Here is how to prevent people’s revolutions

February 23, 2011 by: Peter Nyanzi, Editor- Supplements in Monitor blogs

In, “Why Besigye will not lead a people’s revolution,” (Daily Monitor, February 22), Mr Nicholas Sengooba wondered if, now that he has lost the elections once again, Dr Kizza Besigye can lead a popular revolution against the government.

According to Sengooba, if he ever tried, Besigye and those in his kin would risk ending up in the predicament of being indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide or crimes against humanity.

Many people, even in the government, actually share the view that the opposition in Uganda is too weak to lead a successful revolution.

Unfortunately, they seem to be totally oblivious of the fact that people’s revolutions do not necessarily require a strong leader to take place. Globally, people’s revolutions have over the years emerged out of people’s frustration with the status quo.

For example, the demonstrations in the Arab World have been precipitated by high unemployment rates, high food prices, corruption, disrespect for human rights, poor living conditions and a general feeling of dissatisfaction due to decades of repression and misrule.

In Tunisia, the revolution was actually sparked by a street vendor who set himself on fire on December 17 last year in protest against the confiscation of his goods and harassment by the authorities.

All of a sudden, the anger and disillusionment of the masses after years of neglect erupted like a volcano.

What role did ‘a strong opposition’ have to play in the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and currently Libya? What we need to appreciate is the fact that people’s revolutions arise from the hearts and spirits of the masses.

Regardless of whether there are charismatic leaders to lead them or not, people’s pent up frustrations will eventually erupt at an unexpected time.

In many developing countries, the governments put all the effort in weakening the opposition, equipping the security forces and feathering the nests of a few cronies as a way of consolidating power.

What they do not know is that in the modern era, all these are of no consequence when it comes to political stability. Only good governance is the ultimate safeguard against popular unrest.

According to the United Nations, good governance is of paramount importance to national stability. Where there is good governance, State and public institutions are accountable, effective, efficient and independent.

Without good governance, it is impossible to create conditions that lead to effective social services, economic growth, poverty reduction, food security and eventually sustainable development.

To prevent the conditions that lead to popular revolutions, governments must ensure that the views of all vulnerable groups – especially women, the youth and the poor – are heard and considered because they will be the ones most negatively affected if good governance is not achieved.

Governments must ensure that all rule originates from the will of the people, is participatory, is consensus- oriented, is accountable, is transparent, is responsive to people’s concerns and needs, and follows constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Governments must do everything to ensure that people’s civic freedoms and fundamental human rights are protected, that they show political will to fight corruption in public office, ensure equality before the law for all and that impunity is not tolerated at whatever level.

Finally, it is of paramount importance that governments appreciate the fact that a society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not habour feelings of being excluded from the mainstream of society.

This requires that all groups get reasonable access to essential social services and opportunities to improve or maintain their livelihoods.
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Comments (3)
Comments
3 Responses to “Here is how to prevent people’s revolutions”

1.
wodgot says:
March 8, 2011 at 9:19 am

These are some of the tested ways one can use to prevent people’s revolution;
1.The army has to belong to the sitting President
2.Most of the members of the military council should be somehow related to the current President.
3.A machine that produces similar ballot papers has to be secretly bought and installed somewhere by the most trusted person to the sitting President and that person should be incharge of national security.
4.Heavily armed soldiers belonging to the sitting President should be deployed to all the polling stations.
**
This man voted for himself by stuffing preticked votes in most of the ballot boxes. .
2.
hannie says:
March 8, 2011 at 7:38 am

I will answer you Mr. Nyanzi!!
Elections mean nothing to ordinary Ugandans because they get empty promises out of the elections. Really Mr. Nyanzi what has changed since the first NRM elections? I did my min research when I took a small sample of my relatives who informed me that they are not interested in voting. When I asked why? The answer was whether we vote or not M7 ajja kuyitamu kubanga akalulu aja kaba. So in the minds of many Ugandans M7 is not there because he was voted, but becasue he riged the election. So why should people waste their precious time and stand in long queues for a meaningless vote?
3.
Peter Nyanzi, Editor- Supplements says:
February 24, 2011 at 2:33 am

Hi Algy,
Thanks for the feedback. But this recent turnout was the lowest ever in the four general elections that have been held since 1996. So given that most of the 12 reasons are a constant, your reason number 10, is the most realistic explanation. So the question for which we need an answer is, why don’t people care to vote anymore?

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