It sad when people’s promises never come to pass but even more sad when governments promise to do many things but a handful is accomplished.
A view of people during election campaigns in Uganda
On Monday, I read something that triggered my attention. Just at the beginning of this year, the East African Community (EAC) head states (for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda) signed an agreement that allows people in the member states to travel within the region using their National IDs as travel agents. However, some airline companies have not adopted the change.
An article by The New Times Rwanda said the Kenya Airways had declined people who were using National IDs to travel within three countries. The Airlines management refused because of the agreements that the company has signed with other international airlines.
Which makes me wonder, before signing the agreement or even after signing it, didn’t the three governments make it a mandate that it becomes effective immediately. Well as far as I know, that’s how it should be.
If I am to list the number of things promised by our leaders and have never come to pass, the list will be endless. But let’s go to the National ID Project.
Recently, the Internal Affairs Minister said all passports need to be changed to hi-tech passports by June 2015 or else no one will be allowed to travel. He said the the National IDs they are “yet” to issue out will help in the process of updating the passports.
“When we finish the ID project, we shall start on the passports because the technology we were using is now up-to-date,” Gen Aronda Nyakairima, the Internal Affairs Minister said.
But, my question is, will this be achieved by that time? I highly doubt. Why is it so hard for our leaders to accomplish their targets in the right time? They say something; it takes forever or even never comes to pass.
If any project or deal comes up to benefit the public, all they think about is how to get their share from the deal and when the time for results reaches, not even a quarter of the budgeted funds are available. High chances are that every member in the project got a reasonable amount of money from it.
However, this has to stop and corruption has to end in our corruption or else we will never develop.
I think there are strong pressures on politicians to make promises which they cannot keep. In order to win an election, political parties solemnly swear to do what none can do honestly or reliably to keep the money flowing to voters. The party that wins is the one that makes its promises most convincing the one that seems most able to deliver.
However, why is it hard for governments to make good on its promises. Why should you promise more than you can offer?
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