Ladies and Gentlemen, it is that time again. Today is the day we Ugandans cast our votes for the next President; the next leader of our “not so free” country. For those of you that have been following the presidential campaign know that we had our first presidential debate this year. I use debate loosely when referring to this presidential debate as candidates were merely stating what they will be doing and did not engage in any actual debate; there was no real arguing of any point or controversial issues. With candidates like Mabirizi making the whole occasion a circus, but then again it was our first debate we are allowed to fall down a few times before getting it right. The second debate which took place last week was a little more professional, with our current president Hon. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who has been in power for 26 years graced us with his presence. Given he is still in the run for President this year, he is meant to take part in the debates as well but only attended the last one. All hope is not lost when it comes to our current president as most of the older generation are in support of him staying in power because as most say “he brought us peace, freedom; he fought for our country“. I understand their stand point, I mean the man literally fought for our country no doubt; he was involved in rebellions that toppled Ugandan leaders Idi Amin (1971–79) and Milton Obote (1980–85). He played a big part and has kept the peace in Uganda for 26 years, however has much changed within these 26 years.
I am not one to take away a man’s credibility. Our dear president has done good for our country and some wrongs but he is only human. The one thing I question about him is why can’t he give up the seat? Why can’t a 71 year old man give room for the next generation of leaders to take over? Why can’t Amama do the same? I mean all these mean have experience, yes! They have the knowledge and want the seat, some like Byesigye have been waiting in the queue for a very long time but what difference are they bringing to the table? What different way of ruling do they think they are going to offer us? To me they are pretty much the same person with the same military mentality whose way of leading is with the gun. There is no difference between Amama Mbabazi and Museveni, we might as well let Museveni take this term; better the devil you know than the angel you don’t know.
What the political leaders of our country do not see is they are hindering the growing youth. We know what is best for us NOW! But our voices are never heard. Whenever we bring up the issue of the political leaders not giving room to young politicians, we are rubbished and called inexperienced. But how are we to gain experience if the older generation does not stand down and give room to the hungry generation? So here we are again, fighting battles of power hungry washed up politicians with claws ready to dig into our economy.A lot of youths are idle as there are no jobs, no one is creating jobs for them and when they do create these jobs they are given to “Experts” from other countries. This is why we are faced with unemployed youths taking the battle to the streets, rioting as they feel their voices are not being heard! They are being ignored while the old politician’s bellies swell from too much consumption of both money and power. When is this going to stop? When are we going to be given a chance to create change? Because all I see is a poor economy with a lot of graduates seated at home because our government is not protecting us. “When elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers” so what are we to do when all we are left with is waiting this out and praying to the one God that there won’t be a bad outcome to yet another intense election were our votes won’t matter. So ladies and gentlemen as you queue up today to vote for your next President, vote wisely.
Sign: Impartial Ugandan, whose vote should matter.
WyneeBob 