Video Meliora Proboque Deteriora Sequor  

Posted by Tumwijuke Mutambuka

Hypothesis
Change Uganda’s motto.

Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor.
I see the right way, approve it and do the opposite.

Argument
THE RIGHT WAY
Nalubaale Power Station. Output of 260 megawatts.
THE OPPOSITE
2005 - massive shortage of electricity. Current output 150 megawatts. Blame to political opposition and its nefarious leader.

THE RIGHT WAY
Promote local technical expertise.
THE OPPOSITE
Hire Zzimwe Construction – a company with no road construction portfolio, no equipment, and no relevant human resource – to build two major roads in Kampala. The multi-million dollar project stalls for two years. No one is made to account for the shame.

THE RIGHT WAY
Invest in post-primary education and adult literacy.
THE OPPOSITE
Give secondary school teachers a minimum wage and no more. After all, they should be grateful they have jobs. Call university lecturers strike for more pay a ‘non-issue.’ Publicly say it is not a Government priority.

THE RIGHT WAY
Actively promote culture
THE OPPOSITE
Draft a Cultural Policy and after its fourth draft in 2003, let it gather dust on Government shelves. Appoint a Presidential Advisor on Literary Affairs who doesn’t understand her own mandate. Cut funding to the National Theatre and kill the performing arts. Create a Department of Antiquities and allow the National Museum to be plundered and lie rotting. Regularly have His Excellency YKM7 call the Department of Music, Dance and Drama at Makerere ‘useless.’

THE RIGHT WAY
Deepen democracy and decentralize power
THE OPPOSITE
Create 17 new districts and provide them with funding enough to run only a handful of functions like typing memos, holding workshops, paying local authorities and authorizing the disbursement of large sums of money for per diem.

THE RIGHT WAY
National Measles Immunization Program 2006
THE OPPOSITE
During program days from November 10 -12, cut off electricity at main hospitals and health centers in Masaka, Sironko, Masindi, Lira, Pader, Kabale, Kamwenge. No refrigerators to store treasured vaccines.

Conclusion
The arguments are too many to be listed here, so let us be realistic. The current motto “For God and My Country” is no longer applicable. It was a good aspiration, but too high for Uganda to attain.

Hata ukinichukia la kweli nitakwambia.

Uganda – Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 4:33 PM . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

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