Election EXHAUSTION

I think its finally over. Amongst reports of renewed violence and demonstrations in Kampala today, we in the north of Uganda are finally over the “elections period” for 2011.  Back home our Federal, provincial and city elections occur at various times during the year, polls are open early, close late (relatively) and people barely notice when elections are happening. In Uganda there are 5 sets of elections (bless decentralization) that all occur within a few weeks of each other. There are obvious benefits to having all government levels re elected at the same time every 5 years. Imagine the coordination efforts that can be established when all officials have the same term in office. Lets see how it plays out. But there are also problems with the system, most notably the disruptions we have had in the past month.Each election day is a non declared but taken holiday. Combine that with our mandated quarantine period of 5 days for the Presidential election, and we have had 10 days off in the past few weeks. Today is Wed, and its my first day back from a 4 day weekend, last week we had Tuesday off. . But its over now. Yesterday was Women's Day (also a national holiday in Uganda) so we are now back to normal until Easter (next month). Time to get working. Next week will be 5 days long. Might take some adjustment.

We are madly planning for a delayed celebration for Women's day to be held on March 15 in Ogur district. The reason “election exhaustion”!! Our hopes are to have the celebration at the community level this year and involve those on the ground working with various organizations. The theme for Uganda for 2011 is Act Now: Promote Maternal Health. Should be a good day, if the rains hold off.

Although it is not yet officially rain season (I keep asking and they keep telling me April), we are getting some frequent storms in the afternoon that produce vast quantities of rain. Uganda is anything but a dry place. Even during the dry season things are lush and green, quite different than Brazil was, and i am told during the “long rain” season coming up, the abundance of fruit and growth is amazing. Can’t wait i bought a hoe and some pruners this weekend. The men at the hardware store were very sup portive but everyone else was wondering what i was doing with such a tool. “Never seen a mazungo dig before!” they would all declare. Mike at the beer store aptly named “one for the road” said he had to come over and see this for his own eyes.

Well it is happening this weekend, as Ambrose will come over to help me get started with the garden cleanup.

We are also finally interviewing for a new house guard. Two women will be the candidates and they will also be working in the garden with me as well as general cleaning and other duties you give a guard. Personally i don't think the security part of the job is necessary, we live in a great neighborhood and have a good gate and locks, but it might be nice to have someone around.

Lwo classes are into their second week and Bob is doing a great job forcing me to use the language, and everyone at work whole heartedly help me when ever i try to say/ask something. It will come with time, but just as i get the Lira local language i will probably go to Gulu and have to learn that one too.

Apwoyo

sally