Dear Colleagues,
It is true that quite a lot has been discussed and it is like time for
implementation is long overdue. I can sense that some people are losing hope
and might, hold back, in future discussion. I wish to take sides: I agree that
we need to do something now, else we shall never.
On the other hand, West Nile, just like other regions needs
economic revival. I hear about gone days (between 1960 - 1980) during which
hard work was proven. Custodians of our taxes were trustworthy. They, to a
larger extent, cared for all the civil servants. Consequently, security,
health, education, and many other sectors of productivity took better shape.
Which was why a pupil sitting for PLE in Arua public or Moyo Girls would choose
and make it to either Gayaza or Sir Samuel Baker (later known as Pongdwongo).
There was no need for a parent to go to an HM to 'beg' for vacancy. You just
wait for your acceptance letter by the postal services. Today the sort of
system of governance we are in is tending towards capitalism.
I have no problem with what one does to earn a living; as long as it is morally
acceptable; we should encourage our people to work as really they are hard
working. Once upon a time, most Ma'di people sniggered the lugbara communities
who migrated and settled among them. Generally the Lugbara women took to
business of selling food and other merchandises. While most Ma'di women engaged
in the 'brewery industries' producing pkhete, wiri, nguli, etc. The Ma'di woman
brewing and earning a living from it, consoled herself that she was better than
a 'Lubwari zi' living by doing some businesses (selling tea, sumbusa, mandazi
etc). And I think the Lugbara women on their part had good reasons not to take
on the 'industry' of the Ma'di women. Each was right and at the same time
wrong. Today the trend seems to be duplicating itself across regions: the
majority of the private security guards come from either West Nile, Northern
region or Lango and Teso sub regions. Most of the workers in the sugar and tea
plantations come from the same areas.
I love my people and value what they do to honestly earn their living. My
problem is in the situation where the hard-earned money does not get
re-invested. Our people are very innovative and look forward to a better
future. This was exhibited in coming up with CUCUA, and ERO. While the Lugbara
people had both Ero and Cucua, the Ma'di people only depended on ero. In
capitalism, consideration should be made for continued investments, not
consuming profits. Check how you spend your money!!!
The point I am making is that the advent of capitalism comes with challenges
and the prices have to be paid. We need either to improve on our existing
economic activities, or phase out the obsolete ones and adopt rather newer
alternatives. Perceptions have to change and then take advantage of every
opportunity to etch out economic values which then can be translated in to real
cash. Without economic empowerment, the sour, otherwise bitter side of life
will be the only alternative. This includes journey to Muni University. It is
near us, but going there requires money. Not just money to enter University,
but money to go through pre-primary education, primary, and secondary
education. Some of you know what I am taking about. The current form of UPE
will never lay a good foundation in our children for competitive tertiary
institution. Most of the schools we have in West Nile are depending the already
failing UPE - misplaced hope. What the people in this forum could do is to use
the governance system already in place to suggest, but not authorise changes.
The system is like a pyramid - the rule is by the top not bottom. The private
sector thrives better that the public. That is why we need investors. A
teacher hired to work in a private school in most cases deliver; however, those
on the government pay roll will not deliver - the assumption is that all
graduated from EREPI TTC .
In conclusion, approach should be economic empowerment so that we can afford to
send our children to schools were teachers are well motivated.
Back to you.
Sebastian
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