Paternalistic Leadership Curtails Democracy
Thank you Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu for expressing your views in a very democratic fashion. Youth inclusion MUST be priority for any Democratic government intending to further her development, an exclusion of which Uganda is not.
In their Report, "Can Africa Claim the 21st Century" , which incorporates contributions from Ugandan Government, World Bank clearly reports that, "Improving governance and resolving conflict is perhaps the most basic requirement for faster development". I personally assent to this concept, Africa needs strong institutions without which, Nations gradually begin to disintegrate. Examples of African states in such a phenomenon are all around us.
Our Constitution MUST not be manipulated for egotistical and selfish interests. A fairly young "Democratic" Nation such as Uganda, should provide an enabling climate for democracy to fully evolve. There is a new wave of change on the African Continent that seeks to re-define African Democracy and Leadership from its inclination towards paternalistic leadership that it has assumed over the years, to a democratic leadership in its true sense.
Neale Donald Walsch writes that, “A true leader is not the one with the most followers, but one who creates the most leaders.” This is true because, no leader wants to leave dark legacy in their right mind. Where as the incumbent will indubitably leave a mark on Uganda, it is important that the pinnacle of this mark is not seen as one that will undo everything he has achieved.
Most politicians seem to agree that, the achievements by the incumbent are enough for his legacy and that he should not influence the amending of the constitution to Lift Age Limit for presidency. Its common knowledge that Power Corrupts and rarely does benevolence overcome the temptations and desires of clinging to power. Uganda has grappled with corruption and it seems, we are re still stuck with it...it will be very obnoxious if simply acquiesce corruption to creep, yet again, into the constitution itself.
This Country, as any other democracy, will inexorably outlive the contributions of any benevolent leader. The efforts any leader, trying to perpetuate their legacy without building strong institutions is an insurmountable recipe for regret - if not disaster. I will end with a quote from Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord “They had learned nothing and forgotten nothing.” I hope it won't be something said of our politicians in reminiscent.
