Dr. Muwanga-Zake,
There was a time when they pulled themselves together, formed a G6, and demanded certain things from government. The government became so scared that they responded with a Kiyonga Committee. They should have kept on with the G6 idea, as this was keeping the government on its toes. Why did they drop this idea?
It is not possible that Museveni/donors will provide the platform that opposition must have to do their work. They must toil for it, make their hands dirty, be seen to be doing something.
Have you noticed that State House is a law unto itself? It directs whatever it wants, as it has "banned" advertisements from CBS (read Bukedde). Where is the opposition to challenge that? It is no where because many of them are praying to be called by Museveni to become Ministers or such. It's as you say politics of the stomach. So, they have made their bellies their platform of unleashing their pettiness on the taxpayer.
So, how do we move forward. Any ideas?
Cheers, M. Kibuka
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1 comment:
Messrs. Kibuka:
Ever the cynic where African politics is concerned, I don't hold out much hope for improvement in the next government—when and if there ever is one--under the present psychology bedevilling us. The reason there isn't much coming out of the parties is, to me, of no surprise: Their ultimate goals are the same as Museveni's: Power and personal wealth for the few. Yes, they all talk about "democracy," "fair representation," "development." This has been, and continues to be, the mantra of nearly all post-independence “leaders,” from Mobutu to Bokasa, Kenyatta to Abacha, Toure to Mugabe—the list is endless. They then proceed to steal, imprison, massacre, and impoverish, often worse that the ones they replace.
The problem is that we, Africans, unlike most other people on the planet, feel no connection whatsoever to our fellow countrymen. Our rulers, products of our environment and cultures, do not feel any sense of responsibility to the country, or the citizens; only to themselves, families and cronies. This is why our chaos is maddeningly endless; no one in power ever empathizes with the public or its needs. Our cultures, somehow, train him not to. Proof positive: Africa has received nearly 3.5 trillion US dollars in the last 30 years, or about $5,000 per person. Other than useless air forces, white elephants and Land Cruisers, what do we have to show for it?
Since our systems--political, social, legal, legislative--are now so, so thoroughly bankrupt, were we to get an honest person as president, his job would be Herculean. Nearly all his ministers, the parliament, police, army, judiciary, would be, as now---corrupt to the core.
What then, is the solution to this interminable self-defeat?
If there is one, it would lie in, first, our having very good luck: a leader whose priorities differ from the current crop of politicians, and drastically—i.e., a selfless, highly disciplined, strong individual. Is there one on the horizon? And where is he going to find enough like-minded, honest people for his government’s posts?
Assuming he materializes, against all odds, he should, immediately upon taking office:
1. Admit that the country is composed of different ethnic groups, with different backgrounds; that we are not all one. Note that I am not advocating for preferential treatment for any group; just the recognition that there are cultural differences in our make-up, and that they have to be recognized, taken seriously, and dealt with responsibly, pragmatically.
2. Rearrange the army to properly reflect the ethnic composition; reduce its size to a small, educated [literate], decently-paid force. This is the only way, at present, of establishing some sort of independence for government agencies/legislatures so they can perform their duties impartially. I.e., removing the Army from the current presidential prerogative of forcing his wishes upon the country [institutions and citizens] through the gun.
If he at all survives up to this point, he should then:
3. Require all high officials—ministers, generals, permanent secretaries, MPs declare their assets, with proof of ownership. This has to be maintained annually, and forthe foreseeable future. A rather tall order.
4. Establish draconian penalties for bribes accepted by high government officials, at least in the early part of his administration. Ignoring this would sabotage his administration faster than you can bat an eye.
Only such measures, where state institutions cannot be cowed into obedience by a one-man knows-it-all dictatorship, can the country hope to get on the road to stability.
Emulating Democracy in Africa, a Western concept, for Western culture, just doesn’t make much sense without first tackling and solving our core problems—real ethnic differences and lack of empathy for our countrymen imbedded in our cultures.
JB
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