The problem of street beggars is as old as prostitution. And we cannot do anything to curb this problem since in almost every society there are beggars.

I used to think that in Europe there were no beggars, but I was dumbstruck on seeing beggars line up the streets of Britain. Back here at home, the problem is out of hand.

Children as young as one year are lined on streets to stretch their hands for a penny from good Samaritans.

In most cases, their mothers would watch from safe quarters to monitor the goings-on. With the swelling number of beggars on our streets, I am compelled to think that there are people into this business.

And it would surprise you to know that some of these so-called city tycoons are behind the begging business.

If not, how do Karimojongs find their way to Kampala? Do they hide under buses? Traveling from Karamoja to Kampala costs about Ushs 40,000. How many Karimojongs can afford this amount of money? Think about it. 

Joan Nantume

Makerere University

Watch your child this holiday

The kids are home for another long holiday, having spent three months away from their parents and guardians.

As the kids are home, there are those men and women who can't suppress their vicious sex libidos. I am told wooing young children nowadays is called "kids league".

Previously it used to be "Michael Westing", from the small Michael West English dictionary. Since it is impossible for these agents of hell to leave our children alone, we, as parents, have got a principal duty to monitor or watch over our children this holiday.

Many a time, children are left to go to places like students' bashes, nightclubs, music launch-shows and any other happening place around town.

Parents are fast succumbing to the global concept of "liberalism" where children are left to decide their own destinies and the way they would like to be governed, which is quite different from the noble way a parent would like to bring up his/her child.

I appeal to my fellow parents to take up their roles and nurture their children into responsible citizens. Let's spend quality time with our children since, most of the time, they are at school.

And above all, let's be on the look-out for sugar daddies and mummies. If anybody happens to lay his/her filthy hands on your child, just spear such a one to death!

Juliana Nampijja

Kampala

Gov’t should support local investors

Uganda hosted the 3rd East African Community Investment Climate Conference from April 27-30, 2010 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. But as we showcase our investment opportunities, there is a sticking issue that is yet to be addressed: the neglect of our local investors.

It is no secret that Government worships foreign investors at the neglect of our local investors. It is the foreign investors who now own the economy. They are the ones receiving government support in terms of free land, capitalization funds, tax waivers and holidays, government contracts-- as far as I can mention.

The local investors who receive government support are those who are connected to the powers that be.

Why can't government extend the same favours to local investors, since the local investors will invest at home and keep the proceeds at home, as opposed to the foreigners who will repatriate everything to their home countries?

The local investors will also employ their fellow Ugandans as compared to foreigners who bring their nationals on board. Government would argue that local investors have no money. Granted, but it is the duty of government to empower its citizens with the necessary skills and resources to compete favourably against any foreign investor.

Now there is rumour doing the rounds that the former Prime Minster of Thailand, Shinnawatra (of the "Go Lotto" gambling business) owns gold mines in Uganda! Isn't there a Ugandan who could as well invest in theses gold mines? Government should accord their local businesspeople first priority before turning the favour to foreigners since the latter are here to siphon from us.

Dan Siminyu

Mukono