Aboneka Writes

I have observed with sadness the degeneration of our society based on tribal and ethnic lines. This has been perpetuated through various forms especially in the entertainment industry--where now for every comedian to succeed, they think they have to make tribal and sectarian "jokes" which is in actual sense breaking the unity we have struggled to build as a country. Why must every "cool" comedy have to be about tribes and their characterization? We are busy promoting sectarianism in the name of comedy! What we are forgetting is that these so called jokes sink right in the minds of our children and as such, we are killing our next generation. Secondly, I have seen other tribes calling themselves special than others which consequently affects their relations with the rest, politicians promoting sectarianism by their acts and especially appointments among others. Further, this vice has continued o thrive in our churches, offices, mosques, businesses at the watch of ...

On several occasions, Ugandans have been conned by grand scams that started by promising them quick financial growth. These have ranged from pyramid schemes, network marketing to unfortunately, massive giving in churches that close as and when they collect just enough for them to run away and open up in another location. The most unfortunate bit is that these scams are always perpetrated by so the called elites, who seem to be at a higher level of understanding and yet in actual sense, lack financial literacy. Many have been duped from earning from online investments to purchasing items such as ipads to which you start earning a monthly dividend all your life. With the high unemployment rate, may Ugandans especially the youth are prone to fall prey of these scams because they want to earn income as fast as possible to sort out life needs. Unfortunately, these scams have continued to thrive at the watch of the authorities-even when alarms have been raised by individuals. I have noted...

The Ugandan legal framework provides for an MP to double as a Minister at the appointment of the president. There are a number of MPS who also double as Ministers in the current government, this, much as in embedded in our laws, need immediate review as it poses stern challenges. First, how do we guard against double pay? Do MPs who are ministers reject the privileges and allowances for an MP-mileage allowances, cars among others? When a minister who is an MP visits their constituency, do they use their car as an MP (from which car they were paid 100m for) or the one under their ministry? Do they use the fuel as per the MP mileage allowance or that of the ministry? How do we draw the lines especially on these costs! Could it be that MPs who double as minsters re getting double allowances? We need to dig deep into this issue otherwise we might be losing billions on this overt expenditures. Secondly, there is a representation gap. Does an MP who doubles as minister have time to repr...