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OPINION

By Herbert Samuel Baligidde

As the long war against corruption which continues to distort markets and the theologically doctrinaire, part-time religious as well as ‘animist’ citizens of the country begin to rethink their support for several public policies, to undermine the rule of law, damage government legitimacy and hurt economic development; a strong Army and an effective security apparatus may guarantee security, but will not bring about long-term political reconciliation which is necessary for achieving political unanimity and happens to be the key to national stability.

To create political order, a robust commitment to reconciliation by all the political tendencies and the key actors within them is more likely to make peace & security infinitely sustainable, won’t it? Neither will a latter-day reincarnation of a ‘Baghdad Bob’ syndrome some of whose arguments seem to be arguments appealing to common sense and judgment [argumentum ad judicium] but most are arguments probably intended to prove the absurdity of the government’s opponents’ [argumentum ad absurdum],

Others may be arguments intended for individuals [argumentum ad hominem], while others seem to be arguments based on opponents’ ignorance [argumentum ad ignorantiam]; to which some Ugandans sometimes marvel,

Others listen with a mixture of amusement and laugh until they cough into their coffee in an atmosphere of now seemingly justified anger, nor will an unintended return to the new middle ages when the rise of capitalism on a national scale led to a proliferation of power centres in the name of democracy marked by multiple and seemingly overlapping pseudo-sovereignties and identities create it.

But tolerance, mutual respect for each other, the rule of law, a new corporate entity based on collaborative innovation, integrated production of value-added goods for export and local consumption coupled with political tolerance and mutual respect by all the political actors might just be the miracle formula needed to underpin socio-economic transformation.

Prosperity depends on stable and vibrant trade and financial regimes, diverse and dependable energy sources, environmental protections and the ability to achieve balanced economic growth. If there is a plan or a strategy a Mwalimu Nyerere, Mzee Kenyatta or any other model of leadership transition the prognosis for the future will be brighter if the appropriate model is adopted, with patience and the right strategy from now out.

The next President’s challenges will be to continue with the strategic economic engagement set by the incumbent [a self-professed realist] by engaging all the key political actors in the country to support further integration into the regional and global economies. He/she may have a more difficult opening-day set of problems, require strength and a renewed sense of national purpose to solve the enduring and new problems. The possible agenda is daunting.

Perhaps, while adhering to the international relations best practice of creating a ‘cordon sanitaire’, there are times when Uganda also needs to develop the humility of looking at the world through her neighbours’ eyes: Uganda’s relations with Washington and Westminster. Our Foreign Policy-makers must never forget that friends are tested by adversity [Amici probantur rebus adversis].

But while there may still be issues that have led to nation-wide concerns, Ugandans ought to recover or reinvent the culture of hope with its unique blend of dynamics, flexibility and openness which should characterise the present and future. If we have no hope then we may not have a future. But as Edmund Burke succinctly wrote, “To love our country, our country ought to be lovely”, and if I may paraphrase him, ‘she [our country] has to be lovable’, shouldn’t it? Since the country’s motto “For God and Our Country” claims, we must learn to trust Him to protects us individuals and as a Nation to reinforce our leaders with divine guidance. If God is with us, who will possibly be against us? [Deus nobiscum, quis contra?].

The writer is a former career Diplomat, Lecturer of Diplomacy, Governance, Politics of Public Policy and related university courses