Dr. Journalism's Big Day

Last Friday night the New Vision gave a big party to say goodbye to "Dr. Journalism," as Bill is known at the paper. It was a great event, lots of speeches (of which the Ugandans are very fond), gifts, and a presentation of a kanzu (traditional white tunic) to Bill and a butusi (traditional dress; yes, with the pointy sleeves) to me. While mine has yet to be tailored, Bill was able to don his immediately. He handed out certificates to those who had completed his training sessions and shook hands with everyone - all in the kanzu.

I must admit that I kept expecting him to bless someone, since he looked just like a priest. The other picture is of him, pre-kanzu, with the managing editor, Els De Temmerman, and one of the top editors.

The folks at the New Vision have been amazing to us all along, but the thing that struck me at this event was how much they value Bill and how much they like him. Of course, I am biased, but it is so obvious - they hang on his every word. He got the title "Dr." because of a weekly newsletter he writes critiquing the paper. (This morning I was at the paper for a meeting and someone called him over by saying, "Doctor! I need to ask you something.")

Many of the speakers at the dinner said they now think "what would Dr. Journalism say" before they write. There was a theme to the comments beyond that: they learned to pay attention to readers, and to interview the affected parties instead of reinterpreting press releases. (Bill hammered home two questions they were to ask with every article: Who Cares?, and So What?) When Bill got up to speak, I was so proud of him -- of what he has done, the friends he has made in the journalism community here, and how important he has been to journalism in Uganda.

So now we are really wrapping it up: Our car, little topapa, has been sold and we are on foot again, the bank account is closed, our last mail at Matthias's PO box has been collected, there has been a farewell party, and we have been graced with traditional garb. More about goodbyes in the coming days ...