Let agenda be to remove Museveni
Jan 19, 2006
<br>I am writing to all presidential candidates. I salute you as you re-ignite political party activity in our country. Going by President Museveni’s approach to democracy after overthrowing state in 1986 it logically follows that no other matter should arise in campaigns and elections of 2006 ot
By Chris Kibuuka
I am writing to all presidential candidates. I salute you as you re-ignite political party activity in our country. Going by President Museveni’s approach to democracy after overthrowing state in 1986 it logically follows that no other matter should arise in campaigns and elections of 2006 other than dislodging the dictatorship that has marvelled and wrecked Uganda over the last 20 years of his leadership.
This very dictatorship continues to threaten existence of the individual and our country. It touches the core of rule of law, democracy and peaceful existence in Uganda and regionally.
The agenda for opposition should be one item: “Change from Museveni’s leadership†and anything else can wait. This is our humble message from Ugandan in diaspora.
It is our view that no single opposition party has the capacity to overwhelm Museveni’s oppressive machinery, let alone address the mess his regime has created since 1980 internally and regionally. We note that initial attempts at opposition coalition/alliance have failed. History will judge you harshly as our leaders if you fail to put aside mere party aspirations or personal issues at the expense of our country.
A small but important opportunity has arisen with the possibility of throwing out the regime during elections on February 23. It must be taken in total.
The immediate destiny of the opposition is predetermined and always the same in situations of dictatorship, namely:
If we win the elections, a government of national unity is an absolute necessity, for example post-Moi Kenya.
If the elections are not free and fair as is the most likely scenario, then a united front is necessary not to endorse them. The DP failed on this in 1980 elections when they accepted to be the opposition in Parliament.
Even if the elections were free and fair, we would collectively remain as opposition to be able to eventually effect the required change and carry out our constitutional obligation of checking government excesses.
It should be the purpose of our leaders not to put their parties into a corner of non-cooperation as the campaigns proceed. A relentless attack on Museveni and his government calling for change must be the basic minimum approach by any opposition candidate. We have all been victims of this oppressive and manipulative regime at one time or another, and this continues.
For example, how does Museveni offer a state funeral to his arch enemy Dr. Obote, and even call for national reconciliation, only to put his opponent Dr Besigye in prison the next day? How will a multi-party political dispensation work with a parliament having military representatives? Why vote openly to lift presidential term limits in parliament and then secretly in NRM internal elections?
Without much ado we move that:
1) Activities of G6 receive attention of importance from party leaders
2) Each party leader appoints two more leaders to G6
3) G6 works out appropriate reactions to the three scenarios mentioned above.
4) The question of who leads the coalition can be handled and revisited at all times by the leaders. Throwing out Dr Besigye from leadership on the basis that he has serious criminal charges is certainly playing into the hands of the dictator.
5) MPs should access advice from the G6 with a view of allowing the most popular opposition MP to contest a given constituency against the NRM candidate.
G6 committee work should be confidential and be deemed as strategic during and after elections. Uganda has been blessed with new party leaderships. We should not stumble at any stage. One Uganda, one people, one problem, one solution.
The writer is FDC Coordinator for Southern Africa
I am writing to all presidential candidates. I salute you as you re-ignite political party activity in our country. Going by President Museveni’s approach to democracy after overthrowing state in 1986 it logically follows that no other matter should arise in campaigns and elections of 2006 other than dislodging the dictatorship that has marvelled and wrecked Uganda over the last 20 years of his leadership.
This very dictatorship continues to threaten existence of the individual and our country. It touches the core of rule of law, democracy and peaceful existence in Uganda and regionally.
The agenda for opposition should be one item: “Change from Museveni’s leadership†and anything else can wait. This is our humble message from Ugandan in diaspora.
It is our view that no single opposition party has the capacity to overwhelm Museveni’s oppressive machinery, let alone address the mess his regime has created since 1980 internally and regionally. We note that initial attempts at opposition coalition/alliance have failed. History will judge you harshly as our leaders if you fail to put aside mere party aspirations or personal issues at the expense of our country.
A small but important opportunity has arisen with the possibility of throwing out the regime during elections on February 23. It must be taken in total.
The immediate destiny of the opposition is predetermined and always the same in situations of dictatorship, namely:
It should be the purpose of our leaders not to put their parties into a corner of non-cooperation as the campaigns proceed. A relentless attack on Museveni and his government calling for change must be the basic minimum approach by any opposition candidate. We have all been victims of this oppressive and manipulative regime at one time or another, and this continues.
For example, how does Museveni offer a state funeral to his arch enemy Dr. Obote, and even call for national reconciliation, only to put his opponent Dr Besigye in prison the next day? How will a multi-party political dispensation work with a parliament having military representatives? Why vote openly to lift presidential term limits in parliament and then secretly in NRM internal elections?
Without much ado we move that:
1) Activities of G6 receive attention of importance from party leaders
2) Each party leader appoints two more leaders to G6
3) G6 works out appropriate reactions to the three scenarios mentioned above.
4) The question of who leads the coalition can be handled and revisited at all times by the leaders. Throwing out Dr Besigye from leadership on the basis that he has serious criminal charges is certainly playing into the hands of the dictator.
5) MPs should access advice from the G6 with a view of allowing the most popular opposition MP to contest a given constituency against the NRM candidate.
G6 committee work should be confidential and be deemed as strategic during and after elections. Uganda has been blessed with new party leaderships. We should not stumble at any stage. One Uganda, one people, one problem, one solution.
The writer is FDC Coordinator for Southern Africa