I once wrote a news article that killed a man with excitement. Hopefully you stay alive as I expertly soothe you into my view on how all your problems have been solved by one drug!
In the wake of a trying pandemic, the leadership of one ‘man with a plan’, Dr. Patrick Ogwang, has seen Uganda make and approve it’s very own Covidex (the naming perhaps inspired by Headex or Painex in typical Ugandan fashion). A very effective herbal ailment to the majority of Covid-19 symptoms and the word around is that many people are getting totally cured solely by the nose and throat drop (it is surprising that it was classified merely a supplementary drug).
So ok. You read the title and wondered, “what’s this guy up to this time?” Luckily, you’ve got the next five minutes to sit back and let me show you how all your problems have been solved by this groundbreaking creation.
The answer can be summarised in two phrases; ‘Made in Uganda’ and ‘invention’. Do you see where I am going with this? In it’s making, Dr. Patrick explained on a radio talk show that he first identified a problem: friends and relatives were falling sick with Covid-19 and needing hospitalisation. He then proceeded to test local herbs he suspected to be curative of the viral disease. On exclaiming ‘eureka!’, he then distributed it to affected relatives to test it and put a stamp on its efficacy. Finally, he sold it to Ugandans and is currently being exported. He is on the path to procuring Uganda-made plastic bottles in order to wholeheartedly ordain it ‘Made In Uganda.’
That, dear reader, is the whole process of industry and business. The ability to identify a problem, find a solution and sell it to consumers without foreign funding or execution is the major distinction between developed states like the U.S and developing ones like our motherland.
Let’s take a case study of the U.S. Its economy literally thrives on innovation and invention. With services(80.2%) and industry(18.9%) as its highest revenue earners, the drive to create, right from infants to grey haired oldies, has consequently been pivotal to it’s being arguably the largest economy in the world. Take for instance Colonel Sanders who started KFC at 64 and Ryan Kaji, the 8-year old YouTuber worth $30 million. In addition, the average American has had or once had either a non-profit or a commercial organisation, sizes differing. Let that help you take a wild guess at what percentage of American-made goods are in an American supermarket, essentially two thirds!
If the point hasn’t sunk in yet, allow me take you back in time to the 18th century, the dawn of the European industrial revolution. The painstakingly slow and laborious textile industry saw inventions such as the water frame and spinning Jenny cause an explosion in growth, and mass industrial production replaced small workshops and homes. In the search for reliable energy to power the revolution, steam power also saw a boom in the industry along with coal. Years later, this ‘getting nagged by a problem’ and ‘finding a solution’ cycle snowballed to make Europe what it is today (without which of course there would be no 2020 Euros or at least it wouldn’t be as exciting.)
In a nutshell, innovation and invention reciprocate growth and development. The key to a self-dependent and thriving economy is the constant act of creation; be it cures for diseases, locally made electric cars, solar buses or even simple biscuits. The importance of creation in seeing Uganda grow into a middle income economy is so essential that schools should start teaching entrepreneurship right from primary level. Covidex is the first successful step and every Ugandan should follow suit by developing a creator mentality rather than a seeker one. If you are a youth, start up a blog, YouTube channel or anything that solves problems within your vicinity, no matter how small.
Now, I would like to apologise if the title promised to kill that crazy housefly which keeps checking out your legs but you never know, development may lead to better sanitation and maybe you’ll be able to afford a full time housemaid🤷 to keep the place clean.
I also apologise from the bottom of my heart if I gave the impression that your toxic nosy annoying aunt will vanish into thin air but you never know she will find better things to do when the country is middle income and she has plenty of opportunities. Nevertheless, instead of worrying about what you can’t control, shift you’re energy to what you can create!
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