The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
I have had the opportunity to meet with many youth leaders in the short time I have been in Uganda. And I am truly impressed by their ideas on how to build their country. Yes, youth are frustrated. Many fear Uganda may never live up to its potential. But as I have told them, and will tell you now: That is simply not true. Uganda is filled with unlimited potential and energy, and you will be able to achieve great things. I believe it, and I hope you do, too.
Making that future a reality is going to take more than just talk. It will require a lot of hard work from the people in this room. But you are not alone. The people sitting all around you are not just your classmates and peers. These are your allies and partners. To bring about any kind of change in this country, you will need to work together. Each one of you is smart, strong and talented. I know it because I’ve seen it already. But together, working as partners, you will be unstoppable.
So what does all this mean in the context of today’s discussion about democracy and governance? For starters, it’s not just about politics and elections. Some of you have the skills and should enter politics, but that doesn’t just meaning running for office.
There are countless ways you can help make your country more democratic, more inclusive, and more prosperous. You can help a young girl learn how to read and stay in school. You can volunteer your time to care for the sick. You could help develop apps or write software that help citizens identify and end corruption. All these ideas contribute to building a healthier, more prosperous, and more inclusive society. I’m sure you have your own ideas for ways to improve Uganda’s democratic progress and governance, and I look forward to hearing those thoughts later today.
But the bottom line is that you must do something and take the responsibility upon yourselves to make things happen. I challenge all of you today to try and put your ideas into action, because by simply accepting the status quo, you only guarantee that things will remain the same.
Students worldwide often find themselves at the forefront of social change and reform. In the United States, the student movement in the 1960s led the protests against American involvement in Vietnam. Almost 50 years later, American students are leading new movements to raise awareness about racial and social inequality. Youth around the world are championing causes as diverse as environmental protection and anti-corruption. These youth are working today to create more inclusive and democratic societies where they live.
There is no reason Uganda’s youth cannot do the same. I have seen you take the initiative when facing seemingly impossible odds. Despite growing fears of election violence, young Ugandans organized a nationwide campaign called “I Pledge Peace” to spread a message of nonviolent participation. It was the youth again who quickly found ways to circumvent restrictions on social media to keep information flowing during the vote. That is the kind of power you have just in your own hands.
But the idealism of youth-led movements gets lost when youth resort to violence. Let me be clear: violence has no place in a democratic society – regardless of your position inside or outside government. I urge all of you to reject any calls or rhetoric that urge or encourage violence.
I imagine some of you must be thinking: who is the United States to tell us how to run a democracy? I will readily admit that my country is not perfect. Democracy is often messy. But despite its flaws, the United States constantly tries to improve itself and live up to its democratic principles. We do this because we know that without democracy, we cannot have lasting economic prosperity and security.
Ugandan democracy does not have to look like the democracy in the United States. It is up to you to decide how Uganda defends the rights of all its citizens. But there are basic elements that should be present.
These include protecting the right to free expression and assembly, ensuring freedom of information and the press, and treating all people with dignity and respect. It is our hope that Uganda will make the right choices that guarantee such principles not just exist, but flourish.
As I said earlier, the United States will continue to work with all Ugandans, especially its youth, to work towards a better future. It should be a future in which the Ugandan people truly prosper, and it should be a future in which every child can realize his or her potential. All of you here today deserve a chance to live and thrive and realize your potential.
I sincerely hope that during my tenure in Uganda, we will forge new friendships, strengthen existing cooperation, and create new opportunities by working together. I know this is not an impossible task, because I have already seen how creative and energetic young Ugandans really are.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments after the presentations from our panelists later today. I hope this will be the first in an extended series of conversations with you about how you can play a role in shaping Uganda’s future. Thank you.
Miria Matembe lies like a fisherman. Let her produce evidence that the 9 Supreme Court Judges were all fools and also that she is more credible or more honest than all of them.
I think she should eat humble pie.
Ms Malac, a look at one Charles Rwomushana – much respected by US/EU embassies here – may give you some insight into our elite. He produced a photo of a dead man claiming it was of the Christopher Aine who just resurfaced in Uganda. Rwomushana wept during a TV talk show, uttering innuendoes that Museveni had a hand in Aine’s death.
Look at Museveni’s ‘loss’ to Besigye in the recent poll the very way you look at the Christopher Aine saga. Know that our Supreme Court has merit, its judges are faultless. And Uganda’s only fault is that the Americas of this World must look down on it as they prepare to steal its wealth.
Ms Malac, you state; ‘These rights are guaranteed in Uganda’s laws, and the government should not sacrifice them in the name of stability’. You are stating that stability is subordinate to individual’s interests especially when it is known that your state Department summoned this individual to London and tried to cajole him into vacating political space for your blue-eyed boy Mbabazi!
This statement is a clear indicator of your country’s ulterior intentions toward poor African states.
You’re simply saying; “sacrifice the stability of your country for the comfort of the individual we (Americans) are hobnobbing with – or you will see what we shall do to you’!
In your wisdom, one citizen’s interests/rights overwhelmingly eclipse those of us the rest – as long as this takes place in puny Africa.
If you are correct, why did your FBI so decisively attack and flatten (pulverize) David Koresh’s (Davidian religious sect) camp killing the thousands of ‘innocent’ souls whimpering away therein?
Do not be (mis)used by my fellow Ugandan elite. You’ll soon learn that they follow their emotions and never reason when they want attention (so as to visit your country for ever).