Mark Mwesiga's Blog: 'Smoke' withot Fire

Mark Mwesiga's Blog: The can be 'Smoke' withot Fire

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.

To my MP about the Marriage & Divorce Bill

Dear Honourable, The marriage and Divorce Bill which we all along new as the Domestic Relations Bill has caused a lot of storm and is now the talk all over your constituency. As you sought our votes, I am yet to see you at our local church to seek our views about this bill. These never the less are my views: The name of the bill Honourable, why are we calling it ‘Marriage and Divorce Bill’? Having ‘Divorce’ in the name of this proposed law betrays its good intention! Not all marriages will end in divorce. You also have noticed that the name of this bill when translated into our local language sounds vague. This is because our language cherishes marriage but loathes divorce. Religious leaders and elders concerns I appeal that you listen to our Bishops, Sheiks and elders before going ahead to pass this bill into law. They have a legitimate right to be concerned. Most marriages of our land are made at church and mosque but broken in court using laws! The religious leaders perhaps know more about making marriages than our courts and parliament. These leaders do pre marital counselling, conduct weddings, post marital counselling and initiate/baptize children. They are part of the family lives of many and know more. The Children This bill is not so clear about the plight of Children in case of divorce. By children, I mean all people less than 18 years that should be under the care of adults; the biological children, the children of our extended family, those adopted and children begotten out of wedlock. This bill should be clear on their rights in case of divorce. The poor women I do not want to join the rest of the people who have termed this a bill of the “learned” woman. Nevertheless, Honourable, you and I know about women in our villages that own not property but are hardworking and rich at heart. They did not inherit any land, cows or education from their fathers but are married to men who inherited the little they leave on. What is the fate of these women on sharing property in case of divorce? This bill in its current states may exploit the rights of such mothers. Our Culture This bill touches on a number of our values and norms. A marriage in our culture is not a two people affair as the bill insinuates. It is a tribe, clan and family affair. For example at okuhingira (give away ceremony), the bride is handed to the groom’s father and his clan. This aspect of culture signifies new birth, a smooth bond of two families and protection to the young woman. Our culture also appreciates conflicts, separation and provides for ‘repentance’, forgiveness and re-union in marriage. Does the bill provide for this after divorce? The Best way to fight awful culture is not through enforcement of controversial laws but through sensitization. Widow inheritance is dying this way. Most of our cultural practices are not harmful but have been manipulated by our corrupt modern intentions. Lastly Honourable, the heart of the bill is on the sharing of property. The clause is however void of the virtues of wealth creation. It falls short of promoting hard work and stewardship among on spouses. Won’t such mere sharing of property promote laziness and theft? I hope my letter will reach you.

Let 2013 be a year of peace, change and development

The 'long gone' 2012 was a year special for Uganda! It was supposed to be a year of joy, celebration and unity of all Ugandans regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation. As Ugandans, we were supposed to join in the Jubilee celebrations as a family and focus on what unites us other than what divides us. However, political intrigue, selfishness, corruption, negligence and other vices continued to manifest in the ‘jubilee year’! Some politicians labeled the jubilee celebrations a waste of time and money, huge corruption scandals were reported while hatred amongst top public figures grew. Let 2013 be a year of peace amongst civil servants and politicians where the drive to provide leadership and services to the people supersedes personal egos and political disguises. Let this be a year of public accountability. Let it be that the drive to serve overrides the drive to steal. When those in government ministries, Commissions and authorities decide to be good stewards, then those in local councils will be forced to follow suit. This would reduce the strain on the national budgets already affected by donor cuts. Let 2013 be a year of commitment to duty for all in public offices. Let it be that no mother dies in labour due to negligence of health workers. Hellen Keller, an accomplished author and the first deaf blind to earn a Bachelors of Arts Degree once said, ‘’the world is moving along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker<’’. Let the next eleven months be a period of honest work and ultimately peace and development will be realised for all of us.

Hi Parents! The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 “to train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” For the sake of their calling, and destiny they’re created to fulfil by Almighty God, do your part by teaching your children healthy eating habits so that they will be strong and mighty in the land!

Important Persons Sleeping at Important Functions!

While reading the Uganda’s national budget yesterday, cameras caught pictures of some important citizen sleeping. These pictures added humor to Television news. One watching an important person sleeping at an important faction would not hold back a smile. But could this ‘sleeping’ be a fact of portraying a bigger picture? Is it possible that sometimes people in important positions ‘sleep’ and therefore fail their important offices? Is it possible that one of the reasons for the slowdown of economic growth recoded this year could be linked to ‘sleeping’ economists of our country? While giving his speech at the Budget reading function, the President blamed the low economic growth recoded this year on some “un serious individuals”. The president blamed the opposition for not supporting important areas of the economy like attracting foreign investors. He again blamed an anonymous individual who gave out a license to import slaughtered chicken. Is it possible that such individual did this while ‘sleeping’? Otherwise how can one explain such given the fact that the government through various programs has been encouraging poultry practice in the country? On the other hand, could this ‘sleeping’ be imaging low interest of the important persons towards important functions? Is it possible that some important people have therefore lost interest in the serious matters of our country? Is it possible therefore that governance matters no longer interest some of the impotent persons? Is it possible that this ‘sleeping’ is the cause for the now entrenched corruption in important offices of our country? Apart from offering us a bit of humor on television news, the ‘sleeping’ important persons could be portraying a bigger picture. One could argue that they were pondering. On the other hand one could argue that they are so busy with country assignments that they never get enough sleep. Bravo to all press men and women that try to keep awake at such ‘sleeping’ moments!

Uganda Martyrs and Today's Church Behavior! Part

The Uganda Martyrs took that great step for the growth of Christianity. It was a risk that put life to an edge. Imagine walking 10 kilometers to a killing spot.

You have an option not to believe and so that you are released but you insist to walk to death?

Mukajanga the commander of the killers it is said was a man of a few words. His word was final and rather tough. The introduction of Christianity in Buganda (Uganda) came along with death. The converts to this new religion had a choice; to obey the new King (Kabaka), denounce the new religion and gain freedom or to maintain their faith in the newly introduce God by a white man and face death!

The new converts chose to believe! You see, belief offered the option of going to heaven. The way to heaven is through death after all.

kabaka Mutesa I died in 1884 just a few years after the arrival of the missionaries. He left the kingdom in the hands of Mwanga II his son. The new King was a youth fellow whose ruling style fell far short of the appeal and political wisdom his late father's confirmed  dealing with the foreigners.

The new king therefore faced a challenge of handling divergent royalty. Remember, the total tradition of the Buganda kingdom was the exact opposite of what Christianity preached. Instead of worshiping the numerous traditional gods, one God had to be worshiped; there was the mention of a kingdom in heaven other than the current one. Such required a charismatic leader to deal with. To add salt to an injury, the new converts could no longer follow the Kabakas’ orders to letter.

This was because some of the orders conflicted with the new belief. Wasn’t the king right to refer to people of his kingdom who believed to another kingdom as rebels? Wasn’t Mwanga II right to charge these with treason? What is the is the court sentence for treason even in the current Ugandan law? 

According to information on Buganda Kingdom website, Kabaka Mwanga “ordered the execution of Yusufu (Joseph) Rugarama, Makko (Mark) Kakumba, and Nuwa (Noah) Serwanga the first three Christian martyrs, who were killed at Busega Natete on January 31, 1885” ‘’Between December of 1885 and May of 1886 many more converts were wantonly murdered. Mwanga precipitated a showdown in May by ordering the converts to choose between their new faith, and complete obedience to his orders. Those unwilling to renounce their new faith would be subject to death. Courageously, the neophytes chose their faith.

The execution of twenty six Christians at Namugongo on June 3, 1886; was the climax of the campaign against the converts. The last person killed in this crusade, was Jean-Marie Muzeeyi, who was beheaded at Mengo on Jan 27, 1887. ‘’ To be continued: look out for part 2