We can attain ‘national mindset change’
Author, Augustine Bahemuka. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY
A fortnight ago, Uganda celebrated her 59th Independence Day in a rather ‘scientific’ fashion.
I would dare say that omission of the colour and pomp that characterises national day celebrations matched the tone of indifference expressed by ordinary Ugandans who hardly find a reason for celebration, hence go about their daily hustles as usual.
The theme of this year’s big day was Celebrating our 59th Independence Day as we secure our future through national mindset change. I was particularly drawn by the last line in the theme: “national mindset change”. I found it genius to add such a catching line to the tired phrase that marked National Resistance Movement (NRM) bill boards and posters during the most recent election period.
However, I remain doubtful that NRM, in its current form and shape, can go beyond this line in the theme. It has struggled to demonstrate consistent solid commitment to effective public service delivery and solving problems faced by the citizenry; and there isn’t tangible evidence of willingness to change their modus operandi.
Even then, most of the well-deserved achievements of NRM are many a time politicized, hence blurring them with the complex tapestry of cheap party popularity.
It seems that mindset change in Uganda is more achievable through individual than national initiatives. In other words, there are personal decisions that we can make as ordinary well-meaning Ugandans that can distract our minds from the undesirable political situation in which we find our country. I will offer some in this article that I have found helpful in gaining more appreciation for our country.
One, let us embrace and support Ugandan made products, projects and ground-breaking innovations. I am a great follower of both local and international media. I feel inspired and impressed by Ugandans whose stories of innovation and resilience are featured, interestingly many of which are individual-led.
In June 2021, for instance, Inside Africa on CNN featured ordinary young people in this country who have devised three different techniques of producing clean cooking fuel which is friendly to the environment.
Secondly, let us explore the numerous and diverse natural sites that earned us the name “Pearl of Africa”. Having lived out of Uganda for a number of years, I can attest that we are truly the Pearl of this continent.
There is a video that made social media rounds recently in which a vividly happy reveller visiting a waterfall site exhorts people not to perceive every penny in terms of a bag of cement!
Third, let us protect and preserve our environment. We should be bothered by the unprecedented climatic changes that have affected different parts of the world, including our own country. The rate of deforestation in Uganda stands at 2.6 percent annually, one of the highest globally, yet indiscriminate tree cutting has persisted countrywide.
We can undertake personal initiatives to preserve our environment. For instance, I decided to shun the use of polythene bags (kavera) by carrying my own re-usable paper bag whenever I want to do shopping. In this way, I raise awareness about the dangers posed by kavera and other plastics to our environment.
The cases that I have hinted are all individual initiatives devoid of any political overtones, and yet capable of spurring more optimism and appreciation of our country. Make no mistake.
My suggestion is not to turn a blind eye to the undesirable [political] situation that has befallen our country, but rather seek positive constructive energy from other good things that we have more control over.
In so doing, we shall attain the much desired national mindset change through our individual initiatives which will enable us create more friendly environments for our daily hustles, even with less political influence. It then seems to me that like many other disappointed Ugandans, the yellow bus will find us ahead, and we shall only go aboard when its occupants have learnt to walk their talk.
Augustine Bahemuka is a writer.
