Where have all the good Ugandans gone?

When a country reaches a stage where only the bad people, or those who condone or ignore wrongdoers, are the ones who speak and prosper and the good people are silent, that country becomes a failed state.
This phenomenon manifests itself in many ways. Our Constitution and laws have created rules and mechanisms which are supposed to ensure that heads of government institutions and other public leaders first consult, discuss or seek written advice before reaching reasonable decisions which are intended or likely to affect the lives and welfare of the people.
Beginning at the very top of our society, the head and president of the country must act on the advice of constitutionally and legally established bodies such as Cabinet, commissions, Parliament or advisors such as the Attorney General.
The Speaker of Parliament is advised by his or her deputy and committees of Parliament or the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. The Chief Justice is advised by other heads of Courts of Judicature or judicial officers such as the secretary to the Judiciary and the chief registrar.
Judges, ministers and statutory bodies are advised by constitutional or legal commissions, boards and officials, too many to enumerate in this article.
Lately, however, habits have developed in Uganda where the President, ministers and heads of public institutions announce, appoint and name State officials including ministers, army commanders, police officers, judges, public servants and ambassadors without any reference or information whether consultations and advice were held with or received from relevant bodies and persons vested with powers and duties to recommend and advise.
When a stage is reached where the institutions and mechanisms established and utilised before for legitimate and constitutional governance of a country are ignored or avoided, it is the beginning of a failing state.
When the President, Cabinet, Parliament and the Judiciary hesitate or fear to perform their constitutional duties and functions unless some superior power consents, finances or permits, that country is in a political coma and is incapacitated from functioning normally as an independent, sovereign state.
When citizens are highly suspicious or afraid of their leaders, that country has become authoritarian and a police state. When the country’s enlightened class is barred or discouraged from debating national issues, or members of that class are frightened or ignored, that is the worst cause of underdevelopment.
If that same country continues to rely more and more on less and less enlightened leaders and people who are incapable of appreciating what is good or bad for their country, that country is in very serious trouble.
It is the same when the country’s elite fear to give advice or are afraid to discuss publicly or sharing opinions about what is right or wrong in their society and then surrender their acumen and allow the uninitiated and poor thinkers to do the thinking for the country. That country is doomed.
When the courage to condemn and punish wrongdoers who are sometimes transferred or promoted, usually for fear of losing popular support is lacking, that country is not only in serious trouble, but change and its transformations are long overdue.
In the past, good men and women used to stand up and be counted for truth, justice and integrity. They included the likes of Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, Ms Janet Museveni, Gen Elly Tumwine, Bishop Zac Niringiye and Col Tom Butiime, among others. Why are they not talking now?
The few who are still standing and talking include MP Robert Kyagulanyi, Mr Erias Lukwago, Ms Miria Matembe, Dr Livingstone Ssewanyana, Dr Kizza Besigye, Mr Med Kaggwa and a few civil society activists, religious leaders and lawyers.
Some judges have patriotically spoken through their court rulings and judgments. Unfortunately, all these people are sometimes castigated by the spokespersons of the NRM under their new brand of democracy, rule of law and governance.

Prof Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge.
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