Who Do You Trust?

Who Do You Trust?

Words. Words. Words.

As much as I did not like the book, The Book Thief, one important point that it clearly made is the power that words have to bring about good and to bring about great evil. Words have power, hence the words grammar and glamour both coming from the same root and alluding to being skilled at casting spells.

The media cast thousands of words upon us daily, stung together to report to us world event and express various viewpoint on multitudes of issues. Supposedly, their role is to keep us informed about what's going on in our communities and the greater world around us. But from the looks of the newscasters on Headline News, Fox Network and other news outlets, it definitely appears that other values are being embraced and that money (increasing the possibility of misinformation) could be the name of the game. But one does not have to look at foreign or international news outlets to see this. Our local news sources here in Kampala are playing a frustrating game with the public.

Today's reports about the blocked DP rally do not agree on important details.

9th May 2011

From The New Vision: Kiyaga accused the opposition of hoodwinking the Police by first expressing intentions to hold the rally at Kololo airstrip, only to change it a few hours to the set date.

“DP wrote a letter informing us that they intended to hold a rally at Kololo. Arrangements were made on Thursday to meet the organisers at Kololo but they did not turn up,” he explained.

“On Friday, they communicated that they had postponed the rally and changed the venue to Constitutional Square. We shall not allow this.”

From The Monitor: A national opposition rally that was supposed to take place yesterday at Kololo Heroes Grounds was cancelled at the last minute after police blocked it. The Democratic Party was the organiser of the rally, though it had been meant for all opposition parties.

“Police told us they had no problem with it but said the management of the grounds is under President’s Office. They demanded for a letter from the office showing that we have been cleared to use it (ground),” DP president Norbert Mao said.

The recent riots were a very sad event. What really went on? How many people really lost their lives due to excessive use of force? How did all those people get shot if, as one paper reported, the police only used tear gas, batons and water cannons.

29th April 2011

The New Vision: In return the Police and army used tear gas and batons to disperse the rioters.

The Police also used a water cannon truck, which constantly released a colored, itchy liquid into the people.

The Monitor: A police an officer was among the total 84 registered at the medical facility by 12:30pm, many having sustained gunshot wounds. Children and women are among the victims....

The shootings occurred in Katwe, Owino and the Old Taxi Park. Bloody chaos flared up in that congested market due to agitation over earlier arrest of some of the vendors there.

Sometimes, it does not take a reporter to muddle what's really going on. Some people succeed at doing it all on their own.

From Museveni, addressing religious leaders at the closure of a post-election 2011 conference organised by the Inter Religious Council in Uganda (IRCU): "If the religious group gets a donation from government, that money is from the taxpayers of Uganda. I am not selling my cows to give you gifts,” he said.

From Museveni, at the consecration of Bishop Reuben Kisembo in Fort Portal: “People who criticise my donations to churches are wrong because I am a Christian and it is God who helped me go through the liberation struggle to date,” President Museveni said before donating Shs10 million to the new Bishop of Rwenzori Diocese, Reuben Kisembo, who was consecrated yesterday in Fort Portal town.

When I give donations I will be giving back to God what he gave me because donationsare meant to help poor people of God," Mr. Museveni added.

Who is the money from again?

What's its purpose?

To borrow a favourite quote from Elle Woods:

I'm well aware that stories can be told from different angles, and I've had my own experiences with having my words twisted or being quoted out of context. However, I cannot help but think that some of what is being written/said is intentionally being spun to confuse the public and/or incite emotions.

"Who do you trust! Hubba, hubba, hubba! Money, money, money! Who do you trust? Me? I'm giving away free money."