This week, I watched several TikTok videos by Sheikh Abdurhatifu, a blogger from Sheema District and proprietor of Sheema Media Centre, in which he criticised Dr Eng. Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
People have a right to criticise public officials. Dr Silver, like any other public servant, should be questioned when people have genuine concerns about his decisions, work or conduct. However, criticism should be based on facts and focus on the issues, not personal attacks.
What worries me is the way some people are attacking him.
As a matter of my opinion, I suspect that some people could be facilitating these attacks with the intention of tarnishing Dr Silver’s name. Although I cannot identify or prove who those people are, if there are genuine concerns about his work, they should be raised openly and supported by evidence rather than through coordinated personal attacks.
However, I attribute this to the infighting among some of the so-called prominent leaders who have, over the years, contributed to the decline of the district in terms of service delivery. I would describe them as “Nyantagambwaho” in our local language.
Dr Silver Mugisha is a son of the soil who has risen to serve in a senior position in a national institution, NWSC . His position should be an opportunity for the community to engage him constructively and explore how his experience, knowledge and networks can contribute to development.
He has also been associated with initiatives supporting young people and communities, including youth training programmes and the establishment of Bamugisha Community Welfare Services, which has helped in education, health, household incomes and Bamugisha SACCO. These efforts can be assessed on their merits.
Bushenyi has many educated people, professionals, businesspeople, politicians, religious leaders and public servants in influential positions. Rather than pulling ourselves down, we should be asking how these people can contribute to solving the challenges facing our communities.
As the current District Chairperson TWebaze Prosper normally puts it, “Ahabwa Bushenyi Ya Tweena.”
People need better roads, reliable water, functioning health facilities, better schools, markets for agricultural produce and employment opportunities for young people. These needs are bigger than our political and personal differences.
If someone is a senior government official, how can their experience help attract development?, If someone is a technocrat, how can their knowledge help solve local problems?
I know, social media has made it easier for anyone to reach thousands of people within minutes. That freedom is important, but it also comes with responsibility. Once a person’s reputation has been damaged publicly, correcting a misleading impression can be much harder.
Bushenyi Needs Unity.
My concern is bigger than Dr .Silver Mugisha. It is about the kind of community we want to build.We cannot develop Bushenyi by constantly fighting among ourselves.We need each other to identify areas where we can work together.
Dr Silver Mugisha should be allowed to serve and be judged on his record.If there are genuine concerns about his work, let them be raised with evidence.
Bushenyi would be celebrating Dr Silver’s achievements rather than fighting him using bloggers.Bushenyi needs fewer personal battles and more conversations about development.
Bruno Mugizi is a professional journalist who has been following Bushenyi politics for 8 years.
Bruno Mugizi.
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