Back in the day, listening to the news nagged as much as
being forced to take a nap after lunch at the age of five.
However the news lately is killer!
I mean every day comes with new comedians, actors,
actresses, interesting experiences and reasons to rant, as if
Hollywood!
But in all this, I have realised that Ugandans are a very
unpredictable people. One can never know what could excite
them or have them displeased within the blink of an eye.
For example, at one point, these Ugandans complained
about the poor sanitation within the city centre, unbearable
infrastructure, and above all the transport system that had
many gloomy until everything was tolerated for the lack of
choice.
Fast forward, a system is being implemented to address the
above issues and it’s like the responsible authorities just
prompted a swarm of bees to sting from all corners!
Kindly allow me to borrow that popular line among women-
“What do men really want?” and twist it to “what do Ugandans
really want?”
Then, when will they realise that they have achieved it hence
reason to appreciate, smile and co-operate? Is it that we have
very little faith in change that we have to look at every initiative
like thorns placed to harm us so we rant, talk, wail and accuse
the concerned parties even when it is not necessary?
Anyways, I think in most situations thinking about the end
before the means can bring a sane reaction eventually. Either
way, the latter will justify the former. With that said,
appreciating the fact that there is an initiative to bring sanity to
this city before condemning the effort would make a lot of
sense, if you asked me.
I mean, on different occasions, I would sit in a taxi and look on
in aghast for several minutes as the conductor flexed with the
tax collector amidst insults, after which the taxi would be
carelessly zoomed off. The drama alone, wastage of time
and language used to address each other was conducted
irrespective of the passengers inside albeit of different age
groups.
Then frown each time I had to think about the impromptu
arguments that could arise from the conductor because he
had hiked the price without informing me for reasons well
known to him. The winner was being dropped half way my
journey simply because they were trying to dodge the
collectors.
And I would wonder at how one human being would make his
zibs my issue and treat me like I was not going to pay for
warming that seat? And where were the necessary authorities
to address such sensitive issues being encountered on a
daily basis?
I hate to cast a stone but I shall not lie that I did not laugh hard
at headlines like, “Utoda boss weeps” (mbu on behalf of the
drivers that would be left unemployed) after it lost the tender to
run the Taxi Parks to KCCA.
Such unpaid for drama!
So where were these tears when innocent people succumbed
to harsh, inconsistent conditions on a daily basis like they
were being punished for not owning cars?
For the record, I am not saying that the new policies are going
to bring heaven on earth but the mere fact that they are not
characterised by lots of words with no actions creates hope. I
see no point in resisting change but to raise my head to the
breath of fresh air instead, until proven otherwise.
Therefore nothing like the ongoing mumble jumble about
reducing taxi fares will change this mind. Like seriously for
how long are we going to compromise? If I am to relate this to
the night life for example, when posh hang out places want to
maintain paramount discipline, mature behaviour and
address their clientele’s needs, they hike all costs from
entrance on wards.
So what is wrong with setting a pace in the name of quality,
sanity and decent modes of operation?
At the end of the day, we are a city that has various people
with each one holding a different opinion, that it can take us
forever to arrive to a conclusion if we are going to address
and incorporate each one of them.
So let us bite into one piece of cake at a particular time. Give
a chance for ideas, policies to mature (especially if they
concern the majority) before ranting prematurely to
discourage the eventual fruits that might yield to a bright future.
It’s simple logic!
