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Auditing conduct of social affairs rests on us all
At several recent interactions across the country with surviving associates since our early periods in the country’s politics, there has been mounting public perplexity at the various actions and quoted pronouncements on social media attributed to PLU, writes James Magode Ikuya
James Magode Ikuya. (File)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By James Magode Ikuya
Many contemporaries of our early times within the NRM Historical Leaders’ Forum have been raising their eyebrows at some happenings in our society.
At several recent interactions across the country with surviving associates since our early periods in the country’s politics, there has been mounting public perplexity at the various actions and quoted pronouncements on social media attributed to PLU.
Most particularly, my contemporaries of mine in Mbale, greying from their long attachment to our struggles, have on many occasions accosted me to explain why we, who occupy offices by the mandate bestowed on the NRM, seem to be gravitating towards abdicating governance of the country to a shadowy outfit.
Thus, I have been continuously drawn to recap the hopes we have always espoused in our hearts. Only by a clear grasp of such facts can inquirers be enabled to weigh whether the texture and inclinations exemplified by the implied PLU conform with our long-held agenda for the country.
Prior to the formal registration of NRMO in 2003, President Museveni, then named the Convenor, held meetings that deliberated on the features of a party to be launched in the politics for the country. This was in anticipation of the enactment of a multi-party-political system after the operating Movement system had been proposed to be ended.
In those early meetings, many may recall the concerns dear to us. During one of the sessions, I sought an earnest consideration of a searching question: whether in our seeking to form the NRM party we were readily baptising the baby we had already nurtured from our earlier struggles, or we were stolidly discarding the earlier begotten baby in favour of one from a new concubinage.
There was immediate uproar, heckling at my suggestion. It became clear that many amongst us were more eager to get on with forming structures offering offices to be filled than engaging in prolonged discourse over the direction to be espoused.
In the end, we settled for prompt constitution of ranks of elected officials. Within and under the fold of the mainstream structures, we provided for the formation of special interest groups, identified as leagues for voicing the specifics of different special interests.
Due to my own special interest in the ideals for which there had been many sacrifices during the years of insurrection, I supported the inclusion of leaders of the different political groups who participated in their different ways in struggles to rid the country of past infamy. This allowed the establishment of a platform named the NRM Historical Leaders’ Forum.
The intention was not a claim for hegemony by earlier participants in NRM over any newer others; nor was it to exclude anyone from leadership of NRM. It was merely for auditing political conduct, reminding instituted leaders in NRM to maintain their earned reputation and observance of etiquette by those exercising the label of NRM.
On several occasions, the PLU, which embraces several prominent figures in Government has been lauded to be a pressure group against corruption. Some people have been shrugging off any expressed alarm at PLU sallies.
In those early meetings, many may recall the concerns dear to us. During one of the sessions, I sought an earnest consideration of a searching question: whether in our seeking to form the NRM party we were readily baptising the baby we had already nurtured from our earlier struggles, or we were stolidly discarding the earlier begotten baby in favour of one from a new concubinage.
There was immediate uproar, heckling at my suggestion. It became clear that many amongst us were more eager to get on with forming structures offering offices to be filled than engaging in prolonged discourse over the direction to be espoused.
In the end, we settled for prompt constitution of ranks of elected officials. Within and under the fold of the mainstream structures, we provided for the formation of special interest groups, identified as leagues for voicing the specifics of different special interests.
Due to my own special interest in the ideals for which there had been many sacrifices during the years of insurrection, I supported the inclusion of leaders of the different political groups who participated in their different ways in struggles to rid the country of past infamy. This allowed the establishment of a platform named the NRM Historical Leaders’ Forum.
The intention was not a claim for hegemony by earlier participants in NRM over any newer others; nor was it to exclude anyone from leadership of NRM. It was merely for auditing political conduct, reminding instituted leaders in NRM to maintain their earned reputation and observance of etiquette by those exercising the label of NRM.
On several occasions, the PLU, which embraces several prominent figures in Government has been lauded to be a pressure group against corruption. Some people have been shrugging off any expressed alarm at PLU sallies.
Indeed, pressure groups are not strange or foreign to politics. They presuppose the legitimacy of debating and articulating aspects of interests which may differ within a common program.
Yet, the PLU has been carrying on like a bloodhound to NRM organs. It has proclaimed a Presidential candidate for the next general elections; the decision-making of organs of the NRM and procedures for the announcement of such an event have not been invoked.
A most senior UPDF military officer has been named a contestant for the Presidency. Long-respected precepts crafted by the NRM prohibit servicemen from such contests; this was why, following the abeyance of the Movement system, General Museveni had to retire from military epaulettes to be eligible for multiparty elections.
The very involvement of UPDF officers in electoral contests is fraught with peril. The discipline and cohesion of the UPDF risk frightful anarchy of warlordism when rivalling different serving commanders of armed formations become free to vie for office against each other.
Politics by military officers is sustainable only when power is exercised by a unified command without reference to any electioneering. Even then, the situation of the people may turn gravely dire; during the eight-year rule of the military under Idi Amin, many Ugandans ended up as feeds for crocodiles and wild dogs.
Our appeal to the criers of PLU is for them to reconsider the slippery path they are likely to drag the country into. They should instead opt for regularising their status as a legitimate NRM organ subject to recognised party procedures or register as a separate party under the law.
Those who hanker for the seat of a Bishop should first adhere to the creed of the Bible scriptures; open revelry in pork joints is inconsistent with wearing the garb of a Sheikh of the Islamic faith.
The writer is the State Minister for East African Community Affairs
Yet, the PLU has been carrying on like a bloodhound to NRM organs. It has proclaimed a Presidential candidate for the next general elections; the decision-making of organs of the NRM and procedures for the announcement of such an event have not been invoked.
A most senior UPDF military officer has been named a contestant for the Presidency. Long-respected precepts crafted by the NRM prohibit servicemen from such contests; this was why, following the abeyance of the Movement system, General Museveni had to retire from military epaulettes to be eligible for multiparty elections.
The very involvement of UPDF officers in electoral contests is fraught with peril. The discipline and cohesion of the UPDF risk frightful anarchy of warlordism when rivalling different serving commanders of armed formations become free to vie for office against each other.
Politics by military officers is sustainable only when power is exercised by a unified command without reference to any electioneering. Even then, the situation of the people may turn gravely dire; during the eight-year rule of the military under Idi Amin, many Ugandans ended up as feeds for crocodiles and wild dogs.
Our appeal to the criers of PLU is for them to reconsider the slippery path they are likely to drag the country into. They should instead opt for regularising their status as a legitimate NRM organ subject to recognised party procedures or register as a separate party under the law.
Those who hanker for the seat of a Bishop should first adhere to the creed of the Bible scriptures; open revelry in pork joints is inconsistent with wearing the garb of a Sheikh of the Islamic faith.
The writer is the State Minister for East African Community Affairs