KINTU Nyago’s article “Nile State won’t do” that run in last week’s Sunday Vision is a misrepresentation of factors that inspire secession. Secession hardly arises because the powers that are failed in what I would call the politics of allotment.

Nyago says the north is not marginalised because of the existence of democratic institutions in Uganda and “A rich cross-section of leaders from northern Uganda serving this country... Prof. Ogenga Latigo, Lt. Gen. Ali, FDC Chief Whip Kasiano Wadri...”.

Nyago, these are individual politicians. Individuals (selfish) are transient forms of political identity and are invariably of minor consequence compared to the peasantry who constitute the majority in Ugandan politics. Also, the rise of individuals to political prominence is arbitrary and inconsistent. These individuals come and go; they do not last unlike the peasantry.

Using the principle of allotment (individuals) to support the argument that the north is not marginalised is brittle. This is because the concept of marginalisation and practice are never as obvious as to manifest themselves in electoral exercises and political positions in the Government or the Opposition.

By the way secession of the north is a matter usually talked about and propagated not by the local population rather Nyago’s “rich cross-section”. I bet if Nyago talked to the local population in the north about secession, the answer is bound to be peace, peace and peace so as to participate in activities that offer better alternatives to life than what pertains there now!

Lulu Itipa
Kampala