The Monitor (Kampala)

Uganda: We Must Require Change

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I was approached by a group of people on a campaign dubbed "enough is enough". The goal of this campaign is to petition the speaker of parliament to move a motion to stop the consumption and advertisement of pornography in the nation.

I would like to add my voice to this noble cause and ask those who believe that we need a nation that is clean both physically and morally to join in the campaign.

It is the moral duty of those in any form of leadership to commit themselves to seeking justice, equity and love in our community. We must call on the community to rally around truth, justice, fairness and love, seeking the well-being of all people in the community without any discrimination.

Unfortunately, the systems of society that are intended to serve the good of people tend to dominate, manipulate and control society. Those who hold the positions of power in the systems use unilateral power over people for their personal gain and never address issues that are of eternal value to society.

I have always wondered why the city authorities have never taken any stern action against those who put up posters all over the city inviting people to treat or acquire problems of every kind. No one ever takes action against those who offer them hope against endemic problems.

In my understanding, it's illegal and unethical to advertise medical facilities. More so, it's illegal and criminal for one to advertise himself as a doctor without a certificate of practice. And it's also illegal to put up posters on private property without the owner's consent. But to date, no action has been taken against such persons who blatantly break the law. Their mobile numbers are available and have even had coverage on one of the public television stations.

Why hasn't the medical council renounced these ridiculous adverts that are assumed to be sanctioned by the doctors who read these posters and say nothing? Why hasn't city council raised any suit against these people whose works defile the city both physically and morally?

I wonder what the Presidents of the visiting nations thought about our national leaders when they read these posters on the way to their meetings? To permit such graffiti to be spread all over the city without any severe action against the perpetrators is to admit a high level of impotence in the relevant offices.

This apparent impotence must be confronted by those in society who care for the total wellbeing of the nation. The people with a common mind must learn to unite against the evil in society and hold the systems of the nation and its leaders accountable.

The people with a transformed mind must raise their voice against evil and demand righteousness in every sphere of society; righteousness based on the character of God.

The wellbeing of society never comes by avoiding, ignoring and justifying problems. Change comes about when enough people gather together against the injustice that prevails in society. We must do this in love as Jesus did and we must do it with firmness. We must require change.

Tagged: East Africa, Uganda

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