The former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, has said he still belongs to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) because he substantially contributed to the formulation of its principles and policies.

He made the remarks while addressing a press conference at his residence in Kololo, an upscale Kampala suburb, on Wednesday (February 16).

The press conference was about the launch of the African Global Security Foundation on February 13 in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, by the six African presidents of Congo-Brazzaville, DR Congo, Togo, Mauritania, Senegal and Uganda.

Mbabazi was appointed by the six leaders as the chairman of this foundation. 

Fielding questions on reports of torture in the country, Mbabazi, who is also the former NRM secretary-general, said torture is unacceptable and a breach of their law.

“You know I belong to NRM (for those who don’t know) because I subscribe to the principles and policies of NRM. I substantially contributed to the formulation of these (principles and policies) and one of the things we fought for is freedom for our people irrespective of what political opinion you have,” he said.

He stated that they subscribe to the idea of having a peaceful society ruled by law so that they live in peace.

“Torture is not a civilized way of doing anything. It was used extensively in Idi Amin’s time and we attributed that to their incapacity to do an effective job as a state. And I believe the government of NRM and certainly NRM does not subscribe to torture and I have heard the Government condemn it and I think they should continue to do so and take strong and effective measures to stop it if it is happening because I am speaking theoretically,” he said.

Acting as a beginner

Mbabazi, who unsuccessfully challenged President Yoweri Museveni in the 2016 elections, started his conference on a lighter note.  

"This is the first time in more than six years that I am meeting the press, so I will act as a beginner. Let me give you a tip. Those of you who come from places where you didn’t have an opportunity to learn how to swim, when you are a beginner start at the shallow end and not the deep end because it is not safe. So today being the beginning of my interaction with you, I hope there will be more interactions in the future. I just have a statement to read and I will read it and if you have any question related to the subject, I will be happy to answer it, but I will reserve other matters for another time,” he said.

Mbabazi noted that one of the reasons why states exist and the central mission of the African Union and indeed the United Nations is maintenance of peace and security.

“This can be accomplished by all parties working together to prevent conflict by creating conditions that allow peace to hold and to flourish. This, in turn, can only be achieved when systems and mechanisms are put in place to determine the existence of threats to peace,” he said.

About the foundation

Mbabazi explained that the foundation was set up by the founding member states of Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo and Uganda.

“It is, of course, open to all African states that subscribe to its objectives and are willing to participate in it. The foundation will be giving security briefings to member states through their established organs to provide insights to help members make sense of the changes happening in the region and the world,” he said.

He said this will hopefully contribute to the shaping of member states foreign and security policies in the increasingly dynamic environment and help build a safer and more stable region and world.

“The primary focus of the foundation will be on member states' security and international affairs, and how to improve the safety of the member states,” he said.

Mbabazi also noted that the international order is undergoing far-reaching and rapid changes and they must find their place in the world where competition has become a key driving force.

“International politics are being rapidly reshaped. We need to have deep insights into these developments and determine how we, as members of the group, can best navigate the fast changing international environment. The foundation will offer decision makers global, independent and strategic insights and innovative ideas that advance international peace,” he stated.

He also said they would partly benefit from the available information in open sources, from State agencies and also have a core group of their own thinkers of diverse disciplines and perspectives.

“The foundation will provide analysis and insight on the medium and long term security threats and provide ideas on the setting up of autonomous capacity that gives resilience against any external threat as well as protecting and consolidating the members integrity,” Mbabazi said.

The headquarters of the foundation will be Dakar and it will also operate from the capitals of the member states. 

Meetings with Museveni

Mbabazi and President Museveni were recently in Senegal for a one-day working visit at the invitation of President Macky Sall, who is the current chairperson of the African Union.

When Mbabazi attended the 39th Tarehe Sita celebrations in Nakaseke district on February 6, 2020 it seemed President Museveni's efforts to bring him back to the NRM fold had paid off.

Museveni and Mbabazi exchanged smiles and shook hands during the celebrations at Nakaseke district headquarters in Butalangu town as former Vice-President Prof Gilbert Bukenya, who was at the centre, looked on.

This was the third time he (Mbabazi) was meeting the President in a period of less than two months.

The first was at Museveni's farm in Kisozi and later in Togo, West Africa, where the President was attending a two-day Africa-France Summit on drug trafficking and counterfeit medicines on the continent.

Before this, the last time people had seen Mbabazi and Museveni together was at the Kuhingira (give-away ceremony) of the former's niece, Bridget Birungi to Andile

Ramaphosa, the first-born son of South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, in August 2018.

Mbabazi said the give-away ceremony was an opportunity for him to catch up with his former comrades. He, however, said he was not about to return to the Government.

He also said being out of government would not affect his relationship with his comrades, which spans over 40 years.