By Alexander Okori
A section of leaders and civil society activists from the Karamoja Sub-region on Thursday voiced contrasting opinions as Uganda marked its 63rd Independent anniversary.
The celebrations held at Kololo 63 Years of Independence: A Reason to Double Our Effort in Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation”, were presided over by president Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
While some feel it’s worth celebrating independence, others argue that the celebrations are a waste of time and resources.
Thomas Odelok, the Executive Director Karamoja Women Umbrella Organization (KAWUO), said that Uganda is not yet fully independent as many believe.
He explained that Uganda cannot claim to be independent yet the government is unable to fund its budget, coupled with soaring external debts caused by massive borrowing to finance the country’s development programs.
“We are still depending on donor funds yet we make a lot of money. There’s poor management of resources in the country for the benefit of minority groups. I feel sad for Uganda this day because of the high poverty levels in Karamoja amid vast resources”, said Odelok
Ambrose Lotukei, the former LCV Chairperson of Kotido District said despite the challenges facing the country, there is a lot to celebrate.
According to him, Uganda has registered great strides in the education and health sectors with each parish at least having a primary school and health centre two respectively, which are worth celebrating.
When Uganda was still under colonial rule, people used to walk long distances in search of education and healthcare services due to limited schools. This is not the case now, as there is at least one government-aided primary school in each parish, Seed secondary school, and a health center III in every sub-county,” said Lotukei.
On his part, Ambrose Toolit, the Executive Director Grassroots Alliance for Rural Development (GARD), said that although a lot has been achievement, there is need for government to address the issue of corruption, unemployment, poverty and poor road network especially in the Karamoja sub-region.
“Uganda is not economically independent. There is high unemployment, poverty, too much corruption. Why celebrate anyway,” Toolit told Etoil A Karamoja.
Cue Toolit on Independence eng/nga
However, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Amudat, Gabriel Etesot insists that Ugandans deserve to celebrate their independence irrespective of what some detractors say.
We must celebrate because we now manage our affairs. At least now, we understand ourselves and our country. Look at Karamoja Sub-region, we have come a long way. Colonialists put us in a zoo but that has since changed especially with the NRM government. Am one of the happy Ugandans this day because there is development in Karamoja, a region which was considered by the colonialist as backward” Etesot said.
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