The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
In this third book, `Uganda: 7-Key Idea’, we see Mayiga moving beyond Buganda to Uganda. In my view, this is a new challenge Mayiga is giving himself and Ugandans. He proposes how he thinks Uganda should be transformed to move from the third world country to a first world country.
Since he has engaged Ugandans in the conversation through his third book, Mayiga must now be prepared to also listen to them.
As he advocates federalism as one key to solving the Buganda question and the transformation of the country, he should not forget that not all communities in Uganda have the same structures like Buganda. In this respect, he should be prepared to show how federalism other than decentralisation is the best form of decongesting the government from the centre.
He argues that “today, unlike in the past when regions had a bigger stake in management of public issues, development is concentrated in and around Kampala”. But he does not further show how federalism, other than the current policy of decentralization, can remedy the current challenges of distribution of resources.
Mayiga’s argues that “a community that does not have a reliable and effective judicial system is always restive and can never enjoy a peaceful environment”.
He urges empowerment of the communities through factors that comprise the backbone of the country, that is, agriculture, animal husbandry, and commerce.
However, the above cannot be maintained without a strong security apparatus that protects the country from outside threats and internal conflicts.
His 7-Key Ideas appear to have ignored the very fundamental factor of dialoguing with Ugandans on how he thinks he can maintain stability in the country.
If Mayiga, in this book, is presenting his Presidential Manifesto, he will be the first Catholic Muganda from Masaka to contest for that position. After serving as the Katikkiro of Buganda, I assume that many would like to see him continue offering his leadership skills to the entire country.
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Dr.Jude Ssempuma is currently based at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
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editor@independent.co.ug
In the development of theories, you do not need to go back to what has been done before, you just improve on that. So Mayiga does not need to dialogue with Ugandans about how to maintain peace, because already the structures have been established.