Religion shouldn't be a political lobbying agenda

By Peter Okwalinga  

The amount of debate created by President Museveni’s new cabinet reshuffle is astounding but none as much as the derision from the Muslim community who argue that, the list has a handful of their own. And for that matter they have challenged president Museveni to allot them more other political appointments such that they are at par with other religions. 

For the second time in Uganda’s modern politics we are witnessing Muslims demand for ‘political equality.’ Whereas Muslim cries may sound legitimate, it’s also important to note that, majority of those who were last year rejected by the vetting committee on grounds of questionable academic papers were Muslims. The likes of Kamba Saleh (Kibuku County), Nasser Ntege Ssebagala and Muyanja Mbabaali . Perhaps the appointing authority didn’t want to go through the same risk of appointing academic rejects. 

Until recently, most Ugandan Muslim communities never embraced education and were much interested in doing business which required basic education.  

 Figures from the National Census of October 2002 indicate that Christians of all denominations made up 85.1% of Uganda's population. The Catholic Church has the largest number of adherents (41.9% of the total population), and the Anglican Church of Uganda, had (35.9%).

The exercise also proved there are numerous Pentecostal churches (4.6%), while 1.0% comprised of other Christians. It also indicated that about 1% of Ugandans follow traditional religion. About 0.7% of Uganda's population is classified as 'Other Non-Christians,' including Hindus. Meaning 12.1% are Muslims. Therefore, going by what Uganda’s Muslims have in terms of political appointments, my thinking is that they are equally represented.   

Moreso, Uganda’s Constitution empowers the president with the sole responsibility of appointing and disappointing cabinet ministers. This is done in accordance with the party programmes as highlighted in the manifesto.  Therefore, while appointing, the president exclusively looks at those individuals with merit and ability to help him deliver his manifesto. This is why out of the 34 million Ugandans; only 74 are in the cabinet.

If we insist on representation for interest groups, one can only imagine how much larger our cabinet can get. Before we realize every tribe might want a minister, and then musicians, witchdoctors, ‘abafere’, drunkards and prisoners – considering all these sectors have massive numbers to call on in case they need to lobby.

As a country, we seem to be over-represented at all levels. What we should be looking at are progressive ideas that seek to unite and not divide us based on religion, tribe, sex orientation, appearance etc and other such sectarian lines that were used by colonialists to rule us for decades. 

Finally, the same amount of resentment we demonstrate toward continuous segmentation of districts should be applied whenever religious sentiments raise its political voracity. Politicians Like Muhamed Nsereko who rail against further division of districts do so because it thus has not only failed to provide concrete service delivery to the citizenry. But also facilitates divisions amongst people since, the urge for resources would be based on districts.

And that’s the same poison religious agitation of government positions propagates. And for a politician to disagree with former and yet fronts the latter is to contradict himself and contradiction signifies dishonesty and dishonesty might signify greed.