YOUR LETTERS: Death for gays is an overkill

While I abhor homosexuality, I believe it is not only irresponsible but extremely stupid to hand down a death sentence on actively gay people. Our African leaders will place a treason charge on a person who fairly competes for state power against them in an election!

Baryamureeba, you are a Godsend

The appointment of Prof. Venasius Baryamureeba as the new Vice Chancellor of Makerere University can be compared to the biblical rain that fell after a long period of drought in Israel. Prophet Elijah, a servant of God, had evidence enough to prove to the Baal (idol) worshippers of the wonders of God.

Likewise, I welcomed the professor’s appointment which I had already anticipated. God answered my prayers. I would however like to call your attention to the grievances put forward by the private students who had their tuition unfairly increased by 40%, sparking off strikes. Rather than keep a hostile environment at this prestigious centre of learning, I request that you consider these grievances and offer a lasting solution. We believe you have the capacity to change the state of affairs, a belief the council also held.

To add salt to the injury, the respective faculties at Makerere demand that students pay 100% instead of the stipulated 60%! Most disturbing was asking the freshers to pay internship fees in the first semester of the first year yet such an activity hardly takes place until one is in the third year at university!

One could not access registration forms without proof of payment to this effect. This was the most inconveniencing of all, especially for those who had already settled in their halls and hostels of residence. This has been overlooked as a minor occurrence but can steadily shred the “Harvard of Africa” to tatters even as it struggles to regain its lost glory.

Allan Ssempebwa K.,
Makerere University.


Let's stand up to homosexuality


Two recent stories concerning the campaign against homosexuality serve as an encouraging reminder that while much of the world appears to have lost its moral compass, we Ugandans are willing to stand firm in defence of our time-honoured cultural heritage.

At a time when homosexuality and other unnatural forms of sexual behaviour are being re-packaged as “normal”, it’s refreshing to see pastors like Martin Sempa, Steven Langa, and Michael Kyazze, as well as MPs like David Bahati and Benson Obua, reject the pretence that deviant conduct can be socially acceptable. As Dr. Nsaba Buturo, the Minister of Ethics put it, let those who claim that homosexuality is normal start by showing us a single biological being (human or otherwise) that is the product of a homosexual union.

Fellow Ugandans, moral compromise is a very slippery slope and if we allow ourselves to be swayed by a pro-gay media campaign which brands anyone who rejects homosexuality as a “homophobe”, then very soon those who reject rape, paedophilia, and other perversions will also be branded outcasts.

The ongoing debate on the Anti-homosexuality Bill is therefore a momentous occasion to chart our collective moral future and it’s important that our MPs be reminded just how far-reaching the implications of their votes will be. Their decision will shape the social environment that their children and grand-children will inherit.

Waiswa Magoola,
wmagoola@yahoo.com


I wasn't impressed by the Northern By-pass

I was little impressed by the much hyped Kampala Northern By-pass. It is the only road in Uganda that looks like a rural highway in America. Despite being completed years behind schedule, it still does not look complete.

Apart from the speed limit signs (which are never adhered to on the only smooth road in the country), you must be a native to know which junction takes you where, since there are no direction signs at all. Ramps are already being eroded since no grass was planted to protect them from erosion.

Slow moving motorists drive in the speed lane and other crazy drivers use both lanes of the road as if to send a signal that no one should overtake! I hope the Southern By-pass will be better planned. Transport Minister John Nasasira has presided over decades of poor road networks and where he tries to do some work there are always signs like: “Slow men at work”.

Little wonder then that the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road may take forever. It is a shame to see people on such projects using more hand tools than machines!
In a word, the only thing I loved about Uganda on my last trip is its beautiful name!

Henry F. Mulindwa,
USA.


NAADS hotlines were promoted on radios

This is in reference to a letter that ran in The Observer of November 5th – 8th 2009, regarding popularisation of the NAADS Hotlines. We would like to thank Mr. James Mwesigwa for the advice but also inform him that the hotlines were actually popularised on national and regional radio stations as prime time adverts.

The radio stations were identified in close consultation with the Uganda Media Centre and these include: Radio Pacis, Radio West, Bunyoro Broadcasting Services, Super FM, Voice of Teso, Voice of Busoga, Radio One, Rhino FM and Capital Radio, among others.

This was aimed at creating awareness and encouraging the public to utilise them in bringing issues to the attention of the authorities for necessary action.

NAADS is also in the process of acquiring toll-free lines which will also be popularised using all means available to us including regional and national radio stations. The Secretariat is currently taking appropriate action through the various government structures. We thank the public for the overwhelming response.        


Alyce Nakagwa,
Information and Communication Officer/PRO,
NAADS Secretariat.

Investigate localised power shortages

I call upon government to investigate allegations that some UMEME staff intentionally create power shortages in order to extort money from their clients. I had for long disregarded such allegations but my experience with UMEME over the last two months has wiped away any doubts.

Since September, I believe I’ve called UMEME over 20 times complaining about disrupted power supply in my area. My area in Kitintale, opposite National Water and Sewerage Corporation offices, has regular power disruptions which don’t usually affect our neighbours.

Each time I have called UMEME, I have always been told that they are sending their staff to restore the power. The power then hardly lasts two weeks before we go back to the status quo for another two or three days consecutively!

This makes me wonder why tax payers should continue paying UMEME and a multiplicity of companies in the power ‘supply’ business. Now I fully believe reports that some UMEME staff purposely create power shortages so as to extort money from unsuspecting clients who always call them to restore it at a cost.

I also think some of us are being punished for using the ‘wrong’ procedures of religiously reporting power disruptions to UMEME’s Call Centre.   Any government sensitive to the cries of its people should investigate such claims and bring the culprits to book because UMEME is not doing us a favour.

Michael M.
0782-423191      


God must have saved you for a purpose

While hosting journalists at his home recently, Prof. Latigo wondered “I don’t know what to pay God”. I too can’t explain how one could have come out of such wreckage except to agree with him that it was a miracle. Professor, God must have saved you for a purpose. Nothing takes God by surprise.

There’s nothing we can pay God for the good He does to us except to obey, serve and love Him (Job 36:11).

Give your life to Him and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour of your life (Rom 10:9-10, John 1:12).
I pray that God restores your health and I am sure He will. I love your commitment to bringing political and institutional sanity to this country.  

Moses Erongot,
erongot2006@yahoo.com

letters@observer.ug