Be exemplary to leave a legacy

But one attribute of a leader that Kategaya had was standing out to be counted on issues that he felt where breaching the contract between the State and the people, like the third term. He was a no-holds-barred person. He spoke his mind.

The First Deputy Prime Minister, Eriya Kategaya died at the age of 70 at the weekend, in a Nairobi hospital, having been in politics for more than 40 years.

Soon after his death, glowing tributes poured in from politicians across the political divide. All of them spoke fondly of the former East African Affairs minister. One thing that stood out was the description of the fallen premier as a ‘very clean’ man at a time when the government is overwhelmed by corrupt officials.

Many officials and politicians, today, see the chance of working in government as an opportunity of gaining riches in a fast way so that they get own mansions in almost every corner of the universe and drive expensive cars.

Kategaya, it is said, lived a modest life; a true definition of a man who was out to serve rather than amass riches. Leadership, in this country, has been abused and that explains why we see many people with no riches to talk of clamouring for power; which should not be the case.

Leaders, similarly need not to be “rubber-stampers” to every decision presented to them by their superiors, in the name of appeasing them. This practice has in Uganda’s history created more harm than good. The 2005 constitutional amendment to remove presidential term limits by Parliament is still a sticking point and has in a way created debate on the level of democracy in the country.

This is not the only decision that has gone with some kind of influence from the State. A majority of them have been Bills in Parliament. But one attribute of leadership that Kategaya had was standing out to be counted on issues that he felt where breaching the contract between the State and the people, like the third term. He was a no-holds-barred person. He spoke his mind.

As people stand to get picked for any office, they ought to borrow a leaf from Kategaya and other leaders who have shown exemplary skills. Leaders must know that they will be judged by the people they lead when their terms come to an end.