NRM’s contribution in 45 years of freedom
Oct 08, 2007
FELLOW Ugandans, allow me on behalf of the NRM Scandinavia District to congratulate you on our country’s 45th anniversary of independence. Captain Frederick Marryat (1792-1848), a British novelist, said, “I think it is much better that… every man paddle his own canoe.†That is the exact pru
By William Asaba
FELLOW Ugandans, allow me on behalf of the NRM Scandinavia District to congratulate you on our country’s 45th anniversary of independence. Captain Frederick Marryat (1792-1848), a British novelist, said, “I think it is much better that… every man paddle his own canoe.†That is the exact prudent course Ugandans took on the October 9, 1962.
Twenty years after the colonial tutelage, the canoe (Uganda) almost capsized as it grappled with subtle problems and turbulent moments of cold war geopolitical complexities and compounded by the waves of colonial legacies and patterns of imperial artifacts.
On January 26, 1986, the NRM with a strong commitment to the ideology of independence and the patriotic and true exhibition of courage by the National Resistance Army took the power of the State and put the country on the right course of political, social and economic independence.
It is difficult to detail all achievements under the NRM governance but it is an irrefutable fact that its period in power transcends all before and after independence.
When the NRM took power, apart from bringing stability, a wholesale of liberties and other freedoms, the economy moved from diagnosis to prescription and now is reaping the benefits of liberalised market economy. “Ugandan economy is like an inflatable boat. However much water level raises, it will never sink because it is well builtâ€, an enlightened economist commented.
It is also worthy and important to note, that the mushrooming of private enterprises, the strong economy, fast declining inflation, the omnipresent building boom of residential and commercial houses and premises in town and in the whole country are all an epitome of prosperity which we all should be proud of.
On the political front, the political multi-party dispensation has taken shape and a firm ground and our people continue to enjoy the fruits of real independence as they become more and more sensitized on the democratic trends. It is a challenging moment and no one can profess perfection, because downturns are always part of the process.
“Perfecting democracy is a never-ending challenge, as my own country knows wellâ€, former US First Lady Mrs. Hillary Clinton observed.
This same idea is shared by President Yoweri Museveni and he articulated it recently when he emphasised that, “Building democracy is not a one time event or assignment process to which one would assign a life span of a couple of years. It is a dynamic process to which every generation has to contribute for the good and survival of the people with the present generation laying a firm foundation for the future generation.â€
As we celebrate our hard-earned independence, we are reminded of the challenges ahead for its consolidation. We must stand together and remain united under the umbrella which has for 21 years proved to be a uniting force of all Ugandans regardless of political, religious and ethnic leaning.
Herein also lies the bedrock of our democracy and independence.
“Uganda, I am pleased to say, has emerged from brutal dictatorship of the past, during whose rule freedom of expression was just a dream…… The NRM Government has now made Uganda a truly multiparty democracy where the right to express one’s views and to demonstrate peacefully should now be taken for grantedâ€, the acting British High Commissioner, Charles Hamilton, lucidly puts it.
This is paraphrased in the words from the American Ambassador to Uganda Mr. Steven A. Browning, when he said, “It is an exciting time to be here as you emerge from so many years of conflict, discover new natural riches, continue to build your systems of governance, work to give all citizens education, expand health care and democratic governance.†The words from these wise people are far-sighted and are a reflection of how capable Ugandans are and what they can accomplish in the course of peace and stability.
So, the NRM‘s pivotal role is more paramount now than before because of its growth-oriented manifesto and political triumph as we embark on the crusade of consolidating our independence.
Intensive preparations are going on for a successful hosting of the historical Commonwealth meeting slated for November and we hope it will impact on our image internationally and give us business opportunities, enhance the economy and boost tourism to the country.
At the same time we hope for the success in talks aimed at ending the bloody war which ravaged the northern part of our country so that our people can live in peace.
We remain confident that with our God-given blessings and the NRM Government’s adroit and down-to-earth policy, our country will exploit our natural resources to benefiting all our people.
If you want to go quickly, go alone but you want to go far, go together. Togetherness will further unity among us and provide fertile ground for our democracy and strengthen our independence. Congratulations once again.
The writer is the chairman, NRM Scandinavia District
FELLOW Ugandans, allow me on behalf of the NRM Scandinavia District to congratulate you on our country’s 45th anniversary of independence. Captain Frederick Marryat (1792-1848), a British novelist, said, “I think it is much better that… every man paddle his own canoe.†That is the exact prudent course Ugandans took on the October 9, 1962.
Twenty years after the colonial tutelage, the canoe (Uganda) almost capsized as it grappled with subtle problems and turbulent moments of cold war geopolitical complexities and compounded by the waves of colonial legacies and patterns of imperial artifacts.
On January 26, 1986, the NRM with a strong commitment to the ideology of independence and the patriotic and true exhibition of courage by the National Resistance Army took the power of the State and put the country on the right course of political, social and economic independence.
It is difficult to detail all achievements under the NRM governance but it is an irrefutable fact that its period in power transcends all before and after independence.
When the NRM took power, apart from bringing stability, a wholesale of liberties and other freedoms, the economy moved from diagnosis to prescription and now is reaping the benefits of liberalised market economy. “Ugandan economy is like an inflatable boat. However much water level raises, it will never sink because it is well builtâ€, an enlightened economist commented.
It is also worthy and important to note, that the mushrooming of private enterprises, the strong economy, fast declining inflation, the omnipresent building boom of residential and commercial houses and premises in town and in the whole country are all an epitome of prosperity which we all should be proud of.
On the political front, the political multi-party dispensation has taken shape and a firm ground and our people continue to enjoy the fruits of real independence as they become more and more sensitized on the democratic trends. It is a challenging moment and no one can profess perfection, because downturns are always part of the process.
“Perfecting democracy is a never-ending challenge, as my own country knows wellâ€, former US First Lady Mrs. Hillary Clinton observed.
This same idea is shared by President Yoweri Museveni and he articulated it recently when he emphasised that, “Building democracy is not a one time event or assignment process to which one would assign a life span of a couple of years. It is a dynamic process to which every generation has to contribute for the good and survival of the people with the present generation laying a firm foundation for the future generation.â€
As we celebrate our hard-earned independence, we are reminded of the challenges ahead for its consolidation. We must stand together and remain united under the umbrella which has for 21 years proved to be a uniting force of all Ugandans regardless of political, religious and ethnic leaning.
Herein also lies the bedrock of our democracy and independence.
“Uganda, I am pleased to say, has emerged from brutal dictatorship of the past, during whose rule freedom of expression was just a dream…… The NRM Government has now made Uganda a truly multiparty democracy where the right to express one’s views and to demonstrate peacefully should now be taken for grantedâ€, the acting British High Commissioner, Charles Hamilton, lucidly puts it.
This is paraphrased in the words from the American Ambassador to Uganda Mr. Steven A. Browning, when he said, “It is an exciting time to be here as you emerge from so many years of conflict, discover new natural riches, continue to build your systems of governance, work to give all citizens education, expand health care and democratic governance.†The words from these wise people are far-sighted and are a reflection of how capable Ugandans are and what they can accomplish in the course of peace and stability.
So, the NRM‘s pivotal role is more paramount now than before because of its growth-oriented manifesto and political triumph as we embark on the crusade of consolidating our independence.
Intensive preparations are going on for a successful hosting of the historical Commonwealth meeting slated for November and we hope it will impact on our image internationally and give us business opportunities, enhance the economy and boost tourism to the country.
At the same time we hope for the success in talks aimed at ending the bloody war which ravaged the northern part of our country so that our people can live in peace.
We remain confident that with our God-given blessings and the NRM Government’s adroit and down-to-earth policy, our country will exploit our natural resources to benefiting all our people.
If you want to go quickly, go alone but you want to go far, go together. Togetherness will further unity among us and provide fertile ground for our democracy and strengthen our independence. Congratulations once again.
The writer is the chairman, NRM Scandinavia District