By Joseph Tumushabe

25^th June 2012: I have travelled a considerable bit in rural sub-Saharan Africa (done research in no less than 20 countries), had a very brief visit to Brazil, Nepal, Arab North Africa, spent a little time in mainland Europe, and an on and off-stint lasting 2 years in the UK.

In my travels, I have learnt and come to the conclusion that all useful disciplines of study and all knowledge required for your personal and other human advancement can be condensed into just two Words: Common sense!

Trust me. It is just that. All other knowledge that cannot be reduced to common sense is useless for humanity, for the environment in which man lives, and for our advancement.

My daughter though believes that common sense itself must originate out of what she terms “other knowledge”. To her this other knowledge is to be found in models and theories of what she terms “advanced societies”.

While I agree that knowledge informs common sense, my view of life is that if the knowledge you acquire cannot be condensed to apply to the common person, and to serve the immediate and future needs of the individual, group or society you live in, then it not useful.

The basic standard of my work, study and writing has always been my mother. I always ask myself as I write:  “would I be able to explain what I am writing or doing to ensure my mother understands it?” in our mother tongue (she only speaks Runyankore).

I have had several years of teaching in secondary schools and Universities. My students will tell you that I always emphasize that whatever they read, they have to ensure that they do not copy the words of “advanced writers” or those given by others, but reduce those words into what a village school dropout will understand.

Take the Bible study or Constitutional Law for example. I have read constitutions of a few countries and found they can be summarized into one sentence:  “Man being fair to fellow man in their dealings”.

It’s the same think with the good book, the Bible.  Man, be fair to fellow man and you will please God, do the opposite and you will make God unhappy, require cleansing, forgiveness and lead to complications of your life. The Constitution of the Jews for instance i.e. the 10 Commandments are all about how men behave fairly towards each other.

Though shalt love your God with all your heart – you cannot do this without being fair to fellow human beings. You shalt not kill. Honour your father and mother. You shall not steal. You shall not commit adultery. Do not covet what your friend has.

Tongue-in-cheek

Don’t lie and be forced to find a fresh lie every 5 years.  Do not beat Besigye’s supporters if you do not want to ever be beaten.  Don’t harass Ingrid Turinawe if you want your daughters to be safe and at peace in the World etc.

Simple common sense behaviour is the foundation of all constitutions – and you do not have to be an expert in the Torah or even to be a Christian to know that bad behaviour brings you trouble.

Anybody who follows common sense will never go to jail, whether as a fallen president or as a village dwelling citizen. Such a person that behaves well can only be hated by crooked people.  END.  Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates

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