Abstract
As Uganda– The Pearl of Africa prepares for elections 2016, much is expected of the country- to conduct free, fair and transparent election, ensure and maintain peace before, during and after. As characteristic of most elections across and within Africa, there have been reported “pockets” of violence and tensions ahead of the elections.
Barring the assumption that these may constrain the country’s ability to ensure a climate conducive for peaceful, transparent and credible elections, I repudiate but very very optimistic that Uganda will stand tall and use this elections to reflect what is the best in them and not the worst for a successful election and peace will prevail subsequently. My stance stems from the fact that I know Ugandans as peace loving people, who have their country at heart and are willing and and ready to do any thing to maintain this peace. Additionally, the outcome of this election 2016 is within their grips to make the prosperous Uganda we all want- for the best future and optimal life ahead.
However, envisaging and having a climate conducive for peaceful, transparent and credible elections is not just a shibboleth but requires the efforts of all and sundry to make it a reality. I write below suggesting how and also to admonish “my” fellow Ugandans to ensure and make “us” proud- by observing electoral processes, voting peacefully, restraining from violence, being tolerant and acting as the most powerful instrument of peace. For “WE HAVE ONE UGANDA; AND OUR BANNER MUST BE PEACE JUSTICE AND LOVE”. SO LET’S VOTE FOR PEACE AND LET UGANDA WIN.
NB: In this piece, I repeatedly use “I, We, Us, My fellow” but in the context of this election i do not mean I AM VOTING BECAUSE I AM NOT AN ELIGIBLE VOTER. I use them to underscore the need and; call for all and sundry to give peace a chance. BUT I LOVE UGANDA.
The year 2016 marks a milestone on the electoral calendar of many African countries. Uganda is no exception. For many eligible Ugandans, this is the most appropriate time to exercise one of their fundamental human rights– the right to vote and be voted for; choose the right candidates (president, MPs, etc). In the same vein, the various presidential candidates and their campaign teams are vigorously using diverse methods and approaches to tailor to the eligible voters their comprehensive packages of manifesto to win power; the electorates at the other end of the line are also making or have made informed decision regarding all that the political parties have presented to them- therefore ready to make their choices.
However, since this processes involves different people from different backgrounds (tribe, religion etc), different political parties, with different ideologies, it’s expected to observe tensions, and some pockets of violence. These are not determinants of unsuccessful electoral process and also to assume that it will plunge the country into conflict, however. Why because it is not inevitable but avoidable- Ugandans have the power to do that.’We’ love peace and want the best for ‘our’ country.
Yes IT’S POSSIBLE! At the heart of all these is the understanding that, the country Uganda must continue to live in PEACE before, during and after the voting- that is to say ” elections is all about BALLOTS and not BULLETS”, neither is it about clubs, stones and knives. It’s in the light of this, that I also write to re-echo, emphasize and add my voice to the numerous peace preachers (EU electoral observers, etc) that WE NEED PEACE in Uganda and so you and I as individuals irrespective of who we are (tribes/ethnic; black and or white), where we hail (North, South, East and West) and our political affiliations must STRIVE, HUNGER and THIRST for PEACE, whenever (day/night; raining/not) and wherever (markets, workplaces, schools, pubs, in cars- taxi, cabs and etc) we find ourselves.
Yes, ‘we’ are enjoying peace, preaching PEACE PEACE PEACE and expecting it, but it is not enough to just TALK about it, we must BELIEVE in it; and it’s not even to believe in it, WE MUST WORK at it. This means the peace ‘we’ are all yearning for MUST BE PURCHASED AT TOO HIGH A PRICE. If so, then we (you and I- all and sundry) MUST be at WAR with our VICES (double voting, carrying ballots boxes away, insulting and inciting others, abusing powers, rioting, violating electoral rules and regulations and any form of behaviors that may serve as precursors to cause fear and panic) and be at PEACE with our NEIGHBORS and follow and observe laid down electoral rules and regulations to ensure safe, transparent and peaceful election.
To ‘my’ fellow Ugandans, all am saying is let ‘us’ give peace a chance, because returning VIOLENCE FOR VIOLENCE MULTIPLIES VIOLENCE, just like ADDING DEEPER DARKNESS TO NIGHT DEVOID OF STARS- thus, HATE cannot drive out HATE, ONLY LOVE CAN DO. Nobody can buy us PEACE but OURSELVES. Let us all demand for peace, LOVE ourselves, be PATIENT, HUMBLE and TOLERATE each other before, during and after this election. The MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WE CAN BE IS AN INSTRUMENT OF PEACE.
The election is the right time for “us” – Ugandans to think anew and act anew- to see the Uganda ‘we’ all want. Let’s use this election to reflect what is the best in us and not the worst. Let’s cast our votes and continue enjoying peace while we prepare for the prosperous future ahead of us. “We” have one Uganda and our banner must be Peace, Justice and Love. GOD Bless UGANDA!!!!!!!!
TELL YOUR BROTHER, SISTER AND FAMILY …………….TO VOTE FOR PEACE AND LET UGANDA WIN
