EMMANUEL D. KAVUMA (A Ugandan accountant based in UK)
Xenophobia means the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners. Xenophobic is the word (‘adjective’ in grammar) describing the person with xenophobia. Whether or not I hate homosexuality is not the subject of this article. When it comes to Uganda, differences must be ducked altogether and we confront, as Ugandans, any challenges, including intrusions.
The threats by Sweden and other countries to cut off aid if the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is passed is offensive and outrageous interference in our affairs, to which Uganda shouldn’t capitulate. We much appreciate their aid but without sounding xenophobic, their donations give them no right to pontificate on our domestic policies and laws.
Advice and suggestions are welcome but it is as cynical as it is misguided to preach to us on how we should conduct ourselves, disregarding our background. Aid or not, Ugandan culture must be recognised. The most important aspect of being respected is never to interfere in other people’s domestic matters. I can’t think of anything more vile than dictating to Ugandans to absorb alien cultures under threats of cutting off financial assistance!
Uganda is currently in throes of an acid epidemic where criminals pour the corrosive substance on enemies, resulting in either death or irreversible deformation. I suggested in a daily tabloid that convicted culprits must be hanged if their victims die or jailed forever if they survive. Unaffected foreigners shouldn’t interfere if the law was passed because apart from the protected ministers/MPs, living in a cocoon of privileges, and the super rich, hapless Ugandans are the victims of sustained acid attacks.
Donors must have some relationships with countries whose justice systems demand that thieves must have their hands chopped off and adulteresses stoned to death!
Early this month, a man who raped five children was sentenced to be beheaded by a court in Saudi Arabia. That is their law, which explains why other countries didn’t interfere. Are we being treated differently because of our financial dependence?
Due to diverse cultures, Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the British Parliament, finds it funny and cool to expose in the media her past escapades as a party girl with a taste for casual sex.
With her lifestyle of heavy drinking, she enjoyed the excitement of not knowing with whom she would spend the night! A Ugandan woman, let alone one married to a Parliament Speaker, would never do that because it is incompatible with culture to reveal bedroom secrets.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has called the American Anglican to block the appointment of a lesbian bishop and warned that selecting a homosexual bishop could push the Anglican Communion into full-blown schism.
Why are those exalting homosexuality and human rights campaigners voiceless about Dr.Williams’ missive? Donors’ money, most of which is stolen, is not a ‘one-way street’ because the givers also benefit.
Their banks keep huge cash balances owned by thieves in Uganda and other countries. Millions of Global Fund cash siphoned out of Uganda by thieves is already back lying in overseas banks. Only Nigeria recovered some $1.2 billion of Sani Abacha’s (former military ruler) billions stashed away in banks abroad.
Many vehicles bought with donors’ recycled cash are mainly imported from their countries, which boosts enormously their motor and other industries.
Stern, non-deterrent measures, rather than mere denunciations, will curb stealing. The European Union’s insistence that all thieves must be prosecuted to avoid impunity is the donation Uganda needs now, and not homosexuals. Neglected auditors’ reports must be the blueprint against corruption.
The Police chief deserves credit for targeting medium fish by arresting some District Police Commanders and senior officers. Arrests of “drug traffickers” in the Health Ministry and clinics will resuscitate our health services.
Disappointingly, after the hype of their arrests and detention subsides, suspects are bonded out, and continue to be paid for doing nothing while on indefinite “suspension”!
What happened to a Nateete Police chief ordered by the President to be arrested in a fanfare of publicity nearly two months ago? Unless laws are implemented [and where necessary amended], it is hard to see what the statute books exist for and how stealing can be eliminated.
What’s the purpose of having capital punishment when convicted murderers are on death row for 20 years and then released without hanging them? The World Bank, a major donor, reveals that Shs 530 billion is stolen annually!
Donors threatening us with cuts are more concerned about homosexuals than the beleaguered masses dying of diseases and hunger because they continue flooding the country with billions without cut threats as if stealing is more tolerable than homosexuality.
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Who are you to suggest that donor countries have "no right" to dictate what happens with the money provided in aid? They have every right and more importantly a duty to provide that money, which is the hard earned tax dollars of the people of that country, in a manner suitable to those taxpayers, and the TAX PAYERS SAID NO to your filthy bill! The corruption of George Bush is over, and so is the illeagal and unreported funnelling of the tax payer dollars into faith-based programs is OVER! Need I remind you that Uganda wishes to be part of the U.N. and as such also has a duty to follow it's Declaration of Human Rights for ALL UGANDANS, not just the one's the porno-obsessed Ssempa says. If you want to be a modern country with all of it's benefits, you must follow the rules. If not you can go back to spears and loin cloths. Giving money to Uganda under the current state of affairs proposed by Ssempa and Bahati would be like giving money to Hitler. If you seek to place blame for the problems your country has created, look no further than the paster who shows porn to children.
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