Bitterness, Boldness and Bounties Of Democracy In Uganda


The aspiration of getting rich is human, after all a steady income is a means to affording the basics of life: food, housing, education, health and pursuit of happiness. Right?

Getting richest instantly without sweating has become so apparent in Uganda, that in many towns and trading centers betting parlours are one sign showing how the government has fueled up this habit. Betting is disguised under the banner of being a soccer club fan of any Premier League. But it is also available as online casino, virtual and racing products and as live football betting. Prizes pay up to UGX 300,000,000 on any given ticket. 

 The other way to get rich (or famous-depending) quickly is to serve as a member of parliament in Uganda! Yes, MP so and so…is a rite of income in Uganda!

To get rich quickly in Uganda has its paths with many examples of how to in the media. Print media, internet and popular music hits are imbued with scenarios and names of ways to bag lots of money in Uganda. Perhaps, other than betting the next two popular ways include: joining groups of FM radio callers (e.g., Uganda Media Callers' Association) who have now formed themselves into a pressure group. The best payer who subsidizes (sponsors or pays them regularly as if on contract) their lifestyle gets to win more Whatsapp, Facebook groups, TV and radio airtime. The second sure deal is to become an MP. 

Being an MP is erroneously thought by many to be a doorway to privilege, posh life and power! Uganda is going through interesting times and there is a raised consciousness as far as political leadership goes. Political leadership’s highest offices are: being a president of a party, minister or MP. 

Democracy is both an ideal and development outcome aspired to by people, governments and states. It is approached differently with different people using different language and arm-twisting to gain and retain it.

One universal outcome is that of a modern state which can be defined along structures at domestic level. These structures can be themes broken down into:Political economy and development; governance and policy-making; representation and participation; politics in transition.

These structures become points of reference and states ensure they remain in place. At this point they are durable and institutionalized. They become the point of referral when there is need to address needs or quell agitation and understand points of polarity. 

The points of polarity may stem from: agreements, voting process, proximity to an important locus, power roles, representation processes, leadership transition, military, parties, governance, refugees, voters, conflict-resolution, security, boundaries, resource-use, laws, health, status and many other issues.

These issues are termed interests and are considered to be raised or claimed by groups. Politics lays bear some form of distribution plan on how to make claims, enjoy the outcomes of these claims and ensure they are shared by all. Politics packages interests as resources or bite-size consumables which can be shared around for and by all. Well, in theory this is what politics behoves all of us to do. However, in practice it is differently. Position, age, knowledge and skills tend to influence how people will or must conduct themselves under politics. 

Politics is about delivery. It does so through a process in which individuals, people and groups’ interests or conflicts are raised, diagnosed and ways to address them explored. The conflicts are addressed and interests achieved through use of resources such as the army, police, leaders, public and private service and are binding for all. 

Democracy in Uganda can be interpreted variously. To some it can be defined as the rule by people when they mean a few leaders the ‘aristocrat’ load it over the majority citizens (read ‘demos’).  Uganda enjoys decentralized governance with a central and local government tier. In this sense there are many pockets of leadership mushrooming up in Uganda. From this picture, democracy can be gauged from the structures and institutionalization in place. Both the incumbent administration and opposition must be ready to take some bitter pills, embrace boldness and remember that democracy, while a good aspiration appealing to many, it requires effort and takes time to achieve. It can be a bounty many dream about but in reality it is only enjoyed with the caveat of full citizenship (powerful people connection-wise, catalyst-wise,  economically, politically and legally). 

President Yoweri Museveni’s government must be appreciated for allowing stimulating exchange of ideas to go on (e.g., debates, electioneering, media and public meetings). The opposition must be astute, agile and innovative in using these debate spaces so that both sides inform and arm the public with knowledge on how to be contributing or nation-building citizens. 

Ugandans must be guided in working within existing social structures i.e., follow protocol at government or religious levels. Also they must be made aware of the existing policy of government prioritizing infrastructure developments like local government administration, mineral exploration, roads, water, schools, Information Communication Technologies-ICT and the railway network.

Humans are capable of many ideals. However, people must be freed from the constricting assumption of expecting handouts or that to be a member of parliament (MP) is the only way to serve as well as to get rich quickly in Uganda!

For more see: 

1.https://www.independent.co.ug/president-museveni-explains-why-acholi-lango-war-claimants-funds-were-diverted/
2. https://www.betin.co.ug/
3. https://www.betpawa.ug/
4. https://www.wsbetting.co.ug/en-GB/sportsbook
5. https://www.sbo.net/country/uganda/
















Source: Google


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