The long, winding, road for discovery of democracy come, 2011

Most Ugandans are still young, despite this many still have the recollection
whatsoever about the first violent free and truly democratic elections, that
Uganda had since its birth in 1962.

Older people, who supposedly were eager voters by then, were left with ulcers of
severe amnesia, ostensibly due to the previous systematic brain washing of the
past regimes for over the past 30 years. Before the rebirth of Uganda to democracy
in 1962, democracy was seen as filthy, western import, which Africans did not
believe in, so for all practical purposes in the 21st century, the newborn
democracy, particularly to contemporary and sophisticated Ugandans.

We can see in 1995 that the democracy meant adopting a new ideology and a
constitution, democracy also means violence which has been seen in forms of
demonstration, tear gas canisters and riots.

We have seen democracy building tall and sharp fences around different towns; even
our own city square has been littered around with net like metals of a fence.
Democracy is akin to living like a lab rat in an artificial maze.

Today democracy has created a total confusion and most importantly hysterical
laughter, which stems from a plethora of newly, established political parties with
lively acronyms, for instance, The Non Resistance Movement (NRM), which created
grounds for this democracy, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda Peoples
Congress (UPC)
Democracy has brought a colorful person to that white palace down in Entebbe, we
now have a passionate, highly intelligent president who makes funny faces like
“Ace Venture, the pet detective”, right in front of state guest, Al Gore did a
similar thing during the presidential race in 1992 of the US.

Democracy is a great venture, great times too, but many have not realized the
preparations by the NRM party, who have clearly symbolized how focused the party
is, unfortunately, the opposition seems to instead be fighting each the other on
issues how to front candidates, in which place and only oust the ruling party, how
about talking of helping and planning for the country and not ousting a ruling
party.

Democracy is a great family outing, I was walking down from campus to my place of
residence a short while ago before the Rubaga L.C 5 Chairman elections where
Pastor Peter Ssematimba won, in front of me were the supporters of the NRM party
moving on a boda-boda, Dad, mom and son, in yellow attire and no helmets, suddenly
a small battalion of greens approached from the opposite direction, same stuff,
Dad, mom, and son on a spanking red motorcycle.

When NRM Dad sow his counterpart, immediately beeped his horn, and the DP family
Dad beeped his horn too, suddenly the two families raised their arms and started
waving wildly at each other wide and pearly, smiles exchanged with a much
enthusiasm.
Democracy indeed is being messed up by a few, if this is what we always see before
elections, then those who lose elections must be the cause of most violence’s, am
not pointing blame, but it is my thought, I guess those who always plan best have
the lead at the end of it all, not to matter, the end justifies the means.
Democracy is frightening, long and winding, but you can not believe.
I will be walking down that same road to vote, come 2011.

By
Obam Andrew
Justice and constitutional affairs minister
Makerere student’s guild (MSG) and also
Chairman St Mary Kitende Old students
Association.