HOW TO GET UGANDA'S PUBLIC SERVICE SECTOR WORKING.

Uganda's public service Sector is perhaps a shadow of what it was in the colonial era. My perspective in this particular article is restricted to two key sectors that are essential for the Country's human resource and development, that is Education and Health sectors ie public schools and hospitals.

As far as Education is concerned, the Uwezo reports, have now become authoritative on the state of Education In Uganda, Sagaciously, initially it was the pupils who could not comprehend, basic writing and reading Skills and interesting now in their 2016 report, some teachers have been found equally illerate, like Col. Felix Kulaigye, the UPDF, Political commissar, recently put it to us at one of the mentorship fellowships, organized by the League of Young Professionals, Uganda, that we have a generation of Educated illerates, thus his assertion is corroborated by the recently released Uwezo report.

With a crop of teachers who can't read and write, we are expecting too much from the pupils. imagine a generation that cannot read and write. But how come the entire establishment did not detect, this anomaly, i mean the Leadership at ministry, Parliament, the Executive, at the Local government level, you and I , etc .

For long we thought, the issue was low salaries given to teachers, on several occasions they put down their tools. Government responded with several incentives , from salary increment, allowances to construction of teacher housing facilities near, far to reach schools, apparently all these have not yielded results. Then, where is the real problem, Mr. Magino, a respected Mathematics author and teacher, suggests their is no robust school inspection mechanisms as it was in the colonial era.

However from my own introspection, we are just being simplistic by raising unrealistic excuses ,of course am not dismissive of whatever efforts in place to put right the situation, including but not limited to efforts to solve the school feeding challenge, where parents have been called upon to pack food for their children. The problem is the Leadership at all levels, for instance the children of the well to do, members of the political class , including those of head teachers who are purportedly in charge of these public school, don't go to public schools but rather to private schools, to simplify this how do you expect a school inspector whose children go to a world class private school, to passionately supervise and ensure that pupils in Public Schools are taught and have the appropriate scholastic materials, the guy simply doesn't care at all and doesn't trust the school with his own children, the reason he/she enrolled them into a private School.

In same vein, these private schools are operating in the same jurisdiction as public schools , meaning that there is an indirect or direct competition for pupils or students, these private schools are owned by the same people running the public education sector as teachers, head teachers, ministry technocrats, politicians and since education is now a business, the logic is to fail public schools and every parent will coming running with their children to a good private school.

Like the diabolical situation in the public schools, the same is in public hospitals and health centers, from dilapidated structures to lack of basic medicines and utilities, the lack of basic utilities like running water, electricity, etc. is astonishingly predominate in newly refurbished hospitals, yet private clinics and hospitals that are owned by the same doctors, etc., who run and work in public hospitals are effectively functioning and with adequate medical supplies.

Imagine if our Leaders and their beautiful families, used the same public facilities as the other citizens, they would be functioning, they would ensure that teachers do not abscond from teaching as their children, would as well be affected . They would ensure mama kits are in adequate supply, because their wives, will need a kit at giving birth.

The next generation of Leaders should send their children to public schools and their families to public hospitals, this in my view will spark a paradigm shift in service delivery at public facilities. This will in a way initiate a sense of belonging and patriotism, a vote of confidence in the country's education and health systems and their Leadership.

The quality of these services will improve if only the Leaders get a physical feel of what transpires at these public facilities.

OUR GENERATIONAL HISTORICAL MISSION.

                   Young People all over the world are proud at becoming Political Activists and lucrative careerists at the Expense of neglecting climate Change Issues and its impending danger to humanity.

But the test of our time is that is we are faced with a Generational Historical Mission, that we must pass by fulfilling.

The ultimate answer to the test is embracing Climate Change Activism and adopting mitigation values,principles and best Practices in our Daily Life so as to achieve inter-Generational Equity and Environment Justice.

Lets change the trend and Our mindset by Actively becoming Climate Change Activists to save Humanity and mother Earth.

We are duty bound to the next Generation, to stop further depletion of the O-zone Layer NOW!

Say No to further emission of Greenhouse gases to your country's Government, the Private Sector, etc.

 TUMUSIME DEREK

 Climate Change Champion,2013.

 Uganda.

FDC’S CALL FOR BOYCOTT OF TUBONGA NAWE ARTISTES’ SHOWS AND UGANDA’S INTRICATE CORRIDORS OF THE PATH TO ENTRENCHING MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY.

Following the Electoral commission Declaration of H.E Yoweri K Museveni, the incumbent as the Winner of the Feb 18^th 2016, Presidential Elections, the results have been largely contested by the Opposition, who claim the election was rigged especially with what they refer to as to deliberate disenfranchisement of the people of Kampala and Wakiso which according to them are Opposition Strong holds. However the events unfolding in the Aftermath of the Presidential elections is what interests our discussion herein.

With quite a range of events unfolding ranging from Kizza Besigye’s restricted movements to FDC’s President Mugisha Muntu weeping in Public during prayers organized at FDC headquarters at Najjanakumbi. On the other hand in between the above stated events a series of heated moments came up with different players trying to  posture as new leaders of  the opposition since the main opposition doyen Kizza Besigye’ star seemed to be sinking into oblivion, with each suggesting a parallel course of action to contest the Election results. Hon; Ssemujju Nganda is one of them, who at his Press conference called for massive boycott of Museveni and his Supporters Activities, he went further personal when he called upon all Ugandans to boycott music shows headlined by Artistes behind the Famous “Tubonga Nawe’ Song, that popularized the incumbent President during the Presidential elections General Campaigns. It raises eyebrows when Hon; Semujju Nganda and FDC which has not condemned this extremist call for boycott, target a particular group of People, yet they were several groups of individuals involved in the incumbent’s campaign, could I be right to suggest that maybe the “tubonga Nawe” Song indeed was a successful project which popularized the incumbent at the expense of their Candidate.

I mean their work was simply to entertain and attract those crowds since they are equally popular members of our society and Hon; Ssemujju and others [politicians] use it as a bait to attract large crowds at their rallies to their advantage, because one is able to pass out his or her Message to huge crowds of people attracted at the rally. Similarly the FDC had a similar Kizza Besigye Popularization song done by a one less known by then “Adam Mulwana”, which became an instant hit in urban centers, today he is a house hold name in the city, God Forbid imagine if the police or government blocked this budding music superstar from holding any shows as he has been popularly headlining at many Easter shows around Kampala, the future of this young man who is of my generation to whom music is his lifeline as a source of livelihood would be in jeopardy, just as Hon Ssemujju’s main source of income now is Politics as a Parliamentarian. Unlike most “Tubonga Naawe” Artistes who have made a mark on the music scene since the have been around for some time and are quite wealthy and could have invested wisely and therefore the boycott may not hurt them that much as it would to “Adam Mulwana” an upcoming Artiste and so far a one hit wonder of the “Besigye Ameyinye” fame.  Indeed I must say that for now especially during the Easter weekend, it seems the main “Tubonga Nawe” Artistes shied away from headling major concerts held in the city and its outskhirts. As matter of fact Bebe Cool aka Moses Ssali, the main Architecture of the “Tubonga Nawe” project called off his famous annual Easter Music show popularly known as the “East African Carnival” at Kiwatule Recreation Centre and there is a unconfirmed rumour that others Artistes involved on the project where denied a chance to perform at some venues by promoters for fear of backlash from revellers, this therefore tantamounts to denying someone a right to work through sabotage and hate campaign. Hon Ssemujju Nganda must be happy for orchestrating this outright denial of fellow Ugandans and their families a living but however the actual test of how serious his call for boycott shall be tested in May when Uganda’s dynamic music Duo of Radio and Weasel are slated to hold their annual music concert in Kampala. 

Throughout history boycotts have been used as a tool of a political struggle around the Globe, right from the time of the struggle for civil liberties of blacks led by Martin Luther and in Uganda’s pre-independence political struggles , among others, boycotts were used to score political, social and Economic points[Emanicpation]. However what is common in the above stated political struggles and boycotts called therein, is that they were by one class of society against another for instance in the USA it was  blacks against the white majority oppression, thus the Political Boycotts of the Pre-independence Uganda, where aimed at sabotaging the British and the activities of its colonial administration. However for the first time in Uganda’s history if am not mistaken, Hon Ssemujju’s call for boycotts of Ugandans against each other’s activities is very unique. Ugandans in their everyday life and traditionally, for example through barter trade depend on each other, inter alia, despite of their historical, political and social differences. For instance traditionally Ugandans across the ethnicity divide are known for different occupations that complement each other’s survival; henceforth the People from Ankole and the cattle corridor are cattle keepers who Produce milk which they sell to fellow Ugandans from others regions who don’t graze cattle, similarly other ethnicities that are traditionally in agriculture such as food production sell [exchange] the surplus of their food harvest to those that are into other occupations. This inter-dependence has been in existence since time immemorial, therefore  anyone who calls upon the people of Uganda to boycott each other’s social and economic activities along political affiliations is an enemy of our national Cohesion that has transcended several stumbling blocks Since Independence and therefore such broad day calls of sectarianism by politicians and political parties undermine the spirit of a Multiparty democracy, thus such hate campaigns should be condemned especially if it comes from Leaders who we think should be a unifying factor in situations that are likely to threaten our cohesion henceforth Perpetrating  anarchy. This reminds me of the famous statement of one of the New breed of African Leaders H.E Paul Kagame of Rwanda that “our victory is for both, who supported us and those who did not support us”, this revolutionary and democratic statement was a highlight of one of his victory speeches.  Like it or not we can never have a Uganda of only FDC supporters, that’s why despite H.E Yoweri. K. Museveni winning the first post- 1986 election in 1996, their where and remained staunch Democratic Party and Uganda People’s Congress Supporters the likes of Mr. Boniface Byanyima and Prof.Kakonge, among others respectively. Even at the time of the one Party movement system not everyone was co-opted into the system, several multiparty protagonists remained steadfast in their line of Political thought.

Therefore to avoid anarchy or at worst genocide due to differences in Political Ideology or Orientation, Leaders must be seen to profess and act in line with the democratic Principles they claim they stand for, such as tolerance of Political Opinions and human rights, inter alia. It’s therefore wrong for one to call for a boycott of any Artiste’s music shows due to differences in political ideology. First and foremost these guys despite not having the prestigious degrees we brag of today, have shaped and contributed to the growth of Uganda’s music industry, some of these Artistes endured at the time when this industry was not lucrative as it is today and therefore are role models of many established and budding Artistes today, therefore have sold this country globally more than our sacred politicians calling for these boycotts. As a matter of fact Artistes like Jose Chameleon and Bebe cool are huge Ugandan Brand Ambassadors, does anyone still remember Dr. Jose Chameleon featuring in the Pepsi 2010 world Cup theme song or Bebe Cool Performing at the Late Nelson Mandela’s Birthday, among others. Artistes through their music they have brought our unique and diverse cultures to the attention of the world, thus attracting tourists to Uganda, until recently Dr. Jose Chameleon was a Busoga Tourism Ambassador. Important to note is that even in established Democracies we admire most, such as the United States Of America, Public Figures like Artistes openly endorse Presidential Candidates of their choice, hope you still remember that Barack Obama’s Candidature in 2009 attracted several endorsements from both black and white Artistes, Actors etc., in fact “young Joc” an American Hip-hop Artiste did a tribute song to Obama entitled my “President is Black”.

Unfortunately Artistes are not speaking with one voice to condemn this outrageous act, since they have scores to settle with the victims of the boycott calls, in fact others think it’s time for them to make a kill as big music Artistes like jose Chameleon, Bebe Cool, Juliana Kayomonzi, Irene Namubiru, Judith Babirye among others are out of business, their crime is expressing their political opinion, however my own view is that injustice anywhere is injustice is everywhere. What is interesting though is that music Artistes who also openly endorsed Kizza Besigye, like Bobi Wine, Adam Mulwana, Walukaga , Fred Ssebale are freely holding and headlining Shows without retaliation from the NRM ruling Government which they have openly castigated, I mean it could as well decide to frustrate them out of Business. But why are they not doing so, is it because they don’t have the means, I think otherwise that at least they appreciate the right to freedom of expression and to associate politically, these are universal fundamental human rights entrenched in our Constitution.

I hasten to add no one should deny another of the right to work, just because their political views are contrary to ours, if we fail to agree on this one we shall perish as fools and as matter of fact this not the democracy as a Generation [youth] we should aspire for where political opponents are seen as enemies. 

WHAT ARE ELECTIONS FOR?

Uganda in February 2016 went for another General election as it has been a ritual, after every five years, in fact in Uganda politics is fast becoming a lucrative career worth jostling for. Even those who are not in political offices or positions spend their entire five years politicking , either on streets, Radio/ T.V talk shows, local burials, inter alia, instead of engaging in Productive work like Agriculture with all the abundant idle land all over the country. The reason is because politics is highly paying, recently a politician at the level of a member of parliament, can easily earn over 100 million as in fuel allowance.

Although elections are an essential tool of deepening democracy, thus democracy being literally the rule of the majority over the minority; several observers have now and again argued that through election the people are able to choose Leaders they want, but the ultimate question is what are they going to offer in terms of delivery of services since majority of what citizens pay [Taxes] to the state coffers will end up paying wages of politicians and less to services. In a nutshell we may soon reach a level where there are no services to the people at all or even work in terms of service delivery for some of these politicians to even supervise. In a multiparty dispensation like ours, the Presidential candidate with the majority votes as declared by the Electoral Commission forms government, while the other losing candidates and their political parties are reduced to the opposition ranks. In the African context, they indeed oppose all development initiatives as they are initiated by the government in Power, this to a certain extent has resulted to street battles, inform of protests, to avert these protests, the government in power invests heavily in keeping law and order, for those of you who have made it a routine to question why a greater chuck of the National budget is allocated to security agencies, I think I have answered you. Once again the country’s economy in 2016 will most likely like as it was in 2011 go down to its knees due to massive campaign spending by politicians and their funders from within and the western world in a bid to secure their future among the highly paid political class of our society, those we sought were in lucrative and well-paying careers such as Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers etc. have all abandoned them to pursue politics. However what is elusive to the common man, is the fact that these people are after the big pay cheque rather than service delivery, which they always allege to be there inspiration to abandon their careers to pursue politics., in the end it’s the conservative Ugandan electorate that is cheated in broad daylight by embracing elections dictated by the invisible hand both from within and the west.

In a typical traditional African setting election of Leaders was unheard of until the advent of colonialism. It is one of the many Practices we adopted from our western colonialists, without carrying out an appropriate assessment whether it fitted our situation, first and far most  we Africans are so conservative when it comes to choosing our Leaders, even those referred to as elites do not vote someone basing on his/her ideas or issues one intends to address but rather one’s tribe , religion and at worst abscond from this duty, among others, that’s why our first major political parties where aligned along religious or tribal lines that is, Kabaka Yekka  of Buganda, Democratic Party a catholic based Political organization and of Recent if you have been observant enough you could have noticed that  JEEMA or Justice Forum is more Moslem Based. In neighboring Kenya in 2007 an election cost lives and Property as Kenya’s major tribes or ethnicities the Kikuyus and the Jaluos went after each other’s throats.  Africa and its modern state has been duped to believe that through holding periodic elections and electing new leaders will ultimately solve its development challenges, a case in point is Ghana which has been regarded as the cradle land of new African democracy because of its periodic transitional elective politics, it has in the recent past grappled with containing a massive Doctors Strike, Leading to Massive Loss of lives.

Imagine if the Electoral Commission and all other Key Players channeled the resources they wasted through electioneering into paying teachers, Doctors better salaries, the quality of our Education and health services would drastically change. Imagine if that money is injected into a robust job- creation Policy or Program for our unemployed youth, Uganda Could become a hub of innovation and Entrepreneurship compared to this cosmetic and now popular view that Uganda is the Most Entrepreneurial Country in the world, with majority of the population unable to access credit due to high interest rates or Lack of Adequate Security to secure the loans, really?? This is a fallacy.   Important to note also is that most small and medium enterprises [SMEs] in Uganda do not live to celebrate their first anniversary. Let’s take a Leaf if not a whole a tree from our Chinese compatriots, although they have a system of electing their Leaders, however theirs is not extravagant as what we have here in Africa and Uganda in Particular, yet they have more resources at their disposal to play with anyhow, but Rather the Chinese Communist Party has built a robust self-sustaining economy, where Citizen’s welfare is paramount.  We need to change our perception of holding periodic elections as a way of bringing in new leaders who we think are to solve the challenges we face as a nation. Instead we should a adopt a system of government, whose administrative mechanisms are run like a private Company take for instance even with more workers at the disposal of government compared to a company like MTN with the same nationwide Presence as a certain department of the state or government respectively, continue to post good results and returns despite operating in an almost similar environment. This has worked out In Malaysia where government business is run like a private company.

To put the record straight am not against democracy, per se, since elections are part and parcel of entrenching Democracy, however the process of Election Management in Africa is in a diabolical state, the reason we are still grappling with the high rates of voter apathy, post- election violence and also despite electing their leaders, peoples lives’ are not transformed as promised that by turning up in large numbers on voting day and casting their votes, things will change for the better.