By Joseph Tumushabe

11^th July 2011:  “I am not bothered”, said Museveni.  I have known it for 14 years.  But then why did these words hit me like a bombshell?  Was it the demeanor on his face?  Was it the company he was in?  Was it the knowledge that a hunger like we have not known in 60 years has been forecast to hit our region and several districts especially in northern and north Eastern Uganda?

Was it the information I had just greened off the web about collapsing brides and traders goods perishing. Why?  Was it hearing them actually being voiced by the man I once thought was an answer to the ills suffered by Uganda?  Why did those words hit me like a sledge hammer?

I tried going to bed, but sleep eluded me. It was already 2.46am on a cool July 8^th morning! I jumped out of bed and watched the footage for the 4^th time.  “I am not bothered”, the words kept ringing again and again.  I replayed the footage over and over again.  “I am not bothered”.

Yes, I had seen the TV footage, sufficiently.  The President in the company of his family!  It was not a mis-speech.  He meant every bit of what he said.  There, stating what we have long known.  “…For me I only eat traditional food.  I don’t change…When you have problems of imported food, for me I am not bothered…I am not concerned because all the food am eating is local”, Museveni said.

Mr. President, I would also not be bothered.  Unfortunately, I go to the market to buy the local food and know the price. I would not be bothered if only my old man and mother’s treatment was assured. I would never have been bothered if only I had one hundredth of your family budget for a day to spend on my family in a year.

Of course Sir, millions of Ugandan families would not be bothered if they did not have to sell the little they have to see their daughters, sons or grandchildren get a decent education and hope for a glimmer of hope in life.

Your Excellency, which Ugandan youth would be bothered if they had half the chance to get employed in the jobs that your sons, daughters and in-laws have and be paid what your family makes in a week even for a whole year?

Honestly, I may not be bothered if only the monthly salary of a doctor could fill up a tank of petrol and give her a decent livelihood to attend to more than 50 patients per day without having to rush to make ends meet.  Which policeman would be bothered if only they had a decent salary that is not being eaten away by the rising inflation?

Of course you are right not to be bothered.  Your entire bill is not only picked by Ugandans, but when this is not enough to meet your personal and relatives’ expenses, you seek a supplementary budget for State House.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.