Culture News Blog

Today the Republic of Uganda says farewell to its founder and first prime minister who received the instruments of power from Britain on Independence Day, October 9, 1962.

But as the national funeral takes place on Kololo hill, a large section of the population is celebrating the death of Dr Obote at Wankulukuku Stadium, across town.

The government itself is only grudgingly according Dr Obote the State funeral, as even hours before his death, it defended its position on classifying Uganda's past leaders as pigs.

This poses a challenge for Ugandan historians. They owe the country a balance sheet of the performance record of the most outstanding personality in the country's 43-year history. Ugandan children, who are now all supposed to go to school under the universal primary education programme, should be given a complete picture.

If they listen to an NRM or federo supporter, they will be told Obote is the worst mistake to happen to Uganda.

Should they listen to a multipartist, especially from UPC, they will be told Obote was the greatest blessing for the country.

Why should the nation continue to be divided over Obote even after he is dead? Is there no credible authority to put the record straight?

Even Jomo Kenyatta and Julius Nyerere had opponents in Kenya and Tanzania respectively. But there is no dispute in their countries over their contribution. Certainly there was no jubilation when they died, Kenyatta while still in office and Nyerere over a decade later.

It appears then that there is no yardstick of judging leaders' performance in Uganda.

That is why a minister who is censured by parliament can get re-appointed to a more senior position later. Obviously, either the judgement of parliament or that of the appointing authority in the matter is defective.

Ugandans spend considerable time assessing past leaders. They should also focus on the required conduct for future leaders so that their legacy is not in question.

We for example have a leadership code of conduct which over time would have helped develop a culture of expecting minimum standards of conduct by future leaders.

But a court decision recently rendered the code toothless as leaders who fail to declare their wealth don't have to worry anymore.

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