OKELLO DIXON COLUMN! Government Should Censor Pornographic Music Videos, Sexual And Violent Lyrics.

By Arthur Katabalwa.

Let me take the reckless decision of yet again crossing swords with the indomitable Dixon Okello. Yet again he writes about issues which are close to his heart and the way he believes. Whereas Dixon and I are childhood friends (hence my bravado in taking him on), we have agreed to disagree on so many issues. That is the bedrock of our mutual respect. It is also borne out of our history from the debating club of our former school, Kings College Budo.

Panadol W'abasajja

In his latest installment, he writes about the indignity of some Ugandan musicians who lashed out at The Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Father Simon Lokodo for ordering the arrest of the "singer"  commonly known as Panadol W'abasajja. I have very deep personal misgivings about Lokodo as a person and as a Minister. Maybe he was given a poisoned chalice with that ministry but as a person he is a difficult one. I don't rate him highly. And that is a personal opinion. But on the arrest, I would match with him to go and arrest this lass. It wouldn't be, however for the video but for her lack of any musical talent. I have watched about 33 seconds of the song she did recently and it was awful to say the least. Absolutely awful. And she isn't much of a looker anyway so next time, keep your clothes on love. 

But back to what Dixon wrote; I have problems with censorship. You see, I believe in the right of a person to be immoral. As long as they do not infringe on my liberties, anyone can be as immoral as they want. This, I know goes against the grain of current Ugandan law. In the anti pornographic law, pornography is not allowed. In his submission, Okello writes; "Glorifying pornographic music videos and violence in music is never good for a civilized society." He continues "Whether its gangster rap, hip hop, kadongo kamu, or any other type of music, if the lyrics of the song promote, glorify, or portray violence, racism, drugs and sex, in a favorable light it should be censored."

I agree to two issues here; violence and racism. The two should be tackled head on. Especially violence. But racism is subjective. Many people actually don't understand racism. Recently I employed a white man and the uproar it caused even from some of my learned friends was breathtaking. The main issue was that I had over looked black people. Yet many of us who have had the chance to work abroad have cried foul at the same. Just the other way round. The muzungu I employed has lived in Uganda most of his life and his family own land in Luwero. He actually has a Ugandan passport. So, can we have some music videos dealing with the kind of racism that I saw on my pages?

"Music censorship will just prevent people from saying horrible things." Dixon, people have said horrible things right from Adam and Eve. On that hot afternoon while the two were lounging about the Garden of Eden naked, Eve was tempted by the serpent and she told Adam to eat t he apple. That is when it all started. We don't need government censorship of what the artistes sing about or act about. We need people to be educated. The people of Uganda are old enough to keep a secret they can therefore differentiate between a really bad song and harmful lyrics. Let us defend our civil society from government creep, where we have the likes of Lokodo telling our ladies to wear long skirts. (Lokodo by virtue of being a man of the church isn't allowed to look anyway.) We will soon have a nanny state where we are told what to do. Let the people, like me, work out that that song was incredibly bad and with education, let the youth be told of the problems associated with violence and racism. Censorship has no place in a civil democratic society like Uganda. But neither does the decent artistic world have a place for Panadol W'abasajja.

Apologies for the segmentation in the article. It is due to a technical fault that I cant resolve at the moment. AMMK.

To Wear Or Not To Wear A Wedding Ring.

By Arthur Katabalwa.

Yesterday I went and bought my self a ring on a whim. I was walking through the Crafts Village near the National Theater and I saw one of those black rings, tried it on my wedding finger, the price was right so I snapped it up. I put in on my wedding ring finger without much thought.

Later on in the day, I went and had lunch with a friend. The discussion about the ring on my wedding ring finger was minimal. Indeed anyone who saw me wearing it would have thought less of it. After all I look like the kind of man, who at my age should be married.

This morning, while I was showing off a few photos I took with a local celebrity, one of my girl friends pointed out that I was wearing a ring. She wondered why I was wearing one when I am no longer married.

It is one of those things which I have always wanted to do. I am not a person who wears jewelry. I wear my watch on my right hand and I have wanted to balance things off on my left hand. But I don't like clunky stuff so I opted for a classy plain band.

However I have also noticed that many of my contemporaries especially in the media industry wear rings even if they are single. It has always been thought of as a statement that for one to wear a ring, they  spoken for; they are married. But many friends of mine, both male and female, wear rings when they are not hitched. So what is it that we want to portray? What message do I subconsciously want to pass on?

Andrew, is a TV and radio news anchor in Kampala. He is also a rather good looking guy but wears a ring despite the fact that he is single. I asked him why he does it "Wearing a ring gives off an air of confidence. It shows other people that you are responsible because it is associated with one being married."

I asked him if by us wearing rings would not put off potential partners: "In the media it is important to try and keep off some unwanted attention and a ring does the trick" he said. "However if anyone is interested in you or if you are interested in someone else, if you find out that they are already wearing a ring but aren't married then that gives off good vibes." So, I thought I am giving off "good vibes" to those around me who are single but are wearing wedding rings like me? The subtle messages we give off without knowing?!? Anyway.........

On a purely personal level however I have found that in my daily course of work, I stand better chances to be taken seriously by my peers. When one is in a serious meeting I find that a subtle roll of that ring on your wedding finger while in deep thought while listening to a presentation gives an air of superior confidence. For me, the ring shows an inner peace and comfort with my life. The way that society is understanding these symbols is changing rapidly. For one to be wearing a ring in my industry doesn't mean one is married...but is it?

Obama always has his wedding ring on.

It has been known for many leading world leaders to make sure they are wearing their wedding rings rather prominently. Bill Clinton sported his prominently even when the whole world knew what he was doing when he was receiving calls in the oval office. Tony Blair and Barack Obama would rather be seen dead without wearing one.

William Ford, a presenter on one of the radio stations in Kampala and a very good friend of mine just walked up to me and asked what changed over the weekend. I said nothing happened only the fact that I bought a ring which I am wearing on my wedding finger. His take? "You are sending away potential suitors but at the same time attracting potential suitors!" Confused? I am. But I will keep a ring on my wedding finger regardless. I actually like it.

Directors Dinner and Touch FM relaunch.

It was a good day, nervous, but a good day. With the Chairman Bro Group on my left.

Come On! Lets Not Get Our Knickers In a Twist!

By Arthur Katabalwa.

I hear that there is a legal threat from government that if anyone is caught looking at those photos they will be prosecuted and fined 50 million shillings. A fine of 50 million shillings? I guess our national debt will be wiped out in a few hours at this rate. Because, let me inform the powers that be; confiscate all phones with video playing capabilities. A majority have videos so hideous even Satan will run to the Almighty in fright!

For all her faults, DL (I pity anyone whose names are initialized like that) needs protection whether she reports that she has been wronged or not. The whole DL issue is now a national scandal. Let me inform our saintly Father in that absolutely preposterous Ministry of Ethics and Integrity (another parking place for political wannabees I think) to focus on cases like that kid who was in the papers yesterday who, in her P6, was being chased about by some men with questionable intentions.

You see, I think we have some issues especially moral issues badly skewed here in Uganda. OK, we have a lady who apparently has questionable morals getting her nude pictures plastered all over the internet and in our hand held phones. Some might say that she brought it on herself. That I am not entirely sure. But when we have a little girls hand being offered for marriage for less than 1 Million shillings, and her 32 year old mother whose so poor poverty is dripping like dew around her and has the nerve and fortitude to say NO to that? Those are the people we should be helping.

Babirye Kasuubo, a single mother from Kiige village, Balawoli, Kamuli district ekes a living out of the soil by growing maize, beans and millet. Her husband left her for dust twelve years ago. Now, allegedly a local man John Odongo, 25, saw Babiryes' daughter walk from school, he gave her an evelope containing the cash as bride price. He has since disappeared when the matter came to light. His accomplices, his father and a friend have been thrown into the cooler (prison) and they are now counter suing Babirye for stealing their money. Meanwhile the local drunkards are laughing at Babirye for refusing the offer! Am I getting something wrong? These are the people who need a slap!

Father Who?, help us deal with such imbeciles first. Not DL. She has provided the nation with a bit of a distraction from the end of month woes. But the likes of Odongo, even if the case is still in court, should be the ones who get the fines. Not the locals who for want of a better word are still having a bit of mirth.

This country is beset by so many problems; The Katosi Road saga (what happened there? IGG?). People being given  allowances to attend the funeral of The Late Hon Eria Kategaya., people are being raped in Kyambogo? And what did the Chancellor say? The list is endless! Yet we are scrambling over our cereals to try and catch out people who are looking at a pornographic video which by the way does not prove it is actually who they say it is. Yes, I have seen it and that posterior can be of so many girls in this region of Africa trust me. No conclusive proof.

So, let us not get our knickers in a twist worrying about 50 million shillings and God knows what. The hemlines of our sisters in Uganda fall and rise like the tide. Sometimes the tide completely goes out and the hemlines completely dispear. Society is transient. Like I wrote yesterday, this whole issue will be forgotten by Friday. My message to DL again is that all will be forgiven and forgotten by Friday. Trust me. You know how we be like here in K'la. Come Friday, we will all be going to party and people will be like "DL who?" I have an Arabian themed house warming arranged!!

Desire Luzinda; Those Photos!!!

By Arthur Katabalwa.

Desire Luzinda.

Last week we were going on about the physical attributes of Leah Kalanguka, Miss Uganda 2014. By the way I met her last Friday evening. Don't believe the hype; Meet her in person then you will all swallow your tongues. She deserves the crown, physical attributes and all. She is no airhead either. At least she can hold a decent conversation over an extended period of time without interruption from her media minders.

But that story has been overshadowed by Desire Luzinda. Those photos!!For those of you who are not aware of the brouhaha caused by Ms Luzinda, a number of photos popped up on Facebook where she has not a stitch of clothing on her more than ample body. One or two are far too close to the subject matter that one wonders how one actually got that in focus. Anyway.....

The jokes around town are that many men (and I know some women) got what they have been wishing for. To see Ms Luzinda naked. Now I can bet countless phones have these photos and at least now one has the perfect excuse to have one or two dirty photos on their phones. And if there is anyone who keeps up with social media trends who sanctimoniously says they have not had a peek, they are lying! Yes, I have, without shame seen the whole set!

The debates raging in Uganda and I suppose abroad vary. Was it wise to take photos for a Nigerian boyfriend in such poses? Was it actually clever to take these photos? There are many arguments for and against. But for me I will firmly side on Ms Luzindas' side.

The premise that she is a celebrity in Uganda and that she should therefore uphold a different moral standard only holds water in my view up to a certain point. One of my closest girl friends here in Kampala who is quite famous and very pretty has said one thing to me in defense of Ms Luzinda. "At the end of the day, Desire wants to be loved.  People forget that no matter where society or privilege of birth puts you, when those doors are shut, and you are with someone whom you absolutely love and trust, it doesn't matter if you are a Princess, a celebrity or someone who is very wealthy. As a girl, you just want to be loved. Even if he is an ogre."

Those photos, I assume, were taken in the same vein. The issue that they then showed up on line should not be as much as a problem for Desire, but for the fact that her ex boyfriend has abused her trust. When we are all intimate with our partners, we don't expect these moments to become fodder for the public. It should not matter the manner by which people end their relationships, discretion is of utmost importance. People should learn to let go of past relationships with magnanimity and move on otherwise the past may hold your present hostage.

The advent of quick file sharing platforms means that such images are crisscrossing the internet and WhatsApp in huge numbers. Let us not go on and pontificate about whether it is right to take such photos. Many people have a use for them and that should be left as such. If one is the type where sex is a mundane chore with lights turned off just before you go to sleep; if that's what turns you on then why not? If on the other hand people enjoy the use of such as those photos that are doing the rounds, then please make sure that you are exchanging those photos with someone with whom whose trust can run beyond the date when you break up. All I ask is that people have an open mind. And for Desire my message is that by Friday this week all will be forgotten and forgiven I promise.