| TODAY'S PICK | | | | | Politics is for managing resources for society Fellow Ugandans, do not allow yourselves to think that life begins with political triumph or ends with defeat. You hear "politicians" parrot that "politics is about getting and retaining power" and "the end justif
ies the
means". Power to do what?
The purpose of seeking political office is meant to influence the management of society and resources for public good. One can do this as effectively in the opposition as in government. I recall the effective deterrent to political excesses that Dr Kawanga Semogereres statement that he was compiling a black book of offenders [1981-85] had. He was leader of opposition, and though the book might not have existed, its mention called many government agents to order.
Some of the losers of the 1980 elections are in power and their contribution visible. God has a simple way of talking to us. Those of us who were lucky to see Idi Amin at his climax, and his worst, and finally see him fail to be buried in his country of which he was "life president" know that there may be sorrow after triumph, and life after defeat. Whether you loved o
r
loathed Obote and/or Amin, see their calling to their Creator at that material time as a message from God to the country.
Those who were too young, or had no access to information on the politics of the day had a chance to read and hear a few things good and bad, on each. For all of us, whether our teams win or lose, we must seek sustainable life for all of us, for though life is short, our own political life is even shorter. Geoffrey Tindimwebwa
Kampala | | | | Museveni wrong again on Acholi I have read a line in Daily Monitor where Museveni commented during an interview with BBC, that his poor performance in Acholi is because of the bad leaders. I totally disagree with the president on this. The voting
pattern
was a clear demographic representation of the disadvantaged, and the beneficiaries, of Movement government. The graphical representation in the newspapers tells it all. Museveni should know that there is almost nothing in Acholi sub-region that we may be proud of as a legacy of NRM rule apart from death, poverty and social structure destruction and so many others. This election may mean further suffering in the Acholi region - I don't actually see anything better. On the other hand, the president doesn't need to look far for his government's poor performance in the region; one quick guide is education. UNEB results tell it all. What about health? He talks of roads in a number of districts, but rarely does he mention anything in Gulu, Kitgum or Pader etc. In fact it appears Uganda ends on Karuma bridge. The other part of Uganda is a different country altogether. I
challenge the president to put some symbol in northern Uganda this time around.
CK Hans
Netherlands | | | | Besigye should concede defeat for the sake of the nation Al Gore won the popular vote and most likely the presidency of the world superpower, but for the chicanery in Florida in 2001. He had the option of pressing harder for it through public demonstrations and arduous legal battles. These acts might have won him the presidency but at a detrimental cost to the nation's democratic foundations. So he decided to forego his individual ambitions and conceded defeat and made a name in history as a patriot who cared more about his nation than his individual ambitions.
In 2004 when President Bush clinched the re-election
there
were allegations of fraud and technical glitches in the state of Ohio, where African American voters were disenfranchised. However, Senator Kerry decided that they were not big enough to affect the result and conceded defeat on November 3.
I know we are not the USA and are far away from emulating such political maturity. However, we have one thing in common: we are all human beings. Any life lost, limb injured or maimed should not be for selfish interest but for a worthy cause. It will be a great honor, an unprecedented patriotic act, for the looser of this election to concede defeat and let us build a broken and divided nation, other than taking us through a predictably violent protest.
Conversely, if any of the candidates decides to go ahead with the protest, please ask yourselves, whose cause is the blood being shed for? Is it for you or your nation? Let
the objective answer to this question guide your decision, or else you will wash your hands afterwards, but like Pontius, that blood will stick.
Philip Lule
Maryland, USA
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | | | | Cut crushing talk Once again our President has missed a great opportunity to unite the people of Uganda. Listening to the President's first interview after his re election, we heard him promising to crush the opposition because, as he put it, they're working with terrorists. One would have expected him to use this time to try and rally people, of all political persuasion instead of that attitude of "either you're with US or with THEM" African leaders have to understand that in a democrati
c
society you have government and a loyal opposition. We should not see the opposition as an enemy of the state but rather as partners in the building of our great nation. Edward Muwanga Musisi
Brussels, Belgium | | | | Govt should revise strategy over children in the north I am deeply concerned about the continuing conflict in northern Uganda, and its devastating impact on children. Since 1986, some 30,000 children have been abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army for use as soldiers, labourers and sex slaves. The threat of abduction remains so great that each night as many as 40,000 children leave their homes in the countryside, often walking long distances to sleep in the relative safety of towns. I urge this government to take all possible steps to protect children and other civi
lians in
northern Uganda from abduction and LRA attacks. Because children in LRA captivity are exposed to fighting between the LRA and the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), I also urge the leadership to instruct the military to take all feasible steps to minimise child casualties during armed conflict, and to ensure that children who surrender, escape, or are captured are delivered as rapidly as possible to rehabilitation centres that can provide them with appropriate assistance. Finally, I am concerned at reports that children under 18 are also recruited into local defence units and are used as soldiers by the Ugandan army. Human rights groups have also documented the recruitment by the UPDF of children who have escaped the Lord's Resistance Army. Please ensure that such recruitment of children stops immediately, and that your government takes steps to bring those responsible to justice. George William Kasibante,
London |
| | | Bewitched? Having heard announcements over the radio this week from several elected opposition members of parliament in Kampala and their leaders calling upon their supporters to go for a certain mayoral aspirant in the Thursday polls, I am now left convinced that the opposition in Uganda has a very serious problem. Is Kampala really such a miserable city to deserve a mayor whose qualifications are still questionable, someone whose thinking can be described by the type of "toy" vehicle he drives? Why not go for a capable candidate irrespective of our political and religious affliations? For the opposition to endorse a clearly problem candidate merely to spite the government is unfortunate indeed. Christine Nalubwaama,
Kampala | | | | Museveni asked for forgiveness, was granted his wish Ugandans should not despair in Gods choice of President Museveni leading this country once again. It is possible, being the magnanimous One, that He listened to Musevenis prayers at Namboole just before the elections. Museveni prayed well and hard, and asked Him for forgive them, as they will forgive those who have trespassed against them. The prayer was so strong I was moved. Since God is not mocked, we should all accept that he granted Museveni his wish to see what he makes of this extended period in the area of mending fences with all those he calls enemies, and making amends for clear trespasses during his earlier tenure. Lets give him all chances as he does this. Samantha Nakiganda,
Iganga | | | | Email your letters to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | | |
