By Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo
Theanger against Banyankore is unfortunate and should be redirected, but it needs to be understood. Without understanding it, it can’t be addressed.
There is certainly national imbalance in distribution of opportunities in favour of Banyankore, and this can not only be seen but has also been statistically showed by government reports themselves (Eg EOC 2024).
It has bred negative sentiments from others – which are not helped by arrogant responses.
This doesn’t mean that all Banyankore are benefiting, NOT AT ALL. There are very many desperate Banyankore without jobs, and many places in Ankore experiencing abject poverty and neglect.
However, evidence of these is not logical proof for absence of ethnic favoratism in favour of group members. It is only proof that many haven’t benefitted, yet.
Even when whites were dominating blacks under Apartheid in South Africa, there were many poor whites, and there were some rich blacks. But the existence of poor whites was not proof for Apartheid not being racially discriminative – the same can be said of racial discrimination in USA, and discrimination against women. Showing poor men doesn’t take away the fact that women are not generally systemically disadvantaged.
Therefore, the common response by parading poverty in Ankore misses the point, is deflective, and comes across as defensive of the dangerous direction.
It should however be understood why such a response often comes out. First, many self-built, meriting, hard working Banyankore feel accused of something they haven’t benefitted from.
Second, many struggling Banyankore obviously don’t see themselves in the picture of being favoured and feel (get) victimised for no reason. Third, the culprits (nepotistic and tribal beneficiaries) psychologically manipulate and mobilise other Banyankore to feel collectively targeted and fight back as a group – creating collective victimhood and fear. They make it appear as if they are being targeted simply for being Banyankore, and successfully keep the terrified Banyankore away from the fact that it is the benefitting tribalists/nepotists causing the anger from others.
You will therefore note a resultant trend where ethnic voting patterns change, and inwardly solidify. You will also observe a conspicuous trend in the names of those that defend or whitewash impunity online.
MK has been throwing around dangerous tribalistic lines and slurs for a while now.
He is currently a big factor in endangering innocent Banyankore with his reckless unrestrained violent bigotry. How does a CDF kidnap a person (of another ethnic group) and then boast about teaching him Runyankore while torturing him! What sentiments do you think this naturally attracts?
Moreover, where his chauvinistic tribalistic statements are not isolated occurrences but a clear pattern! It is not only a duty of Banyankore to condemn this dangerous fascist nonsense, but Banyankore need to note what it is causing towards them and condemn it more strongly.
When such careless and arrogant behaviour (plus the inequalities) leads to ethnic violence, the primary causers are often insulated. It is the poor everyday Banyankore that they cause double victimhood.
Big beneficiaries will either run to safety or use their security to protect themselves trouble.
Stop blocking discussions against tribal issues (pains), or else, we are building up for something worse. Raising the matter isn’t hatred for Banyankore. Stop guilt-tripping and threatening those who raise it; silence should actually scare us. When people are quiet, you can’t know what they feel or are capable of doing.
Among other measures, especially in addressing inequalities, MK must be stopped. He is fanning what he won’t be capable of stopping.
It is unfortunate that his parents, who seem to be the only ones that can officially reign him in, are apparently doing nothing about it.
We shouldn’t keep quiet until this explodes, none of us can expect to be safe – on all sides.
Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo is a university professor. This article was first shared on X
Some Background and Context
Muhoozi has revealed that abducted Bobi Wine bodyguard Eddie Mutwe is in his basement learning Runyankore, and he asked Bobi Wine ‘what will you do about it?’ (See Details Here).
President Museveni, Muhoozi’s father, previously said he was comfortable without Banyankore as he defended himself and his government against allegations of tribalism. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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