Presidents for Hire!!

Blog Entry by Abu Musuuza

So it is that time again. The pace is picking up, the bars are full of a buzz, everyone is murmuring, the excitement and the fear in equal measure. We are heading into the national elections for President and Members of Parliament. While many Ugandans are getting pumped up and international donors, business people, and other governments keener than even the Ugandan voter, I am a very big skeptic of democracy in Africa, and particularly in Uganda.

For one the needs of Ugandans – and likely many other citizens in African countries – are far more basic than casting a vote. Yes, if you are reading this you can clearly see the connection between casting your vote and your needs being met, but 80% of the country do not. Most rural people are struggling with putting the next meal on the table, their backs are bent, facing the ground, digging up the ground to make a living; too oblivious of what is going on at a national level. The politicians are very aware of this disconnect so they manipulate the situation by buying the rural vote – often with very basic things such as matchboxes, quarter a kilo of sugar – or by merely making smoke-screen promises.

When I look at the presidential candidates I get even more discouraged. Five minutes listening to their speeches you realize that this is not about building a nation, but an obsession with the opposing candidate. Every strategy, every punch line is about how evil their opposite number is not the gaps in infrastructure, national health service or some other important national agenda. There is a funny way leadership affects the morale of followers. When I sit at a table with friends and discuss politics, they seem to have resigned to looking out for themselves, cheating the next person to make that big break in life we all desperately seek. Ask them why and they will tell you that after all, whoever gets into a position of power looks at fattening his/her purse instead of guiding resources to the benefit of those less fortunate. I wonder what is so attractive about being rich while everyone else is poor?

So how about we put aside the drama of elections and allow Ugandans to HIRE a president? Think about it…Bill Clinton, Festus Moghae, Joachim Chissano, Mary Robinson, etc. There is an unending pool of African and, if you so wish, global talent that goes to waste every four, five or six years. These are great leaders that have done remarkable jobs for their nations and could have similar or even better contributions to our country. With our priorities set, we hire one of those presidents that has stepped down peacefully and sign a performance based contract with clear targets for their 4 year term…and yes they can be fired! We certainly have the resources to afford this talent and they will certainly not take their positions for granted lest they be booted, which may be embarrassing globally  It will also curtail in the “pests” pausing as politicians we currently have, only looking out to fatten their bellies while the very people that elected them to office get skinny!

Citizens should have the constitutional right to HIRE a President of their choice!!!