Uganda's troubles are self-inflicted

By Dennis Katungi

In Uganda, we surely have it all.  Good weather, fertile soils, enterprising spirit, fresh foods, Flora and Fauna.  We have snow at tropical altitudes atop the Rwenzoris!

The sun journeys through Uganda, one of the very reasons we say our land was ‘Gifted by Nature’ and in his travels earlier in the 20th Century, Sir Winston Churchill referred to Uganda as ‘The Pearl of Africa”

What troubles Uganda then?  In the 51 years since Independence, we have had Military Coups, civil wars, refugee influxes in and out, disease pandemics and of course the self-inflicted ills of witchcraft and child sacrifice, despite the fact that this country is one of the most religious in the world!

It’s only in the last 29 years that Uganda has had a semblance of stability despite insurgencies by Kony, ADF et al. In this period, Uganda has been at its best, politically with a free media, lately a vibrant opposition as well as regular cycles of elections. We have not seen roadblocks, ‘Panda galis’, state inspired disappearances, curfews, detention without order or states of emergency. Uganda has the most elected officials per capita in the world, testament to People power.

However, Ugandans largely suffer from indiscipline.  They tend to do things their own way rather than the right way!  If a Ugandan wants to drive a vehicle, he or she will buy a Driving License conveniently ignoring that driving is a skill and knowledge of the High way Code and other specifics.

If a Ugandan wants to build his home, he or she will not mind public access, local authority ordinances or the environment; the reason people encroach on road reserves. Lanes leading to beautiful mansions around the city appear like rat-tracks!  The public good is not engrained in the minds of our people; it’s mainly for God and my stomach.

The average Ugandan who wants political power will not think how the voters will benefit from his skills and services; it is how he benefits from Politics.  This is the reason some politicians sell assets or borrow from loan shacks in order to ‘invest’ in elections.  Such politicians, when voted - will not serve the electors, but will struggle to repay debts and deal with the aftermath of an extravagant campaign spending spree! Such MPs will debate fervently to increase their salaries and for government to enlarge parking space for their monster machines courtesy of the public purse as if those were the priorities for the populace.

Some Ugandans in public offices have alternatives to set procedure. If you outline the right way to procure pubic goods or services; they will whisper to you: I know someone who can help, channel paper work through him or her and we have our cut!  The Corruption we sing about daily, the abuse of entrusted power for private gain is largely a moral issue rather than a political one. Corruption hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.  Article 17 (i) of The Constitution puts the obligation on every Uganda to combat corruption and misuse or wastage of public property, it does not put the onus on the government of the day alone.


When it comes to personal health and safety, the average Ugandan minds even less. Self-medication well before seeing a Dr. is the common way.  I have heard some educated Ugandans say they treat a headache with antibiotics. Alas, antibiotics tackle bacterial infection.  Even using condoms is generally a problem.  I hear people say: ‘Ssija kulila sweet mukapapula’

What happens on our roads?  By law we are meant to ‘keep left’, observe road signs, speed limits, not overtake on the left and generally be mindful of other road users including pedestrians, cyclists, Zebra Crossings, Traffic Lights etc. There is a High Way Code. All this is ignored and Ugandans are known for driving as they like, hence the chaos and carnage we see on the roads. Someone once said that if you show a Ugandan a door, he would rather jump through the window.  So, we better stop blaming government for all our ills, trouble lies with our moral fibre and we need a large doze of behavioral change. We should do that for God and our Country Uganda.

The writer is Communications & Media Relations Manager, Office of the President