Public information: for whose consumption?

As I took these fotoz I wondered why on earth whoever posted the information used Kiswahili to convey HIV and AIDS information while the rest is in English? (most if not all people of Bagamoyo and Tanzania in genaral speak Kiswahili)? Is it that he/she thought that is only was relevant to them? That Bagamoyo people were not entitled to understanding anything about the construction project? while it is commendable to mainstream HIV and AIDS it is still questionable as to why the information at has to be posted at all if it is to be in the language many people can't understand?

'brush your teeth' pupils continually reminded

I found this poster in front of a classroom at Mwambao primary school in Bagamoyo district- Tanzania. I felt it was relevant as a starter "Brush your teeth daily using a tooth brush made from a tree 'stick' or a plastic one" to the local settings and it was placed at the right place with all the prominency - in front of the classroom, just beneath the school timetable adjuscent to the writing 'black' board.

EL NINO- UP FRONT SIGNALS WELCOMED BY OUR POOR INFRASTUCTURES

The heavy rains that poured in less than an hour this afternoon (Novemver 20, 2009)were enough to flood the mawalla road and covered the bridge towards Mawalla park in Arusha as shown in the photographs. One asks what will happens to the many poorly constructed roads as we head to the anticipated 'Elinino rains'. How much are we prepared???

EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT FOR 21st CENTURY IN TANZANIA- WHAT A SHAME!!!

The Primary Education Development Plan (PEDP) popularly known as Mpango wa Maendeleo ya Elimu ya Msingi (MMEM) 2002-2004 was a massive support to boost primary school education in Tanzania. it aimed at enhancing the both quality and quantity (structures to increase enrolment and enhance quality as well).BUT IN SOME PLACES OF THE COUNTRY - PEDP only came to pass!!

Photographed are the pupils of Juhudi Primary School in Kigoma Rural – district in Kigoma region- Tanzania in the ‘modern and enhanced’ learning environment as a result of MMEM!!!!! God forbid!

Rev. Emmanuel Bwatta of Anglican Church who took the fotoz, August this year (2009) reported that teachers at Juhudi primary school were reluctant to allow him to take the fotoz!! what do you think was the reason for their reluctancy??

Photos: Kind courtesy from Rev. Emmanuel Bwatta

KABAKA MUTEBI OF BUGANDA - A remnant of African great civilisations and political sophistication?

Ssabasajja Kabaka Mutebi addressing his people at Mityana recently (end of October 2009)

"We salute you our Kabaka Ssabasajja Mutebi" might have been the words from Baganda who gathered to honour their leader as he left the Singo County headquaters at Mityana

Obssessed Baganda who flooded the streets of Mityana and had to wait for long hours to see their leader; on 24th October, 2009.
Kabaka Mutebi is reputed amaong the Baganda of Uganda to be an exemplary leader who defends the interests of his people. He is at the heart of opposition aginst land grabbing by H. E Yoweri Museveni's central government.

Photos: Kind courtesy of Jude Kizimula and Mary N. Nsereko

UWAZI KATIKA KUIMARISHA UTAWALA BORA - Lugha rahisi itachochea mafanikio

UWAZI ni mojawapo ya misingi muhimu ya utawala bora. Sifa na misingi mingine ya utawala bora ni pamoja Demokrasia, Uwajibikaji, Utawala wa sheria,Uadilifu na ushirikishwaji wa wananchi katika kupanga, kutekeleza, kufuatilia na kutathimini shughuli za maendeleo yao.

Njia mojawapo ya kuimarisha uwazi ni kuwapo kwa miundombinu endelevu na shirikishi tena jumuishi ya mawasiliano. Pichani ni bango la tangazo la ujenzi wa barabara lililokutwa na kamera yetu mjini Tukuyu likielezea kinagaubaga juu ya mradi wa ukarabati na matengenezo ya barabara ya tukuyu – Mbambo hadi ipinda. Taarifa zilizoko kwenye ubao huo zinaonyesha chanzo cha fedha, mkandarasi, msimamizi n.k taarifa ambazo tumezoea kuziona kwenye mabango ya aina hiyo. Kipekee tangazo hilo limekwenda hatua zaidi kwa kubainisha kiasi cha fedha kitakachotumika na muda wa kuanza na kumalizika kazi hiyo.

Hii ni hatua muhimu ya kupongezwa. Haina budi kuigwa na Halmashauri zote za wilaya, miji, manispaa na majiji, Wakala wa Barabara (TANROADS) na wadau wengine wote!!!!

Hata hivyo, kasoro kubwa katika bango hilo ni LUGHA iliyotumika. Msomaji kama mimi, ambaye nadema dema na kiingereza, analazimika kujiuliza hivi nani alilengwa kwa taarifa hiyo? tatizo ni nini hasa? Kama mlengwa ni mwananchi, kwanini isiandikwe taarifa hiyo katika lugha yake, KISWAHILI?

Wakati umefika tubadilike, na kulimaliza tatizo hili. Si ajabu halmashauri za wilaya kutoa tangazo la mizania ya mahesabu yake gazetini katika lugha ngumu na ya kitaalamu gazetini ‘consolidated audited financial sijui nini na nini balance sheet. kwa hakika badala ya kuwa balance sheet iliyokusidiwa taarifa hiyo kwa wengi wetu inageuka kuwa just a shit!!!

TAARIFA ZIWE RAFIKI KWA WASOMAJI NA KATIKA LUGHA INAYOELEWEKA KWA WENGI NCHINI, KISWAHILI!!!