Busoga must unite for harmony and economic transformation

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OPINION

By Ismail Kibedi

The people of Busoga are known for resilience, cultural pride and enterprise. From the fertile lands that feed the nation to the historic banks of the Nile in Jinja, Busoga has always stood as a region of immense potential. Yet today, the sub-region faces a challenge not of poverty alone, nor of opportunity, but of division among its leaders.

As the Department of National Guidance, we are mandated to promote harmony, conflict resolution and peaceful co-existence.

The current wrangles among leaders in Busoga-often driven by what can only be described as “cheap popularity”-are not only unfortunate but dangerous. When leaders fight for applause instead of progress, it is the ordinary citizen who pays the price.

There is an old wisdom that says, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” In Busoga, the grass represents our farmers, our youth, our traders, our women entrepreneurs and our children. Leadership should be a shield for the people, not a stage for personal contests.

Scripture reminds us: “How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity.” The reference to Mount Hermon symbolises unity that brings blessing and prosperity. Where there is unity, there is growth. Where there is division, development stalls.

Busoga’s leaders must rediscover the spirit of Hermon-peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and shared purpose. Political competition must never override cultural solidarity or regional progress.

As another timeless proverb teaches, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” If Busoga is divided at the top, how shall it mobilise at the grassroots? If leaders spend energy fighting each other, who will focus on industrialisation, youth employment, value addition, and attracting investment?

Busoga is blessed to have a unifying cultural institution under His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV, the Kyabazinga of Busoga. The Kyabazinga is not a political actor; he is a symbol of unity, heritage and collective identity. In moments of tension, leaders should not escalate conflicts in public rallies or media platforms. They should seek the immediate arbitration of the Kyabazinga and the Kingdom structures.

Culture should calm politics, not be dragged into it. The Kingdom must remain a neutral ground for reconciliation. Leaders who respect the Kyabazinga’s role demonstrate maturity and patriotism. True strength is not shown in public quarrels, but in private reconciliation for the public good.

Busoga’s transformation will not come from speeches; it will come from coordinated action.

The sub-region has enormous potential:

• Agricultural value addition in sugarcane, rice and fruits
• Tourism around the Source of the Nile
• Industrial parks and manufacturing
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Youth skilling and entrepreneurship

But investors are attracted to stability, not conflict. Development partners work best in coordinated environments. Government programmes succeed where leaders speak with one voice.

“Unity is strength; division is weakness.” This is not merely a slogan-it is an economic principle. Regions that prosper do so because leaders align behind a common agenda.

Busoga must shift from personality-driven politics to program-driven leadership. The debate should not be about who is more popular, but about how many jobs are created, how many roads are improved, how many youths are skilled, and how many families are lifted out of poverty.

Leadership Is Responsibility and Performance; it is not about noise; it is about results. It is not about trending headlines; it is about transforming lives.

A leader must ask:

• Does my conduct promote unity?
• Does my speech calm or inflame?
• Does my ambition uplift Busoga or divide it?

History remembers builders, not quarrelers. It celebrates those who sacrifice ego for the common good.

As Busoga, we call upon all political, cultural and religious leaders in Busoga to:

• Cease public hostilities and inflammatory statements.
• Seek dialogue through the Kyabazinga and Kingdom structures.
• Prioritise economic transformation over personal rivalry.
• Champion peaceful co-existence at all levels.

Busoga’s destiny is too important to be delayed by internal disagreements. The youth are watching, the nation is watching, and the future generation will judge today’s leaders not by how loudly they fought, but by how effectively they united.

Let Busoga be known not for division, but for discipline. Not for conflict, but for coordination. Not for cheap popularity, but for lasting prosperity. For when leaders walk together, the people move forward together.

And indeed, “How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity.”

“Abasoga okwisanhya namanhi’’

The writer is Principal National Guidance Officer

Parliament Liaison Officer for ICT & NG