Oscar Betrayed, Deox Rocks On

Last week was a black week for Uganda as our son Oscar Kamukama became a sacrificial lamb at The Apprentice Africa.

I knew something fishy has been going on when the C.E.O closed his other eye to Eddie's confession that he priced the art pieces cheaply thereby making Matrix Corporation lose to Zulu on the financial front. Shobanjo allowed Regina to bring Oscar to the boardroom without questioning. Had he been as fair as Portia of Shakespeare, he would have fired Eddie for incompetence the moment he confessed.

Besides, he should not let steamy romance spoil things. It's no longer a rumour; Regina and Eddie have something going between them, otherwise it should have been Eddie and someone else in that boardroom. Oscar and Nancy had four paintings each, two more than their counterparts in the team. Oscar wooed all the guys who bought the pieces and his painting of a voluptuous woman was the highlight and sold well. We must not forget his previous magnetic performances –like when he sold ropes in the Street Hustle task and got a tip, and his concept of shoes for the Bank PHB newspaper insert that helped his team to excel when he was project manager. How could he then be in the boardroom on Sunday?

I've been the number one fan of Mr. Shabanjo but if he continues to foment this unfairness he'll lose me. First it was Omar and now Oscar? Although I know such glitches are left to pass to heighten drama and tension, after all controversy always sells, it hurts when it's overtly done.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

And now, kudos once again to our boy Deox Tibeingana. His determination as project manager to steer his team to victory as the only sure way of avoiding the ever raised glistening axe of Shobanjo must be applauded. We must remember this is his second victory as project manager –no mean achievement by any standards considering many project managers have been fired.

Besides, Deox has come to be that only man at the show that says something and means [implements] it. He said "of all the tasks we've had this is the most difficult" but was glad it would bring out the best in him and his team. It's this inspired brilliance that has turned him into a golden boy –the kind that Shobanjo is looking for, the one who leads by example, the one who dares, that one who dreams, achieves and actualizes.

Then he compellingly narrated that story of needy school boys headed by one Victor he met at the gallery. That he asked Shobanjo that part of the proceeds from the paintings be used to meet the scholastic needs of the boys to put a smile on the little faces, tells of that big heart dwelling in his broad chest. My sister, who was watching the show with me, was overwhelmed by his kindness and shed a tear. We now know that if he lands the fat-salaried job that The Apprentice Africa will offer the last man/woman standing, he'll use most of his earnings to help the underprivileged.

Friend, it does not hurt to identify with a man with a heart of gold. As I've often said, and as surely as heaven rhymes with haven, if Deox is not betrayed by the ugly politics already brewing in that house he'll be the next African Apprentice.