Elections, leadership, and the cost of silence

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OPINION

By Michael Woira

As we get closer to the election period, I have noticed that a lot is happening in our country. Many people are becoming active, doing all sorts of things, some impressive and others surprising, all because of the upcoming elections.

But before we get deep into election talk, I want to first speak about some important issues and events happening in the country. There is a saying that in everything you do, always start with home. For me, home is Busoga.

In recent months, I’ve been paying attention to what’s going on in Busoga. I’ve seen that while some progress is being made, there is also a worrying trend. People from Busoga are now turning against each other. Instead of working together to build our region, some are creating divisions by making others look bad while praising only a few. This kind of behaviour is not being done by outsiders; it’s our own people doing it.

I will not mention any names, but it is clear that politics is now dividing Busoga. This is sad because, for the first time in many years, Busoga was beginning to rise again and show signs of development. Now, all that progress is at risk of being lost because of personal fights and political differences.

As Basoga, we need to be careful. We must not allow politics to destroy the unity we have been trying so hard to build. If we are to develop our region, we must respect each other, work together, and avoid attacking one another.

Many people have worked so hard to uplift Busoga, to speak up, to mobilise, and to drive development in our region. Unfortunately, some of these efforts have been blocked by fellow Basoga. Not because the ideas were bad, but simply because of money. Some individuals have chosen short-term gains over long-term progress. They’ve allowed themselves to be used to fight their own people, to bring down those who are working for the good of Busoga all for just a meal card or a small cash handout.

As we head into this election season, we are not blind. We, the people of Busoga, are watching. I am watching. Others are watching. And this time, we have the power to decide through our votes. Anyone trying to divide us, to destroy the unity we’ve started rebuilding, you are being seen. We are taking note.

When I look at our leaders, especially our Members of Parliament, I wonder what happened to their voices. I keep hearing that there is a Busoga Parliamentary Caucus. But in times of trouble, when the region needs leadership and direction, you never hear them speak as one or call a meeting to solve the issues. They remain silent. They enjoy their positions and benefits quietly, while the people they represent continue to suffer.

It’s okay, for now. But just know that time will come when another generation will look back and ask where you were when Busoga needed you. And they may not be as forgiving.

Putting Busoga aside for a moment, I’ve been thinking about how much our politics has changed. These days, it’s becoming common to see people selling their personal property, land, cars, even homes, just to raise money to contest for political positions. You begin to wonder: Is it really about serving the people, or is it about personal gain?

Honestly, I think it's fair to say that some of these individuals are not driven by the desire to serve. Many are simply chasing political office because it gives them access to wealth and power. It’s no longer strange to hear stories of Members of Parliament drowning in loans, not because they’re investing in their communities, but because they entered politics as a business venture. They borrow heavily, expecting to recover their money and make a profit once they’re in office.

That’s why, in this coming election, we’re seeing thousands of people from all political parties lining up to contest. Everyone is suddenly calling themselves “a good leader” or “the right representative for the people.” But deep down, we all know the truth. Many are in it for themselves, not for the communities they claim to serve.

And yet, we continue to play along, we cheer, we clap, and we pretend that we believe in their promises. But the truth is, the public is watching more closely than ever before. People are aware, and many are tired of being used.

As we enter this election season, I kindly ask all of us to stay humble in whatever we do. Politics should not be a reason for hatred or conflict in our communities. In the past, we have seen people lose their lives over political disagreements. Others stop talking to friends or even family members just because they support different candidates. This kind of division and violence should not happen again.

Let’s try to treat each other with respect, no matter who we support. At the end of the day, we are all Ugandans. Life continues even after elections. Politics should not break the bonds we have as neighbours, friends, and fellow citizens. Let’s see each other as brothers and sisters, not as enemies.

Now, about the national budget, yes, I took time to look through it, and I noticed that some key areas were given serious attention, which is a good thing. But we also need to be honest with ourselves: if we want better services like good roads, schools, and hospitals, then we must be willing to pay taxes. Many people and businesses are growing, but they either avoid paying tax or don’t pay at all. This is not right. If we want the country to develop, we must all play our part by contributing to the national budget through taxes.

On the issue of renewing the National I.D, I am happy to share that I already renewed mine. I had done the pre-registration online, and I must say NIRA has really improved this time. The process was smooth and quick; it took less than five minutes. No long queues, no delays. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity seriously. Renew your expired I.Ds and take your vows of becoming responsible citizens once again. This is not just a card, it’s part of your national identity.

The writer is a Patriotic Ugandan