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There can be 'Smoke' without Fire

The Rt. Hon.Jacob Olanya - Deputy Speaker of Uganda's 9th parliament came out to say that lack of research was affecting parliamentary debate. According to him, parliamentarians are always politicking, instead of discussing real issues of development. He also criticized some journalists for giving Uganda poor publicity which affects the appeal for investors to come here. Regardless of the basis of the Deputy Speaker's comments he was spot on and should be praised f
or coming out strongly. One can easily countdown un researched stories that have originated from parliament in recent times. These stories normally appeal to social networks and spread as fast as wild fires in Uganda.

One of the most recent stories is that of the high salaries paid to staff in state house. State house has clarified that the high salary figures displayed in the media were wrong but this correction may not go as far and as fast as the first story. In our country and perhaps in contemporary world, people have keen interest for ''bad'' news. Any story that portrays injustice, cruelty, shame, inequality, deception, rage, theft or conflict spreads faster and generates more debate. It is disheartening that some of these stories do not necessarily carry the truth. It has been said by some people that ''in Uganda, anything can happen!'' Some people therefore jump to conclusions without giving rumor, errors or hear says any benefit of doubt. In other words, what some people have termed 'wolokoso' is what is driving major debates in Uganda. Such stories do not only arouse wrong emotions among the public but also tarnish images of organisations and personalities.

The media is not short of stories of leaders who have been falsely accused and publicly hated only to be exonerated by courts of Law. The act of spreading and receiving of unfounded accusations is not limited to the press. One can only imagine that there could be some people who have been denied employment in companies and organisations based on wolokoso. In some instances, decisions based on falsehoods have affected would be thriving relationships, families and marriages.

 There is a very interesting story in the book of John in the Bible. The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman whom they had caught in adultery. The ''sinner'' was made to stand in front of a group of people and her case was read. '' Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now what do you say?" (NIV) Jesus answered by calling upon any of them that was without sin to cast the first stone. On hearing this, all people who were present began to go away one at a time, until Jesus was left with the woman alone. Jesus then asked her: "woman where are they? ... Go now and leave your life of sin (NIV)." This could mean that people found of raising accusations do not take time to reflect before speaking out! Whereas the urge for news that appeals to emotion is on great demand, let all in charge be alert to avert alarmist tendencies.

There is need for those charged with shaping public perception to do due diligence before passing on information to the public. Managers and entrepreneurs also need to be conscious of any information that is accusing or alleging unbecoming behaviors of their staff. The notion that ''there is no smoke without fire' should not be stretched to include fog.

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