African Insights - Monthly Blog- After the Bombings-Kampala-The Loyal Opposition

When the USA was attacked 9-11-2001 - everyone was an American first, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians - it did not matter - all stood as Americans first.

In Uganda after July 11, 2010 it was not like that- sadly so-The Opposition parties instead of rallying around survivors, families, lost ones, the wounded and injured like the Radical New York Newspaper "Black Star News" in an editorial the day after the bombings used the tragic event to attack the government of President Museveni, Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and Police Chief Kale Kayihura .

As Ugandans say "that's bad manners". This was an opportunity to be a Ugandan first, to pay respect for the dead, to comfort the afflicted, the surviving families, to show Ugandans that no matter what political affiliation one might have, one was a Ugandan first and stood with his or her people first.

Instead the government and the Security Minister and Police Chief were accused of sitting on information that the attacks were to happen. If the honorable opposition knew of the attack and had information, why did they not reveal and share it?

Ugandans were attacked-74 plus died, many are still in hospitals, some foreigners were killed. People - watching the world cup final-most in the beginning of midst of their lives, their hopes and dreams snuffed out in a second by some rabid zealot with a hatred for anything that celebrates life and liberty different from their own definition. Al Shabaab in Somalia claimed responsibility, rejoiced in the dead in the name of some twisted form of Islam while Somalis in Uganda (moved behind closed doors in the fear of reprisals) and yet the Ugandan opposition used it to strike out at the government. The opposition was not looking at the victims (most who were still being collected from the morgue and had not even been buried), their families, the wounded in hospitals, they were looking at an opportunity to garner votes for the 2011 elections, an opportunity at striking out at President Museveni and his National Resistance Army.

The opposition was not being Ugandans first, but simply opportunists looking for an opportunity to strike out. As an American who remembers very well Americans of every political stripe standing as one after 9-11-2001 I was deeply saddened by the not thought through comments by Opposition candidates on local TV. The call for resignation, the call for removal of Ugandan -African Union troops was premature and wrong. This was an opportunity for them to show forth the slogan of Ugandans "For God and my Country," it however became "For Me and my Party."

While Ugandans wept and mourned some politicians saw it as opportunity for their own political future...and as an outside that deeply loves Uganda...it simply made me sad.

There is a time for everything but in the days following the bombings it was a time to mourn, to weep, to console, to stand as a Ugandan first...jon

I usually do not write about Ugandan politics, but this missed opportunity by Ugandan opposition leaders deeply saddened me, this was and is not about President Museveni and his party but about Ugandans being viciously attacked. Some may say it was about President Museveni's deployment of Ugandan troops to Somalia under the auspices of the African Union. The people who were killed had nothing of that on their minds when they were murdered in cold blood. This was about Ugandans being slaughtered in their own country while watching the premier event of football, the World Cup Final. Innocent Victims...

Presenting the many Sides of Out of Africa -Too

Out of Africa- Too" makes Africa come alive...with hundreds of pages

Africa-My Perspective-Section: Africa gets inside of your soul, you either love it or hate it. Some westerners get skeptical, others learn to do a paradigm shift and go with the African flow. Here are some of insights into Africa that have been shaped by years of living in Africa.

Africa's Children-Section: The joys, the sorrows, get in touch with the children of Africa. Meet the children of Africa in stories, in pictures, in accounts of what life is like for an African Child. Pages and pages of the accounts of children in Africa along with pictures.

Africa's Women-Section: The women of Africa. There are pictures of everyday women. Stories of Human triumph and of simply daily life for a woman in Africa. There is a resiliency and strength in the African woman birthed out of the daily trials she faces.

Life in East Africa-Section: Life in Africa is quite different from the West, but it is probably very different from what you thought. Find out what life in Africa is like, for one thing it is community, Harambee the spirit of pulling together. Lots of pages to introduce you to what life is like in Africa.

Africa-One Man's Journey-Section: To every journey there are two sides, the inner and the outer journey. Here are accounts of my journey, my "Out of Africa" account of lessons learned along the journey into and out of Africa.

African Reflections-Section: Reflections from Africa - Thought provoking accounts, events, encounters in my journey in and out of Africa. Stories that touch the heart and soul.

African Picture Gallery-Section: Literally thousands of pictures from Africa including the children and women of Africa, life in Africa, Africa's scenery and wildlife, visits to a village in Africa, Rwanda Pictures, South Sudan pictures, Kenya Pictures, Uganda pictures.

African Decor-Section: Some years back I put up some pictures of my home decorated African Style. Never did I think as to how popular these page would become. Pictures and tips as to how you can transform your home with an African touch.

The LRA-Joseph Kony-Child Soldiers and Northern Uganda: In 2005 I wrote a page on the Lord's Resistance Army and the Joseph Kony, it was actually on a school a friend was building in the north. It became the most visited page on my website. Now there are many pages giving information on Alice Auma, Joseph Kony, the story of an abducted girl enslaved, the war in the north of Uganda, the missing children, the amnesty program for the LRA, the night commuters, and more.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly - People who have left their mark on Africa: Profiles, Background, Insights into various people who have influenced Africa, or the way that Africa and Africans are perceived.

Travel In Africa: This year come and experience Africa. Travel Information helpful for your Africa Trip, from preparation to getting an understanding of Africa before you arrive. Helpful Insights what awaits you here in Africa.

Uganda Travel Guide and Information: A complete total Travel Guide to Africa with Uganda as its focus. Travel Tips and Advice - Uganda Visa advice and where to buy it - Flying into Uganda information - Security and Safety tips in Uganda - Health Advice, Safari Tours.

Kabiza Uganda Wildlife -Gorilla-Primate-Birding Safaris: There are all kinds of Safaris that you can take, you can plan your own, or take one of our designed safaris in Uganda. Gorillas, chimpanzee, golden monkeys, mini-safaris, wildlife safaris, photo, honeymoon, adventure safaris with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.

Impact your world: Spend two life-changing weeks or more in Uganda. Most visitors to Uganda are Volunteers or short term missions teams.

African Insights Blog: Informative African Insights from Kampala Uganda - East Africa

July 17 2010: Safe & Secure Safari Tours in Uganda after the July 11, Bombing Attacks

July 16 2010: US Dollar favorable exchange rate benefits visitors from the USA to Uganda.

July 15 2010: Uganda - Tourism - After the Bombings on July 11 - World Cup Day?

July 13, 2010: Uganda Travel Safety & Security - after the World Cup Terrorist Attacks in Uganda.

June 27, 2010: Richard Akena - former LRA Child Soldier - Man with a dream for the Orphans of Northern Uganda

February 28, 2010: African Safari Reflections-Personal Thoughts

January 31, 2010: Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

November 23, 2009: Gathering at the Table - Thanksgiving

November 12, 2009: Joseph Kony's Mother's dying Wish.

November 11, 2009: Using your Mobile Cell Phone in Uganda- practical tips and advice

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