If the opposition is disputing the reappointment of the Kiggundu Electoral Commission, how come they are fielding candidates to contest for the Mbale Municipality seat in the by-election the same commission has organised? Opposition political parties must walk the talk if they are to be taken seriously by the electorate.

Samuel Kabuye Lusaaka,
Kampala.


All immigrant settlers must respect Buganda

The NRM does not appreciate the fact that many Baganda are comfortably settled on crown land and have no disturbance from the Buganda Kingdom officials.

Disputes that arise between the two parties are often settled at the Buganda Lands Office and usually, if not always, the land occupants are always listened to and compassionately treated. Why then should the government pass laws that threaten people’s freedom of ownership and settlement on their own land?

I believe that squatters on land should negotiate peacefully with their landlords. Why should immigrants on Buganda land take His Highness the Kabaka for granted? Buganda welcomed them onto its land and all we demand is that they respect the hospitality accorded them and not steal what does not belong to them.

This could serve as an example to other tribes in Uganda.  If our brothers from the West fear to lose their homes on our land and decide to influence national decisions to favour them, then we are fast losing track of the vision of a democratic, free and fair nation.

Edgar Kabulidde,
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Time to revisit Bahati gay bill

MP Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill is at crossroads. Basing on the President’s comments while meeting NRM NEC members recently, where he mentioned concerns from powerful foreign leaders, it looks like the backers of the Bill have to give it a second thought.

Comments from the President have certainly poured cold water on the enthusiasm for the Bill that had been exhibited by the likes of Nsaba Buturo, Kabakumba Matsiko and Aston Kajara.

I concur with the President, not in support or disapproval of the Bill in its entirety, but on the fact that a country is also influenced by its foreign friends.
Personally, I would only insist on strong punitive measures against offences involving children below 18.

Mweteyo-Musiime,
Bushenyi.


War threats not good for Uganda

As Ugandans prepare for the 2011 elections, everyone hopes and wishes to cast their vote for their favourite candidate. All this is done in the endeavour to seek good governance. Our endless cry is to have free and fair elections so that every contender should be gratified and of course for peace to prevail.

However, what bothers many are the threats of war, insurgency or bloodshed we hear. Honestly, I don’t think Ugandans are ready for any more deaths and displacements due to conflict.
Kenya, for instance, lost her glory within days because of the recklessness of her leaders.

It’s very unfortunate that FDC leader, Kizza Besigye, sounded war drums as was reported in The Observer (Col. Besigye warns of war- January 28-31, 2009). I am sure such statements send a cold chill down Ugandans’ spines. What better leadership will Besigye offer with such belligerent statements? These war threats are certainly not music to our ears.

David Wankya,
Kayunga.


Let us change the way we learn

I would like to express my frustration at how the good brains in our schools get wasted while those that succeed usually do so by accident or through ‘technical know who’.

First of all, the subjects which are taught in schools should change with the changing times. They should be able to help students transform their lives and be practical. Subjects like ‘Divinity’ I believe are not necessary at all. Emphasis should instead be on subjects like entrepreneurship.

I also still struggle to understand why European History should be a compulsory subject while African History is optional. People in the Western world learn more about their countries and only read about Africa during their free time.

This is why they have been able to understand their historical mistakes and not repeat them. Also, the years that we spend at school are too many.

With the biological clock ticking, marriage on their minds and other social responsibilities staring them in the face, tell me how someone like that won’t swindle funds to make up for  lost time.

It would make better sense if we cut two to four years from the time we spend studying; then graduates would have ample time to work and develop themselves.
The system should not concentrate on teaching students what to think, but should instead teach them how to think.

Benedict Nyenje,

0775-542099

Where is Winnie Byanyima?

As we near 2011, what a Muganda would call “omwaka gwa kaasameme”, I would like to ask: where is Uganda’s distinguished iron lady, Winnie Byanyima? I haven’t heard from her in more than a year! The country misses her a lot.

Ntegye Asiimwe,
Kampala.


Queen needs to rescue veterans

I get incensed when I see retired government workers demanding their pension for almost a century without receiving what is rightfully theirs.

If an ex-soldier recruited by the British colonial government to fight in World War II is still crying for his pension, then we have reason to get worried.

I implore the Queen of United Kingdom to come to the rescue of these World War II veterans by paying them.

My father, the late Bazili Zijjangampewo, died two years ago due to a backache that came about because he regularly lifted heavy guns during the war. The dangerous gases he inhaled must have contributed to his death. He did this, not because of the pay but because he had the spirit of nationalism.

The children and grandchildren of these World War II veterans have suffered because they failed to get proper education. I request the queen to follow up these cases as a humanitarian gesture.

Kayondo Kizito,
Kampala University.



You can create jobs yourself

If the government has failed to create enough jobs for us, we have to do it ourselves. This is so because anybody, regardless of their level of education, can achieve this as long as they are determined and focused.

Graduates have a big challenge of implementing what they studied at school. This is the only way we can alleviate poverty in Africa. Therefore, before we accuse the government of failing to generate enough job opportunities, ask yourself how many jobs you have created for your country. This is because nobody is going to do this for us. It is everyone’s challenge to create jobs regardless of the level of our education.

Fred Lwanga,
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