Are you ready for CHOGM?

Are you ready for CHOGM?
The billboards are everywhere. Other signs tell Kampala citizens that 1.6 billion eyes will be on Uganda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The queen will be in Uganda for the first time since before the Idi Amin era. I really don’t have the heart to tell people here, that significantly less eyes will be on Uganda, and their chances of actually seeing the Queen are infinitely smaller then that.

If Uganda had been passed over as the location, then CHOGM would have been held in Canada, as we were the other finalist country. Still, how many Canadians have heard of CHOGM let alone would pay any attention if it had been in Canada.

Also, I bet you there would be some significant differences in the preparation. I bet the Canadian city that would play host, would not have plans to close the road to the airport to any traffic other than delegates. This is the worst rumour we have heard so far, as one of the housemates is trying to fly-out during that time.

Places where the queen MAY visit are having structures hastily built. The other day the newspaper contained an article on a resort in Queen Elizabeth Park (a game reserve) that was having a room renovated for her majesty – to the tune of several million shillings (thousands of Canadian dollars). At the Kasubi tombs, one of Kampala’s only tourist attractions, the structure that had always been used as the community health centre, was torn down to be rebuilt – fit for a queen.

Roads the queen might travel on are being torn up and fixed, while feeder roads are being left in appalling conditions, with higher traffic volumes due to detours. Matatu taxis (the local buses) are pulled of the streets leaving masses of humanity without methods of transport. Two reasons I have heard: Too much traffic for the delegates to be able to get around and the Queen won’t like the dust. The Matatus that have been left on the streets are taking the opportunity to increase their fares. The ride Wilbur’s (see article on CBHC) daughter takes home from school was 500 USH, yesterday they were asking for 2000 USH. She didn’t have it and had to walk for hours to get home.

Can you imagine Ottawa taking all the buses off the road for the parliament being in session, or a better example closing the metro and taking taxis off the street whenever the UN was in session in New York?

Fruit stands, phone card booths, and boda-boda stages are being ripped up and moved, the area they have vacated being converted into something “nicer to look at”.

I have had heard the rumour that men who go downtown will be asked to wear ties in the Queen’s honour, even though she will probably never go downtown during her entire stay (of two or three days).Finally, despite the lack of transportation, ordinary Ugandans are at risk of being rounded up if they are walking alone at night. The police’s theory? Fewer people in Kampala for CHOGM will mean less of a problem and easier control during the meetings.

So the question of are YOU ready for CHOGM is picking up more than excitement, it is also becoming the brunt of many jokes and frustrations.

Brace yourself – CHOGM is in less than two weeks.