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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