In Uganda, many people are affected by the decision to disconnect unregistered SIM cards. The rationale that the government gave for registering the SIM cards is to fight criminality. If you are like some of us who have read something about Criminology, you will agree with me that this reason was fallacious. We don’t control or solve the problem of crime by registering SIM cards. In fact, registering SIM Cards lines is registering crime, in disguise. But anyway, like one philosopher said, “Wherever there is corruption, there are numerous laws.”
Am not saying, the government had to sit back and do nothing, am only challenging the reasons they gave for registering the SIM Cards. I think the government needs Critical Thinkers on their public relations team. Because if we use our National IDs to register, how about the IDs we have of the people who have long died?
Recently, I heard an advert by the Telecom companies telling foreigners to use their passports to register their SIM Cards and I was left wondering how would they follow up this foreigner if he committed a crime and flew out the next hour!!!? How about a scenario where my phone is stolen and before I report the theft, the line is used in a scandal, or a scenario in which am abducted?
I mean, the government should give a sound reason but not crime, for crime has been here before government and it will be here after government. It is us Theologians who should be consulted about crime control and management, not these opportunistic politicians.
Another interesting thing to know is that UCC (Uganda Communication Commission), did not disconnect any individual just as it has never connected anyone. It is these Telecom companies that disconnected the SIM Cards, and the criteria was more business oriented than legal.
Take an example of myself, I decided I was not going to stand in those long queues to register my SIM Cards, and I did not register them. And guess what, they are still on, not because am defiant but I knew these companies needed me more than I needed them. I have been talking to people who have been disconnected and 98% of those disconnected SIM Cards basically contributed nothing business-wise to these companies. (Banange mukole nyo ensi teyagala baavu in all corners).
You see friends, if you have owned a phone as long as I have, you will realize that initially, our numbers were +256 77 then your number. But after some time, the government added another code after 077/78/79 for MTN, 075/70 for Airtel, 079/for Africell (former Orange) etc. And there is either a 2,3,4,5,6 number on every number and that is how the government is able to trace your number.
If you have ever lost your phone, you know the possibility of tracking your phone if it is in use, and even the last time it was used. You know that these companies know who you call most and when, so personally, I think the government is either lazy or fertilizing corruption by making laws in which the greedy will take advantage.
Finally, I want you also to look at the Ugandan culture of procrastination. Ugandans are lousy and lazy citizens and I blame this on my father Museveni who is more of a parent and less a president. He has pampered his citizens and no wonder in East Africa, Uganda is economically at the bottom. The paradox is that president Museveni is the best leader in East Africa respected by all other presidents but again with a poor country. Take an example of this SIM Card registration.
Ugandans have been given time and time again to register for national IDs but up to now, people do not have them and they still operate without such a credible credential of national importance. In Uganda, everything is possible and am not surprised every dog survives in this country.
Can you imagine parliament still wanted an extension of a year to be given to these lazy citizens!!!? And am sure the minister is going to wrestle with the house over this. I mean, seriously, this kind of parental leadership is an abuse to democracy and Uganda government and its people must repent, turn to the lord and start working hard and working right.
Don’t get a national ID just to register your SIM Card, get a national ID for your citizenship reasons. Whenever the government puts a law in place, be the first to participate. Stop being a fire extinguisher, Uganda is not in a crisis. Be a law abiding citizen. I know the leaders are confused but wear a mask and let not that confusion be contagious.
Don’t do wrong just because everyone is doing wrong, always do the right thing regardless of the many credible fools. Throw away the disconnected line, get your national credentials and register a few SIM Cards that you actually need. Am sure some people will save money if they stick to one line rather than having five that all need airtime.
Trust me if you were disconnected, it is because you have always not been connected.
God bless you: I invoke TRUTH, REASON and FAITH
Pr. I.T.WHITE
The Gospel Hawker
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 