Illustrations
Figures
1.1. Opinion piece by David Ouma, “Bimeeza Took Debate Down to the People”
1.2. Club Obbligato in Kampala, 2007
1.3. Ekimeeza audience #1 at Club Obbligato, 2007
1.4. Ekimeeza audience #2 at Club Obbligato, 2007
2.1. Flyer showing Ekimeeza topic at Club Obbligato
3.1. Club Obbligato’s coordinator establishes two lists of orators, 2007
5.1. Audience at Simbawo Akatii, 2008
5.2. An orator addresses the audience at Mambo Bado
5.3. Club Obbligato’s Ekimeeza show, 2005
5.4. The chairman sitting with popular orators in Club Obbligato, 2005
6.1. Front page of the Weekly Observer, 20–27 August 2008
6.2. Cartoon by Mozeh published in the Monitor
6.3. Opinion piece on the ebimeeza published in the Sunday Vision, 8 December 2002
6.4. Opinion piece on the ebimeeza published in the New Vision, 4 December 2002
6.5. Opinion piece on the ebimeeza published in the Monitor, 6 April 2004
7.1. The Code of Conduct at Club Obbligato’s Ekimeeza
7.2. “Issues to Consider” list distributed at Club Obbligato’s Ekimeeza
7.3. Mambo Bado’s Code of Conduct
7.4. The Simbawo Akatii executive committe, 2008
7.5. The coordinator at Club Obbligato’s Ekimeeza, 2008
7.6. Letter to the editor, New Vision, 28 July 2003
7.7. Timekeeping and registration desk at Mambo Bado, 2008
7.8. Timekeeping and discipline monitors at Simbawo Akatii, 2008
7.9. Timekeeper at Mambo Bado, 2005
7.10. Mambo Bado membership card
7.11. Letter of apology #1 from a Simbawo Akatii orator, 2008
7.12. Letter of apology #2 from a Simbawo Akatii orator, 2008
8.1. The house system
8.2. View from the entrance, behind the microphone, at Mambo Bado, 2008
9.1. Message #1, photographed by author at Club Obbligato, 2008
9.2. Message #2, photographed by author at Club Obbligato, 2008
9.3. Message #3, photographed by author at Club Obbligato, 2008
9.4. Member’s notes #1, photographed by author at Club Obbligato, 2008
9.5. Member’s notes #2, photographed by author at Club Obbligato, 2008
9.6. Cartoon published in Ggwanga, 3–9 February 2011
Tables
1.1. Age of audience members at three ebimeeza
1.2. Sex of audience members at three ebimeeza
1.3. Ethnic and regional origins of audience members at three ebimeeza
1.4. Completion of primary school by audience members at three ebimeeza
1.5. Diplomas held by audience members at three ebimeeza
2.1. Topics of Radio One’s Ekimeeza
7.1. Organizational chart of the Mambo Bado executive committee
7.2. Organizational chart of the Simbawo Akatii executive committee
Acknowledgments
Talkative Polity is, as it should be, the product of a series of conversations held over the years with many different people to whom I am greatly indebted. I want to thank, first and foremost, all the women and men who were kind enough to answer my questions during my stays in Uganda. Not only did they give me time and knowledge, but I was always met with generosity, consideration, and patience. I am extremely grateful for all they agreed to share. Every one cannot be named here, but my thoughts go in particular to Dr. Edward Kayondo, Church Ambrose Bukenya, J.L., James Wasula, G.F., Dick Nvule, Hon. Moses Kasibante, Benjamin Bbaale, L.N., B.W., P.S., M.B., Robert Kabushenga, the staff at the Media Centre, Hon. Kaddu Mukasa, all the team from Radio Buddu, as well as Patrick Otim, Innocent Aloyo, William Pike, Andrew Mwenda, Kalundi Serumaga, Wilfred Mukonyezi Abooki, Patrick Bamanyisa “Ambassador,” Johnston Baguma, Solomon Akugizibwe Apuuli, Jon Bosco Tibeeha, and Gerald Kankya. I cannot but single out Angelo Izama, whom I am honored to have as a friend: I learned so much from our conversations; thank you for everything.
The wonderful staff of Radio One and Radio Two Akaboozi, particularly Lynn Najjemba, Hakeem Booza (my thoughts are every day with their little warrior), Enock Kiyaga, Michael Kisenyi, RS Elvis, the
