The irony of lawlessness

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: I strongly detest this act of unlawfulness. They want us to be law abiding and they do the opposite. A system heading for ruin does even the unthinkable. Tym will come when the hunter will be hunted. Just a short while.. https://t.co/q5qhMvbJmp (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1067149907054727168?s=17)

NOTES ON:THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR (NIKOLAI GOGOL)

Compiled by:  Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

Setting and background of the play

“The Government Inspector” is a comedy by Nikolai Gogol written in 1834 and performed in 1836 but it was published in 1842. The comedy is divided into 5 acts.

The plot is settled in Russia in the first half of 19th century, during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I. the general theme that runs agreeable to the entire play is mistaken identity.

In a small village, The Government Inspector is expected to arrive from the capital but instead, somebody else comes and everyone thinks he is the Inspector. All of that confusion cause funny scenes, anecdotes, unexpected events and misunderstandings.

The Government Inspector is intended to ridicule the extensive bureaucracy of the Russian government under the era of Tsar Nicholas as a thoroughly corrupt system. Universal themes of human corruption and the folly of self-deception are explored through this drama of Russian life.

The governor's famous line, as he turns to address the audience directly, "What are you laughing at? You are laughing at yourselves," illustrates this theme, which is summed up in the play's epigraph, "If your face is ugly, don't blame the mirror." The author wants to show the ugliness of Russia in a mirror. Which mirror becomes the very play with its famous title “The Government Inspector”.

“The Government Inspector” therefore, is a social and a moral satire that laughs out the human nature and the social conditions in Russia at that time. The author observed a wide scale of negative social behaviour and characteristics. This work is, as a matter of fact, is the result of the social evil that the play Wright wants to satirize.

General summary

 “The Government Inspector” is a comic

NOTES ON: THE ALIEN WOMAN (OCEN LAURY L)

Compiled By:  Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

Background of the novel (setting)

The Alien Woman is a novel written by Laury Lawrence Ocen and published in 1999 as his first novel.

The Novel is set in the period of 1990s. The climax of insurgency and insecurity in the greater North. The effects of LRA and cattle rustling by Karamojong are inescapable around the time. The spillover gave birth to grueling/demanding poverty, social break down of services such as Education and Health, an imbalance that roars its heads to the present day. It is not surprising therefore that Ocen Lawrence makes reference to some of these issues as part of his themes in the Novella (ch 14; pgs109 - 110).

Through his novella, Ocen L. takes us through Rural and town life and lays bare the conflicting ideas between the two – notably, the views on education; intermarriages and witchcraft as perceived by the folk of Bungatira.

Bungatira, an imaginary District in Northern Uganda is basically rural, its people practice witchcraft; they are against Education and believe that cattle and land are the only sources of wealth. More so, they are firmly polygamous. It’s only the family of Bicencio Olugo who stands in sharp contrast to the mentality commonly held in Bungatira.

Meaning and relevance of the title (The Alien Woman) to the Novel

The word Alien means: belonging to a different country, race or group, usually, the one you do not like or are afraid of. It is also used to describe something or somebody strange and perhaps threatening because of not being part of the normal existence.

In the Alien Woman, the word is mainly in reference to Margaret Nagawa. She is a Muganda young woman who falls in love with another young man from Northern Uganda, a Langi. Among the langi people, history has it that a person belonging to the Bantu speaking group is referred to as an ANAM, a foreigner who has come from across the waters (Beyond Karuma). Just because of this it warrants Maggy the name alien.

Although the title is mainly in reference to Margaret, the girl that Opito brings home Gladys is also treated like an Alien and the family of Olugo sends her away in shame.

Even the spirit that seized Opito in the form of Gladys is referred to as an Alien because it is something strange and brings fear.

Even when Opito goes into circumstantial marriage to Jacinta Ajwang, all is not well with the coming of the spirit.  People of the village (Abela) enlisted the help of a medicine man from Kiwola; Odukany. When Opito is freed from the clutches of the spirit, he is convinced that Jacinta can as well go with the spirit because she does not laugh and she is gloomy all the time. He fears Jacinta may be another Alien and as a resort, the marriage is called off. An attempt to reunite the two by Ologo’s only saw failures.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE NOVEL.

The plot centers on the family of Bicencio Olugo, his wife Awino Cerina and their two sons Fred Opito and James Obina and their love exploits.  

By Bungatira’s standards Olugo is a poor man, he has only one wife, no large heads of cattle and limited land. His only pride is his role as a local administration. Despite his lack of wealth, Olugo decides to send his children to school with the hope that after education of his sons, they should lift his family out of poverty, an idea ridiculed by villagers of  Bungatira especially Ogang Apur for whom Education is “too long a way of acquiring wealth” [pg 2] and sheer building of castles in the air [pg 3]. Ogang is wealthy but he refuses to educate his children. His conduct is odd, anti-social (pg 2) and he practices witchcraft.

Despite their humble background,

NOTES ON A COWRIE OF HOPE (BINWELL SINYANGWE)

 By Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

1)       THE BACKGROUND AND THE SETTINGS OF THE NOVEL 

A Cowrie of Hope is a novel written by Binwell Sinyangwe and published in the year 2000. It is set in the early nineties, a period that was, across the continent, marked by economic reforms and structural adjustments; changes in government or democratization; and the discovery and spread of the HIV/AIDS disease. To these add, and as part of the setting, drought. Thus, as the author puts it   ‘These were the nineties, the late nineties. They were lean years. They were the years of each person for himself and hope only under the shadow of the gods’ (Pg 14).

 These were the nineties becomes the singular refrain in this novel, an indication of the importance of such a decade. It is the turning point in the politico-economic structure of most African countries with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) adding as a condition, political and economic reforms, to aid.

It is in this period that Nasula, widowed and her husband's family having captured his property after refusing to marry his younger brother, had to find the means to see her daughter, Sula, through school. Wobbling/trembling on the edge of poverty, either she falls into starvation and death or abandoned her single-mindedness of schooling her daughter - an idea that had almost become a disease; she did not hesitate but chose the former.

The main action of the text takes place in a period of great crisis in the life of the protagonist, Belita Bowa, who, according to African practice, is named Nasula ( meaning the mother of let things be) after the birth of her only child, a daughter, Sula (Let things be).

2)     RELEVANCE AND APPROPIATENESS OF THE TITLE: A COWRY OF HOPE

Even when things seem to be going the dark way with the death of her husband Winelo, her Cowry of hope for life, for Nasula not all is lost.

It was better while we waited

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: It was better while we waited. Now we have nothing to look forward to. We have killed our past and are busy killing the future! African leaders... (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1045380920293888000?s=17)

The madness of a nation

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: The current affairs including the poor governance system in Uganda is driving many youth crazy. All the same "When the madness of an entire nation affects a solitary mind, its not enough to say that the man is mad" (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1045974877860253696?s=17)

Blood Ink

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: It is sad that NRM govt is using blood ink pen to write our history. With confidence, I know one day the same pen will be used to write their history (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1044927846261673984?s=17)

Leaders worth the name

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: The world needs competent political leaders who are committed to the principles of good governance with intellectual attributes of contemporary political leaders. In Ug, this is an invincible dream. (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1045978385682497536?s=17)

Give what u own

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: The recent truth that Museveni has been dishing out cash in the city to the tune of millions of money has left my eye brows high. I seek to know the source of that money. If its from his picket, well and good but if it is from the tax which I also pay, then he has qns to answer. (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1048934807525380096?s=17)

Pant like politics

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: If this is not just a show, then the meaning of politics has eluded me completely. In fact am afraid that every little thing I place my trust on can betray me. If politicians continue on this trajectory, then we are no where. Politics has become pant like. U change when u want. https://t.co/LtTFL7Aa4U (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1065371298409443328?s=17)

The symptom is not a disease

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted:
 A nation that orders the killing of its very own, is worst than a terrorist. People are prone to riot if there is sth going amiss. The president should seek the root cause of the riot and address it other than killing them. When u treat symptoms, the disease always remains. https://t.co/HI0mkpRMgS (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1058088685802008576?s=17)

The jaws of corruption in lira

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: When u have eyes but you don't see & when u are blind & yet u see! If the said statement of education officials is true, then I have eyes that don't see. The shade is too minute to match even 20m. I seek the help of any structural engineer to open my eyes and help me see. https://t.co/QGqtiWOFTR (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1059356040242839552?s=17)

When u have nothing to say

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: Surly? People with no ideas will run away??? Honestly u would not be there if it were true. What ideas have you even to speak for urself other than speaking for what u even don't know? https://t.co/DVQ58rXvO1 (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1063321038245761024?s=17)

Unpatriotic security personnel

Lawrence Sunday (@Lawrenc05219878) Tweeted: Uganda police condoning crime by taking away life of innocent citizens and wounding some to this level. I strongly detest this move. https://t.co/UjvCByV947 (https://twitter.com/Lawrenc05219878/status/1064643671390396417?s=17)

CONCERNS ON HOW YOUNG PEOPLE USE SOCIAL MEDIA

 By Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

 Definition of social media 

Social Media is a form of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking, facebook, twitter, whatsapps, micro blogging and may others) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos). It is a catch-all term for a variety of internet applications that allow users to create content and interact with each other. This interaction can take many forms, but some common types include:

• Sharing links to interesting content produced by third parties
• Public updates to a profile, including information on current activities and even location data
• Sharing photos, videos and posts
• Commenting on the photos, posts, updates, videos and links shared by others.

(https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4837/social-media) Accessed on 25th Sep 2018

Content

Social Media is the most modern and progressive form of interpersonal communication across the globe. From the time of its introduction, the number of users has grown high beyond proportion. The use of social media in our daily life is increasing at an alarming rate so much so that even the human relationships are affected by the social media. The most frightening truth is that the young people are highly affected by this new phenomenon.  

The rate at which the young people are getting immersed in the social media usage has become a topic of debate. Many school administrators and parents are raising eye brows and a lot of concerns about this. However, looking at the definition and the different benefits obtainable from the proper use of social media, am tempted to think that these concerns are to some extent pushed beyond proportion and exaggerated if not unjustified. Here below are the reasons for thinking that way:

CAUSES OF COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

By  Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

Communication breakdown is failure in communication due to different barriers in communication. These barriers may be related to: source, message, medium and the receiver. There are very many possible causes of communication breakdown at different levels as hereby noted below:

a)     

 SOURCE/SENDER:

Perception of the sender:

 Perception is generally how each individual interprets the world around him or her. All generally want to receive messages which are significant to them. But any message which is against their values is not accepted. A same event may be taken differently by different individuals. So, if the sender does not consider the perception of the receiver, there can easily be a communication break down because of this difference in perception.

Language choice (Diction):

The linguistic differences also lead to communication breakdown. Some words may mean different things to different individuals. This brings in what is called semantic problem. Semantics is the systematic study of meaning. For example: consider a word “value”. Depending on how it is used, it can easily be misinterpreted by the receiver. So, the sender must take great care not to use words that may mean something else to the receiver.

Vague communication:

 Abstract and ambiguous communication is sometimes done purposefully and sometimes because people lack clarity of thought. For example, when someone says, “80% of the task is complete”, often it’s found that there is no systemic way for this calculation. This results in different people interpreting the same number differently leading to a dangerous trend. It is imperative for communication to be specific. If clarity is not attended to, sometimes communication breakdown is inevitable.

Offensive Communication:

It is quite obvious that offensive style of communication leads to communication breakdown. It is a rather sensitive point. If the encoder sends a message in such a way that the decoder become defensive or feels offensive, their relations get strained and communication suffers. Hence it is absolutely necessary for the sender to adopt a persuasive style of communication.

Lack of Planning:

Communication is not a casual affair. Unfortunately many people take it lightly. The result is that the message to be sent across may not be carefully planned hence, communication breakdown. There are innumerable examples of people who would give an ill-planned, long-winding lecture while a short presentation with tables or graphs would be sufficient. Such an event would turn into one of miscommunication or breakdown. In the same way, some people may not care to choose a suitable time and place that are so necessary for effective communication.

Frame of reference:

This is the way an individual mind is shaped by his or her culture, education, age, gender, background beliefs and others. This can lead to communication breakdown if the sender or the encoder does not consider his frame of reference and that of the receiver. The sender`s frame of reference may not be the same as that of the receiver hence affecting the way the communication is to be effected.

 Emotions:

Emotions play a very important role in our life. Both encoding and decoding of messages are influenced by our emotions. A message received when we are emotionally worked up will have a different meaning for us than when we are calm and composed. Anger is the worst emotion and enemy of communication. Communicating under a very strong emotion of anger, may lead to communication breakdown as our message may not be received with respect it deserves.

Status-consciousness:

The attitudes and opinions, place in society and status-consciousness arising from one’s position in the hierarchical structure of the organization, one’s relations with peers, seniors, juniors and family background—all these deeply affect one’s ability to communicate both as a sender and receiver. Status consciousness is widely known to be a serious communication barrier in organizations. It leads to psychological distancing which further leads to breakdown of communication or miscommunication.

Context:

Context is the situation within which one communicates. It is a stimulus that pushes one to communicate. It includes: social, culture, internal or external factors and so on. Every communication either written or spoken begins with a context. Context can also contribute to communication breakdown if not utilized well.

Sending Irrelevant Information:

Workplace communication needs to be targeted for it to be effective. When receivers get a bunch of information that doesn’t apply, they

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

By  Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

a)      ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ORAL/VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Definition of oral communication:

Oral communication is a process of expressing information or ideas by word of mouth. It is a verbal transmission of information and ideas from one individual to another or a group of people.

Oral communication can either be formal like; classroom lectures, speeches at different functions like graduation etcetera. It can as well be informal like; face to face communication, telecom conversation etcetera.

Advantages of oral communication

1.       Time saving: When action is required to be taken immediately it is best to transmit a message orally. If the executives work load is high then they stop writhing and by oral instructions they complete their message transmission and released their work load and also it saves time.

2.       Cost effective: Cost is involved in any communication. When the communication is needed within the organization and if it and is completed in orally, it has not need of any paper, pen or stamp or computer. So it saves the money of the organization.

3.       More powerful: Speech is a more powerful means of persuasion and control. Therefore, executives often prefer to transmit messages orally.

4.       Effectiveness: With the help of variations in the tone, pitch and intensity of voice, the speaker can convey shades of meaning. This factor also contributes to the effectiveness of oral communication.

5.       Immediate feedback: The speaker can get immediate feedback on whether it is creating a favorable impression on the receiver or whether the receiver will protest or whether the receiver has receiver has clearly understood his meaning or is feeling perplexed or baffled and he can mold and adjust his message accordingly.

6.       More suitable: The employees feel more suitable when the message is transmitted orally. They get an opportunity for feedback and clarification.

7.      A relationship develops: Oral communication is mostly carried to help promote friendly relations between the parties communicating with each other.

8.       Flexibility: By the demand of the situations, oral instructions can be changed easily and for these cases maintain the formalities are not necessary. So it is very much flexible and effective.

9.       Easiness: It is so easy method of communication. It needs little preparation to send a message. No need of pens, pencils and other writing equipment’s which are needed in written communication.

10.   Correction of errors: If any error is expressed at the time of oral communication. It is possible to rectify at that time or within a very short time.

11.   Informal communication: In oral communication, no need to maintain such formalities which are needed in written communication. So it is easy and helpful to any organization.

12.  Motivation: In oral communication system, top executives and sub ordinates staff can sit face-to-face and exchange their views directly, so sub-ordinates are motivated day by day.

13.  Maintaining secrecy: Interested parties of oral communication can maintain the secrecy of messages easily.

Disadvantages of oral communication

Although oral communications have advantages, there are some disadvantages which are given below:

WHAT OFFENCES CAN ONE COMMIT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

By. Rev. Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

Definition of Social Media:

Social media according to Wikipedia, are interactive computer-mediated technologies or platforms that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. Users typically access social media services via web-based technologies on desktops and laptops, or download services that offer social media functionality to their mobile devices. Examples of these social media platforms are: Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram, whatsApp, etc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media

Because of the autonomy involved in the creation and use of these platforms, social media has turned out to be a crime distribution network and a fertile ground for unlawful offences.  According to the Ugandan law, there are very many offences one can commit on social media and here below are some of these offences:

Defamation:

Defamation is the making of a false statement concerning a person or business that damages that person’s or business’s reputation. If a false statement is made and that person or business’s reputation is damaged, there can be legal consequences for the person who made the statement. Defamation applies to both written and oral statements that are published to third parties. Publication includes the posting of material on the Internet. If a defamatory statement is made verbally, it’s called slander. If a defamatory statement is published in writing, it’s called libel.

Impersonation:

Impersonation is to intentionally copy another person's characteristics, such as their behavior, speech, appearance, or expressions, especially to make people laugh or fraud. Or an attempt to deceive someone by pretending that you are another person. This, according to the Ugandan law, is criminal.

 For instance, a famous Ugandan comedian, moving about with the name teacher Mpamire, who acts president Museveni in words, dressing and behavior. If one day he decides to act Muesveni`s voice to attain respect for himself, he would be liable of committing the crime of impersonation.

 Stalking:

Stalking refers to repeated harassing or threatening behavior by an individual, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property.

A good example of this is what happened to the woman MP of Kabarole district Sylivia Rwabwogo who was being stalked by a student named Brian Isiko of YMCA Jinja Branch. On the 6^th July 2018, the MP walked to court, pointing an accusing finger to the 25year old student who was consequently jailed for two years by trial magistrate, Ms Gladys Kamasanyu.

Daily monitor.co.ug obtained from (https://www.google.com/am...)

Social engineering attack:

This is getting what you want through wrong means or

CALLING A POPE "HOLY FATHER" IS BLASPHEMY

By Lawrence Sunday Ogwang

The teachings and the practices of the Catholic Church have always remained incomprehensible to many people both within and outside the church. Among the many things not understood is why the Catholic Church calls the pope Holy Father.

A fellow student addressed this question to my face: Fr. Lawrence, I sometimes laugh at the way you Catholics make a fool of yourselves. In fact I am tempted to think that ‘you’ (the so called Catholics) read the Bible upside down. At this statement, I could not wait for her to finish the statement. I inquiringly interrupted by asking what she means by Catholics reading the Bible upside down, ‘do you mean reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation or Revelation to Genesis?’ I asked!

 At this question, she began fumbling with words, opening her mouth vaguely as she struggled to say aahh! No, I don’t mean that. So what do you mean? I queried. She loosely answered “I mean the way you do certain things”. Pushing her against her words, I pleaded for her clarity because ‘certain things’ as she alleged, is quite ambiguous and confusing. But when I realized that she in not saying something sensible, I asked her to give an example of what Catholics do that she thinks is not right.

 She began by saying: you know what! I don’t like the way you people treat the pope. It’s like you give more respect to the Pope than to God. It is even worst when you call him Holy Father. I asked her “what is wrong with calling the pope Holy Father?” she emphatically retorted by saying; According to the Bible, only God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit merit the name Holy. Yet on innumerable occasions Catholics refer to the pope as the "Holy Father” which of course is blasphemy. Kindly provide a theological explanation for this unbecoming practice of yours.