Parliament 2001 set to rectify Uganda's evils

Unfortunately many people in the Movement and those who disassociate themselves from it, have either not or refused to realise its importance in the next five years and beyond. This is why there is an un-warranted controversy as to whether Museveni is right to plead with voters to elect pro-Movement MPs in the polls slated for June 26. Museveni should actually reach out in difficult constituencies where the Movement is still weak to personally campaign for Movement candidates. The Movement has captured some previously hostile areas such as Tororo, Teso, and West Nile. However there is need to consolidate those gains by openly campaigning for its proponents. Most people know that a lot has been achieved but the Movement needs the mandate to carry further changes in the country for the better. Its supporters should therefore reject a quiet life and contentment with few parliamentary seats. The choices made will determine whether we continue to live in peace and harmony. Or whether more people will be able to realise their legitimate aspiration based on hard work. Also whether Ugandans will continue to feel safe and secure in a strong community. Furthermore, whether our people will be proud to be Ugandans when they travel abroad will depend on how parliament conducts business. The real 'cooking' is done in local councils and parliament hence the need for a pro-Movement and even a pro-Museveni the legislature. It is only through these Members of Parliament (MPs), that better chances exist to make the final Museveni term a basis for the consolidation of not only Movement but also national achievements. It will be these MPs to budget and allocate more funds to universal primary and secondary education, public health education, and primary health care plus more money for defence and national security. This has been the case with Britain under the just dissolved parliament in the Labour Party dominated the House of Commons. It is the MPs who will vote for Movement reforms for a modern criminal justice system where offenders have been getting away easily, as well as strong and accountable local governments. The alternative to the above is an obstructionist parliament by people like Dick Nyai, Wasswa Luke, Aggrey Awori, Nobert Mao, Winnie Byanyima and Okello Okello. There is of course a false claim by critics that the Movement seeks to thrive on a "rubber-stamp" parliament. This is where the MPs are docile supporters. To the contrary, the Movement has been built into a formidable system because of open, vocal, critical, diligent and dependable workers and allies. The period from 1962 had been shameful until 1986. This is when the Movement carried out substantial reforms laying the foundation for political stability and a strong economy. Today investments are pouring into both public and private sector, and there is need for a parliament that will continue with these reforms in a steadfast manner. Where sectarian divisions and social tensions are slowly being healed and Uganda's influence abroad has been regained and acknowledged even among its opponents. The usual opponents of the Movement politics claim that Museveni's plea contravenes the principle of individual merit and usurps the peoples' freedom to choose. They also allege that by routing for pro-Movement MPs, the Movement leadership seeks to usurp the power of the legislature and turn it into a "rubber-stamp" once it has an absolute majority. The most important point in this election is not much of what Museveni's position is but for candidates to present themselves and vote to make an informed choice without restriction. The critics have not been able to point out anyone who was barred from offering him/herself for elections for lack of endorsement by the Movement. Although the criticisms come from the usual opponents of the Movement system, their new found views are surprising considering that they champion Westminster type pluralism in which the winner takes it all. In fact many former parliamentary aspirants have willingly stepped down in favour of others for the good of the Movement. This has reduced the number of factions in their respective areas. To ensure that families and villages are safe there is need to continue dismantling old-fashioned sectarian politics which is among the main objectives of the Movement. The passion of the Movement is to continue to modernisation the country to create equal opportunities for all Ugandans whatever their background, and reward hard-working people - an acknowledgement that in spite of the above achievements, not everything has gone right. Apart from corruption, poverty and un-employment have remained rampant. This is because of lack of skills and cheap credit for small entrepreneurs. Pockets of bandit terrorism also continue to linger but with common and determined resolve by all the best can be achieved.