19.03.2010
Due to the death of Samwiri Byanagwa (NRM) Rukiga County is going to elect a new MP. There is running a big battle between the ruling National Resistance Movement and the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Four candidates have been nominated for the election. One from the NRM – Adison Kakuru, one from the FDC – Jack Sabiiti and two independents.
After a few conversations with people here in Muhanga I have the feeling that most of them will vote Jack Sabiiti and they really want him to be the next MP. Apparently, he has been the one who installed a gravity water system in many parts of Rukiga as well as electricity.
My host-mammy argued that he is a hard working man and that the other candidates are just promising their support for making money. But Jack is in opposition, that’s why she believes that he would not win the election. Before the last elections in 2006 Jack has been locked in his house and also during this election campaign some agents of Jack has been attacked.
Since I am here in Muhanga, several election rallies took place. I have attended two of them with my host-mommy. She is very active in supporting Jack. Even a meeting in her house has been arranged with about 15 people, Jack included. However I miss most of the information because the only language which is spoken in this context is Ankole Rukiga (unfortunately my host-mammy does not translate a lot for me), but even so, it is very interesting for me to be part of these happenings.
Today, Mr. President Museveni personally has been on election campaign in Kabale for his candidate. Hours before his arrival, the main street in Muhanga has been guarded by the police. The whole morning people have been very fevered and waited with bated breath for their president. Ultimately, he arrived in Muhanga with a convoy of about 15 cars (amongst 4 military vehicles and one ambulance). I think almost all residents of Muhanga Town have been on the street. They stopped by the road and Museveni orated through the sunroof of the car for about 15 minutes. As the convoy continued to the next village, they have passed all the people… I think I have been the only Mzungu… even Museveni recongnized me and waved to me… and I waved back!
I am really curious how these elections will develop… but I think I am not the only one!
P.S.: I asked someone if I am allowed to take a picture… he answered with a strict voice to leave my camera in my bag… otherwise I will be arrested. So, I did not have to courage to take a picture.
Freitag, 19. März 2010
Donnerstag, 18. März 2010
Muhanga
09.03. – 18.03.2010
On Tuesday last week I continued my travel to Muhanga – Kabale Distict where I am going to conduct my research.
A colleague from the Water and Sanitation Development Facility took me to Muhanga – 2 hours away from Mbarara Town.
Firstly, we have visited the Sub-County Bukinda to let them know that I am around in this region and then we continued our journey to Muhanga where we had to look for the lady, she is called Marry, where I am going to stay.
We went up to her house which is located on the surrounding hills. I have been really impressed of her house and even of my room! I love the view from my room!
The house is quite big and is surrounded by her garden where she plants all kind of african food (matoke, sweet potatoes, irish potatoes, beans, peas, pumpkins etc.) and the house is connected to electricity as well, as the most houses in this small town.
I feel really comfortable staying in this house. I did not expect such a "luxurious" life. There are just differences in sanitation and water supply. However, the first time it has been a challenge.
Toilet on the right hand-side is for running water and the other one is for the rest
Marry is quiet an impressive lady and always very busy, working for the water and sanitation scheme or in her garden or she is politically active. Her man died in 1998 and now she lives together with one girl and one boy, but they are not her children. The boy, Harvas is my teacher in Ankole Rukiga, the local language. For me it is really hard to learn it. Our communication is quiet funny, because his english is very weak and I do not speak his language... but it is always fun and he is very patient with me :)
If I try to speak Rukiga with the people here, they are always laughing about me... but I think they appreciate it.
I hope I won’t gain too much weight here, because people here (the tribe is called Bakiga) eat really a lot and they serve me a lot as well!
For breakfast we usually drink tea (African tea, that means milk with tea and a bit of water and a lot of sugar :)) and eat bananas, or sometimes I get an omelette or even today I got bread. For lunch and supper we always have african food which means a lot of carbohydrate. I try to get more of the vegetables like pumpkin and cabbages, but they are rare.
The people here in Muhanga are very friendly. But walking alone through the village is always a challenge.
A lot of people are calling “Mzungu”, which means foreigner… and this is the word I hear most of the time and everywhere! With most of the people you can have a small talk. They are very interested in how I like their country and their village, where I come from, the differences to my country...
On Tuesday, I had one of my most memorable experiences since I am here. I did some observations at a protected spring nearby the centre of the town. As I have arrived there, a few children have been there, fetching water, sitting in the grass, playing cards… they have been very sceptical as they have seen me. I greeted them in the local language, but still, they have been very shy. More and more children came to the spring fetching water. One of the boys came up to me and started talking with me. His English was quiet good. More children came around me and then I have been surrounded by at least 30 children.
Some sentences they like saying "Give me money", "Give me a pen", "Give me sweety". However, we have been joking and laughing… I had a great time with them.
As I decided to go home, because it became already dark, the children took their jerry cans and followed me. And eleven of the kids even followed me up to my room, a walking distance of about fifteen minutes… I could not believe it…I told them to go home, but they ignored my words. At Marries place they danced and sang for me… so sweet!
However, communication concerning my research is really hard. Even the communication with Marry is difficult. She does not speak a lot with me and she also does not tell me a lot about the project. I always have to quiz her about her life, (I think I am sometimes getting on her nerves) and then her answer often is just one sentence. Sometimes I have the feeling that she does not want to give me more information. There are misunderstandings as well… sometimes if she does not understand my questions, she just says yes. We will see how our communication process will develop!
Until now I did not start with the interviews, because of the communication problems. And I think it is also better, when the people are getting to know me and get used to my presence... so that we can build a basic confidence.
I have been observing several taps from the project. All in all the Facility established eight taps, but just three or four of them are working. Due to many leakages the water is not running. I have been mainly observing the tap in the centre of the town, as well as the protected springs to find out who is not using the water from the scheme.
Tap from the scheme
I have been really surprised that men and women are fetching water. As it is written in literature mainly women are responsible for water for domestic use. I thought Muhanga is different. But a few days later I found out that these men deliver water to different households and so they earn their livelihoods. It is quiet interesting that men get paid for this job and women not.
I am in contact with the Head of the Department Sociology of the Makarere University and he has recommended a graduate who can assist my research. She studies Sociology and Gender and could stay with me the next month, that means that we could cooperate in a good way. She is not from the region where the research is going to be conducted but apparently she knows the local language. However, I am a bit sceptical.
Yesterday I got to know a man from Muhanga who made his Bachelor in Sociology as well, but I he did not find a job in this branch. That’s why he has two shops in this village to earn his livelihood. He also offered me his support for my research.
Is it better to choose a person from “outside” or to choose one who lives hear?
I do not really know who is the best person for my research… do you have any ideas?
Tea is waiting for me...
See you!
On Tuesday last week I continued my travel to Muhanga – Kabale Distict where I am going to conduct my research.
A colleague from the Water and Sanitation Development Facility took me to Muhanga – 2 hours away from Mbarara Town.
Firstly, we have visited the Sub-County Bukinda to let them know that I am around in this region and then we continued our journey to Muhanga where we had to look for the lady, she is called Marry, where I am going to stay.
We went up to her house which is located on the surrounding hills. I have been really impressed of her house and even of my room! I love the view from my room!
The house is quite big and is surrounded by her garden where she plants all kind of african food (matoke, sweet potatoes, irish potatoes, beans, peas, pumpkins etc.) and the house is connected to electricity as well, as the most houses in this small town.
I feel really comfortable staying in this house. I did not expect such a "luxurious" life. There are just differences in sanitation and water supply. However, the first time it has been a challenge.
Toilet on the right hand-side is for running water and the other one is for the rest
Marry is quiet an impressive lady and always very busy, working for the water and sanitation scheme or in her garden or she is politically active. Her man died in 1998 and now she lives together with one girl and one boy, but they are not her children. The boy, Harvas is my teacher in Ankole Rukiga, the local language. For me it is really hard to learn it. Our communication is quiet funny, because his english is very weak and I do not speak his language... but it is always fun and he is very patient with me :)
If I try to speak Rukiga with the people here, they are always laughing about me... but I think they appreciate it.
I hope I won’t gain too much weight here, because people here (the tribe is called Bakiga) eat really a lot and they serve me a lot as well!
For breakfast we usually drink tea (African tea, that means milk with tea and a bit of water and a lot of sugar :)) and eat bananas, or sometimes I get an omelette or even today I got bread. For lunch and supper we always have african food which means a lot of carbohydrate. I try to get more of the vegetables like pumpkin and cabbages, but they are rare.
The people here in Muhanga are very friendly. But walking alone through the village is always a challenge.
A lot of people are calling “Mzungu”, which means foreigner… and this is the word I hear most of the time and everywhere! With most of the people you can have a small talk. They are very interested in how I like their country and their village, where I come from, the differences to my country...
On Tuesday, I had one of my most memorable experiences since I am here. I did some observations at a protected spring nearby the centre of the town. As I have arrived there, a few children have been there, fetching water, sitting in the grass, playing cards… they have been very sceptical as they have seen me. I greeted them in the local language, but still, they have been very shy. More and more children came to the spring fetching water. One of the boys came up to me and started talking with me. His English was quiet good. More children came around me and then I have been surrounded by at least 30 children.
Some sentences they like saying "Give me money", "Give me a pen", "Give me sweety". However, we have been joking and laughing… I had a great time with them.
As I decided to go home, because it became already dark, the children took their jerry cans and followed me. And eleven of the kids even followed me up to my room, a walking distance of about fifteen minutes… I could not believe it…I told them to go home, but they ignored my words. At Marries place they danced and sang for me… so sweet!
However, communication concerning my research is really hard. Even the communication with Marry is difficult. She does not speak a lot with me and she also does not tell me a lot about the project. I always have to quiz her about her life, (I think I am sometimes getting on her nerves) and then her answer often is just one sentence. Sometimes I have the feeling that she does not want to give me more information. There are misunderstandings as well… sometimes if she does not understand my questions, she just says yes. We will see how our communication process will develop!
Until now I did not start with the interviews, because of the communication problems. And I think it is also better, when the people are getting to know me and get used to my presence... so that we can build a basic confidence.
I have been observing several taps from the project. All in all the Facility established eight taps, but just three or four of them are working. Due to many leakages the water is not running. I have been mainly observing the tap in the centre of the town, as well as the protected springs to find out who is not using the water from the scheme.
Tap from the scheme
I have been really surprised that men and women are fetching water. As it is written in literature mainly women are responsible for water for domestic use. I thought Muhanga is different. But a few days later I found out that these men deliver water to different households and so they earn their livelihoods. It is quiet interesting that men get paid for this job and women not.
I am in contact with the Head of the Department Sociology of the Makarere University and he has recommended a graduate who can assist my research. She studies Sociology and Gender and could stay with me the next month, that means that we could cooperate in a good way. She is not from the region where the research is going to be conducted but apparently she knows the local language. However, I am a bit sceptical.
Yesterday I got to know a man from Muhanga who made his Bachelor in Sociology as well, but I he did not find a job in this branch. That’s why he has two shops in this village to earn his livelihood. He also offered me his support for my research.
Is it better to choose a person from “outside” or to choose one who lives hear?
I do not really know who is the best person for my research… do you have any ideas?
Tea is waiting for me...
See you!
Sonntag, 14. März 2010
My weekend!
On Friday I travelled back to Mbarara where I met a friend to make a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We have spent one night in Mbarara and on Saturday morning we went to Kasese District.
On our way - I always enjoy travelling through this beautiful country
It was said that in this Nationalpark you can see lots of elephants (population of 3.000) as well as lions.
During our first gamedrive we did not see anything! Obviously, it was too hot. Frankly, we have been desperated.
View over the National Park
For Sunday we have booked a guide for visiting lions. We started our gamdrive at 06.30.
This trip has been really successful! Firstly, we have seen a leopard and it is really rare to see one. Normally, you meet one once in three months. Further, we have seen some elephant families and even tigers crossed our way!
Some Impressions…
On Sunday we continued our trip to the South, to Kabale District.
On the way...
Matoke Market
View over Kabale - the coldest District in Uganda
Kabale Town
Our goal has been Lake Bunyonyi!
What a wonderful and relaxing place!
On Monday I travelled back to Muhanga!
On our way - I always enjoy travelling through this beautiful country
It was said that in this Nationalpark you can see lots of elephants (population of 3.000) as well as lions.
During our first gamedrive we did not see anything! Obviously, it was too hot. Frankly, we have been desperated.
View over the National Park
For Sunday we have booked a guide for visiting lions. We started our gamdrive at 06.30.
This trip has been really successful! Firstly, we have seen a leopard and it is really rare to see one. Normally, you meet one once in three months. Further, we have seen some elephant families and even tigers crossed our way!
Some Impressions…
On Sunday we continued our trip to the South, to Kabale District.
On the way...
Matoke Market
View over Kabale - the coldest District in Uganda
Kabale Town
Our goal has been Lake Bunyonyi!
What a wonderful and relaxing place!
On Monday I travelled back to Muhanga!
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