Finally, the American tourist and Ugandan tour guide who were abducted by rogues in Ishasha were eventually rescued thanks to efforts of joint security teams and concerned stakeholders.
This came as welcome news to the Ugandan tourism industry, our economy and general reputation of the government in the face of world attention and pressure something that the current regime has worked so hard to preserve.
Irrespective of the circumstances of the release and rescue, we ought to be grateful that the lives of these individuals are safe given the harsh lessins of previous kidnap incidents like the Susan magara case.
However typical of the sadist, disillusioned characters in our midst, you are made to believe that none of this mattered. Worst bit of all, most of the negative comments on social media came from Ugandans! Of what benefit would such a national tragedy be to anyone’s cause? How would the death of these Innocent people benefit the political cause of those that claimed that government was incapable of protecting its citizens and visitors?
Like all dark clouds, there is always a silver lining. President of the USA, Donald Trump tweeted that the Ugandan authorities ought to hunt and bring to quick justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime. Whereas this is a top priority for the government, it shouldn’t be the top agenda to shroud over the rescue.
The tweet also acted as rallying cry to Ugandans who came out strongly to challenge the President of the US, of the bad crime statistics and failures in justice in his own back yard. One David Mpanga compared trump to Idi Amin Dada in the manner in which he dealt(or is it inability) with international relations like this one.
Another, tweeted the sad statistics of the deaths of over 30 black Americans a day to gun violence without an end in sight to remind him of his governments failure to protect its citizens. Many more came to the defense of their country in subsequent comments and replies.
This is the kind of spirit that truly defines the Ugandan people not the disillusionment that has slowly crept into the minds of the minority especially the opposition that do not seem to differentiate between hunger for power and the need to stand up for ones country in the face of adversity.
Lessons have to be learnt from all asunder, the hatred for the sitting government and the hunger for power should not shroud our judgement to see success of the Ugandan nation. Patriotism should not be sacrificed at the alter of egoistic, power hungry individuals.
Not all is lost in this, like publicist’s say, all PR is good PR. Everyone loves a good ending, am sure the international interest in this story will only increase the limelight on the country’s tourism sector and we hope to see the fruits of that benefitting all of us no matter our delusions.
Uganda is safe for tourists and will always be.
