Editorial
Deal Breakers in the Digital Age
While the U.S. Federal Reserve prints the greenback with what some may refer to as feverish abandon; and much as this may, in negative extremity, lead to devaluation of the American currency, profligacy is, probably, the last thing on either Mr. Bernanke or Mr. Obama’s mind. But in this age of austerity; in an epoch where a country’s leaders must show some sort of moderation, Yoweri Museveni is, as a result of his latest public relations debacle, more synonymous with ‘generous’ monarchs than with the trappings of modern day presidency.
That Mr. Museveni could ‘donate’ 250 million Uganda shillings (US$100,000) to youth in the Eastern part of the country is not in question. Like the President’s Office says, the president’s donations are budgeted for and approved by Uganda’s parliament. But what should have been an ordinary event has sparked worldwide vituperation simply because of the way it was done: Stuffing bills into a white sack and giving it out at a public venue – in full view of world press – simply smirked of a past age where the ruling monarch gave to the people from his personal bounty.
In the digital age, this is simply a deal breaker: Uganda is in the global market for investors. It competes for the world’s attention against Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Burundi, and other Great Lakes nations for the benefits of being part of a global community.
Uganda has incredible opportunities that many a Brazilian, Turkish, American or Chinese entrepreneur would like to take advantage of. Thus, with other countries offering all kinds of concessions and business friendly environments, Uganda does not need this kind of distraction. And this should not, under any circumstances, be viewed as unimportant. President Museveni’s donation to the youth in Eastern Uganda – however well intentioned – is as scandalous as the recent ‘Kill the Gays’ bill and the sensational YouTube video on Joseph Kony. What each of these two things managed to do is present Uganda in a negative light and worked, especially, to relegate Uganda to the dark days of Idi Amin, Milton Obote and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
The Habari Network has conducted extensive interviews with both Ugandans and a whole host of foreign individuals. The one thing that emerges, especially from the Ugandans, is a sense of shame. Collectively, all interviewees agreed that Uganda did not need this latest thing. Not only has Museveni’s gesture brought his long reign into question: The zeitgeist is, succinctly captured by Ugandan activist Jackie Asiimwe – Mwesige: ‘Which president walks around with kilograms of money?’ She asks. ‘It looks so pedestrian,’ she adds. ‘It doesn’t augur well for his stature.’
But contextually, Museveni has earned his place as Uganda’s “father of the nation”. He’s up there with Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere.
He has served longer than all of them and he has done some good things for the country. However, Arnold Ludwig’s King of the Mountain: The Nature of Political Leadership has an invaluable nugget: The longer one stays in power, the more they are prone to insularity.
Those who know Yoweri Kaguta Museveni agree that he is incredibly perceptive. That he has his country at heart is not in question. In fact, many say that if the president had his way, Uganda would be a middle class country these 20-something-years-later of his leadership. But others say that because he’s ‘let down’ by his own managers, this direct appeal to the youth is, ostensibly, the best way to inject economic development to a region.
Conversely, it does not change the fact that his recent action has repercussions for other African and Afro-Caribbean leaders. In the press coverage around the world, Museveni is simply viewed as another unchecked and unhinged ruler; one who is not accountable to anyone and does things on the whim. For all many foreigners know, the Ush 250 million (US$100,000) could be their hard earned tax payer sweat donated to the people of Uganda. This may be unfair – but so is Mr. Museveni.
In the digital age, not one leader should be juxtaposed with Bolesław II the Generous. As Duke of Poland between 1058 and 1076, and third King of Poland 1076 – 1079, he brought economic and cultural development to Poland, and produce his own coinage in quantity great enough to bring considerable revenue into the royal coffers. These things, positive as they may have been, would not be acceptable today. Gone are the old borders of sovereignty. Dispensed with are a country’s citizens. Even China or North Korea cannot keep the world’s prying eyes out. With a mind as sharp as his is said to be, Mr. Museveni should have known better than this.
Editorial Board,
The Habari Network