People want me to contest for presidency â€" Byanyima
Aug 17, 2005
Former Mbarara Municipality MP, <b>Eng. Winnie Byanyima</b> took a break from national politics to do advocacy work at the African Union (AU), where she heads the Directorate of Women, Gender and Development. <b>Henry Mukasa</b> caught up with her at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa last month. Be
Former Mbarara Municipality MP, Eng. Winnie Byanyima took a break from national politics to do advocacy work at the African Union (AU), where she heads the Directorate of Women, Gender and Development. Henry Mukasa caught up with her at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa last month. Below are excerpts.
Question: What kind of work do you do here at the Africa Union?
I am involved in setting up the directorate of women, gender and development, designing its structure and programmes and also working on the gender agenda of the Africa Union heads of state. They have to find a way of pushing and implementing it at the country level.
We want to harmonise our practice in promotion of gender equality within the organs of the AU. The body has several organs, the Commission, the Pan African Parliament and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, but we have found that there are different gender standards, targets and strategies being applied. We are trying to have one value.
How do you find life in Ethiopia?
Life here is so different from my very busy, public life in Uganda and I am really enjoying it. I enjoy waking up in the morning without finding myself in the newspapers.
So, is it like a break from your past hectic political life?
Absolutely. I have a lot of time for my son (Anselm) I am seeing it as a sabbatical. It’s a wonderful break.
Do you visit your husband in South Africa (Col. Dr Kiiza Besigye) or he comes over?
Sometimes when I am on mission, I get a chance to stop and see him and he also comes here. It’s sad that he cannot go back to Uganda because of the political problems in our country. But I hope he returns soon.
He keeps sending messages that he will come back soon --- the way he went?
He must return. I am actually very
angry that anyone,
not just my husband should have to flee
the country. I had hoped that we had put that behind us. I am doing everything possible for him to return.
How are you lobbying?
I talk to anybody who matters. The AU is a powerful corridor in Africa; it’s more powerful than Museveni’s corridor. Now, we are sitting here but you will see… It just happens that it’s July-August, but if it was April or another month, you would see a president emerging from an office or the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. So, I tell whoever matters, not only about my husband but Ugandans who have run away … that they should help make the environment safe for everyone.
You used to be active in Reform Agenda (RA), why not in Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) since almost all former members of RA are now in FDC?
At the moment, my job is not compatible with partisan politics. I have to manage a programme that promotes gender equality on the continent, so, I cannot afford to take sides in a partisan political debate. Even when I join political debates at a continental level, I can only talk about issues like debt, trade, market access but not take sides.
How about national politics?
I can talk about conflicts but without showing which side I belong to. I can comment on political situations but not in a partisan way.
What role should we expect you to play in future politics of Uganda?
I am studying the situation closely. I am in touch with many political activists at home. And you would be surprised how many people are pushing me to contest in next year’s presidential elections. So, I am thinking about it.
Will you stand on the FDC ticket, ?
I told you I am not commenting in a partisan way. I can only say that that people are asking me to contest.
Which people or what political party is asking you?
I have told you I cannot go that far.
Do you have a comment on the election of Salaamu Musumba as FDC chairperson?
I cannot comment on that because it is a partisan issue. But from the perception of a gender activist, this was a step in the right direction. Africa needs more women leading political parties, making decisions for the future of their countries.
What about Anne Mugisha’s resignation from FDC?
It’s unfortunate that she resigned and will not be in the leadership of FDC. I think it’s a big loss to FDC. She is a very dynamic, brilliant and smart woman. Her disengagement left a big gap.
There have been some political developments in Uganda; the Third Term debate, Brig Henry Tumukunde’s arrest and the hullabaloo about Col. Fred Bogere’s abstention during voting on the Third Term Bill. What do you make of all this?
In modern democracies, armies are part of the executive branch and are not represented in parliament. Although in post-conflict situations some countries have opted to put the armies in parliament as a means of reducing conflicts, and I think that was the spirit in Uganda. But as time has gone on, there have been contradictions. Parliamentarians debate openly on issues. They are not delegates, they are representatives and speak according to their understanding of the issue at hand. They are supposed to be honest. However, in the army, it is a ‘command and control’ structure and you are not supposed to have opinions. Instead you are supposed to obey instructions. So, the contradictions were
bound to happen.
And the third term?
I don’t have very strong views on term limits. I think they make sense in Africa because our democracies are new, weak and quite flawed. So, term limits ensuring that the executive doesn’t manipulate the electoral process for the (incumbent) to stay in power. But I don’t have very strong views on that because I know you need to have other checks and balances to have leaders who are accountable. I would have preferred that Ugandan politicians focus more on issues that are more critical for that young democracy; how to develop a military that is non-partisan, and insulate the political process from military intervention. To me, that’s the most fundamental question.
Parliament passed a resolution of Government creating 20 more districts. This will also create 20 new woman MPs. Do you think the role of women in Uganda’s politics is increasing?
It’s not just numbers. You need a critical mass of women to realise some change. There should also be space within which you can articulate gender concerns; issues like violence against women, discrimination and care for HIV/AIDS… These are personal problems. It’s not easy to bring them in the political context, unless you have other rights like freedom of expression and the capacity to articulate them and support from men, the media. The numbers are welcome, but much more is still needed. If the political space is constrictive, they may be many but might not have the freedom and capacity to articulate their concerns.The numbers have to go hand in hand with democratic values.
What’s your appeal to politicians back home?
All politicians should focus on people’s needs and not where they lose or gain in the power game. They should address, poverty, conflict, HIV/AIDS and inequality in society. People are looking at who is going to win the coming Parliamentary elections, but whether it’s Winnie or Henry in office what does the ordinary citizen gain?
How is Anselm?
He is very well. He has finished kindergarten.
Don’t you think Anselm becomes bored when you come to work here at AU the whole day?
He has an agenda. When I come to work, he goes to school.
And when he comes back?
He goes for tennis, plays music (on a piano). He has his agenda.
Don’t you think he needs a young sister or brother?
Ishah Allah!
Question: What kind of work do you do here at the Africa Union?
I am involved in setting up the directorate of women, gender and development, designing its structure and programmes and also working on the gender agenda of the Africa Union heads of state. They have to find a way of pushing and implementing it at the country level.
We want to harmonise our practice in promotion of gender equality within the organs of the AU. The body has several organs, the Commission, the Pan African Parliament and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, but we have found that there are different gender standards, targets and strategies being applied. We are trying to have one value.
How do you find life in Ethiopia?
Life here is so different from my very busy, public life in Uganda and I am really enjoying it. I enjoy waking up in the morning without finding myself in the newspapers.
So, is it like a break from your past hectic political life?
Absolutely. I have a lot of time for my son (Anselm) I am seeing it as a sabbatical. It’s a wonderful break.
Do you visit your husband in South Africa (Col. Dr Kiiza Besigye) or he comes over?
Sometimes when I am on mission, I get a chance to stop and see him and he also comes here. It’s sad that he cannot go back to Uganda because of the political problems in our country. But I hope he returns soon.
He keeps sending messages that he will come back soon --- the way he went?
He must return. I am actually very
angry that anyone,
not just my husband should have to flee
the country. I had hoped that we had put that behind us. I am doing everything possible for him to return.
How are you lobbying?
I talk to anybody who matters. The AU is a powerful corridor in Africa; it’s more powerful than Museveni’s corridor. Now, we are sitting here but you will see… It just happens that it’s July-August, but if it was April or another month, you would see a president emerging from an office or the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. So, I tell whoever matters, not only about my husband but Ugandans who have run away … that they should help make the environment safe for everyone.
You used to be active in Reform Agenda (RA), why not in Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) since almost all former members of RA are now in FDC?
At the moment, my job is not compatible with partisan politics. I have to manage a programme that promotes gender equality on the continent, so, I cannot afford to take sides in a partisan political debate. Even when I join political debates at a continental level, I can only talk about issues like debt, trade, market access but not take sides.
How about national politics?
I can talk about conflicts but without showing which side I belong to. I can comment on political situations but not in a partisan way.
What role should we expect you to play in future politics of Uganda?
I am studying the situation closely. I am in touch with many political activists at home. And you would be surprised how many people are pushing me to contest in next year’s presidential elections. So, I am thinking about it.
Will you stand on the FDC ticket, ?
I told you I am not commenting in a partisan way. I can only say that that people are asking me to contest.
Which people or what political party is asking you?
I have told you I cannot go that far.
Do you have a comment on the election of Salaamu Musumba as FDC chairperson?
I cannot comment on that because it is a partisan issue. But from the perception of a gender activist, this was a step in the right direction. Africa needs more women leading political parties, making decisions for the future of their countries.
What about Anne Mugisha’s resignation from FDC?
It’s unfortunate that she resigned and will not be in the leadership of FDC. I think it’s a big loss to FDC. She is a very dynamic, brilliant and smart woman. Her disengagement left a big gap.
There have been some political developments in Uganda; the Third Term debate, Brig Henry Tumukunde’s arrest and the hullabaloo about Col. Fred Bogere’s abstention during voting on the Third Term Bill. What do you make of all this?
In modern democracies, armies are part of the executive branch and are not represented in parliament. Although in post-conflict situations some countries have opted to put the armies in parliament as a means of reducing conflicts, and I think that was the spirit in Uganda. But as time has gone on, there have been contradictions. Parliamentarians debate openly on issues. They are not delegates, they are representatives and speak according to their understanding of the issue at hand. They are supposed to be honest. However, in the army, it is a ‘command and control’ structure and you are not supposed to have opinions. Instead you are supposed to obey instructions. So, the contradictions were
bound to happen.
And the third term?
I don’t have very strong views on term limits. I think they make sense in Africa because our democracies are new, weak and quite flawed. So, term limits ensuring that the executive doesn’t manipulate the electoral process for the (incumbent) to stay in power. But I don’t have very strong views on that because I know you need to have other checks and balances to have leaders who are accountable. I would have preferred that Ugandan politicians focus more on issues that are more critical for that young democracy; how to develop a military that is non-partisan, and insulate the political process from military intervention. To me, that’s the most fundamental question.
Parliament passed a resolution of Government creating 20 more districts. This will also create 20 new woman MPs. Do you think the role of women in Uganda’s politics is increasing?
It’s not just numbers. You need a critical mass of women to realise some change. There should also be space within which you can articulate gender concerns; issues like violence against women, discrimination and care for HIV/AIDS… These are personal problems. It’s not easy to bring them in the political context, unless you have other rights like freedom of expression and the capacity to articulate them and support from men, the media. The numbers are welcome, but much more is still needed. If the political space is constrictive, they may be many but might not have the freedom and capacity to articulate their concerns.The numbers have to go hand in hand with democratic values.
What’s your appeal to politicians back home?
All politicians should focus on people’s needs and not where they lose or gain in the power game. They should address, poverty, conflict, HIV/AIDS and inequality in society. People are looking at who is going to win the coming Parliamentary elections, but whether it’s Winnie or Henry in office what does the ordinary citizen gain?
How is Anselm?
He is very well. He has finished kindergarten.
Don’t you think Anselm becomes bored when you come to work here at AU the whole day?
He has an agenda. When I come to work, he goes to school.
And when he comes back?
He goes for tennis, plays music (on a piano). He has his agenda.
Don’t you think he needs a young sister or brother?
Ishah Allah!