Gilbert Bukenya

trueBy Samuel Oduny

If anyone has been wondering what Dr. Gilbert Bukenya has been up to these days the proverbial cat has been let out of the bag in the Luwero by-elections.

The former vice-president who had been ushered into national politics when appointed by President Museveni to higher office in 2001 showed finally his true colours when he fronted the campaign for Nabukenya the candidate of the Democratic Party for Luweero District.

Bukenya, who only became a player in national politics through the unwavering support and nurturing by the National Resistance Movement, never showed any grain of appreciation or gratitude towards his mentor or the source of his political standing.

Instead, Bukenya turned his back on the cradle of his success, the NRM party, and turned from the proverbial cat in the bag into a snake, ready to spit his poison into the eyes of innocent citizens.

I wish his new friends in the DP all the best with their new comrade and hope the dark shadows of Gilbert will not catch up and black out the DP leadership like the solar eclipse last year.

It is a spitting outrage that the man who was put into the spotlight of national politics by the NRM and held the position of vice-president for 10 years betrayed, not only his party but also his colleagues and friends within the party, who trusted him to show mature leadership and steer the party into calm waters.  His academic background as a medical doctor suggests a stable and steady approach towards the needs and development of this nation but to the contrary!

Bukenya, be aware that in this world a true and faithful leader keeps the truth in his heart.  The good leadership of President Museveni has helped many Ugandans to come out and see the light, democracy has arrived in Uganda because of his new approach.  My brother, you are not seeing the person who made you. Instead you made him your enemy and you embarrass your roots by campaigning for a DP candidate.

This is driven by blind leadership ambition.  Clueless desire for power is disturbing my brother Bukenya.

It seems history can repeat itself. We have seen this type of behaviour and the inherent flaw of character of Ugandan politicians before, when, in 1966, a member of Kabaka Yekka moved a motion against his own coalition government consisting of the Uganda Peoples Congress and KY. The one who betrayed his own party was the late Daudi Ochieng. Five cabinet ministers Grace Ibingira, George Magezi, Emmanuel Lumu and Balaki Kirya who were detained at the time 1966 were also turning their back on the UPC-KY coalition government. And we all know what this event led to.

Bukenya seems to take the same path as Daudi Ochieng in the early sixties and he betrayed the NRM party.  Without reservations, I call upon the national executive to move without delay and kick him out.

We don't need Bukenya and we should give him all freedom he needs to campaign for the DP or any other party he happens to join. Thus we will provide Bukenya with all the rope he deserves to hang himself.

The writer is a strong NRM supporter in Gulu