Aboneka Writes

Of recent, we have been faced with all sorts of issues ranging from allowances for medical interns, cars and special funeral facilitation for MPs to teachers spending months without salaries. This country boasts of the National Development Plan which outlines seven priority areas which include, among others agriculture, infrastructure, and human resource development. What is puzzling is that we seem to consider priorities according to the whims of those who hold higher offices, not in public interest. I am surprised that government does not have money for medical interns whereas billions sit unspent on accounts of some state institutions; that teachers go for two months without salary yet some individuals are debating on how to own cars worth Shs 500m and have a ‘death’ package of Shs 68m. We are in a country where it is okay to buy medals, pay transport refund and treat medalists to a sumptuous meal but not okay to clear the heavy water bills slapped on crucial public institutions

There is a new wind sweeping across the political line, specifically in the line of the Members of Parliament. Since February 18th 2016, the courts have been busy handling petitions, of course courtesy of the Principal Judge’s directive to have these handled in the nearest 6 months. Several individuals took it to court to challenge their counterparts for various reasons ranging from the common voter bribery to the now white elephant-lack of the requisite academic qualifications. Many have fallen short of this and of the more than 15 MPs thrown out of Parliament by court, over 95% are guilty of lack of requisite academic qualifications. Article 80 of the our Constitution stipulates clearly the qualifications for a member of parliament in Uganda which among others include, that one must be a citizen of Uganda, registered voter and has completed a minimum Advanced level standard of education or its equivalent. These are the overbearing requisite requirements and unfortunately, the last

For some time now, the beggars on Kampala streets have increased steadily and unabated. These range from children, mothers and other adults. There was an effort by the responsible authorities to deal with this situation but it looks like this was only temporary or responding to situations such as visiting Heads of Governments or Dignitaries. It is sad to see that when a diplomat is coming to Uganda, the relevant authorities swing into action and clear the streets! Surprisingly, after the return of the dignitaries, the situation normalizes and the relevant authorities do not care at all. Much as the situation on our streets may represent the state of inequality and living of Ugandans, the failure by the authorities to address the same is treasonous to public living. These beggars are increasing every day and are becoming a public nuisance especially those that claim they are and yet in actual sense they are thieves. The so called beggars have victimized both private and public prop

Elections are an important component of governance in any country as they are the form in which people choose how to be governed. The people have the choice to choose the leaders they want and deem fit to offer leadership and as such, Universal adult suffrage exercised by any citizen above 18years by casting votes to choose their next leaders. Uganda has undergone various elections under the multiparty dispensation system and as such, election organizing should be getting better and better by the day. The last election was conducted in 2011 with President Museveni emerging winner with over 68.4% votes ahead of other candidates. The ruling Party NRM also increased its Legislative muscle by winning 263 in Parliament as against the opposition parties. Dr. Kiiza Besigye the runner up contested the results as being irregular but promised not to seek recourse to courts of law given the earlier dissatisfaction of court ruling on the elections of 2006 and 2001 in which results were uphel

For some time now, since after elections, there have been mixed reactions from the public especially on the outcomes of the elections and the post election management processes especially by the state. We have had so many questions especially regarding the Electoral processes which was marred with several illegalities which most of them go root to undermining the right to vote by the citizens. Whereas the electoral Commission has made several few responses and whereas a presidential petition lays before the Supreme Court, we as Ugandans deserve honest conversations and answers to what is going on in this country. The continued siege of Dr. Kiiza Besigye's home, the various election violence incidents, the police raids in the various parts of the country among others continue to depict a hopeless state of society that we are living in. Uganda is for us all and we therefore need to speak truth to power and the power should listen and respond to our concerns! No one has monopoly

The temperatures have risen towards the election time and this has triggered a number of effects have already been felt. Elections are meant to be received with very much excitement and warm hearts as it is the time for Ugandans to express their power, to audit leaders and pass them over to the next term of office. They should thus be handled with the greatest care and professionalism with dignity. Hardly before even nominations take off, people are fighting, witch-hunting others just because of divergent views over who their favourite candidates are or because of their difference in political parties affiliations. I am at pains that what should be a very peaceful process turns out to be the most violent process! It is the time when Police excesses are witnessed, opposition candidates pounced upon and while the ruling party continues to thrive while opposition is suffocated. To add salt to injury, is that the political leaders suffer less of this violence, it is the so called voters

The transition question has always been read as referring to one person, Museveni and NRM a thing that has silenced discussion on the same. Transition, peaceful transition that is, embeds the entire country and as such, every Ugandan has to think, discuss, debate and opine about it. The most critical facet of democracy is change, and change that is peaceful and unfortunately for Uganda, change has always been viewed in the negative thus the "No Change" slogans have always filled the air. However, transition is not about an individual, it is about a system; that is why we talk about restoring term limits as one of the avenue of preparing or embracing peaceful transition. Term limits are not and should not be seen as targeted to an individual but rather to reform the system. Those who repealed the term limits were perhaps looking an individual and their own selfish gains! Why cant we talk about the next president after Museveni, the next "Governing" party, the nex

Since Uganda became a multiparty dispensation, the struggle of parties has seemingly grown! The sole purpose to transit from Single party politics to multiparty politics was to allow the thriving of democratic competition which is very healthy for any democracy. By and large, one can say that it is evident that Uganda is a multiparty dispensation if they choose to go by the data. I last checked and we have about 29 registered Political parties in Uganda and to most of them, I have never heard about! If one chooses to go by the data that Uganda has 29 political parties, they would quickly pass if for being the most democratic! However, given all these political parties, Uganda still runs as a single Political dispensation! The NRM has consolidated itself into power for the last 30 years and the "Multi party dispensation has seemingly died off! Of course there are opposition parties that have stood the test of time to challenge the status quo but whether they have been allowed sa

The campaign season is the season for everything: lies and truths! Every candidate is fighting hard to present themselves as the best candidate before the public eye! We have 8 Presidential candidates but one crowd: 35 Million Ugandans, these don't change, they are constant, therefore, it is always the same crowds but different faces appearing to them! I have keenly followed the campaign trails and have observed interesting issues! In fact, one may mistake the campaigns to be a christian crusade where the type of conversation in a monologue: There is one preacher and the congregants whose contribution or response is saying "Amen!" The Campaigns literally are supposed to be conversations between the voters and their upcoming leader! Not a an evangelism event of sorts like I see nowadays! The candidate will take the stage, speak all the good things about themselves, and speak all the bad things about the others and then all of a sudden, you here the crowds chanting slo

Barely a few days before Ugandans go the polls, the political arena worsens daily! From the political candidates to the voters, everyone seems to be in a survival mode! The conflicts and violence arising out of the various camps is also costing a lot as a country and unfortunately, some of these are sparked off by the candidates. There is no longer nothing to admire about politics as those who call themselves politicians run their camps as projects! Of recent there have been exchanges which one would term as " a cold war" between President and Candidate Museveni and Amama Mbabazi over their supporters' mischief. The very arrogant gestures leave nothing but worries especially to the young generation who unfortunately have allowed to be manipulated at the expense of their lives. The Police's involvement and seemingly rally behind one candidate is very evident and as such, one wonders whose allegiance they serve: is it for the public good or the chosen few? The even

As we near the long awaited polling day, security and non-violent processes have been emphasized by all categories of people; the Civil Society, Religious Leaders, Political candidates among others. What is not yet clear is the question of the Crime preventers! Who are they? How many are they? Whose purpose are they for? To whom do they pay allegiance to? What law establishes them? Which budget facilitates them? There are so many unanswred questions about the crime preventers. What is sadly ironical is that the amount of electoral violence escalates daily even with the presence of the crime preventers! We believe in a secure and peaceful society but we also believe in a just and transparent society! The crime preventers have fallen short of two tests: Their legal establishment and their purpose, I do not think a crime preventer happily dressed in a yellow Museveni T-shirt is intended to protect the community regardless of their political affiliations. As a country, we need to beco

It is just a few days to the long awaited day, February 18th where Ugandans will be casting their votes to draft new or extend the existing social contracts with their leaders of choice. This is a unique opportunity for every one because it is the time where you not only exercise your power a a citizen of Uganda but you also shape the destiny of this country. It is the duty and responsibility of every citizen of 18 years of age and above to participate in the electoral process of Uganda by casting their vote to choose the kind of leaders they desire and deserve. While casting the vote is your duty, it is also your responsibility to cast the right vote and therefore this calls for a thorough decision that must not be impromptu on the polling day. When we vote, we have the power to put our leaders to account and that is why our constitution allows us to recall our leaders if they are not performing as according to their obligations. We must also vote issues, leaders that portray poten