Movement in cleaning up act for 2006?
Oct 07, 2003
DOCTOR Francis Mwesigye Runumi was recently appointed Commissioner for Health Planning in the Ministry of Health
By Asuman Bisiika
DOCTOR Francis Mwesigye Runumi was recently appointed Commissioner for Health Planning in the Ministry of Health. No problem there, because he qualifies to hold the position. But what are the politics behind the appointment?
Dr. Crispus Kiyonga was over the weekend on a mobilisation tour in West Nile region where his itinerary took him to all the districts of the region?
The proponents of the Obusinga (Bakonzo/Bamba Cultural Institution) in Kasese and their opponents were recently “allowed to meet†in what can be described as the first such dialogue? Even the RDC attended and urged the two sides to appreciate each other’s divergent views.
Since Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has made clear his dislike for Central government’s recognition of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, one would be tempted to think that Kiyonga wants some political interests in the district harmonised ahead of the advent of multi-party politics. Without the harmony, the multi-partists would of course exploit the divide created by the pro and anti Businga interests.
So, what is the Movement’s game plan in the grand political scheme for the magical year of 2006? Let us explain Dr. Runumi first.
Although the date of the by-elections is not yet set, activities behind the scenes show that the movement is trying to ‘harmonise’ the political forces in Kabale ahead of the by-elections.
That is why Dr. Crispus Kiyonga convened a meeting of stakeholders in the district on Sunday, September 28, to iron out “some issuesâ€. And the outcome of the meeting was a bargained win-win compromise arrangement in which Edison Kakuru was left as the sole candidate in the Kabale LC5 chairman by-elections.
The Central government deploys Dr. Runumi to an appropriate post. The resolutions and spirit of this meeting technically leave Kabales district without any opposition to the movement.
Kasese is only a small problem. A promise that the Obusinga issue would be fixed soon would sway the political standing in the district. A promise of “something†to Mr. Bihande Bwambale, the district chairman, would mellow his political strength against the movement.
In Arua and Nebbi, Kiyonga had meetings with the leadership of the region. In the last elections the two districs have not been voting the Movement.
But Ofwono Opondo, the Director of Information and Publicity at the Movement Secretariat, says that what Dr. Kiyonga is doing lies within the brief of the Secretariat.
“Basically what NPC Kiyonga is doing is to mobilise the people and prepare them for the eventuality of the introduction of political pluralism or any outcome from the Constitutional Review Commission. This is different from National Resistance Movement Organisation promoters canvassing for support from the public,†said Ofwono Opondo.
DOCTOR Francis Mwesigye Runumi was recently appointed Commissioner for Health Planning in the Ministry of Health. No problem there, because he qualifies to hold the position. But what are the politics behind the appointment?
Dr. Crispus Kiyonga was over the weekend on a mobilisation tour in West Nile region where his itinerary took him to all the districts of the region?
The proponents of the Obusinga (Bakonzo/Bamba Cultural Institution) in Kasese and their opponents were recently “allowed to meet†in what can be described as the first such dialogue? Even the RDC attended and urged the two sides to appreciate each other’s divergent views.
Since Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has made clear his dislike for Central government’s recognition of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, one would be tempted to think that Kiyonga wants some political interests in the district harmonised ahead of the advent of multi-party politics. Without the harmony, the multi-partists would of course exploit the divide created by the pro and anti Businga interests.
So, what is the Movement’s game plan in the grand political scheme for the magical year of 2006? Let us explain Dr. Runumi first.
Although the date of the by-elections is not yet set, activities behind the scenes show that the movement is trying to ‘harmonise’ the political forces in Kabale ahead of the by-elections.
That is why Dr. Crispus Kiyonga convened a meeting of stakeholders in the district on Sunday, September 28, to iron out “some issuesâ€. And the outcome of the meeting was a bargained win-win compromise arrangement in which Edison Kakuru was left as the sole candidate in the Kabale LC5 chairman by-elections.
The Central government deploys Dr. Runumi to an appropriate post. The resolutions and spirit of this meeting technically leave Kabales district without any opposition to the movement.
Kasese is only a small problem. A promise that the Obusinga issue would be fixed soon would sway the political standing in the district. A promise of “something†to Mr. Bihande Bwambale, the district chairman, would mellow his political strength against the movement.
In Arua and Nebbi, Kiyonga had meetings with the leadership of the region. In the last elections the two districs have not been voting the Movement.
But Ofwono Opondo, the Director of Information and Publicity at the Movement Secretariat, says that what Dr. Kiyonga is doing lies within the brief of the Secretariat.
“Basically what NPC Kiyonga is doing is to mobilise the people and prepare them for the eventuality of the introduction of political pluralism or any outcome from the Constitutional Review Commission. This is different from National Resistance Movement Organisation promoters canvassing for support from the public,†said Ofwono Opondo.