Envy and Jealousy not New In Uganda

November 21, 2009 at 6:55 pm (Finance, History, Social issues)
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Dear Ugandans at heart,

In the late fifties, Indians were the object and target of envy because of their business economic successes. A boycott was organized by one Kamya (RIP killed by Amin) against Indian businesses in an effort to stifle their success. Kamya called for a boycott–which was wildly sucessful–becaue (1) Africans were not being permitted (by Abazungu) to get loans to run large-scale businesses as the Indians were. Therefore, chances for black people to grow on a national level were miniscule ( with minor exceptions) (2) the Indians treated Africans like dirt, even though they relied on the same Africans for their businesses to survive

The Northerners were envied in the 60’s because of their ascendancy into top echelons of political and military positions in Uganda.

In Buganda during the 60’s, BanaMasaka were envied because of their economic successes as a result of coffee growing. Many used to ride motorcycles nicknamed “Mwaanyi zabaala”. Their financial succesess enabled them to educate their kids who eventually dominated and still dominate the civil service sector.

Troubles in Uganda in the 60s and 70s were centered mostly in Buganda.
This stifled growth in Buganda. Meanwhile, Western Uganda has always been peaceful and such they experienced a surge in agricultural produce. Western Uganda eventually became the major supplier of matooke and other produce. This sustained stability enabled the westerners to educate their children in the same manner as banaMasaka did. As such, their succeeses are becoming the source of jealousy/envy in the same manner as banaMasaka experienced being called mwaanyi zaabala, and now we call westerners ‘Twaarire”.

Sam Musoke

UAH forumist

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How Museveni has witch hunted Vincent Nuwagaba

November 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm (2009 -2011 elections, legal issues, torture in uganda)
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Dear Comrades in the struggle,
I send you sincere greetings. I wish to let you know though that since April 2008, I have undergone untold suffering simply because I have always used my tongue and sometimes my pen to add my voice to the voices of the voiceless.
My trouble began shortly after the TV Program on which I was hosted together with Hon Bakabulindi on 6th April 2008 where I said the government was seated on the time bomb because of graduate unemployment. The government functionaries felt particularly annoyed
with me because I argued strongly that our graduates are less than 0.5% of the population and that jobs are given on patronage to some people who forge transcripts from Nasser road.
Three of my articles were also published in a period of less than three weeks,one on corruption, another on women and another one on NSSF. That was in addition to various radio presentations where I consistently faulted the government. I was later arrested, illegally detained and tortured greatly tortured.

Professor John-Jean Barya of the Faculty of law came for me but surprisingly, his social status notwithstanding, he was blocked from seeing me. At a time when I was preparing to meet my creator after five days in the dungeon, being tortured and without a single meal, my friends Kabaasa Balaba Bruce and Thomas Tayebwa appeared. They were told that I have to be taken to Butabika mental hospital at all costs. The reason was because I had said I have to file a
complaint to the Uganda Human Rights Commission against my tomentors.

I was taken to Butabika on 15 April, sedated and after nine days I tactfully left on 24 April 2008. I began the process of suing the state. On 15 May, I was trailed and arrested at Jinja Road Police Station. Beacause I informed many people, a friend from state house told me he called the Jinja Road Divisional Police Commander (DPC), later the DPC told me, “Nuwagaba, you can go, when we need you we shall call you”. To date, I have never been called for the same case. I was also trailed by a police sergeant known as Kanyarutokye using a
girl I loved so much. I was also dumped twice in CPS and Kira Road Police Station.

On 23 May, I was hosted on a Radio West programme where I decried a dearth of social services to our people. On 28 when I came back to Kampala I had to report at CPS to make a formal complaint and I was dumped in the dungeon. On 29 May the Kampala RDC Alice Muwanguzi found me in the cells and I told him I will not accept being taken for a ride. She told me, ” Nuwagaba, let me go and order for your release”. Around two hours later I was called and dumped in a police patrol vehicle and dumped in Butabika Hospital. I spent there close to a month and once my were tormentors were convinced I had to die, I was discharged. Three days later, I almost died. I stopped on the verge of the cross.

I filed a suit, civil suit NO 92/2009 with the high court but it seems, it has been frustrated. I wrote three times to the president informing him of my ordeal and he allegedly ordered Justus Karuhanga one of his fomer legal aides to carry out investigations. Once they found out that I was neither insane nor a criminal, they lost interest in the case. I wrote to the president again and he sent me an email telling me I have personal vendetta against him. This email can be found on http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/57599. You can also view my reply on
http://allafrica.com/stories/200907100923.html.

I have also been thrown in jail many times on the course of my duty and later released without taking me to court. From May to August alone I don’t know the number of times I have illegally been arrested and tortured. But from 5 August to 7 August I was illegally detained at Jinja Road Police station. Later they pleaded with me to get anybody to stand surety for me so that I am released on police bond. When I reported on the day they had given me I told them  I wanted to be taken to court, the OC CID told me, “Never come back here”. The reason for my detention was because I was following up a case of a one Gaudence Tushabomwe whose money was stolen by a fake NGO called COWE (Concern for Orphans, Women and the Elderly) which she told me was
linked to the first family. I was socked to learn that when she went to CPS to complain about a threat to her life, she was dumped in the cells, detained for many days and then later taken to Bubika. I have written greatly on this
matter.

Now the biggest worry to me is as a result of my illegal arrest, torture and incarceration which started from Makerere University whence I was arrested and then dumped in Wandegeya Police cells for two days. Kale Kayihura himself ordered that I should not be released on police bond despite the fact that many high profile figures in government, academia, the UN experts, human rights groups and the corporate world went to plead for my release.

After two days I was taken to City Hall Court from where I was remanded to Luzira on trumped up charges of assault and threatening violence. The real cause of my ordeal though is as a result of a letter I wrote to the president which was reproduced in the media and can be accessed on
http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=4579.
A related article was published by the Independent News Magazine and
can be accessed on
www.independent.co.ug/index.php/column/guest-column?start=5.

I have since 3rd September been reporting to court for hearing of the two counts. What is surprising though is that all the state witnesses have always committing the crime of perjury for surely they just want me convicted even when I am innocent. On 9th November, the trial Magistrate told the state prosecutor that “state, your witness is a dramatist and not a witness”. I know even the blind would see that the prosecution I am undergoing is purely malicious.

Shockingly, on Thursday 19 November I was called by Criminal Investigation Detective from Wandegeya on a mango line of +256712935670. I was told that he has looked into my file and that I have a case to answer. He told me if I don’t see the Magistrate on 27 November I will be convicted and I told him I am ready to appeal to the higher court. He told me even if I am to do that I will still be in jail. I told him I don’t care because Mandela was jailed for 27 years and he came from jail to state house.

I am sure, I may be convicted to frustrate me from pursuing my civil suit against Attorney General and Dr Tom Onen, civil suit number 92/2009. But also I am pushing for the reversal of the new tuition fees structures using all relevant bodies and at the moment there is a petition with the social services committee chaired by Hon Rosemary Seninde. The government which is threatened by the tongue and the pen may choose to send me to Luzira but I would call upon you to follow up my case.

Of all the times they have arrested me, they have stolen my money and property and nothing is done to the culprits. I have reported every thing but nothing is done so I don’t know what to do. On the 17 August, the day I was arrested I was deprived of sh 1.4m part of which I wanted to pay for my tuition soon after picking my admission letter. Now the question I would want to know, does government want me to commit suicide? Does it want me to kill
somebody? What do these people want me to do? Unfortunately for them, I cannot commit suicide neither can I commit murder. I am very hardened. What shocks me is that they are no longer bothered about the name and shame. Now what do we do.

Finally, I feel I am not alright and I would thus need financial aid to undergo a thorough medical check up because the drugs they were using t kill me could have long term drastic implications on my life. Please help me whoever can.
I leave you with the two sayings one from Martin Luther Junior King and another from Pastor Niemoller of Germany. Dr Martin Luther King Jr said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” while Pastor Niemoller said, “At first they came for Jews, I didn’t speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for Communists, I didn’t speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for trade unionists, I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for Catholics, I didn’t speak out
because I was a protestant. Finally when they came for there was nobody left to speak out for me”.

We need to learn from the above. Otherwise, who clearly knows how Generals Mayombo and Kazini died. Who would tell Brian Bukenya would die as a result of neglected roads. Prof Nsibambi said they need expensive, fuel guzzling Four Wheel Drive Land Cruisers because the roads are poor as if to say,those who cannot afford such strong vehicles should be condemned to death. Shockingly, even the strong vehicles in case of potholes, when one swerves from his lane in a bid to avoid head on collision, they swerve off from the road hence killing the occupants. So, next time, Prof Nsibambi’s relative, God forbid could be a victiom of road carnage.
Please come to my rescue.

VINCENT NUWAGABA

UAH FORUMIST

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A letter to Kiiza Besigye after the Karamoja tour

November 20, 2009 at 2:00 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
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I wish to make an appeal to RTD (Col) Dr. Kizza Besigye to stop campaigns for FDC and embark on joint campaigns; agreements; and strategies which will see the Inter Party Cooperation (IPC) in power after the 2011 elections.  We have so many mistakes done and should learn from them.  For instance the Doctor ought to understand that having people who can handle the military in case President Museveni got relieved of the Presidency is the biggest problem which needs right strategies done early.  We have to learn from the likes of Moshi Spirit which were not on firm ground.  The time is now.  Ugandans are aware of the countries which were behind Uganda by Independence, today because of bad leadership we are nearly the leader in whatever is bad that is corruption; name it.

 

Dr. Kizza Sir, can you kindly concentrate on:

  1. A strategy not of who becomes Presidential candidate for the IPC, but having the binding document which will seal the deal for the cooperation or coalition whatever it may be called.
  2. A strategy on how the constituencies will be shared by the IPC member candidates and ensure understanding on fielding a single IPC candidate in all the constituencies.
  3. A strategy to see that the IPC takes all possible LC V Chairmen seats.
  4. A strategy to see that all possible LC III Chairpersons are from the IPC.

 

The above when done early enough can ensure Uganda of a change that my be fruitful.  Secondly, it is clear that getting to understanding on many of these is likely not to be that easy as individuals will be interested in contesting for the positions of their interest but in national interest; need to be convinced to help the change to take place.

 

Dr Besigye and other Opposition party leaders ought to realize the problem of the NRM infrastructure and that not a single party can help the country change, we need cooperation and sacrifice to do away with the NRM which is determined to get many of us to stone age times as a few make it.

 

Willy Kituuka

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How to alleviate the current censorship state of the media

November 17, 2009 at 10:44 pm (2009 -2011 elections, Diaspora, MEDIA, legal issues)
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Fellow Ugandans,
One of our forumists wrote a question a few weeks ago as to what we could do to alleviate the current state of the media in country, and as I pondered about the question, I soon realized that the “Americans first amendment” has withstood many legal challenges since inception.
 I wanted to highlight a relatedness that exist between our “Bill of rights”article 29 of our constitution and the “American Bill of rights” in the hope of encouraging those among us who are lawyers to seek American jurisprudence to amicably resolve our current censorship dilemma, which seems unconstitutional as it was handed down.
 Measure for measure one finds inescapable reality in the duality that exists of both “spirit of intent”, and “worth of word” in print, between America’s “First Amendment” and our own bill of rights in Article 29 of our 2005-constitution both written below.
The two articles that bind us to a common destiny of protecting our freedoms as embodied in the letter of law can be used with the same duality of purpose to bring instructive court precedent to bare and provide relief to many journalist and media outlets that were gagged in the recent clamp down by the government.
 Our courts need to seek out help with existing “First Amendment” jurisprudence from those who have travelled this road for 218 years. To constitutionally restore and boldly make a stand up for our freedoms like no other court has in the history of our nation. We need to defend against attempts to restrain and censor our freedom of speech and press. There is a need to address all the other draconian restraints that were recently imposed upon us by the government of Yoweri Museveni, in clear violation of constitutionally mandated freedoms.
 Those 45 words first coined by James Madison, should be tabled with urgency, for us as during the December 17th 2009, meeting of tribes from the many regions of Uganda,which is slated to take place in Buganda. 
I would urge those who are meeting, to force as outcome ,a universally acceptable “open meeting law” for each tribal state. The open meeting law, if adopted, will foster a more business like culture, an atmosphere of the highest ethical standard even with our cultural institutions. We are saying that every meeting that is deemed to affect the public, should be open to media and communicated to the public, even if it is convened by two as a way of reducing corruption.
 
All Ugandans saw first hand, the importance of having one aspect of a free media as a watchdog over our affairs, when we received first class utube video, news and photos of the murder scene of an important General in the history of our nation, I hope those that are advocating for the throttling of the media have been given enough reason for pause.
 Americans’ first amendment to the U.S. constitution
 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
~The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
 The freedoms that they sought to protect on that day December 15th 1791, fifteen years after the signing of their “declaration of independence”, included freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition;  these are the very freedoms we are trying to protect below in our own constitution article.  These words were embedded in the first ten amendments of the American constitution to make up the “American Bill of rights”.
 Here is our own article in our2005- constitution speaking of the same protection of rights of individuals, our own bill of rights.
 29. Protection of freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association.
(1) Every person shall have the right to—
(a) Freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of
the press and other media;
 (c) Freedom to practice any religion and manifest such practice which shall include the right to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious body or organisation in a manner consistent with this Constitution;
(d) Freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition; and
(e) Freedom of association which shall include the freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political and other civic organisations.
~Part of Ugandans’ Bill of rights in the 2005 constitution-~
 I find many congruences in wording and meaning in the two articles to allow our constitutional lawyers to proffer similar arguments in our courts and to bring legal challenge to those who are currently violating our constitutionally awarded freedoms.
 
There is no illusion that many press censorship advocates tend to use a broad sweeping brush while trying to punish a few in violations of state laws. The use of “strict scrutiny” standards should not be used by government to make sweeping changes while in pursuit of content-based restrictions.
 The danger arises when one man abuses such freedoms without applying due process as expected of all democratic societies, who practice a strict adherence to the rule of law as stipulated by their constitution.
 
We have to register our protests in the loudest manner possible to hold accountable our lawmakers and the judiciary alike and to show our displeasure with the add hock, intermittent convenient adherence and interpretation of our constitution by President Museveni.
He has used  a very narrow interpretation to clamp down on citizens, a practice that has damaged the credibility of our elected officials. It also directly affects the growth of our politics and culture, taking us back to an era which we all are not too fond of; where such curtailments brought on gross abuses of human rights, unreported and behind closed doors.
I might as well add that those 45 words, embody an eluded civility that we have died for and now trying to grope for, in darkness,  long after our independence. Like ones with impaired growth or gripped with Alzheimer’s, these simple words continue to dodge many emerging market nations, while their captive audiences look on as if those protective words, were inscribed in a magic mirror (“now you see it, now you don’t”), guarded only by a wand of their leaders, who are bent on torturing and abating their hope and optimism.
 
 We must forge a petition of agreement, to break the curse of the magic mirror once and for all a consensus must be reached or a universal agreement, to remove all the barriers that have been prohibiting us from adopting and exercising these very rights, and we can include it in our “tribal engagement rules” charter.
 
For years many Supreme Court judges in America have taken a stub at interpreting it, and the first Amendment has  stood the test of time: Here is but a few excerpts of opinions handed down, from those high profile cases that put the first amendment to the test.
 
“if there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein,” as Justice Robert Jackson wrote in the 1943 case West Virginia v. Barnette.
 Justice William Brennan wrote in New York Times v. Sullivan in 1964, “the First Amendment jurisprudence has long recognized that prior restraints are incompatible with the notion of a free press. That hostility toward gag orders on the press stems from the news media’s critical role in ensuring that the public has sufficient information to monitor its government, as well as the centuries-old commitment to “uninhibited, robust and wide-open “debate”. New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, 270 (1964).
On “strict scrutiny”
At footnote 10 of its opinion, the panel recognized that the purpose of applying strict scrutiny to regulations burdening speech is to protect a person’s right to “decide for himself or herself the ideas and beliefs deserving of expression, consideration, and adherence, .. . Government action that stifles speech on account of its message . . contravenes this essential right.” Rangra v. Brown, 566 F.3d 515,520 n.10 (5th
 
I would like to acknowledge the death of an icon,a civil rights activist and journalist Jack Nelson, who died a couple of weeks ago. He was an avid supporter of the free press and he has created many agencies that we can get help from to promote the same levels of protections that our American friends enjoy.Also check out these sites for guidance.
 http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/about.aspx?item=about_firstamd
 http://www.rcfp.org/news/documents/index.php
Tendo Kaluma
Uganda in Boston

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Where did the Nubians in Uganda come from?

November 16, 2009 at 7:55 pm (CULTURE, History, Land matters)
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Dear Ugandans at heart,

Nubians come from Nubia. You remember the ancient kingdom of Nubia, which was originally Christian and later converted to Islam. It covered Upper Sudan and Lower Egypt. The Nubians are now divided between Egyptians in Swan, and the Sudanese, southwards. l have ever visited their ancient city of Meroe. The late Marshal Jaffir El Niemery was a Nubian. They were brought to Uganda by Sir Sameul Baker, Charls Gordon and Emin Pasha, and later Capt. Fredrick Lugard. But in Uganda, we don’t have those original Nubians. Much of what we have is a mixture of West Nilers due to intermarriages. They are also in Kenya. But in West Nile, the North and North East, if one converts to Islam, he is reffered to as a Nubian. It is the same in Nyanza Province in Kenya. In Nairobi, if one converts to Isam, he becomes a Muswahili. In South Western Uganda, if one converts into Islam, he becomes a Muganda. That is real.

I would also like to state that most of the killings in Mbarara in the 1970s were done by Nubians. It was the same in Masaka. Unlike Mbarara which could not differentiate a local Muslim and a Nubian, the Masaka people never avenged on local Muslims. The Nubians had already fled. In 1977, they killed 70 Christians over the death of Haji Kaloddo. But Bannabuddu never killed a single Muslim. They knew local Muslims had nothing to do with the Nubian mercinaries. However killers have not been Nubians only. They even did not kill the way other people killed later. But they killed and some Nubians dont want us to mention it. Let’s be honest even when we are talking about our Muslim friends. They were talking about Shaban Nkutu. Who killed Nkutu? Idi Amin! Wasn’t he his fellow Muslim? Should we keep quiet because Amin was a Muslim. Who killed the late Sheikh Obeid Lutale and detained Sheikh Obed Kamulegeya? Iddil Amin. Should we hide away from it? Nubians have good people and bad people, so are other people and we should talk about them.

Like I stated that “In South Western Uganda, when one converts into islam, he becomes a Muganda” I meant areas such as Ankole and Kigezi sub regions, and to an extent Tooro and Bunyoro in mid western Uganda. Please vist places like Mbarara municipality, Isingiro, Bukanga, Kajara. You will find Baganda immigrants after Chritian victory over Muslims there, with kiganda and kinyankore names. An example is Balinda who was a Deputy Minister in Obote l Government , Sulamain Matojo (a concorcotion of Matovu), Station Manager of Radio West, to mention but a few. Do you know that some of the muslims slaughtered on orders of Edward Rurangaranga and Yowasi makaru, their crime was not being Muslims, but being Baganda, on Ankole soils!

There was love-hate relationship between Baganda Muslims and Nubians when the Britsh were still running the country.Who does not know that most of Ugandan Muslims are Baganda? Is the late Sheikh Saad Ibrahim Luwemba, originally a musoga or a Muganda? The moment we talk about atrocities committed by Nubians, most of which they did in Mbarara, and run away, and Banyankore avenged on their fellow Banyankore/Baganda Muslims, some Nubians today come out in defence of Nubians as if they did not kill people. We know what was done by Faruq Minawa, Ali Toweri, Juma Ali Butabika , Hiseein Malera, to mention but a few. Yet there were very good Nubians like Col. Khamis Safi.

Every region has its own jargons. For example, after the religious wars, Muslims wrere not called human beings or Baganda. They used to say “Nsanze abantu babiri n’omusiraamu.” We had a Munnabwera person in our village of Nnambiriizi, Mawogola, called Biwagalo. He used to say “Kale nga mmwe Abasiraamu, ate nga ffe Abaganda…” But they died away.In Ankole sub region now, , as l stated yesterday, most of the Muslims are Baganda, thus even new converts are labeled Bagsnda. It is no crime. In northern Uganda and Nyanza Province, the Muslim converts are called Nubians. If it is in Central Province or at the Coast, they are called Waswahili. In my cattle corridor home area, most Balokole are called pastoralists, because they were the pioneers in that. Even when l was studying in Ssembabule C/U which used to be called “Kirokole’ we were all called Balokole/ Balaalo, etc…Those things are there. What do you want to hide?

Haji Ntege Lubwama is around and he came back to Uganda recently from exile in UK. Who does not know that Chris Rwakasisi and David Oyite Ojok wanted to finish him off? Even UPC people like Mzee Samwiri Mugwisa, whom l respect very much, can help us on this. Secondly, we should not twist things. We are not saying that all non Muslims hated Muslims or vice versa. Neither are saying that all Catholics hate Protestants vice versa. But we are recalling a historical reality so that we can forge ahead as one country, one people, to borrow from one of our parties.
Otherwise, all religions would have perished if believers in them had participated in the conflicts. The majority did not. They even used to hide one another. But what l have learnt from this debate, is that even intellectuals are narrow as far as our country’s history is concerned. Let’s all sing with
Osagyefo: Forward ever, backward never.

Ahmed Katerega

UAH forumist/ journalist

For more information, visit the following link:

http://semuwemba.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/who-is-a-nubian/

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Why Betty Kamya failed coz she is not a critical thinker

November 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm (2009 -2011 elections, Federalism)
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Betty Kamya is not a good communicator and that is what lacks in Uganda’s education system. They do not teach people to communicate effectively and as a result, people fail to put the message across even when they have a good point.

For example; Betty Kamya had a good point of advocating for federal. But instead, she used emotive techniques of appealing to her audience’s feelings, desires and fears by presenting herself to them  as a person who was being persecuted by Kiiza Besigye. Now that is a weakness.
She mixed up issues of internal democracy within FDC and the issue of tribalism  with  the issue of the importance of federal in Uganda.
All that is poor communication or, lack of critical thinking. Betty Kamya also encouraged complicity to her audience by directly involving them in her issues instead of simply persuading them to accept her main issue of federal. If she was a critical thinker, she should have persuaded Ugandan to agree or to buy the federal system by means other than using emotive language of tribalism which produces fear.
For example; she cried foul that Baganda were being persecuted in FDC. She was using words like “we” “you” and “us”. By so doing, Betty Kamya stupidly acted as if the audience were already part of a group of like-minded thinkers and she thought that this was a  powerful way of enticing the audience into agreement with her. Instead, this weakened her argument.
If one compares the way other politicians e.g Nambooze and Kiiza Besigye address their audience,  he or she could find that they do not mix their personal grudges with the issues of national interest.
These two individuals are badly treated by Museveni but still they address poverty , insecurity, corruption, abuse of power etc as issues of national interest. But when it comes to persecution, they challenge it as a separate issue and only link it to their political affiliation or ambitions later or after ensuring that their main issue is understood by the audience.
Museveni too has this weakness. He refused the Kabaka to go to  Kayunga simply because he (Kabaka) doesn’t answer his phone calls or because he did not attend CHOGM meeting. Well, this not critical thinking. It is foolishness. People should be taught how to separate issues and how they should present themselves to their audience.
Buhanga Herbert
London

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NRM has not given enough political cake to Muslims

November 13, 2009 at 2:10 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
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In Uganda, we have seven constituional offices: President, Vice President, Speaker, Chief Justice, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chief Justice and Prime Minister. None of those offices is occupied by a Muslim or has ever been occupied by a Muslim since NRM came to power. Al Haji Moses Kigongo was a deputy speaker, and Moses Ali only stopped as First Deputy Premier. If that is what we can got, here Kivejinja is and where Abu mayanja was, it is a consolation. I can support ejection of Kivejinja if l am assured of another Muslim replacing him, or even being appoiinted to a real constitutional office. We cherish and support so much this system, but as it was in the past, even at Mmengo, we are branded uneducated, Amin’s men, terrorists, ADF etc…Yet Kony is a Catholic fundumentalist, Lakwena was a Christian, Peter Otai, William Omaria ,Amon Bazira , Duncan Kafeero etc..But only Jamil Mukulu, Juma Oris and Ali Bamuze leads to a general suspicion of a community. But we are recovering from it.

The late Prof. Yusuf Lule was forced to abandon Islam and embrace Protestantism in order to get admitted at Ings College Buddo. He was a Christian convert.

l and you don’t attend cabinet meetings, NRM Historicals and others. But KK played a role in establishing IUIU. He is a Muslim revolutionary socialist oriented. He is not a tribalist . He is not sectarian. He may be a poor performer in one way or another, but l can not advocate that he is replaced by another unless l am assured that there will be another Mislim in cabinet. Cabinet is very important in Uganda and it has to be national in character, not in terms of regional and tribal reperesentation, but also in other areas like religion.

Ahmed Katerega

UAH forumist/Journalist

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A glimpse of composition of NRA in luwero

November 13, 2009 at 1:51 pm (1980 elections, Obote and UPC, UPDF and Iddil Amin)
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I think the most accurate point of reference for assessing the the extent to which the NRA relied on Luwero for manning is not January 1986, but December 1984/January 1985 when the transition from guerrilla to conventional operations was effected, with the opening of the Western front.  At that point of expanding the zone of operations to beyond Luwero, anything up to 70% of the membership of the NRA may have been Baganda.  Note that there were also other Buganda-based rebel groups like Fedemo and UFM.  The important point is not that they were under NRA command, but that they were also ranged against the UPC government.  In anycase, they all ended up in NRA eventually.  Note that the “Western” component of the NRA shot up from early 1985, when the Luwero phase was finished.

In any case, the Luwero Triangle was not exclusively Luwero in geographical terms.  It spanned across the central zone of the cattle corridor (Singo, Kiboga, Buwekula, Bulemezi, North Bugerere) and this zone is extremely multiethnic and most of it is not part of the Buganda heartland.  It is a zone of transhumance for the nomadic pastoralists many of whom are Bahima, and at the time, Batutsi.
If you look at the census figures for Buganda just before independence, Baganda were a mere 54.9%, Banyarwanda were 11.8%, Barundi were 7.5%, Banyankore were 4.8%, Banyoro were 3.9%; the rest were 17.1%…including the Nubians etc as Mr Mulindwa may very well know (read census report 1959, P.36).  So, what would be wrong with having Banyarwanda being represented in NRA in its Luwero phase of existence?…Of course I am also aware of your mix up between Banyarwanda and Rwandese….
Some people are saying that 80% of NRA should have been Baganda.  Why, when the Baganda are only just about 55% of the population of Buganda residents?  Worse still, the triangle is not part of what are called the “Home counties”: Mawokota, Busujju, Kyaggwe, Busiro, Buddu, Butambala, Gomba…that are inhabited by majority ethnic Baganda.
“Mind games, befuddled mind, facing facts, re-inventing history”: let it not appear like a jaundiced eye is seeing yellow in everything.
Otto Patrick

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POLITICAL MURDERS AND COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY

November 11, 2009 at 5:58 pm (2009 -2011 elections, Kampala, Kayiira Death)
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General Otaffire was quoted in the media urging the police to find out whether Ms Draru acted with others in murdering Kazini.

In high profile murder cases, shit happens.  Let me take cover in  Kenyan example. I have heard some journalists on this forum say that political murders do not take place in Uganda. That Ugandan leader do not murder their opponents.  Well in Kenya, political murders happened. Not anymore under Mr Kibaki.

The best case is one about the late Dr Robert Ouko. Dr Ouko was murdered on the orders of Mr Nicholas Biwott apparently on the night he was on his way to Uganda to begin his exile. Mr Biwott was then Moi’s most trusted minister who ran the Kalenjin mafia. Hell broke literally.  However, in Kenya unlike Uganda such suspicious deaths are probed so Mr Moi set up a Judicial Commision of Inquiry -their current Chief Justice was a member-but on the eve of what Mr Moi felt could deliver a bombshell, he dissolved the Commission of Inquiry.

To cut to the issue relevant to Ms Draru, under pressure, Mr Moi arrested Minister Biwott and put him in police custody. That was a real shock. He also ordered the once fomer PS of internal Security Mr Hezekiah Oyugi from South Nyanza who is believed to have worked with Biwottt to kill Dr Ouko arrested. The then Nyanza PC Mr Kobia was dismiised.

Now things took a turn for the worse. Mr Biwott left prison. But all the suspects including Mr Oyugi, Mr Kilonzo who was the Police Commissioner at the time, Mr Kobia the former PC and other suspects or those who knew something about Dr Ouko’s death all died under mysterious circumstances. Was it a mere coincidence? You read between the lines.

Being Vice President in Africa is not easy. This story may shock some of you, but it is apparently true.

Again, Kenya-where else- in the early 80s. The kalenjin mafia had come up with a plot to blow up then VP Mr Mwai  Kibaki on a plane while on official visit.

Mr Kibaki’s allies in the intelligence system got wind of the plot which had  all but been finalized. So the then Director of intelligence Mr Kanyotu, a Kikuyu from Kirinyanga and Mr Shaw a muzungu police reservist who also taught at Starehe centre and others swung into action.

The next day Mr Kibaki was to travel abroad. But if he boarded that plane that would be it. He would be brown up.

So his allies wrestled with the big question: how to stop their man from boarding that plane without laerting the plotters that they had become aware of the plot?  Something drastic had to be done in the middle of the night.

Mr Kibaki’s father, Mzee Githinji had to die to save his son. So in the wee hours, he was murdered because that was the only way to stop Mr Kibakii from boarding that plane and be brown up by the Kalenjin mafia.

To fool the mafia, Mr Kibaki showed up at the airport ready to board that early morning flight for his overseas trip.   The mafia were salivating and almost celebrating that their plot was about to work.

Then all of a sudden, Mr Kibaki was pulled aside by among others Mr Shaw-this Shaw used to shoot to kill thieves in Nairobi-and told that his father had died. His convoy pulled away and that particular plane flight was aborted.

Hard to believe, the death and cancellation of trip happened. His father was murdered in the wee hours when he was about to make an official trip abroad.

The political murders in Kenya caused political instability big time. They divided the ruling elite.  The murders  of Mr Tom Mboya and JM Kariuki in particular shook the Kiambu mafia.  The only cabinet minister at the time to attend both funerals was Mr Mwai Kibaki.  No other minister could dare attend  a) for fear of Kenyatta’s reaction, b) the mourners would have pelted them.

Mr Moi made sure that the entire cabinet went to Kisumu to attend Dr Ouko’s funeral, but protected with a very heavy GSU presence.

It is actually nonsense for some of our fellow UAH members to claim that political murders never happen in Uganda.

About women who kill, the demenour of Ms Dralu is funny. The police is doing a good job letting her look presentable. She is not the monster woman who is the talk of ugandan everywhere.  I bet you some Ugandan men desire her more!

WBK

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Kazini’s death needs to be investigated further

November 10, 2009 at 9:14 pm (2009 -2011 elections, Kayiira Death, Police)
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Namuwongo is no joke. General Kazini survived Kishangani and more only to end up being killed in Namuwongo over sex. Mr Mirima Henry should investigate more about what makes Namuwongo  attractive to military and no nonsense. In the 1960s, it was the late Minister Kakonge who had his Hqws shuttered by then Sgt Kayongo’s bullets. Yes, over a woman.

Under normal circumstance the state would want to establish beyond a doubt its innocence in Kazini’s murder. They would do the following

a) Order for an observed post mortem with General Kazini’s family fully represented by their own pathologists and lawyers.

But by the look of things Uganda may not have a chief Government pathologist who performs such sensitive post mortems. It seems they rely on the police surgeon.

b) set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry presided over by a distinguished high Court Judge. I would recommend the same for the late Mr Brian Bukenya (RIP) because there are certain things that need to be clarified under oath. A lot needs to be fuound out from the Iron Lady Lydia Draru. Could she have been acting on orders from somewhere else?

Where was the late’s driver and ADC? What about body guards and so on.

That said, the government has lost a scapegoat. I do not know what to make of the crocodile tears being shed by top military officials.

I keep asking: under what circumstances are suspicious deaths ever probed in Uganda?

It is a disgrace. It seems all big men do in Uganda is drink and womanize and spread HIV/AIDS. The late General moved from one bar to another drinking.

He was reckless and has paid with his life.  Given all the powerful forces and interest aligned up against him, one would have expectedd him to be extra careful. But wapi. He played into their hands and is dead.

WBK

UAH forumist in USA

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The ideal solution to corruption in Uganda

November 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
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Fellow Ugandans,

In aggressively combating corruption within governmental agencies, I would like to suggest to the administration and the current IGG to appoint a special prosecutor, the likes of Faith Mwondha, to carry out televised trials which could highlight the damage to society, caused by the common practice of cooking books in highly sensitive ministry positions. I’m highly doubtful that the perpetrators of these graft crimes are fully aware of the impact and crisis of scarcity that their actions bring on in our poor communities.

Since we are the only country bent on employing all the folks of the EA community, in accounting, procurement, military, police, farming, health and other sensitive positions charged with direct or indirect oversight of life or death issues of our citizens. We need a better vetting process to find out whether a hired employee is not there to malice a region or the entire country through their impropriety, as key providers in a public office.

It behooves our legislatures those native Ugandans in charge of all hiring and firing to have all employees go through patriotism classes and the signing of some oath that lists consequences if folks are ever charged with dereliction of duty.

What would really work as a great public agency self audit is the adoption of a “Graft mitigating plan for each agency” which would include the kick in, at any whiff of suspicion of corruption within an agency.  One of my favorite items would read like this: All critical employees charged or not charged with impropriety, have to enroll in patriotism training and a series of classes on ethics deemed as mandatory training for the entire agency to fulfill their “fitness to serve”, quota.

If folks in that public offices are trained and in-serviced as part of public and corporate governance, we could see a reduction in dubious transactions, it would definitely help bring on a heightened awareness of the progressive discipline process.

On the technology front, I would like to see a uniformity of accounting services to make auditing easy for upper management and any oversight committee.

There is no reason why an item that repeatedly tips all the cost scales on the ledger, such as the “CHOGM ROADS” should not have a trigger, that requires the sign off by the IGG-until the country gets out of this corruption crisis. Many companies in America require the signature of upper management including the CEO, to release big project amounts. I would hope that our legislatures would set the limit amounts and required signatories including the IGG’s office for good accountability.

Moving to an ERP system such as PeopleSoft, can help run the accounting for the entire nation as is done in many corporations. These ought to be court mandated implementations to halt graft and to permanently alter the prevailing conditions in our service sector where lack of accountability has resulted in loss of lives.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to sensitize public employees and to show them first hand the impact of impropriety and abuse of public office has on the poor people of Uganda.

If these symptoms of graft are left untreated, I’m afraid the danger of resentment tribally will continue to build up as under currents within the non-ruling tribes.

Tendo kaluma

Uganda living in Boston

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NRM is not a real political party

November 9, 2009 at 5:11 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
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NRM is a party that does not facilitate its own cadres and mobilisers but it gives a lot to its real and imaginary enemies and opponents. That will greatly contribute to its fall though not in a near future.

l know many NRM who have gone to FDC and other opposition parties so that they can be invited back to NRM. Do you know that even former rebels behave princely inside NRM than many those that have suffered from it right from inspection! There may be a few of the elites who have crossed to NRM without material gain. Those who crossed with their hearts and minds are rural peasants and urban workers but the elites, l doubt.

NRA and now UPDF is a people’s army as its name is. But NRM , the political organisation, has not transformed itself into a political party. It behaves as a guerillar force or an intelligence organisation. It can foot bills like that of my sister Betty Nambooze , it can bribe all real and imaginary enemies but its own cadres will die of starvation. Such is the NRM. Worse still, it has been infiltrated by the corrupt. To eat from NRM , you have to decapaign it. Then it will be scared and they will invite you for a tea party or send you an aide. If it does not graduate from that, it will fall from within.

Nevertheless, we cannot label former kadogos and all those that join NRM even before it captured state power as people that were financially expectants. Despite all the disappointments, they are still in NRM. Yet many of the looters, were on the other political and military side, during the war, and were motivated to cross at Constitutional Square after material promises. NRM should get rid of the corrupt. They are a liability. It should motivate its own pepole, “bribing” opponents and enemies did not prevent UPC from falling from within.

NRM is not a traditional political party but a Mass Movement Organisation.Yes, Sam Kuteesa was some how, some where, a FRONASA in external wing (Nairobi), and helped in the struggle (more in UFM with Balaki Kirya, Kafumbe Mukasa and Yoweri Kyesimira)again in the political wing at least through Sweden where Mrs. Janet Museveni was, and his contribution was more when it was battling the Okellos military junta, Kuteesa remained a DP until Constituent Assembly elections of 1994. As for Saleh, he has been a Movementists since secondary school days. But to be rich does not mean to be corrupt. But those who are corrupt, if convicted, let them be punished.

People should know that NRM was formed in 1981 as a guerrilla or rebel organisation. So, it is not strange if it remains the same in some form and substance. Just like some rebel organisations that were originally political parties. NRM behaves like an intelligence organisation when it does not allow the press to cover its caucus meeting and NEC conferences Yet those are big meetings. For example, Buganda Cacus right from C.A. days could allow us in. For NRM to always think real and imaginary opponents and enemies first before its own cadres, mobilizers and supporters, is very suicidal and l can repeat it in any forum. But as we turn into party politics, things will be changing gradually.

There was more corruption during Obote ll where the Army Chief of Staff who also doubled as Chairman Coffee Marketing Board, was pocketing hard money Uganda earned from coffee exports, with impunity. But this time there is freedom of the press and the corrupt are exposed. My only problem that the state allows us to expose, but it just ignores us, without taking actual action on the corrupt. Let those convicted , their property be confiscated and taken to court.

It is true there are looters in the country now but we have not yet reached that of Obote ll. Yes there were some drugs in government hospitals in Obote ll but that was the time medical personnel started having their own. What we should do is to guard those drugs before they are stolen from hospitals because they are sent from Uganda Medical Stores Entebbe.

Ahmed Katerega

UAH forumist/Journalist

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How did Brig.Gen.Yorokamu Tizihwayo disappear during Amin’s regime?

November 6, 2009 at 3:53 am (UPDF and Iddil Amin)

The disappearance of Brig. Gen.Yorokamu Tizihwayo is hard to understand. Let me try to remember how the situation under his command was.
         When Lt.Colonel John Onah was Commanding Officer of the 2nd Paratroopers’ Battalion in Fort Portal, Yorokamu Tizihwayo was a Major and 2nd In Command. In 1974 Lt.Colonel John Onah was made a Cabinet Minister and Major Yorokamu Tizihwayo was promoted to Lt.Colonel and assumed the Command of the 2nd Paratroopers Battalion. Captain Moses Gala was promoted to Major, posted to Fort Portal and became 2nd in Command.
        In 1975 Lt. Colonel Yorokamu Tizihwayo was called to the Command Post by President Amin. None of us knew what was going on. Major Moses Gala was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel and made the Commanding officer of the 2nd Paratroopers’ Battalion. Moses Gala was a cousin brother of President Amin. Captain Juma Ayiga was promoted to the rank of Major and made 2nd in Command.
        A few weeks later Yorokamu Tizihwayo was promoted to the rank of full Colonel and given the task to head the Western Brigade. He was posted to Kasese to build the Brigade Headquarters. Later that year, Lt. Colonel Moses Gala and Major Juma Ayiga, both Commanding the 2nd Paratroopers’ Battalion of the Western Brigade, of which Brigade Colonel Yorokamu Tizihwayo was the Commander, organized a”congratulatory” party for the new Brigade Commander in Fort Portal town. However, the party turned out to be a trap to assassinate Colonel Yorokamu Tizihwayo. He managed to escape unharmed during the commotion. He went to the Command Post and reported the matter to the President. Many of us believed that the two Commanders of the 2nd Paratroopers’ Battalion would be Court Martialed and probably dismissed. We were wrong. Instead Colonel Yorokamu was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and his assassination attempt was never even mentioned.
        In 1977 Lt. Colonel Moses Gala was accused by the Catholic Church to have raped a Catholic Nun. He was retired from the Army and sent back to his home in Arua.
        At the Western Brigade Headquaters in Kasese, the Brigade Major was called Major Ismail Tiko. He was the second most Senior Officer. The Western Brigade Sports Officer was called Captain Ali Alichama. The Brigade Commander was very friendly to me and always went to his residence to chat with him whenever I happened to be in Kasese. I think my closeness to the Brigade Commander made the Brigade Major and his close friend, the Brigade Sports Officer very unhappy. In 1976 I went to inspect the Western Brigade Boxing Championships and nearly fell into an assassination trap by the Brigade Major and the Brigade Sports Officer. I returned to the General Headquarters in Kampala unsure about why I was to be assassinated. Later when Brig. General Isaac Maliyamungu told me that I should not be scared into converting to Islam, did I suspect that my assassination attempt was for that purpose and not for being close to the Brigade Commander.
       There was envy and jealousy among the troops from West Nile who seemed to feel that they should dominate the Command of the Uganda Armed Forces. Obviously, they were not happy for the promotion of Brigadier General Yorokamu Tizihwayo. The theory that the State Research Bureau (SRB) might have killed Yorokamu with the orders from President Amin, is completely unfounded. President Amin showed much trust in him on many occassions and that is why I believe, Lt. Colonel Moses Gala and Major Juma Ayiga tried to assassinate him.
      During the 1978 / 79 war, Brig. Gen. Yorokamu was arrested by the members of the State Research Bureau and beaten. They were accusing him of colaboration with the enemy. President Amin personally ordered his release and assumption of his Command. Many of the troops under his Command fell into ambush by the enemy forces. I learnt later that he escaped from the front line and entered Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). I tried to find his whereabouts, but the many people from the former Western Brigade that I asked after the war, claimed that he fled to Zaire. I regarded him as a friend, despite his very powerful position he held.
     Rehema, the rumour that Brig. General Yorokamu Tizihwayo is dead, is because of his silence and the fact that he has not returned to his home in Ankole. However, many people have chosen to keep a very low profile and he might as well be one of them.
                                                                       BJ. Rubin.

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Plain Political Prostitution from the likes of Butime and Kamya

November 4, 2009 at 4:59 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)

Plain Political Prostitution
These are interesting times. These are disconcerting times. The political space we are in now is called the window of opportunity, but in reality, it is the window of opportunism. It is time for politicians to march for offers from the highest bidder.
party crossing  is not appropriate for consolidating democracy in our country. What we are witnessing is the liquidation of democracy. It is actually enguzi -crossing because people are made all kinds of secret offers. Councilors and Members of Parliament who have no integrity sell themselves into a system of enguzi. They are in the bedroom with their enemy. The likes of Hon. Olanyah, Mr. Aggrey, Ms. Maria Mutagamba, Kamya, Omara Atubo, etc.

This are thieves. They steal and use property that is not theirs for their own selfish ends and personal aggrandizement. Voters in this country vote for Parties not enguzi crossers. Floor crossing encourages corruption and self-interest. It violates the electoral right of the voters. The voters mandate is treacherously betrayed with impunity in the name of democracy  which means political prostitution pass as democracy.

Floor crossing is entrenching corrupt politics in Uganda  and will eventually destabilize this country. People will lose confidence in the democratic process and resort to illegal means of struggle.

May. A. Uwe matovua@yahoo.com

UAH forumist

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Use of boda boda to deliver exams and the Kajjansi swamp

November 4, 2009 at 3:36 pm (Agriculture, Education)
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It is shocking to learn that UNEB can allow the transportation of national Exams by boda boda.  At least one accident was reported involving deliveries of exam papers on the 1st day.  Assuming the exam papers had got damaged?  UNEB must be extra careful in ensuring that transportation of papers is by motor vehicles to ensure greater safety in delivery and that the drivers are cautioned to drive carefully so as to get to the destinations safely.

It is news that at least two girls delivered in the course of the papers and good enough, else where 4 girls were allowed to sit papers though pregnant.  Much more needs to be done to ensure that primary schools girls don’t get pregnant while still at school.

There is a school where examination papers were less than the number of candidates and papers had to be got from neighbouring schools.  The issue here is whether these are not cases where papers are stolen and given out to the cheats.

Also noted was a sound bite on one FM Radio where a child was concerned as the exam papers had some similarity with what had recently been reviewed.  The truth is that with the rampant corruption, UNEB cannot fill all the loopholes that can be used by the exam cheats.

Lastly,Basoga are not only known for making chapati’s some of which are half
fried but have gone a step to encroach on a swamp found at Kajjansi as you travel towards the airstrip.  This is surely the generosity of Baganda, however, the authorities should move very fast and see a stop to this development. Papyrus is being cleared very fast for rice planting.

Willy Kituuka

UAH forumist

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Review of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act needs to be serious

November 4, 2009 at 3:30 pm (Education)
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It will make a lot of sense if among the reviews about the above law the handling of finances is given priority.  I was told by some body at Makerere University that fellows who had been given the assignment to generate financial reports on a daily basis failed and left the work incomplete.  The University ought to get the finance department from the academics.  People who are financial managers should be entrusted with a centralized financial system with one centre where balances can be accessed as well as handling of financial obligations. Many academicians excel in other disciplines but are not good at financial management.  It is absurd to learn that a well managed
establishment can have billions accumulated in unpaid bills to UMEME! We have advised time and again that the University should divest itself from investing funds paid by students to infrastructure development, but the people in control just continue on, and at the end of the day some body has the courage to tell the public that the University has over shs 20bn in unpaid bills.

The law should also focus on a Convocation which is much more in the arms of the University Administrators where the University Academic Registrar is the Secretary.  The review should focus on encouraging more participation of Old Students by getting the organization out of the direct umbrella of the University; that way chances of managers capable of implementing policies that can help efforts to raise funds may be better enhanced.

Willy Kituuka

UAH forumist

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Why and How Obama Supports Museveni and Other Despots in Africa

November 4, 2009 at 1:37 pm (2009 -2011 elections, World history and politics)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqB4WWu3TKc

Al Jazeera special report exposing the contradictions of U.S. foreign policy in Uganda including link between U.S training and funding of special forces for Museveni and other dictators at the expense of development and human rights in Africa,  in America’s pursuit of OIL, MINERALS and INFLUENCE.

YOU HAVE TO WATCH the on-camera reaction of the AFRICOM commander, Gen. William “Kip” Ward, when asked about this (7:56 into the video).

Segment about Uganda runs after that reaction

The first 5 minutes and a half are about Nigeria and Cameroon.

Some of the world’s poorest countries are also some of the richest in natural resources, among them Nigeria, Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo, as they suffer from the “resource curse”.

Oxford University’s Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Collier in his Natural Resource Charter states that: “Angola alone received in oil and mineral revenues more than double the entire aid ($26 billion in 2008,) inflows to Africa. For all that, the UN’s Human Development Index ranked Angola 162nd out of 177 countries in 2007-08.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqB4WWu3TKc

Enjoy the series…A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy… in full: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2009/09/2009910121135544650.html

Please forward the email.

Ssemagulu

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Ugandans should join either NRM or FDC and forget old parties

November 4, 2009 at 1:06 pm (1980 elections, 2009 -2011 elections, Obote and UPC, POLITICS)
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Dear Ugandans at heart,

Amin was personally close to Maama Miria Obote and it was one of the reasons why she was not hurt during and after the coup until she escaped to Tanzania. Obote and Amin were close friends when one was Prime Minister and President and the other was Deputy Army Commander, Army Chief of Staff.

Since 1966, removal of Obote government was justified so by 1971 it was over due. But had Obote handled Amin well, probably nothing may have happened.

As for Besigye and Museveni, there is no doubt that they have their own personal grievances, which other people from South West exploited to ensure that the power base does not shift to Buganda or else where. l will not be party to those who want President Museveni to be succeeded by his clansman Kizza Besigye.

Surat Yasin in the Quran says that The Almighty God causes things to happen and they do so. So NRM , like any other, which had a beginning, will have an end. But the end of NRM will be the beginning of another Movement from inside NRM. You better join in or its extension FDC not PRA or PPP. The earlier the better

If one claims that Obote, Amin, Binaisa, Muwanga, Okello and Museveni were UPCs, and that only Ben Kiwanuka and Yusuf Lule were DPs, and that changes have been UPC infighting, and that many from other parties have not benefited from those changes, can you accept it?

The 1971 coup, brought in new UPC leaders including Idi Amin , Wannume Kibedi, Henrty Kyemba, Huseein Malera, Isac Maliyamungu, Paul Etiang, Edward Rugumayo, Abu Mayanja, Apollo Kironde, William Naburi, and many others. The 1979 change brought in Godfrey Binaisa, Edward Rugumayo, Paulo Muwanga, Yoweri Museveni, and many others. 1980 elections brought back Milton Obote, Paulo Muwanga ,Otema Almadi, Peter Otai and many others. 1985 coup brought in Tito Okello ,Wilson Toko, Paul Muawanga, Abraham Waliggo etc…1986 change brought in Yoweri Museveni, Samson Kisekka (he had crossed from KY to UPC and later UPM), Stanislas Okurut and others.

Other parties were on the periphery. Like the short lived term of Ben Kiwanuka as Chief Justice, the same was with Wako Wambuzi under UNLF. Yusuf Lule for only 68 days, Paulo Ssemogerere as Internal and later Foreign minister under Okellos and Museveni etc….

Hence, in case FDC had defeated NRM in 2001 and 2006, that would have been a change within NRM unlike in 1996 if Ssemogerere had won, or if JEEMA’s Mayanja Kibirige had won in 1996 and 2001.

Therefore either Ugandans join NRM directly as l see those in press reports, or you join its extension in FDC or PPP, you will be left out. Don’t be tempted to join rebel activities “tojja kumalako.”

Ahmed Katerega

UAH forumist/ Journalist

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