The GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY; Uganda and the FDC political party

There is no doubt that Uganda like most other “STAGNATING” countries has been at crossroads for so long on almost all fronts; political, social and economic. Whereas they are normally referred to as developing countries, I choose to call them “stagnating” for this is what they have proved to be, but since this is not the subject for today, I rest my case.

The race is on to choose a new party president of FDC (The Forum for Democratic Change) to replace the current party president Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, I see this as a golden opportunity for both the FDC as a party and Uganda as a whole; the reason why every Ugandan of good will should pick genuine interest in how this process progresses and how it finally ends irrespective of individual political belief and/or ethnicity.

It is a golden opportunity for the FDC party to stand out of the crowd by reassuring Ugandans, through displaying political maturity and presiding over a free, fair and transparent process. Ensuring that this contest is not just another political or public relations game but rather a serious democratic project aimed at enhancing the foreseeable political change and thereby provide Ugandans with a strong alternative in the nation’s quest for an alternative political force and reliable future government.

This FDC maneuver for change of leadership and the convincing public profiles of the aspiring candidates in this race is a quantifiable gesture that points to achievable possibilities that lie ahead in as far as change of leadership for parties and/or an organization is concerned. Uganda as a whole therefore has an invaluable chance, a big lesson and an energy infusion of hope for better should genuine effort and goodwill be accorded to this whole process. The party in government has a BIG lesson to learn and replicate in as far as boosting its democratic credentials and redeeming its image is concerned, it is unrealistic, myopic, out of fashion and obscene to perceive and continue to believe that there is only one man who has the vision and capacity to lead the NRM party and Uganda. In this 21^st century? Alas!   

Great leaders do not necessarily accomplish everything that they desire to achieve in their lifetime since it is an unrealistic bargain and an impossible task for anyone to hope to do so.  However, it is the momentum of their leadership appeal, good legacy and influence that has vindicated their greatness by positively impacting on the lives of their people during and long after their times.   

I am glad that Rtd. Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye has chosen to unveil his will for good a legacy and greatness during his lifetime by choosing to mentor and create space for other leaders to emerge and take the mantle; there is no doubt that history will vindicate his vision and greatness. He is a MAN AMONG MEN, the man who has distinguished himself as a pace setter, a symbol of extraordinary courage, conviction and foresight in the struggle to deliver Uganda out of the NRM government’s political bondage and perverse social and economic indiscipline.

The above attributes of this MAN AMONG MEN, the monstrousness of the current regime and the challenges that we face as a country clearly defines the SIZE of the political shoes for which the three aspiring candidates for FDC presidency are tirelessly seeking to fill. By any measure this is a tall order which requires another MAN AMONG MEN to be entrusted with this enormous and amoebic responsibility.

I am convinced about the public profile for each of the three aspirants for presidency of FDC; Hon. Godfrey Ekanya, Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi and Rtd. Maj. General Gregory Mugisha Muntu Oyera, they are all men with impeccable credentials that are commensurate with the task ahead of them. However, this does not mean that all of them deserve the mantle of the party at this particular moment in time. The delegates who constitute the electoral college of FDC have an invaluable task, to stand out and be counted for the truth and for mother Uganda. They have to rise above trivialities and chose a MAN among these men for who he is and not where he comes from.

The beauty of humans is their uniqueness of character and inherent capacities, yet their different approach and actions when confronting the same situation may produce similar results. Delegates must understand and appreciate that Dr. Besigye is out and those coming in to replace him are unique and should therefore be judged on their own merit, therefore those who are looking for another Besigye will miserably miss the beauty and rationale of this contest.    

Among the three powerful candidates I have a feeling that keeps ringing my mind that Rtd. Major General Gregory Mugisha Muntu is the MAN among the men who is capable to take hold of the FDC mantle with unstoppable and irreversible resolve. He is a man capable of steering FDC through the transitioning period from being the main opposition party to a party in government.  A principled and incorruptible gentleman. A man of integrity with distinguished national service behind him. A man who by choice has fully reintegrated in the civilian fold from the much hyped military profession in Uganda. A man of zeal who is unapologetically taking on his former bosses and colleagues for the sake of a better Uganda. This is the profile that is highly suitable for leadership of FDC as party and Uganda as a country.  

It is evident that he is a candidate with national appeal, besides he will easily be acceptable to both civilians and the military because of the fact that he easily identifies and fits in both groups. There is an opportunity in him to boost the civilian confidence and to ensure civilian authority and control of the military as enshrined in our constitution yet this reality has always eluded us in the past.  

Time is now for all of us Ugandans to seize the moment by standing with those who have showed us reliable resolve to stand with Uganda in these trying times. No more should Ugandans glorify the thieves and those who hoodwink in order retain undue advantage and entrench misrule.

“For God and my Country”

  

Uganda’s firm hold on the path of Failed States

It may sound odd but this embodies the truth and nothing but the truth as I honestly know and envision it. A close watch at the prevailing situation in Uganda will vividly reveal glaring indicators of a surely and rapidly failing state. The status quo has developed over a period of time and the situation is getting worse by the day to the extent that if corrective measures are not put in place, the country is destined to hit a dead end rather sooner than later.

In the course of history, many viable states have failed at some point in time for various reasons. It is important to note that ‘state collapse’ is not just a momentary event but a process which develops over a period of time. The failing of a state is therefore an established fact that can easily be assessed and identified although it is always a controversial subject. It is never a common practice for governments to admit to their own failures, besides some elements of the state may seemingly continue to function at the point when it is accepted by all that the state has failed. This therefore provides fodder for sharply divided opinions. I have had the opportunity to live and work in a number of failed states in the recent past; I therefore have a fair experience of how the situation smells and looks.

In the case of Uganda today, there is a systemic failure of the government establishment. This has, in a negative way, seriously impacted on the capacity of government to function in a normal and acceptable way while performing it appointed duty of providing for the common good.

There is utter lack of proper accountability at all levels in government. Democracy is only a song and never a practice. The executive arm of government is almost absolute; it will disregard resolutions of the legislative arm at will. Elections are in many respects pseudo and more of a public relations exercise than a democratic requirement. Asking for accountability is treated as a case of indiscipline and borders on criminality. Whoever dares to ask for it will be labeled anti government; will be treated as an enemy of the state and will be deliberately targeted and possibly ostracized.

It is chaos in Uganda; selective application of the laws is the order of the day, where the Orwellian principle of “some animals, being more equal than others” perfectly describes the status quo. It is a theatre with a twisted medium of exchange where “Might is Right”. This is an unfair situation that only guarantees survival for the fittest but where unfortunately, might and fitness are also predetermined by the powers that be in Uganda. Yes! I know this happens in many other countries but Uganda is my subject for today. I know the government apologists will pretend that this is sounding alarmist in their selfish ears much as the prevailing facts are written all over the wall. Time never cheats; those who play the blind to the obvious writings on the wall, and the deaf to loud screams will not miss to feel the inevitable rise of temperatures in the socio-political ‘kitchen’.

Corruption is wide spread; it is the order of the day and the list of scandals involving senior government officials is endless. Bribery although illegal has become ‘official’ in Uganda. It is almost impossible to get a service without bribing in most government offices. As if this is not bad enough those who loot public resources walk away scot free…is this not IMPUNITY?

The current functioning of government of Uganda is in many respects of adhoc nature where Institutions of government have unfortunately died an unnatural death. Many Government institutions have been established and accordingly staffed but their functioning is inept since they are seriously compromised, uncoordinated and therefore rendered almost useless most of the time. The little time these institutions attempt to provide service they will be inefficient to frustration levels and in the due course create a vacuum which they will turn around to fill by way of treachery. Government officials in many government departments have faithfully operated cartels of ‘bribery and corruption’ and more so go ahead to religiously conceal them at the cost of providing the very service which they were established. Ugandans who have had any reason to deal with government offices (the Lands Office, immigration, National referral hospital Mulago etc) must have encountered more rot than I can document in this write up.

The behavior of Uganda Police is wanting; brutality has continued to be their method of work yet they are supposed to be the custodians of law and order. The phenomenon of military men in police uniform and militarizing of the police is an abnormality which the government of Uganda has become complacent about despite the public outcry. This state of affairs seriously impacts on the image of the police, the way they relate with the public, their professionalism and therefore their service delivery. Police officers are busy every day commanding their juniors to shoot down the reputation of the Uganda Police through thousands of teargas canisters, live ammunitions and other irritants which they unlimitedly shoot at an unarmed civilian at peaceful demonstrations. It is a mockery therefore for the same police leadership that has championed the soiling of the police reputation turn around to ask for almost 1,000.000 US dollars to pay a foreign public relations consultants to clear police image like has been reported in the very recent past. This, maybe, in actual fact, a pseudo project to shortchange the Ugandan taxpayer.

The government of Uganda and the leadership of Uganda police should be more concerned about the conditions that have led to the deterioration of civic order. A few months ago, a footage showing young men who were operating a private/illegal police post in the slums of Bwayise was aired on television. Residents of the area confirmed that the illegal post had been in existence for some time and they seemed to appreciate the service which was being rendered to them. This is a serious pointer that falls in the category of ‘things that only happen in failed states’.

The revealing footage of news stories aired on Bukedde Television every night should be a cause for more concern. The level of criminality, the nature of crimes committed and the increasing cases of mob justice on a daily basis as shown happening in different parts of the country in a way reveals the level of contempt that the public holds on the institutions of government and later on the level of hopelessness. These pictures on the televisions screens should not just be treated as news items, they have a bearing on the inner feelings of the masses and which influences their actions and will likely inform the social networks and therefore the stability of communities and later on the country at large.

It is common speak on the streets of Kampala city, that the current movement government is the government of westerners (from western Ugandan). Many Ugandans falsely believe that every westerner has in one way or another taken undue advantage and somehow obtained economic and other gains at the expense of other Ugandans. This state of affairs is brewing uncalled for victimization of a group of Ugandans by other Ugandans to the extent that people find it inoffensive for one Ugandan to tell another that once this government is out of power, be sure that your property will become mine. This very unfortunate development is alarmingly arresting the psyche of both the old and the young people to the extent that small kids in kindergartens and primary schools are echoing such sentiments.

Uganda is caught up in the mix of the old Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times” more interesting than the colonial era predicament, today our own brothers have chosen the way of heartlessness and are busy manning an ‘apartheid’ like regime. I am tempted to think that the time our elders were fighting liberation wars from colonialists were better times. At least they were hopeful then that once they win the liberation struggle they would be holding destiny in their own hands. Today we may be highly unfortunate for our destiny is in the hands of all self seeking elite for this is what they have proved to be. They have, since independence, navigated the ferry of self determination in an up and down endless journey leading to nowhere; probably a perfect explanation for the current predicament which Uganda and indeed African finds itself.

Fellow Ugandans please be mindful, that a midst us there are ‘dogs’ that no amount training would ever alter their genetic and/or transmissible blueprint. They never can keep their eyes off the bone, which is political power and/or domination. They will do everything within and outside their power to achieve this at any cost. It is unfortunate that many who are entrusted with responsibility are behaving like thieves on a mission and these are our very friends and relatives. We should never condone them, because they lack conscience and they are masters of treachery which is engraved on their sense of ill motive. Theirs is a project of unmatched ambition that no stone will be left unturned in their ambition to build private empires using national resources while other Ugandans wallow in dire poverty.

The summary of the status quo in Uganda beyond what is clearly captured in this article would inevitably read. Obtrusive levels of unemployment. High levels of poverty and disease; Hemorrhage of public resources through pseudo projects like NAADS and government sanctioned compensation to private business men etc. consecration of political manipulation and tribal card for political mileage; decimation of patriotism; unmistakable breakdown of infrastructure; a consumer economy with limited opportunities; lack of enforcement for standards; complacency and widespread I don’t care attitude; a resigned population that willfully operates on unwritten rules of no bribe no service; treating a legitimate service entitlement as a favour; presidential fleet and patronage network that soars each day that passes and the list is endless…….

The way forward brings me to the very core of this loud alarm; I have high hopes for the future of my dear motherland Uganda. I believe in the dynamism of Ugandans I know for sure that by choice we can end the hostage situation in which we find ourselves. Be sure this will not just come as the proverbial manna which fell from heaven for the children of Israel. Therefore now is the time for individual and concerted efforts for corrective actions if we must redeem ourselves as a serious people and as a nation with a mission to succeed. This is a mission for all; politicians, technocrats, religious leaders, civil society, business leaders and I am sure peasants will follow. Security agencies please do right of your duty, being partisan is to be volcanic and that will defeat the raison d'etre of your institutions.

Alluta continua!