It may sound odd but this embodies the truth and nothing but the truth as I honestly know and envision it. A close watch at the prevailing situation in Uganda will vividly reveal glaring indicators of a surely and rapidly failing state. The status quo has developed over a period of time and the situation is getting worse by the day to the extent that if corrective measures are not put in place, the country is destined to hit a dead end rather sooner than later.
In the course of history, many viable states have failed at some point in time for various reasons. It is important to note that ‘state collapse’ is not just a momentary event but a process which develops over a period of time. The failing of a state is therefore an established fact that can easily be assessed and identified although it is always a controversial subject. It is never a common practice for governments to admit to their own failures, besides some elements of the state may seemingly continue to function at the point when it is accepted by all that the state has failed. This therefore provides fodder for sharply divided opinions. I have had the opportunity to live and work in a number of failed states in the recent past; I therefore have a fair experience of how the situation smells and looks.
In the case of Uganda today, there is a systemic failure of the government establishment. This has, in a negative way, seriously impacted on the capacity of government to function in a normal and acceptable way while performing it appointed duty of providing for the common good.
There is utter lack of proper accountability at all levels in government. Democracy is only a song and never a practice. The executive arm of government is almost absolute; it will disregard resolutions of the legislative arm at will. Elections are in many respects pseudo and more of a public relations exercise than a democratic requirement. Asking for accountability is treated as a case of indiscipline and borders on criminality. Whoever dares to ask for it will be labeled anti government; will be treated as an enemy of the state and will be deliberately targeted and possibly ostracized.
It is chaos in Uganda; selective application of the laws is the order of the day, where the Orwellian principle of “some animals, being more equal than others” perfectly describes the status quo. It is a theatre with a twisted medium of exchange where “Might is Right”. This is an unfair situation that only guarantees survival for the fittest but where unfortunately, might and fitness are also predetermined by the powers that be in Uganda. Yes! I know this happens in many other countries but Uganda is my subject for today. I know the government apologists will pretend that this is sounding alarmist in their selfish ears much as the prevailing facts are written all over the wall. Time never cheats; those who play the blind to the obvious writings on the wall, and the deaf to loud screams will not miss to feel the inevitable rise of temperatures in the socio-political ‘kitchen’.
Corruption is wide spread; it is the order of the day and the list of scandals involving senior government officials is endless. Bribery although illegal has become ‘official’ in Uganda. It is almost impossible to get a service without bribing in most government offices. As if this is not bad enough those who loot public resources walk away scot free…is this not IMPUNITY?
The current functioning of government of Uganda is in many respects of adhoc nature where Institutions of government have unfortunately died an unnatural death. Many Government institutions have been established and accordingly staffed but their functioning is inept since they are seriously compromised, uncoordinated and therefore rendered almost useless most of the time. The little time these institutions attempt to provide service they will be inefficient to frustration levels and in the due course create a vacuum which they will turn around to fill by way of treachery. Government officials in many government departments have faithfully operated cartels of ‘bribery and corruption’ and more so go ahead to religiously conceal them at the cost of providing the very service which they were established. Ugandans who have had any reason to deal with government offices (the Lands Office, immigration, National referral hospital Mulago etc) must have encountered more rot than I can document in this write up.
The behavior of Uganda Police is wanting; brutality has continued to be their method of work yet they are supposed to be the custodians of law and order. The phenomenon of military men in police uniform and militarizing of the police is an abnormality which the government of Uganda has become complacent about despite the public outcry. This state of affairs seriously impacts on the image of the police, the way they relate with the public, their professionalism and therefore their service delivery. Police officers are busy every day commanding their juniors to shoot down the reputation of the Uganda Police through thousands of teargas canisters, live ammunitions and other irritants which they unlimitedly shoot at an unarmed civilian at peaceful demonstrations. It is a mockery therefore for the same police leadership that has championed the soiling of the police reputation turn around to ask for almost 1,000.000 US dollars to pay a foreign public relations consultants to clear police image like has been reported in the very recent past. This, maybe, in actual fact, a pseudo project to shortchange the Ugandan taxpayer.
The government of Uganda and the leadership of Uganda police should be more concerned about the conditions that have led to the deterioration of civic order. A few months ago, a footage showing young men who were operating a private/illegal police post in the slums of Bwayise was aired on television. Residents of the area confirmed that the illegal post had been in existence for some time and they seemed to appreciate the service which was being rendered to them. This is a serious pointer that falls in the category of ‘things that only happen in failed states’.
The revealing footage of news stories aired on Bukedde Television every night should be a cause for more concern. The level of criminality, the nature of crimes committed and the increasing cases of mob justice on a daily basis as shown happening in different parts of the country in a way reveals the level of contempt that the public holds on the institutions of government and later on the level of hopelessness. These pictures on the televisions screens should not just be treated as news items, they have a bearing on the inner feelings of the masses and which influences their actions and will likely inform the social networks and therefore the stability of communities and later on the country at large.
It is common speak on the streets of Kampala city, that the current movement government is the government of westerners (from western Ugandan). Many Ugandans falsely believe that every westerner has in one way or another taken undue advantage and somehow obtained economic and other gains at the expense of other Ugandans. This state of affairs is brewing uncalled for victimization of a group of Ugandans by other Ugandans to the extent that people find it inoffensive for one Ugandan to tell another that once this government is out of power, be sure that your property will become mine. This very unfortunate development is alarmingly arresting the psyche of both the old and the young people to the extent that small kids in kindergartens and primary schools are echoing such sentiments.
Uganda is caught up in the mix of the old Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times” more interesting than the colonial era predicament, today our own brothers have chosen the way of heartlessness and are busy manning an ‘apartheid’ like regime. I am tempted to think that the time our elders were fighting liberation wars from colonialists were better times. At least they were hopeful then that once they win the liberation struggle they would be holding destiny in their own hands. Today we may be highly unfortunate for our destiny is in the hands of all self seeking elite for this is what they have proved to be. They have, since independence, navigated the ferry of self determination in an up and down endless journey leading to nowhere; probably a perfect explanation for the current predicament which Uganda and indeed African finds itself.
Fellow Ugandans please be mindful, that a midst us there are ‘dogs’ that no amount training would ever alter their genetic and/or transmissible blueprint. They never can keep their eyes off the bone, which is political power and/or domination. They will do everything within and outside their power to achieve this at any cost. It is unfortunate that many who are entrusted with responsibility are behaving like thieves on a mission and these are our very friends and relatives. We should never condone them, because they lack conscience and they are masters of treachery which is engraved on their sense of ill motive. Theirs is a project of unmatched ambition that no stone will be left unturned in their ambition to build private empires using national resources while other Ugandans wallow in dire poverty.
The summary of the status quo in Uganda beyond what is clearly captured in this article would inevitably read. Obtrusive levels of unemployment. High levels of poverty and disease; Hemorrhage of public resources through pseudo projects like NAADS and government sanctioned compensation to private business men etc. consecration of political manipulation and tribal card for political mileage; decimation of patriotism; unmistakable breakdown of infrastructure; a consumer economy with limited opportunities; lack of enforcement for standards; complacency and widespread I don’t care attitude; a resigned population that willfully operates on unwritten rules of no bribe no service; treating a legitimate service entitlement as a favour; presidential fleet and patronage network that soars each day that passes and the list is endless…….
The way forward brings me to the very core of this loud alarm; I have high hopes for the future of my dear motherland Uganda. I believe in the dynamism of Ugandans I know for sure that by choice we can end the hostage situation in which we find ourselves. Be sure this will not just come as the proverbial manna which fell from heaven for the children of Israel. Therefore now is the time for individual and concerted efforts for corrective actions if we must redeem ourselves as a serious people and as a nation with a mission to succeed. This is a mission for all; politicians, technocrats, religious leaders, civil society, business leaders and I am sure peasants will follow. Security agencies please do right of your duty, being partisan is to be volcanic and that will defeat the raison d'etre of your institutions.
Alluta continua!
