FILE: Advocate Godfrey Victor Bula speaks to reporters. | 19th August 2022. | Photo credit: Awan Moses.

A human rights lawyer has called on citizens to stop celebrating the appointment of public officials who fail to deliver services and instead demand accountability.

Advocate Godfrey Victor said some government officials continue to be reappointed despite poor performance, including failure to pay workers’ salaries.

Speaking on governance and civic responsibility, Victor said some citizens contribute to the problem by celebrating appointments without assessing the performance of those appointed.

“Some of our citizens, they are the very people celebrating those appointments,” he said.

Victor added that some officials who fail to meet their responsibilities are still rewarded with new appointments.

“You find that somebody who has been appointed, supposed to pay the salary, has not paid the salary, is reappointed again, you people are the very people dancing, ululating,” he said.

He argued that such celebrations prevent citizens from recognizing governance failures.

“Ululation have become our curse in this country because you don’t see the problem. Solution of that problem should start with you who are celebrating the appointment of somebody who is not competent to serve you,” Victor said.

He stressed that citizens have a role to play in addressing the country’s challenges and ensuring better leadership.

“So there is a need for some of us to wake up. This country is ours. It belongs to us and it is called country because of us,” he said.

Victor also called on voters to elect leaders who prioritize the welfare of the people.

“So, it should start with you that the MP you are voting to go to the parliament is somebody not thinking about his stomach but your welfare,” he said.

“People must wake up. This is a collective responsibility that need all of us to take,” he added.