SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2022 MARKED 60 YEARS SINCE UGANDA GOT INDEPENDENCE.
By William Kituuka Kiwanuka
What is the balance sheet like?
A balance sheet can be defined as a statement of the assets, liabilities, and capital of a business or other organization at a particular point in time, detailing the balance of income and expenditure over the preceding period.
What Is an Asset?
An asset is a resource with economic value that an individual, corporation, or country owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit.
What Is a Liability?
A liability is something a person or company owes, usually a sum of money. Liabilities are settled over time through the transfer of economic benefits including money, goods, or services.
To many Ugandans, the country is much more of a liability than an asset to them.
When Uganda got independence on Tuesday, October 9, 1962 many had a lot of hope in seeing good governance, Human Rights, Rule of law, economic emancipation, peace, guarantee of their security and that of their property, change of top leadership following the constitution, good education for the children and effective health services. Employment prospects and good returns to work as well as justice were all anticipated.
It was just the 4th year after Uganda got independent that the then President Late Edward Mutesa II had serious political differences with the Executive Prime Minister Apollo Milton Obote RIP. Dialogue seemed to have no chance, instead Late Obote gave instructions to attack the Presidents Mengo Palace and ensure that they kill or capture alive the President who at the same time was the king of Buganda.
The effects of this invasion are still regrettable. Not only was the country deeply divided after, but hatred between some tribes in Uganda got fertile ground to flourish. To - date as I write, different kingdoms whose properties were confiscated following the banning of kingdoms, hence the declaration of Uganda as a republic have never been returned.
The invasion of Kabaka’s palace, who at the same time was non executive President of Uganda was just the new beginning of military warfare in Uganda which has seen many lives lost, property lost, orphaned and destitute children increase in number, economic sabotage, the migration of skilled manpower elsewhere as human life was not valued and indeed serious brain drain which is still real today.
The man President Obote used to invade King Edward Mutesa II’s palace turned on him and overthrew his Government on Monday, January 25, 1971.
Amin did not initially show the bad in him, however, it was not until when in 1972 Uganda was invaded by Ugandans who included Yoweri Museveni that Amin showed his real colours. Uganda became so insecure that a number of investors fled the country. There was also the expulsion of Indians and other British Citizens. All these developments as they unfolded, Ugandans who had a lot of hope in post independent Uganda lost that hope.
Amin had a lot of extra judicial killings and the bodies of those killed could be damped, some in estates.
The killings of Ben Kiwanuka, Mubiru former Governor Bank of Uganda and bodies buried secretely still haunts Ugandans. The killing of Janan Luwum who was the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Mboga Zaire was enough testimony that many were not safe, and so Late Bishop Kivengere left Uganda as his life was equally in danger.
Amin’s madness played a big role in his downfall. It is his attempted annexing of part of Tanzania claiming that River Kagera belonged to Uganda that gave Tanzania a good reason to defend their territorial integrity, hence pushed him out of power.
It is important to note that by the time Idi Amin fell, Uganda’s economy was performing very badly. There was a lot of scarcity of basics of life and Black markets were flourishing.
The 1979 Liberation war, though shortlived, its scars are still present among some areas like in Masaka where buildings were bombed. Lives were lost. I remember while I was at Kajjansi in Wakiso district, people would be advised on the proper time to go and bury the dead.
The choice of Prof. Lule as President following Idi Amin was used by some actors to get an acceptable leader at the time who would shortly be voted out to pave for President Obote who Julius Nyerere wanted re - instated into the position of President given that it had been partly due to Nyerere’s advice that Obote left Uganda in 1971 to attend the Common wealth meeting and was then overthrown.
The Uganda forces at the time, after Amin was overthrown had their differences, and some were involved in the creation of insecurity during that time.
After the 68 days of President Lule, President Binaisa was appointed President. During that time, Ugandans more so the business community saw insecurity. Some could close their business premises as early as 3.00pm. Gun shots were a common feature at night. Robberies and breakins into people’s residences as well as killings during the night were normal.
Binaisa lost the Presidency when he wanted to reduce the powers of Late Oyite Ojok and Yoweri Museveni. Binaisa had banked on assistance by the British Government when he reshuffled and assigned new positions which they rejected hence overthrew him and put him under house arrest.
The events thereafter when Uganda had The Presidential Commission of Uganda. These held the office of President of Uganda between 22 May and 15 December 1980. It was composed as follows: Saulo Musoke. Polycarp Nyamuchoncho. Yoweri Hunter Wacha-Olwol. However, through all this time, Ugandans did not enjoy the expected fruits of independence. Instead, it was power struggles.
Ugandans had hope in the 1980 General elections, however, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) rigged them.
On December 10 and 11, 1980, Uganda held General elections.
While Dr. Apollo Milton Obote’s UPC was declared winner, Hon. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere’s DP disputed the result, claiming victory. The top leadership of a third political party, Yoweri Museveni’s Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), decided to take the contest to the Luweero Bushes, hence started a Guerrilla war which lasted a whole 5 years.
From the day Obote II Ascended to power after the rigged 1980 General elections up to when he was overthrown in a Military Coup on Saturday, July 27 1985 that was led by Brigadier Bazilio Olara Okello RIP, the people of Uganda did not see the fruits of Independence they had anticipated.
Ugandans in the Luweero Triangle died in big numbers as the Bush war was staged on their land. Much of the economic activities in the Luweero Triangle got to a halt. Many lost their Cattle, Cassava to the Guerrilla’s. Many had to leave the area and made a new start elsewhere as the 5 year Bush war progressed. Many children were left orphaned or destitutes, and many were not able to complete their education.
For the Obote II regime, prior to being overthrown, there was a two battle front: The Obote II Government tried to get the collapsed economy back to life, this included the rehabilitation of industries that were owned by Government or where Government had shares. The second front was fighting the Guerrillas which was an expensive undertaking given that these Guerrilla’s were not only fighting, but they were involved in economic sabotage in a number of areas.
After the National Resistance Movement / Army (NRM/A) captured Kampala on Sunday, January 26 the Swearing in ceremony of Yoweri Museveni as President was witnessed by thousands of jubilant Ugandans. These jubilated given that they had the hope that Museveni administration was eventually to bring their hopes of independence to reality.
Museveni told Ugandans that their administration was not a mere change of guards. “Nobody is to think that what is happening today, what has been happening in the last few days is a mere change of guards,'' said Mr. Museveni. I think this is a fundamental change in the politics of our government.'' “Any individual, any group or person who threatens the security of our people must be smashed without mercy,'' Mr. Museveni said. ''The people of Uganda should only die from natural causes which are not under our control,'' he said, ''but not from fellow human beings.''
Mr. Museveni, who appeared confident said his first priorities would be the restoration of democracy and the protection of the security of individuals and their property. He Promised Elections.
Museveni’s promises were cheered by the crowd of Ugandans, who had survived years of dictatorship, army lawlessness, tribal and political strife and brutal violations of human rights.
36 years down the road, much of what President Museveni promised that time is part of Uganda’s history.
The promise of the restoration of democracy is just talked about. Ugandans are witnessing elections which are not free and fair. Those on the opposition are having the worst time, many face a lot of injustice at the hands of the security personnel and RDCs among others.
The protection and security of individuals and their property has had a lot of challenges. People are not only evicted from land where they have been for decades, the fund that would bail some of them has been misused as ‘ghosts’ have benefitted, yet even the funds available for compansation are just a drop in the ocean. No one is safe walking at night. Many have lost lives and others property at the hands of hitmen who seem to be so sharp at their game. While NRM justified the 5 year bush war among other things vote rigging in the 1980 General elections, currently, NRM is making life of opposition candidates very difficult. Voters are intimidated and many find it difficult turning up to vote when the environment is turned to look like a war situation with all military hardware, men very well armed and high level of harrassment, arrests and imprisoning of opposition candidates. It is unbelievable the way people are arrested without following the law. They are not told the crimes they have committed, many times those arresting people are not in uniform, they don’t identify themselves. They bandle those arrested into infamous ‘drone’ vehicles, and many times those arrested are taken to ungazzatted areas. A number of times, those arrested that way have tales of very inhuman treatment they went through at the hands of the security personnel.
Though President Museveni promised elections, and the 1995 constitution was enacted which provided for a maximum of two consecutive terms for the President, these were removed by Parliament in 2005. When it came to the age limit for the President, Parliament was again used to remove the Age limit of the President. The majority in Parliament of the NRM Members has overtime been used to make changes in the constitution as well as in passing of laws in favour of the NRM Agenda.
The Ukraine war has impacted badly on many Ugandans, unfortunately, up to now, President Museveni has not come up with measures to make life easier for the Ugandans. VAT remains high. Many people who are not really productive in the name of Presidential advisors are still paid by Government. No efforts seen to downsize Government.
Corruption has played a leading role in making many Ugandans miserable during President Museveni’s time. While the economic situation is hard, there are those people whose source of money you can never question. The news associated with such people is when the structures they are constructing collapse and kill the innocent Ugandans.
Patronage is the norm. A lot of funds are spent by the NRM Government to make sure that what Government wants is what takes the day. Members of Parliament have been bribed a number of times to ensure that they support motions or laws that the NRM Government is specifically interested in.
It is true, over the 36 years of President Museveni’s time, the population has exploded. This has led to many unemployed more so the youth, and out of desperateness, many have gone to the Arab world for employment. Given Uganda’s good climate, with some soils still productive, agro industrialization would greatly enhance employment. Unfortunately, Government priorities are different. Billions are spent on politics, a huge administrative infrastructure at the expense of employment creation.
I would love to talk about an area which some people who are connected decided to reap from. This is the banking industry. I believe I am the biggest victim of robbery within Uganda’s banking sector. 12 and 7 years respectively, I cannot believe that Uganda banks have not made good funds I raised when I wanted to contest the Presidency. As a former banker, I am yet to get to terms with banks working with fraudulent personnel who interfere in our communication and are able to cash transactions within Uganda’s banks. Getting justice in these undertakings however illegal they are is very expensive.
The fundraising I have made in the past 12 years are below, but not a single coin has been given to me instead other people have benefited:
http://williamkituuka.blogspot.com/2010/09/kind-appeal-for-moral-support-and_01.html?m=1
http://billkiwanuka.blogspot.com/2014/10/kiwanuka-kituuka-for-2016-uganda.html?m=1
http://kiwanukaofunityinafederateduganda.blogspot.com/2015/05/kiwanuka-kituukas-appeal-for-financial_7.html?m=1
http://namutambademgloryamust.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-current-state-of-namutamba.html?m=1
https://communityeducators-uganda.blogspot.com/2020/06/welcome-to-community-educators-uganda.html?m=1
And: Namutamba Parish Local Economic Development Model.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE NAMUTAMBA PARISH WOULD BE NOW?
If only some people had not shared the monies I received in my fundraising appeals for President in 2010 and 2015, Namutamba Parish where I grew up would be a Centre of Excellence.
1. Namutamba Demonstration School would already be back to one of the leading schools in Uganda.
2. Namutamba would be popular for growing Organic food.
3. Namutamba would be getting local and foreign tourists in hundreds every week.
4. Namutamba cattle farmers would slowly be changing from having large herds to small zero grazing cattle with high returns.
5. Namutamba would be having tarmac roads linking many places.
6. Namutamba motorists would be having a reliable fuel station in the area.
7. Residents of Namutamba and its hinterland would no longer have to go to Mityana for their shopping, they would get 95% of their needs in Namutamba.
8. There would be extension agents virtually in all villages of Namutamba and organized marketing channels of the agricultural produce.
9. Namutamba Parish would boost of a Healthy Centre IV and expanding with services including: Ambulances; Surgery; Maternity; Eye-care; Dental and Primary Healthcare Services to mention some.
10. There would be at least one Demonstration Farm in each of the village of Namutamba Parish.
11. We would have a sports playground with prospects of being very competitive in Uganda.
12. We would try as much as possible to get people to work and change their wasted time in unproductive politics of parties to income generation.
13. We would by now be supporting Religious Organizations in their roles to promote morality which is the greatest problem of Uganda.
14. We would be sponsoring youth to train in vocational skills where such training is available and these would come back to Namutamba to boost the local economic development.
You cannot believe, this plan has not taken off. It is now 12 years simply because of the moral decay, impunity and love for free things by those who are connected.
Some of us have practical ideas and means to execute them, but we have people who think that they know a lot. Others use all sorts of unviable reasons to take what is due to the likes of myself.
We are poor because we have some people with primitive thinking. Those who undertake primitive accumulation of wealth.
If only God can intervene and I recover funds that were stolen by the so - called connected people, I can assure you, Namutamba Parish will turn into the Mecca of Uganda.
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