I WILL GIVE UGANDA A NEW BEGINNING-MAO

LAST week the Democratic Party leader, Norbert Mao, become the 41st presidential aspirant to pick nomination forms from the Electoral Commission to run in next year’s elections. Moses Mulondo interviewed him about his preparedness and disagreements obstructing the full functioning of the party. Below are excerpts
You said Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had invested a lot of time and resources to weaken the DP. Can you substantiate your allegations? We have evidence that while Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) was still in the Inter Party Co-operation, FDC had drafted a memorandum of understanding to sign with DP members as part of IPC. But UPC rejected the idea telling them that it was not good for IPC parties to participate in DP’s internal disagreements, aware that a united and strong DP is good for democracy in Uganda. The FDC leader was recently on TV saying that they would work with Samuel Lubega’s group, whom he considers to also be DP leaders. This means Dr. Kizza Besigye does not recognise the established organs of DP. They are also funding Ssuubi 2011 whose agenda is not clear beyond running a smear campaign against DP leaders. And generally speaking, I think 90% of the attacks against DP have come from FDC. They have forgotten that we are not the ones in government. So, we think that if FDC cared about a united opposition, they would support the unity of DP rather than promoting factionalism.
The battle lines for the 2011 presidential race have been drawn, are you ready for the fight?
Yes, I am now ready to lead Uganda. I am familiar with the mechanics of winning because I am not a novice in politics. We have already put up a mechanism to ensure cash flow from well wishers to support our campaigns. We have rejuvenated most of our structures countrywide. Besides, we are coming with a coherent message offering a new beginning for Uganda. So, a combination of our strong messages and rejuvenated grassroots structures can deliver electoral victory to DP. What do you mean by a new beginning? We live in a country that has greatly suffered from broken relationships arising from ethnic and religious tensions, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. The social indicators are very appalling. So, the new beginning is about healing our land. We need a leader who knows where Uganda is hurting. So, the mission of our new beginning is about building a fair society. In the past even the children of the poor could afford joining top schools which is no longer possible today. We want a society where even the poor can access quality services. We want to make a government that creates jobs for its citizens and even pays workers a living wage. We want to assure our citizens of a stable income which can guarantee them good health, quality education and home ownership. The new beginning is, therefore, about inclusive development as opposed to the current exclusive development and it is also about reconciling the nation.
Now that you have picked nomination forms for the presidential race, should we assume that you now trust the Electoral Commission which you have been criticising?
By the way, not all battles are fair and we believe it is possible to win even in an unfair battle. We do not believe that the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission is impartial. We don’t believe they have the competence and neutrality to run a fair electoral process. We don’t trust their transparency because they behave more like an appendage of the ruling NRM party. Do you think victory for the opposition is possible in those circumstances? But the matters at stake are serious. We have the future of our children at stake. We, therefore, cannot just abandon the future of our country. If we mobilise effectively and empower our citizens to believe that collectively, we are more powerful than the NRM regime, then victory will be ours in spite of the EC and the NRM machinations.
How have you planned to deal with electoral irregularities?
Unlike some of my colleagues in the opposition, I believe that we can have regime change through the ballot. And that in case of unfairness, Ugandans can sustain a long time campaign of civil disobedience without violence that can bring about change in Uganda. We intend to focus on the polling stations that we know are notorious as centres of rigging. We shall flood such polling stations with aggressive but knowledgeable polling agents. We will use modern technology to record incidents of violence, intimidation, bribery and rigging. Even if the NRM jams the mobile telephone networks, we have a back up plan to use satellite phones and internet based communication gadgets like magic jack. We have also planned to expose the photographs of those who torment our people like the Kiboko squad and other notorious security operatives. We want to send them a message that it does not matter when, but there will be a day of reckoning and justice will be served. We will also appeal to Ugandans not to sell their vote. We shall tell them that selling their votes at this critical stage of our country will be the highest form of treason, a subversion of our democracy and a betrayal of our children. Our fellow citizens must learn from the people of Gulu who have a common political saying that ‘you can play with my stomach but you cannot play with my brain.’
What makes you different from other presidential aspirants?
Of the serious contenders, I am the youngest. My youth is a unique characteristic. I am, therefore, the flag bearer for the generation born after independence. Even the elderly will vote for me because I embed the hopes and aspirations of their children and their grandchildren. I also speak both Nilotic and Bantu languages. My language abilities will help me break barriers. And also, being a person of a mixed parentage, with a Nilotic father and a mother from Ankole brought up by a Muganda, there is no better candidate to be the bridge between the north and south. It will take generations before another candidate like me emerges. So, since Ugandans share a common bitter past, we should now rally around a person like me who personifies our common hopes and aspirations.
In a recent interview with Sunday Vision, DP’s former legal adviser Erias Lukwago said you ascended to the presidency illegally?
The turbulence in DP has nothing to do with legalities. It is purely political. After the elections, there inevitably emerges a majority side and a minority side. In the same way, after the Mbale delegates conference I emerged as the leader of the majority in DP and people like my brother Lukwago, emerged in the minority. In a democracy there is no permanent majority or permanent minority. So, the main question in DP now is whether the minority accept that the majority should lead the entire party including the minority. People like Lukwago are setting a bad precedence for the internal democracy of our party. By refusing to recognise our leadership, they are confusing our members and making the party vulnerable to scavengers from other parties who want to weaken the party. The DP needs people like Lukwago. I consider him to be a highly talented politician and the best course of action for him and DP is to accept to work together with the current leadership of the party. It is true that he may be upset that he is not one of the top leaders of the party but he is a member of parliament and, therefore, remains an influential person in the party.
Is there hope for immediate reconciliation among the various DP groups before the 2011 general elections?
We have actually reconciled with very many members of our party simply by clearing their misunderstandings. Since we took over the DP leadership, our biggest strength has been the outreach campaign we embarked on. We have also shown ourselves to be the most transparent leadership team because we have made our funding agreements with our partners public. So, our action is to building the party and turning it from a perennial loser to a competitive organisation which speaks volumes in favour of our leadership. We were instructed by the delegates to reconcile the party and unify it. It is not an easy job because some of those who are undermining us seem to be serving other masters. They are caught up in a trap of opportunism and careerism. They have forgotten that being out of the executive does not mean you cannot work for the party.
What reconciliation measures are you coming up with?
We have observed that most of the turbulence is in Buganda and most of it is mere squabbling, which is not based on any principle. The root of this turbulence is based on the over concentration of the party in Buganda and because of that, there are too many power centres colliding in one region within the same party. So we intend to continue working with our party elders, Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa and former party president Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, to hold a unity conference centred mainly on Buganda. Above all, as we work for reconciliation, we are now more conscious of the fact that the national political arena stretches beyond Buganda. So, the narrow mindedness and parochial sentiments that drive some of the colleagues opposed to our leadership will continue to meet with a lot of hostility both in Buganda and outside Buganda. We are not in the 1960s. The level of the consciousness of our people is higher and, therefore, there is no room for the kind of sectarianism that drives those opposing me.
Lukwago further challenged you, saying you have done nothing about corrupt DP officials in your executive yet corruption in DP is as bad as corruption in the NRM?
Obviously, my brother Lukwago, having been in the city politics, has issues with some members of my team. To the best of my knowledge Lukwago, for long worked amicably with some members of my team while they were in UYD. I have inquired from some of the UYD leaders the cause of the tension between them and Lukwago. They tell me that Lukwago expected them to rally behind him as party leader. The only crime, therefore, that my leadership has committed is to support me to lead DP and the country.
Are you saying there are no corrupt officials among DP leaders?
I think the question should be, do I know of any cases of corruption involving members of my team. I have no information of that kind. I have zero tolerance to corruption and I expect those who have information to help me. By the way, before Mbale, people like Lukwago were telling our current team not to support me. Now that I am the leader of DP, they have turned around and they are saying Mao is a good clean leader but he is surrounded by crooks. We consider that a form of cheap blackmail. That said, I am on record for sounding a warning to the DP councilors at KCC to distance themselves from dirty deals. As a result these DP councilors are now opposing the corrupt takeover of city markets, the illegal sell of the town clerk’s house to the mayor and they are resisting the unlawful eviction of the poor tenants of Nakawa/Nagulu estates. This is a direct result of policy direction by our new leadership. If my leadership was corrupt they would not be taking a stand against those dubious deals. They would instead be looking for avenues to cash in.
What about the sh850m deal Lukwago talked about that your team legal advisor, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, got in the sale of a public plot of land at Lugogo?
I am not aware of it. I think Lukwago can help me with the information so that I act. In any case, why are these issues becoming important after we have assumed the leadership of the party?
What is the Uganda of Mao’s dream?
I want a Uganda where the voice of citizens really matters. Right now, instead of being empowered by the state, the Ugandans are victimised by the state. I want a fair society. I want a Uganda where character other than my tribe is used to measure my ability.
What is your guiding principle in life?
I believe in the intrinsic equality of all human beings regardless of whether they are female, male, poor, rich, disabled or not. I believe that human beings are like legal tender where the same currencies will purchase the same amount of goods irrespective of their condition. I also believe in ultimate justice. I am also certain that eventually God will balance the books and all wrongs will be righted. I believe that no matter what one does God’s will eventually prevails. That is why my opponents usually get surprised by my courage not knowing that my plug is in the divine socket. Those are my driving principles.
As a longtime politician on Uganda’s political scene, what, to you, is the major problem with Uganda’s politics?
On the side of the leaders the main problem is the failure to set up clear rules and abide by them. Rules of engagement are very important for birthing good governance. As a result, our politics has become dysfunctional with ends overriding the means. On the side of the electorate there is what I would call the low expectation syndrome. We expect so little from our leaders that we virtually settle for anything they throw at us. In the absence of high expectations and outrage when leaders fail us, democracy will never take root. There are fears that the NRM may become as dominant as Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi or South Africa’s African National Congress The NRM will never become like CCM or ANC because it is merely a house of guards. NRM has no pillars. NRM is simply a special purpose vehicle for Yoweri Museveni and his close associates. The CCM and ANC are built on a long time vision with a clear succession plan. It is in black and white that the monopoly of NRM cannot outlive Museveni.

DP WITHDRAWS PARTY CARD FROM SEBAGGALA

The Democratic Party has recalled Nasser Sebaggala’s life membership card saying he betrayed the party’s cause by forming another political party and is now cooperating with the NRM party.
Mr Sebaggala is the President of the Liberal Democratic Transparency (LDT) party, a breakaway faction of the DP but has of late forged an alliance with the ruling NRM party and swore to support President Museveni in the forth-coming elections.
The DP Secretary General, Mr Mathias Nsubuga, made the announcement on Friday at a press briefing in Kampala as he received over 30 of Mr Sebaggala’s supporters who have crossed back to DP.
“As DP we have withdrawn the life membership card which we gave him when he was joining the party. He has been holding it but we have written to him and we want him to return it immediately,” Mr Nsubuga said. He said President Museveni is fond of bribing weak opposition members like Mr Sebaggala who cannot stand their ground.
“We as DP do not miss Sebaggala at all and we shall fight him the way we are fighting the NRM party. As a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), we have found out that a lot of money has been squandered by the government. Bank of Uganda has become a basket for Museveni to pull out money and give it out,” Mr Nsubuga who is also the MP for Bukoto South said.He said President Museveni had given Mr Sebaggala a Kampala City Council property belonging to the government to woo him into joining the NRM.
Mr Mulyanyama Nganda Kasirye who was Mr Sebaggala’s chief mobiliser said they cannot continue serving a leader who is unprincipled. “I have been mobilising people under the LDT party but I am back to my family which is DP. Sebaggala has now crossed over to the NRM party and betrayed the key principles within which we supported him. He vowed to fight poverty among the masses and support the Buganda government’s aspirations but he has not fulfilled any of them,” Mr Kasirye said.
“He is joining a party that closed Buganda’s Central Broadcasting Services and one that blocked the Kabaka from visiting his subjects in Kayunga District,” he added. “I wish to welcome all our people back and other members who don’t feel comfortable where they are to come home and join a party that stands for truth and justice.”Mr Sebaggala could not be reached for a comment as his official mobile phone was switched off.

DP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TOUR BUGANDA

DP presidential candidate Nobert Mao has started on a Buganda tour with a message of hope based on the possibility of building a government based on truth and justice. Mao addressed rallies at Bukomero, Kiboga and Masodde which comprise Luweero triangle.
The DP President candidate continues his tour today to Mubende District where he is going to address public rallies and meet opion Leaders at Bukuya, Kassanda, Kikandwa Trading Centres, He will proceed to Kiganda and hold the main Rally at Myanzi Trading Centre.

DP SEEKS SHS6B FOR 2011 POLLS

The Democratic Party [DP] is short of Sh6 billion for the coming general election campaigns, the party treasurer Hon Isa Kikungwe said Wednesday.
Addressing journalists in Kampala, Mr Kikungwe said the party has at-least raised Sh 3 billion in cash and property obtained to gear up local council, parliamentary and presidential campaigns.“We have already obtained some money amounting to Sh3billion in cash and assets, we expect more support from local, foreign party supporters and international democratic organisations,” Mr Kikungwe said in Kampala.
He said the party has already obtained a special presidential motorcade for the campaign trail, a printing press to print posters for local council and parliamentary candidates, a well equipped mobile truck with public address system to work as a mobile stage during the campaigns.
Meanwhile, DP has launched a fundraising exercise across the country to collect more funds through sale of party cards and soliciting funds from prominent business men. The party has also sent DP legal advisor Mr Fred Mukasa Mbidde to China, Singapore and Russia to solicit support ahead of the general elections starting in November.
Mr Mukasa who left the country on Monday is expected to meet the business fraternity, politicians and non government organisation willing to sponsor DP campaigns.
“I expect to meet several politicians to seek for both political ideas and financial support. We also want to find out how political parties can stabilise their income through investing in different ventures,” Mr Mukasa said.
“We need at-least five campaign trucks each at Sh100 million. We intend to spend Sh9 billion in next year’s presidential race so we need more funds,” Mr Kikungwe also the MP Kyadondo South said.
He urged the party members to support the fundraising drive saying the new party leadership is set to change the face of DP and take Ugandan politics to another level. According to Kikungwe, the obtained trucks have several modern features including cameras, public address system, inbuilt stage, dressing room among others.
The Party Deputy Organising Secretary Mr Sulaiman Kidandala said more party officials are expected to traverse America and Europe on the same mission.
Last month DP National Council [NC] flatly rejected demands by opposition parties to join the Inter -Party Co-operation [IPC] saying a single opposition candidate against an incumbent can easily be defeated.
DP National Chairman Mr Baswale Kezaala said the NC retained earlier decision by the National Executive Committee [NEC] that DP works with IPC at parliamentary and local council elections. NC believes the strategy will help to acquire more opposition allies but it’s not applicable at the presidential level.
Recently, DP President Mr Norbert Mao described the Inter -Party Co-operation [IPC] as a political platform only intended to benefit Forum for Democratic Change as a party. He said IPC is a diversionary strategy that only helps FDC to widen its political base at the expense of other political parties.
The IPC is a loose coalition of five opposition political parties planning to field a single presidential candidate next year. The group comprising of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People's Congress (UPC), the Conservative Party, Social Democratic Party and JEEM.

MAO PICKS FORMS

Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao yesterday picked nomination forms for next year’s presidential elections as he announced a Shs9b campaign budget.
Mr Mao, who was accompanied by party officials Vincent Mayanja and Kenneth Kakande, picked the forms at around 9am. He joins a growing list of 40 other candidates who have picked forms but are expected to pay a commitment fee of Shs8m upon returning them. “Picking the forms is another step in the historic journey to take DP to power so that Uganda has a government founded on principles of truth and justice,” Mr Mao said.
Shs9b war chestAddressing journalists at Christ the King Hall in Kampala minutes after picking the forms, Mr mao announced he would spend Shs9b on his campaigns. “We hope to raise more money than that. The money is meant for the presidential candidate’s campaigns,” he said, adding that resources were being sought internally and from party supporters in the Diaspora.
“We have negotiated a grant of Shs200m from the Deepening Democracy project who are helping us build party structures and strengthen leadership. We are also going to acquire a printing press from the USA to print posters for our candidates and a truck with a public address system as our mobile stage,” said Mr Mao. He said the manifesto will focus on job creation.
Mr Mao, who has just returned from a two-week tour of the US, said: “We went there to reassure the people there that change is possible. My job was to mobilise Ugandans not to lose interest in their country and we are working to restore democracy.” He said he also met members of the US Senate and Congress and asked them to prevail over the Electoral Commission to ensure free and fair elections.
“America cannot pretend not to be concerned about the partiality of our Electoral Commission. It is not a question of saying Museveni alone can work with them but any government can work with them to ensure stability,” he said. “The President is blackmailing Americans saying it is only him who can work with them,” he added.

DP PRESIDENT MAO ACCUSES BESIGYE OF SABOTAGE

Tuesday, 21st September, 2010

By Barbara Among and Moses Mulondo
DEMOCRATIC Party leader Norbert Mao yesterday made a scathing attack on Col. Kizza Besigye, the 2011 Inter-Party Cooperation presidential flag-bearer, accusing him of sabotage. Addressing a press conference at Christ the King Hall in Kampala, shortly after picking nomination forms for next year’s presidential elections, Mao said the FDC party led by Besigye was trying to weaken DP by forging a secret alliance with some DP members. “FDC has been for long investing a lot of time and resources aimed at destabilising DP to weaken our party. It is unfortunate that Dr. Kizza Besigye could not take in the UPC advice that a united and strong DP is good for democracy in Uganda,” Mao said. Mao, whose party has been shaken by internal wrangles, is the 41st presidential aspirants to pick the forms. The NRM party picked the forms on Friday and FDC picked theirs on Monday. A DP faction, calling itself DP-Uganda, led by Samuel Lubega, picked nomination forms two weeks ago. The Uganda Peoples Congress is the only main political party that has not picked nomination forms. Thirty-eight smaller parties have picked the forms and a host of independents. After picking the forms, Mao disclosed that he had started a fundraising drive for sh9b for his 2011 presidential campaigns. He said he has already got a campaign truck equipped with a public address system. Mao revealed that DP has obtained a grant of 200m from Deepening Democracy Party (DP) for establishing DP party structures across the country. Asked for a comment, the FDC spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu, said: “I don’t known why he is accusing FDC and not IPC, FDC is only a subset of IPC, and we are just one of the five parties.” “FDC and IPC are trying to unit all forces against NRM and we are not going to stop anybody from joining us because of other considerations. “The people who are coming to join us are not forced, are not silly and they know what is right for their political future. The blame cannot be on us who are welcoming them. The blame can be on Mao himself on why he can’t hold his people together. Let him work on that. “What we want is a change and there are people who don’t want a change and we are working with those who want the change,” Oguttu explained. Presidential campaigns kick-off in November and the contest for next year’s presidential race will have incumbent Yoweri Museveni of NRM, two time runner-up Kiiza Besigye of FDC and the new entrant, Norbert Mao of DP and other candidates. The presidential nomination is slated for October 25 and 26. The aspirants will be nominated at the commission’s head offices in Kampala. The candidates must pay nomination fees of sh8m, collect 100 signatures from at least 75 districts and hand in three passport-size photos and certified copies of academic papers. Nominated aspirants will receive sh20m, a car and Police escorts. But where a candidate withdraws from the race within 30 days after nomination, such a candidate shall refund the money. The Electoral Commission, however, said it had planned for only 10 candidates and had already received 10 cars for them. The public relations officer, Charles Ochola, said the commission will adjust its budget depending on the final number of candidates. To be eligible for the presidential and parliamentary seats, a candidate must be a citizen of Uganda, a registered voter and have at least an A’ level certificate or its equivalent. A person cannot stand for president if he is of unsound mind, holds an office that handles elections, or is a cultural leader, or is bankrupt. Anyone under a death sentence or a sentence of imprisonment exceeding nine months without an option of a fine cannot also stand. Candidates may be disqualified if they have within seven years immediately preceding the election, been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or convicted over election crimes.

WHY WE DIDN'T JOIN THE IPC-MAO

As Uganda prepares for what many now believe will be a fierce battle for the presidency of the country, opposition political parties believe the best way to beat Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent, and stop him for staying in power for another five years (he has been in power for 24 years now), is to join forces and fight as one group. This led to the formation of the Inter Party Coalition (IPC) in order to maximise their voting power. But one of the country’s oldest parties, the Democratic Party (DP) chose not to join up. At a convention of the Ugandans in the Diaspora International (UDII) held at the Westin Hotel in Washington DC, we caught up with the DP leader, Nobert Mao and asked him what led to his party’s decision not to join the IPC. We now publish most of his lengthy reply to this question.
Below is his reply.
Everywhere I go, people don’t ask me what I’ll do as President. They ask me: Why are you not in the IPC? And so, I don’t understand Ugandans. I just wish to stop speculation by saying that we assessed the strength and weaknesses of the IPC as it is, because I think the IPC as it stands in the minds of some Ugandans is not the one that we have there. I will be very candid. If you want to have a smooth ride, you must have a vehicle with tyres that have balanced pressure. Now, the IPC in Uganda the tyres are not balanced. Others have bad rims; others have… (incomprehensible) so they are very wobbly. Secondly, diplomatically we believe that to move together you also have to grow together. The group that we are talking about, where is the group to grow?
Finally, conditions are about forces. At least I can be sure of some force behind me, based on what I have done in my political life, the values I stand for, my track record. If you are going to come together, even if you are saying you are coming as a team, you must bring your capacities. Now, if we say we are forming a football team here now, can you imagine the kind of game we are going to play in the stadium? It would be the most comic show ever because we have not been practising together (laughs). I do not know whether you are right or left footed. This is a bit of a problem. People talk about Kenya. In Kenya, everybody comes and you know, declares their assets, meaning, a political force behind them. Raila [Odinga] comes and says: ‘I declare Nyanza’. Njiru and Kalonzo say ‘we declare Ukambani’. The Kibaki group come and say ‘we hereby claim Mt Kenya’ and so on and so forth. Of course Mr Kenya was a bit split because there was Uhuru Kenyatta also. He also wanted to declare Mt Kenya but I think Kibaki had the upper hand. And then Mr Ruto declares [for] Rift Valley.
I am a very new party leader. I have only been the leader of the DP since February [2010] and I am fighting on many fronts. I have internal problems in the Democratic Party; there are sectarian forces [that] can’t imagine a person coming from Gulu leading the Democratic Party. There are problems of (sic)…the party we inherited is very weak. I can imagine if I had become President of the Democratic Party in 2005, I think we would now [be having] a very different kind of Democratic Party.
So in many ways, each of the partners in the IPC is also a burden to the UPC. So the FDC leader is now like ‘you take the IPC as oxen pulling an ox-plough. I think the other oxen are so weak that I think now Dr Besigye has got to pull both the plough and the other weak oxen. So it is already a very, very difficult task (laughs). It is dragging the other oxen which they don’t have the ability to pull. It is a question with no direct answer. So the proper question should have been: ‘What is your plan?’ I think our plan is to use this campaign first and foremost, to open the eyes of Ugandans because if you are obsessed with the result, you know, I think you do your best to see that the outcome is the total best of what you have done.
Sometimes I do farming [and] when I go farming, I worry about a lot of things. I make sure I plant in time, I make sure I weed, I make sure…and sometime you get a good yield. I think it is important that you use this presidential platform. And we in the Democratic Party, we came up with the idea of saying that President Museveni must wake up with five headaches a day. He must have an Otunnu headache, a Mao headache, A Besigye headache, a Lukyamuzi headache and (sic)…we must shape the country together wherever we go to deny him that 50 per cent plus and in the second round Ugandans would’ve sorted us out. Instead, we hear lots of attacks, so those of us who have really been consistently this Museveni regime for many years, now we are described as Museveni’s agents, Museveni’s moles and in many ways we need to ask the right questions.
The IPC also did not become a very good subject because of suspicion. I think when you are suspicious that perhaps it is an FDC thing, you know, and it was pre-arranged. Maybe we were wrong in (sic)…maybe we were just mixed up. But I think fears are normal, you know. If you think your neighbor is a witch he may not be actually a witch but that concept of yours will be in your memory for a long time (laughs). So it should have been the duty of all of us to keep on that kind of talking. I don’t know what is going to happen in 2011 but this is not the first attempt at coalition building. But if you want to build a coalition, the individual breaks must be strong in themselves. Otherwise you are just having a heap of sand, you know. You must have a party that is intact, which is fair and stable, and may be our party leaders don’t know what party building is. So, really, I don’t know but right now, in a few years time, no matter what happens next year, I want to be held to account, what sort of party I will be handing over to my successor. I have a track record of achievement, I have a track record of delivering, and I have a track record of getting things done. And coming around, even Gulu, which used to be a byword for all the bad things, we are trying to rebrand it. We will also try to work on the Democratic Party. But the Democratic Party took a decision. It was not a Mao decision as such. Actually, of most of the members of the leadership of the Democratic Party, I am the one who was most pro-IPC. I have an excellent personal relationship with Dr Besigye. I knew Dr Besigye as early as 1989 before many people even knew him. We formed together with Dr Besigye the Uganda anti-apartheid movement because we thought we were going to go to South Africa to sort out the apartheid [system]…. we were being one of the most radical students. I was Dr Besigye’s deputy. The position Salaam Musumba is occupying probably would have been mine if we had been moving together consistently, I would have been his Number Two.
And when President Nelson Mandela came to Uganda, Dr Besigye was in Bombo for training. I am the one who went to welcome President Mandela on behalf of our organisation in the then Nile Hotel. But we have disagreed on how to build this. I think the thing has collapsed at the designing stage and maybe because everybody was giving too many opinions. They say a camel is a horse designed by a committee. As you design a horse, somebody says ‘it needs a hump’ so they put a hump. The legs are too short, so the legs are lengthened, so you end up with a very clumsy creature and you say ‘Yea. This is a horse’. But this is my roundabout way out but just remembers what I told you earlier that we do not have a lot of horsepower to declare. If we had a lot of horsepower to declare, maybe we would (sic) it looks like after 2006 people took a break, you know. People disappeared; there was not a single rally. All these people you hear making noise that ‘Mao has done this, Mao has done that’, for once I am able to say we have a candidate in Rukiga County. I am capable of saying we have a medical doctor who returned recently from America and he is standing in Koboko. And that is what my mandate is all about because I know that the party was founded on solid principles, the party of Ben Kiwanuka was not founded on trivialities. It is we the leaders over the years who have trivialised the party bastardised it and prostituted it. And to me that is the biggest assignment right now.
The IPC thing unfortunately it did not work. It is the question that sometimes you ask people like Dr Otunnu: “Why are you not married, you know? (laughs).” Some questions are difficult to ask in the same way that they are difficult to answer. So we all have our reasons. Probably if you ask five DP members, they will each give different reasons. So I think it is just that they have not been moving together long enough so there is that kind of fear.
Plus, I think I have some messages that I want to give to Ugandans in 2011 which I think Ugandans must hear. And also, best on where I come from and our history of the struggle of evicting the NRM, and also, I can tell you that if President Museveni steals the elections, he is probably going to rule half of the country. That I can tell you categorically because most of our people have decided that this matter will be decided once and for all come 2011. One way or the other, it is going to be settled. We are better off each of us having a front. Only that we have not agreed on the supreme commander. We can be accused of being selfish, we can be accused of all sorts of things but you know, none of us campaigns to lead our parties in order not to run. We campaign in order to go and put a product before Ugandan. I wanted to be president in 2001 but I was too young. I was 34. I was disqualified. Then I wanted to be president in the 2006 but my party didn’t elect me. Now that my party has elected me, I want to go there and tell Ugandans what I have to offer.
The most important thing is the call of Ugandans. It is not for us, like I always say, if a lady asks three suitors, the lady would be doing herself a big injustice to say: ‘Now you three gentlemen, go and sort yourselves out. Who am I going to marry? I am tired, I have a lot of other things to do, I don’t want to read your CVs and so on. You go up and make up your mind’. That is what the IPC turned into and it became very complicated. The best is to go to Ugandans and ask them: ‘Who do you think is the best? Who do you trust the future of your children with? Who do you think can take the decisions that will influence your life positively? The ballot paper will be there. At least I am sure President Museveni will be there, [so will] Ambassador Otunnu, Dr Besigye, Nobert Mao, probably Bwanika and others. Ugandans are not silly. They will look up and down and take the one that they want.
The argument for cooperation is that by coming together, we would have helped Ugandans to come to a conclusion by implementing the sense of fragmentation because the sense of fragmentation empowers. That is the strongest argument. But in the absence of that, I think Ugandans should be told ‘make up your minds and chose’. And it is possible to get up and tell Ugandan to look and choose. And it is possible for Ugandans to choose because any vote that is not for Museveni is a good vote at this point. That is the only way we can console ourselves.

DP MITYANA ELECTS FLAG BEARERS

THE Democratic Party has completed electing district party leaders in Mityana. In the elections held at the Gombolola grounds on Sunday, Badru Mutesasira was re-elected the district chairperson, with Faustin Mukambwe as his deputy. Mukambwe is however the party flag bearer for Mubende District Chairperson elections 2011. Joseph Kyeyune was elected the district party spokesperson and Stephen Kibuuka, the secretary. Other leaders elected included Susan Nabuuma and Harriet Mulumba as the women leaders and Maria Gorrette Babirye, the women representative. Kyeyune said the elections were successful

DP CANDIDATE MURDERED

Mr Dickson Ssentongo, The DP Candidate for the councilors of Nantabulirirwa Parish in Ggoma Sub-County, Mukono District was early this morning killed by yet to be established assailants. Mr. Ssentongo, who also worked as news anchor with Prime Radio was waylaid by unidentified men at Nantabulirirwa village who reportedly hit him at around 5:00 am.
Mr Ssentongo is said to have been on his way to his working station on foot to catch a taxi on the main road. The assailants dragged him about 100 meters away from the scene of crime where they left him lying unconscious in a pool of blood, away from the road.
The 30-year-old journalist was pronounced dead on arrival at Mulago referral hospital.

DP FIELDS TEACHER TO UNSEAT VICE PRESIDENT BUKENYA

Moses Bisaso, a teacher at St. Elizabeth Nkoowe has won the party primary to compete against Vice President Gilbert Bukenya for Busiro North Parliamentary seat. Bisaso edged out Hussein Kasiita at a primary elections conducted at Namayumba sub-county headquarters.
Meanwhile, Vincent Kigozi Jjakoakawuuwo was re-elected as DP flag bearer Chairman LC111 Nsangi sub-county in 2011 elections. Kigozi who has served for the last 10 years retained the seat after beating Ssalongo David Muwera by 51 votes to 31.
In Nangabo sub-county, the incumbent Chairman Tonny Ssempebwa retained DP party ticket after defeating Experito Musisi by 40 votes to 26.

DP ELECTS MASAKA FLAG BEARERS

By Michael J. Ssali
Friday, August 27 2010

The Democratic Party (DP) in Masaka District has elected its flag bearers for the Woman MP and the district chairman, in preparation for the general elections scheduled for next year. Ms Agnes Mayanja and Mr Charles Muyimba Ssonko have been elected the party’s flag bearers for Woman MP and district chairman respectively.
DP National Organising Secretary Charles Mukasa Sserunjogi, presided over the elections that took place on Tuesday. Mr John Kawanga, the DP vice president and Mr Denis Mukasa Mbidde the DP legal advisor were and Masaka District party chairman attended.
Ms Mayanja, a teacher, contested against Ms Harriet Nakiyemba, a lecturer at Mutesa 1 Royal University, while Mr Ssonko beat Mr. Andrew Lukyamuzi Batemyetto, Mr George William Mugumya Bukenya, and Hajj Isaac Ssemujju. Mr Kawanga advised party members to stop wrangling

DP CONDEMNS NRM ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

Press statement

Elections violence

24th August 2010.
The Democratic Party expresses its concern again about the level of violence in the NRM primaries. The party raises its green flag and calls for peace and calm in the Country as political Parties choose their flag bearers.

The major culprits are, the usual suspects, the NRM big wigs who include Dr. Otala also Minister of Health,Lwemiyaga’s Hon. Theodera Sekikubo and Hon. Sam Kutesa to mention but a few. The usual victims are the innocent Ugandans who suffer at the hands of the big elephants as they struggle to domineer.

The Party is disturbed that these fights are not fist fights but lethal weapon including guns are employed, placing the lives of many Ugandans in danger as the bulls settle their scores. Police established by law to keep law and order is helpless and has been over powered resorting to civil litigation in courts against NRM stalwarts which cases have led to nowhere.

The Democratic Party is concerned that if this is the level of violence in the Movement Primaries, what will happen in the 2011 when the Movement tussles it out with other Parties. The army should be called in to assist our policemen who have failed to handle the security situation.

The Democratic Party condemns this violence in the strongest terms possible. The breakdown of civility and humility in the NRM Party should be stopped forthwith. We call upon Government not to look the other side but act as the law provides.

Education should be a priority
The NRM Government has again manifested its lack of prioritizing our education. Today is the second day for the sit down strike of Makerere University staff. Unfortunately, this is the time when the University is opening for first semester. The strike has definitely affected lectures at the University.

Although the Government is engaging the Makerere staff, this is too little, too late. They had all the time to settle this matter before the beginning of the semester without interrupting studies of the children of this Nation.
The Democratic Party calls upon the Government to settle the pension issue once and for all to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
Kakande Kenneth Paul

Deputy National Publicity Secretary
(Democratic Party) 0772522738

DEMOCRATIC PARTY BIG GUNS WINS POSTS IN PARTY PRIMARIES

Tuesday, 24th August, 2010

By Moses Mulondo
A number of Democratic Party (DP) top leaders have won elections in the ongoing party primaries, which started early this month. The party secretary for youth, Samuel Muyizzi, who is part of the committee coordinating the primaries, told New Vision that each constituency and district had been mandated to organise the primaries at a convenient date. Muyizzi said 50% of the country had held elections, adding that the exercise would end next month. The party MPs who have won the primaries for re-election in their constituencies include Ssebuliba Muddu Awulira (Kawempe South), Latif Ssebagala (Kawempe North), Paul Keneth Kakande (Nakawa), Mohamed Kawuma (Entebbe Municipality), Isa Kikungwe (Kyadondo South), and John Mutebi Balikuddembe (Busiro South). The MPs, whose areas have not yet held primaries, include Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga (Buyikwe South), Betty Nambooze (Mukono North), and Elias Lukwago (Kampala Central). Lukwago, Nambooze and Lulume do not support the DP executive led by Norbert Mao, which is organising the elections. The party secretary for Kampala Central, Charles Wasswa, yesterday said Lukwago had not yet submitted his application for the primaries, which are to take place today. Efforts to get a comment from Lukwago were futile as his phone was switched off. Other top party leaders, who won the primaries to stand as MPs, include former Mengo minister Medard Lubega Ssegona (Busiro East), Sabastian Lwanga (Makindye East), Richard Kalibbala (Makindye West), Vincent Mayanja (Lubaga South), Maxensia Takirambule Nakibuuka (Lubaga North), Juliet Musoke (Wakiso Woman MP), David Kikazuba (Koboko), Richard Ssenkaaba (Buikwe West) and Janat Nassiwa (Kalungu). Others are Kampala journalist Joe Nam (Oyam North), Godfrey Ochwo (Tororo county), David Woniala (Budadiri East), Godfrey Kaggwa (Kakuuto), Christopher Okidi (Agago county), John Owori (Budama North), Joseph Pacoto (Chua county), Joseph Opio (Lamwo), William Lebu (Adjumani), Ellis Onzi (Moyo) and Peter Akol (Kasilo). The Masaka region held its primaries yesterday and by press time, the results were not yet known. However, sources in the party said Mukasa Mbidde (Kalungu East), John Kawanga (Masaka Municipality), and Mathias Nsubuga (Bukoto South) were expected to win in their areas. Results from Nakawa indicated that the current division chairman, Protazio Kintu, was beaten by Hajji Musa Bireke, and Nasser Takuba was beaten by Dan Ssali Konkomebbi in Kawempe Division.

RADIO BUGANDA (CBS) WINS IN COURT

The High Court in Kampala has dismissed with costs a case which was filed by government against CBS radio.Government closed down radio CSB in September 2009 accusing it of inciting people to violence after several riots broke out in areas of Buganda when Katikkiro Eng J.B. Walusimbi was blocked at River Ssezibwa by military operatives from proceeding to over see the final reparations for Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga which was slated for 12th September to grace Buganda Youth Day.However, through their lawyers J.W. Katende, Ssempebwa, Fredrick Ssentomero and Adram, the radio staff filed a civil suit in February in which they requested court to order government to immediately open up the radio and pay all the loses incurred by the employees since the radio was closedThe government also filed counter accusations against the radio which it accused of having been exploited to incite the public in September 2009 to riot against a decision to block Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga.During the last proceedings, lead council J.W Sempebwa agued that government cannot in any way file a suit against the radio since there are enough laws which are clearly stated in the electronic media statute which regulates all programmes aired on all electronic media.Whiling ruling on this case on Friday morning, Justice Vicente Zehurikize said that government has no right to take the radio to courts of law on behalf of the public.Justice Zehurikize announced October 8th 2010 to start hearing of the case that was filed by the radio employees.

IPC NOT TRANSPARENT SAYS UPC

Friday, 20th August, 2010
By Jeff Lule
The opposition Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) coalition on Wednesday appeared to be on the verge of collapse as officials from one of the parties accused its leaders of not being transparent. The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party’s secretary general, Joseph Bossa, said there were many loopholes in the coalition that UPC needs to discuss before taking part in the nominations. “We have important concerns to do with good faith and transparency that we need to address in a very serious manner with the IPC summit. After reaching an understanding, then we shall have our candidate nominated,” Bossa told journalists at a press briefing. IPC is a loose coalition of five political parties which seeks to front a single candidate to dislodge President Yoweri Museveni from power in next year’s elections. But faultlines have already emerged in the alliance, which has been shunned by the Democratic Party. Bbosa said they have called for the meeting of IPC summit to agree on the way forward. On Tuesday, anxiety gripped members of the opposition after UPC’s leader, Olara Otunnu, failed to turn up for nominations of the 2011 joint candidate at Kololo Airstrip. However, UPC’s presidential envoy, Patrick Mwondha, told the gathering that the warrant of arrest issued by a magistrate in Lira district prevented Otunnu from participation. FDC president Kizza Besigye, Makerere University lecturer Prof. James Kigongo (Conservative Party), Makindye West MP Hussein Kyanjo (Justice Forum) and Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke (Social Democratic Party) were successfully nominated. Otunnu was given up to Monday to hand in his papers for nominations. Bossa explained that apart from the on-going court case, Otunnu had travelled to London before the official nomination date was communicated. Joseph Ochieno, a member of UPC, said Besigye had turned the IPC into an FDC thing. “Main positions in IPC are headed by FDC members while other parties are given small positions,” Ochieno noted. Otunnu’s press secretary, Robert Kanusu, said IPC should not give deadlines to any one for nominations if it is a focused coalition.

DP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MAO VINDICATED BY OTUNNU ON INTER PARTY COATION

Written by HUSSEIN BOGERE & MICHAEL MUBANGIZI
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 19:03

UPC’s last minute withdrawal from the nominations for a joint opposition presidential candidate injects a dose of unpredictability into the Inter-Party Cooperation.
Olara Otunnu’s failure to show up at Kololo Airstrip on Tuesday raises questions as to whether his party still believes in the viability of an opposition coalition against President Museveni during next year’s presidential elections.
The IPC last Tuesday nominated potential candidates, one of whom will become its presidential candidate in the elections. The IPC which brings together five opposition parties, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), Conservative Party (CP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), received nominations from four parties.CP’s little known lecturer of philosophy at Makerere University, Prof James Kikongo was the first IPC presidential candidate to be nominated. FDC presented Dr Kizza Besigye, followed by JEEMA’s Hussein Kyanjo and later the youthful Michael Mabikke of the SDP.
Sources close to UPC say a disagreement on whether the opposition should boycott the 2011 general elections prompted the party to restrict its involvement in IPC, The Observer has learnt. A highly placed source within UPC told The Observer that earlier this month, Dr Olara Otuunu, the UPC president, urged the IPC to boycott the forthcoming elections, a proposal that was flatly rejected.
“Otunnu reasoned that the boycott would create a new political situation in the country. However, all the party presidents were opposed to his proposal. They said it was foolhardy to let President Museveni run against himself,” an insider in UPC said.
Although IPC tried to play down Otunnu’s no show at Kololo for the nominations, arguing that it will not derail the cooperation’s plans, the development will stoke fires from its critics, like the Democratic Party, who predicted a stillbirth.
DP leader, Norbert Mao, has been a lead critic of the cooperation, saying it is a political platform only designed to promote and widen FDC’s base at the expense of the other political parties.
“Our plans are still on track. We shall meet next Monday (August 23) to build consensus on who should be our flag bearer. UPC must not nominate a candidate, they can back any of those already nominated,” Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the IPC spokesman, told The Observer on Tuesday.
Beginning on Monday, the four IPC nominees will meet and try to agree on a joint candidate among themselves. If they agree, then the candidate will be recommended to the IPC National Conference. In the event that no consensus is reached, the matter shall be put to a vote in the IPC National Conference.
A candidate shall win by more than 50%. In the event that no candidate gains more than 50%, then the voting will proceed to a second round on the two candidates who will have gotten the highest number of votes. Each party will send 50 delegates to the conference.
Otunnu vs Kiggundu
Right from the time he set foot in Uganda from exile, Otunnu, a former United Nations Under-Secretary and Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, was opposed to Eng. Badru Kiggundu organising the elections. While touring Arua in June, Otunnu said Kiggundu must be removed if the elections are to be free and fair.
It however appears that Otunnu and the entire opposition have failed to dislodge Kiggundu. Although officially, UPC stated that Otuunu didn’t show up for nomination because he was attending a court hearing, it has emerged that there are simmering differences within UPC that are curtailing its continued participation in the IPC. Indeed that was confirmed by the varying reasons advanced for Otunnu’s absence.
Insiders said UPC asked for more time to hold grassroots elections. But the UPC spokesperson, Robert Kanusu told the IPC officials that they were unaware of the Kololo function until Monday night. The contradictory remarks go a long way to highlight the divide between UPC and IPC. The Observer has also learnt that the IPC roadmap was adjusted at the urging of UPC, but to the chagrin of the donors who have been bankrolling much of the cooperation’s activities.
UPC tears IPC
The Observer has learnt that some UPC officials are having second thoughts about the party’s continued partnership with some of the opposition parties. In a meeting early this week, some members encouraged the party to pull out. Their reasoning is that the IPC is dominated by FDC functionaries. UPC members, sources say, were unhappy that most of the leadership roles in the IPC activities ahead of the election of the flag bearer are dominated by FDC officials.
“Many of them thought that Otunnu would easily takeover the IPC leadership but that hasn’t been the case,” a source said. It is this faction, according to the source, that wants Otunnu to instead stand on a UPC ticket.
According to the road map, a copy of which The Observer has, with the exception of Wokuri Margaret, Coordinator of the newly formed pressure group, the National Alliance for Free and Fair Elections (NAFFE), the rest of the people coordinating IPC activities are FDC officials.
They include Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda (IPC Spokesperson, FDC), Ogenga Latigo (Leader of opposition, FDC), Francis Mwijukye (FDC), Frank Nabwiso (IPC Coordinator, FDC), Kassiano Wadri (Opposition Chief Whip, FDC), Alice Alaso (FDC Secretary General), Abdu Katuntu, (MP, FDC) and Anang Odur (FDC Vice Chairperson and chairman disciplinary committee.)
Patrick Mwondha, the source said, insisted in the UPC cabinet meeting that the party cannot pullout because it has been at the centre of the cooperation. As a matter of fact, only Mwondha turned up at Kololo.
And some officials said during the meeting that Otunnu couldn’t be nominated in absentia. Otunnu is said to be out of the country. The Observer has also learnt that some UPC members are uncomfortable with some FDC officials like Wafula Oguttu whom they allege is using his influence to have better coverage in a daily newspaper, and stifling the publication of stories favourable to UPC and Otunnu.
Wafula however said on Tuesday that publicity is created by activities the FDC has been engaged in. “If we have been moving around the country, and the media reports about our rallies, is that created by me?,” he asked.
However, there are also UPC officials who are aspiring to contest for various leadership positions and are already seeing that FDC officials stand better chances of being elected IPC flag bearers. These, sources say, would rather have IPC fail. These aspirants believe they stand a better chance of election as solo UPC candidates.
Related to this, some UPC members want a compromise candidate like former Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Joseph Mulwanyammuli Ssemowogerere elected IPC flag bearer as a way of reconciling UPC with Buganda Kingdom with which they have had longstanding hostilities since the 1966 attack on the Lubiri.
It was because of those varying voices that the UPC executive tasked the UPC Secretary General, Joseph Bbosa to formally write to the IPC leadership communicating their stand.
On receiving the letter, Besigye, The Observer has been told, frantically tried to reach Otunnu on phone to urge him to accept the nomination in absentia but was unsuccessful. As a compromise, it was agreed that UPC be given more time to put its house in order.

hbogere@observer.ug

mmailto:mcmubs@observer.ug

WHEN I BECOME PRESIDENT-MAO

With few months away to the 2011 presidential elections, HUSSEIN BOGERE asked presidential hopefuls NORBERT MAO what he would do about some of Uganda’s most outstanding problems if they won.

If tomorrow you assumed power, how would your government deal with the issue of corruption?

I believe the best way to deal with corruption is through personal example. You can set up an Anti-Corruption Court, you can appoint an Inspector General of Government, you can have an auditor general, you can even involve the intelligence community, but if you are perceived as corrupt at the top, no one is going to change their ways.
So, three things are required to tackle corruption; leading from the front through personal example, ruthless measures against well known thieves, and the society frowning upon and shunning those in possession of ill-gotten wealth. As long as we praise thieves, thieving will be considered normal. And that has undermined the reputation of politicians.
Politics is now seen as an avenue for eating, not an avenue for leadership. Personal example is the key in fighting corruption. As we say, you cannot preach water and drink wine; you must walk the talk. I have said before that the fish rots from the head. The rot in the society needs major surgery. As president, I would tackle corruption ruthlessly, as opposed to what Museveni is doing which is similar to treating a cancer using Vaseline. The cancer has got to be cut out.

There seems to be a breakdown of public infrastructure in spite of the large amounts of money pumped in, how differently could the sector be handled?
The NRM government has been trying to undermine what was done in the past simply because they don’t want to acknowledge that the UPC government ever did anything good. But the public works department saved us a lot of money. It had employees who maintained specific sections of the road by making sure that no road was neglected. We would revive the public works department.
We will also invest in the railway because it would take away the burden from the roads so that they are largely for light loads. We would also empower local governments with equipment so that most of the work is done by government employees as opposed to private contractors who charge several times more than the normal cost of the road. We would revise the procurement process so that it is tighter. We would disclose the amount the government is willing to spend to eliminate competition based on pricing.


The breakdown of the infrastructure is partly to blame for the congestion within the city, but how can it be decongested?
Actually, we believe in another capital city. I think Kampala should be a commercial city and we build a new administrative city. Nigeria has done it, Tanzania has done it, and Brazil did it decades ago. A government led by the DP would definitely consult and come up with a new political capital. As for the congestion in Kampala, there are only three things to be done.
We have got to ensure that we have bigger roads and that means enforcing building regulations. It is not too difficult to enforce building regulations. Our government would go into a joint venture to provide public transportation. For those who don’t want to use passenger service vehicles, the licence fee would go higher. That will help deal with how many taxis or boda-bodas we have, particularly for the central business district. If you are operating there, the cost of the licence will determine whether you really get involved in that kind of business.
UTODA can be a Uganda government joint venture where government can guarantee huge loans for them to bring in buses. We also need to create some parks within the city and we should have at least 15 bus terminals in the area around Kampala with clearly demarcated bus stops, and that means we must get the expertise needed to plan a public transportation system. We will also enforce the traffic court. Right now our city is a free for all.


How do you rate the health sector?
Our health is in a shambles; that is why those who can afford it go abroad. Most Ugandans know that our health system was better in the decades past than now. Those days Mulago was a world class hospital. I still believe the government can transform Mulago into a world-class hospital and we can transform other health centres into modern facilities.
There has got to be a combination of public and private health services. We would procure modern medical equipment. The reason why people go to India and other places is because in Uganda we don’t have the basic equipment. There is a long queue in Mulago for those who want examination by endoscopy. Basic diagnostic machines are not available.
Secondly, we would increase the pay for health workers, probably anything up to Shs 3 million and more. Our policy would be to stem the brain drain. They need houses, good working conditions, assurance that they need to keep their body and souls within Uganda. We would also have to invest in training specialists. Uganda needs a younger team of specialists.
New diseases and epidemics are breaking out in Uganda. We must be able to invest in that kind of specialisation, and also in research. Our government would publish a patient bill of rights. A patient needs to know that when I go to a hospital these are my rights and no one can put a discount on them. We would have strategic partnerships in the region.
Why can’t East African countries invest in a health facility where heart surgeries and other complicated surgeries can be done? We can bring those specialists from Indian and we have a hospital within the region. There is no reason why we should not have a facility in our region where people can have these advanced medical examinations and treatments that would save our people the expenses of going abroad. I also believe that the health budget is too low.
We have got to increase the health budget so that essential drugs are available, but above all, our government would invest more in preventive healthcare. We still don’t have the financial muscle to do all the things we would want to do. There are simple things that citizens have to do; drinking boiled water, sleeping under a mosquito net, using pit latrines, basic sanitation. And also, health is not about hospitals and medicines. We would make sure that our approach to public health is holistic.
If you don’t provide clean water to the people, there is no way they are going to be healthy, if they are too poor, their diet is going to be predominantly starch; then they end up with diabetes. We would revive the public health sector.
There must be vigorous enforcement of the public health laws. We would also protect our citizens from being victims of dumping. Most of the drugs that come into the country are fit for disposal. Uganda is used as a dumping ground. For a country at the level of economic growth of Uganda, prevention would make economic sense.
We need to protect our citizens from quacks; we need supervision of health workers, an army of public health inspectors to ensure that people know that they have a responsibility to the public. I think the government has left the citizens at the mercy of private clinic owners. The government must ensure that it is present in the health sector. It is not enough to claim that people are buying drugs or training a few doctors. What the citizens want is that those who mistreat citizens pay a price.


You have been known to be critical of UPE and USE introduced by the NRM government, how differently would you approach them?
By having an education system that is not equitable, we are developing two Ugandas; the Uganda of the rich and one of the poor. It was actually good for government to offer universal education and a level of access in secondary education. But access isn’t enough, we also need quality. The world is very competitive. Many of the kids who go to UPE schools are doomed to 3rd rate education.
The only ones that escape are the lucky ones that get a sponsor. The education in the university depends on grades. You cannot get good grades unless you go to the good schools. That means the poor are being marginalised. I believe that by only concentrating on access as opposed to quality, the government is just giving the poor some painkiller, not a cure.
In my view, our kids go to school so that they can learn social skills, how to take care of their bodies, to figure out solutions to problems that are going to confront them in their lives, so as to deepen their faith. In other words, we need a holistic education system. We cannot just have an education system that is exam centred. The education system should not just be about printing certificates.
We would review the education system completely. What is required is that government should upgrade the schools around the country; that teachers have houses. Our teachers should also be well paid. The low pay for teachers has turned them into laughing stocks. I believe we have got to make UPE schools suitable for anybody. Right now anybody who has got a bit of money is scared of taking his kid to a UPE school.


Another issue that is co-joined with education is employment, or the lack of it. Is this a problem in Uganda and if so, how can it be tackled?
Uganda needs to concentrate on polytechnic education. There are many people clad in neckties and suits with clipboards chasing very few jobs. The Ugandan economy creates less than 20,000 jobs every year yet more than 50,000 people graduate every year. So, we are only meeting 40% of the job needs and the figures are cumulative.
What we need now is to tap into the global economy by having information and call centres the way India is doing, so that we can give international jobs locally. Secondly, we need an education system to equip our people with skills to make something, whether chairs or candles, or table clothes; you have something to sell and that means all you need to do is get a buyer.
But if all you can do is to say that you can do anything when asked, then it is a disaster. It is important, in my view, that our universities be linked to the job market, diversify our education system, teach people trade that equips them with means to make something that they can sell, tap into global trends using technology, harness the power of the internet to create opportunities for our people. We also need to consider the need for relevance.
We need to invest in sciences. There will never be a shortage of opportunities for those who are skilled in computer, mechanical, or even civil engineering. We need to train more doctors and look after them. We need to interest our people in fields like agriculture.
People must know that you can get rich through organic farming, green houses, you can tap into international markets. In the next election, the question of employment is going to be very crucial. A problem like unemployment requires innovation, that is why we are proposing that our government would invest in sectors that are modern; science and technology, computers, call centres and tour guides.
Public infrastructure also offers opportunities for jobs every time we have highways and dams being built, school and hospital projects. All those are opportunities for jobs. We must make sure that there is a hub where Ugandans can get information on job opportunities. It is possible we can create 100,000 jobs every year.


One of the avenues the NRM has used to create jobs for its cadres is through balkanisation, will your government reverse the process?
As a general policy we don’t need new districts because that has not improved service delivery. Our challenge is to strengthen sub-counties so that they can give us access to services that districts can give. The districts have now become a lounge for job seekers. I am not an apologist of these new districts. My view would be to build stronger sub-county governments.


The discovery of oil is another issue that is proving to be contentious, how can it be handled to avoid conflict?
Uganda, as the cliché goes, is gifted by nature but, we are cursed with corrupt leaders. The question, as we go into 2011, is who would you trust with Uganda’s oil wealth? To manage oil wealth requires a government which is not tainted with corruption. If we elect NRM, then we know our oil is going to be sold to the highest bidder and the proceeds shared between a clique, which is in charge of government and probably some foreign interests.
The ordinary citizens may not benefit. But what would we do with the oil? I don’t know what is going to happen in Southern Sudan, but if it is independent, then it is possible for Uganda to collaborate with Southern Sudan to have one oil refinery in Uganda to refine the oil in Sudan and the one we are to extract.
So, it would require some cross-border collaboration. Secondly, we will also ensure that we get involved in some retail business because cash flow is very important. Countries like Venezuela are benefiting from having petrol stations in North and South America. I have proposed before that Uganda could consider acquiring the outlets of Shell.
Other people think that government should not be in that kind of business but I believe you can have efficiently run parastatals like National Water and Sewarage Corporation. Thirdly, this oil doesn’t belong only to those who are alive today, but also the unborn. It is our duty to create a future fund where the money from oil can be kept so that even those who will be born when there is no more oil flowing will benefit from the oil money.
It works in Norway. We would offer better stewardship for oil than any other government on account of our fight against corruption. So the challenge is of good stewardship and this means that you must know that this is a public asset, not private.


And finally, federalism and Buganda issues which have become a hot potato in our politics. Have your views changed on federalism?
Not at all, I belong to DP and since 1961 it has supported federalism. You could call it democratic federalism; there is no contradiction between being strongly republican and also being strongly decentralised. There is no overwhelming reason why our government shouldn’t support federalism.
Implementing federalism would also reduce this winner-take-all mentality. It would reduce the life and death struggle for power which we currently witness in Uganda. It would also make the sharing of national wealth equitable. Right now, local governments receive 20% of the national budget. Under federalism the figure would increase, giving the local government more say in prioritisation and allocation of public resources.
I also believe that the struggle for power would reduce because if power is at the local level, the struggle to capture Kampala would be less fierce because there would be power at these levels. DP will hold a national conference to discuss this matter and then the question will be put to a national referendum so that it is settled once and for all.


How will your government improve the wellbeing of its citizens?
First of all, we would guarantee a minimum budget of agriculture at 10%. That is not too big; it is actually what was agreed on in Maputo. In Uganda, the agriculture budget is being cut very frequently yet it employs over 70% of our people. I think that is where most of our money should go. Secondly, we would create what we call a citizens’ empowerment fund to support small and medium size enterprises.
Thirdly, we shall not be shy to lock out foreigners from retail trade. Our government would invite investors in wholesale trade, retail trade would be exclusively for citizens. I think it is important that we have a policy that protects certain sectors. We also believe that we should project our strength by negotiating on issues of trade.
We should be able to export some of our organic fruits to these foreign markets and make sure we project our strengths. Our government would strengthen our ability to bargain because much as we are weak, we are not as weak as we think. It is only that we haven’t known our strength. We can negotiate as a block, either as East Africa or Africa.
In short, our agenda for fighting poverty would be promoting exports, investing in agriculture to support small and medium enterprises, opening more retail avenues for our people, and also re-tooling our people. We will also revive cooperatives. We believe cooperatives allowed access to markets to even the people in the villages. We would also need to open a farmers’ bank. The cooperative bank was shut down so farmers need to contend with these loan sharks.

hbogere@observer.ug

IPC WILL COLAPSE-UNIVERSITY DON

By Moses Mulondo

WHO will be the Inter –Party Cooperation (IPC) presidential candidate? Nobody can tell.But Makerere University researcher and political science lecturer Prof. Aaron Mukwaya has confidently predicted that the opposition alliance will eventually collapse without achieving its objective. IPC’s objective is to field a joint presidential candidate to deny President Yoweri Museveni victory in the 2011 election. Nominations for the joint candidate are scheduled for Tuesday at Kololo Independence Ground. Speaking to Sunday Vision, Mukwaya formulated various scenarios all pointing to the failure and collapse of the loose coalition composed of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Conservative Party (CP), Justice Forum (JEEMA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). “I doubt whether all those in IPC agree on the question of Mengo, the question of land, the question of the federal model, as well as the baggage and luggage of Uganda’s history. Even their ideologies are different. I, therefore, don’t see any possibility of their marriage standing the test of time,” Mukwaya argued. Former JEEMA chairman Mohammed Kibirige Mayanja told Sunday Vision that he concurred with the university don. “In IPC we have various political parties with differing interests and aspirations and different ideologies yet each of these parties want to capture power. This makes the process of weaving an alliance and electing a joint presidential candidate difficult,” Mayanja admitted. “Some people thought the race was between UPC and FDC, but even JEEMA is determined to take the presidency and that is why I stepped down for Hussein Kyanjo. We shall have to whether the storm and go through it.” Mukwaya explained that the parties came together before widening their influence on the ground which he said was a waste of time. “There is no scientific evidence that since 2006 those parties in IPC had been gaining ground from the yellow areas. They seem to be struggling for areas within their own territories and this will compel them to fight each other instead of fighting NRM,” Mukwaya elaborates. Yellow is the NRM colour. The renowned academician reasoned that IPC is abstract not only to the voters but also to the parties involved. “The conceptualisation of IPC is even very distant from these parties involved because the donors are the ones who have provided the framework as well as the content of IPC. It is neither a vehicle for political mobilisation nor one for winning state power. What keeps these parties together in IPC is nothing other than the fact that it is income-generating project in which donors have injected a lot of money,” he stated. Mukwaya advised the opposition parties to abandon IPC activities so that each party concentrates its efforts and resources on widening its hold on the ground. “My great peace of advice to these opposition parties in IPC is to realise the need to disengage and go back to their individual camps. There is no way they will sell the amorphous IPC during the 2011 elections,” he counselled. “Let them ask the donors to give them money for strengthening their parties. They are just wasting the little time they have left organising IPC instead of organising their own political parties whose current state leaves a lot to be desired.” On whether if the IPC won the power, the five parties would work together, he said, “Even that is impossible. For instance, if the FDC president became the IPC presidential candidate, the Electoral Commission will put him on the ballot papers as an FDC candidate with the FDC symbols. So power in that case will be handed over to FDC and the other parties will be at the mercy of FDC,” he explained. “The parties FDC is allying with are inconsequential. Even UPC, it is a party with a strong past but with a weak present that takes it out of the political power equation.” “FDC is wasting its little time with frozen parties which don’t have significant support. By hiding under IPC, FDC is hiding under a dead lion,” Mukwaya argued. A top FDC who preferred anonymity revealed that they are afraid that if the UPC president became the presidential candidate, the opposition coalition would be denied a significant number of votes in the Buganda, a region that could decide who wins the 2011 elections. “The name UPC in Buganda sounds like hell or a bad omen. That is why even when all the IPC parties agreed to support and campaign for DP’s Betty Nambooze in the Mukono North by-elections UPC president Olara Otunnu was discouraged from openly supporting her because his party is loathed in the central region. As FDC and UPC are embroiled in scheming and counter-scheming to provide the IPC joint presidential candidate the process of electing one has been further complicated by JEEMA’s presidential flag bearer Kyanjo jumping into the race. “I am a better option to FDC’s Besigye and UPC’s Otunnu. First of all these two continue looking at each other as more deserving but one also thinks of himself more deserving than the other. Having both of them in the equation may not solve the problem quickly,” Kyanjo told Sunday Vision. The Makindye West legislator further argued that he enjoyed overwhelming support from his home base region of Buganda region, a quality which his colleagues lack. “The people in the central region look at IPC with suspicion because of the absence of their own. If their expressed desire is translated into practical support, the whole story would end with Kyanjo getting the IPC joint candidature,” he argued. During JEEMA delegates conference recently, Kyanjo assured party members that he would emerge as the most powerful opposition presidential candidate in the 2011 elections. “There has been mixed feelings about IPC. JEEMA will not be swallowed. We are the best party to produce the IPC presidential candidate. We have a clean image. JEEMA has nothing to apologisze for like FDC and UPC, “Omar Kalunge Nyago, JEEMA spokesman argued. In interacting with strategists of the three parties, Sunday Vision discovered that each party believed their candidate should be the joint presidential candidate. This makes it hard for FDC, UPC, and JEEMA to agree on a joint presidential candidate.
Published on: Saturday, 14th August, 2010
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DP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AT THE BOMB BLAST SCENE

Democratic Party Candidate Nobert Mao laying laying flowers at the Ethiopian Village one of the places hit by bombs on July 11. Looking on is DP Secretary General Hon, Mathias Nsubuga

Inter Party Cooperation is dead – Mao

By David Livingston Okumu (email the author)
Posted Tuesday, August 10 2010 at 00:00
Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Nobert Mao has said he will defeat the Inter Party Cooperation, when they elect their flag bearer for the coming presidential elections.“I am waiting for the IPC to first finish their top most election then I will start to weaken them like I have done the NRM party,” Mr Mao, who was canvassing support in Acholi sub region, said on Saturday.
“I told them before that the idea of the IPC would not work because there is already internal bickering in the coalition.”
Strong supportWithout elaborating, Mr Mao said the IPC platform is ‘already dead’. The IPC is a loose coalition of the opposition parties in Uganda. It brings together Forum for Democratic Change, Justice Forum, Social Democratic Party, Uganda Peoples Congress and the Conservative Party. The idea was spearheaded by FDC under their president, Col. Kizza Besigye.
Unclear objectivesThe DP, which is the most dominant opposition party in Buganda, has not joined the IPC ahead of next year’s general elections, saying the alliance’s objectives are not clear.
DP’s national executive committee also argued that past alliances had weakened rather than strengthened it. Mr Mao observed that the DP has strong support in Buganda as a traditional party but would ensure that it equally gets mammoth support in northern Uganda.
On Uganda Peoples Congress party joining of IPC, Mr Mao said Mr Olara Otunnu, the party’s president, blundered because they would not benefit from the alliance.

DP 2010 INTERNAL ELECTIONS KICKS OFF

GUIDELINES FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRIMARIES 2010
Election of DP leaders in New Districts and where there is no leadership yet.
All newly established Districts, and those lacking full DP leadership up to district level, shall elect their leaders from village to District level, from Monday 28th June - 25th July 2010.
All regional vice presidents should get in touch with the regional representative concerned, to organize these elections and submit results to the office of the national organizing secretary by the 25th of July.
Party Primaries
All Regional Vice-presidents, regional representatives, District and Constituency leaders and their respective organizing secretaries are requested to organize party primaries scheduled to take place between 25th July and 25th August, as categorized below.
i. Parliamentary Primary elections
Parliamentary primaries will be held from 25th July - 25th Aug, 2010, in accordance with the constitution of the Democratic Party which states as here under;
A person shall be elected a parliamentary candidate of the party if he has been an active member of the party for at least five years.
However, any person not qualifying for elections under the afore mentioned provision may apply in writing to the National Secretary General to be exempted if the NEC deems it in the interest of the party and NEC shall in writing exempt such a member from the above provision.
All intending Parliamentary candidates of the party in all constituencies who qualify under the provision of the electoral Laws shall apply in writing to the Secretary General and submit their application for approval.
NB: The National Executive committee reserves the right of final admission of a candidate to vie for a parliamentary seat on the party’s ticket.
ii. Urban and District Primary Elections
These will be held between 25th July -25th August for district woman member of Parliament and all respective local council leaders.
The following shall be observed:
A person shall be elected for urban or district council election if he has been an active member of the party for at least two years. Where a person does not qualify under this provision, he/she will apply for exemption to the National Secretary General.
Party candidates for the urban and District councils shall apply to and be approved by their respective urban, District Executive committees and shall similarly be elected by their respective urban/District sub branches.
iii. Party Primaries for all lower Local Council leaders;
These shall be held from 25th July-25th August 2010. Similarly all intending candidates shall submit their written applications to their respective constituencies or sub county branch executives.
Composition of Delegates conferences:
Apart from the village level, there is a delegate’s conference at the parish, sub-county, constituency, district and national level.
PARISH
This is composed of:
1. All members of the parish executive committee
2. All village women leaders and deputy women leaders in the parish
3. All village youth leaders and deputy village youth leaders in the parish
4. Five delegates from each village in the parish
SUB-COUNTY
This is composed of:
All members of the sub-county executive committee
All Parish women leaders and deputy parish women leaders in the sub-county
All parish youth leaders and deputy parish youth leaders in the sub-county
Three delegates from each parish in the sub-county
CONSTITUENCY (RURAL)
This is composed of:
All members of the constituency executive committee
All sub-county women leaders and deputy sub-county women leaders
All sub-county youth leaders and deputy sub-county youth leaders
Two delegates from each parish in the constituency
CONSTITUENCY (CITY)
This is composed of:
All members of the constituency executive committee
All parish women leaders and deputy parish women leaders
All parish youth leaders and deputy parish youth leaders
Three delegates from each parish in the constituency
DISTRICT
This is composed of:
All members of the district executive committee
All constituency women leaders and deputy constituency women leaders in the district
All constituency youth leaders and deputy constituency youth leaders in the district
Three delegates from each sub-county in the district. In case of a city, three delegates from each constituency.
SUPERVISION:
Elections by branch and sub-branch delegates’ conferences shall be presided over by a person appointed by:
The national executive committee for the district delegates conference
The district executive committee for constituency delegates conference
The constituency executive committee for sub-county (rural) and parishes (city) delegates conference
The sub-county executive for parish (rural) delegates conference
REQUIREMENTS:
All aspiring candidates shall submit the following requirements:
Three (3) colored passport photos (white background)
Curriculum Vitae
Academic Documents (photo copies) where necessary
Recently issued Party membership card
Registration Fee:
Fifty Thousand Shillings (50,000/=) for LC III Councilors
One Hundred Thousand (100,000/=) for LC III Chairpersons
One Hundred Thousand (100,000/=) for LC V Councilors
Two Hundred Thousand (200,000/=) for LC V Chairpersons and Mayors
Two Hundred Thousand (200,000/=) for Members of Parliament
Applications and Payments are done at:
· LC III Councilors at the constituency branch
· LC III Chairpersons at the constituency branch (rural), at the District (City).
· LC V Councilors at the District branch
· LC V Chairpersons/Mayors at the District branch Members of parliament at the Headquarters/Secretariat
NB: All Party candidates who will have gone through party primaries shall enter an agreement with the party leadership binding them to a harmonized relationship which includes their conduct and contribution to the party.
Conclusion:
At completion of the election exercise, all respective delegates’ conferences are requested to compile and submit their results to the national organizing secretary’s office through their District, regional representatives and Regional vice presidents.
Throughout this exercise, members should be guided by the principle of truth and justice, and committed to the objective of providing to all Ugandans, a humane and truly democratic governance that will ensure domestic tranquility, peaceful progress as well as general welfare and liberty of the people of Uganda, their property and institutions, and electing leaders that will support all Ugandans struggling for self determination and freedom from oppression and suppression.
All electoral disputes shall be channeled through the relevant processes and organs as provided for under the Party constitution.
Wishing you a fruitful exercise.
For: Charles Musoke Sserunjogi
Organizing Secretary
0772436333, 0703058787

SUUBI 2011 NOW DISTANCES FROM IPC

In a twist of events, the Ex-Katikkiro, Joseph Mulwanyamuli Semogerere has distanced himself from the Inter-Party Coalition (IPC) reasoning that he is an individual who cannot be part of IPC which is a coalition of parties.
This follows reports that the coordinator of SSUUBI 2011 and former Buganda Kingdom junior minister for Information Medard Ssegona Lubega had also said that SSUUBI is not part of the IPC, a coalition of parties that seeks to present a joint presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections.
Mulwanyamuli the patron of SSUUBI 2011 who featured on an internet based radio in the UK, connectuganda.com, Sunday evening also said that SSUUBI 2011 a will not endorse any candidate in the forthcoming elections as earlier reported.
“There will be no SSUUBI candidate in the next elections but for us we shall support any candidate from any party as long as they support Buganda issues and change” said Mulwanyamuli. He dismissed as untrue reports that the pressure group will be producing a list of their desired candidates as earlier reported.
Mulwanyamuli regretted the fact that SSUUBI 2011 has created more confusion and division that unity which they had intended to work for.
Meanwhile DP’s Entebbe municipality MP Mohammed Kawuma who featured on the same show described SSUUBI 2011 as FDC project propagated by mostly DP MP’s opposed to leadership of Nobert Mao on the basis of his ethnicity.

Earlier on retired primate, Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala dismissed SSUUBI 2011 as a plot to engage the Kabaka into divisive politics in effect walking in the foot steps of the infamous 1961 Kabaka Yekka (KY) which marked the beggining of political violence in Uganda.

The Cardinal also criticised DP members opposed to Nobert Mao saying he was legally elected as the leader of the Democratic Party.Buganda Kingdom primier Eng. JB Walusimbi also came out to warn the pressure group against dragging the Kabaka's name in politics. Katikkiro said, SSUUBI members should explain themselves to the electorate without involving the Kabaka since they resigned their positions and have no right to speak for Mengo.Other statesmen that have spoken against SSUUBI 2011 included the former DP President General John Ssebaana Kizito and former Katikkiro Daniel Muliika.

WE NEED LASTING SOLUTION IN SOMALIA-DP

We need a lasting solution for Somalia
Tuesday, 20th July, 2010

Mwaka Lutukumoi
Uganda lost over 70 people and hundreds were wounded because of the Sunday, July 11, bomb attacks. The Democratic Party (DP) suggested that a national forum where all political leaders irrespective of affiliation, religious leaders and stakeholders who believe in a peaceful Uganda, can discuss this new security threat. The Somali people deserve respect for they also have rights and sovereignty. A section of the opposition voiced the need to remove Ugandan troops from Somalia; while the Government has promised to launch war on the al-Shabaab, it is important for us to remain united in these times and also learn lessons out of this tragedy. Since our troops are entangled in Somalia, it is civil and realistic for Uganda to rethink its strategy. In times of problems like these, we need to bury our political differences, swallow our pride and soberly come up with a uniting solution for the people of Somalia, Uganda and Africa. Other African countries should also send troops to Somalia, but through consultation. The war in Somalia and the pain of the people must be felt by all Africans and African countries must be part of the solution. Uganda must take the opportunity of the African Union to clearly demand that all African nations show commitment and send their troops to Somalia. It is absurd for Uganda to declare war on al-Shabaab alone. This is a global war that needs global strategy and an understanding of the context of the Somali conflict. A lesson we can learn as a global world, is that we need to work together with other countries in times of terror, this is what will ensure that the innocent populace is not at risk. We are caught between a rock and a hard place and no one should take advantage of this situation or else we shall perish together. The threats of terror are real and Uganda is not as equipped as the US or Europe to effectively fight the war on terror. This war is different from Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army. Terrorists usually belong to bigger networks and to diffuse terror, therefore, would mean dealing with a whole network across the world. We hope our security agencies will take precaution as they start their next plan of action. The writer is a DP spokesperson

DP Presidential Candidate Nobert Mao Visit USA Summer 2010 in Pictures

SUUBI 2011 CAN’T SPEAK FOR KABAKA- SAYS MENGO ATTORNEY GENERAL

Buganda Kingdom Attorney General Apollo Nelson Makubuya has said that SUUBI 2011, the pressure group recently formed by ex-Mengo ministers has no right to speak on behalf of the Kabaka and the Kingdom.

Makubuya who featured on a talk-show discussing Buganda and the 2011 elections on Connect Uganda (connectuganda.com), Sunday evening, a UK based internet radio was reacting to press reports in Bukedde Ku ssande quoting leaders of the pressure group who addressed a rally in Kabasanda and reportedly told people they will soon unveil a list of Parliamentary candidates that have been endorsed by the Kabaka.

This statement is reported to have prompted two veteran politicians, DP former President Sebaana Kizito, and Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, the leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to publicly warn Mengo against SUUBI 2011, reasoning that the group has a secret plan of dragging the Kabaka into partisan politics, an act that would kill the spirit of Buganda and unity among others.

Makubuya who said he had not read the story argued that ex-ministers resigned their positions at Mengo to be able to participate freely into partisan politics without any limitations. “They don’t have a right to speak for the Kabaka and if they did it, it was wrong” said Makubuya.

But he was quick to add, this could be the work of political opponents who are envious of SUUBI popularity and momentum it has gathered since its inception and could now have resorted to maligning the pressure group. “I have been following the progress of the group and I think they could have attracted criticisms because of their threat to already existing parties but argued listeners to give the group a chance and listen to their messages before dismissing and attacking it”. Said Makubuya.

“I know DP who has its political base in Buganda could be concerned but I will call Sebaana Kizito and assure him that there’s no plan to involve the Kabaka into partisan politics” Makubuya added. He also dismissed media reports that likened SUUBI to Kabaka Yekka (KY) of 1962 reasoning that SUUBI is not a political party but simply a pressure group.

He emphasised that SUUBI 2011 is meant to restore hope amongst Baganda through mobilisation and support of all people that espouse the interests of Buganda.
Asked why SUUBI is fronting Mengo ex-minister for Youth Mathias Mpuuga against a fellow Buganda activist, Masaka Municipality MP JB Kawanga , Makubuya who insisted that he’s Buganda’s Attorney General said, he could not answer for the group but referred the host Mike Mulambuzi to the group’s Coordinator and Mengo ex-deputy minister for Information, Medard Lubega Ssegona.

He said Mengo has no plans to evict Makerere University on its land as reported in the media but explained that part of the University land that was leased from Mengo have expired and its only fair to renew the lease since it’s a source for the Kingdom.

Former Katikkiros leading Mengo back to 1966 crisis

By Aisha Nankya
Posted Friday, June 11 2010 at 00:00
The news of the two former Buganda Katikkiros (premiers) Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere and Dan Muliika declaring their support for the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC), a loose grouping of some opposition parties planning to field a single presidential candidate next year, leaves a lot to be desired.
The move justifies the saying that history does not repeat itself but it’s the [people] that repeat history. Mengo has a habit of always coming in the way of the Democratic Party (DP), make alliances based on selfishness and impulse and later crying foul. Yet it is the DP that has aways stood with Mengo during the hard times.It was Mengo, for instance, who played a big role in blocking Ben Kiwanuka, a Muganda, from becoming Uganda’s Prime Minister simply because he was a Catholic. Today, they are standing in the way of Nobert Mao simply because he is a non-Muganda. What criteria did they use to choose the IPC to champion Buganda’s interests?
The two former Katikkiros who will obviously be representing Mengo interests in this move, admitted to being novices in politics. Secondly, they are offering blanket support on behalf of Buganda without even setting up principles or fully understanding the objectives of the individual political parties that comprise IPC. This is evidenced by Muliika’s appeal to the IPC to publish its manifesto, so they can know what they stand for. Can you imagine? This shows that they offered blanket support without even knowing what they are supporting. To quote DP president Nobert Mao, how can one enter a taxi without knowing its destination?
Mengo’s interests are permanent but how can one peg them on the removal of President Museveni? How can you put all your eggs in one basket? It is also surprising that the duo are both retired but have now come up to determine our destiny. Will they, for instance, appropriately accommodate the interest of the youth? Have they widely consulted and have they been endorsed to represented us? Can they tell us the difference between FDC’s Kizza Besigye, who has a high chance of becoming IPC flag bearer and President Museveni? How can you put Mengo and the Kabakaship on the line? Did they think of the other Kabaka’s subjects in the DP, NRM and other political parties? How can you alienate them? Where will Mengo run to if Besigye, whom the electorate has rejected twice, loses the third time?
Not long ago, Mulwanyamuli negotiated the Regional Tier that was to create an office of Katikkiro, by-passing Mengo. This was rejected by the Lukiiko of course but it is still on the table, waiting to be implemented. Muliika was later sacked as well for openly using the post of Katikkiro to campaign for FDC, among others. The two extremes coming together is suspect.
UPC’s Olara Otunnu is part of this cooperation but they strategically keep him away whenever they make appearances in Buganda. In effect the two former Katikkiro’s have not only allied with Besigye who has no political base in his home town Rukungiri and the entire western Uganda but with UPC as well, a party that abolished the kingdom and masterminded the killings in Luweero. How different is this move from the infamous UPC/KY alliance of 1966?
Mengo should strongly and clearly distance itself from the duo because they are putting all Baganda interests at stake. You can always ignore advice but cannot stop the consequences.Ms Nankya is a social worker in London, United Kingdom

Is Suubi 2011 any different from Kabaka Yekka (KY)?

By Aisha Nankya
Posted Thursday, July 1 2010 at 00:00

Former Buganda premier Joseph Mulwanyamuli and some former kingdom ministers have formed a political mobilisation group called Suubi 2011 to support what they termed a ‘highly desired change in next year’s general elections’. Democratic Party MPs Erias Lukwago (Kampala Central), Betty Nambooze(Mukono north) and Dr Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe South) who are opposed to Norbert Mao’s leadership in DP have now joined hands with Ssegona Lubega and Mathias Mpuuga to form the group. The group, according to its coordinator Sseggona, will partner with all bona fide and legitimate forces of change.
They also said they would identify candidates for every electoral position but in the meantime, will engage with the Inter-Party Cooperation to identify areas of common interest. For starters, some members of this group are the same people who made all efforts but in vain to frustrate the renewal of DP leadership.
After being defeated in both Mbale and court, these people started panicking by scheming to deny Mao the Buganda votes which they claim to be in charge. The first move was to involve the two ex-Katikkiro’s who announced their support for Col. Kizza Besigye under IPC. They also sought to invoke the powers of the Kabaka to excite the Baganda into voting for IPC who will likely be led by Besigye. Little did they know that the Baganda will judge them more on their record during their service at Mengo. Mulwanyamuli is for instance already battling with explaining why he had settled for Regional Tier yet Buganda wanted federo. How different is he from Besweri Mulondo?
If this group was genuine, why have they left out other Mengo ex-ministers like NRM’s George Nsamba Kumama, Abdul Nadduli and independent JC Muyingo? How different is their group from Beti Kamya’s Uganda Federal Alliance and where does this leave her? What is annoying is that these people claim to be sacrificing for Buganda yet in the actual sense they are looking for jobs in Parliament. How much of their parliamentary salary have they offered to Mengo despite having gained entry by riding on Mengo’s back? Where do they get the mandate to speak for Buganda?
This group looks at the Baganda as passive participants in the 2011 elections which is reminiscent of the infamous Kabaka Yekka (KY) of 1962. They purport to think for the entire region and are in effect in fear of the people’s verdict. Serving at Mengo is not a guarantee that you love Buganda more but if they meant to sacrifice, they wouldn’t seek for higher pay in Parliament and leave the voluntary service at Mengo. In the spirit of building democracy as opposed to individualism, these people would push through their desired policies in their respective parties because the elections are going to be held under a multi-party system of governance.
Just like IPC, Suubi 2011 or Mengo is not going to appear anywhere on the ballot. Its either the registered parties or independent candidates. Mengo should once again distance itself from this group because the kingdom is for all of us. The Kabaka’s subjects are in all traditional and new parties and should not be alienated. Mengo has a duty to insulate our Kabaka from such politicians and above all, the whole 800 year-old kingdom cannot afford to fall with Suubi 2011 which is FDC/IPC in disguise when they lose elections. Long live Ssabassajja Kabaka, Long live Buganda.
Ms Nankya is a social worker based in London, UK
aisha_nankya@yahoo.com