I only watched half of the KONY 2012 video and had a few WTF! moments. The danger of a single story as Chimamada Adichie says. I’m a US based Kenyan and have lived in Eastern Uganda for the last 9 months (clearly I don’t know a lot) but I will share MY thoughts and pictures and what I have seen here in regards to the Children in Uganda since from what I saw on the Invisible Childrens promo, only Jacob, who could clearly speak good english but had to be subtitled seemed to represent the UG kids. And since when did Uganda become part of Central Africa? Eish.
1. Kony is NOT in Uganda anymore. There haven’t been killings, child abductions in the last few years. Northern Uganda is recovering, rebuilding, reintegrating and rehabilitating the residents of the area. Starting with the GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA and a bee-hive of NGOs working in the area.
2. There is a disease affecting children from Northern Uganda (where Kony is from and did the horrible acts). No one really knows what it is and so far about 200 kids have died. It’s called nodding disease. Last week friday, the area MP Beatrice Anywar transported 25 children to Mulago Hospital in Kampala (that has more resources, specialized doctors etc) along with their parents/ guardians. In the news 2 days ago, The UGANDA Minister of Health says money from the Malaria Campaign earmarked for April 2012 has been diverted to treatment and research of nodding cases, pending the Government providing more funds.
So, these kids, from Nothern Uganda – are VISIBLE and being taken care of by their own government and community. Even M7 passed by the hospital to see the kids.
Did the folk over at Invisible Children mention this disease in the remaining 15minute clip I didn’t watch? Or how they can use part of the mucho money from their campaign (which is brilliant marketing strategy) to tackle CURRENT issues on the ground? Like getting these kids medical treatment?
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni visits children at the hospital
3. Most NGOs working in Uganda HIRE LOCAL TALENT! I’m doing my graduate school project with Heifer International. Even their staff in the US is a nice skittles mix of Americans and people from the area they are serving. The Africa regional staff at HQ has AFRICANS. I’m pretty sure having worked for 9years in UG, the founder of Invisible Children could have gotten 1 well educated Ugandan in US to be part of their staff and brought a much needed voice to the little fundraising let us SAVE..wait, let me show my son how Daddy can SAVE AFRICA from the bad guy.
4. There is an ad that comes on local channels (UBC, Step TV) that has this annoying green frog but the message is how Ugandan teachers, parents and community members can stop violence against children. It’s so cheesy but I remember it so it gets the point across. The campaign is by Raising Voices
5. The kids in Uganda might not all have shoes or a closet full of clothes or 3 meals a day or safe drinking water…but they sure are HAPPY kids. And they love dancing. And they hang out with strangers and smile. And they go to school. And they speak ‘good’ english. And their parents are Doctors and farmers and teachers and businessmen and fishermen and florists and hairdressers and fantastic cooks. I mean – can someone at least show their US audience a different face of Africa within their 30 minute clip. Like the airport they landed in? The hotel they might stay in and pay $300 a night in Kampala (that is 10 action kits). The ever green and beautiful Uganda that the future generation deserves to find intact. Anyway, since y’all didn’t get a chance to see that side of the story, here you go.
PS: Oil was recently discovered in Uganda..and drilling starts soon! And we know how that story US interest normally goes.
PPS: When does that Kony campaign “expire” again? (read: NGOs close their financial books on December 31st)
THE VISIBLE CHILDREN OF UGANDA!
With agriculture students at Mbale Secondary School
Kid in Bulambuli
Family at a new born baby's baptism.
Around Uganda..for those who only see or show worn-torn, HIV/Aids, corruption, full of disease kinda media stories.
People live in mansions
OMG! Like really? They have cars over there? And swimming pools? You know, in the country of Africa? OMG!!!
Mt. Elgon Hotel where I'm blogging from and charging my laptop due to a blackout! and many NGO sponsored workshops are held and their staff stay when in the area!
and eat real good, healthy, fresh, organically grown food
Meat stew, matoke (banana), rice, posho (ugali) and ground nut sauce for $2.50
“&
and Ugandans come up with simple, local resource available ways to tackle issues like sanitation
The list goes on and on about Uganda and other countries in Africa not just being a basket case awaiting “HELP” from the West.
And hopefully we are given room to raise our voices (plus have our voice invited and listened to), tell our own stories, handle our own damn issues and resources.
Oh…the kids show up at community events and dance away.
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Don’t get it twisted, the children in Uganda are very loved and cared for in Uganda..starting with the people of Uganda and it’s Government.
A child enjoying the beautiful sunset at Wanale, the slopes of Mt. Elgon.
’Until the lion learns to speak, the tales of hunting will always favor the hunter!’ Truth via @Knaan
UPDATES:
March 14th: Norther Ugandans react with anger to viral video screening in Lira
March 10th: One avenue to help
Rosebell Kagumire, a journalist from Uganda, sheds more light on the current nodding disease, ways you can reach out to a CURRENT and URGENT need for Northern Uganda children. For more info: http://networkedblogs.com/uZkNW
Her twitter her twitter updates: @RosebellK
Great piece – except for the part about Uganda’s government cares for its children. The nodding disease children you speak of were almost prevented from being allowed to travel to Kampala, because the govt didn’t want to be embarrassed. Seizing the bull by the horns, the president ventured down after the kids were unsuccessfully detained — though he failed to advocate for supplementary funding for the disease.
And go to schools – you’ll see the dismal conditions – hopefully you can take a tour through various parts of the country and witness the disparity in development and the raging poverty, even as more money is spent on a corrupt government.
This is wonderful!! While IC can teach us a lot about how to create great public relations schemes it teaches us VERY LITTLE about what is currently going on in Uganda. Believe me you didn’t miss out on the last 15 minutes of the video. Thank you for this post!!
Wow! you actually wowed me with this article! thank you.
Since the video came out I’ve been researching the net to see what others have to say. It seems like everyone has jumped on the bandwagon and forgot to think for themselves. While I have never heard of this man I hope he is brought to trail for his crimes. I hope Uganda really is improving and I wish I could be more helpful.
This is good to see, and I am not some huge supporter of Invisible Children as I’ve only just heard of them… but I just wanted to chime in… I’m a Canadian, and after watching this video I am not left with any impression of Uganda as a country. I’m left with the impression that there is a dangerous man and a dangerous regime in our world that targets children. No matter where that is happening, it is WRONG, and raising awareness about it is HUGE. Believe me, I was left with no impression that Ugandans did not care for their families or live only in poverty, I was left with the foul taste in my mouth that a most wanted criminal is still out there, and needs to be stopped. No matter where in the world someone is kidnapping children, they must be stopped. Just giving you another impression, lest you think we are all thinking negatively about this country on the whole. I’m certainly not thinking that at all.
Ms Key- I agree with you 100%.
The main point of the video did not come across to me as fundraising, but for us as a nation (or as the world) to be aware, make our governments aware and spread the word so that hopefully this guy will be brought to justice. Just because Uganda is now safe (or safer) from him doesn’t mean his reign of terror is over. He is a terrorist, is really what he is. And I don’t use that word lightly.
The IC video did mention that Mr. Kony has moved out of Northern Uganda and shows the general area that he is in on a map of Africa. He is still out there targeting children, but in a new area. He still needs to be brought to justice. The video also mentioned briefly and shows that the children of Uganda are happy to be free of Kony’s threats. The campaign is working, at least in Uganda. Kony is on the run. But that doesn’t mean we have succeeded in stopping him. There are a lot of war lords out there similar to Kony. I hope that the funds that support the campaign will target the next most-wanted criminals when the world is rid of Kony. Then this will not be in vain. As for the government of Uganda which might be trying to cover up a problem rather than fix it… I hope they learn something from all of this… to take care of all of the people, not just the ones that live in more affluent areas of the country.
Further to KONY 2012, please view this response from Sam Childers (aka the REAL “Machine Gun Preacher” on whom the movie starring Gerard Butler is based)…
Thanks for sharing Amanda – I watch the movie last week!
you are a terrible person. just thought you should know that.
Thank you for your comment, I think the bottom line is: get an idea for yourself before believing such a simplistic, lurid video. Uganda does have far better assets and far worse problems than Kony at the moment! But talking about war always raise people’s basic instincts… and make them feel like they are useful. Endless story of Africa and international aid. Meaning well but not always improving things.
I have an idea for myself! Ive been to Gulu Uganda. I have seen their work, their mission in action, and their programs doing good for the public community. You talk as if you know better? When have you visited the Invisible Children’s organization in Gulu? To assume that an organization that started before 2005 with a single mission is going to put that to rest when it has yet been fulfilled and accomplished for some other “worse Problem” is stupidity at its finest. You see a problem, a need, a situation that needs attention? Well, then what the heck are you waiting for? Step up and fix it. Stop criticizing other organizations because they are not doing things the way you believe they should be done. You are right, there will always be something worse. Well, Invisible Children saw a cause, a concern, and an incredible need and acted on that and built an organization that educates, informs, and helps. What the heck did you do today?
JASON…Why the need to name call? You either raise your points/concern with RESPECT or keep it moving and stay in your lane!
Jason, why the need to name call? If you can’t raise your views/ opinion with RESPECT…stay in your lane!!!
Wonderful! Can you help us create positive buzz with our project, ‘A Dam Relief’?
We have to work 100x as hard to counter this bloody Kony video.
Max email me the info saokolloh@gmail.com
Wow Shamim, just finished your blog and I wish it could go viral as this Kony thing is. This is really a danger of a single story and it pains me more that its always Africa that is victimized. You are not a lone, I didn’t go beyond ” uganda is in central africa ” since when? Really, oh how I wish they showed the other side of Uganda. Ignorance at its best. Thanks Mimi for the blog.
What is more dangerous – a single story about Africa that pains us and leaves us feeling victimized or living in a place where your lips are sliced off with a machete for speaking up to save your child’s life?
Is saving Africa’s and Uganda’s ‘reputation’ more important than saving those children from rape and torture? Are you able to see this as a humanitarian issue and not another case of Africa vs West? Can you see the beauty and the value in the youth of the world rising up to do the SOMETHING that they feel they can do about the senseless slaughter of the youth in Africa?
For many of us, this movement is not about Uganda but about those kids who need us – wherever they may be, whatever their country is called and wherever in Africa it is located – this is about them. Not about our pride, our ego, our personal identities and frustrations. This is about real human beings forced to kill their own parents just to stay alive. This is about the world standing up to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – however flawed our methods may be.
The more of us there are who can rise above our own personal issues and prejudices, the more of us there will be standing up for the right to life of those children who need us to be their voices. Thank God and all the people who care for for the happy children in Uganda now living their potential in a free and peaceful environment. It’s good to know they are doing well, but we must not forget the children just like them who are still running from damaged people like Kony.
If we each challenge our share of the ignorance that lives inside each one of us, we will truly start to transform our world in ways that are bigger and better than we can imagine. Look up and see all the love. Look for the light and you will see it.
The sun shines beautifully here in Uganda, what light am I looking for? Who are kids running from if Kony hasn’t been here in the last 4-5years. Schools in Gulu/ Nothern Uganda have been built, families and victims that are traumatized are getting counseling, NGOs on the ground are working hard to bring back stability and a normal way of life…folk are not looking for Kony here. They are trying to survive and get back on their feet.
’Until the lion learns to speak, the tales of hunting will always favor the hunter!’ Truth via @Knaan.
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Knowledge, once gained, can’t be lost. I see the IC’s campaign as an opportunity. For the people that really want effective and permanent solutions to do so – while the world is paying attention. Soon enough, there will be some other viral video, some other interesting topic, some other bad guy to catch. So the video is simplistic, like it or hate it, it has made people talk. Worldwide. Conversations have been sparked.Truth will be sought. Ideas will be formed. Because of the video. And now because of your article. Which you wrote in response to the video. In USA this morning on the National Public Radio (NPR) news, NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Barbara Among, a journalist with Uganda’s Daily Monitor, to find out what Ugandans think of the campaign.
http://www.npr.org/2012/03/09/148278071/viral-video-educates-world-on-ugandan-war-lord
I heard a Ugandan Reporter on radio in America. That’s fantastic. The video led to this. It’s what you choose to do with information that matters. And there are many people who will watch that video and make very different decisions from what the video requests. YOU DID. NPR NEWS DID. OTHERS WILL TOO. And those are the ones who will make REAL and LASTING difference in this world.
We know that LRA/Kony exists, and that there are child soldiers and maimed faces, (thanks to IC for their video) but we now ALSO KNOW that there are children who are happy, who have much love to give, who have a desire to live, who are getting educated, that Uganda is reconstructing and rebuilding, that its citizens are working hard and are very capable (thanks to you for your article, for sharing and giving us your perspective).
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Pro tip: watch the whole fucking video before critiquing it. Maybe then your criticisms with be valid.
YES! Love your piece! Will share with others. THank you!
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First and foremost, thank you for the piece which does warrant some debate. Secondly, I hope you ‘brushed ya shoulders’ off and dismissed the high school responses with the curses in ‘em. So allow me to engage in an adult discussion about all the hoopla surrounding K-2012.
So did the IC ‘Konyumentary’ misrepresent the facts about the current situation on the ground and lack a pragmatic approach towards a representative reality? Simple answer is yes. ( Although I wouldn’t just yet throw them in the same cage as Fox News & Rush).
Was the intention of the IC video to raise awareness for themselves or the plight of kids in Northern Uganda? I’d have to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they were in it for the kids.
But this is not that simple. Yes, there are kids smiling in Uganda and Yes there are also kids who have been affected by the war lord and need help.
. The marketing team should be sent to the ‘naughty step’.
Has the video done more harm than good by not being pertinent to its cause? I don’t think so. I wouldn’t even go as far as calling it the lesser of two evils. That said, there are things that I didn’t agree with like the ‘K-2012 t-shirt’. With all the dollars they raised, I’m sure they could have squeezed in a ‘Capture’, ‘Stop’, ‘Kill’, ‘Maim’ …….anything before the word Kony. I mean the only difference between my Britney 2012 t-shirt and IC’s t-shirt is the name
IC seem to have representatives in Uganda which is where they are needed and not really a Ugandan in the US who hasn’t a clue of what’s happening on the ground. They really should have screened the video and advised the ‘white man’ of what was really real and how they (Ugandans) perceived it way before it aired.
I heard some people cry foul at why he threw his kid into the mix but again I understand what Jason was trying to do. To screen the film in the West he had to give them a face that they can identify with like one of their own ( C’mon 20% of Americans think Barack is muslim), from birth to him clearly distinguishing between right and wrong when presented with a scenario. I think it was a brave decision and unless he’s an idiot he knew it was bound to attract criticism. (Obviously I wouldn’t throw my son on a Konyumentary)
In conclusion, I have to applaud the misguided efforts of IC only because they seem to be making a difference to people’s lives on the ground. The real question is does that merit them misrepresenting the facts? I think there is only one way to find out and that is by asking the people of Northern Uganda!!
If you had watched the whole thing before criticizing you would have realized they said in KONY 2012 the LRA has moved out of Uganda! Check the 15:01 mark. Nodding disease HAS been acknowledged by invisible children but their primary concern is stopping lra violence in DRC, CAR, and South Sudan although they do education programs and economic, rebuilding and rehabilitation in Uganda. They have Ugandan regional offices & i think about 35 of their full-time staff, out of 43, are Ugandans. We are all proud of how far Uganda has come, but hey the LRA are still active elsewhere! How about before criticizing an organization you actually do more than watch HALF of one of their 30 minute videos out of their 11 documentaries, actually visit the website and see who works for them, I mean honestly just spend 30 minutes reading up on what they do. It’s pathetic how misinformed you are! What you wrote was SO hurtful and naive!