SIASA UGANDA HOMA JUU

Nchini Uganda homa ya kisiasa imeanza kujengeka kwani chama cha Upinzani kikuu FDC kinafanya uchaguzi wa viongozi wake wakuu. Hapa kuna mizengwe na manuva za kila aina. Katika mchuano wa viongozi wanaogombea, Besyige na generali Muntu unatafsiriwa kiana na wachunguzi wa kisiasa.
Besigye mwenyewe ana mengi ya kusema juu ya hali ya kisiasa katika chama chake na uchaguzi huu. Chama cha FDC kinajaribu kutoa upinzani lakini inabidi waachane na furaha kwanza.

DEMOKRASIA UGANDA MAJARIBUNI

Nchini Uganda, Chama kikuu cha Upinzani FDC kinafanya uchaguzi ndani ya chama. Ni wakati wa kuona ni jinsi gani siasa za kiafrika zimejaa manuva na mizengwe. Wakati uchaguzi huo ukiendelea, chama tawala cha NRM kinagawanyika kutokana na kuongezeka kwa makashfa mengi. Chama hicho kinatimiza miaka 23 lakini haijulikani kama huo ndio mafanikio au la.

Pia kuna habari Raisi Museveni alikwaruzana na Kanali Ghadafi huko Ethiopia.

MAUAJI YA ALBINO ETI WAGANGA WA JADI MWIKO NA WALOKOLE JE?

Katika siku za karibuni kumeongezeka tabia ya kishamba (primitive) ya kuwaua kwa kuwachinja ama kuwakata viungo vyao watu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi ama albino. Kwa maana nyingine albino wanatolewa kafara na hii ni pamoja na serikali kujaribu kuchukua hatua mbalimbali kudhibiti hali hii bila mafanikio yeyote ya maana.

Ni hivi majuzi tu imefikia mahali Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda alishindwa kudhibiti mihemuko yake dhidi ya utoaji kafara huu hasa katika mikoa ya kanda ya ziwa na kuonekana kuunga mkono sera ya jino kwa jino badala ya kuzingatia sheria ichukue mkondo wake pale washukiwa wanapokamatwa.

Kilio cha mheshimiwa Mizengo Pinda kilionesha ni jinsi gani alitawaliwa na hisia (emotion) zaidi kuliko matumizi ya fikra yakinifu zenye tafakuri ya kina (critical reflection) katika jambo la msingi kama hili linalogusa jamii ya watanzania. Sikuyapokea maneno ya maalbino yaliyoripotiwa na kiongozi wao mmoja wiki hii jijini Dar es Salaam akiwalaumu wanaomuhoji Pinda dhidi ya kauli yake ya jino kwa jino kuwa ni watu wasio na huruma dhidi ya mauaji kama hayo na wakachorwa kama ni watu wenye kuwatetea wauaji. Nathubutu kusema wazi kuwa kwa kuzingatia kuwa nchi yetu inaendeshwa kwa sheria na Katiba basi hatuna budi kuwapuuza watu wenye mawazo kuwa jino kwa jino ni sawa na inawakilisha hisia sahihi juu ya maafa yanayotukabili.

Ni makosa makubwa sana kuweka huruma mbele kabla ya kutanguliza tafakuri za kina katika kila jambo tunalojihusisha nalo. Kwa Pinda kutumia machozi mbele ya Bunge inaonesha jinsi gani asivyo na mtizamo wa kibinadamu unaojali watu/ binadamu wengine ni kama yeye. Kwenye falsafa ya maadili kuna mtizamo wa “otherness/ alterity” ambapo ni kumwona binadamu mwenzako kama wewe. Yaani hata kama ni muuaji, huyu ni mwanadamu kama wewe na mapungufu yake ya kinyama lazima yashughulikiwe kwa taratibu za kisheria.

Mheshimiwa Pinda kwa kutumia sera yake ya “Jino kwa Jino” na Machozi Bungeni” anatoa mfano potofu kwa watanzania kwani ni wazi kimaadili amepotoka na anaupotosha umma na kizazi kijacho cha watanzania. Nasema hivi kwani kama kiongozi alipaswa kuegemea zaidi “maadili ya jumla”, (Objectivity) badala ya kuwa na mtizamo wa kibinafsi (subjectivity) ambao haujumuishi binadamu wenzake. Kwa kuwa kwake na misingi ya kimaadili ya kibinafsi (subjective), Pinda hawezi kuhalalisha sera ya jino kwa jino kwani ni mtizamo unaokosa tafakuri na unawakilisha jamii iliyoshindwa kukaa chini na kutafakuri kwa kina jinsi gani ya kutatua matatizo yake. Na kwa mtizamo huu ambao wabunge zaidi ya mia tatu walinyamaa na kuungana nae kwa kumuonea huruma nao pia wanatia doa lingine la kitaaluma miongoni mwa wasomi wengi ndani ya bunge letu kwa kutomuwajibisha Waziri wao Mkuu.

Waziri Mkuu alisema kuwa anaomba msamaha kwa aliowaudhi na kuwa alisema maneno yale kwa nia njema. Na hapa napo palinishangaza kwa msomi ambaye ni mwanasheria anafikiri vipi na kwa kutumia njia gani kufikia suluhisho la maamuzi yake ya kifikra. Nitoe mfano: Katika kufikiri jambo hadi ufike kutoa maamuzi kuna hatua kadhaa huzingatiwa ili kuhakikisha taratibu za maadili zinazingatiwa. Na nikumbushe kuwa taratibu hizi ni kwa binadamu wote duniani ambapo sheria nyingi za nchi mbalimbali zimejengwa kwa kuegemea misingi ya kimaadili. Ziko hatua tatu ambazo nadhani kwa tunaohoji maneno ya Pinda zinatufanya tushindwe kumuelewa anapodondosha machozi na kudai alikuwa na nia njema. Kwanza kabisa, kuna kitendo chochote kinachofanywa (Object/ action): Hapa kitendo ni ile kauli ya Pinda iliyohimiza sera ya jino kwa jino.

Pili, kuna lengo ama nia (intention): Kwa Pinda hii alisema nia ilikuwa ni njema ila tafsiri ya baadhi ya watu ndio tatizo. Na jambo la tatu kuzingatia ili maadili yazingatiwe ni mazingira (circumstance) na unapozingatia haya matatu kwa misingi inayokubalika basi lazima suluhisho lako litakuwa ni sahihi. Kwa ufupi naweza kuyaweka hivi: unapoangalia nia (intention) yako ndipo inabidi uwe makini sana. Kikanuni inakuwa hivi: 1. Bad intention – Bad result: 2. Good intention – Good Result na 3. Good intention – Bad results. Kwa mheshimiwa Pinda kwa haya matatu alijichanganya na ndio maana mambo yakawa magumu hadi kilio bungeni.

Kikanuni, ni kwamba ili maamuzi ama suluhisho liwe sahihi basi hapana budi haya yazingatiwe na yasipozingatiwa basi suluhisho halitakubalika. Ni hivi: Kama lengo likiwa baya, basi na suluhisho litakuwa si sahihi kimaadili. Kivingine ni kuwa kama lengo likiwa ni jema na zuri kama Pinda alivyodai basi moja kwa moja na suluhisho linakuwa ni zuri. Lakini pia kuna hali ya tatu ambapo lengo ama nia inakuwa ni nzuri na suluhisho linakuwa ni bovu na ovu kabisa kimaadili. Hili ndilo lililomtokea Pinda kwa kutozingatia kuwa kuna nyakati lengo linakuwa zuri lakini suluhisho linakuwa baya na hapa panahitaji kufikiri kwa kina kimaadili na kuweka pembeni hisia na mitizamo binafsi isiyojali ujumla (objectivity).

Pinda na watanzania wengi tu wanaomuunga mkono kwa kauli yake wanaegemea zaidi mtizamo wa kibinafsi usiojali upande wa pili. Yaani ile hali ya kusema kama kitu ni kizuri katika hisia na mapokeo yangu basi ndicho kitu bora kabisa. Hii inaitwa ni falsafa ya “relativism” ambapo kwa Pinda maadam binadamu mmoja amemuua mwenzake ambaye ni Albino na kukatisha maisha yake basi hapaswi kuishi auawe kwani maisha yake si bora kama yangu wala ya marehemu aliyeuawa. Kwa Pinda, maisha ya mwanadamu aliye mwovu hayana thamani kama yalivyo ya kwake na binadamu wengine wema kama yeye. Amefanya kile wazungu wanaita: “Wrong Precedence” ama Mustakabali usio sahihi kwa Taifa letu katika kutafuta majibu ya matatizo yanayotukabili.

JE NI NINI KIFANYIKE?

Kimsingi tunaambiwa ni lazima tunapofikiri tuzingatie lengo zuri na suluhisho zuri . Si kila mara tuna nia njema tunapata suluhisho jema. Kwa bahati nzuri mheshimiwa Pinda ameamua kukiri kuwa alikosea kutoa kauli ile na ameomba msamaha. Pamoja na kosa hili; nikizingatia kama binadamu tunateleza na hili amekiri; naamini Pinda hakuteleza kwa hili ila ni kuwa hakuzingatia taratibu zinazopaswa kuangaliwa katika mfumo mzima wa kufikiri kwa kina. Kwa maana nyingine alivunja katiba kujaribu kuwashawishi watanzania waache kuzingatia sheria za nchi na kufuata mihemuko yao dhidi ya kufikiri sahihi.

Pinda hakupaswa kuomba msamaha kwa kuwaudhi baadhi ya watu eti alikuwa na nia njema; bali alipaswa kuwaomba msamaha watanzania wote kwa kuvunja katiba hasa baada ya kushindwa kunyambulisha nia njema yake na suluhisho jema. Yaani namaanisha nia njema yake bado ilikazia tuendelee kuongeza vifo vya wauaji ambao ni binadamu wasiopaswa kuuawa labda tu Israeli akiamua kutoa roho zao. Kwa hili Pinda alipindisha sana na maadam Bunge limemponesha nawakumbusha watanzania kuwa hili na liwe fundisho kwetu. Fikra yakinifu zinahitajika sana katika kuendeleza nchi yetu kikwelikweli. Nia njema haitoshi tu kama hatutumii akili vizuri na kwa umakini sana. Lakini badala ya kumlamu Pinda napenda nitoe mtizamo fulani ambao labda unaweza kutupa chanzo cha mauaji haya na pia tupachunguze hapo.

Labda, nianze kwa kueleza kuwa wataalam na wachambuzi mbalimbali wameonesha kuwa janga hili la kitaifa linachangiwa na umasikini. Lakini tukumbuke umasikini haujaanza leo na wala si jambo jipya Tanzania na kwa jicho la kina ni wazi wale wengi wanaohusika katika kununua ama kuwatuma wauwaji ni matajiri sana. Kwa mujibu wa taarifa za Mheshimiwa Waziri Mkuu ni kuwa hadi sasa Maalbino wapatao zaidi ya 40 wamekwishauawa. Taarifa hii inakuja wakati taarifa za mwenendo wa kiuchumi za hivi majuzi kwa mujibu wa Benki Kuu zinaonesha kuwa umasikini unapungua huku uchumi ukiendelea kuimarika. Na hapa ndipo panaponifanya nishindwe kukubaliana na wanaodhani kuwa umasikini ni chanjo cha mauaji ya albino.

Kuna wengine wanahusisha ongezeko hili la mauaji na udhaifu wa taasisi (weak institutions) hasa sheria na ukosefu wa weledi miongoni mwa askari na maofisa wa jeshi la polisi. Hapa pia najiuliza swali moja: Je mtu wa hadhi ya waziri mkuu kama ameshindwa kuhakikisha eneo hili linaimarishwa kwanini atushawishi kufanya mauaji?

Tatu, kwa mwono wangu binafsi na baada ya kukaa chini na kufikiri sana naamini kuwa moja ya sababu ya kuongezeka kwa tabia hizi za kishamba na zisizo za kibinadamu ni kuongezeka kwa hali ya kutojiamini kwa baadhi ya wananchi wengi, mkato mkubwa wa tamaa kuhusu mwelekeo wa kimaisha miongoni mwa wananchi na ugumu wa maisha kwa ujumla ambao watu wanakabiliana nao kwa hali tofauti. Pia ziko changamoto nyingine kama vile Ukimwi, ukosefu wa ajira (unemployement), ughali wa maisha (high cost of living) na changamoto chungu nzima hasa za ukosefu wa kutoelimika hata kwa wasomi ambao ama wamejiingiza katika madhila mbalimbali za maisha na sasa kujitoa inakuwa ni taabu tupo.

Changamoto zote za kimaisha nilizozitaja hapo juu zinawakumba watanzania na baadhi yao wamechanganyikiwa na hawana majibu ya nini ni chanzo cha hali waliyonayo na pia hawajui wafanye nini ili kupata njia ya kujikwamua. Matokeo yake hawajiamini tena na wana woga wakijiona hawako salama (insecure) hata kidogo na wamebaki wakiwa (powerlessness) wasijue wafanye nini. Na ndipo hapa ambapo naamini mzizi wa fitina ambao Mheshimiwa Pinda kaushindwa unapoanzia:

ULOKOLE NI CHANZO CHA MAANGAMIZI YA MAALBINO?

Majibu ya matatizo yote kwa watanzania hawa ni kupokea chochote kile ambacho kinatoa ahadi ya ukombozi. Kwa mfano, kuna ongezeko kubwa makanisa ya kilokole nchini Tanzania huku tukiwa na wananchi wengi wanaojiita kuwa wameokoka. Makanisa haya siku hizi yanaitwa kwa kiingereza: “Born Again” na hii pia imechangia kukua kwa vuguvugu la makanisa ya Kipentekoste. Na napenda niweke wazi kuwa si nia yangu kusema kuwa labda ongezeko hili la walokole ndio chanzo cha mauaji ya Albino. Kamwe si hivyo lakini nataka nioneshe kuwa kama ni kutafuta suluhisho si tu kuwafungia hawa waganga wa kienyeji/ jadi.

Nataka tu kuonesha kuwa ongezeko la makanisa ya Kilokole kumechangia kwa kiasi kikubwa hali ya kutojiamini na hali ya woga mkuu miongoni mwa wananchi hasa pale wanapokutana na madhila mbalimbali za kimaisha. Matokeo yake tumekuwa na ongezeko la watu wengi ambao wanapoambiwa kuwa ili ufanikiwe ama uondokane na tatizo lako basi fanya hili ama lile wanaamini kirahisi bila kufikiri na hii naweza kusema ndio imefanya pia watu kuwa na tabia ya kuvutika kwa waganga wa kijadi. Kabla sijaeleza ni kwa vipi watu wanavutika kwa waganga wa kienyeji nioneshe ni kwa vipi “Ulokole” unaweza kuwa chanzo cha watu kuweza hata mara nyingine kuvutiwa kujiunga na mambo haya upigaji ramli.

Ieleweke wazi kuwa makanisa ya kilokole kwa sasa yamekuwa ndio mbadala wa vituo vya ushauri nasaha na kisaikolojia (therapy centres) badala ya kubakika kama vituo vya huduma za kiroho. Kwa mfano, Injili kuu ya uponyaji kupitia mahubiri ya walokole yanakazia kuwa changamoto zote anazokumbana nazo mwanadamu ni matokeo ya kazi ya shetani/ pepo (demons). Mtu hana kazi ni kazi ya shetani, kushindwa kupata mume au mke, pesa, kushindwa kuzaa, kukosa mali, kufeli mitihani, yote haya ni kazi ya shetani bila kujali sababu za kimazingira na hata za kiufundi zinazomzunguka mhusika. Mtu ukifikiri sana unaweza ukadhani Injili ya kilokole ni ya Kishetani.

Injili hii ya kama vile ya kishetani imechangia kuwafanya watanzania wengi kuamini kuwa madhila zote zinazowapata kimaisha zinasababishwa na shetani na suluhisho la yote ni nje ya uwezo wao na ni lazima wategemee nguvu za kiroho kutawala maisha yao (spiritual intervention). Matokeo yake watu wengi wameegemeza maisha yao katika utawala wa kiroho (spirits) ambapo hapa ndipo wanapokuja wachungaji/ watumishi wa Mungu (pastors) na waganga wa kienyeji (witch doctors) wakiwa katika ushindani kuvutia wateja wao.

Ni kama kichekesho vile, wachungaji hawa wa kilokole wengi wao wanawadai waumini wao fedha, viwanja, magari na mambo mengine mengi ya gharama kwa njia mbalimbali kama vile sadaka, bahasha na hata kupitia sadaka binafsi baada ya kutoa ushuhuda wa mtu aliyepona janga fulani ili wawasaidie wateja wao kuwaondolea mizimu. Hayo ni wachungaji ukija kwa waganga wa kienyeji kuna mfanano wa kiaina. Kwa mfano, waganga wa kienyeji nao pia wanataka wapewe vitu kama fedha, mali mbalimbali na zaidi kwa unyama kabisa wanadai damu ya mwanadamu (kafara za maalbino, hata ngozi kule Mbeya). Jambo la msingi hapa ni kutofautisha kati ya wachungaji wa kilokole na waganga wa kienyeji. Kwa watumishi wa Mungu wao hawaombi kafara za wanadamu (human sacrifice) kabla ya kutoa huduma; ila jambo la kuzingatia hapa ni kuwa kanuni inayotumiwa na wote wawili inafanana, yaani lazima ulipe kitu ili shetani anayekukabili atolewe.

Katika makundi haya mawili: Waganga wa jadi na Watumishi wa Mungu wa Kilokole wote wana mchango mkubwa sana katika kumuumba “Shetani” katika mioyo ya watu ili baadaye waje kuwahudumia kwa malipo/ maslahi. Hii yote inawezekana kutokana na ujinga wa watanzania wengi kutokana na kutoelewa ni jinsi gani wakumbane na changamoto zinazowakabili. Matokeo yake ikiwa waumini wanapookoka na kuamini ndio mwisho wa matatizo yao, wasipoona matatizo yanakwisha wanashawishika kutafuta nguvu ya kiroho ya waganga wa jadi.

Ninapoona Mheshimiwa Pinda akilia mbele ya Bunge, basi nichukue nafasi kumsihi pia labda pia ajaribu kuyatazama makanisa ya Kilokole na si tu kuwafutia leseni waganga wa jadi hebu tuyatizame baadhi ya haya makanisa ya kipentekoste yanayosambaa kama uyoga. Tufuatilie hata mahubiri na huduma zao kwa kutumia vyombo vya dola. Watumishi wa Mungu wakumbushwe kuwaambia waumini wao kuwa changamoto za maisha zitashindwa tu kupitia juhudi za mtu binafsi kwa baraka za Mungu. Na pia wakumbushwe kuwa Baraka za Mungu (God’s Blessings) hazinunuliwi kama inavyofanyika kwa sasa.

Mwisho, umefika wakati sasa kwa makanisa yote hasa ya Kilokole kubadili mwelekeo katika kutoa mahubiri yao. Watumishi wa Mungu (Pastors) waje na theolojia nyingine ili kuikoa nchi yetu tukufu na shetani huyu wa kubuni na kuchongwa ambaye anaendelea kupandwa katika akili za waumini wa Kitanzania. Kama hatubadili mwelekeo huu basi Watanzania wataendelea kulipia huduma za kuponya shetani wa kuchongwa kwa fedha, magari, viwanja na mambo chungu tele kama vile vichwa vya watu wenye vipara, ngozi za wanadamu, mikono yenye alama fulani kiganjani na viungo vya Albino. Serikali ichunguze maeneo yote yanayogusa jamii badala ya kutafuta njia rahisi kama vile sera ya “Jino kwa Jino” katika kukabiliana na janga kama hili.

OBAMA KULETA MWELEKEO MPYA DUNIANI?

Mara baada ya kula kiapo kwa mara ya pili siku ya Jumatano, Raisi Barak Obama ameanza kazi rasmi kwa kuagiza kufungwa kwa Gereza kuu la magaidi kule Guantanamo kisiwani nchini Cuba.

Amenukuliwa akisema kama America inataka kuonesha dunia kuwa inazo taratibu zinazozingatia haki na sheria basi ni vyema kuifunga gereza hilo na pia kupiga marufuku mateso dhidi ya watuhumiwa wa ugaidi.

Kwa hatua hiyo, ni wazi sasa Dunia itaanza kufuata mwelekeo mpya na kwa nchi za kiafriaka ambazo zinaongozwa kiimla huku zikiwa kama kibaraka wa Marekani basi ni wakati muafaka kujua kuna mabadiliko.

Obama ni mtu anaheshimu haki za binadamu, aliye muumini wa wa sera za maendeleo/ uendelevu (progressive) na ni mtu mwenye akili sana (intelligent/ smart). Ni mtu anayeweza kukubaliana na anaotofautiana naye. (pragmatist). Ndio maana katika hotuba yake ya kuapishwa alisema yafuatayo:

"My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you
have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank
President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and
cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet,
every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At
these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision
of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to
the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation
for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all
are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to
courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too
small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter
expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation
and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as
we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to
its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and
emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of
peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no
longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things
are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our
character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came
forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

Kwa hotuba hii moja kwa moja naamini huyu ni kiongozi hasa wa karne hii katika Dunia iliyojaa ubinafsi na ufisadi wa kila aina.

OBAMA AAPA MARA YA PILI

Kama ilivyo tamaduni za Ikulu ya Marekani (White House) kila anapoondoka Rais na kumkabidhi mwenzake ikulu huwa anaacha kajikaratasi (note) kama ujumbe wa mwisho. Maafisa wa Ikulu ya Marekani walithibitisha kuwa Bush aliacha kijikaratasi hicho katika droo la juu mezani ofisini (Oval Office) lakini walikataa kueleza ni nini kiliandikwa.

Baraka Obama ameapishwa siku ya jumanne mbele ya macho ya mamilioni ya watu ulimwengu mzima. Katika kiapo hicho, sala za kumwombea Barak ziliongozwa na Askofu Shoga wa kanisa la Anglican ambaye ndiye aliyeligawanya kanisa hilo ulimwenguni hadi sasa. Lakini kimaajabu watu wengi walikuwa na furaha na hawakugundua jinsi kiapo hicho kilichoongozwa na Jaji Mkuu wa Marekani John Roberts kilikuwa na makosa ambayo yamewafanya wachunguzi wengi hasa wanaglobu kushangazwa kama kweli Raisi Obama ni Rais halali wa Marekani.

Kuona hivyo, Jaji Mkuu mara moja aliamua kumuapisha Raisi Obama mara ya pili siku ya Jumatano katika Chumba cha Ramani za Marekani huko White House. Jaji John Roberts alimuuliza Obama : “Uko tayari? Akajibu: “Niko tayari na nitaapa taratibu”. Tatizo kubwa la kiapo cha Jumanne ni neno: “faithfully” na neon lingine “to” lilitamkwa kimakosa badala ya neno “of” ambalo halikutamkwa inavyopaswa wakati Obama akimfuatilia Jaji Roberts alipofanya makosa katika kumuongoza Raisi Obama.

Jaji John Roberts ameonekana ni mbabaishaji kwa kiasi Fulani kwani ingawa maneno ya kumwapisha Raisi yapo katika Katiba hakutumia katiba na kuegemea uzoefu kitu ambacho kimesababisha makosa hayo ambayo ni aibu kwa taifa hilo kubwa. Hivi ndivyo makosa ya Jaji Roberts yalivyochangia kurudiwa kwa kiapo hicho:

Roberts: ... that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully ...

Obama: ... that I will execute ...

Roberts: ... the off -- faithfully the pres -- the office of president of the United States ...

Obama (at the same time): ... the office of president of the United States faithfully ...

Maneno mengine yalitamkwa sawasawa ikijumuisha neno lisilo la lazima “ Eh Mungu Nisaidie”.

Kutokana na makosa hayo, Jaji Mkuu John Roberts amechukuliwa kama mzembe na mpumbavu kwa kuliabisha Taifa hilo kubwa ulimwenguni kuendesha kiapo bila maandalizi rasmi. Katika kiapo cha pili Obama hakutumia biblia.

Obama

GAZA NA WAISRAEL

Ukanda wa Gaza umezingirwa na majeshi ya Israel. Hebu tujue kuna mpango gani kutatua tatizo hili?

HERI YA MWAKA MPYA

TAMASHA LA MARIALE CUP LAMALIZIKA MOSHI

Timu ya Kaloleni United ya Kata ya Kaloleni katika Manispaa ya Moshi ambayo iliibuka kidedea jana na kushinda kikombe na ng'ombe katika uwanja wa Chuo cha Ushirika Moshi bao 1-0 dhidi ya Langasani ya Moshi Vijijini.

Nahodha wa Kilimanjaro Queen akipokea kikombe kwa kushinda netiboli katika tamasha la Chifu Mariale

Afisa Tawala wa Wilaya ya Moshi Manispaa akimkabidhi Kikombe Nahodha wa Kaloleni baada ya kushinda bao 1-0 timu ya Langasani kutoka Moshi Vijijini.

MIAKA 47 YA UHURU TANZANIA

Huku tukiwa tumetimiza miaka arobaini na saba ya uhuru, Tanzania ni nchi ambayo inaweza kujivunia mafanikio mengi sana ikilinganishwa na nchi nyingine za kiafrika. Ziko nchi nyingi ambazo zilipata uhuru wake miaka arobaini na saba iliyopita kama Tanzania ambazo kwa sasa ziko hoi kabisa katika nyanja nyingi na pia ziko zingine zimetuacha kabisa. Leo ninaitizama Tanzania ikisherehekea uhuru wake kwa mashaka makubwa sana.
Kama Taifa, naamini tumefanikiwa sana katika kudumisha na kujenga jamii ambayo ni ya amani tangu enzi za awamu ya kwanza, shukrani za pekee zimwendee Baba wa Taifa Mwalimu Nyerere. Ila tuna tatizo kubwa ambalo kama litafanyiwa kazi basi uhuru wetu utakuwa na maana kubwa kwa wananchi wengi kwa ujumla kuliko ilivyo sasa. Nasema hivi kwasababu nasikitika sana kuwa jamii ya kitanzania kwa kiasi kikubwa imepotea njia.

Tuna tatizo kuu la “Utawala Bora” ambapo tumeshindwa kabisa kuweza kuiongoza nchi yetu kwa misingi ya kuzingatia uwajibikaji, uwazi, uadilifu na weledi. Hasahasa bado hatujaweza kujenga utamaduni wa Serikali kufanya kazi kwa kuheshimu taasisi (Institutions) zake zifanye kazi bila kuingiliwa na bwana mkubwa. Tatizo hili utaliona kila sekta ya utawala katika nchi yetu na ndio kitu cha pekee ambacho naamini kabisa kama tungaliweza kukishinda basi Tanzania tunayoisherehekea leo hii ya miaka arobaini na saba ingekuwa na mandhari na mielekeo mingine na mizuri kuliko hii tunayodhani ndio mafanikio leo hii.

Kiini kikuu cha kushindwa huku kwa “Utawala Bora” ni mfumo wetu wa elimu naamini una matatizo. Kwa maana nyingine utekelezaji wa sera ya elimu nadhani una mapungufu kiutendaji. Nchi yetu kwa miaka hii arobaini na saba ya uhuru inajivunia idadi kubwa tu ya wasomi kuanzia diploma, shahada, uzamili hadi maprofesa. Ila tatizo ni kwamba wasomi hawa ni wav yeti kuliko matendo. Ukitizama kuongezeka kwa kashfa nyingi za ubadhirifu na za kifisadi zinahusisha watu mbalimbali ambao ni wasomi sana tu.

Mfumo wetu wa elimu kwa kiasi kikubwa unatoa aina ya wataalamu wasio na haiba ya kuzingatia weledi (professionalism) katika utendaji wao wa kazi. Matokeo yake wasomi wengi wanaona ni afadhali wawe wanasiasa kuliko kufanya kazi ambazo wamezisomea. Ndio maana leo hii bunge letu limejaa wasomi lukuki lakini ukitizama na kusikiliza wanapojenga hoja mbalimbali bungeni unagundua kabisa kuwa kuna tatizo la ukosefu wa haiba ya kuhoji (critical) miongoni mwa wabunge wengi. Kwa ujumla, elimu yetu imetuzalishia viongozi na watendaji ambao ni watumwa wa fedha, tumbo na anasa za kila aina. Wao nchi haina nafasi kubwa sana bali maslahi binafsi ndio jambo la msingi.

Uhuru wa miaka arobaini na saba umeshindwa kutupatia mafanikio yanayoendana na muda huo kwa viongozi na wananchi kwa ujumla kushindwa kuwa na haiba ama hulka ya “kuwajibika”. Watu hawataki kukosolewa kabisa, hasa viongozi watendaji mbalimbali wa serikali na wanasiasa wao ndio mwisho wa kila kitu. Kwao mtu akijaribu kuwakosoa basi ni ‘mpinzani’ na anatishwa kuwa atapelekwa mahakamani kwa kumchafulia bwana mkubwa jina. Na ndio maana naweza kusema kuwa kwa kweli uhuru huu wa miaka arobaini na saba kama tusipokuwa makini naufananisha na hali ya kurudi nyuma (retrogressive) tangu tupate uhuru badala ya kwenda mbele(progressive).

Wakati tunasherehekea uhuru ni wakati wa wananchi kwa ujumla wao kuja na mtizamo mpya juu ya maendeleo kama kweli tunataka maendeleo ya nchi na wala si ya mtu binafsi. Lazima nikiri kuwa elimu yetu si bora kwani kwa kiasi Fulani imeshindwa kumfanya anayeipata kuweza kumudu maisha kwa njia za kawaida. Ni dhahiri mafisadi wengi ni watu wenye elimu bora tu lakini wengi wao wameamua kutumia njia za mkato kupata utajiri wa haraka kwa mvuto wa ubinafsi.

Kwa mfano hii hali ya kuongezeka kwa migomo na maandamano hapa nchini siku za karibuni ni kielelezo tosha kuwa kizazi cha viongozi wa sasa bado wameshindwa kuitizama Tanzania katika mtizamo wa kileo na pia kupambana na changamoto za kiutawala za kileo ama kisasa. Matokeo yake bado wanakuwa wagumu sana kukubali mfumo wa demokrasia ufanye kazi inavyotakiwa. Wanahakikisha wanadhibiti vyombo vya habari kwa kila hali ili visiandike baadhi ya habari ambazo wanatumia kisingizi cha usalama wa Taifa. Baadhi ya watawala bado hawajui ama wameamua kutokujali kuwa mfumo wetu wa kisiasa ni wa vyama vingi. Kwao “Chama kushika hatamu bado ndio mawazo na fikra zao”.

Pamoja na udhaifu mkubwa wa mfumo mzima wa kisiasa ambao bado ni mzigo mkubwa wan chi yetu hasa kwa kukosa utashi wa dhati kutekeleza maneno ambayo tunaimbiwa lakini lazima pia tuwaatizame wafanyakazi ama watumishi wa umma. Kwa miaka arobaini na saba ya uhuru, ni dhahiri wafanyakazi wa serikali ni mzigo sana. Nathubutu kusema kuwa serikali ni jamvi la uoza wote wa wafanyakazi wengi ambao hawana kazi za kufanya bali wanapokea fedha tu za bure. Serikali imejaza wafanyakazi wenye elimu haba katika kada mbalimbali ambao kwao hata umuhimu wa kufuata taratibu haupo kabisa. Ndio maana hata mara nyingi tunapopiga kelele kuwa wanasiasa ni mafisadi huwa ninapiga picha wafanyakazi wa umma napatwa na kichaa.

Umefika wakati serikali kama kweli inataka tuingie karne ya sayansi na teknolojia kwa uhakika basi hakuna sababu kuwa na wafanyakazi wasiohitajika katika shughuli zake katika maofisi mbalimbali. Umefika wakati wafanyakazi wahakikiwe uwezo wao kielimu yaani vyeti vyao vya taaluma mbalimbali. Nasema hivi kwani ukienda ofisi mbalimbali utakutana na wafanyakazi wasiojali kazi, wasio na uelewa wa umuhimu wa huduma kwa wateja, wasiokuwa na weledi katika utendaji wao na pia wasiojali kutunza muda. Napendekeza kwa miaka hii arobaini na saba ya uhuru basi serikali iwaondoe watu wa aina hii.

Mwisho kabisa, nampongeza Raisi wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania pamoja na serikali nzima katika kuadhimisha siku hii muhimu kwa Taifa letu. Naamini nchi yetu iko katika wakati mgumu hasa katika vita dhidi ya ufisadi. Bado siamini sana kama kweli kuna utashi wa kisiasa katika mashtaka machache ambayo yameanza kushughulikiwa ila niseme tu ni wakati wa kuamua kikwelikweli kwa Raisi Jakaya Kikwete kutowahurumia baadhi ya maswahiba wake kama kweli anataka kusafisha nchi hii. Ni kwa mantiki hiyo tu ndio atakapoweza kunitoa mashaka pamoja na wengine ambao ni kama mimi.

Mungu Ibariki Tanzania.

YONA ALIKUWA ANALIA

JE NA FIKRA MPYA ZA VIJANA WA KITANZANIA NI ZA KIPEMBUZI?

Katika mtizamo wangu juu ya mgongano wa fikra nchini Tanzania, leo naendeleza mtizamo wangu juu ya hizi fikra mpya ambazo kimsingi ni za kizazi cha vijana wa leo. Ninadhani kwa mtizamo wa mgomo wa wanafunzi wa vyuo vikuu vya umma kadhaa hapa nchini ni wazi ni wakati tutizame kwa kina usahihi na uhalali wa kufikiri kwa kizazi hiki.

Moja, hoja kuwa sera ya bodi ya mikopo haifai na ifutwe sidhani kama itakuwa ndio suluhisho la matatizo katika sekta ya elimu ya juu. Vijana wa leo wanadhani kuwa ili wapate maslahi yao katika kila wanachostahiki kupata basi ni kwa kutumia njia za mkato. Wazungu wana msemo usemao: “It takes two to tangle”, na mara nyingine wanasema “Take it all approach”. Nadharia hizi mbili kwa vijana wetu hazipo kabisa. Wanachotaka kipengele cha kukopesha kiwe cha asilimia mia moja.
Kwao maadam ni fedha za serikali basi ni sawa na bure. Inatia mashaka sana unapoona hata wale wenye uwezo wa kulipa viwango katika madaraja mbalimbali kwa mujibu wa sera hiyo wanang’ang’ania wapewe asilimia yote. Kwa vijana hawa inawezekana kabisa wanajua maadam fedha ni za serikali basi kulipa si lazima kwani wamezoea jinsi wanavyoona fedha za serikali zinavyofisadiwa.
Hapa pananipa wasiwasi sana juu ya mtizamo wa vijana wetu hata hawaogopi kuingia kwenye mikopo. Yaani kwa mtu mwenye akili timamu sidhani atapenda kujiingiza katika mikopo ambayo itaathiri mipangilio yake ya baadaye. Niwakumbushe kuwa, mwandishi George Orwel aliwahi kuandika katika Animal Farm: “All Animals Are Equal, But Some Animals Are More Equal than Others”. Wanyama wote ni sawa, lakini baadhi ya wanyama ni sawa zaidi kuliko wengine. Ndio yanayojitokeza na mbinyo wao unaweza usiwe na mafanikio yoyote.

Pili, ni hili suala la kushinikiza kuwa serikali ina uwezo wa kulipa asilimia 100% ya mikopo hiyo. Sijui kama wanafunzi hawa wanajua kuwa kila kitu kinakwenda kwa bajeti. Na bajeti hupangwa mwaka wa serikali unapoanza. Je wanataka serikali ije na bajeti ndogo labda? Basi watoe mapendekezo pia ya juu ya nini kifanyike ili fedha hizo zipatikane kujazia zile zilizokuwa zimetengwa awali. Lakini si kwamba napinga mgomo wao, hii ni haki yao ya msingi lakini nataka nitoe changamoto kwao: Mosi, kama ni kweli kabisa kuna wanafunzi wanaopata mkopo kupitia ngazi (category) wasiyostahili na wanajulikana, je wamechukua hatua gani kuwasema?
Changamoto ya pili, kama kweli serikali yetu ina fedha nyingi za kutosheleza asilimia mia moja kwa wanafunzi, je vipi sekta nyingine za uchumi kama vile afya, miundo mbinu, usalama na ulinzi, kilimo na mifugo n.k, hizi nazo zina mapungufu ya fedha. Hizi nazo si muhimu kama wao wanafunzi? Na kama ni muhimu, kwa uchumi wetu wa Trilioni saba, tufanyeje kwa hili? Tupeleke fedha upande mmoja na sekta nyingine zisimame? Kama si “take it all mentality” hii ni nini? Nimejiuliza kuwa hata kama kuna ongezeko la ufisadi mwingi serikalini, kwa mtu yeyote mwenye akili timamu hawezi kuja na hoja eti fedha zote kwa asilimia mia moja zipelekwe kwenye ufadhili wa mikopo kwa wanafunzi wake. Si sahihi hata kidogo, kama si utoto.
Mgongano huu wa kifikra unalikumba taifa letu ni kielelezo cha kizazi kipya kilichojaa ubinafsi ambao kimeurithi kutoka miongoni mwa wazazi wao. Ni kizazi kinachopenda maendeleo ya haraka bila kuzingatia hatua za ukuaji (gradual) kutoka kiwango Fulani hadi kingine. Ninasema hivi kwani nadhani madai haya ya kulipwa asilimia mia moja bila kuwa na hoja toshelevu kushawishi na kushauri serikali ni wapi hiyo nakisi ya bajeti ya serikali na hata ile inayotengwa kwenye bodi ya mikopo basi vijana wetu wanakuwa kama vile wanaonesha jinsi gani ubinafsi na ushabiki ulivyotawala kizazi hiki kipya.
Jambo la tatu: nimejiuliza hivi inakuwaje sera inaonesha kuwa mtu atalipiwa mkopo kwa makundi kulingana na uwezo wa kifamilia na historia ya mwanafunzi. Hivi kama mtu ni mtoto wa tajiri, kigogo na hata mafisadi mwenye uwezo wake mwenyewe kujilipia analipiwa na bodi asilimia mia moja. Mtu huyu amejaza fomu ya mkopo kwa taarifa za uwongo kuanzia ngazi ya kijiji kwa mtendaji wa kijiji kumjazia baada ya kulipwa hongo. Mtu huyu huyu anajulikana na wanafunzi wenzake lakini hata siku moja hatusikii majina ya watu hawa yakifikishwa kwenye vyombo vya sheria. Vijana wanabaki kulalamika tu lakini hawatoi majina ambayo yangefanyiwa uchunguzi na wanaohusika waadhibiwe. Hili ni tatizo la jamii kulinda maovu, au kuwa na jamii yenye kuogopa kutoa habari za maovu kwa kukosa dhamira safi ya kuishi maisha safi kimaadili. Haiwezekani mtu anapiga kelele kuna watuhumiwa kibao lakini hatoi taarifa za watuhumiwa.
Nadhani pamoja na migomo kuwa na uhalali, tufike mahali tuamue kupenda ukweli wa kimaadili la sivyo tutagoma na kupoteza muda bila sababu. Kama jamii ya wanafunzi ikiamua kuwa watu wakweli kama vile wasomi wanavyotakiwa kuwa, basi naamini hili tatizo la watoto wa matajiri kulipiwa mikopo mikubwa wasiyostahili halitakuwepo. Unapogoma kuilazimisha serikali iwabane watoto wa matajiri wasipate mkopo wasiostahili alafu hauwataji, unataka serikali ifanye nini? Tujenge tabia ya kutaja uovu. Tabia hii ndio inayoua nchi yetu na hakuna shaka kwa kizazi hiki kipya, ule mhimili mzima wa kimaadili wa kitaifa unamomonyoka kwa tabia ya watu kupenda kulalamika bila kuwa na majibu yenye mantiki. Asilimia mia moja si jibu sahihi, ila kufuata maadili mema (prudence) kutatusaidia.
Jambo la nne, kwa hali ilivyo mtizamo wan chi yetu eti kwa kuwa wazee wetu walisomeshwa bure na Nyerere basi ni haki kwa vijana wa leo wasome kwa mikopo ya asilimia mia moja. Hii inanipa wasiwasi kama kweli vijana wetu watarudisha mkopo huu. Kwanini wanajenga hoja hii ambayo ni ya mkopo na kuifananisha na kusoma bure kwa wazazi wao? Kimantiki, wanatumia hoja ya “deduction” kwa kuegemea matokeo ya tukio la kwanza basi na linalofuata nalo liende kwa muelekeo huo huo. Wanasahau historia inabadilika, utekelezaji wa mambo mbalimbali unabadilika, mifumo ya kidunia (World Order) nayo inabadilika, n.k.
Naamini umefika wakati kwa watanzania kwa ujumla wao kutambua ilivyo gharama kusomesha watoto wao na hii habari ya kujizalia bila mpango na bila kuzingatia kipato kwa dunia ya leo ni kuzalisha jamii ambayo itachanganyikiwa na changamoto za kisasa. Kama wewe ni masikini basi kuwa na watoto wachache utakaowamudu kwani sidhani kama kweli tuko katika kipindi ambacho serikali itafanya kila kitu ambacho ni wajibu wa mzazi kwa asilimia mia moja. Serikali isaidie mayatima na watu wa makundi maalum tu.
Mwisho nimeshangazwa kuna vijana wengine wamegoma eti ratiba ya mitihani ibadilishwe. Kuna hatari vijana wetu ni wavivu sana na wanataka kila kitu kifanywe watakavyo. Tusipoangalia ndio hawahawa watakuja kuondoa hata baadhi ya masomo ama kozi kadhaa kwa kisingizio ni ngumu. Ni kizazi kisichozingatia muda wala taratibu. (Laissez Faire). Siamini eti kwa elimu ya Chuo Kikuu kufanya mitihani miwili kwa siku kutachangia mwanafunzi kufeli. Kama ni hivyo basi kuna hatari juu ya upokeaji mafunzo kwa wasomi wetu wapya.
Pamoja na uwezekano mkubwa wa mapungufu kwa migomo hii ya wanafunzi, jambo moja la msingi kwa kizazi cha sasa kufanya ni kufanya utafiti wa kina wakati wa kuandaa madai. Kama utafiti wa kina umefanyika ama ulifanyika basi hii serikali kutoa kauli isiwe ndio mwisho wa madai. Ni lazima waje na mkakati wa kuendeleza madai ambao ni imara wenye mbinyo(pressure) na hamasa (vitality) inayoambatana na utambuzi halisi wa kile wanachokidai. Si kuja na madai nusunusu ambapo hata majina ya wale wote wanaofaidika na mikopo hawako tayari kuyatoa. Bila haya niliyoyataja, nadhani kwa mtu makini inakuwa vigumu kushawishika kuwaunga mkono na hata kuwaamini vijana wa vyuo vikuu.
Kwa kumalizia, nina wasiwasi kama vijana wetu vyuo vikuu wanajifunza namna ya kufikiri kimantiki. Ipo haja somo la mantiki (logic) na hata maadili (morality) lifunzwe kwa wanafunzi wote. La sivyo tutaendelea kushuhudia aibu hii ya matumizi mabaya ya fikra.

MAWAZIRI WAANDAMIZI WATUHUMIWA UFISADI KUTOKA KILIMANJARO

Hatimaye JK kaanza kuonesha kuwa hacheki na kima. Jamaa anaanza kutupelekea mahakamani watuhumiwa mawaziri waandamizi katika wizi na kukuza umasikini Tanzania. Pichani juu ni mawaziri Daniel Yona na Bazil Pesambili Mramba ambao leo wamefikishwa kizimbani.

Wamesomewa mashtaka ya kufanya maamuzi bila kujali maslahi ya nchi na wanatakiwa watoe dhamana ya shilingi Bilioni 3.9 kila mmoja. Je watatoa dhamana hiyo?

Je hapa ndio gemu la JK limeanza? Mie sitaki kusapoti sana manake najua hawa jamaa watakuwa nje tu baada ya siku chache kwani walishaiba hela nyingi sana. Na kama watatoka kwa kuweza kumudu dhamana basi namuunga mkono rafiki yangu mmoja aliyesema Tanzania iondolewe katika kundi la nchi Masikini sana duniani. Tutajua jinsi nchi yetu ilivyotajiri sana.

ROSE KABUYE NA UKATILI WA WAZUNGU

Ufaransa ina visa na serikali ya Kagame, na hapa ndipo wameamua kumkamata Bi. Rose Kabuye.
Je ni kweli Rose Kabuye alishiriki kumuua Raisi Kagame?

WAAFRIKA TULIVYO WATU WA MIZENGWE

Kumbe Obama angelikuwa anagombea Africa asingelishinda? Unajua kwanini? Pia hebu ona jinsi ambavyo Obama alivyotimiza ndoto za Martin Luther.

Kwa ushindi wa Obama tunajifunza kuwa siasa pia ni sifa za mgombea si fedha tu na umaarufu wa mtaani na kishabiki.

KIZAZI KIPYA vs KIZAZI CHA ZAMANI TANZANIA

TANZANIA KATIKA MGONGANO WA KIFIKRA (1)

Je fikra kongwe zinatufaa?

Mwaka huu nchi yetu imeshuhudia ongezekao kubwa la migomo katika sekta na hata rika mbalimbali za raia: kuanzia watoto, watu wazima na hata wazee. Sidhani ni kawaida kwa watoto kugoma kudai haki zao ila kwa yanayotokea basi ni wazi kuna tatizo katika utawala na mfumo mzima wa maisha ya watanzania.

Labda nieleze kimtizamo binafsi jinsi ambavyo naamini nchi yetu sasa imepotea njia na kuna watu makini fulani ambao wameamua kusitisha hii hali ya bora liende. Kama raia na mtanzania ninayefuatilia mabadiliko kadhaa kadri yanavyotokea kwa miongo kadhaa, nathubutu kusema kuwa kwa sasa tumefikia wakati muafaka wa mabadiliko (turning point).

Tangu Tanzania ipate uhuru wake mwaka 1961, nchi yetu imeongozwa na kizazi cha wananchi ambao wengi wao sasa ni wazee na wanakaribia kukosa nguvu za kufanya kazi kwa umakini. Nchi yetu kwa ujumla bado haijatoka mikononi mwa viongozi waliopigania uhuru wa nchi yetu wala bado haijatoka mikononi mwa wale wote waliokuwa ndio vijana wakati wa uhuru. Hapa nazungumzia raia wenye umri wa kuanzia miaka hamsini na kuendelea.

Ni kwa mtizamo huo ndio maana nchi yetu imechoka kifikra na ni wakati wa kizazi ambacho si cha uhuru kuichukua nchi na kuipeleka na kuiongoza kwa kuzingatia mahitaji ya wakati. Kwani ni wazi kuwa kwa sasa bado nchi yetu iko katika lepe la usingizi kutokana na kuongozwa na sera, mitizamo na falsafa za kizamani zisizozingatia alama za nyakati. Ninapoona vijana wa vyuo vikuu wanagoma karibu nchi nzima kwa madai ya kutaka serikali yao iwakopeshe fedha za masomo kwa asilimia mia moja lakini wanaonekana ni wakosaji basi ninapata picha kuwa viongozi wetu wamedumaa kifikra.

Kuduma huku kifikra kunaweza kukaelezewa katika mitizamo hii:

Moja, viongozi wetu, inawezekana kabisa mawaziri husika wanadhani kwa kijana mtu mzima wa leo inamuingia akilini eti kuambiwa kuwa serikali haiwezi kusomesha kwa kuwakopesha vijana ili wapate elimu atakuelewa? Mimi binafsi siamini kuwa haiwezekani ila kwasababu viongozi wetu kutokana na mtizamo wa kizazi chao, kwao fedha za umma ni kwa ajili ya kulipana posho, kununua magari ya kifahari yasiyo na ulazima, kufanya starehe na vimwana na mambo mengine mengi yasiyo na maslahi kwa nchi kwa ujumla wake.

Pili, kizazi cha viongozi wetu, yaani wale ambao ni sawa na wazazi wangu wana tatizo kubwa sana la kutopenda mabadiliko. Wako katika kutekeleza ndoto zao za utotoni ambapo inawezekana yale ambayo walikuwa wameyapanga kufanya ukubwani ni lazima wayatimize bila kuzingatia nyakati. Ni wazi, kizazi cha viongozi tulionao hapa Tanzania kwa leo wengi wao si watu wanaojali “KUFIKIRI” yaani matumizi ya akili na ubongo katika kila jambo wanalofanya. Kwao mtu ukifikiri (reasoning) basi hutaweza kuishi kwa raha kwani kwao matakwa ya utashi wa mtu binafsi ama kikundi ndio jambo la msingi zaidi. Kwao mtizamo wa majumuisho (inclusive) haupo kabisa na ndio maana unaona hata wanadiriki kufunga vyuo badala ya kutatua tatizo kwa majadiliano kwa kuzingatia (due process) ambapo pande zote mbili zitasikilizana na kila upande upate keki yake.

Tatu, kizazi cha viongozi wetu kina tatizo la wengi wa viongozi kutokuwa na sifa kabisa za kuwa viongozi wa jamii ya kisasa. Wengi wao hawakuwahi kupata elimu iliyokamilika; yaani walipikika nusu (half cooked), na ndio maana kwao kuwa kiongozi si utumishi bali ni ubabe. Kwao kiongozi lazima awe na nguvu za kutisha ili aweze kutekeleza majukumu yake. Hii yote inasababishwa na wengi wao walisomea uongozi katika zile enzi za ukomunisti na ujamaa ambapo kiongozi alifundwa kuwa kama Mfalme. Kwao kiongozi anapozungumza basi ni amri, hapewi wazo mbadala, hakubali changamoto wala hawana muda wa kuzingatia hoja za upande mwingine. Kwao hoja zao ndio mwisho. Ni tatizo kubwa sana na ndio maana utaona haya mamigomo yanaongezeka kila kukicha.

Nne, viongozi wetu tulionao leo wengi wao hawana tabia ya uwazi (transparency). Yaani kwao kila kitu kinachohusu umma ni siri ya ofisi. Mambo ya umma hasa yanayogusa masuala ya fedha hayashirikishi wananchi wala wadau. Ni siri ya ofisi na ndio maana hata sasa utawasikia wakisema kuwa serikali haina fedha za kuwakopesha vijana ili wasome kama wao walivyosoma bure enzi zao.

Tano, viongozi wengi tulionao si watu wanaoendesha mambo kwa kupanga (planning) na ndio maana hata kwenye uongozi hakuna mipango thabiti ambayo inazingatia jamii kwa tija tarajiwa. Mambo ni bora liende; nitoe mfano tu wa familia za baadhi ya mabwana zetu hawa: wengi wao wana familia kubwa sana ambazo ni mzigo sana kwao. Hapa nazungumzia mke zaidi ya mmoja pamoja na vimada pamoja na ndugu wa karibu (extended family).

Njia pekee kwao kuhakikisha watoto wao wanasoma na kuajiriwa ni kufanya ufisadi wa kila aina ili waweze kumudu matunzo ya watoto wao wengi pamoja na wake zao pamoja na vimada kibao maofisini mwao. Utaona moja kwa moja viongozi wetu wana shinikizo la kifamilia ambalo limebinya akili zao katika kuwatumikia wanachi inavyotarajiwa. Yote hii wataalam wanaita “Poor Planning” ambayo inaanzia majumbani mwao na kuhamia kule wanakokutumikia.

Unapoona migomo inaongezeka basi ujue kuwa tatizo lingine ni serikali kujaza watendaji wasiokuwa na sifa za kitaaluma katika taasisi na idara zake. Kwa mfano, kwanini walimu wanadai madai yao ya muda mrefu? Jibu ni kuwa uhakiki unaendelea. Mimi nashangaa hivi kama kweli walimu wote wa serikali wameajiriwa na orodha na taarifa zao zimehifadhiwa katika mfumo wa kompyuta, kwanini tupate shida kuwahakiki? Ina maana huko wanakohakikiwa, kazi zinafanyika bora liende? Inakuwaje tusubiri mpaka watu wagome ndio tuanze kugundua mapungufu?

Yote hii ni kuwa hizo idara za uhakiki zipo lakini hazifanyi kazi. Na kwa kuongezea, kuna walimu wengi ambao ni marehemu ama waliacha kazi lakini bado wanaendelea kulipwa. Ninaamini kwa kizazi cha viongozi tulionao ambao wao kupendeleana na kuendesha mambo kwa kulindana ndio jadi yao, basi inawezekana kabisa fedha nyingi zinalipa watu hewa kama wafanyakazi halali. Hizi ni fedha ambazo zingeweza kupelekwa kulipa walimu na hata wanafunzi wanaoomba asilimia mia moja ya mikopo.

Liko tatizo kuu ambalo naweza kusema ndio kiini cha ukihiyo wa wengi wa viongozi wetu ambao wengine wana elimu kubwa sana lakini wameshindwa kuitumia. Hapa kuna mambo mawili:

La kwanza ni siasa, ambapo kwa kizazi cha viongozi tulichonacho leo hii kwao maisha hayana maana au hayawezi kuendelea kama Chama Chao kinakosolewa. Hapa nazungumzia hata baadhi ya viongozi wa vyama vya upinzani mkondo ni uleule kama wataingia madarakani. Kwao chama ni chombo kisafi na hakijawahi kuchafuka. Kwao chama lazima kitetewe kwa hali yoyote ile kwani ndio chombo kinacholinda maisha yao. Kwao masuala muhimu ya nchi lazima yazingatie mtizamo wa mteuliwa kwa chama cha siasa. Hata kama mteuliwa ni mbumbumbu maadam anaunga mkono chama chao basi atapewa hata nafasi ambayo ni zaidi ya mteuliwa. Viongozi hawa pia ajira huzingatia urafiki, undugu, uswahiba na mara nyingi tu ni watu wanaotumia ngono katika kuajiri na kuwapa vyeo akina mama. Yaani viongozi wetu wengi imani kuwa Uongozi ni Utumishi kwa Umma ni kiini macho. Kwa viongozi hawa, kwao maslahi ya Chama ni muhimu kuliko Taifa na Umma kwa ujumla wao.

Ni katika mtizamo huu ndio maana sishangai kila panapotokea uchaguzi utawaona wanalazimisha mbinu chafu ili washinde uchaguzi hata kwa kutumia vyombo vya usalama. Na kwasababu hata vyombo vya usalama vimejaa wateule baadhi ambao ni mbumbumbu ila tu mashiko ya chama ndio mbele basi huwatumikia na matokeo yake Taifa linaendelea kubaki kwenye migogoro na migomo isiyokwisha. Viongozi wa aina hii ni wengi sana serikalini na hata ukisema leo tufanye uhakiki wav yeti vyao vya elimu katika ngazi mbalimbali utashangaa hawatakubali manake itashangaza.

Jambo la pili ni kupenda demokrasia ya tumboni (democracy of the belly) ambapo kwao wanachowaza ni fedha tu hata kama hamna tija. Kwa maana nyingine hawa ni wabinafsi sana, wanajipenda kupita kiasi. Ndio maana utashangaa wanakataa watoto wa masikini wasipate mkopo wa asilimia mia moja lakini watoto wao inawezekana kabisa wanasomeshwa kwa asilimia mia moja tena na fedha za umma kwa njia ya mlango wa nyuma. La kushangaza zaidi wengi wa viongozi wetu wanajua tiba ya matatizo ya migomo leo hii lakini kwa makusudi kabisa hawataki kuleta mabadiliko. Wanajua kuwa chakula chao kitapungua na kamwe hawatakubali sera ya mikopo ibadilishwe.

Mwisho, baada ya kuona aina ya viongozi tulionao hapo juu kama tatizo la nchi yetu ni wazi kuwa vijana wana nafasi ya pekee kuhakikisha wanalazimisha mabadiliko. Lazima vijana wasimame imara kuhakikisha kuwa serikali inabadili sera yake ya mikopo kwa elimu ya juu. Kama vijana watashindwa kwa hili basi nasema kabisa kuwa hii ni nafasi ya pekee ambayo haipaswi kuachwa la sivyo itakuwa “Missing opportunity” ambayo haitakaa ijirudie tena.

Ni wakati wa kuwafanya viongozi wetu waelewe kuwa kisingizio cha serikali haina fedha hakina mashiko tena. Ikiwezekana muwashauri waondoe bajeti ya mambo mengi ambayo hayana msingi yanayotumia fedha nyingi bila sababu za msingi. Msipofanya hili mjue Taifa letu litaangamia kabisa na mtawapa mwanya mwingine wa kuwaruhusu baadhi ya viongozi wetu kuendelea kufuja mali za umma wao na familia pamoja na marafiki zao.

Taifa liko kwenye mgongano wa kifikra: yaani kati ya Fikra kongwe za wale wote wenye umri wa miaka hamsini na kuendelea wakisigishana na Fikra mpya za wote walio chini ya umri wa miaka hamsini. Wengi wa viongozi wetu, kwa umri wao hawajatimiza ndoto zao za utotoni sasa ndio maana utaona wanafuja. Wengi wao elimu yao ni wasiwasi sana na ndio maana utaona wanaweka mbele sana masuala ya kuwa na vyeo pasipo elimu stahili inayoendana na mabadiliko ya dunia ya kileo. Katika hali hii nategemea vijana waongeze mbinyo la sivyo hawa jamaa wametuteka sisi wengine kama jamii.

Ili tusiendelee kuwa mateka wa watu wachache ndani ya Taifa huru, natoa rai kuwa vijana wote pamoja na wazee wote wenye mapenzi mema kwa Taifa letu wahakikishe wanaweka mbinyo (pressure) ili kuhakikisha nchi yetu haiendi kuzimu. Migomo iendelee kama viongozi wetu wataendeleza vitisho badala ya kushirikisha wadau pale panatokea hali ya sintofahamu katika masuala mbalimbali.

KWANINI MUSEVENI ANAKINGIA MAFISADI KIFUA?

Niliwagusia jinsi gani Museveni anavyotumia mbinu za vyama tawala na dola katika kuwahifadhi mafisadi. Hebu ona jinsi gani alijaribu na akafanikiwa kuwakingia kifua mawaziri wake wawili mafisadi. Pia kuna sababu mbalimbali zilizopo nchini Uganda ni kwanini Museveni anahakikisha lazima hawa mabwana wasafishwe.
Si hayo tu, ila kwa wanaoelewa huu mchezo wa Museveni ni kwamba kwa sasa watu ambao wanatarajiwa kumrithi Urais wamebaki mmoja tu baada ya mmojawapo kuwa kati ya hawa mawaziri fisadi wawili.

HOTUBA YA OBAMA KUSHUKURU KUCHAGULIWA

Nimeona ni vyema niweka hii hotuba ili muisome na kuona Obama alisema nini:

Obama victory speech: 'This is your victory'
President elect Barack Obama has addressed supporters in Chicago after beating John McCain to become the next US president. Below is the speech.
Obama:

Hello, Chicago.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.
A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.
Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.
I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.
Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.
And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.
And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.
To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.
To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.
There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.
But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.
This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.
It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.
In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.
Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.
And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.
Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

JANET MUSEVENI MWANAMAMA SHUJAA?

Huko Uganda kuna skandali kubwa juu ya ufisadi wa mawaziri wawili ambao ni watu wa karibu wa Bwana Museveni. Jamaa kaamua lazima wasafishwe na wabunge wa chama tawala hivyo akaitisha wabunge wa NRM ili kuwekwe mkakati wa kuwasafisha mafisadi. Kilichotokea ni kituko kwani Mke wa Museveni ambaye ni mbunge wa chama tawala alipinga maamuzi na ushawishi wa mumewe kuwasafisha mafisadi. Je unajua kwanini?
Pia baada ya Obama kuchaguliwa Rais wa Marekani, sasa ni wakati wa kupambana na chumi zinazokuwa kwa kasi huko Asia.

OBAMA RAISI MPYA MAREKANI

Seneta Obama hatimaye ameshinda urais wa Marekani na anakuwa rais wa Kwanza Mweusi kwa historia. John Mc Cain amekuwa wa kwanza kukiri kuwa ameshindwa kiungwana na kumpongeza mwenzake Obama. Hili limekuwa funzo lingine kwa wagombea wetu wa kiafrika na kitanzania wanaposhindwa si kukimbilia mahakamani bali ni kukubali.
Seneta Obama ndio anatoa hotuba ya shukrani kwa sasa ninapoandika hii makala.