Independence- My Country's & Mine

The definition of independence in most dictionaries is as bland and vague as, the state of being independent. Thus, I had to look to synonyms of the word, instead, to glean its meaning...

Synonyms: self–sufficiency, self-dependence, self-reliance, self-subsistence, self-support

 
So, while hundreds of Ugandans trooped to Kololo airstrip for the official Independence day (Jubilee) celebrations, I slept in. After all, weekday public holidays are scarce and should be duly utilized lest one seems ungrateful.

My housemate is out of the country for work so I went to bed after a lone dinner eaten as I watched Battle in Seattle- classic spinster- style and woke, mid morning to a silent house and was only 'rescued' by my neighbour's daughters who never fail to regale me with all sorts of tales.

I am a single, independent woman whose commitment extends only as far as my faith, my nuclear family i.e. mom & siblings and my work. My independence has not come easy...it is a result of attitude change, of acceptance, of choosing to learn from life's experiences and circumstances that surround me. As far back as I can remember, my mother encouraged me to be independent, to be self sustaining, to seek for help after I had exhausted all options that involved me 'fixing' what needed fixing. I learnt from her that in most cases, if you want something done well, you better do it yourself. I was oft reminded that I am responsible for the way my life turns out and that I must always be ready and willing to take responsibility for my choices/ decisions. At 24, I moved out of home, with an inward, free at last! shout until I began to deal with rent, utility bills, transport costs, and the like :)

Five years later, I find that independence is no walk in the park. It is not an event- it is a process. One that is more often than not, painful and wrought of great sacrifice.

Yesterday, Uganda celebrated 50 years since attaining independence from the British colonial government. The celebrations should have meant more to me. There is no doubt that my country has come a long way since the instruments of power were handed to Ugandans yet I cannot get over the fact that we could have done much, much better- that we could have made more of the opportunities that were laid before us. Listening to the President's (unusually short) speech, I thought how tired I am of hearing bottlenecks (his word) pointed out but, at most, miniscule steps being taken to deal with them.

In the last couple of years, I have been told over and over how the change we, younger people, harp on about can only be achieved by us. I agree. Yesterday, during my 'personal moments', I pledged to, from here on now, consciously and deliberately- on a daily basis, make choices that have a better Uganda in the future, in mind- to say, desist from bribing traffic police officers, to keep my trash on my person until I find a proper bin, to arrive at my meetings 10 minutes before the scheduled time- no matter what, to pay my taxes, to cast my vote... These things and such others like them are what I feel are a true reflection of independence, my country's and mine.

Happy 50th my motherland!