Am on my way to Zitemwa Manyagwa Gayaza road and right next to me is a tight lipped Nabwire carol. She is my village neighbor and at the look of things she rarely comes to Kampala even when it’s simply a 20 minute drive on a good day.
Back to where Nabwire comes from in Zitemwa, many like her have never been to the Kampala big apple. Child labor is rampart here that even the children abused find it right. This is a place with no good schools, hospitals and health care is simply a myth. At one moment you could think the area is a country away from Uganda but with the flamboyant pictures of presidential and parliamentary candidates from the past elections, this feeling can’t stay for long.
Yes, people in such areas were much involved in these elections like always its also true that they turned up in large numbers to vote for different candidates. They decide Uganda’s future over and over since they have a lot of time on their hands.
But is it worth it?
One may wonder why such people as Nabwire still indulge in politics if it’s not yielding any fruits. Nabwire claims that in 1996 the area was promised a road meant to run from the Manyagwa trading centre to Mukono. Much as the pledge was honored, it should be noted that at least three quarters of the population in Manyangwa own no cars to use the tarmac.
Nabwire like the many, stays with a brother of hers. He’s ten years old and has never seen a blackboard though his story is different from any you have heard. He doesn’t crave for school and he despises those kids whose parents he believes succumbed to that over hyped routine.
In a deep talk with Nabwire you get to realize that both she and the brother didn’t get a chance to stay with their parents for long and all they have is the land they are living on. Like that they have no one to tell them how important education is. Their story and the village represent over a thousand Ugandan villages and Nabwire and the brother reflect the nature of Uganda behind the curtains. With few days for the president elect to officially start his fourth term, this is the time for Ugandans to question them selves whether after president Museveni is sworn in Ugandans should plan for the worst, better or the same.
There a number of undeveloped parts in Uganda, places where smartly dressed guys are called uncle or auntie with an aim of getting something from you. These are almost distant places in lifestyle; the rule of law is almost something unheard of. Its one of the few Ugandan places where people find it legal to sit over three to four people on a boda boda. Their life is so predictable and simple i.e. from bed to garden to bed daily, it’s the circle.
An estimate shows that at least 53% of children in Zitemwa don’t go to school yet UPE because it’s been long since their parents owned a 1000 shs note.
Many of their parents are brick layers just like Nabwire, she says she had tried sending the brother to school but the job as a brick layer couldn’t yield much since the area has over 100 brick layers with very few construction works in process.
This leaves the brother as part of the 53% children who spend the day looking for work, stealing fruits and picking food on dustbins. He has a shy composure though his friendly nature has not been welcomed by the neat homes; he comes along with lice and trust me his odor is not a nose friendly one.
Giving him different items does little to solve their problems since they usually sell them off to get money for upkeep.
This town represents the true nature of the country Museveni has once again inherited, a country with such towns with even worse off infrastructure. Their world is not far but shut from the realities of an average Ugandan.
In his new term he has to help these Ugandans achieve a life they only imagined, may be through better schools he can help build for them meaningful role models than these whose dreams and ambitions have since been turned to ashes.
Before planning for a 3 billion swearing ceremony, the president should look at such dissolute areas like these because it’s even said they voted for him like no one else. Such an area where only about 8% of the houses can afford electricity needs not politicians but performers.
They are usually used as play grounds for politicians during elections but after all that you will be thrown into wondering if they even have legislators but they do both government and opposition officials.
They are the 80% Ugandan agriculturalists whose possible funds may be wasted on their politicking parliamentarians, their children and future has been stolen thus these areas bright future is far from reaching.
With the escalating prices of food stuff, fuel and an extravagant government budget what’s left for such societies how are they supposed to plan for the next five years.