Recently, I went to pick a friend from the airport and the first question she fired at me was, “Are you CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) compliant? She had been out of the country and apparently the whole hype and explosion about the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of States Meeting in Uganda got to her and she was looking forward to the revamped Uganda. Our entire 42km journey from the airport was filled with disappointed sighs and questions.

The government of Uganda has invested heavily to make this event a success with over $50m budgeted to make preparations. Some of its programmes have been put on hold to realize enough money to host the meeting, since it’s the sole financer of the event. Ministries have experienced budget cuts and over 20billion ugshs is being lost due to tax waivers on imported materials for hotel construction after hotel owners complained of petroleum problems in Kenya and power shortages. 

Comments from the public reveal that CHOGM preparations is riddled with corruption and Uganda may not benefit much if the opportunity cost of foreign direct investment is evaluated in layman’s calculations. Uganda may not receive value for the money and a lot may be lost. With the numerous corrupt elements in government, it’s only few Ugandans who may benefit from the event, even if the queen brings in billions of pounds. It’s considered that only government bureaucrats, hotel owners and those employed to manage the meeting are to benefit directly. 

The hottest talk in Kampala today however, is the analysis paralysis that has struck the organizers of the CHOGM due to the short time available and the numerous necessities still not in place. It ranges from hotels not being ready in time, even after importing materials free of taxation, to the available ones having poor facilities, unsafe water and the hotel owners trying to get rich quick by hiking abnormal rates targeting the event. It gets worse, fake materials have been used to repair Entebbe road, which unfortunately is the entry point to the country. Funds have been diverted to other projects and Kampala city council is dead on its tracks to light up the city because the funds are not available. 

From previous and current trials, load shedding will still be a problem because the cabling systems at the hotels where the heads of states will stay need to be changed, since power goes off before connecting to the generators automatically, meaning unless something is done, Heads of States world over will travel long distances to come and experience total black outs in Uganda. Also, controversy surrounds the buses that were pledged by India to take Heads of states from the opening ceremony at Serena Hotel to Speke Resort and Country Lounge muyonyo. 

The widest gamble and most cynical development of all are the sickening bill boards all over town. Can anyone out there help the good organizers of CHOGM realize that Radio D.J’s and music artists pulling rare poses all over the place is not very appealing to market this highly gifted pearl of Africa?

The worst part of it is that, some of these billboard ambassadors have gained fame only after committing and displaying despicable and immoral, punishable acts on national television. 

Recently, Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said the ministry is working round the clock to ensure that all Ugandans rally behind the government as it hosts the meeting, that is supposed to boost the image of the host country, in the hope that the meeting will result in increased foreign direct investment into the country and open up opportunities in the tourism sector of the economy. “I appeal to the public to embrace this golden chance, if we lose it, we may not have another opportunity to host CHOGM in the next 108 years. This government will not be in power for 108 years but the country will benefit in the long run,” said Kutesa. 

With all these expectations from CHOGM, the billboards all over town are part of the biggest nightmares to this event. Uganda has one best seller slogan named “gifted by nature”. What is wrong with applauding our beautiful natural riches than people with little or no significance to the event? Are we trying to say we are looking for foreign direct investment in the music and jokes industry only? We cannot bring theatre into CHOGM because we can’t afford being unserious. Uganda can do better than this. We have numerous game parks, national reserves with countless animal and bird species. We have waterfalls, lakes and rivers and most of all, we have a lot of rare and nutritious fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products that can be neatly displayed all over the country. 

The truth about technology like billboards advertising is that it can strengthen ones marketing but with all its wondrous benefits, it can prove a major distraction if not used tactfully and correctly. This minor but very crucial change is highly required otherwise Uganda’s focus to the event loses meaning. 

The biggest asset this country has is its people. Not much is being done to sensitize them during this upcoming event, its value to this country and how they can contribute to its success. Large sections of the population both rural and urban do not know about the event and if they do, they have not been involved, so they consider it government’s problem and responsibility. The government should aim at gaining credibility by involving the population in this event and feeding them with the correct information, which can compel responsible behaviour on their part. Only then will they be able to understand why ramshackle kiosks and gabbage should be gotten rid of to keep the country clean.

Consider this analogy from the world of sports. If one wants to become an excellent football player, they cannot do it overnight no matter how great the game is or how talented and effective the coach. All the negative aspects of this country cannot be gotten rid of in a year. It has to be a long-term concerted, balanced effort and dedication from both the population and the government. Its high time organizers of CHOGM picked and dealt with priorities because not all can be sorted out in the next three months.