‘Saying it Loud’ on TV

By Naomi Karabungi

Joel Besekezi hosted Richard Weyers, Director, British Council, Uganda and Matt O’Neill of Cordovan Digital on his one-hour talk-show on UBC TV, today 18 November 2007 from 1200 to 1300 hours.

Donned in a yellow jacket, a white shirt and black pants, and strategically positioned in the middle, Richard Weyers stands out from Matt and Joel who are ‘branded’ in their maroon People’s Forum Blog t-shirts.

While the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is arguably the most serious event that is yet to happen in Uganda, the show takes off on a note of humour and simplicity. Richard’s very first response gets them all laughing out loud. “So, what is CHOGM?” Joel asks. Instead, Richard chooses to say what it’s not: “CHOGM is actually not the Queen’s husband!”

Having excited us to listen, he explains that CHOGM is in itself a one-day political meeting strictly for the heads of states and governments of the Commonwealth countries; but there are lots of pre-events like the Commonwealth Youth Forum, Commonwealth Business Forum and the Commonwealth People’s Forum.

Richard Weyers explains that the Commonwealth People’s Forum gives a chance to civil society citizens and NGOs alike to advise the political heads about issues that concern their society.

(Editor’s note: We are trying to get a copy of the video which will be dropped into the blog.)

For about the first eight minutes, we have forgotten that Matt and Joel are in the studio too. Richard is showing off his knowledge (and I am sure his passion) for the People’s Forum; the guy actually answers everything even before he is asked! Phew! I am wondering how this show will run for the next 52 minutes; as far as I can see, Richard has already said everything about the People’s Space at the Hotel Africana and the various activities that will take place through the week: the workshops, the concerts and the allocated spaces. He even describes the huts in the Space and the gate that gets you there without going through the hotel. And by the way, entrance (and exit) is FREE to all!

Matt O’Neill explains that blogging is ‘sort of an online diary that includes images, and audio-video recordings.’ A team of 5 Ugandans (including Joel) have been put together to provide a platform for the public through blogging.

“We shall have pictures, recordings and interviews of what’s going on in the various workshops for those people that for one reason or another cannot come to the People’s Space,” says Matt.

That’s what blogging is about; everyone can have their say. And if you have a hiccup with blogging, just tap anyone you see in a maroon t-shirt!

Generally, the show takes a smooth run, until the live call-in begins and the phone lines start squeaking. Somehow, Joel manages to get through some calls by shouting over the din for callers to ‘please turn down the volume of your set’ over and over again. One caller named Susan calls in about 4 times; that’s maybe because Joel is such a charmer? Another caller asks how CHOGM will end corruption in Uganda and once again, I am impressed by Richard’s answer: civil society encompasses all these realities; everyone can represent these issues and even pressurise government through the People’s Forum!

Thanks to British Council, this is the first blog covering the Commonwealth People’s Forum.

Considering that CHOGM represents a third of the world’s population, blogging is the way to go: while not everyone can come to Kampala to participate (CHOGM itself is a closed event for heads of states only), wherever you are, you can be a part of this through the people’s forum. Inclusion is the way to go; come and join in the conversation!