Posted on December 31
AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA
KAMPALA. As the year comes to a close, there are actually indicators that some of the problems that have been haunting the country may spill over into 2012 and at some point it may call for divine intervention.
Going by the predictions made by experts, the political, economic and social terrain is likely to remain non-conducive or getting more worse in the New Year.
The profligate government spending which threw the country into a nearly economic coma, making the cost of living higher for majority Ugandans is partly blamed for this unbearable economic situation.
Although inflation has declined from 29 to 27 percent in the last four weeks to the close of the year, this can pass unnoticed by the population, already battered by the hard economic times.
Prices of food and other commodities are likely to remain high in the New Year due to erratic rains that have destroyed crops in many areas yet there is increased demand from neigbouring countries like South Sudan, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fuel prices are also not likely to come down following the failure by the government to build fuel reserves that could provide a buffer against fluctuating global prices.
The year 2011 had a series of strikes and demonstrations by opposition politicians, teachers, university lecturers, public transporters (taxi drivers), lawyers and traders.
With the economy showing signs of getting worse before it gets better, such protests are likely to continue in the coming months unless government can undertake reforms required to arrest the downward spiral.
“ I don’t see any serious efforts made by government to contain the situation .What we need to do as Ugandans is to work hard and pray to God to change things for the better ,”says Mr Livingstone Ssewanyana, the Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative .
In fact, teachers, university lectures have already put government on notice to resume their strikes, saying the concerns that led to earlier strikes have not yet been addressed.
Activists for Change (A4C) pressure group, which spearheaded the ‘Walk-to-work’ protests over high food and fuel prices in the past year could soon be on a collision course with the authorities as they also announced plans resume widespread demonstrations this year.
As a human rights defender, Ssewanyana says government ignored its role to protect Ugandans in 2011 and many have been oppressed or maimed while trying to exercise their rights.
“ Yes, they have disbanded the Rapid Response Unit but Police as a Force remains repressive and they are bent on doing that even in the New Year because the challenges forcing people to riot haven’t been addressed ,” he says
On the political stage, the ensuing public anger over the oil bribery allegations (whether true or false) is likely to range on and those who enjoy political drama should get set to for more entertainment on the floor and corridors of parliament.
President Museveni like he has been in 2011 ,is likely to get more busy trying to contain an ever more restless population, a more emboldened opposition and a new breed of rebellious, independent-minded young legislators within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) who think he shouldn’t be the one steering the party after 2016 . Parliament is expected to debate whether to reinstate term limits in the Constitution lifted in 2005, to formulate new legislation to govern the oil sector, and whether to turn down a proposal by Mr Museveni to formulate a law that gives the government the right to deny bail to anybody accused of causing ‘economic sabotage’ to the country through demonstrations and other activities.
It remains to be seen whether authorities will do magic to avert the repeat of situations that have dogged the country in the 2011 or the country will seek divine intervention.
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