More Kenyan violence

Violence in Kenya, as some of you may have heard, has been heating up and cooling off since the elections at the beginning of the year. I’ve been receiving e-mails and phone calls of people asking if I am feeling the effect in Kampala. Initially we did, when the borders closed right after the elections.

A friend of mine and her family were the last car across the border when the violence began. She says at the time they had no idea what was going on, their local guide just came running up and told them to drive home ‘NOW.’ The border was locked behind them 15 minutes later.

With a closed border fuel was unable to be moved into Uganda, and all the fuel comes from (or via Kenya). This was a huge problem raising petrol and consequently transport prices beyond what people could afford. Now that the borders have reopened Ugandas are largely unaffected. Kenyans are again facing increasing violence.

Those living in border towns are dealing with an influx of Kenyan refugees escaping violent flare-ups, and this is bringing back bitter memories for some. When Idi Amin was ruling Uganda, many Ugandans fled over the border to Kenya where there were met with state encouraged discrimination. Now the tables have turned there are two groups of people; those that are proud that Uganda has risen above past hostilities and taken care of the people in need. Other Ugandans remember their mistreatment in Kenya and are angry that their country is reaching out a helping hand without even pointing out how poorly they were treated.

At a story meeting the other day I vocally nixed an idea pitched by a Uganda who formerly lived in Kenya. He wanted to write about the mistreatment he faced, and suggested that these Kenyan refugees should be reminded about that era. I suggested as a newspaper we couldn’t run an article that voiced only one opinion and would quite possibly incite further violence. It was decided he should find and interview a Ugandan family who was forced out of Kenya, but was now helping Kenyans who have fled their own country. A story about forgiveness and reconciliation seemed like a distinctly better option.