We are stronger and better together

As the dust settles after the protests last week following the arrest of Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, a number of issues have been brought to the fore that we need to pay attention to.  

Mr Kyagulanyi is the presidential candidate for the National Unity Platform (NUP). If we are to build a better Uganda that works for all of us, then we need to do the following:

First, the iron hand with which security forces quelled the protests that left more than 40 people dead, should be condemned. That said, there was evidence of another factor that poses a threat to national stability and is tribalism. In fact, tribalism has been responsible for anarchy in many countries.

As much as we were all concerned about the manner in which Mr Kyagulanyi was arrested and wanted justice and dignity accorded to him, the behaviour of some of the protestors portrayed a different motivation - hatred for a particular ethnic group.

On November 19, the Uganda Police Force issued a statement which read in part: “Therefore, those who continue to encourage rioting and threaten individuals on account of their tribes and beliefs, etc, across Facebook posts…will be attended to by our cybercrime teams.”

Indeed, there was and continues to be a lot of hatred and threats directed at certain tribal groups on social media by elements who identify themselves as activists for change. 

Interestingly, during the protests, the Mbarara-Masaka highway was momentarily hijacked by rioters who blocked the road and attempted to set buses on fire.  An online publication reported that some motorists spent the night in their cars in safe places like police stations. 

The question is, how were travellers on that road connected to the arrest of Mr Kyagulanyi? If you have lived in Uganda long enough, you probably have a guess that is as good as mine.

Ugandans, lets not forget our ugly past so as to avoid repeating it. Have we already forgotten the lives that were lost in July 2014 in tribal clashes in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts? 

How about the Batooro/Bakiga conflicts in Kyenjojo and surrounding areas?
The devastating social and economic effects of civil unrest are too obvious for me to list them here. It is high time we held  a candid discussion about the grievances and concerns of the different regions in this country. 

Let the government pay closer attention to equitable allocation of resources and opportunities across this country that boasts of having diverse communities.  For a long time, some Opposition leaders have been proposing instituting a ‘truth and reconciliation’ tribunal of sorts when they take power.

Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has already pledged to effect this during his campaign. Why not face the truth now and create space for open dialogue between government, cultural leaders and other minority groups that feel marginalised?

Ugandans, we are stronger and better together.

Nathan Kaija, 
Kisoro