As we prepare to elect our leaders on February 18, 2011, we wish to make it clear that the will of the people of Uganda must prevail this time. Since 1961 our will has been trampled by selfish leaders in collaboration with foreign interests. With education, travel experience and a better understanding of our inalienable human rights, Ugandans are more enlightened than they were in 1961.
We now understand the dangers of divisive politics along religious, geographical and ethnic lines. The days of Catholic and Protestant conflicts are over (Bairu of Akole should take notice). We are all Ugandans. The days of northern and southern conflicts are over. We are all Ugandans. Even within regions say southern region, Banyankole will not be pushed into conflict with Baganda. Those days are over. We are all Ugandans. The days of Nilotic and Bantu conflicts are over. We are all Ugandans.
We are tired of eating cassava and maize daily. We want three square meals. We are tired of poor education. We want quality education for all children. We are tired of poor health. We want quality health care for all Ugandans. We are tired of wearing second hand winter clothes in a tropical climate. We want decent and appropriate clothes for all Ugandans. We are tired of living in slums and congestion. We want decent housing for all Ugandans. We are tired of unsafe roads. We want safety on all roads in the country. We are tired of inequality and servitude. We are born free and equal and we want nothing less. We are tired of being despised as primitive, empty-headed and lazy by our leaders. We want full respect from now on.
We are tired of the divine right of the president. We want a president that governs with full consent of Ugandans. We are tired of fear inflicted by men and women in military fatigues. We want security forces to defend our country and protect our rights. We are tired of rubber stamp institutions such as cabinet and parliament. We want bold representatives that express the views of their constituents.
Over the last 25 years, Ugandans have been governed as though we were in the age of absolute monarchy. The people of Uganda have reached the conclusion that the ‘king’ and his party have been wrong since 1986. They want a fundamental change on February 18, 2011. They should not experience any difficulties in exercising their right to elect a new president and new members of parliament for the next five years. We have already called on the heads of the police force and the army to ensure that the rules of the game are strictly observed and that no one is above the law including the Commander-in-chief.
All eligible voters should go out on February 18. We should vote our conscience – to liberate ourselves. We should not be intimidated and must report irregularities. This is our moment to end servitude that has defined our lives since 1986. We need new faces in State House and Parliament. It is our inalienable right – not a privilege – to do so.
Let us make history for God, our Country and our Children.
Eric Kashambuzi
February 16, 2011