By John Mary Odoy
In my article a few years ago, I highlighted the need and importance of rotational presidency, with a view that it can be a source of peace, create wealth and cause development to the country. My philosophy was that powerful offices have access to resources including real money, jobs and other development opportunities. When these are used wisely, populations and areas where the office holders come from get more transformed.
When I got my first job as a junior management staff, I was able to support my mother build a better house and I turned my grass thatched house to a small two bed roomed house. The changes were very small but they made a difference moreover that was from my monthly salary which then was less than 150 US Dollars.
Over time I have been able to do other things including educating my children and even supported some young persons, in my community go to school and complete with professional qualifications. I also supported my family friends in the community to get employed, of course on merit, and their lives also positively changed. Note however, my job was not with government and I have spent all my working life in the Civil Society and Faith Based Organisations.
I have shared the above to demonstrate that power, offices and proximity contribute immensely to people’s social and economic wellbeing. Developmental minded and well wishing individuals can use these offices and opportunities available to transform their areas which can be a great contribution to eradication of poverty and improved livelihoods.
During the recent (2026) state of nation address by the president of Uganda, the president demonstrated how power and office can lead to positive transformation. The most progressive individuals, companies, organisations etc are those associated with Mr. Museveni as the occupier of the office of the president. The areas that are most transformed in terms standard of life and infrastructure are those where the operates from like kisozi, gomba, Ankole etc.
Most of the illustrations he was giving concerning wealth creation appeared to be from individuals associated with him moreover from his home region. This may not be the same in other areas of the country. The individuals holding high government offices are associated with the president and the area he comes from. A quick review of the aspects of development shows a progressive trend of fiscal and physical advancement among those people and their communities. What the president is doing is natural, even when it does not show maturity in wealth distribution and general governance.
This practice was also observed during President Obote and President Amin’s rule but the difference is the magnitude. During the reign of these presidents, jobs, resources and beautiful persons all headed to Lira, Gulu, Arua, Koboko, Bombo and in the first class homes in Kololo, Nakasero and Kampala City centre. Most of the “well to do”, were from those regions or from people associated with the then presidents.
The best car models headed the direction of the leaders’ home area, flights from Entebbe to London, New York, Washington, Geneva, Nairobi, Mecca and Johannesburg were dominated by individuals from the regions where the leaders came from. Scholarships to study abroad and promotions in the military and police were also dominated by individuals from those areas. Even the dominant languages in the offices and cities were from the areas where the president came from. History repeats itself and it is even more deep rooted in the recent times.
The same has been happening with Rt. Hon Anita Among, the former speaker of the parliament of Uganda. The development that is in Bukedea district today is attributed to her previous office. There are people whose lives have changed because of her occupation of that office. The excellent hospital, school and a sports facility in Bukedea would not have sprouted without that office. The individuals that got jobs with her influence in parliament, other government offices and organisations are today living better standards of lives than before. The multiplier effect of a person holding a key and privileged position in Uganda’s administration is a factor that can balance wealth distribution if it is shared.
In this regard, it is hypocritical for Mr. Museveni the current president of Uganda to fault Ugandans for persistently keeping in poverty when he has failed to distribute wealth equally. According to the current statistics, wealth is concentrated in one region while poverty is flourishing in the regions where there are no “big people”. Mr. Museveni was even heard castigating those who seek employment in Dubai yet he is aware of the levels of unemployment in the country. The 2026/2027 budget has trillions of Shillings put aside for donations with biggest share for him. One wonders where the money goes when todate there is a list of donations still not cleared for years!
If the trillions of shillings budged for donations in the national budget were to be put to proper use, certainly people would get employed here. It is even shocking to learn that the 6 billion shillings for medical doctor interns cannot be found but trillions are left for donations which are not clear. Perhaps those who think that the donations are part of the financing the long stay in power and the succession plans could be right. Does it make sense to deny facilitating a doctor to perfom his or her duties but allocate money donations. What should be the priorities? Is this not an abuse of human rights when people are denied the right to good health?
In developed economies, development is to an extent levelled out. A facility or service in one city is found in another, more so, with no difference in quality. This is one way of promoting equality and respect of human dignity. Why can’t this be done?
In view of the above, development and wellbeing follows power, authority and access to money. The office of a president, as things are today in Uganda, has all this. The forty 40 years Mr Museveni has been in power has transformed some individuals’ lives, communities and areas by just his directive and action. Let other areas get the test of the same.
Let the presidency be rotated among the different regions every after 5 or 10 years. For instance the next president should come from East of Uganda an area coving the Busoga, Bukedi and Teso region. This should be followed by Buganda Region, Northern Region and back to western. Rotating the presidency will not only realise equitable or balanced development in the country, but will also steer it to political stability and peace.
This does not mean that the office bearers concentrate on developing their areas only but take it or leave it, the principles of natural justice will apply. The author, Dr. John Mary Odoy, is a Senior Citizen. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
