Govt might have to call Mengo’s bluff
Jun 30, 2009
EDITOR—The word ‘<i>refusenik</i>’ entered colloquial English during the cold war and at the height of the Zionist movement in Israel. It referred to persons who were denied emigration from the Soviet Union (to Israel) and is derived from the Hebrew
EDITOR—The word ‘refusenik’ entered colloquial English during the cold war and at the height of the Zionist movement in Israel. It referred to persons who were denied emigration from the Soviet Union (to Israel) and is derived from the Hebrew word for refusal.
In English, however, it has come to mean a protester—and for me a habitual protester. The Mengo establishment has become refuseniks in their relationship with the central government. They will protest at everything and anything. Previously it was the regional tier of government, then the land bill and now the takeover of Kampala.
In the first two cases, they have managed to get Government either to back off, or at best to stage a tactical withdrawal. It is not certain which of these the government has done. What is certain though is that Mengo has got the taste of a successful refusenik and will react to any new government initiative as a Pavlovian reaction.
One of these days, the government may have to call Mengo’s bluff if attainment of its ‘vision’ is to remain on course, because refusal by Mengo seems inevitable whatever the proposal.
H.G.K Nyakoojo
Buziga, Kampala
In English, however, it has come to mean a protester—and for me a habitual protester. The Mengo establishment has become refuseniks in their relationship with the central government. They will protest at everything and anything. Previously it was the regional tier of government, then the land bill and now the takeover of Kampala.
In the first two cases, they have managed to get Government either to back off, or at best to stage a tactical withdrawal. It is not certain which of these the government has done. What is certain though is that Mengo has got the taste of a successful refusenik and will react to any new government initiative as a Pavlovian reaction.
One of these days, the government may have to call Mengo’s bluff if attainment of its ‘vision’ is to remain on course, because refusal by Mengo seems inevitable whatever the proposal.
H.G.K Nyakoojo
Buziga, Kampala