence of people who are actively promoting peace after elections.

We know that Mr. Museveni has control of the Electoral Council and will make sure that they certify his victory. There are 5 opposition candidates. The strongest, Kizza Besigye, was imprisoned during the last election and is under threat of going to jail again because of his criticism of Museveni. Over the past few days Besigye has said that he knows the election will not turn out in his favor because of voter intimidation, poll rigging, and general fraud. He's starting to push rhetoric like "We will not win in the court of law, we will win in the court of public opinion." and "The electoral commission will not decide the outcome of this election. The citizens of Uganda will decide the outcome of this election." Yesterday, in a national newspaper: "I am not going back to court. I rely on you people. People have all the powers. Look at what is happening in North Africa-Tunisia, Egypt. People are saying no to dictators and leaders who are imposing themselves on the people and they have gone."

At this point, no one really has any idea how it will turn out. I'm going to Kenya and my employees are a little nervous. They reassure me by saying "Museveni will stay in power and knock down anyone who tries to stop him." "There won't be violence. Ugandans are not political, they are too lazy." They're worried that if there are problems here, I won't come back and they won't have jobs anymore. I'm worried that they are right. 92% of me says it will be all good, I'll spend 10 days in Kenya, check out the solar cookers, and head back to Jinja to resume my regular boring life. But the 8% remaining is a little bit nervous.

Its good to chat with you. I really enjoy any interaction with the motherland. I think I'm going to copy and paste this on my blog because I've been a little negligent in that area. Thanks for the prompt.

Amber