Tell Museveni his war on A4C is unwinnable
By Samuel Olara
12th March 2012: The old adage holds true – the limits of tyrants are set by the level of tolerance those subjected to tyranny are willing to accept.
North Africa, particularly has demonstrated that no amount of terror can stop a people hungry for freedom from attaining it. The cost of freedom is high when one deals with leaders steeped in a culture of impunity, but as the people in Syria are finding out, there can be no gain without persistent pain.
The Police in Uganda have allegedly vowed to put an end to the on-going countrywide rallies organised by the political pressure group, Activists for Change (A4C). It follows the melee that characterised a recent rally in the suburban town of Kasangati – where running battles between the police and youths ensued.
In the Uganda Correspondent of the 5th march 2012, Adam Kazoora said that the “A4C activities amount to high treason.” In response, A4C supporters say that the campaign will continue as it is aimed at sensitising Ugandans about their political freedom, human rights, rampant corruption and embezzlement of public funds in the country, and the lack of institutionalism which has resulted in the death of public services – all of which are practiced with impunity in the Museveni government.
There are three main lessons for us to learn from the North African experience as citizens of Uganda. First, A4C have got it spot on when they say that citizens are the stewards of democracy, not leaders. The NRM has cultivated a culture of personalized politics that vests too much power in leaders – crooks in sheep’s clothing – who are willing to sell their souls to the highest bidder.
This is part of 26 years of our legacy of authoritarianism. We have to confront this tendency and compel our leaders to understand that they are the servants of the people. Leadership as service is not a strong tenet of the NRM culture. For them, leadership is a ticket to accumulate wealth – and corruption is a symbol of power.
Yet hospitals go without drugs, patients are left untreated for months in hospital corridors, three thirds of children can’t even write their names correctly, Universities close mid-term due to lack of funds, potholes swallow vehicles along main roads, and open spaces are given to investors and cronies at will. What kind of leadership can be built on such a foundation?
Second, and related to the above, is the conflation of the presidency, party, government and state which creates a culture of state capture. The treatment of the leader as a sovereign person coupled with the party as omnipotent and demanding of total loyalty undermines accountability of government and the sovereignty of the state.
State capture becomes a natural progression where the boundary between the party and government and state are blurred. State capture nurtures a culture of impunity, for example the ballooning state house budget of over Shs 160 billion or a supplementary budget of over 465 billion during the last elections – a state treated as if it were a family business.
Third but not least, is the death of institutions. If future generations are to live in a prosperous Uganda, the need to institutionalize accountability mechanisms in our societies is paramount. As citizens we need to demand for integrity to hold public office and be able to hold leaders accountable. We also need to demand to be treated with respect by those serving us in public office.
So from the Makerere student demos, the Mabira and Buganda riots that resulted in the death of 33 people – to the numerous A4C rallies that have spread across the country and resulted in numerous injuries and death, Ugandans have demonstrated that mobilizing for social peaceful action is the only war that Museveni will never win. History will judge the current generation very harshly for their failure to protect the future of this nation.
Ugandans have a responsibility and duty of care for the well being of Ugandans of tomorrow through the manner in which we hold those in public office to account. We dare not allow those in power to take us for granted, for to do so is to accept that Uganda belongs to only those at the helm of power who continue to take the rest of the citizenry for mugs. This is not about the frequency through which elections are held, it is about protecting Uganda’s future.
The A4C campaigners are doing the right thing and must be applauded for risking their lives in reminding Ugandans that the limits of impunity are within our powers to set, not others. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
Mr Samuel Olara is a human rights advocate
