Veteran journalist Simon Kaggwa Njala. PHOTO/FILE/SCREENGRAB
We have just staggered out of a marathon of public holidays; Martyrs Day, Eid (Allah really came through for the people on this one, and then Heroes Day. The nation was in full rest mode, but not everyone was pleased. A one Simon Kaggwa Njala, who passionately believes it is time we rethink these “annual fixtures” of public holidays. According to him, Uganda is fast becoming an over-resting poor country. Quite the hot take from a seasoned, learned comrade. But Njala’s opinion gave that one classmate energy; the one who reminds the teacher about homework right before the bell rings. You know the type.
For a country where productivity is not necessarily tied to physical presence in offices, and where no one gets paid for working overtime anyway, Njala’s argument felt like he was working too hard for the employee of the month award. Let us be honest, Ugandans party like it is Friday every day. Public holidays do not disrupt productivity, they just add some guilt-free napping. If there is any real crisis from these prolonged public holidays, it is the suffering of work husbands and work wives, tragically separated by forcing people back to their families. What is even funnier is how the entire internet cooked Njala.
They told him if he is really about the hustle, he can take his work-from-home vibes and leave the rest of us out of it. No one is stopping him from filing reports on Eid or having Zoom meetings on Heroes Day. Rest is resistance. Let us nap in peace. Also, let us not act like Uganda is inventing public holidays. China literally takes an entire month off for Lunar New Year. The UAE sleeps half the year and still launches rockets. And Japan? They celebrate National Foundation Day, Golden Week, Silver Week whole medal collections. But somehow, they still run organised transport systems. So, rest bro!
