Uganda is a diverse Nation in construct, Different forms of diversity not only identify us but also distinguish us from the many people in this land. We hail from different regions, that are composed of different tribes that speak different languages. we also as a people, practice different religion.
Such diversity should be able to elevate us into achieving different goals for the greater good so we can grow as a Nation. Our differences are meant to increase our productivity in the long run.
Being multi-lingual, with a multi party system as well, Uganda has created representation of people of all divides everywhere. But like our divisions on tribes, unfortunately our political parties represent religion, tribal orientation before they represent our political bearing and values.
With such an enabling environment, the unity of Ugandans has become elusive and abstract in nature. This has ultimately stifled the role of dissent in pushing governance and development ahead. We as a people have been brought to a cross road, where to speak the truths of this land almost sounds like being anti-government and this is evident in the;
The level of intolerance among each other;
We have become very intolerant of each other's views and have become both defensive and dismissive in our discourse.
Our reality has come to a place where we cannot talk to each other without the looming cloud of sects.
The creation of catalyst to deter dissent;
Government through the Public Order Management Act(2013), has left no room for other political parties to exercise their freedom to assemble. The Act holds a bias on a small sect of people in society and it has also exposed the impartiality of the military and police forces in implementing this law. And so, if you speak contrary to the status quo of government, you are labelled "anti-government" and from there on are treated as such, and consequently will be caught up in a witch hunt,with the security organs of the land.
And it is the witch hunt, arbitrary arrests and elimination of voices of dissent that has made it hard for democracy to thrive in Uganda.
We need voices of dissent to create a balance in the discourse and engagements that push for the development of this land. We need to create a society that adheres to and embraces dissent and the different faces of democracy for without them this becomes a dictatorship, where the decisions of the day take only one individual to make at the expense of a whole Nation.
Dissent fosters objectivity and checks impunity, for where alternative voices are given audience, new strategies to governance and democracy are welcomed and used for the greater good. So we need to work towards achieving a society that can accommodate the different voices that make this land unique in its construct.
