For God and My Country

Gifted by nature, robbed by the citizens - us Children go hungry, parents stare blankly There is no hope, only the residue of broken promises Politicians roam free, reveling in pompous excesses Home of the corrupt, land of the lost patriots Fecund ground for lawlessness, impunity and subdued riots “Oh Uganda….” my pride is lost in the song An essence lost at independence, what went wrong? Veterans wander and wonder with nostalgic remonstrance While the young protest with youthful recalcitrance A country with so much promise, we usually short-change ourselves We have to demand more from our selfish-selves Instead of all this meaningless finger-pointing We need a miracle, a righteous political anointing An awakening of spirit, of mind, of pride A restoration of nationalism, of patriotism, of morals The time is now, our patience is ebbed All that lurking pestilence and hostility should be absorbed I see a bright future, even though the present is uncertain Don’t ask how we can get there Ask yourself how you can contribute to getting there Ask yourself how to feel about your country And ask how your country feels about you Then you can proudly say “For God and My Country” Derek Lubangakene