KABALE TOWN

This page is about Kekubo, Kabale and Uganda, the (broad) environment in which the project is developing.

Read more about (regular) people of Kabale and their activities and about societal issues. We also have a section 'funny news?' The question mark is important!

We end this page with a section about black residents of Belgium.


SPECIAL TIMES-SPECIAL TIMES-SPECIAL TIMES-SPECIAL TIMES

Kabale in times of corona

In Kabale all businesses have closed except the market foods, shops that sell foods and supermarkets.

Wash your hands before entering a business

All businesses open must have water containers and sanitizers or soap so that customers wash their hands before they enter the shops. The same applies to the market: at the entry there are containers with water and soap where to wash hands from before entering.

Waiting line at Kabale central market

At Kabale central market people are screened also for corona virus by measuring body temperature before entering the market.

No transport in Kabale town

Both public and private transport has been also stopped which made the streets of Kabale look empty of vehicles.

Kreunen onder de corona maatregelen

Corona is overal. Ook in Kabale, Oeganda, waar het PROUD-project voor kinderen en jongeren met een verstandelijke beperking van vzw The village gesitueerd is. Sinds eind maart is Oeganda in de greep van het virus.

Heel wat verschillen met België vallen op. Oeganda telt zo’n 40 miljoen inwoners. Het aantal geregistreerde besmettingen is laag -enkele honderden-, de testcapaciteit beperkt -10.000 per maand- en officieel is nog niemand overleden aan het virus (26/5/2020).

De communicatie over corona-maatregelen gebeurt door de president op radio en televisie. Hij staat bekend voor zijn lange beeldrijke toespraken. De samenvatting van de presidentiële richtlijnen op de pancartes is echter beknopt en helder!

De lock down is veel strenger dan in België. Er is bijvoorbeeld geen openbaar noch privaat vervoer toegelaten. Er is een avondklok ingesteld van zeven uur ‘s avonds tot half zeven ‘s morgens. Marktkramers worden verondersteld bij hun kraam te blijven slapen. Verple(e)g(st)ers blijven in het hospitaal of moeten te voet naar hun werk.

Miljoenen mensen hebben hun inkomen verloren. Zo bijvoorbeeld de talrijke ambulante handelaars maar ook het onderwijzend personeel van private scholen enz. Zij zijn nu aangewezen op voedselhulp. Geen simpele klus en de districtsleiding in Kabale werd beschuldigd van het politiseren van de bedeling.

Een economische studie voorspelt dat bijna de helft van de Oegandezen hun job tijdelijk of definitief dreigen te verliezen als de crisis nog een tijd aanhoudt. Na twee maanden heeft de regering nog geen steunmaatregelen voor bedrijven uitgevaardigd. Wel worden de eerste versoepelingen van de corona maatregelen in het vooruitzicht gesteld.

De coronacrisis wordt bestreden met de middelen van een lening en giften. Er zijn slechts een honderdtal modern uitgeruste ‘intensive care’ bedden en 1 laboratorium dat in staat is de noodzakelijke analyses uit te voeren. Veel mensen lijden aan onderliggende aandoeningen, zoals HIV -1,3 miljoen Oegandezen of zo’n 3 percent van de bevolking- of tuberculose.

De voedselprijzen voor basisproducten als bonen zijn niet zoals bij ons licht gestegen maar verzesvoudigd. De bevolking kreunt onder de corona maatregelen. De handhaving van de corona regels is in Oeganda echter veel repressiever dan bij ons: in de steden legt de politie de maatregelen op met de wapenstok.

Zwangere vrouwen of mensen in nood op het platteland geraken dan weer niet meer tot in een hospitaal. Er is geen ambulance beschikbaar of het noodnummer is niet bemand. Corona heeft de mensen er doen teruggrijpen naar gewoonten uit tijden van voor er ziekenhuizen bestonden.

We hebben het PROUD-project gesloten op het moment dat de scholen dicht gingen. Een deel van het personeel kreeg thuiswerk (studiewerk voor het curriculum project), één iemand die vlak bij woont onderhoudt de moestuin, de bewaker bleef op post. Voor de anderen hebben we tijdelijke steunmaatregelen voorzien.

We hopen begin juni herop te starten met de groep van de jongeren. Zij komen in aanmerking om aan te sluiten bij de eerste terugkomers, als ‘afstuderenden’. En ook omdat tuinbouw -het project heeft een grote tuin- is toegestaan. Onze jongeren moeten dan wel een masker dragen.

PEOPLE OF KABALE PEOPLE OF KABALE PEOPLE OF KABALE

Christmas in the village

I went to church and I put on my best clothes

Hello, on Christmas I went to church and I put on my best clothes and everything made me happy –that is why I smiled.

Dividing meat. This is how people in Kabale mostly in the village start Xmas.

Here in Uganda some people in the village save money in small groups of 10-15 for the whole year and buy cows. On Christmas they slaughter cows and share the meat equally and take it to their families for enjoyment.

My Mummy, my niece and I, just feeling happy on Xmas day sitting in front of our house.

Our mummy was also in the group and she got five kilograms of meat. Everybody ate meat and we were happy with our mum, so Christmas was well spent.

by Annet Namara

Daphine's Primary Leaving

Daphine

I am Niwagaba Daphine. I study at Kabale Primary School. I am in P7 but I am completing my primary education on 3rd of November 2016. Now I am hoping to join senior one next year 2017.

My friends and all well wishers please wish me success in my Primary Leaving Examinations.

Written by Daphine

In the mean time Daphine finished her exams, but she is still waiting for the final result. Kiki wishes if Daphine can get the first grade.

How the name Mercy changed to Marcey

This is Mercy...

She was called Mercy by her parents and later she joined primary school at Kisiizi Primary School where the teachers taught her to write her name as Marcey. So she grew up knowing to write her name as Marcey. 

When recently she was processing a passport they found that the name which was on her national identity card -Mercy- was not the same as that on her academic documents -Marcey. From there the Ministry of Internal Affairs -where they process the passports- sent her to National Identity Registration Agency (NIRA ) -where they process the national identity cards- for the correction of her name. At NIRA they sent her to the court to make an affidavit, it means she went to swear before the magistrate that she renounces the name Mercy and that she will be called Marcey forever.

...and this is Marcey

So Mercy became the owner of a national identity card and a passport where her names are spelled as Marcey.

Selling ladies' clothes

I am called Tumusiime Eunice working at Mwanjari market as a business woman dealing with selling ladies’ clothes.

Manjari market, every Monday and Friday

I sell nice skirts and brouses at a relatively good price. In my business I normally get customers on Friday but on Monday I don’t get many customers. 

Eunice's fitting room

Most of the girls from Kabale University come to me to buy office wear skirts because they always tell me that skirts that I have are good and are fittings to tie their buttocks.

University girl Kiki is one of the customers of Eunice

Written by Tumusiime Eunice

KABALE CHILDREN KABALE CHILDREN KABALE CHILDREN 

How Ugandan children go to school

In Uganda most schools open at 8:00 am and close at 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday. Different children come from different families with different backgrounds and this is a great factor on how these children go to their respective schools in the morning and back to their homes in the evening.

Children from well off families are dropped and picked by their parents in their own transport means such as vehicles, motorcycles etc.

Children from middel income families are dropped and picked by boda boda or an affordable fee can be paid to the school in order for these children to be dropped and picked by the school van/vehicle but this depends on the parents' will and acceptability.

There are also children from low income families where their daily income cannot afford to cater for transportation charges. This situation therefore forces children to walk (foot) to and from school and for the case of young children, their parents are forced to accompany their children in the morning and come to collect them in the evening.

So no matter what, all children come to school in the morning and go home in the evening.

Written by Annet Namara

Child labour

To start construction of unit two Kiki and Pele went to buy materials.

People loading bricks into the truck

  

Loading bricks

Kiki and Pele purchases bricks from Konyo in Kabale District. These bricks made in Konyo are good and cannot easily break because the soil is clay.

When the truck reaches the place where the bricks are, many people who make the bricks rash to load them into the truck and start fighting each other to load.

Kiki and Pele purchasing sand

Sand holes

Kiki and Pele purchases sand from Katuna.The place is so interesting with deep holes where people extract sand from. When Kiki reached there she was amazed to see people in holes. But the place was also nice to pose for special pictures.

Kiki posing

Buying timber

Kiki and Pele always buys timbers from Bugongi. There are several people who work in timber and carpentry. Kiki bought 6” by 2” which means timbers of 6 inches broad and 2 inches thick.

Child labour

   

Adults and children at work

Pele went with Justus to buy hardcore as Kiki was at the university. Mothers and their small children were busy to make aggregates out of the rock. Children brought the aggregates down from the hill carrying them in old jerrycans on their heads. They had to work on a rather high speed and they looked tired. We call it 'child labour' and that is an abuse.

Written by Kiki

KABALE UNIVERSITY KABALE UNIVERSITY KABALE UNIVERSITY

Graduation at Kabale University

Kiki on graduation day

Hello I am Kiki. I study at Kabale University. On 4th of November 2016 Kabale University was celebrating the 10th graduation at Kikungiri hill.

The graduates were very smart whereby they put on graduation gowns.

Many people came to witness the graduation especially the parents and relatives of the graduates.

The president of Uganda His Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also came to witness the function. Security officers did not allow Pele to picture the president. So you will be satisfied with a picture of Kiki who expects to graduate in 2018!

Written by Kiki

Kabale university students opposing the change of national constitution (Togikwatako)

 Students with papers written on” Togikwatoko”

On 26/09/2017 the students of Kabale University where Kiki studies from were striking such that they don’t change the national constitution article 102 (b). This says that a person under the age of 35 years should not contest to be the president of Uganda. And the person above 75 years should not contest to be the president of Uganda. The parliament of Uganda wants to change the constitution -so that is why the students were striking. The news reporter Mr. Simani from Voice of Kigezi Kabale was present to record the news at Kabale University. The students were running around carrying the papers written on “Togikwatako” meaning that don’t touch the constitution to change it.

 Simani is a big man with his colleague recording News

By Kiki

KIRIGIME GUESTHOUSE KIRIGIME GUESTHOUSE KIRIGIME

Pele stayed in total more than 1 year in Kirigime Guesthouse. He got familiarized with some practices in the guesthouse.

The best trained team in Uganda

"I've turned the bar into a conference hall"

Personnel of Kirigime guesthouse in Kabale are surely the best trained team in Uganda. How is that possible? Well it is because many workshops take place in Kirigime and by these occasions the club and bar are turned into a conference hall.

I am a member of many associations

We hear all those important messages

Personnel is purchasing T-shirts of the workshops and hear all those important messages. The anti corruption flag is waving several times a year in Kirigime as former 'Kick corruption out of Kigezi' turned into 'Kick corruption out of Uganda'.

One day I even found a family member of me attending the fight against corruption workshop!

The flag of 'Kick corruption out of Uganda' waving in Kirigime Guesthouse

The brand new car of Kick-U

At night many cars of important organizations come to sleep in Kirigime Guest house. They are nice cars, donated by important donors, but no one can beat UN. The UN cars are equipped to go in every corner of Uganda and to communicate directly with UN head quarters. So if you want to know where your tax payers money goes, come to take a look at the parking of the Guesthouse.

Alias WOGE

Many cars come to sleep in Kirigime Guesthouse

How to make friends?

Alive Timious Assistant receptionist of Kirigime Guesthouse

The following are the ways of how to make friends:

One can make friends through helping other people or having a spirit of team work.

Friends can be made through visiting them, juzzing with them and praying with them.

One can make friends through sharing information, telling stories, sharing eatable things etc.

Friends can be made through becoming trust worthy to them and helpful.

One can make friends through visiting different places most especially public places like churches, hotels or places where many people are most likely to be gathered.

One can make friends through spending leisure time e.g. clubbing, attending fellowships, swimming etc.

One can make friends through becoming social and used to people or not becoming selfish.

Promoting developmental establishments in an area can also become one way of making friends.

Written by Alive Timious

Timious making friendship with WOGE

FUNNY NEWS? FUNNY NEWS? FUNNY NEWS? FUNNY NEWS?

Funny news? Chinese entrepreneurs, an industrious bishop and goates draped in dresses.

My daily fried egg and toasted bread in New Skyline

While I take my breakfast in New Skyline I usually read some Ugandan newspapers. The serious articles and the funny ones, and those that are a mixture of both.

I found that Chinese entrepreneurs who where interrogated in Ugandan parliament started to discuss among themselves in Chinese. The MP's kept perplexed.

Another story was about a retiring bishop who wanted to end his career in beauty. The bishop picked church visitors who where living together for years but who where still not maried out of the public and married them at the spot. The industrious bishop bought the wedding rings in bulk in a nearby shop.

But the story that won the trophee of this week is about goats. Here is the story right from the Daily Monitor:

Police in Kabale on Sunday impounded a vehicle loaded with ten goats that were draped in dresses to conceal them. The goats were being transported in a saloon car Toyota corolla Reg No UAG 630D.

The police spokesman for Kigezi Mr Elly Maate said that the driver of the car told police that he was hired by suspected thieves who had gathered them from different homes in Rugarama Sub County in Ntungamo district.

“The car driver and one suspected were arrested on Sunday morning at Kigezi High Primary School playground in Kabale municipality following intelligence that stolen goats were being off-loaded. To our dismay, the goats were dressed in dresses to camouflage them as people,” Mr Maate said.

Written by Pele


BLACK RESIDENTS OF BELGIUM-BLACK RESIDENTS OF BELGIUM

Black residents of Belgium

Residents of foreign origin

1 in 5 residents of Belgium has a foreign origin. In Brussels, this is more than half; Flanders 1 to 8, in Wallonia 1 to 5. But what about the migration of people from black Africa to Belgium?

Where do you see most blacks in Belgium? Precisely, in Brussels. 6 to 7 per cent of the inhabitants of the Brussels region is black. And the least? In Flanders. Also correct: 1 to 100.

Black residents

Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa are mainly found in Brussels and the outskirts of Brussels, Louvain-la-Neuve and the larger cities such as Liege and Antwerp. In Flanders, you will find them especially in the outskirts of Brussels, Denderleeuw, Antwerp, Aalst and Ghent. There are still a number of municipalities with no resident from black Africa.

Nationalities

The Congolese people are the largest group: they are 75,000. Comparatively most black migrants come from Rwanda, however: about 18,000. There are only about 600 Ugandans in Belgium, mostly in Flanders.

Students and asylum seekers

In the colonial period Congolese, Rwandans and Burundians did not get the right to travel to Belgium. So the influx is mainly a post-colonial phenomenon. Most black migrants came to Belgium as a student or as an asylum seeker.

HIV patients

Although black Africans are only one percent of the population one in three HIV patients in Belgium came from black Africa.

Internet users

Black Africans use the Internet frequently. In order to communicate, but also for the reading of the African and international press. After all, they cannot find much information about their country of origin in our media.

Written by Pele