Ugandan Government should draft laws on aerial camera drone technology

Aerial camera drones are non military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are remotely piloted aircrafts. Drones technology has been deployed for military purposes ever since time in memory but they are now also being used in civil operations. Some companies like Amazon are testing the technology to deliver packages.

Uganda Police in the past announced the ban on importation of aerial camera drones due to security concerns and absence of regulation in the country. Those that had aerial drone cameras before the announcement were asked to register with Uganda Revenue Authority.

Government must move fast on drafting an aerial drone law because they are now part of our day to day activities. A local media house has covered some events like the Kampala Carnival using an aerial drone which takes journalism to another new level. It gave quite unseen aerial view which would not be possible with normal cameras. In two years, Aerial drone usage and manufacturing is expected to triple world over. It is possible that drones will be future Christmas gifts. You can find one online from as low as $79.90 depending on features you need. Aerial drones were used in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi for filming skiing and snowboarding events. They are more flexible than cable-suspended camera systems. In September 2014 drones weighing about 5 kg were used for 3D mapping of the above-ground ruins of the Greek city of Aphrodisias.

Absence of the law will affect innovation in science. Some Ugandan universities and organisations had already started working on drone projects. Last year African Space Research Programme (ASRP) amazed Ugandans when they launched a drone made in Uganda. This Ugandan drone has two cameras, a custom-made autopilot system, GPS instruments and among other things.

Drones are the future of technological advancement for journalism, surveillance of land, filming, agriculture, terrorism, crowd monitoring, fire fighting monitoring, wildlife control, service delivery, and security. They may be great in traffic flow monitoring. South Africa is piloting a similar project. Aerial Drones can reduce cost of traffic flow management. Imagine money that goes into deploying traffic officers and fueling their fleets. It was reported in the media that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) plans to secure drones to help monitor illegal trade in wildlife products. Drones may be the future of hostage and terror attack monitoring to ensure quick response. Rural service provision especially delivery of packages or service like internet. In some counties domestic drones are deployed to provide wireless internet service. Aerial drones can boost farming through aerial surveying of crops and animals.

Government can raise revenue through aerial camera drone. Usage of Aerial camera drones for commercial usage must attract a permit. This can be a source of revenue for government on top of the taxes upon importation.

There is need to regulate drone usage to safety guard privacy concerns not a ban. These low flying equipments that may not be detected by radar system hence risk on security installations. The regulation will also help with highlighting the permissible uses and allowed types of drones for government and private agencies. The laws can regulate drone usage, drone capacity, what time to fly them and who can fly them and where to fly them. Security forces must also be required to have a warrant if they are to fly drones in private and public places. Drones can be combined with other forms of technology which poses more specific risks in absence of a law. The Aerial drones’ law can go extra mile to cover military drones.

Ivan N Baliboola

PR and Organisational diagnosis specialist.

nbaliboola@gmail.com

Miss Uganda event shocks on bad PR

Natumbwe, a business computing graduate from Greenwich University, left with the Miss Uganda crown, a brand new Mercedes Benz and sh18m. The organizers got it right on Mcs, sound, lighting and entertainers but faulted on the Mercedes gift.Queen mother Best Kemigisa who was the guest of honour handed over a cheque of 18million to Stella and proceeded to hand over keys of a new Mercedes Benz as the second prize. The gift of Miss Uganda which was a Mercedes failed to start.

This shock on PR featured on the mighty ‘Agataliko nfufu’ News on Bukedde TV.The situation was worsened by the Former big Brother housemate Denzel who showed up bare footed in a suite to give one of the contestants a present. What was the exact problem with the Mercedes?  Did the event organizers actually mock start it before the event?         Was there any per-event communication regarding dress code or who was going to hand over the gift?

Today’s PR and Brand or marketing managers need to think beyond Publicity stunts. Controversy sells but it should never be at a sacrifice of the organization’s reputation it has built over time. Some argued that it was a hilarious stunt that would keep the event fresh in the minds of media professionals. Miss Uganda organization this time round put their best foot forward to revamp it which is promising but those stunts put it back.

Why bothers are slow in church

Men don’t necessarily play around.If they need something they  will fight to get it right away. Maybe he is not interested in you and all he can offer is  friendship, don’t just call him slow. Waiting for probably ten years as he monitors you . Great things come to those who wait.
some sisters use the same yardstick of the world brothers who are quick. They  find you on the street, in a minute he is all over her. Some men have suffered  acting slowly as the target is taken over by someone else. It pays to be slow a picky as a man. Brothers should never rush because they are looking out the best   character and heart matter  not beauty as the secular guys jump for.

Some people  think studying should be left to the women. I personally  think brothers should start a relationship and then study while in that relationship. It’s wrong to study and then propose.

 Ivan Baliboola

The author has worked with some of the most well-known and influential East African brands, conducting marketing, Public relations, strategies, crisis management, and social media. He is a proud Award winner of the prestigious Public Relations Association of Uganda excellence Awards. He has volunteered his life to addressing environment and health related causes. He is also a blogger, professional critic, and strategist.
nbaliboola@gmail.com

Top seven Ugandan Blunders for May 2013

This month the institution of Parliament featured with lots of crises. This month we witnessed different organizations doing something about their crises. Outstanding advocacy PR tools were used during the closure of Monitor publications which is commendable. They used the courts of law and the Court   of Public opinion to their advantage. They shared the uncertain future of children who benefited from Monitor scholarships.

Media siege by Uganda police

The Uganda Police obtained a search warrant authorizing the search of the Daily Monitor and Red pepper premises for the letter allegedly written by General Sejjusa. Uganda police closed Red pepper and Daily monitor together with two radio stations after declaring them crime scenes. The Uganda Police responded with excessive force which attracted unnecessary attention. East African Newspapers carried an editorial on media siege. The media siege dented the Ugandan image locally, regionally and internationally. Most critics think the government should have handled the media issue better. International and regional newspapers, US Embassy in Uganda, Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), politicians, human rights activists, and members of the civil society condemned the media siege. The most famous hash tag was ‘#mediasierge’. Uganda police ignored a court order instructing them to vacate monitor premises. Police found this to be highly irregular. On May 30, 2013, Media houses were allowed to resume operations. Daily monitor’s reopening following 11 days of police siege was allegedly after negotiations with government according to a government statement. This introduced a debate on future compromised editorial policy of the Daily Monitor. Monitor publications has since responded to the issue in Public notices “Monitor: What we agreed with government” reassuring the public about their editorial policy of publishing all news as long as it is in public interest.

IGG opened  fresh investigations at NSSF

The Inspector General of Government started wide ranging investigations into National Social Security Fund over allegations of fraud and corruption by a whistle blower. Some allegations relate to alleged irregular Umeme Shares purchase, disposal of Land at Namirembe, joint venture with SBI for planned housing estate at Lubowa among other concerns. This is a heavy blow to the fund manager at a time when it has embarked on a rigorous re-branding exercise. NSSF is not new to funds mismanagement scandals. Scandals at NSSF have in the past resulted into sacking and prosecution of former top leaders. NSSF has since embraced good PR tools to set the record straight by responding to the allegations. Employees are yet to witness the renewed promise by the new NSSF.

Expelled  NRM  MPs VS NRM

The Speaker of parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga ruled that the four expelled NRM rebel MPs cannot lose their seats. NRM Secretary General, Mr Amama Mbabazi had demanded the speaker to declare the MPs’ seats vacant after their expulsion from NRM.NRM has since registered   aspirants for the posts in case they fell vacant. The matter of rebel Mps has since gone to court. This has yielded to grounds. This follows a case in court relating to the expelled MPs.

Alleged forgery of the final KCCA petition recommendation report.

The report was presented to Parliament with ten out of 17 members on the committee signing it. The report followed a petition on alleged mismanagement of KCCA to parliament through Hon. Betty Namboze Bakireke (DP, Mukono Municipality). The report recommends that President Yoweri Museveni takes over the executive functions of KCCA for six months. Members on the Committee of Public Service and Local Government raised doubts over its authenticity. The committee Chairperson and her deputy are said to have locked out the Clerk out of the parliament as the concluded with the report. The local government committee had a stormy meeting which ended prematurely with members exchanging bitter words. This was also aired on some local Televisions. Improper conduct of some members of parliament projected the institution negatively. The Deputy Speaker of parliament Jacob Oulanyah ruled that the office of the Clerk investigates the authenticity of the KCCA.KCCA report forgery allegations is a dent on the integrity of parliament.

Missing Uganda diplomatic passports

Police started a hunt to recover at least 200 diplomatic passports suspected to have gone missing from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control. The Deputy Police Spokesperson, Mr Patrick Onyango, said the diplomatic passports had already been made but the only procedure not done was the placing of names and photographs of the bearers and their titles. Some officials from Immigration were arrested as investigations   into circumstances under which the passports went missing continue. There are several Ugandans holding diplomatic passports illegally who are facing criminal charges abroad. This has been an embarrassment to Uganda. Former junior minister was allegedly arrested in India with a diplomatic passport. The Immigration passport department has released press statements declaring their position on the same which is recommendable.

Irene Namubiru arrest in Japan over illegal drugs

Namubiru was arrested at Naita Airport Japan after her luggage was found with illicit drugs. she claimed that she had no idea about what was in the luggage she was given to deliver. Irene was scheduled to perform in Japan. It remains a PR scandal though most Ugandans felt Irene Namubiru was a victim of a set up. All events were confirmed by Interpol officials in Uganda. Some bloggers shared a theory portraying it as a PR stunt as a build up to her upcoming album launch. This is a negative dot on her image. There will always be online negative search results about her. Colleagues and relatives organized a church service to pray for. This was a good PR tactic tool utilising the court of Public Opinion. Namubiru tweeted after her release and date of return. She had a hero’s welcome in Uganda. This is still an ongoing crisis. Irene’s manager then Thadeus Mubiru has since made a public apology over the same. Kim Tumwesigye was arrested by the police over the scandal. Irene struggles on to save her image.

Judge Choudry Vs  Judge Yorokamu Bamwine

There has been an exchange of attacks between High Court judge Anup Singh Choudry and the Principal Judge, Yorokamu Bamwine. Judge Yorokamu Bamwine kicked out Judge Singh Choudry from his chambers. On March 28, 2013; Chouldry delivered a judgment in the case ordered the partners in the firm to pay shs 37b in damages. Uganda law society petitioned against his appointment in 2012.Chouldry was discontinued from practicing law in England after his firm reportedly got in trouble and was subsequently closed in 2001. Some people believe that Chouldry slapped the hefty award on the lawyers to hit at Uganda law society for questioning his eligibility. Critics feel the two judges would have opted for appropriate forums to talk peace.

Ivan N. Baliboola 

The author has worked with some of the most well-known and influential East African brands, conducting marketing, Public relations, strategies, crisis management, and social media. He is a proud Award winner of the prestigious Public Relations Association of Uganda excellence Awards. He has volunteered his life to addressing environment and health related causes. He is also a blogger, professional critic, and strategist.

nbaliboola@gmail.com

Blog: http://mediasurgeon.blogspot.com/

Top four Ugandan PR disasters - March 2013

PR is relatively a new profession in Uganda and as such people tend to relate it to propaganda. Few agencies and organisation have taken crisis management as a pivotal role of PR seriously. This list is not aimed at attacking individuals and organisation. It offers a professional PR insight into Crisis management in Uganda. I hope that Lessons shared can better the PR fraternity in Uganda. I commend the inclusion of Best Crisis Management Award category in the PRAU Excellence Awards. PR Practitioners need to stop leaving Crisis management to the legal departments. They should fully be involved.

1. Suspension of Fr Musaala by the Catholic Church.

Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga suspended Fr. Anthony Musaala, who authored a document criticising his Catholic Church colleagues in Uganda, accusing them of sexual crimes among others. Mismanagement of   Fr. Musaala‘s saga by Catholic Church put it in the media spotlight. The Archbishop was quick to suspend and give explanations without assessing the magnitude of the crisis. The Catholic Church prolonged the crisis when they over reacted. Fr Musaala would just be transferred to another place or a commission of inquiry publicly instituted but not sacking him. And going public about the move was wrong. As Christians who preach forgiveness, the idea of peace talks would be good. All efforts should always be done to stop crises from growing. It was a delicate time especially that the Pope was just settling in. According to the Archbishop Dr Cyprian Lwanga,Fr. Musaala was suspended for the document, which “damages the good morals of the Catholic believers and faults the church teaching”. Fr. Musaala admitted to authoring the document which widely circulated on the internet after being leaked. Fr. Musaala’s letter sparked public debate concerning celibacy in the Catholic Church. The saga also attracted enough media attention. He was hosted on highly rated shows and made it to the front page of daily Newspapers.

2.         Tullow oil‘s alleged bribe to President Museveni 

It was alleged that Tullow considered bribing President Museveni with $50million ahead of the 2011 elections. After several media reports, President Museveni issued a directive through his lawyers’ instructing Tullow Oil to respond within three days to the allegations. The story was an embarrassment to the president who is the fountain of honour. Tullow Oil later refuted bribery allegations and apologized to President Museveni. Tullow’s response was restricted because this court case against Heritage was still on-going. President Museveni has since instructed police to probe Oil bribery allegations made in a London court.

3.         Tullow pays expatriate Shs9m daily for a year

Tullow Uganda paid a one-man consultancy firm about Shs9 million per day for one year to teach its officials about “organizational effectiveness”, an investigation by a local newspaper revealed. Tullow Oil says the cost was borne by the Tullow group. Critics say ‘organizational effectiveness’ could have been taught by local consultants. The claims highlight the lack of goodwill because a lot of the expenses incurred by oil companies fall under “recoverable costs” that the oil companies can claim back from Uganda when the oil revenue starts flowing in. The report points  to  an old concern of     transparency in the Oil sector.

4.         Uganda court rules against Hima Cement 

On March 26, Justice Eldad Mwangusya took away Hima’s mining rights to limestone deposits in Kasese, western Uganda. The ruling affected its image and operations in a number of ways. The ruling invalidated all transactions and legal rights because Hima does not have a legal basis to carry out business in the country. East Africa Gold Sniffing was contesting a decision by the Ministry of Energy that restored Hima’s mining rights after the latter managed to secure an exploration license over the same area. Hima Cement went back to court and appealed against the ruling requesting for stay of execution.

Ivan N. Baliboola 

The author has worked with some of the most well-known and influential East African brands, conducting marketing, Public relations, strategies, crisis management, and social media. He is a proud Award winner of the prestigious Public Relations Association of Uganda excellence Awards. He has volunteered his life to addressing environment and health related causes. He is also a blogger, professional critic, and strategist.

nbaliboola@gmail.com