THE HUMAN MIND SHOULD BE OUR FUNDAMENTAL RESOURCE; ONLY WITH COMPLETE DEDICATION BY ALL UGANDANS TO THE NATIONAL INTEREST CAN WE BRING OUR COUNTRY THROUGH THE TROUBLED YEARS THAT LIE AHEAD. A person may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. Ideas have endurance without death. Where nature makes natural allies of us all, we can demonstrate that, beneficial relations are possible even with those with whom we most deeply disagree-and this must someday be the basis of the rule of law and peace in Uganda. There is danger that totalitarian governments, not subject to vigorous popular debate, will underestimate the will and unity of democratic societies where vital interests are concerned. We can have faith in the future only if we have faith in ourselves. Are we up to the task--are we equal to the challenge? Are we willing to match the Uganda sacrifice of the present for the future--or must we sacrifice our future in order to enjoy the present? That is the choice our nation must make--a choice that lies not merely between two men or two parties, but between the public interest and private comfort--between national greatness and national decline--between the fresh air of progress and the stale, dank atmosphere of normalcy--between determined dedication and creeping mediocrity. All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world looks to see what we will do. We cannot fail their trust, we cannot fail to try. Uganda is a great country and requires a good deal of all of us, so I can imagine nothing more important than for all of you to continue to work in public affairs and be interested in them, not only to bring up a family, but also give part of your time to your community, your state, and your country. But I think Ugandan people expect more from leaders than cries of indignation and attack. The times are too grave, the challenge too urgent, and the stakes too high--to permit the customary passions of political debate. Leaders are not there to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide citizens through that darkness to a safe and sane future. As Winston Churchill said on taking office; :if we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future. Today our concern must be with that future. For the world is changing. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do. [...] It is a time, in short, for a new generation of leadership – new men to cope with new problems and new opportunities. It has been a long road from the first day in the jungles to leadership in 1986 and to this developed city of Kampala. Now begins another long journey, embracing the savior Amama Mbabazi into your home districts and homes all over Uganda. Give him your help, your hand, your voice, your vote; he is the answer to the current challenges in Uganda; i.e Unemployment, high taxation, poor health systems, poor education systems, corruption, nepotism, tribalism to mention but a few. Recall with me the words of Isaiah: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary. As we face the coming challenge, we too, shall wait upon the Lord, and ask that he renew our strength. Then shall we be equal to the test. Then we shall not be weary. And then we shall prevail. Let it be clear that the Museveni administration does not recognize the value of dissent and daring--that we greet healthy controversy as the hallmark of healthy change. Let the public service be a proud and lively career. And let every man and woman who works in any area of our national government, in any branch, at any level, be able to say with pride and with honor in future years: I served the Uganda government in that hour of our nations need. No President should fear public scrutiny of his program. For from that scrutiny comes understanding; and from that understanding comes support or opposition. And both are necessary. For only with complete dedication by us all to the national interest can we bring our country through the troubled years that lie ahead. Our problems are critical. The tide is unfavorable. The news will be worse before it is better. And while hoping and working for the best, we should prepare ourselves now for the worst. For I can assure you that we love our country, not for what it was, though it has always been great -- not for what it is, though of this we are deeply proud -- but for what it someday can, and, through the efforts of us all, someday will be.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 10:34:54 +0000
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