Uganda’s social, economic and political instability are largely a result of the presidency. In my view most of Uganda’s presidents were or are power hungry, greedy and inhuman. The people who have died and are yet to die because so and so is in power are countless, those that have lost property, homes and have become poor are countless too and those that have lost dignity and have become hopeless are also countless. Because of the bad presidents, bad governance has predominantly prevailed in Uganda. This could be the reason we are among the globally known failed states.
A failed state is defined as a political body that has disintegrated to a point where basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government no longer function properly. From my “A” level economics classes in the early 80s I used to think that this was far from the pearl of Africa given the vast resources the vibrant human resource that was coming through the various institutions. Observing the past and current trends with the advent of the NRM administration, Uganda without doubt has earned itself a name of a “failed state”. Interestingly president Museveni confirmed it in 2019 during a speech he made at a function.
If the literature I read is right, a failed state is where a country fails to effectively govern itself within the legal framework, fails to provide adequate and efficient public services, massively abuses and violates human rights, fails to manage the rampant crime rates, is famous for uncontrollable corruption, identified by a highly compromised judicial system, over controls civic space and suffocates political opposition and many others. All these are being done under the watch and authority of the current President – Museveni. The question is could he be a failure himself?
Fellow citizens, this is unacceptable and it is meaningless to continue to be bystanders. For how long are Ugandans going to be regarded a disgrace because of mismanaged country? I observe that under Mr. Musevenis leadership the word “priority” is not part of the vocabulary. Resources are spent on what I refer to as useless and non- beneficial ventures when the critically needed services go without funds. The state of our health centres / facilities is appalling leading to VVIP being taken for very costly medical tours but returning dead and then spend billions of shillings burying them yet children still study under trees and sit on the floor or building bricks while in class, women still die when giving birth, poor roads continue to be death traps, poorly motivated teachers and healthy workers struggle to do their work, etc. If a leader does not address these matters and several others what are his or her priority
For how long are citizens going to suffer living under very difficult conditions worse than the times of Amin and Obote, which some of us were unlucky to experience as young people. At least those days one would go to hospital and find some medicine or go to a St. Marys Kisubi, Jinja College, Kigezi College, Tororo girls, Namagunga, Gayaza when from a very poor background and be “somebody” without nepotism at play. The poor genius young people no longer have opportunities to rise above their predetermined destiny by the current leaders. The cycle of poverty and ignorance will remain hovering over them for eve and ever.
The ISOs, DISOs etcs and safe houses plus Kireka and Nalufenya torture centres remind me of the times of State Research Bureau (Amins era) and Special force (Obote II) and their atrocities. I am also reminded of the Nile mansions etc, Gadafi barracks in Jinja, Namanve and Mabira forests which were among the torture and slaughtering / killing centres. Today we are having very innocent people in their productive stages of life, old and young, incarcerated with a daily menu for torture, maiming and the unlucky ones death.
From social media, a lot is revealed as of how VVIP are being killed by poisoning because they prove to be a threat to the leadership. A presidential seat is more important than a life given by God even after thirty five years in power? Really? Should people continue to die because President Museveni wants to remain ruling the country or because he wants his son to become the president? This is not only disgusting but very ugly, filthy and first class primitively.
Truth be told Mr. Musevenis presidency has become a liability to the country. The person of Mr.Museveni is he himself spent! What more can the country get from him? Uganda is not lacking leaders. A number, have dared him and sources have it that if it were not for the manipulations, compromise and the incompetency of the Electoral Commission and the regime sycophants or agents, Mr. Museveni would not be president anymore and believe it or not the country would be experiencing a different governance era. I wish to invite Mr. Museveni to consider handing over power to either Hon.Mao Norbert as a leader of a party which believes in truth and justice, or Mugisha Muntu a focused and principled leader who knows where Uganda should head to, Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert a canning, youthful, energetic , down to earth and popular leader for all with vast support nationwide believed to have won the 2021 elections or Kiiza Besigye the father of active opposition, people centred, human rights advocate, a tested leader and a passionate good governance activists who is believed to have won a number of previous elections.
My simple message to you, Mr President, without mincing my words, I have always said that the problem of Uganda is the presidency. You are the president of this country and in your presidency, all that the past presidents did, have been done and are being done under your watch and praise sometimes. It is time you left space for other players. President Moi left, President Mandela left, and President Kaunda left, President Kikwete left, President Clinton and President Obama left etc. You can also do it and there is life after statehouse.
If the opportunity to lead this country is not passed on to the focused, principled and people centred leaders, Uganda will remain an appalling and a failed state.
John Mary Odoy
Senior Citizen and Human Rights Advocate
Luuka-Uganda
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