A Humanist vision for Uganda
By Moses Kula

Humanism is a rational philosophy based on belief in the dignity of human beings, informed by science, and motivated by human hope and human compassion. It is also a rational philosophy informed by art. It affirms the dignity of each human being. It supports the maximization of individual liberty and advocates for the extension of participatory democracy and expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice free of supernaturalism. It recognizes human beings as part of nature and holds that values - be they religious, ethical, social or political - have their source in human nature, experience and culture. Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human needs and interest rather than theological or ideological abstraction, and asserts that humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny.

Basing on the universal principles of Humanism, the Uganda Humanists have the following in their vision:

1. To make Uganda discover that their human potential is embedded in themselves and not any other being or power such as gods, spirits, ghosts, juju and charms. Therefore the value of hard work should be made known to Ugandans.

2. To eradicate poverty, ignorance, disease and other related problems. This can only be achieved through the use and application of reason, science, critical intelligence and co-operative efforts.

3. Scientific discovery and technology can greatly contribute to the betterment of Ugandans bearing in mind that our society is still pre-industrial and very superstitious. So we intend to encourage research and development in this era of the 21st century when the country is even just taking the roots of capitalism.

4. Ugandan Humanists intend to create employment for the people especially school drop outs who leave school without any basic skills .This can be achieved through implementation of projects in agriculture, metal work and fabrication, driving and other activities so that people should not remain frustrated from feelings of redundancy.

5. To promote an open and pluralistic society and democracy, and to protect people's human rights .This can be done through civic education on voting rights, how to vote for leaders and to vote them out without respect to religion, tribe, race and gender basis.

6. Promotion of a secular state and governments by discouraging the church and other religious influences into state affairs:

7. Bearing in mind that Uganda is a nation-state born in war and grown up in war (even today we are at war with the Lord's Resistance army of Joseph Kony); we intend to promote the use of Humanist principles of peaceful resolution of conflicts through negotiation, arbitration, conciliation and dialogue .This will bring peace to our country.

8. Uganda is a multi-tribal society .Therefore Humanism in not should attempt to transcend divisive, parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation or ethnicity, and work together for the common good of Ugandans and the rest of humanity.

9. Uganda Humanist also intend to end harmful traditional practices and taboos such as female genital mutilation and forced cultural circumcision in the form of initiation to manhood or woman hood; ritual killings, witchcraft, cults, murder (as in the case of Kannungu massacre) and superstition; and to discourage the negative use of traditional medicine herbs, astrology, and dependence on gods and spiritual powers.

10. To campaign against all forms of fundamentalism, fanaticism and sectarianism through explanation of the principles of tolerance and accommodation.

11. To promote medical treatment (healing) rather than faith healing. Our Humanist vision is to mobilize resources nationally and internationally to build clinics, have mobile clinics, dispensaries, health centres and Humanist hospitals.

12. Promote social justice and fairness in Uganda by eliminating discrimination. National unity can also be attained and retained through Humanist principles which discourage negative tribalism, ethnicity, sectarianism, nepotism, and clan-ism among others. Protection of the rights of minorities, women, children, elderly, and the abused disabled is part of our agenda.

13. Encourage the solution of earthly problems here on earth,, rather than in heaven by doing research and empirical testing, deduction, and drawing conclusions on such problems as they arise .

14. To protect and enhance the environment and preserve it for future generations through such projects as re-afforestation of wetlands, preservation of wildlife, antiquities, water protection of bodies and aquatic life. Humanist care about the needs of future generations and need to leave this planet a better place for future generations.

15. The Ugandan education system depends on a theoretical colonial-dependant syllabus not always helpful for job creation or jobseekers .Uganda Humanist Association therefore intends to make a practical intervention through:
- Establishing of comprehensive schools with both academic and practical skills.
- Promotion of Adults education to target school drop-outs and the illiterate poor
- Promotion of formal and science skills education. One UHASSO affiliate group has already started to establish a center for Scientific and Humanistic Education.

16. Christianity and Islam alone are unable to solve Uganda`s social, political, economic and cultural problems. So we need to try Humanism as a new ideology in 21st century Uganda, and attempt to liberate Ugandans from backwardness through the use of reason, rationality, empiricism, realism and technology.

Humanism therefore must not remain only within the institutions of higher learning and among the elite, but using all of the means at our disposal, UHASSO must bring Humanism and liberation to the masses at the grass roots if we are to attain our vision.

Moses Kula is vice-chairman of the Uganda Humanist Association