Is January 26 worth celebrating?

Jan 27, 2004

On Monday, Uganda marked the 18th year since the National Resistance Army/Movement captured power. Joshua Kato and Arthur Baguma talked to several Ugandans to find out if it is worth<br>celebrating the day.

On Monday, Uganda marked the 18th year since the National Resistance Army/Movement captured power. Joshua Kato and Arthur Baguma talked to several Ugandans to find out if it is worth
celebrating the day.

Lt. General Elly Tumwine, fired the first bullet in the war: “There is a lot to celebrate. Any body who says that we should not celebrate is blind to the transformation that Uganda has gone through in the last 18 years.

“As the theme of the day went –– ‘socio-economic transformation, the role of the people’ –– there is no doubt that everything has changed for the better.

“The housing sector is flourishing because people are assured of a stable life and have the money to construct the houses. Transport, communication, education everything has changed for the better. Most of the country is enjoying a degree of peace, which is a big reason for us to celebrate.”

Latif Ssebagala, Member of Parliament Kawempe North says, “If the government had implemented the objectives that brought them to power, we would have had reason to celebrate. But after 18 years, President Museveni has implemented very little of his famous 10-point programme.

He is becoming more intolerant by the day. Many of his bush war comrades have separated from him, basically because of his loss of focus. I think we have nothing and no reason to celebrate.”

Kirunda Kivejinja, minister for the presidency: “Obviously, there is reason to celebrate. When President Museveni was swearing in back in 1986, he said that his was not a mere change of guards, but a fundamental change. This has happened.

“The economy of Uganda is steadily developing. The infrastructure of Uganda has changed for the better in the last 18 years, while the grass-roots people are enjoying a degree of democracy, especially through electing their own leaders under the Local Council system. Even the most cynic of our politicians know these facts.

Aggrey Awori, Member of parliament Samia Bugweri says, “those people captured power through undemocratic ways, and for 10 years President Museveni ruled this country illegally. That is why I have got nothing to celebrate.”

Rose Namayanja, member of parliament for the youth: “There is every reason for us to celebrate 18 years since the Movement came to power. First, we changed from a murderous regime to a democratic one.

Secondly, since then, the country has gone through a lot of transformation socially, economically and politically.

“Nearly every aspect of life has changed for the better. As far as education is concerned, the number of children in primary school has gone up thanks to UPE.

“The country had only one university when the Movement came to power, but they are now more than 15. Such levels of development are the reason why we have to celebrate this day.”

Isa Kikungwe, member of parliament: “We should be mourning instead of celebrating. These people have not achieved any of the things they promised us.

“They have implemented nothing of their 10-point programme. Most parts of the country are insecure, human rights have been abused, the economy is in tatters.

“Ugandans should look forward and prepare for what is coming, instead of wasting time celebrating the scarcity of achievements.”

Wanume Francis, a casual labourer says, “it should be a day to mourn and remember those who perished in the struggle. People should be in churches and mosques praying instead of going to bars. That aside, government has done several good things worth celebrating after 18 years.

The economy, education and security are relatively fine but a lot is yet to be accomplished. Poverty levels are still high.”

Edith Egwalu, 38, house wife: “Certainly, January 26 is worth celebrating as far as Uganda’s history is concerned.

“In the early 1980s, I was a child, but soldiers were a nuisance. Today, I can pass by a soldier and feel secure. It may look simple but for those of us who lived during those days, we know what a soldier meant then.”

Safina Namata, a food vendor says, “Any day spent without working means no meal for me. I am self employed and have to survive. I wouldn’t mind celebrating or anyone else, but poverty can’t allow me to go to Kololo for celebrations.”

Luwambya Meddie, 40, a business man: “Whether to celebrate or not depends on one’s political inclination. We should celebrate because most parts of the country have been peaceful for the last 18 years. In totality, government has not been successful.

Beti Kamya, spokesperson, Reform Agenda says, “No doubt, we shall read and hear from Kololo, glossy stories about our outstanding successes over the past 18 years. However, at Reform Agenda, we are using the day to reflect on the promise of fundamental change which was supposed to have been brought.

Maybe the people who have gone to Kololo are celebrating because they came in rugs and they are now millionaires.

Kiyingi Franco, a teacher is of the view that, “the day is worth celebrating because we were liberated from dictatorship. For the last 18 years, the country has greatly transformed.

Millions who never used to go to school can access free education through Universal Primary Education. Security of person and property is guaranteed and the economy is fairly stable. Tthe challenge of government is to create more jobs.

Azia Turigye, a mother: I have no reason to celebrate. I will celebrate when I start sleeping without worrying where to get the next meal. It would be pretence to celebrate when you have nothing to show.

Rev. Isaac Bakka, 49, says, “the day doesn’t mean much because the principle things that the NRM promised have been violated.”

Madina Kaggwa, a vendor at Nakasero market: “It’s not about celebrating the day but 18 years of democracy. It’s in the last 18 years that women have been able to score several achievements.

Women have made it in all spheres as a result of government’s deliberate policy of women emancipation.”

Charles Warom, a Security guard: “Freedom! That is why the day is worth celebrating. I can move freely and go about my business without any hussle. There is freedom of speech and all these are products of the liberation struggle.”

Kabagu Sebastian, 33, a civil servant says, “few employees have reason to celebrate. Government has turned a blind eye to the workers’ plight.

“Our rights have been grossly abused both in the private and public sphere. Government should look into the workers plight.”

Kenneth Kakande, Vice President UYD: “The day is not a celebration for all Ugandans, but rather, for the Movement. It is the day on which they captured power through the use of the gun, so let them celebrate.”

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