{UAH} Ignorance is Uganda’s number one problem
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1:33 AM |
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During the struggle for independence in the 1960s, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) adopted a slogan to reflect the primary goal of the party, namely to fight ignorance, poverty and disease which were considered to be the arch-enemies of the people of Uganda.
In order to achieve this objective, the first UPC-led government focused national resources on three critical sectors – education, agriculture and health. Almost half of the National Budget was devoted annually to these three sectors and the positive results achieved speak eloquently for themselves.
The ongoing debate on the pros and cons of the national dialogue is shrouded in falsehoods and is taking place in a milieu of ignorance or half-baked truths, at best, which suits the corrupt and desperate ruling clique.
Out of ignorance, some Opposition political parties, some women's organisations and some youth groups have expressed doubts and are questioning the motives and competence of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and The Elders Forum of Uganda (TEFU). If the national dialogue fails to take off, it will be a missed golden opportunity for the women and youth of Uganda to advance their just cause and demands.
Against this background, I was amazed to read a passionate opinion by Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda titled, "Learning to depend on Salim Saleh, Museveni handouts" published in The Observer of Wednesday, November 14.
"For me, I am emotional when it comes to my ethnic group. I feel very bad that my ethnic group, which contributed to the formation of Uganda in the 1960 London conferences, must now depend on handouts from other people," Ssemujju laments.
"Why are we in this marriage? Forgive me, but that is what I saw in these two good gestures by the general brothers. That the Basoga – all of them – are incapable of buying their traditional leaders decent vehicles!"
"If all other things have not united us, this should. I can allow you to belittle FDC, but not Buganda. This country should be able to tell off these generals. This is our country and not their parent's estate!"
I am afraid Ssemujju's lamentations have come too late in the day. As a distinguished and respected journalist and politician, I expect him to know better because many years ago a prominent and wealthy politician who hails from the same location as the two generals arrogantly and callously called Baganda "political condoms" which rightly caused indignation and uproar in many quarters.
To the best of my knowledge, the man who made those offensive remarks has neither apologised nor withdrawn the remarks. In typically Ugandan way, this outrage was simply swept under the carpet and the anger it generated was swallowed with bitterness.
When the current political nightmare finally ends, as it will, the biggest loser will ironically be Buganda which provided wholehearted and blind support to NRA's bloody, futile and fratricidal Luweero Bush War. On January 26, 2017, Sabalwanyi told Ugandans in public at Masindi that he was fighting for himself and his family, not for democracy or any of the lofty ideals contained in NRM's 10-Point Programme of 1986.
The way forward
I agree with Ssemujju that this is our country and not anybody's private estate. Ugandans from the east, west, north and south deserve to be treated with dignity, honour and respect as fellow citizens, not as subjects of a paramount chief who regularly dishes out lots of money packed in sacks and assorted goodies to his loyal workers and serfs scattered all over the country.
Who is to blame for the abnormal and tragic state of affairs in Uganda today? Ugandans, especially the political elite must take much of the blame for the tragedy of Uganda, a country which is today virtually upside down.
Knowledge is power and will open the eyes of wananchi and empower them to fight, without fear or favour, for their inalienable rights and not allow themselves to be treated with contempt as if they are subjects of a 19th Century king of a lost African empire.
Let us resolve to fight ignorance, poverty and disease which have kept Ugandans lagging behind and also caused unnecessary and untold suffering in our rich and beloved country. Aluta continua!
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