Like the past parliaments, the 11th parliament in Uganda learned nothing and forgot nothing about greed and egotistical tendencies. In the middle of a pandemic that has devastated the global economy, “our members of parliament” can still afford the luxury of spending 200 million Uganda shilling each to buy cars which are not necessary now. While most MPs are snake oil salesmen, this time we urge them to be patriotic and think about being a servant for their constituents and not the kings and queens they think they are.
The roles of MPs entail legislation, budget appropriation and approval, oversight, and effective representation of their constituents, and holding consultative meetings. While I am aware that it is not the responsibility of the member of parliament to construct infrastructure such as schools, roads, hospitals etc., it is the moral responsibility of a member of parliament to ensure that taxpayers’ money/ public resources are not put to waste. Now that MPs can allow such extravagance to thrive in their favor in such a dire situation where citizenry need comfort, hope and proactive leadership, one wonders whether the 11th parliament can address the current needs of the country.
I opine as an Alliance for Transformation (ANT) member that the current situation in Uganda calls for political morality of proactive leaders whose interest is to serve the people. MPs must straighten their ways and refer to history so as to halt the catastrophic trajectory our country is on. Though not in the mandate of a member of parliament to provide for the social needs of his /her constituents, any member of parliament who is in touch and empathetic about the local person that he/ she claims to represent can utilize the 200 million or at least half for the collective benefit of his/her constituents in this trying moment.
For example, in all rural and peri urban areas there is still:
- Lack of proper sensitization about Covid19, its variants, modes of transmission, and its implication on the political social and economic status of the citizenry. It would be in the interest of any forward-looking MP to massively invest in sensitization and supply hygiene appliances such as masks, sanitizers, and where possible food to the vulnerable persons who need such support during this pandemic.
- Crippled Education: more than half of the children in Uganda do not access digital/ remote education instruction as alleged by government. Motivating the young generation especially school going children is not only prudent but critical and necessary. I predict that approximately 15% of the students are likely not to return to school when schools re-open. Holding other factors at constant the projected dropout largely is attributed to anxiety, trauma, and depression caused by the pandemic and its effects. As a result, these young stars will turn destitute at the community and national levels. Leaders such as MPs can intervene by collaboratively identifying professionals to motivate and give hope to school children at community level while observing SOPs.
Therefore, it should be the discernment and in the interest of any political leader especially a member of parliament to avoid being politically null in the face of the public. The difference between men and boys, girls and women is the way they handle and respond to seemingly complex situations. Otherwise, MPs are no different than Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France who lived a luxurious life at the expense of a bleeding populace of France. As leaders the best practice is to put people and service above egocentricities and satisfaction.
The writer is Francis Kamuhanda
Member of ANT
ANT- Diaspora, USA Chapter Coordinator.