Activists for change missing the point
Oct 19, 2011
On Thursday last week Activists for Change (A4C) re-launched walk to work campaign in protest of the rising commodity prices, unemployment and corruption that are rocking the country.
By Diana Taremwa
On Thursday last week Activists for Change (A4C) re-launched walk to work campaign in protest of the rising commodity prices, unemployment and corruption that are rocking the country. However, is this necessary since in April and May the same campaign caused more harm than good?
The campaign had many negative results for example many businesses came to a standstill, and people’s shops were looted. Some people also lost their lives like the Masaka two-year-old baby who was killed by a stray bullet and the pregnant woman who was shot in the stomach amidst the chaos.
Property was destroyed like some houses were burnt down. Teargas canisters fell into school compounds disrupting studies. Other children had no way of accessing their schools. Offices were vacated as people stayed at home in fear of their lives due to the looming uncertainty of the whole situation.
The protesters always claim to be peace ful yet they go on inciting people which builds an atmosphere of violence. Well, blame it on the police for barbarian methods of crowd control but that could be the only way to control these people.
At a time like this, we do not need to walk to work with malicious aims like building political capital. How do we even expect to curb the current economic hardships if we cannot maintain some peace and order that enhances business to go on without any disruptions?
We need to organise round table discussions, retreats like the ongoing ones in Rider hotel (FDC) and Kyankwazi (NRM) respectively and discuss how we can try to stabilise the current economic situation.
In fact this is how Colonel Kizza Besigye misses the point. It would be much better if he discussed these economic challenges that Uganda is facing at the FDC retreat taking place at Rider Hotel Seeta, Mukono.
In addition, Ugandans should realise that the current economic situation is a global problem and not a national crisis. If developed countries like the USA are affected by the economic depression then how can Uganda not be prone?
We should try to find viable ways to stabilise the situation so that the effects do not have greater impact rather than involving in such campaigns that make the situation worse causing unnecessary unrest and insecurity in the country.
Diana Taremwa is an intern Development Law Associates