Uganda should come before tribes
EDITOR—I was happy with Mr. Richard Okech’s letter entitled “Kabaka’s Bugerere fiasco: implications for Ugandaâ€.
EDITOR—I was happy with Mr. Richard Okech’s letter entitled “Kabaka’s Bugerere fiasco: implications for Ugandaâ€.
He argues that the President has an unenviable task of implementing the regional tier system without alienating the Baganda. As Okech’s student, I disagree with him to some extent. The President does not control the largest percentage of our country’s politics.
This would mean that all power belongs to him and the meeting between him and the Kabaka may not yield any concessions. This could be a worse situation than the recent bloody riots. Furthermore, my teacher said that the electorate are unpredictable and can vote out pro-Government leaders and gave the example of Mike Mukula.
However, it is common in Uganda that when a tribe misses a name on the ministers’ list, that tribe will not give the President a moment’s rest. If tribes don’t see themselves as equals, Uganda will suffer for many years to come. That is why the Baganda riot and the Jopadhola eat rats. Divisionism is still a challenge to the Government and once solved, you will not hear MP Hussein Kyanjo asking for a list of workers in public service to see which tribe is dominant there.
There is no need of reminding us of the dark days of Amin, Kenya’s post-election violence or Zimbabwe’s. What we need is a formula for peaceful co-existence and people identifying themselves as Ugandans first and not by their tribes. That way, we we will all be winners.
Saad Kasozi
MUBS
He argues that the President has an unenviable task of implementing the regional tier system without alienating the Baganda. As Okech’s student, I disagree with him to some extent. The President does not control the largest percentage of our country’s politics.
This would mean that all power belongs to him and the meeting between him and the Kabaka may not yield any concessions. This could be a worse situation than the recent bloody riots. Furthermore, my teacher said that the electorate are unpredictable and can vote out pro-Government leaders and gave the example of Mike Mukula.
However, it is common in Uganda that when a tribe misses a name on the ministers’ list, that tribe will not give the President a moment’s rest. If tribes don’t see themselves as equals, Uganda will suffer for many years to come. That is why the Baganda riot and the Jopadhola eat rats. Divisionism is still a challenge to the Government and once solved, you will not hear MP Hussein Kyanjo asking for a list of workers in public service to see which tribe is dominant there.
There is no need of reminding us of the dark days of Amin, Kenya’s post-election violence or Zimbabwe’s. What we need is a formula for peaceful co-existence and people identifying themselves as Ugandans first and not by their tribes. That way, we we will all be winners.
Saad Kasozi
MUBS