#UgBlogWeek Day 3 – Is it worth it?

Christina doesn’t work in Uganda – the employment situation here leaves a lot to be desired. It is what it is. Everyone does what they can to make it in this thing called life.

It is what it is.

Tom works upcountry but he was a side gig that requires him to be in Kampala every weekend. He takes a bus to Kampala every Friday evening, and one back to the little village that has become home to him every Sunday evening. It’s almost like the “life on the road” one sees in movies without the fancy bit.

Once in a while, the guilt of not having seen each in a while catches up with us. We meet up and indulge in the happiness that is Javas’ food. One afternoon, midway through a chicken salad sandwich, I looked towards Tom and asked him whether it was worth it. Because my question was out of the blue, he asked what it was I was talking about.

The desire to succeed that has you moving up and down from one town to another every weekend. That was my answer. He hesitated, for just a moment, but that’s all I needed. It meant that he had thought about it.

The elections for the next president of Uganda are on Thursday, and people have not been too nice to those that have said that they will not be voting. And that’s putting it lightly.

As Ugandans, of course we want democracy, peace, stability, good roads, affordable health care, good education to mention but a few – basically steady progress. All of this will come or not come at a price.

Yesterday a member of the opposition’s party was killed, may his soul rest in peace. The more I read about it, the less it made sense.

About 30% of the people I know have traveled to another country for the election period, just to be on the safe side. And Uganda is nowhere close to countries that are famous for violence. When it’s all said and done, it’s comes down to the price people are willing to pay.

If you’re very determined to cast your vote even when there is a chance that you might get injured, that’s okay – it’s your life. To however stand on a high horse and call those who will not be voting all kinds of insulting names is simply outrageous and uncalled for.

If you’re not the voting for whatever reason, it’s your vote. It’s your life therefore it is your choice to make.

May be you’re a coward for not voting and exercising your right. May be you’re a coward for wanting to remain alive.

If voting is worth it to you, please be at the polling station tomorrow. However don’t disrespect others because they decided that it aint worth it.