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Please post this on other discussion fora.
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In a message dated 10/24/2003 9:37:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
Subj: Museveni Joins Them [Vanguard, Lagos]
Date: 10/24/2003 9:37:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
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Museveni Joins Them
Vanguard (Lagos)
EDITORIAL
October 24, 2003
Posted to the web October 24, 2003
THERE is no doubt that leadership has its responsibilities. More than that
it has its ethics. What is pardonable in followership may not be excused in
leadership.
The truth is that leadership is judged most times by very high and exacting
standards.
Recently Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's President, who started his political life
as a freedom fighter came in for swipes from critics in his country. He had
sent abroad both his daughter and daughter-in-law to deliver babies where he
thought they had the chance of safety.
The two women were taken aboard the Ugandan President's official plane.
The Uganda President had not refuted the allegation but what he had rebutted
had been the cost of the health care to the Uganda tax- payer.
The President's critics had put the cost at $90,000 US Dollars ( 11,520,000)
which the President said cost just $27,000 US Dollars ( 3,456,000).
The President should be wrong. Aviation fuel, cost of crew members and
hospital bills for the two women should cost more than the published.
We look at the matter from two perspectives: from the fact that given the
financial situation of the country it was money that could be very useful
otherwise.
But beyond that is the morality of it. How many Ugandans were in that
situation and did not get the kind of treatment that the President's
daughter and daughter-in-law got?
The President made a very indicting statement in attenuation: "When it comes
to security for myself and my family, there is no compromise." Translated in
ordinary language, he (President) and his family members matter more than
the ordinary Ugandans over who he presides; translated, it means he could
not trust the security of his government; translated, it means he did not
think much of the quality of medical service of his government.
We are disappointed about this display of lack of feeling and arrogance on
the part of Museveni, a man for whom we used to have high regards.
He, by this act, has joined the legion of African leaders who have excelled
not by their delivery of much - needed social and economic infrastructure
but by flamboyance and non-challance. Which is a pity.
Leaders are supposed to set the tone of concern and morality for the
followers. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.
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