West Nile in the Context of Africa

Imagine West Nile in the context of Africa, I am convinced that the “Heart of Africa” is in the “Pearl of Africa” West Nile is yet another beautiful part of Uganda, accessing West Nile through Packwach bridge one gets to see the Nile as it maneuvers its way towards the North making an almost perfect ninety-degree turn to face Egypt. If you are lucky to arrive there in the evening there is a romantic brown sunset that makes you want to live there forever! As you get deeper into the West, and as you rise gently towards the higher lands on the Western border you see lush green vegetation and small towns of very friendly people. BUT as it gets darker there is a sense of desperation as people try to get light from different sources as others call it a day and go to sleep.

A fusion of cultures, the West Nile region is rich in different ethnicities that many may not know. I like to call the “Emirates” in Africa, this place is actually in the heart of Africa, slightly to the South East of the CAR where the true center is, however getting us back to the context of Africa in the face of globalization, fast-thinking people and economics will work strategically to generate value and eventually wealth through positioning themselves well and marketing the potential to partners who may be willing and able to join and share in the vision.

For Intra-Africa trade to grow countries must put in place the much-needed infrastructure and basic services that will make it conducive for the private sector and investors to thrive. Even when broken down the same is true for the growing regional block (East Africa – "Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki") certain services need to be quickly developed especially by the public sector that can at the least move to establish infrastructure and various social services NOT for PROFIT. Uganda’s centrality should not be taken for granted, otherwise, someone else may create a conducive environment for the exchange of goods and services

West Nile can truly become a gateway to several countries in the North and West of Uganda especially CAR, DRC, and South Sudan. West Nile, which became part of Uganda in 1914, has a very unique story of existence at one time being part of the bigger Sudan and at another time Zaire, in this sense the borders are practically imaginary as the communities have engaged in cross border activities and trade since time started.?

Their ability to co-exist with ease would only be boosted if a deliberate effort was put into enhancing and up-scaling their activities and trade. Most of the tribes exist on both sides of the border and have a good command of Swahili, these include the Sudanic, Swahili, Luo among others the Lugbara, Alur, Jonam, Kakwa, Madi, Nubi, Ukebu, and a few Swahili and Arabs.

These unique cultures and tribes have lived in harmony since the beginning of life, my desire today though is actually to spar our minds to new thinking of what West Nile could do for Uganda if strategically positioned as part of the greater East African Region and a key vehicle for delivery of the AfCFTA - The center for business exchange and tourism.

Imagine connecting the North to the South and the East to the West, an inland port, imagine a Standard Gauge Railway system with a Central Station in Rhino Camp or somewhere there, moreover running on electricity! ..... An International Airport in Arua from where people can fly to any destination in the world. The maximization of the unique fish produced on this part of the Nile would serve the several hotels lining the navigable part of the Nile from Pakwach to Nimule in South Sudan, State of the art hospitals to serve the bustling business and tourism in the area, and more.

Extending electricity (commonly referred to as POWER) to West Nile is in fact a deal for Uganda to position West Nile for Africa ... extending electricity to West Nile will attract investment even in better health services not just for West Nile but for CAR, DRC, SS & more and while taking care of the health of Africans Hospitals and associated medical services providers would gain and invest more.

It will be easier to get water distributed to major centers and farms for irrigation, to regenerate the wasted soils of lower Terego, and more. Electricity will improve water distribution to a large extent and investors will not be scared to establish themselves for the long haul ... POWER will make adaptation to climate change easier, with increasing unreliability in natural rainfall, how else can a community ensure water for the production of food and cash crops, grain, pulses, fruits, root crops, animals and many more things that currently grow in these lands but suffer challenges of climate change. POWER will make it easier for investors to bring processing plants and storage facilities to the region. Finished goods will come out of this region and will be airlifted, railed, or driven to various destinations in Africa and globally.

Extending electricity to West Nile will increase investment in education and innovation to serve communities of CAR, DRC, and South Sudan, and imagine how big the list can grow... Ugandans and investors will be able to build powerful data centers in the region to support content storage and dissemination ... imagine! Big fiber cable and e-learning sites will be able to deliver online learning services, e-government will take off and the sky is the limit.

POWER will make it easy to run a 24/7 inland port at "Oh Dear ... Nyadri" and other places, goods arrive by road and are picked up for other destinations, while others would arrive by rail at Rhino Camp and be delivered deep into CAR, DRC, and South Sudan.

Tourism will flourish as Hotels will be built along the Nile, Ships and ferries will entertain tourists on the Nile, just like in Cairo! Imagine, and I know I have just touched the tip of the iceberg, all I am saying is let us connect the “Heart of Africa” region to the National Grid, and quickly.

Let's "Dream and Act"