By Robert Egwea
The callous and cowardly act of using poison or witchcraft to eliminate political opponents that appears to be creeping into public life of Lango is likely to damage the growth of democracy in the sub-region as this can discourage the younger generation from joining politics. Such a trend, if left unchecked, could take Lango back to the 60s when lots of people were eliminated or crippled simply because of having progressive ideas or because they were viewed as potential political threats.
Last week’s alleged poisoning of Lira District Speaker Alex Oremo Alot, who is also Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) aspiring candidate for the position of Lira District Chairman in 2011 elections, points to the fact that Lango has morally and politically degenerated to a critical level. Thank God the victim has survived and is still undergoing treatment in hospital. Our prayers are that he will recover fully and successfully pursue his vision of becoming an exemplary leader in Lango.
The alleged poisoning has given rise to widespread speculations that some bankrupt and corrupt politicians have resorted to, or are contemplating using unconventional means to eliminate their potential opponents or critics in order to survive. Such leaders probably know that it is only a matter of time before they are exposed and tried for corruption or thrown out of office, hence the resort to physical elimination of potential opponents, a method used by Dictator Idi Amin in the 1970s.
A proper investigation into the alleged poisoning should be carried out, and people suspected of having instigated the criminal act should face justice. It also calls for extra vigilance from aspiring political candidates and members of the public. Perhaps the system of naming and shaming of wizards and witches that was common in the 1960s should be reintroduced in Lango. The alleged poisoning should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Lango needs an injection of fresh, dynamic and clean leaders so as to catch up with the rest of the country in terms of development, and cannot therefore afford to have a handful of evil and selfish people holding the sub-region at ransom. The peasants or otedero of Lango, the bulk of the electorate, who have been seriously let down over the years should reject devious, bankrupt, self-conceited and corrupt politicians who are bent on destroying other people’s lives in their attempt to continue squandering funds meant for development.
All progressive leaders of Lango are called upon to ensure that pusillanimous colleagues do not destroy our homeland. They should speak up strongly against poisoning, witchcraft and other criminal acts that can lead to death. Security personnel should leave no stones unturned in the process of investigating allegations of such criminal acts so as to protect lives. Journalists should continue exposing similar threats in order to open people’s eyes against the evil posed by wizards and witches masquerading as leaders. However, they should also be extra vigilant because in the process of exposing corruption and other crimes they too will become targets.
Recent Comments