Of Crested Cranes and Construction Cranes.

A few months ago there was an event that in my view marked a major shift in our country. The principle is simple first the spiritual then the physical. 

So by the time you see something in the physical, it has already happened in the spiritual. 

So here is what happened in the physical. A crane (both a bird and a machine that is used in construction) collapsed in Saudi Arabia...but not just anywhere but in a spiritually significant place. A lot off Iives were lost. My guess is that there is or is going to be a major rift in 

Saudi/Uganda relations. I say this because our national emblem is more than just a bird it also inspires and has helped engineers crate machines that can move very large loads. 

The effect on the Ugandan system is going to affect the largest and most significant seat in the country which represents the Muslim Faith. On the global arena already, there is a renewed interest in Shia and Sunni Islam and the so called guardians of this faith. So far the Iranians (persians) have placed themselves at the heart of the Shia movement. The Saudi's on the other hand a sole keepers of some of Islam's most significant holy places. While this is sad, at least the battle is no longer taking place under the surface which can often be harder to mediate and manage. 

Uganda will become part of this at least to begin with on the intellectual front. The last few years though have brought about an escalation of the battle from intellectual to physical. For a long time there was a rift in what I refer to as the 'embassy of the Sunni Islam in Uganda' which is based in old Kampala. We have struggled in the attempt to manage some of the rifts but this will continue and pull in the Shia parts of Islam especially as Iran merges from it's long slumber (decades of sanctions). 

This is going to affect us on the local level and in our Foreign policy but it will also affect the construction industry globally. Fortunately or unfortunately most of the construction talking place or that needs to take place is intended for the third world. Others though need position themselves in Conflict prone areas in Order to take advantage of post-Conflict restoration. What we hope for though is that there will be more innovation and creativity in support of alternate types of construction that will favor fewer hight rises in places that are prone to war. 

I am to entirely certain what creature was referenced in Rushdie's confrontational book but I suspect that he too will rise and much of his thinking will resurface. 

PS

No matter how urgent the meeting is, we would prefer if you conducted state visits during waking hours. Eh our head of state can use some well earned sleep! 

C.C 

Riak Machar