October « 2015 « Imagine darkness. Then, see the light.

Archive for October, 2015

Being Blocked By @KCCAUG, @KCCAED and the rest of KCCA

by Nada Andersen on Oct.29, 2015, under Observations

Many Tweeps complain of being blocked by @KCCAUG for no aparent reason, except for calling for their accountability and pushing for concrete action and answers. I can not name them all but I am one of them. In fact, not only that I’m blocked by @KCCAUG handle – I am also blocked by @KCCAED yet I used to interract with her very positively in the past. Incidentally, I’m blocked by Peter Kauju and a few other people at KCCA – people I never, ever interacted with on Twitter.

I have established that all those Twitter handles are managed by a guy called Josh. He’s a graphic designer who somehow managed to position himself as a social media guru at KCCA. I have no issues with him trying his best to secure his job, but he’s depriving KCCA of a very valuable pressure and feedback. Right now, all we see is clapping hands for Jenny and kissing KCCA’s you know what. But singing praises never built a city yet difference of opinion, determination, confrontation and pressure to find solutions can be a great source of focus and inspiration for everyone involved.

KCCA has a social media policy and indeed it states that “We strongly reject use of offensive language and such users will be blocked.”

But it doesn’t say that criticism, call for action, call for accountability, alerts to burning problems, alerts to vandalism and providing concrete and feasible solutions for our City equals to offensive language.

Unfortunately, @KCCAED is very well aware that Tweeps are being blocked purely for annoying Josh, who quickly runs out of arguments and excuses and is trigger-happy on the ‘block’ button. She falls into the usual leadership trap – focuses on looks and cosmetics while the City is falling to pieces – and – while concerned and passionate citizens are being excluded from online conversation with her.

I personally believe Jenny does not need to impress us with a new dress any more. I love her looks and confidence. I have zero problem with KCCA having a good photographer (Josh again) on the payroll, whose camera adores Jenny’s curves.

But seriously, people, look around our City and see that we need to do more than taking pictures in front of pretty backgrounds. There is a bigger mission ahead: teaching everyone in Kampala to love this City and care for it. Teaching about sanitation, garbage disposal, safe crossing of the street, clean pavements, care for green areas, care for elderly, blind, people with other disabilities, care for one another, after all. This is where KCCA has failed and continues to fail because their leadership does not listen to their people.

Excellent leaders are ready to be trashed by people any time. They are able to accept difference in opinion. Able to internalise their people’s anger and disappointment. Able to make the right promises and give the right answers. Most of all, excellent leaders are able to act on issues and get things done.

I love Kampala and it hurts me that its leader is closing her eyes. To put on mascara.

Here, below is the archive search of all my tweets to @KCCAUG. If you find abusive language, please let me know so I can correct myself.