Social and Cultural issues in Uganda
Citizenship- Farah Almajed
The active role of Northern Ugandan’s relates to the concept of citizenship. By gathering together to watch, for the first time the ‘Kony 2012’ documentary made by Jason Russel they have displayed active citizenship. Taking part of the debate, speaking up and being victims themselves they are fed up with the war and want to be left alone (Wise, 2002). Through the use of technology such as Jason Russel’s viral video, citizens around the world have come together to bring awareness to the issues clouding Ugandans. For 10 years people have tried to get the world to notice the problem with Kony yet it isn’t until the introduction of Facebook, Twitter and great editing skills that people have decided to take part in an organisation (ICO), donating and doing everything they possibly can to stop Kony (SBS, 2012).
Communication – Zoia Afzal
In Uganda the internet penetration is low and less than 2% have access to the internet. The Kony 2012 video is known by millions of individuals but the locals of the affected from the LRA have no clue about the short video. A charity had put together a viewing of the doco inviting locals. The locals believe that some of the promotional methods sound offensive.
“If people in these countries care about us there will not wear t shirts with pictures of joseph Kony that would celebrate our suffering”.
(Ugandan villagers watch Kony, 2012)
Conflict- Farah Almajed
The experiences of gay people in Uganda can be related to the concept of conflict. Gay Ugandans have been in conflict for many years with those who oppose their sexuality. They struggle to be who they are and come out of the closet for fear that they might be attacked. They are in conflict with the law as the existing law in Uganda criminalizes homosexuality, and Ugandans can face up to life in prison for engaging in homosexual acts. They are in conflict with society in general with many homosexuals being discriminated against and the media saying they should be hanged (McClelland, 2012).
Conflict – Zoia Afzal
Conflict in Uganda has erupted after the locals Ugandans viewed the 30 minute doco. The Ugandan locals felt happy that there were outsiders trying to embrace awareness of such crime but at the same time victims felt like they were mocking the whole scenario by wearing joseph Kony’s face on the t shirts. With such a large phenomenon taking place people are doubled minded and this is how conflict erupts.
In many ways, this elegant response is the perfect answer to the Stop Kony hysteria. By committing African troops to solve an African conflict, the AU is proving that Africa can fight its own battles, and hopefully pre-empt any serious talk of sending in more American soldiers (there are already 100 American military “advisors” operating in affected countries).
(AU joins Kony hunt, 2012)
Cooperation – Zoia Afzal
With the YouTube video “KONY 2012” going viral millions of people have become aware of the human rights abuses in Uganda. Individuals have cooperated to make a change and spread the word.
The announcement comes the same month an internet campaign by the US based advocacy group Invisible Children sought to make Kony “famous” so that policy makers would make it priority to remove him.
(Mission to get Kony, 2012)
Despite all the other videos posted exposing violence in Africa, Kony 2012 has become the most fashionable activist campaign on the internet till date. The aim of the video is cooperation from all the viewers
“In other words the campaign aims at raising enough support so that the American government are put in a position where they can’t ignore Kony’s crimes anymore and will have to carry on as they have done since 2010, providing their Ugandan colleagues with modern equipment and training to fight him effectively”.
(Elio Calcagno, 2012)
Groups - Farah Almajed
The role the lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender individuals in organisations is an example of the concept of groups. Gays suffer from discrimination in Uganda and to do something about this, many people and organisations have gathered to form groups that fight for the rights of Ugandans. Groups such as the LGBT that Kesha co-founded, FARUG strive to give gays a right to be a part of society free from discrimination (McClelland, 2012). They cooperate with other gays and with human rights organisations from around the world mainly America to change the laws and views that Ugandans currently hold for homosexuals.
Change - Farah Almajed
Change is a relevant concept when considering Uganda’s record of human rights. The Kony 2012 documentary advocates for the rights of northern Ugandans, highlighting the conflict. For years they have been suffering under the hands of the government and their children have suffered at the hands of Kony. Now many organisations and people are fighting to change the rights of Ugandans from the rights of Homosexuals to the rights of children and villages to live their life free of terror and war (Lewis, 2010 and SBS, 2012).
Change – Zoia Afzal
The LRA has been running in Uganda since 1987, since then there was no compelling or vivid coverage of the LRA and the exploitation of thousands of children. On the 5th of March 2012 a 30 minute documentary was posted by the founder of the Invisible Children organization Jason Russell. The documentary has touch millions of hearts around the world. But why has the effect been so widely spread now and why didn’t effect take place several years ago when everything began? The change in technology and the way people communicate or the format of the film and how it makes us feel affectionate towards the Ugandans who are suffering as this is being typed.
The documentary has imbued adolescents to start creating awareness about Kony the leader of the LRA people have started making t shirts campaigning and protesting to spread the word of the worlds most wanted criminal.
(Beyond Kony: Child Soldiers Widespread in Africa, 2012).