the Humanist view

Until we return to the ethos of genuine bottom-up participatory governance systems via our local council elected leaders (LCs) from village to the top, all resources currently being ploughed into the fight against corruption are a waste.

The decentralisation process was halted and foiled, as demonstrated by non-holding of LCs elections for decades. This is among the biggest failures of President Museveni and National Resistance Movement.

Non-holding of LCs elections for decades is among the root causes and the foundation on which wide spread corruption is nurtured in Uganda.

LCs elected decades ago are no longer the people’s choice, but are imposed upon the people by the central government.

In my ancestral village, Kadoki in Akadot Parish in Pallisa Sub-County in Pallisa District, the one who was elected Village Chairperson is reportedly no longer resident in the village.

And the one whom he made his Vice Chairperson, is automatically governing in his stead. And what a horrible job the illegitimate one is doing.

Many in our village, including me, are the more capable to govern our village in a manner that brings prosperity, improved quality of life and dignity to our home area.

But we are frustrated by the continuous postponement of LCs elections.

Non-holding of lower LCs elections is a a major contributor to the findings of the AFROBAROMETER study, “Citizen’s commitment to democracy and its perceived full supply in Uganda 2012-2024,” that:

“Ugandans are far less satisfied with how democracy works in their country.”

And the Parliament of Uganda, the people’s representatives, are making matters worse.

Members of parliament (MPs) are complicit with the Electoral Commission in legitimizing flimsy excuses of “there is no money to hold lower local council elections,” as reported by Nile Post.

Mr. President, I look forward in hope that lower councils, particularly the village councils, will once again, during your final term and beyond, flourish as the foundation of a genuine participatory and bottom-up governance system for Uganda. I pray that the lower councils will be respected and listened to by the sitting president of Uganda, you and your successors to come; and once again fully functioning lower councils will be the yardstick that legitimates presidential leadership. With you back on course, exercising your leadership of Uganda within the ethos of constitutional governance, broad based participatory governance.” This text is extracted from “Letter to President Museveni.”