In light of a recent spate of posts and comments asking what its purpose is — one-stop entertainment hub? blogren free-for-all? — The Kampalan is running a poll. What do you think should happen to the site?

If you think The Kampalan should stick around and you want to become a contributor, e-mail me at jackfruity@gmail.com.

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My next piece is up at Global Voices Online:

An interview with a Kampala City Council official has blogger Tumwijuke wondering if Uganda is “mentally, intellectually and creatively broke”:

What else would explain the near absence of public art in the city? Rich men and women in Kampala are opening new hotels, shopping centers, office blocks and apartments every month. These are well traveled and widely read (I hope) people who are exposed to things like good architecture, art and culture. So why is the city so bland?

Read more »

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From Ahmed Rashid’s column in today’s Washington Post:

In recent weeks, she had publicly taken on the Taliban extremists — something Musharraf has not dared to do, despite all his bluster and bonhomie with President Bush since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. With Bhutto gone, there is no one who can play such a role.

Plain and simple, folks.

Update: But which book?
Coming Anarchy found an article from Hindustan Times that claims, “In 2002, [Bhutto] sent a book by Robert D Kaplan [to Indian Opposition Leader LK Advani] as a gift, writing a note saying she thought of him when she saw the book.”

I must know.

Posted in international politics, kaplan, pakistan, terrorism | Leave a comment

I’ve been trying for weeks to come up with something snarky to say about this, but I think the following speaks for itself.

Exhibit A, Kampala, Uganda:

Exhibit B, London, England:

What is Virgin Limobike?
It’s a passenger motorbike. Based in London, it provides the quickest and one of the most glamorous ways to get from A to B. Celebrities use it, business people use it, in fact people from all walks of life use it, whether it be to get to the airport quickly regardless of how bad the traffic is or to glide from one end of London to the other.

Posted in crazy, modes of transportation | Leave a comment

Pernille, formerly of I Have Left Copenhagen but now writing at Louder than Swahili, has published her final report on the two years she spent in West Nile as an information advisor with Sudanese refugees for MS Uganda. The report, in addition to being a fascinating, intensely honest look at development work, is beautifully laid out with photos and clips from Pernille’s blog. You can download it here.

Posted in aid and development, northern uganda, ugandan blogosphere | Leave a comment