12 YEARS OF HAPPY MARRIAGE

It is surely something to thank God for - today 21 August 2011 is a special date to my wife and I as it marks 12 wonderful years of our marriage. We look forward to many more by God's grace.

eLearning Africa 2011

Speaking at the plenary session of the eLearning Africa conference on Thursday 26th May 2011, Jenerali Ulimwengu, commenting on the signifcance of technology for development in Africa said, among others, “All learning requires technology and all technology requires learning” and also that "Anybody who says technology is not for us (Africa) is either an idiot or a racist”.

Why you need permission to move your animals

Animal movement control (globally) is done for the good of animals, humans, the environment and the national/global economy. The New Vision Newspaper kindly published my thoughts about it HERE. They published one earlier on the subject of biosecurity on the farm.

Renewed mandate, greater expectations

The first two years ended and on the 10th day of December 2010 the membership of the Uganda Veterinary Association renewed their trust in me and my colleagues to continue to guide and supervise the running of the activities of the association on their behalf.

I feel greatly humbled by this trust. I know that the members expect more out of us than we offered over the past two years and with God's guidance, wisdom and empowerment coupled with members' support the association should be able to advance significantly.

BIRTHDAY PRESENT

I am told it happened several years ago on the 4th day of December. I now know it as my birthday. A friend found it appropriate to bless me with a Chelsea FC shirt branded O'CECH (a creative attempt to merge my family name, Okech, with that of Petr Cech, one of my favourite players in the Chelsea FC team to create an unofficial 'new' version of my family name).

All I can say is thank you Corsa and God bless you.

eLearning Africa 2011

A statement on eLearning Africa website reads, "eLearning Africa 2011 will focus on youth but it will also highlight the importance of skills, skill development and employability."

It comes as no surprise considering the human population demographics in Africa - over 40 per cent of Africa’s population is younger than 24 years old (the so-called 'digital natives'). Although I am a 'digital immigrant', I do speak the language of the 'digital natives' and I will be in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania come 25th May 2011. More so because I am a learning process facilitator who is passionate in making a contribution in skills development of the young (using, as much as possible, the language they understand - digital). In such meetings such as eLearning Africa 2011, I will enhance my knowledge and capacity to speak the digital language besides sharing my experiences. Please be encouraged to be part of it. For further detailed information, abstract submission and registration please visit the eLearning Africa website (http://www.elearning-africa.com/).

eLearning Africa meetings are not new to me: I participated in 2007 (Nairobi, Kenya) and 2008 (Accra, Ghana) but sadly missed the 2009 and 2010 meetings. I will be in Dar es Salaam in May 2011.

I attribute the birth of this blog, to a great extent, to the eLearning Africa 2007 meeting.

The genius of a campaign team

By closure of the Presidential nominations today, the Uganda Electoral Commission had registered eight Presidential candidates (7 male, 1 female). Each one of them entered the scene in a unique way. Most interesting to me was the incumbent, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose campaign team seems to have already demonstrated their understanding of the electorate demographics and putting it to good use.

The demographics of the electorate in Uganda shows that the numbers are tilted towards the youth no wonder General Y.K. Museveni, on the eve of his nomination, honoured their invitation to an evening of fun not only by his presence but also by doing the unprecedented. He sang a RAP song to the delight of the youth. Talk about ‘touching base’ with the audience (read electorate).

We await to see what the other campaign teams will offer (in form of strategy) in this 2011 Uganda Presidential elections but for now Kudos to M7 and his campaign team. The youth would say, big ups. Follow these links to the audio and video versions of the song.