Why politicians should stop fooling voters!

By Charles Okecha

The opportunity for Ugandans to elect their leaders at national and local levels is at hand. Fancy posters, banners and handbills litter everywhere on walls, poles, trees while multitudes trapped in the valley of decision muster at rallies.

The issue of campaign crowds has been debated in the media even though it is no big deal for artists, sportsmen, rioters, magicians or preachers to gather people given our current population of 35 million. What matters most is the demographic composition of such crowds, whether they can critically analyse the campaign messages vis-à-vis what is ideal for the country.

Human wants are insatiable especially desire for preeminence such as becoming a president. Even individuals who occupied coveted positions of authority like national political commissar, prime minister, security minister, army commander or university vice chancellor will take the next stride to the top.

Therefore the notion that politicians jostle each other just for sake of the people's welfare (like Jesus) falls short of absolute truth. When they visit health centres, they speak with utter amazement yet they drove in multi-million shilling cars for the last three decades! Patients are courteous enough not to shower them with cocktails of urine and faeces!

Certain scenarios provoke serious questions which voters must seek answers before they cast the ballot. The degree of acrimony between the president and opponents with whom he worked together is overwhelming and translates into clashes among supporters.

 One imagines there are other matters related to wealth, spouses, succession queue and so forth overshadowing the political contest. Having failed to oust him for the last three decades whether by ballot, coup or otherwise they propagate the monotonous message about regime change when he has promised to sign out after the next five years!

Ironically, four opponents in the presidential race hail from western Uganda and yet have failed to agree which each other. Given that president Museveni comes from the same region, has he failed to deliver below their expectations? Could such grievances arise from specific families or clans that feel cheated and now hoodwink the whole country to rally behind them under the guise of political parties and slogans? Moreover this is happening against a backdrop of changes in key positions.

The current army commander is from the central region while his deputy is from the east. The current NRM party Secretary General is from Busoga and her deputy from the north. The chairman of the party's electoral commission is from the east and URA Director is also from the east. It seems those who see power slipping out of their hands are battling to regain it through the presidency!

The issue of non-compensation of bush war veterans should be taken with a pinch of salt. I personally know those who after receiving facilitation from government squander it wining and dining and afterward chant crucify him! The press has published complaints by former army officers (from western Uganda) about deployment and pay. The UPDF is now a modern army with drones, tanks, air force unlike the past when its only arsenal was rifles, RPGs and anti-aircraft guns. It transcends our borders in Sudan, Somalia and Central Africa and its appointments deserve to be on merit.

Uganda is not the first African country to experience long-term rule. Tanzania's Nyerere ruled for 25 years and handpicked Hassan Mwinyi to rule for 10 years. Jomo Kenyatta ruled till death (18 years) and Arap Moi was handpicked to rule for more 24 years. The same applies to Ghana and Senegal before return to democracy, after pressure from donors. Our multi-ethnic political terrain requires strong stable leadership to establish infrastructure before partisan politics can thrive.

Apparently Uganda has a well-established army and central government that has stabilized the country and wooed investors, tourists and international organisation and personalities like the Pope, the Queen to Uganda. High capital investments like ICT needed expertise being groomed by investors, this writer inclusive. In the transport sector, motorcycles are available through credit purchase to facilitate transport of people and produce in mountainous regions whose accessibility will take long due to cost of road projects.

For this reason those seeking to lead the country now, should not discredit such accomplishments but provide clear manifestos/policies rather than manipulate the inevitable discontent to enter the chronicles of Uganda's presidents.

The writer works with St. Paul's College, Mbale