{UAH} Institutions exist to protect the people – all the people

The idea of a social contract came into being for the sole purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of people from the rule of the jungle where the strong destroyed or suppressed the rights and freedoms of the weak.

The understanding of social contract was and still is that when institutions like governments failed to keep their part of the bargain, the people had the right to change those governments by any means necessary.

In Uganda our institutions have failed to meet their part of the social contract. The recent signing of the Agreement between the central government and Mengo administration is a case of leaders failing to live up to their promises. That an Agreement of this historic significance was negotiated and signed in secrecy and abruptly and then reported as a Memorandum of Understanding, giving hope that the people would be consulted as the details were worked out has made it clear for all to see that the leaders have lost touch with the people they are expected to serve and protect except a few.

If you have followed revolutions closely you will find that they arise when institutions and leaders neglect the needs of the majority of the people. Food shortages, unemployment, land dispossession and taxation singly or in concert have contributed to revolutions and women, urban workers and peasants have played a crucial role supported by branches of the military.

Institutions and kingdoms that have survived are the ones that adjust to changing circumstances. Those that fail to adjust experience bad times. We are therefore suggesting that institutions and leaders in Uganda at the central and Mengo level need to begin to realize that the people aren't happy with the Agreement. We are writing to sound the alarm that the voices of the people must not be ignored because enlightened people interpret being neglected by their institutions differently from those that are ignorant of their rights and freedoms.

Eric  

 

 

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