Once upon a time I stood for College Head of Communication prefect and lost, awkwardly, it was a landslide win for my opponent. With only 10 votes from a school of like 900 students, I was beaten to no recovery, but if only I had known about the concept of Kiggundu-ing ( If you participated the recent concluded elections you understand what I mean by this) then maybe I would have petitioned.
From that day onwards, I have known of the disgusting traits of politics and its siblings. I was compelled to plan to do it as I had seen others before me, with me in the race do it; buy some sweets and meals for students, promise to improve the school news department with high tech solutions of google and the internet( the school did not have a real functional computer room), lobby teachers to mention one’s name while they taught in exchange of not mentioning names in any mischief report about them while promising bullies exclusion from the bulletin, but that was not me.
My upbringing was to be truthful, open and honest; my campaign portrayed this, but also my pockets weren’t deep to win the hearts or should I say stomachs of the students. The temptation was available, but the question my conscience wouldn’t let me take that low road – even if in today’s politics that is the high road for legions. I took the high road that I had chosen of truth and transparency, promising what one can actually execute and do it well, what one can deliver without selling out to either the high authorities and nor to those, one is leading, but rather a middle ground where both could benefit.
People don’t like the truth, they prefer the lies that look like hope, and promises that will never witness the light of day. That time in school prepared me for the evil that roams in politics, the dirty games that are played by people I now consider to have no consciences, but rather the desire to fill their stomach and not save the people they are might to lead.
Twice upon a time I earned another opportunity to leadership, I was offered the class presidency at the University. I took it without any objection from me or my class; with no idea what my duties entailed, no clear understanding of the university laws and regulations but with so much interest.
This lead to doors that I didn’t know I would knock on and have them opened. I told myself I would be the best leader my class would remember and above all, my self esteem was boosted. The empowerment that I could do anything so long as a chance presented itself was the greatest motivator of my life.
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