2011 was a troubling year for Uganda

Twenty eleven was a year in which, inter alia:

1. “The Pearl of Africa” fell and faded again at home and abroad;

2. The costs of elections exceeded benefits;

3. Graduates from Dar es Salaam eclipsed those from other universities in strategic areas;

4. Corruption became so rampant that cabinet ministers and senior officials pointed a figure at the source;

5. NRM government demonstrated insensitivity and non-caring for Ugandans in the midst of unprecedented high prices, youth unemployment, poverty and collapse of institutions that made Ugandans proud like Mulago national referral and teaching hospital;

6. NRM dangerously drove the East African economic integration and political federation bus with a potential for permanently changing the demographic map of Uganda;

7. The economy of Uganda became unhinged reflecting NRM’s failure to adjust to a shift from pure neo-liberalism to public-private partnership;

8. Bahororo ruling clique in the NRM tightened its hold on power and is preparing the young generation to take over and continue to implement the 50 year master plan to be realized by denying other Ugandans access to good education, good and strategic jobs and resources resulting in mass poverty, vulnerability, powerlessness and voicelessness in the political, economic and social arena. Lack of opposition in Uganda, collaboration with Rwanda and possibly Kenya will pave the way for realizing the Tutsi Empire dream in the Great Lakes region disguised as East African political federation with Museveni as the first head;

9. Cultural norms broke down as demonstrated by human trafficking and sacrifice either to make ends meet or become rich, powerful and dominate others;

10. The violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms with impunity reached unprecedented levels.

2011 was indeed a troubling year but it did not go unchallenged. Ugandans took the first steps to coordinate opposition with a view to making life better for all Ugandans through the following illustrative actions:

1. The analysis of Uganda’s deficits provided disaggregated information about who our leaders are and what they stand for which definitely excludes lifting Ugandans out of absolute poverty and its offshoots of hunger, disease and ignorance;

2. Ugandans developed a questioning mind or entered the age of reasoning and won’t take anything at face value;

3. Ugandans began to demand background information about present and future leaders at all levels of administration;

4. Ugandans concluded that NRM will not be unseated through the ballot box because it has mustered the art of stealing elections. They began searching for other means preferably non-violent to do so;

5. Leaders and followers from various groups began to shed fear and speak up against NRM excesses witness religious sermons on Christmas Day, opening a window of opportunity for coordinated anti-NRM democratic actions;

6. Ugandans recognized that they have primary responsibility for liberating themselves, with a helping hand from friends and well wishers;

7. Ugandans began compiling and/or broadcasting names of trouble makers warning them to stop their commissions or omissions or be held accountable should they persist;

8. United Democratic Ugandans (UDU) prepared and distributed widely a National Recovery Plan (NRP) as alternative to failed policies of NRM administration. The Plan is accessible at www.udugandans.org. The Plan with recommended actions reflects opposition readiness to launch a new development model once the political hurdle has been cleared. Although the Plan was presented to the government, it does not have the will and capacity to implement it. The ministry of finance and central bank are still hostage to the failed model of invisible hand of economic growth and trickle down mechanism which has never worked anywhere. A new, experienced and multi-sector team will be needed, not one led by lawyers and others from the same university;

9. Serious discussions took place about a governance system based on separation of powers, inclusiveness, full participation and recognition of regional and district characteristics and endowments;

10. Issues of good neighborliness, globalization, regional integration and federation were debated with a view to designing a strategy that is pragmatic, patriotic and incremental and confers net benefits to Uganda. The review of the 1995 constitution took place to identify areas that will require adjustment. The constitution was crafted under conditions that have changed somewhat and realignment is in order.

Although 2011 was a troubling and year of despair, it sowed the seeds of hope that emboldened Ugandans to begin to think seriously about ways and means of addressing the challenges of a failed state under military rule. The NRM dictatorship which is now recognized internationally is under pressure. Making changes in the military and police forces may not be sufficient to stem the tide. The wind of change is indeed blowing across Uganda.

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