PRESIDENTIAL STONES

"The people of Africa, the people of Uganda, are entitled to a democratic government."

On the 26th of January 1986, Yoweri Museveni, made the statement above as he was sworn in as Ugandan President following a topple of the former government led by Tito Okello. 25 years later, the dream of democracy is still a desert mirage which has increasingly remained but dashed hopes in the heart of many. Its no different for the opposition Dr Kizza Besigye who was treated to a dish of pepper spray and beating by the police on the 28th of April 2011, during a  walk to work protest over the high prices of fuel and food in the country. This wasn't the first time he'd be arrested and beaten by the police since the February 18th 2011 elections held in Uganda.
A careful look at the political history of Uganda clearly shows a lack of discipline by their leaders who believe that the country is a personal item, or to be run as a family business with them at the head of affairs making all the decisions. A government which proposes a constitutional amendment so that protesters will be jailed for at least 6 months after arrest instead of being released the same day.
With such knowledge in place it was with shock that our own President Goodluck Jonathan graced the swearing in ceremony of such a man as Yoweri Museveni, little wonder his convoy was stoned at as the people of Uganda had to express their disappointment. As the most populous African nation on the Continent  the pride of being a Nigerian goes way beyond the name. A lot is being expected of Nigeria as we gradually have scored a place in the international community. It would have cost our President nothing to express his dissatisfaction with what's going on in Uganda by simply refusing  to attend, or sending a delegate to represent him. His presence there only endorsed the wrong and made it look like he was comfortable with the present situation in Uganda. If we pay so much for political advisors to the presidency, then such wrong moves as these simply shows where some of the wastage of public funds go to.