Why bigwigs lost north
Feb 27, 2006
THE presidential and parliamentary elections might be firmly behind us but what will remain in the minds of many is the manner in which the political tsunami swept across the ‘traditional’ opposition territory in northern Uganda, crushing perceived political heavyweights and sparing ‘novicesâ€
By James Odong
THE presidential and parliamentary elections might be firmly behind us but what will remain in the minds of many is the manner in which the political tsunami swept across the ‘traditional’ opposition territory in northern Uganda, crushing perceived political heavyweights and sparing ‘novices’.
At the presidential level, NRM’s President Yoweri Museveni must have been contented with his ‘usual’ below 20%, while his main challenger FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye basked in the glory of about 80%, leaving ‘political pretenders’ Miria Kalule Obote, Ssebaana Kizito and little known Dr. Abed Bwanika with almost nothing worth writing home about.
The hitherto mighty MPs, some of whom were considered untouchables in their constituencies, tumbled with a thud, sustaining injuries, which will take them another five or more years to heal.
Others had represented their electorate since time immemorial, thereby creating an impression that politics was a job and that unseating them was unthinkable.
But with just a tick or a thump print on a ballot paper, all that has now changed, so much so that while their colleagues from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party strongholds are celebrating their newfound fame as popularly elected MPs for the 8th Parliament, those in the north are crying all the way to their political oblivion.
Chief among the causalities is none other than the burly, no-nonsense and plain-speaking Lt. Gen. Moses Ali, the 1st Deputy Premier, who also doubles as Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
It’s ironical that the man, who has since 2001 been preparing the country for disasters and refugees, could be caught up in his own political disaster.
Ali’s defeat is significant in many ways. He has been in active politics since 1996 as 2nd Deputy Premier and minister of tourism, trade and industry. He is also the undisputed leader of the greater north, chairing the powerful Greater Northern Uganda Parliamentary Forum.
He is also the NRM vice-chairman for the region as well as the patron of the West Nile districts of Moyo, Arua, Yumbe, Adjumani, Nebbi (MAYAN) and the newly-created Koboko.
So powerful he has been that a mere mention of his name in any gathering of the West Nile community would send cold or warm chills down the spines of many, depending on which political divide they belonged.
He was, however, seen as a bully who wanted to have things done only his way.
Others accused him of blocking colleagues from the region from ascending the political ladder, citing the contests for party positions during the NRM primaries where he emerged the top northerner, to the chagrin of many.
Other political heavyweights in West Nile who have also succumbed to the democratic forces include gender minister Zoe Bakoku Bakoru, state minister for public service Okumu Ringa, the youthful but articulate Nusura Tiperu (Yumbe), Saidi Okuti Nasur and Betty Udongo Pacutho (Nebbi)
In the Acholi sub-region, ministers Betty Akech Okullo (security) and Henry Oryem Okello (international affairs) together with their NRM colleagues Richard Todwong, Jane Akwero Odwong (Kitgum), Owiny Dollo (Agago) and Jalon Olobo (Aruu) were quickly consigned to political dustbins.
What was surprising, however, was the unexpected and humiliating defeat of the UPC candidate Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro).
Liked by both the NRM and multipartyists almost in equal measure, the fiery legislator’s method of work coupled with a strong sense of independence was misunderstood by the electorate right from the beginning.
They subsequently nicknamed him Lanywen, a derogative Luo word meaning one who confuses others. Matters were not helped by the fact that as chairman of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, he handled the kisanja Bill (the Constitutional Amendment (No.2) Bill which lifted the term limits, giving President Yoweri Museveni a clean bill of political health. Many believed Oulanyah’s political heart had shifted to the NRM.
Pader Woman MP Santa Okot, who was relegated to 3rd position, experienced a double jeopardy, having decided to stand as an independent when she had earlier suffered a humiliating defeat in the NRM primaries by little known C.D. Luwila.
FDC vice-president Prof. Ogenga Latigo easily shoved off former minister Owiny-Dollo to retain his Agago seat.
In Lango, the politically witty minister for youth and child affairs Felix Okot Ogong survived by a whisker, following a gruesome campaign during which his main challenger, Okello Okello, sustained a heated and fairly convincing battle against him.
“My politics is all embracing. I practise politics based on a firm foundation of advocacy for peace, security and development for our people. I have been able to coordinate many government programmes in the constituency in particular and the Lango sub-region in general. I have also been transparent in dealing with the issues that affect my people and I interact closely and frequently with my people and they like me for that and they see me as their hope.
In fact, I could have got more votes it if were not for the political differences,†Ogong said on Friday.
The positive aspect of this political ‘massacre’ in the region is the general acceptance of defeat by most of the losers. This, in itself, is a victory not only for the democratic process in the country, but it is also an indicator that the elections were generally perceived as free and fair.
The challenge to the NRM party now is how to win over the north, which has continued to be a political headache.
Stopping the LRA war and returning the displaced people to their homes is a MUST starting point.
Arguably, Gen. Salim Saleh, more than anyone else, understands best how to bring the north on board.
“We need to work hard on the attitude of the people of northern Uganda,†he said on Friday.
THE presidential and parliamentary elections might be firmly behind us but what will remain in the minds of many is the manner in which the political tsunami swept across the ‘traditional’ opposition territory in northern Uganda, crushing perceived political heavyweights and sparing ‘novices’.
At the presidential level, NRM’s President Yoweri Museveni must have been contented with his ‘usual’ below 20%, while his main challenger FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye basked in the glory of about 80%, leaving ‘political pretenders’ Miria Kalule Obote, Ssebaana Kizito and little known Dr. Abed Bwanika with almost nothing worth writing home about.
The hitherto mighty MPs, some of whom were considered untouchables in their constituencies, tumbled with a thud, sustaining injuries, which will take them another five or more years to heal.
Others had represented their electorate since time immemorial, thereby creating an impression that politics was a job and that unseating them was unthinkable.
But with just a tick or a thump print on a ballot paper, all that has now changed, so much so that while their colleagues from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party strongholds are celebrating their newfound fame as popularly elected MPs for the 8th Parliament, those in the north are crying all the way to their political oblivion.
Chief among the causalities is none other than the burly, no-nonsense and plain-speaking Lt. Gen. Moses Ali, the 1st Deputy Premier, who also doubles as Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
It’s ironical that the man, who has since 2001 been preparing the country for disasters and refugees, could be caught up in his own political disaster.
Ali’s defeat is significant in many ways. He has been in active politics since 1996 as 2nd Deputy Premier and minister of tourism, trade and industry. He is also the undisputed leader of the greater north, chairing the powerful Greater Northern Uganda Parliamentary Forum.
He is also the NRM vice-chairman for the region as well as the patron of the West Nile districts of Moyo, Arua, Yumbe, Adjumani, Nebbi (MAYAN) and the newly-created Koboko.
So powerful he has been that a mere mention of his name in any gathering of the West Nile community would send cold or warm chills down the spines of many, depending on which political divide they belonged.
He was, however, seen as a bully who wanted to have things done only his way.
Others accused him of blocking colleagues from the region from ascending the political ladder, citing the contests for party positions during the NRM primaries where he emerged the top northerner, to the chagrin of many.
Other political heavyweights in West Nile who have also succumbed to the democratic forces include gender minister Zoe Bakoku Bakoru, state minister for public service Okumu Ringa, the youthful but articulate Nusura Tiperu (Yumbe), Saidi Okuti Nasur and Betty Udongo Pacutho (Nebbi)
In the Acholi sub-region, ministers Betty Akech Okullo (security) and Henry Oryem Okello (international affairs) together with their NRM colleagues Richard Todwong, Jane Akwero Odwong (Kitgum), Owiny Dollo (Agago) and Jalon Olobo (Aruu) were quickly consigned to political dustbins.
What was surprising, however, was the unexpected and humiliating defeat of the UPC candidate Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro).
Liked by both the NRM and multipartyists almost in equal measure, the fiery legislator’s method of work coupled with a strong sense of independence was misunderstood by the electorate right from the beginning.
They subsequently nicknamed him Lanywen, a derogative Luo word meaning one who confuses others. Matters were not helped by the fact that as chairman of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, he handled the kisanja Bill (the Constitutional Amendment (No.2) Bill which lifted the term limits, giving President Yoweri Museveni a clean bill of political health. Many believed Oulanyah’s political heart had shifted to the NRM.
Pader Woman MP Santa Okot, who was relegated to 3rd position, experienced a double jeopardy, having decided to stand as an independent when she had earlier suffered a humiliating defeat in the NRM primaries by little known C.D. Luwila.
FDC vice-president Prof. Ogenga Latigo easily shoved off former minister Owiny-Dollo to retain his Agago seat.
In Lango, the politically witty minister for youth and child affairs Felix Okot Ogong survived by a whisker, following a gruesome campaign during which his main challenger, Okello Okello, sustained a heated and fairly convincing battle against him.
“My politics is all embracing. I practise politics based on a firm foundation of advocacy for peace, security and development for our people. I have been able to coordinate many government programmes in the constituency in particular and the Lango sub-region in general. I have also been transparent in dealing with the issues that affect my people and I interact closely and frequently with my people and they like me for that and they see me as their hope.
In fact, I could have got more votes it if were not for the political differences,†Ogong said on Friday.
The positive aspect of this political ‘massacre’ in the region is the general acceptance of defeat by most of the losers. This, in itself, is a victory not only for the democratic process in the country, but it is also an indicator that the elections were generally perceived as free and fair.
The challenge to the NRM party now is how to win over the north, which has continued to be a political headache.
Stopping the LRA war and returning the displaced people to their homes is a MUST starting point.
Arguably, Gen. Salim Saleh, more than anyone else, understands best how to bring the north on board.
“We need to work hard on the attitude of the people of northern Uganda,†he said on Friday.