Uganda's Shifting Focus: From Ideals to Immediate Gains

The foundational Marxist ideal of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” seems largely overlooked in contemporary Uganda. While Karl Marx proposed this as a blueprint for a classless society, the average Ugandan, when polled online, offered silence when asked why this principle and the associated communist ideology are eschewed.

President Museveni has often pointed to a national drift towards “identity politics”—rooted in tribalism and religion—or the pursuit of personal enrichment, rather than engaging with core ideological principles. This perspective suggests that citizens are less inclined towards abstract ideologies that do not immediately address their concerns.

Adding another layer, many elite Ugandans seem to possess a “been there, done that” attitude towards ideology, viewing it as having little new to offer. For them, ideologies, whether Marxian or the ruling NRM’s programmatic approach, do not directly translate into tangible daily sustenance. Instead, ideological differences are seen as divisive.

The article draws a parallel to illustrate this point: the true difference among people lies in what commands their attention. Scenarios involving Shs50 million, whether directly possessed, promised, or lost, vividly capture individual focus due to their immediate financial implications. This intense focus on personal financial well-being, whether positive or negative, shapes life’s priorities.

Drawing from Marxist-Leninist thought, the concept of “deconstructing to reconstruct the revolutionary” is presented. This process involves shedding internalized bourgeois ideologies to adopt a scientific, class-based worldview, essential for forming committed revolutionary cadres. Amílcar Cabral’s notion of “class suicide” for the petty bourgeoisie to lead national liberation movements is also highlighted as a way to shift focus.

Ultimately, shifting attention from material gain or loss towards shared success and intrinsic fulfillment is advocated. This requires recognizing that material possessions offer fleeting satisfaction, paving the way for collective growth, meaningful engagement with society, and genuine patriotism. The article concludes with a call to action: “In fine, what we give our attention; we give our power. It’s time we gave our attention to a better Uganda.”

This article is adapted from information provided by the Daily Monitor (Uganda).