By Albert Elwa Louis
Africa-Press – Uganda. Between August and October every year, thousands of aspiring scholars apply for the prestigious annual Chevening Scholarship, hoping to be selected for a desired one-year master’s course in the United Kingdom (UK).
But here is the catch: The awards program offers opportunities for future leaders, decision-makers, and influencers from qualified countries around the world, including Uganda, to develop academically and professionally. Anyone with an undergraduate degree and a minimum of 2,800 hours of work experience can apply.
I wish the Chevening Scholarship would serve as a reference point for many Ugandans, emphasising that anyone who meets the requirements deserves an opportunity. And I have always been amazed that some of its previous recipients are not the biggest title-holders in organisations.
Some are simply early- and mid-level staff making a positive impact in their roles, including field journalists, healthcare professionals, lawyers, and entrepreneurs running their own businesses.
Against this backdrop, I emphasise that any deserving individual should be empowered to step into political leadership. This could be a Kadongo Kamu artist like Mathias Walukagga, a boda boda rider, a wheelbarrow pusher, or a university lecturer, as long as they bring the necessary academic qualifications and exceptional leadership qualities.
What truly matters is their ability to speak up, solve problems, connect with everyday Ugandans, and inspire others to greatness. These qualities count far more than mastering the nitty-gritty of budgeting, lobbying, or legislation, which can always be learned on the job.
The notion among some Ugandans that only the crème de la crème should run for political office is misguided.
The late Kawempe North Constituency legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya was a notable example of an exceptional leader who went so far as to build the now-defunct Kawempe North Medical Centre and purchase an ambulance; services that remain inaccessible to most ordinary Ugandans.
Surprisingly, Ssegirinya held only a certificate in Urban Food Experience from the Netherlands, equivalent to a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). He was living proof that even the least experienced, academically and politically, can deliver results.
Some of these elite politicians are far from impressive, despite their PhDs and master’s degrees. Consider their dismal performance in Parliament: many shun their constituencies after winning elections, others fail to tackle crucial issues in debates, and some simply cash in on the House’s lucrative deals.
My point is that elites should not be the only ones going to “eat” at Parliament. Even the Walukaggas of this world should be given a chance!
Albert Elwa Louis is a clinical psychologist, addiction professional, and Executive Director of Focus on Recovery (FORE) Uganda
Source: Nilepost News
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