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Jet Lag and a Crash Course on Kampala

THE AFRO — Uganda’s proximity to its large neighbor to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is probably the root of its cozy commerce relationship with Belgium. The history of the Congo is tightly bound to the brutal colonization by Belgium over the country once known as the Congo Free State (later the Belgian Congo). The title, “Congo Free State” is indicative of the genocidal rule of the diabolical King Leopold II of Belgium, who essentially claimed the Congo as his own personal property (it was the world’s only private colony). In 1870, during Europe’s so-called “Scramble for Africa,” more than 80 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa was under the rule of chiefs or kings. Forty years later, by the early 1900’s virtually all of Africa south of the Sahara had been subdued by Europe. Leopold’s conquest of the Congo was the most murderous.

Published

7 years ago

September 25, 2019

Oakland Post

Thousands of enterprising young Ugandan men make up the “Boda Boda Brigades,” that transport people for money, dominate the crowded roadways of Kampala. (Photo credit: Sean Yoes)

By Sean Yoes

Traveling for the first time to the first continent was physically brutal. Operating on virtually no sleep, I felt almost every one of the nearly 9,000 miles from West Baltimore to East Africa.

Fatigue fell upon me like a brick house, particularly, during the final long stretch of the journey, from Brussels, Belgium to Entebbe, Uganda.

As I flew from Chicago to Brussels, I wondered why this was the European layover city (via United Airlines) into East Africa. Once I arrived in Brussels, I realized it was a well established air route from this tiny European country into Uganda. But, why? What was the relationship?

Then it hit me, probably during the midnight run from Entebbe to Kampala.

Uganda’s proximity to its large neighbor to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is probably the root of its cozy commerce relationship with Belgium. The history of the Congo is tightly bound to the brutal colonization by Belgium over the country once known as the Congo Free State (later the Belgian Congo). The title, “Congo Free State” is indicative of the genocidal rule of the diabolical King Leopold II of Belgium, who essentially claimed the Congo as his own personal property (it was the world’s only private colony). In 1870, during Europe’s so-called “Scramble for Africa,” more than 80 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa was under the rule of chiefs or kings. Forty years later, by the early 1900’s virtually all of Africa south of the Sahara had been subdued by Europe. Leopold’s conquest of the Congo was the most murderous.

Under his greed fueled reign in pursuit of lucrative ivory and then the rubber plant, the Congo’s indigenous population was cut in half, approximately from 20 million to 10 million from 1880 to 1920. Leopold was responsible for the death of millions of Black Africans and the maiming and forced relocation of millions more.

Context and history are foundational in the story of Africa; there was no African nation uninterrupted by European colonization. Uganda is no different, yet it endures and compared to most countries on the Continent, thrives.

“Economic growth in East Africa is soaring ahead of other regions on the continent at close to seven percent while the overall outlook for the rest of Africa is cautious, but positive. Job creation and ramping up manufacturing will continue to be, major priority for creating growth and employment across the continent,” according to a report published by the African Development Bank in April.

On the streets of Kampala the people yearn to be fully participant in the economic growth of East Africa.

The Boda Boda Brigades is what I call the legions of young men transporting passengers for money on zippy motorbikes (Boda Boda) that dominate Kampala roads. These young entrepreneurs carry one, two, sometimes three passengers on their bikes at a time.

Now, if dirt bikes were legal on the streets of Baltimore, I bet you we would have the Baltimore Boda Boda Brigades. The spirit of many of the young brothers in Uganda reminds me a lot of many of the young men I encounter on the streets of my home. Honestly, I’m not sure if the Boda Boda brothers are any more reckless than the burgeoning crowd of young hustlers, gentrifiers and hipsters whipping around Baltimore on rented scooters.

Like Baltimore, Kampala certainly has a large swath of her population grappling with poverty. As I have been driven around the bustling city for the first days of my odyssey, I’ve witnessed housing complexes that remind me of the projects back in Baltimore. Also like Baltimore, Kampala has a growing community of striving entrepreneurs; some are White American expatriates, but many are indigenous Black Ugandans. There is also a thriving music scene in Kampala, which is reminiscent of Baltimore’s legendary House and Club Music culture.

Like Baltimore, Kampala I’m told, is a complicated place; I’m just skimming the surface.

With all that I have seen already it is still hard for me to believe I am actually in this beautiful East African country; the air here may be the sweetest I’ve ever experienced.

And for the most part, the Ugandans I have met are just as sweet.

Sean Yoes is the AFRO’s Baltimore editor and the author of Baltimore After Freddie Gray: Real Stories From One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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1 week ago

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Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

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Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY