Opinion: The Vision Busia Desperately Needs

Opinion: The Vision Busia Desperately Needs

By Ouma Patrick, Aspiring Member of Parliament, Edited by Bwire Jonathan, The Crown Media East Africa

 Opinion: The Vision Busia Desperately Needs

Busia finds itself at a critical moment , our politics have been dominated by what many have come to call the "burial candidates"—politicians who show up at funerals, make speeches filled with grand promises, hand out small tokens of cash and alcohol , and then  til next such gathering. This is not leadership, and it is not enough to take us forward.

This routine has persisted year after year, leaving Busia stagnant while the world moves ahead. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, growing global demands, and an urgent need to tackle unemployment, poverty, and corruption, we cannot afford to keep going down this path. Our community needs leaders who can rise to the occasion and offer a vision that goes beyond temporary handouts and opportunistic appearances.

Let us look at the reality of Busia today. Unemployment is rampant, particularly among the youth. Each year, young men and women leave school full of hope, only to face the grim reality that there are no jobs waiting for them. Our schools are underfunded, lacking even the most basic resources, which contributes to the high dropout rate. Many of our children, especially girls, are dropping out of school—often falling victim to early marriages or unintended pregnancies. These are issues that require urgent attention and real leadership.

The misuse of drugs and alcohol is on the rise, further compounding the challenges faced by our youth. Instead of offering meaningful opportunities, the politicians who show up at funerals hand out alcohol, promoting a culture of dependency and escapism rather than empowerment. If we are to secure a better future for Busia, we must break free from this cycle and offer our young people real alternatives—education, skills training, and jobs that provide hope for a brighter tomorrow.

These are not problems that can be solved by handing out drinks at funerals. These are deep-rooted issues that require leadership with a real vision—a plan to tackle the root causes of our challenges, not just the symptoms. We need leaders who understand that real development comes from investment in infrastructure, in education, in healthcare, in industry, and in the potential of our people.

Consider the power of technology. In many parts of the world, and even in parts of our own country, investments in digital infrastructure have transformed communities. Young people are being trained in coding, in software development, in digital marketing—skills that are in demand globally. Why shouldn’t our young people in Busia have the same opportunities? Why shouldn’t we have tech hubs that create jobs and attract investors, giving our youth a future to look forward to?

But technology alone is not enough. Busia must look to industrialization as a path forward. We need local industries that can provide jobs, process our agricultural products, and reduce our dependence on imports. We have fertile land, but instead of sending raw produce to other regions, why not invest in agro-processing plants here in Busia? These industries could create thousands of jobs, add value to our produce, and contribute to economic growth.

Education is another crucial area where we need real leadership. The schools in Busia need more than empty promises—they need books, they need trained teachers, they need infrastructure. Education should prepare our children for the future, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a competitive world. We must also address the high dropout rates by ensuring that education is accessible, affordable, and relevant to our children’s lives. We must fight early marriages and support young mothers in continuing their education. Beyond formal education, we must support arts and creativity—talents that could put Busia on the map and provide livelihoods for many. Our young artists, musicians, and creators deserve opportunities to develop their skills, share their work, and earn a living through their creativity.

Healthcare, too, is in dire need of attention. A community cannot thrive if its people are not healthy. Mothers deserve safe childbirth, children deserve vaccinations, and every individual deserves access to quality medical care. Yet, our healthcare facilities remain under-resourced, with many unable to meet even the most basic medical needs. We need leaders who will prioritize healthcare, who will ensure that our clinics are stocked with medicine and staffed with qualified professionals.

We also need to address the issues of clean water and sanitation. Access to clean water is a basic right, and yet so many of our villages continue to struggle without it. This must change, as lack of clean water affects health, education, and the overall quality of life.

Infrastructure is the backbone of any thriving community. In Busia, our roads are a testament to the neglect we have suffered. Poor infrastructure keeps us isolated, hindering trade, affecting transport, and stifling economic growth. If we want to see Busia grow, we must demand investment in our roads, in our electricity, and in our water supply.

Our markets are the lifeblood of our local economy, yet they are often neglected. We need modern, well-organized market shades where traders can sell their goods in a clean, safe environment. Supporting local markets means supporting small-scale traders and giving them the opportunity to thrive, which in turn helps our entire community.

Tourism is another sector with untapped potential. Busia has a rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and unique attractions that could draw visitors from far and wide. But to attract tourists, we need to invest in infrastructure, in hospitality, in promoting our culture and natural beauty. We need to tell the world about Busia, to invite them to visit, and in doing so, create jobs and opportunities for our people.

The time has come for us to demand better. It is clear that the "burial candidates" of Busia have failed to offer any real solutions to the challenges we face. They are content to keep us dependent on handouts, to show up at moments of grief with cash and alcohol, while ignoring the urgent need for real, systemic change. But Busia deserves more. We deserve leaders who will work tirelessly to create opportunities for our youth, who will invest in our health, our education, our infrastructure, and our industries.

I believe in the potential of Busia. I believe that the people of this community are hardworking, resilient, and deserving of a better future. I believe that true leadership is not about appearances, not about short-term gestures, but about having a vision—a vision that looks beyond today, that plans for the next generation, that brings hope and opportunities to every household in Busia.

Let us not be content with the same old speeches. Let us not settle for the same old handouts. The world is changing, and we must change with it. It is time for the people of Busia to demand the kind of leadership that can move us forward—leadership that understands the challenges we face and has the courage to address them.

Busia is at a crossroads. We can continue on the same path, with politicians who only show up at funerals, or we can choose a new direction—one that leads to progress, to development, to a better future for us all. The choice is ours, and it starts with demanding more from those who seek to lead us.

This is the vision Busia needs, and it is the vision I am committed to fighting for.

— Ouma Patrick, Aspiring Member of Parliament — Edited by Bwire Jonathan, The Crown Media East Africa