Tracing Kazibwe's journey to AU's top job bid

Jun 21, 2016

“My candidacy for the African Union Commission chairperson position comes at a time when Africa knows where it wants to go."

Former Vice President, Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira, was eight years old when the Organisation of African Union (OAU) was formed in 1963.

Fifty three years later, many things have changed. OAU has mutated into African Union (AU), member states have increased from the original 32 in 1963 to 54 countries and of course, Kazibwe, who was the first female VP in Africa, wants to become the first Ugandan to chair the African Union Commission.

"My candidacy for the African Union Commission chairperson position comes at a time when Africa knows where it wants to go; when it wants to get there, and how it wishes to get there; in a roadmap envisioned by our leaders and clearly laid out in African Union Agenda 2063," Kazibwe recently told New Vision.

According to Kazibwe, a strong implementation framework of the Agenda 2063 has been put in place by the outgoing administration led by South Africa's Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, an equally formidable political figure, who beat the odds to become the first woman to chair the AU commission.

"As African Union chairperson, I will be the chief executive to the collective of 54 African Heads of State; work with governments and other institutions to promote, popularize and implement AU's agenda 2063 for over one billion Africans," she added.

Of all the words that Kazibwe flings into the continent as she traverses the 54 countries to solicit for support, "Africa taking charge of its destiny and its people" are her catch phrase.

As various African diplomats gear-up for the July Africa Union summit in Kigali, Rwanda, for Kazibwe to replace Dlamini-Zuma and sustain the women-rule at the echelons of AU, she has to beat off two male politicians and diplomats—Botswana's minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi and Mokuy Agapito Mba, the Equatorial Guinea's minister of foreign affairs.

Yet given her track record, Kazibwe believes that as Heads-of-State convene in Kigali to elect their chief executive (African Union Commission chairperson), she would emerge winner.

"Enormous as this task may be, my role as Uganda's Vice President from 1994 to 2003, taught me that nothing is insurmountable, given the many capable stakeholders and partners already committed to Africa's success," she said.

Writing about her legacy and why she is the best candidate for AU's top job, former State Minister for foreign affairs (in charge of regional cooperation), Asuman Kiyingi, said that apart from meeting all the stipulated requirements for the job, Kazibwe's cutting edge is enshrined in her visionary leadership, political credibility and shrewdness and good managerial skills.

"She has held top most positions both nationally, regionally and internationally, which have sufficiently exposed her and given her the required clout," he said.

Kazibwe, who is a member of the AU panel of the wise, served as a special envoy of the secretary general of the United Nations (UN) for HIV/AIDs in African for one year (2013-2014), a development which has helped her enrich the necessary diplomatic roots for the job.

Born 61 years ago in Iganga district, Kazibwe, argues that when she looks back at her journey, it can be equally stated that Uganda has nurtured her for the continent's top job.

Describing herself as "a Pan-Africanist", Kazibwe said that right from her days at Mount. St. Mary's College Namagunga and Makerere University where she trained as a surgeon, Uganda provided a solid foundation where her leadership skills have been horned and built. Kazibwe also holds a Phd in Global Health and Population from Harvard University.

Her story, some women argue, is that of an African woman's journey to the apex of the political arena, which has been an exclusive game of men for a long time.

"We are proud and privileged to have a woman of her caliber for such a strategic position in African Union. If she gets the job, it would be a cutting edge for women leadership in Uganda and it will also boost women empowerment in Africa," said Mercy Munduru, a gender activist, working with the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

Dokolo woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal, who has been Uganda's representative in the Pan-African parliament, an organ of African Union, said despite the fact that women in African have always lagged behind, the story of Kazibwe and the outgoing AU commission chairperson, Dlamini-Zuma, indicate that women have started to break the chains that had in the past blocked women access to the AU commission chairperson position.

"I am very proud that as Dlamini-Zuma goes out, another woman is coming up. I believe that Dr. Kazibwe will be able to fit in the shoes of Zuma. We need an aggressive woman who understands the plight of women in Africa. I feel that Kazibwe is very prepared, experienced, exposed and academically qualified for the job," she said, describing Kazibwe as "a sister" who she has shared with the political trenches of Uganda for over two decades.

To some Ugandans, the former Kigulu South MP character is a mixed bag of a humble person with a soft-heart on one hand but on the other, a very straight forward person who tells it as it is.

One of the journalists, Angelo Izama, said: "On my way to sit my O' level exams, I chanced upon her in Bugolobi market where my aunt run a small bar - stocked with Uganda Waragi- a vodka drink she liked. A political activist then and working Doctor at the same time, she would stop over to have a drink and talk about women, politics and the NRM. Hearing that I was a relative of her friend, she plucked a piece of paper and signed a "success card" for me. I never knew I would be a journalist and I am sure she never knew she would later be Vice President."

As expected, Kazibwe's bid has created mixed reactions among Ugandans, with some arguing that with all her problematic past, the lady, known to keep her trademark dreadlock hairstyle, would be the life that Uganda needs to influence the continent's agenda.

Denis Matanda said: "I have only known Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira for a few days; but in these few hours, I am almost certain that if she were elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, she'd make for an excellent Chief Executive and this continent's top civil servant; a compelling example of what Africa's daughters can really achieve if they are provided appropriate assets, atmosphere and avenues."

Highlights

Kazibwe's six areas of focus are peace building and conflict resolution (silencing guns on the continent by 2020), infrastructure development, resource moblisation, research, communication and people empowerment, member state and partner engagement and reinforcing existing African Union systems.

Kazibwe's slogan: A competent and through executive.

Main role of AU commission chairperson: Realising Africa's Agenda 2063, mobilise finances, oversee peace and security on the continent.

Criteria for selecting AU commission chair:  Level of education, experience, leadership, achievement, vision and strategy.

Ministerial positions held

  •     1994-2003: Vice President
  •     1994-1995: Constituent Assembly  (CA) delegate
  •     1993-1996: Minister for gender and community development
  •     1991-1993: Minister for women in development, culture and youth
  •     1996-1998: Minister for agriculture, animal industry and fisheries
  •     1989-1991: Ministry of industry and technology




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