2016, As Shaka Ssali:Let us Be Better and Not Bitter!

The year 2016 is here, and the year 2015 which some commentators have labeled a troublesome one is gone. The reasons advanced for this label include the atrocities by terrorists like the Al-Shabaab, the Boko Haram and others. The terrorists attack in Paris is perhaps the most mentioned of all worst things that befell the world in 2015.  The unfortunate unrests in parts of Africa especially in Southern Sudan and Burundi and in other states was also mentioned.

In Uganda, we experienced the death of prominent personalities. Numerous road accidents claimed lives. Fires gutted some establishments and some buildings which were under construction collapsed on workers. There were some skirmishes between the police and politicians, the most pronounced being the undressing of a woman activist. The press curried reports of corruption, delayed payment of pension to senior citizens, conflict between Christians and their Bishop in Sheema District, depreciation of the shilling and poor social service delivery in some parts of the country. The deaths at Ugandan Beaches and the hunger pangs that raved Karamoja were also a bad taste.  Perhaps the most recent bothersome aspect of 2015 was the use of what some commentators termed as ‘abusive’ language by politicians against each other.

However ever, amidst the above, 2015 had a lighter side. The visit by the head of the Catholic Church in December was honorable. The unprecedented event united us as a country. The pearl of Africa was mentioned in world news. Key figures from different political divides shook hands for the first time in 15 years. Ugandans were thrilled!

In 2015, the Uganda Cranes worn some matches, our athletes won medals at international Level, the she cranes represented us well at the world cup! Uganda was listed among the Top 16 Best Destinations to Visit in the World by CNN. The 2015 Quality of Death Index, compiled by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit, found Uganda the 35th at offering palliative care in the world.

This is to mention but a few of the happenings of the year 2015. There were other people’s individual achievements of great weddings, academic graduations, job promotions, acquisitions of property and others.

Now that the 2016 is here let us embrace it with new hope. 

Let all public officials face every day of this year as a day to serve Uganda: after all they are civil servants. Let everyone working with a non-governmental organization face each day as an opportunity to serve humanity: after all they are working with humanitarian organizations. 

Let every politicians speak justly and act honestly: after all they are our leaders. Let all religious leaders offer to counsel, to guide, to reach out to, and to pray for the lost, the hungry and vulnerable: after all they are our shepherds. Let every husband and wife face each day with a resolve to express more love to their partner, to work hard and to nature their children: after all charity begins at home. 

Let everyone be optimistic and be full of faith; after all we are a godly nation and it is ‘For God and My Country’! Let us all resolve to leave in harmony with one another and at peace with our neighbors: after all we are brothers and sisters and we share the same colour of blood.

As one of the gallant sons of Uganda, Dr. Shaka Ssali says whenever he is signs out at his popular show on the Voice of America, let us resolve to be better and not bitter during 2016.

A happy and prosperous year to Uganda.