'For God and My Country'; and the Queen - Kampala style

The citizens of the Pearl of Africa embrace it whole heartedly. It is, afterall, the national motto, one of the common identifiers, the national adhesive. 'For God and my Country'. To the first time visitor (to Uganda) this motto seems to call on all Pearls (Ugandans) to exploit their resources whilst being accountable to God or whoever they attribute their lives and breath to, to their motherland and to themselves. Or so it seems. The country's resources are many including agricultural ones such as cane sugar, coffee and bananas and non-agricultural ones such as the recently discovered oil and unique bird and animal species. Did I forget to mention life-changing trips to the north of the country where 20 years of war has led to untold suffering and loss of millions of lives?

What is interesting is the way the motto has been taking a seemingly new dimension in the last few months, what with the Queen of England who is also the leader of the Commonwealth visiting the small East African nation later this year.

This year Uganda will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November. This is a forum held once every two years where different heads of State and governments meet to discuss issues affecting all or most of the countries of the Commonwealth; countries that were once governed by England. CHOGM has become the by-word for development as Ugandans from all walks of life prepare to welcome hundreds of delegates. It has been signalling everything that has to do with putting on a good show when the cameras begin to roll in November. Don't forget that the cameras may also roll before the Head of the Commonwealth. One must not allow 'her majesty' to catch him / her off-guard.

The continents' Pearls are busy, very busy in fact because they do not want to embarass any of their 4000 plus delegates. A visit to Uganda's capital, Kampala (which means city of seven hills) and its environs at the moment is like a trip to another world. Roads are being re-carpetted and marked left right and center and potholes - one defining feature of many parts of Kampala's road network - being filled with tar, stones, red earth (whatever) - depending on if the road in question is likely to be used by some of the important delegates who will descend on the city next month. And it is not only the road constructors who have been busy. Electric engineers, businessmen and women, property owners (landlords) and the city council authorities have found use for their skills and resources. Everyone is investing. Everyone is getting ready for CHOGM. Everyone is getting ready to shine, 'For God and my country and most importantly for the Queen (and may I add) and other very important delegates'. To many locals, most of who live in deprivation, hosting this particular high profile is an honour they do not wish to take for granted. Afterall you never know if the Commonwealth Head would ask for a ride into your appartment or business premise. Everyone must be ready for the big event of the year.

It is lovely to see clear road markings (the first I have seen since I started visiting Uganda a couple of years ago), to drive on a road devoid of potholes, to see buildings undergoing major refurbishments and to actually use a functioning traffic light. The Pearls have expanded their motto, somewhat unconsciously, to include the mother figure of the Commonwealth countries perhaps because it is an important once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host this leader.

I hope that all the resources being utilised now will benefit the ordinary citizens of Uganda after CHOGM ceases to be 'the event of the day' and the CHOGM delegates return to their respective countries. I hope the Pearls of Africa will be served with the same drive and gusto. I hope CHOGM will be the turning point after which Uganda will truly become 'the Pearl of Africa'.

Romosh