Kampala is a city that is losing its natural touch. The vast appearance of advertising boards has given the city a colourful touch. The natural beauty is now displayed in the large giant screens. As I move through Kampala the billboards are almost everywhere and they are doubling by the day.
This City of Ours is shredded with garbage, drainage and sewerage problems. No Street lighting as the council says the lights are stolen. The billboards are probably the best performing images around the beloved city. They are visible during the day and throughout the night, always in constant use of electricity. This is unlike the Wandegeya traffic lights and street lights that have disappeared into oblivion. Council says they cannot afford the electricity and that the lights are always stolen. What can they afford? They complain about everything.
The billboards are visible around the city just like potholes that are this cities identity. Since the billboards are now cramping up then they can be used to brand potholes. So why not rent the porthole and this could open the “eyes of the unseen?” All these advertising agencies should take advantage of this free space. This can be seen as part of corporate social responsibility by the companies.
“Pothole 1foot deep. At Zain it’s wonderful world. No potholes.”
“Need new shock absorbers? Slow down. This pothole is deep. At Warid, We Care.”
“This is just one of the few potholes. MTN, Everywhere you go.”
“This pothole will slow you down. UTL broadband is now faster than ever. Its all about you.”
“Let us patch up this pothole with soil. We shall start by digging squares. Together we can do more. Orange.
“WATCH OUT. POTHOLE. Dare for more. Pepsi.”
“This pothole is not what Uganda is all about. Club, Tastefully different.”
“It started in 2008 now its 2009, the pothole has changed. Brewed in 1759, Guiness is still the same.”
“A variety of Potholes ahead. DSTV. So much more.”
“A true reward for your taxes. Nile Special. You’ve earned it, now spend it. A true reward from the source.”
These brands are some of the few that can be used to let the potholes shine and be noticed by the eyes that are watching on. If we still love our cars (I do not own one yet) then we could push for pothole branding. The companies could also take up the opportunity to update the drivers on the potholes. They can run spots in the press.
“This pothole update is brought to you by.......... At the beginning of 6th street, near Bugolobi, it is small but deep.”
“The pothole minute is brought to you by Arapapa, The pothole on the road to Owino after entebbe road is very deep. If you have starlet, it could fit in. It is so cute.
The roads are pathetic and well surprisingly Uganda National Roads Authority has been running a media campaign trying to rebuild the reputation of the Works Ministry. If the campaign was used on the potholes then that would be justice to this country. Something like:
“This Pothole will be repaired in 2 weeks..........” or “This pothole is being removed......”
Or What if they tried to have a media campaign on potholes: “The pothole on 7th street is the deepest, slow down to 20kmph.....”
It seems the potholes are nor turning into squares. Incomplete work by contractors who draw lines on the potholes, and then dig squares, only to wait forever to have them removed. Brand those potholes. They need to be seen. The city could get some more colours.
Listening to:-
Chinese Democracy by Guns N’ Roses
It don't really matter
Gonna find out for yourself
No it don't really matter
Gonna leave this thing to
Somebody else
If they were missionaries
Real time visionaries
Shittin' in a Chinese stew
To view my dis-infatu-ation
I know that I'm a classic case
Watch my disenchanted face
Blame it on the Falun Gong
They've seen the end
And they can't hold on now
Cause it would take a lot more
hate than you
To end the fascination
Even with an iron fist
All they got to rule the nation
But all I got is precious time
It don't really matter
Guess I'll keep it to myself
Said it don't really matter (matter)
It's time I look around for
Somebody else
Cause it would take a lot more time than you
Have got more masturbation
Even with your iron fist
More than you got to rule the nation
When all we've got is precious time
More than you've got to fool the nation
But all I got is precious time
