{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Why we may need DNA of 1960s youths

http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34412:-why-we-may-need-dna-of-1960s-youths&catid=93:columnists

Why we may need DNA of 1960s youths

Columnists

Sunday, 19 October 2014 16:44

Written by Pius Muteekani Katunzi

3 Comments

In the early 1960s and 70s, young people, mostly men aged about 23 to 45 years, played a big part in winning the independence of Uganda from colonial Britain.

The men that decided to launch a fight against Idi Amin in the 1970s, even before he had warmed up his chair enough, were hardly 40 years.

Yoweri Museveni, Brigadier Oyite Ojok, Dani Nabudere, Eriya Kategaya, Amanya Mushega were all young people who were beginning to shape their careers.

Even the people who decided to launch a guerrilla war in the early 1980s against the elected Uganda People's Congress government, under Dr Milton Obote, were also young. Many of them were unemployed and had just completed their university studies.

But these young people had many things in common. From the stories they tell us, they seem to have cared for the country – never mind that some later changed, and being educated people, they felt that left in the hands of uneducated dictators the country would slide into chaos.

They liked characterising themselves as 'patriots (wazalendo), nationalists, pan-Africanists, who were following a clear ideological correct line.'  And some of them, for a long time, used to remind whoever cared to listen how they had 'sacrificed their wonderful careers and joined the bush, all for the love of Uganda.'

Maybe, maybe not. Things have since changed. The young, now, (not exactly the WhatsApp generation) are the most conformist group ever.  They have to be taught to love their country. Patriotic clubs were established to ensure this task is accomplished.

Is patriotism a skill to be instructed in schools? Shouldn't it just flow in our DNAs, naturally? Can you be forced or taught to love your parents even when they have wronged you?

The youths have been a disappointing lot. At the time when they should be asking for accountability, and challenging those in 'leadership', they are, instead, conforming to their lies. Politics has slid into an area of easy access to [public resources] and the young, who should be questioning and challenging this, have become fellow travellers.

I am worried that while the 1960-80s produced some reasonable patriots, the modern young people may turn out to be the worst vampires.  Recalling what the deputy lord mayor (or was he sacked by his boss?), Sulaiman Kidandala, reportedly told Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura, politics gives only two rewards, either financial or political gratification!

Not that he said something strange or new, but to have come from him says a lot about the calibre of leaders we have. The events that followed the sacking of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi are very interesting. His former deputy, Gen Moses Ali, characterised him as a snake that had to be chased from office.

But when you ask what exactly Mbabazi did to him, Ali wouldn't tell you. The beauty about Museveni the person is that he has no personal friends, so he tells us. So, whatever has happened to Mbabazi can happen to anyone in his cabinet.

My surprise about the conduct of people like Moses Ali and Government Chief Whip Justine Kasule Lumumba is that they never stop to ask themselves: if Museveni has trashed Mbabazi and many others whom he worked with for a long time, what would stop him from trashing the Johnny that came lately?

It is precisely the attitude of some of these leaders towards the president that has made him feel unchallenged. I once saw the minister without Portfolio, Richard Todwong, in the aftermath of Mbabazi's exist, saying that leaders should learn to accept that there is always time to serve and go. I wonder whether Todwong has ever counselled his appointing authority to leave the coveted chair for someone else!

The strangest thing is, these ministers say they want change, but when it comes to the highest office, the chorus is "no change!"

Some youths have also joined the fray to insult and demonise Mbabazi. At one time we had them divided between Mbabazi and Museveni. Is that really where the problems facing the youths are?

Why can't youths free themselves from the manipulations of these politicians? Sadly, they cannot. Why? Politics has become the source of livelihood. Have you noticed that NRM as a party has got the biggest number of members tainted by scandals – financial and otherwise?

Remember NRM is a bus which never fills; it has no boarding fees and the destination is determined by one person. But more importantly, the scandal-laden politicians board it for protection. Be worried when you see a person quitting a juicy public service job to join NRM. They are probably trying to protect themselves from prosecution.

The young have also seen their peers who join NRM doing quite well in a short while. Those who used to be regular speakers at the open fora (bimeeza) have been propelled to ministerial positions. Others have become resident district commissioners. So, politics pays, doesn't it!

It may take us about 50 years to come to a stage where people respect and value their votes. To a stage where leaders are called to serve, and once we, the shareholders of the country, feel that a derailed leader must be booted, we do just that.

pmkatunzi@observer.ug This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ocen Nekyon

Democracy is two Wolves and a Lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed Lamb contesting the results.

Benjamin Franklin

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