On my mind today, are the hundreds of Ugandans out there who are running for elective political office. My most dear concern is on the ones running to represent their constituents in the 11th Parliament (2021-2026).
I am concerned about these because Uganda’s political contestation and democratic dispensation has been so commercialized that one may need a few hundreds of Millions to run a successful political campaign (keeping other factors constant) especially in a typical rural constituency in any part of the country.
As a result, many people especially the young people who usually have great ideas and capabilities to lead (save to the hundreds of millions), are left very heavily indebted no matter the outcome of the race after elections.
In most cases, if they win, they will definitely go to first look for money to clear these debts (incurred during the campaign period).
And sometimes they get compromised because of these economic realities emanating from taking part in a very highly commercialized process.
Others sell their properties/assets to raise money for the same commercialized political election processes and when they go through, they end up having to first sort themselves by replacing what they sold, or even acquiring much more before they can set out to serve the people. This sometimes sets them on a wrong path.
When they either borrow or sell their properties and they don’t win, that is usually the beginning of a very problematic stage in their lives. Some people’s lives have failed to get back to normal after spending a fortune of their lives in these highly commercialized political campaigns.
This should not be happening if we always stop, think and reflect before selling these assets because we must always know that there is a life after campaigns.
Now, very important, and I wish Ugandans can hear me out. Please note that politics is supposed to be a contestation of ideas, plans and strategies on how you are going to lead the people.
This should be consideration number one. You must ensure that you have the best plans and ideas to sell to the people and in this case, you may have the money just to supplement these are factors that demonstrate readiness.
Otherwise it is also unwise to think that because you have got a few millions and therefore you will go and splash the mini and get voted, you may also get disappointed because at some point (I don’t know when) the people try to look for those leadership qualities in you and at the time of casting the actual vote, the person votes for the one they think deserves the vote.
To all those running therefore, I know that political power corrupts, and it can corrupt your mind at the time of contesting to attain it especially if you have not critically worked on the software version of you.
If you have not taken time to build value system in your quest for leadership. If you have not taken Tim to learn to manage yourself.
And i can assure you will most likely veer off and lose yourself in the process. But try as much as you can to keep within your means. Always remind yourself that there is life after the campaigns are done, whether you win or not. It should not be a “DO or DIE” thing!
Let us also stick to the basic principles, values and rules for starters, and let us advance to the other efforts after accomplishing the primary efforts.
Seek always the grace and wisdom for better understanding of the responsibility, challenges, opportunities and cost that come with stepping out to contest for leadership because when you do so, you have opened your life to the world.
The more goodness you exhibit, the more people you will inspire whether you go through or not, and when you win the election through the right means, you will definitely have a ground to provide great leadership.
We don’t have to join those doing wrong and misusing humanity’s goodness, we can keep ourselves, run within our means and keep upright to give better leadership to the people.
Until my next Note, Greetings from Kigarama.
The writer is a humble citizen from Kigarama, in Ndorwa East, Kabale District.
