Latest posts by Rebekah Heacock
Nigeria: New Submarine Internet Cable Lands in Lagos
The arrival of the GLO-1 submarine cable in Lagos this weekend has West African bloggers excited. GLO-1 connects Nigeria and 13 other West African countries to the global telecommunications system via Europe, bringing new bandwidth to the region.
Blogger of the Week: Haute Haiku from Kenya
Haute Haiku is one of Global Voices' newest Sub-Saharan African authors. He writes about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) blogosphere in Africa.
Africa: The arrival of Seacom cable sparks debate
The arrival of an undersea cable that will increase bandwidth and lower Internet access costs throughout Africa has sparked debate and interest in the African blogoshere. Seacom, which links South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique to Europe and Asia, went live on Thursday, connecting eastern and southern Africa to the global broadband network.
Uganda: Government Quiet as Famine Takes Toll
As drought spreads throughout East Africa, more than three million Ugandans are at risk of starvation. Hunger has claimed the lives of more than 40 people, and bloggers fear more will die before the government takes notice.
Africa: Bloggers pay tribute to Michael Jackson
In Africa, bloggers are paying tribute to Michael Jackson after his recent death by posting pictures, music videos, poetry and reflections. "RIP MJ," writes Kenyan blogger WildeYearnings. "You now have the whole sky to moonwalk on..."
Uganda: Katine Project brings villagers to blogosphere
Uganda's Internet penetration rate is a little over six percent, a number that prevents large swaths of the population from joining Uganda's blogren or accessing the global blogosphere. For one village, the Guardian and Observer's Katine Project is working to change that.
Uganda: President's wife appointed to cabinet
This month's cabinet reshuffle has Ugandan bloggers making 2011 election predictions. Among the new appointments President Yoweri Museveni made was the posting of his wife Janet as state minister for Karamoja, a region in northeastern Uganda that has been plagued by conflict and extreme poverty for decades.
Uganda: The Literary Blogren
Uganda's bloggers are increasingly using their blogs as forums for literary expression, and online poems, short stories and multi-part novellas are becoming increasingly popular.
Uganda: Fire destroys Owino Market
A massive fire gutted Kampala's Owino Market early Wednesday morning, seriously injuring five people and destroying thousands of stalls. As many as 25,000 traders, mostly women, are estimated to have suffered losses.
African bloggers react to ICC charges against Sudanese President al-Bashir
Bloggers from around the world are reacting to the International Criminal Court's recent recommendation that Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir be charged with multiple counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Many of those bloggers are criticizing the potential indictments, claiming they are difficult to enforce and that they will bring more unrest to an already unstable nation.
Uganda: (No longer) lost in translation
The majority of Ugandan bloggers have yet to write in languages other than English, perhaps because over 50 different indigenous languages are spoken in the country. Over the last year, however, several of Uganda's blogren have forayed into the world of local-language blogging via Luglish, a blend of English and Luganda, the local language most commonly spoken the capital city Kampala.
Uganda: Mwenda, 3 others arrested in newspaper raid
(UPDATE: Andrew Mwenda has been freed on bond, see his letter to supporters on the TED blog.) Bloggers and independent media outlets in Uganda are reporting that three journalists and...
Uganda: Government refuses passport to transgender woman
A post by Gay in Uganda last week reveals the discrimination the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) population faces when applying for travel documents.
Uganda: Bloggers tangle with mainstream media
The blogren had their collective eye on Uganda's mainstream media this week. One blogger "treads where the brave dare not go" by posting photos from a tragedy near the capital, while another criticizes the government paper for its seeming support of rapists.
Citizen Uganda: Smart and very, very pretty
Citizen Uganda is the best new online source of information about Uganda, and it's also very, very pretty. To scroll down the main page of Citizen Uganda is to indulge in a visual symphony: carefully selected photos align harmoniously with well-crafted blocks of text. Thick lines in complementary colors separate commentary from current events.
Uganda: Is Uganda mentally, intellectually and creatively broke?
An interview with a Kampala City Council official has blogger Tumwijuke wondering if Uganda is “mentally, intellectually and creatively broke.”
Uganda: Ten questions with the Comrade
Beloved by the blogren for his prolific, provocative comments and his endless, passionate devotion to North Korea, the 27th Comrade was until recently one of Uganda's most active bloggers. Two months ago the Comrade decided to take a hiatus from his blog Communist Socks and Boots. Our author Rebekah Heacock sought him out for a conversation about writing, reggae and, naturally, Communism.
Uganda: Are you ready for CHOGM?
Ugandan bloggers (popularly known as the Blogren) gear up for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, worry about the latest developments in the north and keep tabs on their favorite reality television star, Maureen Namatovu.
Uganda: Remembering Bangi
The death of a popular Ugandan radio personality, Wilfred Bangirana, on Sunday has the blogren fondly remembering his talents as an oldies DJ.
Uganda: Poverty and Paris Hilton
Wednesday's Public Poverty Forum in Kampala had one blogger, Tumwijukue, asking, “Did they (re)define poverty? Did they speak of poverty of the mind? Or did they merely use the event as a networking opportunity and an excuse to miss work for the day, rushing to the organizer's table at the end of the forum for the Ushs. 50,000 delegates' allowance?”
Blogger Flees Uganda After Threats
Controversial Uganda blogger, Dennis Matanda caused a stir last month with a post on his blog under the title “How to Be Dead.” The post chronicled the radio show, ensuing threats and frightening act of vandalism leading up to his flight from Uganda, a decision met with a mixture of support, bemusement and skepticism by his fellow blogren.
