The wish of opposition in Uganda for commonwealth to do something to cause Uganda government to make certain reforms is not unique. The appeal to supra yet weak international organisation is characteristic of our time and this spirit is slowly but surely playing in the hands of the small but powerful clique of individuals who are working towards one global government. All international organisations are only powerful when US government wants use them, otherwise, they are useless. We should only be happy whenever they visit our country as did commonwealth. This is the only significant moment we can benefit from them. So, organisation on international level is not necessarily geared to strengthening national but global agendas.
It is the wish and the cry for democracy, good governance and peace that will drive men into a one global government in hope for tranquillity but only to wake up for a fascist form of government where human rights is a thing of the past. The ability of World Bank to influence political behaviour of governments is a reflection of the subtle force behind it. This may sound ridiculous but it is in the making.
It begins slowly by losing nationalism, patriotism and we look for outside authorities to solve our internal affairs. Why should Africans generate into weaklings to the point where we must go to those who divided and continue to divide us for resolving and supervise our governments? Once the people in form of opposition make it their occupation to see nothing good in the seating government, and at any slight opportunity find it almost fissionable to cause unrest, not only do people cheapen themselves, but play in the hands of the enemy.
Why should any one expect that the commonwealth’s presence or absence will affect the president and not affect the country in any way? Has the suspension of Pakistan produced immediate results? And will the suspension affect one individual?
This is not to condone bad governance but it is to probe into what bad governance immerges from? It is a misunderstanding of international geopolitical aspirations of great powers that make us draw premature conclusions of our situations. The man who manufactures guns is interested in war. The man who deals in strategic minerals and other minerals is active in acquisitions of these resources. Stable governments too have their unique problems that pertain to being stable. They can hardly be stable while Uganda is stable. So we are contending with powers in this highly completive world. War and refugees are a blessing to those who benefit from them. Diseases are not all that bad for those who are interested in making money. This is the contradictory world we live in!
So, international organisations such AU, Commonwealth, UN and what not, are mere kraals where some big power can efficiently manage international affairs. No wonder then, even after UN disserted Rwandans in the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has not seriously questioned the usefulness of such membership. You remain there any how. Even when you are suspended from such a useless body and you happen to be of small mind you mourn. But mourn for what?
This is a proof that we are mangled by some one. Hardly can any citizens of any country on the globe can effect significant changes without outside interference. Who knew that George Bush’s election would be marred with malpractices? When it comes to Africa why should it be stranger? We should be more thankful for the invisible Devine hand that still intervenes in man’s affairs.
Is not worth that we Africans learn to manage our affairs without appealing to the powerful countries whose leaders are also questionable in many areas? When we want changes in Uganda we go report our leader to Tony Blair, McKinnon or George Bush or who ever, including Human Rights watch. But the truth is that every where the power that influences certain events is at work.
Where does this attitude leave us? Our leaders become weaker and weaker, unable to make independent decisions based on national interests. Our interests get mixed up with foreign interests and we realise that all along were serving not our interests. Great people make great leaders. If want great leaders we the people must be ready to stand for the values that define us as a people. If we want our leaders to resist foreign cultural aggression that is being forced on us, we must prove to our leaders that we can stand without foreign aid and determined to eat one meal a day rather than eat three meals a day in a toilet.
If we all knew what it means for an African leader who is revered at home and must go beg for help at the door of Paris donor club simply because he must meet the promises in his election manifesto, then we would think twice before make our leaders a laughing stalk abroad.
Therefore, Ugandans we should try a little harder to support government efforts and also request our government to minimise aid dependence. Uganda needs not make premature steps in development. The grid for rapid growths tends to open doors to even useless investment that ruin society. And nothing comes without a price tag on it, so we should critically and suspiciously question any thing that is imposed on us from democracy, religion, feminism to aid.
While it is possible that a neighbour may be more capable to provide for his family than my father, it does not mean he is more loving than my dad. Let us learn to live within our means and treat our people as our Children. Only then, can we minimise the chances of foreign manipulations as we experience the dad’s loving care.
My the God of all creation bless our land and Nation- Uganda.
Kayumba David
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Africa: Address the Root Causes of Conflict
Africa: Address the Root Causes of Conflict
So far, conflict resolution strategies to change Africa have failed and partly it is because these strategies have failed to account for the complexity of the causes and have instead tried to resolve the conflict quickly using thoughtless approaches.
For instance, the heads of states in the great lakes region made the famous Dar Es Salaam declaration on peace, security and democracy in November 2004. But what they failed to do, as many do, is to address the root causes of conflict. Failure to diagnose the sickness and keep on treating the symptoms is one of our challenges.
Colonialism created a pattern in the great lakes region that is well explained in an old metaphor, when Rwanda sneezes; the Congo and Burundi catch a cold and vice visa. It is widely understood that the continuing conflicts in the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi are linked inextricably through cross-border ethnic linkages, economic ties, insurgencies and irredentism. These form fault lines in the region that feed well the geo-political interests of both internal and external actors.
It is not viable to maintain a colonial state if by doing so nations are destroyed in the name of state building. We should allow natural evolution of an African state without interference. This means allowing the current situation in Somalia to be settled by Somali’s themselves. I am aware of the great cost involved, but this is a price Africa is paying for accepting expatriates to pose as our liberators.
Truly speaking nation building can never stand on transient bases of flags, street names or national dresses. Until serious thought is expended, we shall continue to walk in and out of peace conferences without solutions.
Kayumba David
So far, conflict resolution strategies to change Africa have failed and partly it is because these strategies have failed to account for the complexity of the causes and have instead tried to resolve the conflict quickly using thoughtless approaches.
For instance, the heads of states in the great lakes region made the famous Dar Es Salaam declaration on peace, security and democracy in November 2004. But what they failed to do, as many do, is to address the root causes of conflict. Failure to diagnose the sickness and keep on treating the symptoms is one of our challenges.
Colonialism created a pattern in the great lakes region that is well explained in an old metaphor, when Rwanda sneezes; the Congo and Burundi catch a cold and vice visa. It is widely understood that the continuing conflicts in the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi are linked inextricably through cross-border ethnic linkages, economic ties, insurgencies and irredentism. These form fault lines in the region that feed well the geo-political interests of both internal and external actors.
It is not viable to maintain a colonial state if by doing so nations are destroyed in the name of state building. We should allow natural evolution of an African state without interference. This means allowing the current situation in Somalia to be settled by Somali’s themselves. I am aware of the great cost involved, but this is a price Africa is paying for accepting expatriates to pose as our liberators.
Truly speaking nation building can never stand on transient bases of flags, street names or national dresses. Until serious thought is expended, we shall continue to walk in and out of peace conferences without solutions.
Kayumba David
Uganda Can Do without US Aid
Uganda Can Do Without US Aid!
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Human Rights Watch has remained an ineffective and useless voice in the world because it concerns itself with non essentials at the expense of essentials. While thousands of Rwandese perished in the genocide; it remained silent. Now it is vocal when Uganda and civil society groups are opposing one of the western – neo colonial tools – homosexuality. The thinking that poor countries must always embrace all sorts of rubbish from sick societies in order to benefit from the so called aid is revealing and suspect.
The immediate problems facing our people have to do with poverty, diseases (some imported to enrich multi national drug companies) and geopolitical inspired conflicts. Human Rights Watch should focus on such issues rather than irrelevancies. We should support good intentions. Fighting homosexuality is a good thing. If you do not believe me, go and consult the savages (wild animals) in the wilderness, they will educate you on what is normal and natural.
Why should aid to Uganda have a price tag of embracing homosexuality? If homosexuality is natural, why should it be preached and initiated? Anything natural does not need to be defended: it is universally recognized. The Uganda government should speak up loud and be encouraged to stand for our African values with or without the US aid. Human rights initiatives should bear in mind that there is such a thing as natural law.
So, Human Rights Watch should first of all lecture the US government as regards its human rights record in the world. It is our rights as Africans to live as Africans; free from the dictates of perverts and the anti –human movements.
Uganda, stay alert and allow sanity to reign. Without US aid Uganda came into existence: we are a country of people, not a rubbish pit!
By David Kayumba
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Human Rights Watch has remained an ineffective and useless voice in the world because it concerns itself with non essentials at the expense of essentials. While thousands of Rwandese perished in the genocide; it remained silent. Now it is vocal when Uganda and civil society groups are opposing one of the western – neo colonial tools – homosexuality. The thinking that poor countries must always embrace all sorts of rubbish from sick societies in order to benefit from the so called aid is revealing and suspect.
The immediate problems facing our people have to do with poverty, diseases (some imported to enrich multi national drug companies) and geopolitical inspired conflicts. Human Rights Watch should focus on such issues rather than irrelevancies. We should support good intentions. Fighting homosexuality is a good thing. If you do not believe me, go and consult the savages (wild animals) in the wilderness, they will educate you on what is normal and natural.
Why should aid to Uganda have a price tag of embracing homosexuality? If homosexuality is natural, why should it be preached and initiated? Anything natural does not need to be defended: it is universally recognized. The Uganda government should speak up loud and be encouraged to stand for our African values with or without the US aid. Human rights initiatives should bear in mind that there is such a thing as natural law.
So, Human Rights Watch should first of all lecture the US government as regards its human rights record in the world. It is our rights as Africans to live as Africans; free from the dictates of perverts and the anti –human movements.
Uganda, stay alert and allow sanity to reign. Without US aid Uganda came into existence: we are a country of people, not a rubbish pit!
By David Kayumba
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