Although Lango is believed to have lost more cattle (about 100,000) than other regions of northern and eastern Uganda during the twenty-year war between the LRA and Ugandan government, it has received the least compensation. NUSAF has to date distributed 192,000 animals and birds in restocking exercise to replace those eaten by rebels, the army or rustled by Karmojong raiders. Out of these Lango got only 1,912 heifers compared to Teso 17,178, West Nile 2,700 and Acholi 11,767.
There are concerns among donors, Uganda government officials and other people who want to see real progress in the war-ravaged north that Lango will again miss out on the recently launched multi-million dollar donor-funded Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) meant for war-ravaged northern and eastern Uganda if the status quo is not challenged.
So, what is being done about the situation?
A conference to discuss post-conflict development of Lango sub-region was successfully held in London in August 2007. (I was the originator and one of the convenors of that conference under the auspices of Lango Association UK). This was the first global attempt by the Langi in the diaspora to find lasting solutions to problems in Lango.
It was established during the conference that Lango is now one of the least developed regions of Uganda mainly due to LRA war, perceived marginalization by the NRM, and lack of publicity about the situation in Lango. The conference avoided politically sensitive discussions for fear of degenerating into acrimonious political arguments.However, since the conclusion of that conference, there has been a closer scrutiny of the trend of events in Lango, which has actually revealed that it is bad politics and not LRA war or marginalisation that has contributed most to the stagnation and even retrogress of Lango.
THE STATUS QUO
Bad Politics
Politically, Lango is almost a one party sub-region, with most members of parliament (MPs) coming directly from the Uganda People’s Congerss (UPC). A majority of independent MPs were also members of the UPC who decided to contest as independents when they were locked out by the party during the last general election primaries. The sub-region has only one MP from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Even so, he was initially elected on UPC ticket, and crossed over to the ruling NRM after elections.
Being in the opposition en-masse has put the people of Lango in a position where they have very little chance of influencing how the national cake is shared. In spite of the government’s attempt to bridge the gap in sharing state power by appointing a non-NRM member from Lango to the cabinet, the political and even economic gain to Lango has been minimal because it is like a drop in the ocean.
Mass illiteracy in Lango has led to serious handicap of the indigenous people to deliver professional services, and worse still participate meaningfully in national politics. This has also led to manipulative exploitation of the predominantly illiterate masses by devious politicians. A good section of Lango elite fled into exile over the last two decades and appear to be reluctant to return home and participate in politics due to fear for their lives. Many of those who remained in the country regard politics as a dangerous game and prefer to concentrate on their personal affairs. Consequently, Lango without Milton Obote, the first Prime Minister of Uganda and twice deposed President of Uganda who died in exile about 2 years ago, has not had much impact on Ugandan national politics.
Some UPC MPs, after making promises of showering the electorate with unlimited amount of money comparable only to ‘pot cwao’, or tamarind leaves, and promises of building industries in every sub-county without actually delivering, have turned out to be the most inept members of parliament in the whole country. They are a disgrace to the electorate and therefore deserve being recalled without delay so that bye-elections can be held to replace them.
Abject poverty
Abject poverty has completely engulfed Lango and there seems to be no end to this disempowering phenomenon. Recent figures from the Ugandan National Bureau of statistics, confirm that Lango is now ranked as the 6th poorest and least developed sub-region in the whole of Uganda. Poverty levels are as high as 70 % and have continued to rise, compared to the national average of 35%. The Poverty Status Report 2005 indicated that 20% of all Ugandans who have been locked up in chronic poverty for decades were in Lango sub-region.
Ruined environment
The environment in Lango and indeed the whole of northern Uganda is being seriously damaged as a result of poverty coupled with population explosion, where the main source of energy for domestic use is firewood. Forests in the region have disappeared and this has contributed to land degradation. Soil erosion following mass felling of trees is gradually creating arid zones in the region.
Failing health services
Lango has one of the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS and Malaria in Uganda. Infant mortality is at an extreme high and there are 60% less mid-wives available to help and assist mothers to be. Many new mothers are facing childbirth in 18th century conditions, with local healers becoming more and more responsible for the future of our unborn children.
Poor education
The level of education in the sub-region is far below the national standard. Universal primary education hasn’t made much difference in the literacy capacity of Langi children. The number of Lango students going to university is extremely low compared to the national average from other areas. An average Lango parent can not afford to pay for University education for a child on private sponsorship.
Decayed governance
Corruption has penetrated deep into every fabric of Lango. There is plenty of evidence to show complicity on the part of almost every stakeholder: central government staff, project staff, local government leaders and community leaders. By National Integrity Survey 2003, local government positions in northern Uganda indicated a gloomy picture. Apac was 3rd most corrupt district of Uganda, Lira 4th, Gulu 5th and Kitgum 7th.
ROLE OF THE UPC
Political intrigue
Since the 1980s, Lango sub-region has been in a situation of stagnation or even retrogress, not so much because of marginalization from the NRM government or even the wrath of the Lord’s Resistance Army, as was initially believed, but mainly due to political intrigue manifested by some elements within one of Uganda’s oldest political parties, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), which also happens to be the dominant party in Lango sub-region. This conclusion has been drawn following a careful study of recent developments in Lango and within some sections of the Lango community in the diaspora.
Boycott of Lango Diaspora Conference – a turning point
The need to put the role of UPC in Lango under the microscope was sparked off by the deliberate absence of the party from the non-partisan and development-focused Lango Diaspora Conference that took place in London from 24-26 August 2007. Invitations to the conference were sent to all members of parliament from Lango sub-region, all Lango LC5 Chairmen, Lango technocrats and professionals, Lango Paramount Chief, NGOs operating in Northern Uganda, and the governments of Uganda and Britain.
The UPC boycotted the conference and instead organized a political rally in Lira to coincide with the main session of the conference on 26th August 2007. In spite of the fact that they all got invitations, no single UPC MP, including one of them who was the liaison person in Uganda, attended the conference. To date none of them has had the courtesy to apologize or explain why they failed to attend. Both the conference and the rally were relayed on local radio stations in Lango. To many delegates of the conference and indeed people in Lango who were listening attentively to the live conference proceedings, this was a turning point in their political outlook.
Loss of credibility
Prior to the conference the UPC was seen as the party that champions the cause of the disadvantaged and in particular ‘otedero’ or peasants of Lango, the birth place of the first President of UPC and first Prime Minister of the independent Uganda, Dr Apolo Milton Obote. No wonder, most of the younger people in Lango happened to be UPC by birth and not by choice, mainly because their parents were UPC, and they have never been given ample opportunity to explore what other political parties can contribute to the development of Lango. The UPC was a symbol of ‘Langoness’; the embodiment of a people who were once leaders of Uganda. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case – at least for those who are seriously contemplating the future of Lango and Uganda as a whole.
Following a spate of intimidation, harassment and intrigue by some members of UPC against some core organizers of the conference in the run up to and after the event, coupled with the party’s apparent machinations to rubbish the significance of the conference, many far-sighted and sobber-minded Langi have started to question the usefulness of UPC to the people of Lango. Even those who claim to have UPC in their blood are beginning to think twice, particularly because it is now becoming clear that the UPC of today is a liability to Lango and indeed other parts of Uganda. It is a liability because, unlike the UPC of the 1960s, the present UPC is proven to be anti-development, divisive and autocratic.
Footprints of stagnation
It has been established that many of the districts, constituencies, organizations and public offices that are experiencing stagnation or chronic corruption are managed by people who claim to be UPC members. There appears to be a deliberate policy, aimed at scoring cheap political gains, of sabotage of donor-funded projects or government initiatives by some members of UPC at the expense of the helpless target beneficiaries – the peasants that form the bulk of Lango population. The cost to Lango is devastating. If this goes on unchallenged the sub-region might sink even deeper into oblivion.
The status quo should not go unchallenged. Lango must change in order to catch up with the rest of Uganda. Putting all the eggs in one basket by supporting only one political party that is not even delivering on its promises will only worsen the already bad situation. Silent protest that has characterized Lango’s reaction to various political challenges over the years will not help either. A realization that Lango must change its approach to development and national politics, coupled with concrete steps to effect the change is the way forward.
The stage is now set for serious discussions on the future of Lango. Please feel free to comment on this post, or post completely new but relevant articles. New articles can be e-mailed to: editor@langoweb.net or langothinktank@gmail.net. Thank you.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.
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