January 12 is a landmark on Uganda’s political road

EVENTS which unfolded on the Saturday, January 12, 2002 should not pass without deep analysis. This is aimed at guiding the pro-people forces which continue to face the challenge of a conspiracy by the old negative elitist anti-masses clique that has always been responsible for turmoil in all the less developed politics.The confrontation between the Uganda Police and a small but rowdy mob organised by the desperate old UPC politicians, inevitably resulted in the unfortunate death of a young man. I am saying that the death was inevitable because what UPC was doing is as usual, one of their adventurous and terrorist activities, which for the last 33 years have always resulted in loss of lives by innocent Ugandans. UPC whether in power or not uses methods that always endanger the lives of Ugandans. While in power, they use state terror, outside power they always employ foolish methods that do not take the objective and subjective realities as important in any kind of struggle. No wonder, Idi Amin routed them in 1971, NRA in the 1980’s, most recently UPDF against their several armed groups, from Kony, to Opona Acak. So, Ugandans ought to appreciate the recklessness of UPC before dealing with the group.While I do not wish to engage in the merits and demerits of multiparty politics, I however, wish to use this occasion to observe that the agitation at this point in time is a clear demonstration on part of the agitators, of total lack of respect for the sovereignity of the masses, who are less vocal, but are important in sustaining the country’s economy.It should be clear in the minds of all the Movement Cadres, that ours is a philosophy that respects the Mass-Line. We have always believed and still believe that the people are their own liberators. The new Constitution consolidated this thinking by providing that “all power belongs to the people, who are the sovereign in matters of their own governance.”This line, in my view is very correct and is the only panacea for instability. Let us all be resolute and firm in defending this principle. Our people are not fools, all we need to do is to demonstrate that we are not wavering in our commitment to full empowerment of the masses.To the agitators of multiparty politics, it is high time you come to grips with the new reality that you can no longer afford to ignore the peasants. If you strongly feel about your principle, for God-sake, go to the country-side and sell your idea, so that it is owned by the very masses who then will fully defend it.In my view, the Movement government should prepare to defeat your elitist and terrorist tendencies. Be prepared for more street battles with the security forces. Most of us do not believe that it is right for the country to be thrown into full-scale turmoil. We will defend our country because we cannot leave it to a clique of reckless agitators, who lack any serious vision for Africans.The Constitutional path is the only sure way of entrenching democracy and stability. We must all stop being emotional about the consequences faced by those who breach the law and the Constitution. The consequences of arbitrary rule are very fresh in our minds. When Obote chose to ignore the Constitution, we know what happened. Therefore, the political class should be the last group to think of abandoning a constitutional path, because you do not monopolise the means of breaching the Constitution.The political class, remember that the peoples, army is watching your behaviour with keen interest, so please send clear signals. If you are for the constitutional path, the Army will respect the same path, but if you keep straying into arbitrary tendencies, the lessons you are sending out may result into a chaos.Once again, the January 12, 2002 should enable us to reflect on two important principles: The sovereignty of Ugandans in matters of their governance, and respect for the Constitutional path. Aluta Continua!Capt. Henry N. Masiko Director — Nali Kyankwanzi