An artwork of Kafunda Mama by Chritine Nyatho. PHOTO | COURTESY
All of Uganda, it is said, converges in Kampala to make a living. All these people are held together by Kafunda Mama, the quintessential female street food vendor.
Kafundas (“little places” in Luganda) are small roadside shops, which often double up as a bar and a social space, often operated by women.
Kafunda Mama is the mother hustling for her family, waking up in the dead of night to prepare her business at a kafunda, cooking by the roadside, providing passersby with a meal or school children with a bag of homemade crisps.
It is these female street vendors that self-taught Ugandan artist Christine Nyatho pays tribute to in her first solo exhibition at Amasaka Gallery titled Kafunda Mama.
According to Amasaka Gallery, in her work Nyatho taps into the unstoppable life force of motherhood. She combines barkcloth and found fabrics. She chooses to expose stitches added by the craftsman, little scars originating from the process of the material’s production: Barkcloth is created by beating the bark of the wild fig tree to flatten it out to a thin fabric.
Wherever the cloth breaks in this process, the craftsman stitches it back together. Nyatho deliberately choses parts of the barkcloth that are covered with these signs of tearing and healing and surrounds them with her own embroidery.
On display are 12 new, large artworks made of embroidery and acrylics on barkcloth at the show that runs from September 15 to November 3.
“Mama Gundi,” for example, depicts the sun, moon and white dots. Mama Gundi is the name used by someone who forgets the real name of a person.
The artwork “Blossom” depicts yellow flowers and embroidery. It shows how a kafunda mama starts her day, with a beautiful smile, hoping to do better than the day before.
“Seasons” shows two doves flying in the air and embroidery. It is about the seasons in our lives and so do the kafunda mamas. Every season that comes in gives them something new to look up too.
There are also pieces such as “Drama Queen”, “Game Changer”, “Leafy Mind,” and “Her Place”.
According to Nyatho, the exhibition is a chance to tell a story about these women who make our lives easier through doing what they do in there small spaces (kafundas).”
She says that she chose barkcloth to combine the modern and the present.” By By BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI, The East African
It’s 2am, and in the middle of the dance floor at a raucous backpacker hostel in Diani, a beach resort near Mombasa on Kenya’s south-eastern coast, I’m exchanging Instagram details with a local.
Unlike most of the other people here, however, he’s not wearing shorts and a T-shirt but is in full Masai warrior regalia – bare-chested with a bright-red length of checked cotton fabric known as a shuka around his shoulders with layers of intricate, colourful beaded necklaces and bracelets. Instead of the traditional stick Masai men carry, he’s holding a mobile phone.
It’s a somewhat incongruous sight, as just a couple of days earlier, I’d met some of his fellow tribesmen at the local mud-hutted village of Kolong – where life mainly revolves around tending to sheep and cows, rather than checking Insta likes – within the vast, sweeping, never-ending plains of the Masai Mara.
One of the biggest and most vital wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, it covers over 580sq miles and is named after the Masai people who have lived here for centuries.
The land is distinctive, peppered with the occasional lone desert date tree, and inhabited by a host of incredible creatures, from leopards, hippos, giraffes and elephants to the tiny dung beetle.
I’m staying at Emboo, the very first carbon-neutral safari camp in the reserve. It was set up by three friends who felt safari trips could be done better and without leaving any mark on the environment.
Eight spacious tents sit by the river of the same name and on arrival, one of the co-founders, Valery, proudly shows me around. ‘Hopefully what we’re doing here will become the norm,’ she says.
Emboo is entirely solar-powered, while the kitchen cooks with gas made from biodigested food waste. Furniture is made from recycled and reclaimed materials, toiletries are eco-friendly, herbs, fruit and vegetables are grown vertically and hydroponically on-site and fresh well-water is used for showers and laundry.
All guests are encouraged to plant a tree to offset the carbon from their arrival at camp, and Emboo’s three Land Cruiser jeeps have been converted with electric batteries, with a range of up to 150 miles.
These electric jeeps come into their own on game drives. As we glide past wheezing diesel-fuelled Land Rovers from other camps, belching thick black smoke, we’re able to get much closer to the animals, as we can approach almost silently.
On one drive, our passionate guides, Nas and Emily, point out hyenas loitering intently next to a herd of buffalo, three sleepy cheetahs who loll around lazily like oversized domestic cats, some skittish ostriches and herds of gazelles, their tails wagging rhythmically, like metronomes.
But the real result is being able to pull right up beside Jesse, one of the lions from the local pride. He strolls past us disdainfully a couple of times and yawns, unbothered. We also stop by a patch of long grass where a weary lioness is trying to summon the energy to contend with the playful cubs.
‘I’m from a Masai tribe, and was interested in the wild animals from childhood and wondered if there was a way to protect and preserve them. Research suggested that guiding would be the best route. When I turned 18, I joined the Koiyaki Guiding School, whereI learned how to identify different birds, animals and plants, as well as about the geographical terrain. I also learned computer skills and how to drive a Land Rover.
‘In the Masai community, girls aren’t expected to go to school – our role is to get married, have babies. To her father, a daughter equals a dowry. I had to sneak out to primary school as my parents wouldn’t be happy if I got an education but the school encouraged me, and a friend of my teacher sponsored my fees at Koiyaki. My father and I fell out for a bit but he unexpectedly attended my graduation, and told me he was very proud of me.
‘I love my job at Emboo and the way they’re empowering women.’
After three days filled with extraordinary animal encounters, I decamp to the beach. The change in scenery is pronounced – my hotel sits on a stretch of bone-white sand, fringing water as warm as a bath (rooms from £141pn).
Here, there are many more tourists – going on boat trips, snorkelling in the marine reserve of Wasini Island, and, yes, clubbing in backpackers’ hostels. I already miss the wide, sprawling vistas of the Masai Mara – but in Kenya, gratifyingly, you can have both.
Whipsnade Zoo’s Lookout Lodges are the perfect way to get up close and personal to wildlife without leaving the UK. As well as after-hours tours of the zoo at sunset, after dark and at sunrise, guests have their own safari sleepover in a private lodge that overlooks the animals’ homes.
From £298 per room for couples, or from £338 per room for families. Visit Whipsnade Zoo.
Flights from London to Nairobi from £549 return, KLM; stays at Emboo River Camp from £390pp/pn, including all game drives, meals, drinks, bush walks and tree planting. For info visit Magical Kenya. By Laura Millar, Metro
A senior four candidate has died while another has given birth during the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations.
According to Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) spokesperson Jennifer Kalule, the deceased candidate died on Thursday. Kalule states that the deceased was a special needs education (SNE) candidate who displayed remarkable courage while contending with sickle cell disease.
Kalule further mentions that, despite encountering a challenging ordeal during the examinations, the candidate managed to complete the initial examination papers. However, her health deteriorated significantly on the third day, leaving her in a severely weakened state.
The spokesperson explains that due to the candidate's extreme weakness, which made it difficult for her to write, the school made a request to Uneb for the provision of a transcriber to assist her in completing the remaining examinations.
“When the Uneb support personnel went to the school yesterday morning, the candidate was in the sick bay. Her situation however worsened, and she was taken to hospital. The school administration was shortly after that informed that the girl has passed on,” she added.
In a related development one of the candidates whose name has been withheld, gave birth to a baby girl on day four of the examinations. Kalule says that the student from a school around Kampala had already successfully completed her papers in the first three days.
“The candidate who had effectively written her papers on the first three days, did not have a paper on Day 4, and so had stayed home,” Kalule noted.
Accounts from the candidate’s parents indicate that on Thursday at around 1:30 pm, she began to experience labour pains, and her journey towards motherhood commenced. She was swiftly rushed to a local hospital, where she gave birth to a healthy baby girl at 4:00 pm. Kalule adds by Friday morning, the candidate had already shown up at the center to write her physics paper.
“We have cautioned the school not to disclose the identity of the candidate at this moment. She is already passing through a lot. Even media shouldn’t try to publish her, maybe they can follow up after papers are done upon getting permission from the parents,” Kalule added.
This is not the first instance of a candidate giving birth during an examination. In 2021, when schools were reopening after the prolonged and unprecedented COVID-19-induced closures, Uneb reported that six candidates had given birth during UCE examinations. These six candidates hailed from the northern and eastern districts.
Four candidates gave birth and were able to continue with their exams. One candidate, who unfortunately lost her baby after birth, was also able to proceed with the examinations.
Unlike previous practices where pregnant students were often excluded by schools, ministry of Education declared that such students should be given a second chance, and those who are physically able should be allowed to sit for their examinations.
Subsequently, the examination body has revised its policies, granting an additional 45 minutes to all expectant and breastfeeding candidates to complete their examination papers, recognizing their circumstances as impairments worthy of consideration.
Reports from various exam centers have also highlighted a trend in this year's UCE examinations. Suspected cases of malpractice have emerged during the practical papers for Chemistry and Biology.
Reports indicate that some candidates recorded experimental results without actually performing the experiments as required by the examination guidelines. Such actions constitute a clear violation of the rules and are indicative of examination malpractice.
This year, a total of 364,421 candidates have been officially registered for these exams, and the examination period is scheduled to extend until November 17, 2023. - URN/The Observer
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for Angolans in efforts to spur trade.
President Ruto made the announcement Saturday during a joint presser with visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco at State House.
He said the move would increase trade numbers between the two countries by easing the movement of people, goods and services.
He said the trade numbers between the two nations had in the last four years gone up from 60 million to 350 million.
Additionally, the President pledged to expedite and conclude discussions on resumption of direct flights to Angola.
“We believe there is tremendous potential and scope for the numbers to go up into billions and we have undertaken to facilitate these exercises by making sure that they are not bilateral agreements but improve connections to facilitate greater integration” the President committed.
Kenya and Angola have signed 11 bilateral agreements.
This is the first-ever trip by an Angolan President to Kenya.
“I thank you (Joao Lourenco) for making this inaugural visit, the first by an Angolan Head of State in the history of the two countries. Your Excellency (Joao Lourenco) you have corrected an anomaly that has existed close to 40 years that Kenya and Angola share a rich history “ he said.
Angola is expected to implement a reciprocal visa waiver. More to follow.. By Margaret Kalekye, KBC
As some of the key aviation stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry continue to kick against multiple entry ports for foreign airlines, the Federal Government has further added more designations to international carriers operating into the country.
At the inaugural flights of Uganda Airlines into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Thursday night, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo said that the Federal Government has approved the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano to the routes of the airline in Nigeria.
Additional points for Uganda
With this, Uganda Airlines, which began three weekly flights into Nigeria on Thursday, would now have access to additional two entries in the country.
Already, as of October 2021, Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) arrangements with other countries had climbed to 95.
Reports claimed that only about 30 of the arrangements are active, while a very few Nigerian carriers like Air Peace are currently taking part in the frequencies.
Despite the absence of reciprocity by Nigeria and its carriers, pressures are still mounted on the Federal Government especially by State Governors, legislators and some professionals in the sector to approve more foreign airlines to fly directly into various states and airports in the country, irrespective of its effect on the nation’s carriers and employment opportunities for qualified personnel.
Most of the foreign airlines operate into multiple designations in Nigeria with plans to further increase their frequencies and presence in the country.
No fewer than 11 foreign carriers, including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines and British Airway are operating additional 70 frequencies to Nigeria weekly with operations to several cities across the country.
Also, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Africa World Airlines; Turkish Airlines and Asky Airlines, among others are among the carriers with multiple operations into Nigeria.
Fulfillment of SAATM, YD
Keyamo who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, the Director, Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Management, said that the approval of the additional entry ports to Uganda Airlines was in agreement with the spirit of Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD).
Keyamo also said that the approval would also make the Nigeria-Uganda route more open, accessible for passengers to and from Eastern and Western Africa and beyond.
He further said that this was necessary in order to protect the interest of the continents over 1.37 billion people, which is about 17.4 per cent of the world’s population.
The minister also challenged the indigenous airline operators to seize the opportunity offered by SAATM and YD to start operating regional and continental flights, stressing that this would also lead to the full implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063.
Kayemo added:
“The journey started on October 9, 2002 in Kampala, Uganda when the two respective ministers of both countries responsible for Civil Aviation initialled an Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the ultimate desire of bringing about a direct flight from Entebbe, Uganda to Ikeja, Lagos.
“This was further reviewed in January 2015 with certain provisions. It was a matter of concern that the ASA was never operationalised until today, with Uganda utilising the designated airline from her side to commence the flight operations. Kudos must go to the management of the airline and the government and people of Uganda under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni for this great feat.”
Enhanced Business, Commercial connectivity
Also speaking, Jenifer Bamuturaki, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Uganda Airlines, expressed delight with the commencement of the flight.
Bamuturaki, explained that the direct non-stop flight would further reduce the flying time within Africa, especially between Nigeria and Uganda.
She regretted that in some cases, travellers from the continent connect Africa through Europe, a situation which she said added to the cost of flying.
She added that Nigeria being the biggest economy on the continent needed an airline like Uganda Airline for further easy exploration and seamless connectivity of passengers.
According to her, for a start, the airline would operate three weekly frequencies from its base in Entebbe; Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays to Nigeria, while the outward flight would be the same day.
She said:
“We have closed the gap between East Africa and the West. We will be operating three times weekly in Nigeria.”
Amb. Nelson Ocherger, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, also expressed joy over the inaugural flight of Uganda Airlines to Lagos, saying the approval by the Nigerian government would open a vista of business opportunities to both nations.
He further stated that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) exists on reciprocity, adding that his country was awaiting when Nigerian carriers would commence services to Uganda.
He said:
“The importance of air transport underscores the promotion of trade and investment and it gives Africa the opportunity to leverage on all AU agenda. We thank the Nigerian government for the necessary approval needed to do this operation.” By Charles Ayodele, Nairametrics
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