Aboneka Writes

In Uganda, we exercise representative democracy; that is where every individual receives direct representation for issues that are under debate through a representative, an MP. Whereas it is impossible to have every Ugandan vote on an issue, they (voters) exercise this through voting their representative in the parliament. As citizens, we give government two things, Votes (Power and Authority) and taxes and what we expect in return is the effective quality service delivery. Notwithstanding the above, I have noted with concern that actually this type of democracy is a sham and cannot deliver the citizens’ concerns. How do you treat dissenting views? The MP in the house is there because they won with majority votes. But they are representing the entire constituency including those that did not vote for them. It is common that these voters will always front dissenting views or even with their opinions, it is unlikely that the MP will take them since they are viewed as those that didn’...

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...

In a bid to increase the tax base, the Parliament passed a law to tax social media users. The Users will be charged 200 shillings which is about $0.0531per day for services such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. That amounts to around $19 per year. It is also estimated that internet users in Uganda have increased from 16 .4 Million to 17.1 Million in 2017. This simply means available market for the digital economy and as such, the digital and telecom companies are earning revenues (that should be taxed) from subscriptions, advertisements among others. There is everything wrong with the social media tax. The tax contradicts the National Information and Communications Technology Policy 2014, which emphasizes that ICT relates to human rights and supports freedom of expression and the right of access to information, boosts trade, political, economic and social life of Ugandans. Here is why this tax is unpleasant. First, this kind of tax risks being double taxation as users have to ...

Source: Internet I have read and heard many arguments that have pointed to the church not being subjected to the laws of their land rather than the Bible. They are nice arguments that can pass for a theology class, but not a legal one. Uganda is a secular State, which means that every person, authority or organisation must submit to the law of the land as stated in Article 2 of our Constitution. The same Constitution recognises the freedom of association and worship, however, whatever the practice or religion it is, they must conform to the Constitution (Article 29(c)). It is, therefore, imperative to note that there is no one above the law and as such, everybody must heed the Constitution. Article 3 of the Constitution calls for the defence of the Constitution. This means that if there are attempts to amend the Constitution in any unconstitutional means or in a manner that is likely to jeopardise the spirit of the law, then...

Photo Credit: Daily Monitor Government is planning to import Cuban doctors because “our doctors behaved very badly, unprofessionally.” The doctors are demanding salary enhancement, better allowances, housing, vehicles, domestic workers and disbanding or restructuring of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, which monitors health service delivery. It is sickening that government can claim that Ugandan doctors are holding it at ransom. The Constitution provides everyone economic, social and cultural rights. Therefore, our doctors have a constitutional right to form trade unions under Article 29(e) for collective bargaining as this is an extension of the economic rights under Article 40. The doctors under their umbrella body, Uganda Medical Association, have every right to express their concerns. Secondly, this impasse is violating the right to healthcare of many Ugandans, particularly during the time when doctors lay down their tools. But holding industrial action is guaranteed ...