President Museveni declared February 16 a public holiday in honour of former Church of Uganda Archbishop Janani Luwum who was killed during Idi Amin’s reign in 1977.

He is recognized as a martyr by the Church of England and the Anglican Communion and his death is commemorated on February 17 as a Lesser Festival.

President Amin subjected Ugandans to a life of no tomorrow because many people who tried to challenge his decrees were arbitrarily killed or kidnapped. The army was more intolerant and hostile to anyone who dared to challenge the authority of their master.

Observing the misery that faced Ugandans, Archbishop Luwum became a leading voice in criticizing the dictatorial regime of Amin. In 1977, Luwum delivered a note of protest to President Amin against the policies of arbitrary killings and unexplained disappearances, which was treasonous then.

This earned him the death sentence and resultant martyrdom. In a world of political correctness and multiparty dispensation, the political players have brainwashed the masses with ideologies that divert their mindset to a world of fiction from the real world.

South Africa ended Apartheid partly because religious leaders like Desmond Tutu spoke strongly against it. Today’s religious leaders should not only limit themselves to preaching the word of God, but also ensure they contribute to the social, economic and political development of the society they operate in.

It is in places of worship where people of diverse characters and background converge in prayer. However, the preachers here are silent about matters that affect people. Many keep preaching to people about acquiring a new car, a new house, a marriage partner, forgetting to speak about the injustices such as corruption, cronyism, which are weakening our society every day.

During the 2016 general elections, religious leaders turned spectators because they were shy to act or talk against political manipulators.

Diano Olwenyi Peters,
olwenyipeters@gmail.com.

Graduates should open up to networking

Makerere University will this week hold its 67th graduation ceremonies. Over 10,000 students will graduate with different qualifications. However, the concern is whether the graduates are well equipped to confront life’s challenges.

Apparently, it is easier to find a graduate with skills in ICT, accounting and record management but without the equally-important networking skills.
Networking creates information sharing, access to opportunities and facilitates unity among social groupings. Tasking graduates to network should, therefore, be the take-home message during this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Knowing that your networks determine your net worth, graduates must heavily invest in building constructive networks as they embark on their career trajectories.

Today’s labour market is very dynamic and qualifications alone cannot guarantee one employment. This also applies to continuing university students; reading alone to have a first class or second upper degree doesn’t entirely mean one will be more successful than those with lower grades.

My university professor once cracked a joke that our class alone could make the next government in power with each one of us serving in a different portfolio. He, however, added that usually after university, people tend to lose contact with one another which at times limits on their exposure to prevailing opportunities.

The increasing use of social media presents profound opportunities for graduates to keep in touch. I have seen many Facebook and WhatsApp groups in which colleagues share opportunities; this is a good practice that graduates should continue doing.

Badru Walusansa,
Commonwealth Correspondent.

Current drought is our mistake

The fact that central Uganda tops the list of regions hardest hit by the current drought and food scarcity tells it all that our population has ignored agriculture.

The drought has implications on education, health, electricity production, household incomes, and the entire economy. This drought should not surprise us as for we have consistently and deliberately destroyed the environment.

The truth is that most Ugandans are lazy and what we now call gardens is shocking. Most youths have shunned villages and most of our local politicians have failed the test by failing to come out with by-laws on water harvesting and irrigation.

The current drought is, therefore, paying us in our own currency and we are reaping what we sowed.

Samuel Mweru Byachi,
Kampala.

Why segregate employees at cancer institute?

I would like to get an explanation from the top management of the Uganda Cancer Institute as to why staff are treated differently when it comes to disciplinary cases.

In 2013, one male employee was hurriedly interdicted without listening to his side. It is now four years and this gentleman’s case has not been settled

Again, another female staff member was interdicted without listening to her side of the story and, one year down the road, her case has also not been settled.

Recently, the head of medical records at the institute was arrested by police for extorting money from a patient. She was subsequently charged in court and was remanded to Luzira prison. After a few days, she managed to secure bond/bail and get out and resume work.

According to the law, an officer involved in a disciplinary case, particularly involving police and court, should be interdicted and not allowed to access their workplace until the case is disposed of. The management of the institute has adamantly refused to interdict her, like they did to others. Why?

Concerned staff,
Uganda Cancer Institute.

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