When I chose to write about Uganda and the Great Lakes region, I was fully aware of the challenges and risks ahead. I may not even live long enough to see the ultimate fruits of this effort. Some friends concerned about my life are suggesting that I go slowly or drop activism altogether. Some are advising that I am losing the popularity I have built up because I am telling too much truth and embarrassing some people or relatives and friends in the process, preferring instead a private approach. But doctoring the truth and writing or saying what people want to hear wouldn’t be me! Those who agree with what I stand for join with me and UDU which has great potential because it is anchored on facts, a clear inclusive mission and action-oriented recommendations for rapid economic growth, equity, good governance and sustainable development.
History is changed not by large numbers per se but by dedicated few. And what we want above all else is to change Uganda for the better and for all Ugandans – repeat – all Ugandans which I mean from the bottom of my heart. People who know me even in a short time have witnessed how generous I am for example in helping people solve their problems where others had refused to extend a helping hand.
When you genuinely tell people that they have a problem they should examine the statement carefully before reacting. Once a mistake or problem has been identified and recognized, then it is relatively easy to find a solution. Telling people even best friends what they want to hear in return for support or favor is disingenuous and doesn’t belong in my camp.
Acquiring political power which UDU is seeking is a means to achieve a larger public goal rather than personal satisfaction. For example, if UDU were in power we would have begun implementing the National Recovery Plan (NRP) which was approved in October 2011. It is now sitting on the back burner because NRM which has no blue print for Uganda’s development is still in power with well connected Ugandans accumulating wealth through corruption and sectarianism while the majority are increasingly finding it difficult to put food on the table once a day.
Thankfully, on balance responses to my work have been positive and are becoming increasingly so. Some readers who were skeptical are beginning to see things differently. However, there are still some compatriots that can’t swallow the bitter pill called the truth. Ipso facto, there are still some huddles to clear especially how to deal with those readers who take things out of context intentionally or otherwise or write in such away to sow seeds of discord with a view to throwing the targeted person under the bus.
For instance, the good working relationship that is developing between UDU and Baganda has raised eyebrows in some quarters and concerted efforts are underway to dismantle it. Hopefully, they won’t succeed. We need to remember at all times that when the going gets tough, it is the tough ones that cross the finishing line. Equally we need to bear in mind that when you tell the truth it is difficult to pin you down. And when opponents get frustrated, they begin to use inappropriate language to humiliate you by making personal remarks including about how you look like.
Those that have failed to break me intellectually are insulting me directly or are twisting what I have written hoping to cause me psychological pain and possible disintegration or detach me from my friends and colleagues in the struggle. With your and God’s help let’s make sure they don’t succeed.
I know I am short. I know I have grey beard and bald head. I know I have a round face. Why should these characteristics be used to destroy what I am trying to construct for humankind including them? If Uganda is freed from dictatorship everyone will be better off, though not necessarily in financial terms but in a state of mind when for example crime goes down.
Many short people have accomplished great things and others are or will do so. Come to the United Nations in New York in the third week of September when world leaders gather to address the General Assembly and you will see how many short heads of state and government there are and have to stand on a raised platform to reach the microphone on the podium. These leaders were elected by their people fully aware they were short people. Being short hasn’t prevented them from leading their citizens well. Uganda has had tall leaders and relatively young ones since independence in 1962. Yet Uganda is still underdeveloped and moving backwards?
It is safe to suggest that time has come for Uganda to try a short leader who is also a senior citizen with experience and impeccable record. Please see my bio on www.kashambuzi.com and you will see my leadership experience at the United Nations and in Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Experience can’t be bought. It can only be earned. Sitting somewhere doing virtually nothing and waiting for your turn to lead isn’t the best way to groom leaders. That is why Ugandans should demand the profiles of aspiring candidates for public office to see what they have done especially for civilian populations and accomplished that qualify them to seek public office at the highest level in the land. With respect, our presidents didn’t have experience to administer a complex country as ours, resulting in the use of force instead of negotiations.
President Museveni admitted while addressing a meeting in Kisumu recently that after 25 years in power he had become an expert, suggesting that for all those years as president he was learning. This is a mistake that should not be repeated because it is Uganda and her people that suffer.
Before giving hints about what has energized my work and keeps me going against all odds let me for easy reference give few names of short people and senior citizens who have made history.
1. Louis XIV of France who ruled the strongest nation in Europe for 72 years was about five feet tall.
2. Napoleon still recognized as one of the best generals in world history was below French average height.
3. James Madison the Father of American Constitution and Bill of Rights and fourth President for two terms was five feet tall (Kenneth C. Davis 2012:105).
4. Haille Sellassie who struggled and succeeded in kicking Italy out of Ethiopia was about five feet tall.
5. Deng Xiaiping who transformed China into an economic power house was five feet tall.
6. Frederick Chiluba who ousted Kaunda from power in Zambia in the first free and fair elections in Anglophone Africa was about five feet tall.
7. Omar Bongo who ruled Gabon for decades was about five feet tall.
I am taller than five feet, so height shouldn’t be used against me.
What about senior citizens who have made history?
1. Konrad Adenauer became Chancellor of Germany at the age of 73 and stayed in office for 14 years. He was supported by capable advisers like minister of finance who succeeded him as Chancellor.
2. Deng Xiaiping became Communist leader at the age of 73 and remained active until the late 80s. He transformed China’s economy. He appointed a cadre of advisers with vast knowledge of what had happened during the Cultural Revolution and were prepared to make changes for the better.
3. Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister of India at the age of 70 and transformed the economy with capable advisers like the minister of finance who is now prime minister and minister of trade who is now minister of finance.
4. Ronald Reagan became president of the United States at the age of 69 and served two four year terms. At the end of his presidency he was given a Final Judgement of Grade A (K. C. Davis 2012:554).
5. Nelson Mandela who accomplished a task that was considered impossible by ending apartheid and formed a government of national unity in 1994 was 75 years old when he began the task.
I am younger than the average age of these famous leaders so I shouldn’t be discriminated against because of age.
UDU of which I am Secretary General and Chief Administrator is the best political umbrella organization in terms of a clear mission and National Recovery Plan. We have established a network of diplomatic relations with state and non-state actors and are conducting civic education so that Ugandans understand their rights, freedoms, duties and responsibilities so they make informed decisions about affairs that affect their lives. We are working closely with other parties and organizations to develop federalism as an alternative to the failed unitary system of governance in Uganda. I represented UDU at the October 27, 2012 conference on federalism in London, presented a paper and prepared a report of the meeting. I have written considerably on this subject.
We have also begun compiling a credible list of Ugandans at home and abroad to manage Uganda affairs should we get the nod of the people of Uganda and development partners. We want to avoid the shortcomings of Moshi in 1979. Knowing what discrimination means, UDU won’t discriminate against anybody. All Ugandans are welcome and each one will be accommodated according to what they can offer. Education will be accorded a high priority so that the sky becomes the limit to develop skills for the changing knowledge-based labor market.
I have been inspired in my work by lessons of world history especially by people who sacrificed their comfort, careers or lives to make life better for others. Jesus Christ and Socrates are among those who spoke their mind even when they knew it was dangerous to do so. Socrates was found guilty on tramped up charges that he was confusing the mind of Greek youth and worshipping other gods. He was condemned to death by drinking hemlock poison. Jesus Christ was crucified for preaching against abuses.
During the English peasant revolt of 1381, Wat Tyler and priest John Ball risked their lives by leading the revolt against poll tax and other feudal abuses. Tyler died fighting and Ball was executed later. But their deaths were not in vain. The poll tax was abolished immediately and ultimately feudalism was ended in England.
During the 17th and 18th centuries new thinkers emerged in Europe with new ideas. Europeans began to question traditional beliefs in society, politics and religion. The divine right of kings, the primacy of aristocrats and prelates and the classification of society that dictated one’s destiny from birth were challenged.
They began to think things out for themselves. This was a moment to examine, research, experiment and discuss everything. This period is known as the Age of Reason or Enlightenment which Uganda has just embarked upon and we are questioning the assumed superiority of Batutsi as intelligent and born leaders.
In the scientific field, Galileo and Newton studied gravity. Brahe catalogued stars; Snellius, Huygens and Grimaldi researched light and Boyle studied gases. Doctors rejected Church prohibition to cut open human corpses. Galileo was punished for preaching that the earth revolves around the sun.
Experiments in physical sciences were followed by those in human society and politics. Francis Bacon developed the idea of the perfect state. Others including Locke, Kant, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau and Paine wrote about government, tolerance, rights and freedoms of people and social contract between rulers and ruled. These experiments challenged the status quo of absolute rulers in Europe (Kingfisher 2004). In the area of religious reformation, I was inspired by the courage of John Wycliffe of Britain, Jan Huss of Bohemia and Martin Luther of Germany.
These European thinkers and agitators some from wealthy families and with good jobs were harassed, executed, imprisoned or fled into exile but they didn’t give up. They struggled to change the world for the better. I will not give up either, no matter how high the huddles are.
These ideas were applied in American, French, Russian and Latin American Revolutions and changed history. I was inspired by these selfless people who put the interests of their people before their own. Therefore those who are trying to muzzle me into silence are just wasting time. I am hardened to the core. Instead they should join with us in UDU which outlined its manifesto recently in a common effort to create an enabling environment for Ugandans to develop their potential and live in peace, security, stability, prosperity and happiness.
A federal system of governance will be discussed and adopted if found better than the current unitary system of governance with power disproportionately concentrated into the central government and more specifically into the presidency.