It gives me great pleasure, as your voter, to congratulate you on this great achievement. Your ascension to Parliament to negotiate for my piece of the coveted national cake is no small feat. It goes without saying that I voted for you believing that you are the most equipped to bridge the gap between me and the government of Uganda. At least to you, I am not just a nameless statistic. I am a real person of flesh and blood, with needs, just as you witnessed while you were canvassing for votes in our village.
Do you remember how we struggled to lift your Vitz from the mud when a downpour found us on that remote road? It is fortunate that a Vitz is quite portable and can be lifted by a few strong men. I believe that with the great plans the government has concerning your transportation; new cars, fuel allowances, and mileage, you may never again experience such inconvenience. But for me, things are likely to get worse with the planned removal of old taxis from the roads, especially since it seems impossible for the government to ever run a public transport company again.
So, may I kindly ask that taxes on public service vehicles be lowered? That way, we can have better taxis on our roads and affordable fares. A healthy transport sector is the backbone of any economy, and we the common people feel every bump on that road.
I pray that I never have to call you to contribute to my own or my family’s medical expenses. But you know, these things are bound to happen. Illness does not check your bank balance before arriving. It is not that most of us, your voters, love to bother you incessantly with personal issues. Most of us hate begging because it humiliates us. But sometimes, you are our only recourse after the government hospital has run out of paracetamol and the private clinic demands money we do not have.
You know, in my language we have a proverb: ‘Kyokufa ohemuka.’ Literally translated: in the face of death, you would rather humiliate yourself. So, I am setting aside my pride to write this letter.
Therefore, when you debate in Parliament, please do not concentrate only on Bills that strengthen your position in power such as the supplementary budgets for foreign trips, sitting allowances, and the lavish renovation of offices. Remember to talk about healthcare in our constituency. It is a real problem, one that could cause you to change your telephone number when the calls for help become too many and something that might create difficulties in the next election.
I know that education, healthcare, transportation and employment are not your direct responsibilities alone. The Constitution makes that clear. But as our spokesperson and representative, you have not only a speaking role but a practical role to play. There are many gaps and loopholes that you can help plug so that people can learn to help themselves instead of waiting forever for the government to rescue them.
So, whenever two or three of us are gathered, at a funeral, a wedding, or simply under a mango tree on a Sunday afternoon, please come and be in our midst. You may bring a token of support, or you may not. But our deepest desire is that you come with knowledge and information that we can use to better ourselves. Topics on personal hygiene, family planning, mental healthcare, and self-employment will cement your name in our hearts more than jerrycans of waragi handed out during campaigns.
Those gifts are soon forgotten. But knowledge changes a family for generations. Though I could not accompany you to the swearing-in ceremony, I was proud to see you take that oath in the 12th Parliament.
May you always remember the mud from which your Vitz was lifted. May you remember the faces of those who pushed it. And may you never become too important to listen.
Yours sincerely,
Your faithful voter