At a press briefing I attended last week, one of the conveners posed a thought-provoking question: “What if Kampala City were to be bombed or set on fire today…?” The room fell silent, with a collective shrug of indifference. This apathy is a stark reminder of the disconnect between the citizens of Uganda and the grim realities of our society. The bourgeoisie, Uganda’s silent majority, are victims of a system that ignores their struggles and exploits their resilience, and are less concerned about whatever catastrophe happens to their country.
Forget about the Gaza people and Ghetto Ganjas; President Museveni’s government has created a class division that perpetuates inequality, discriminates against professionals, and enslaves them in a system that prioritizes the wealthy and powerful. The bourgeoisie, comprising liberal arts teachers, medics, engineers, police officers, lawyers, religious leaders, and traditional leaders, are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued.
The government’s failure to address wealth disparities, promote inclusive growth, and provide equal opportunities has pushed the bourgeoisie to the brink of despair. They are the backbone of Uganda, yet their struggles are met with apathy and indifference.
As Pea Cock warned, “Conditions in a society must be very bad in it before men in large numbers undertake its overthrow by violence.” The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Alumni Prof. Sam Aluko’s classical mantra also rings true: “The poor don’t sleep because they are hungry, and the rich won’t sleep because the poor are awake.” The consequences of this neglect are dire. Uganda risks a revolution driven by the very people who have been silenced and marginalized because they are a threat to national security. It is time for the government to acknowledge the bourgeoisie’s plight and address their grievances.
We need a system that promotes meritocracy, equal access to quality education and healthcare, and economic opportunities that benefit all, not just the privileged few. The bourgeoisie deserves a chance to thrive, to be heard, and to be valued.
Let us recognize the struggles of Uganda’s silent majority and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. The future of our nation depends on it.
I am not an expert. What and how I learned about inequality emerged from pure existential needs. But what I clearly see is that both men and women are victims of the social classification in this country we live in. The sooner we see that, the better.
By Leonard Kamugisha Akida, Journalist, Multimedia Trainer. X: @Akida_leonard | Email: kamugisha.leonardakida@gmail.com
