OPINION
By Agaba BabigumiraDear Mr President, you once said the problem with African leaders is their overstay in power. What happened to you along the way?
For starters, the NRM Members of Parliament that endorsed you as the sole party candidate for the 2016 presidential elections are a shame. They do not understand that a country of more than 34 million can move forward without you.
You gave MPs Shs 5m each almost 10 years ago just before they voted to scrap term limits! Just imagine what they will demand to remove age limits!
I would, though, like to give you credit for your strong leadership qualities, especially in matters of security.
However, you have failed dismally on the administrative front. Look at how divided the NRM is. From Amama Mbabazi to some of your army generals, the rift within your party appears to grow wider. And as citizens, we are worried of the repercussions.
You seem to have reached that point where managing a mere party has become a challenge. Nothing can be done without your approval. Opportunistic sycophants are falling over themselves to stay in your good books. Many of your officials are always out of office chasing a quick buck instead of carrying out government work and serving their constituencies.
Your government's record on integrity isn't good either. A lot of taxpayers' money has been lost to your cronies, and yet very little has been done to punish them or recover the loot.
I also wonder why you bothered to create a State House monitoring team when actually the approvals for all these shoddy deals come from your office. Your government's poor management of public resources and assets has led to development partners cutting back on financial aid meant to fund the many projects that would help improve the lives of Ugandans.
As it is, Ugandans feel overtaxed. Why tax water, electricity, agricultural inputs and education? This measure would have been good if your government had invested in these sectors.You have left the farmer at the mercy of God by taxing their tools of trade!
Your people have resorted to dying in pain at home because they cannot afford medical care. Instead, you continue to offer 'investors' prolonged tax holidays to enable them make abnormal profits that are almost always repatriated back to their home countries. This is on top of these foreign investors hiring expatriates for extremely fat remuneration packages.
Ugandans have so many unanswered questions on the mysterious deaths of senior personalities such as Andrew Kayiira, Noble Mayombo, James Kazini, Francis Ayume, and many others. Why haven't these cases been followed up to conclusion? In my view, the LRA war played out much longer than it should have because that was probably the only way you could justify a huge defence budget.
We also need to investigate our military involvement outside Uganda. For example, what interests were we protecting in DR Congo when we plundered their forests and mineral resources? In South Sudan, we have taken sides in a war where both parties have committed grave crimes.
That said, I would like to credit the women in your government: Mama Janet, your wife, for her dedicated drive to have services improved in Karamoja; Allen Kagina for her contribution towards revenue collection; Irene Muloni for her leadership in increasing electricity production and connection; and Jennifer Musisi, who has given Kampala a new look. Administratively, if these women chose to run for president, my vote would be theirs; Ugandans needs such characters.
To Ugandans, I suggest you brace yourselves for tougher times if you reelect President Museveni in 2016. Let's give him a peaceful send-off.
Mr Museveni, please go into retirement and take your ageing colleagues along. I believe this to be the only way we will be able to maintain, correct and continue to develop what we have so far achieved as a nation.Let your children and their progeny enjoy the legacy of their great father and ancestor.
The author is a political activist and radio commentator
{UAH} FW: Wuliriza Rediyo y'Abaganda
0 comments:
Post a Comment