IN KAMPALA: STOP COMPLAINING, JOIN POLITICS-MUNTU

Maj Gen Muntu speaking in Toronto yesterday. Courtesy Photo

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By Vision Reporter
Major General Mugisha Muntu has challenged the Banyakigezi to compete and actively participate in politics, as complaining alone will not do much.
Speaking at the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) Convention in Toronto, Canada, Muntu warned against a growing Ugandan tendency of seeking quick success, that he called “short-cuts.”
“Put in all you can, before you receive,” he advised yesterday. Muntu is the President of Uganda’s leading opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and former Army commander.
“While you may indeed not be directly involved in politics, you can create a critical mass outside that influences political direction. Somehow, complaining alone may not do much. You may also wish to go compete, actively participate, regardless of which party.”
The ICOB Convention started on Thursday and concludes Monday July 29 at the Residence Inn Toronto Downtown.
ICOB was founded out of the need to promote the cultural, social and economic development of Banyakigezi in Uganda and in the Diaspora, and to pass on the importance of customs, language and wisdom handed down from forefathers to children.
Muntu hailed ICOB. “What you are doing with KEF, mentoring, role modeling… is critical to human spirit. Fixing the infrastructure is easy; it is more difficult to change a mind-set.  It keeps hope alive. Desperate as the situation may seem, there is hope and YOU are part of that hope.”
 “As you do the things that you have been doing, please recognize that human factor is most critical. Put in all you can, before you receive. The culture of short cuts is so deeply embedded in our culture, it’s almost crippling.”

Banyakigezi listen to presentations at the ICOB International Convention in Toronto
On Muntu’s presentation, host Dr. Muniini K. Mulera said . “His intellect, along with his genuine humility and ability to connect the dots has impressed many who did not know him. “
Muniini Mulera added: “We must be politically active but non-partisan about Kigezi and its matters.”
Among the key speakers at the convention have been Muntu,  Dr. Muniini K. Mulera, Robert Kabushenga, Phillip Odera,  Prof. Joy Kwesiga and Johnson Mujungu, president of ICOB.
The convention received Banyakigezi Chapter reports from Nkunda Kabateraine (Canada), Edmond Safali Ssemugisha(UK), Dr. John Bahana (Uganda) and Dr. Frank Byamugisha (USA).
Charge de affaires at the Uganda Commission in Canada Margaret Kyogyire hailed ICOB. “The Uganda Government is interested in what you and every Ugandan is doing for the betterment of our Country. God bless you and please keep at it,” Kyogyire said.
Discussions focused on Developing Kigezi: Beyond the rhetoric; ICOB: The next 10 years; Bakiga: Myths and realities; Techno-cultural dilemma in relation to Kigezi; Giving back to Kigezi: The spirit of volunteerism; Role of the Diaspora in the development of Kigezi and a Sustainable education strategy for Kigezi.

Prof Kwesiga, Munini and Mujungu listen to presentations 
Mujungu, president ICOB , encouraged the Banyakigezi to aim high but work with others. “ICOB is not an Island in an ocean of socialization. ICOB is very serious about its mission and deliberate about strengthening relationships with friends of Banyakigezi with a shared vision.
“We have participated in and continue to engage in various other community events and programs. We believe that 'engaro ibiri nokunabisana’ (two hands wash each other) and are thus appreciative of reciprocal efforts.”
Odera, the CEO Stanbic Bank, on Friday highlighted the profitable agenda for Banyakigezi. He made a presentation on food farming and how it is the business of the future.
“You really want to take the economic Agenda of Kigezi forward?  You must take the risk with a bias towards action,” Odera advised.

Odera makes his point
Kabushenga, CEO of Uganda’s leading media house Vision Group, urged the Banyakigezi to look at their successes, not to boast about them but to draw capital from it.  “Come back to Kigezi and build it, no one will build it for you. The collective impact of your success must be leveraged,” he said.
“The power of example is most motivating. Come home to Kigezi, even if not to stay but to be seen. Your achievements will motivate many more than you can imagine from a distance.”
Saturday’s activities ended with a boat cruise and fundraising gala dinner aboard the “Spirit of Kigezi “ with Masters of Ceremonies Dr. Peter Bikangaga.
The convention concludes today with an Ecumenical Worship at Uganda Martyrs United Church of Canada and picnic at Center Island, Lake Ontario.