A year of hot by-elections and continued party wrangles
Dec 30, 2008
The year 2008 posed particular challenges to almost all political groups in the country. In almost all political parties, there were internal squabbles, defections and allegations that some members were ‘bought.’
The year 2008 posed particular challenges to almost all political groups in the country. In almost all political parties, there were internal squabbles, defections and allegations that some members were ‘bought.’
Overall, no particular party can claim to have had a very successful 2008,writes Joshua Kato.
If winning bye-elections is a measure of success, then NRM had it. Of the 10 by-elections held in the year, NRM swept eight. However, it is worth noting that these bye-elections were mainly replacing NRM candidates whose elections were in many cases nullified by courts.
In fact, in one in Buikwe, the NRM lost their hitherto held seat, after Anthony Mukasa was defeated by DP`s Dr. Lulume Bayiga. FDC and DP have been equally embroiled in internal squabbles, while those in UPC are no longer news.
NRM.
This has been a mixed year for the party. Of course, the succession issue has gradually come into the light, as the year ended. However, President Yoweri Museveni seemed to be in control. Every time things seemed to over boil, he would call a meeting with not only the party’s top leadership, but also the parliamentary caucus and cool issues off.
Trying moments for the Movement included the creation of the Land amendments bill that has controversially pitted the NRM against Buganda and the Temangalo/NSSF land saga, both of which threatened to split the party.
The word, “Rebel MPs†became more pronounced, with NRM legislators Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda) dubbed ‘rebels’ for persistently making comments against the official party stand.
These squabbles will continue into the New Year and the ‘rebels’ may be expelled from the party.
Very little progress has been made in enhancing the party grassroots structures, which is blamed on top party officials.
The Bye-elections.
Of the 10 parliamentary bye-elections, Kalungu’s and Kyadondo Norths’ were the most challenging for the NRM.
Although it won both, Umur Lule Mawiya (Kalungu) and Robert Kasule Ssebunya (Kyadondo North), the winning margins were narrow – less than a 1,000 votes in Kalungu and just 64 in Kyadondo.
It was in Kalungu and Kyadondo that divisions amongst political parties became more pronounced.
In Kalungu, while the NRM put up only one candidate, Lule Mawiya, the opposition DP fielded Mukasa Mbidde and FDC Joseph Kakembo, thus splitting the opposition votes.
The same happened in Kyadondo. Had the opposition put up a single candidate in both constituencies, probably they would have earned some victories.
There are three bye-elections coming up in the first months of 2009. Of these, NRM will easily win the Isingiro and the Sembabule women MP seats, but will have to work extra hard to win the Bujumba bye-elections.
Later in the year, a bye-election may be held for the Mukono North seat. This will be the bye-election of 2009, since it will put vocal DP publicist and Buganda royalist Betty Namboze against the might of the NRM.
The major parties.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
The FDC witnessed the most conflict during 2008.
In fact, it should be the year that they must rather not think about. The party’s failures are seen in the fact that they did not win any bye-elections in the country.
Even UPC can boast of winning in Oyam. Therefore, they do not have any measure of success on the grounds of winning an election.
And this is the year when internal differences within the party have threatened to break it apart. It started with the death of party chairman Hajji Sulaiman Kiggundu.
Finding a replacement has been a daunting task that the position has not been filled to date. Lubaga North MP Beti Kamya, hitherto, an FDC envoy wanted a Muganda to take over the seat.
However, she was stopped and labeled sectarian by some party members. Although FDC got more votes in Buganda than in the west, the top party leadership has got fewer recognizable Baganda, than those from the west. In fact, this is why finding a worthy replacement for Kiggundu from Buganda is a problem.
The scenario prompted Beti Kamya to make a statement that was never expected to come from such a top party supporter. “As far as internal party democracy is concerned, FDC is worse than NRM,†she said.
Kamya now faces disciplinary action by the party over her critical remarks.
Grassroots elections in Buganda were interrupted as a result of these squabbles. The situation was not helped by the fact that sections of the FDC in Buganda were divided.
Maracha MP and former FDC defence secretary, Alex Onzima has since quit. Prediction, 2009 will be the year to find a successor to Besigye. Beti Kamya will still be a factor in the party. Voices of opposition to Besigye`s leadership will continue from within the party this year.
During the planned delegates conference in February 2009, new names to replace him will be fronted, but given the man he is, he will still be the party candidate, come 2011.
Overall, no particular party can claim to have had a very successful 2008,writes Joshua Kato.
If winning bye-elections is a measure of success, then NRM had it. Of the 10 by-elections held in the year, NRM swept eight. However, it is worth noting that these bye-elections were mainly replacing NRM candidates whose elections were in many cases nullified by courts.
In fact, in one in Buikwe, the NRM lost their hitherto held seat, after Anthony Mukasa was defeated by DP`s Dr. Lulume Bayiga. FDC and DP have been equally embroiled in internal squabbles, while those in UPC are no longer news.
NRM.
This has been a mixed year for the party. Of course, the succession issue has gradually come into the light, as the year ended. However, President Yoweri Museveni seemed to be in control. Every time things seemed to over boil, he would call a meeting with not only the party’s top leadership, but also the parliamentary caucus and cool issues off.
Trying moments for the Movement included the creation of the Land amendments bill that has controversially pitted the NRM against Buganda and the Temangalo/NSSF land saga, both of which threatened to split the party.
The word, “Rebel MPs†became more pronounced, with NRM legislators Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda) dubbed ‘rebels’ for persistently making comments against the official party stand.
These squabbles will continue into the New Year and the ‘rebels’ may be expelled from the party.
Very little progress has been made in enhancing the party grassroots structures, which is blamed on top party officials.
The Bye-elections.
Of the 10 parliamentary bye-elections, Kalungu’s and Kyadondo Norths’ were the most challenging for the NRM.
Although it won both, Umur Lule Mawiya (Kalungu) and Robert Kasule Ssebunya (Kyadondo North), the winning margins were narrow – less than a 1,000 votes in Kalungu and just 64 in Kyadondo.
It was in Kalungu and Kyadondo that divisions amongst political parties became more pronounced.
In Kalungu, while the NRM put up only one candidate, Lule Mawiya, the opposition DP fielded Mukasa Mbidde and FDC Joseph Kakembo, thus splitting the opposition votes.
The same happened in Kyadondo. Had the opposition put up a single candidate in both constituencies, probably they would have earned some victories.
There are three bye-elections coming up in the first months of 2009. Of these, NRM will easily win the Isingiro and the Sembabule women MP seats, but will have to work extra hard to win the Bujumba bye-elections.
Later in the year, a bye-election may be held for the Mukono North seat. This will be the bye-election of 2009, since it will put vocal DP publicist and Buganda royalist Betty Namboze against the might of the NRM.
The major parties.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
The FDC witnessed the most conflict during 2008.
In fact, it should be the year that they must rather not think about. The party’s failures are seen in the fact that they did not win any bye-elections in the country.
Even UPC can boast of winning in Oyam. Therefore, they do not have any measure of success on the grounds of winning an election.
And this is the year when internal differences within the party have threatened to break it apart. It started with the death of party chairman Hajji Sulaiman Kiggundu.
Finding a replacement has been a daunting task that the position has not been filled to date. Lubaga North MP Beti Kamya, hitherto, an FDC envoy wanted a Muganda to take over the seat.
However, she was stopped and labeled sectarian by some party members. Although FDC got more votes in Buganda than in the west, the top party leadership has got fewer recognizable Baganda, than those from the west. In fact, this is why finding a worthy replacement for Kiggundu from Buganda is a problem.
The scenario prompted Beti Kamya to make a statement that was never expected to come from such a top party supporter. “As far as internal party democracy is concerned, FDC is worse than NRM,†she said.
Kamya now faces disciplinary action by the party over her critical remarks.
Grassroots elections in Buganda were interrupted as a result of these squabbles. The situation was not helped by the fact that sections of the FDC in Buganda were divided.
Maracha MP and former FDC defence secretary, Alex Onzima has since quit. Prediction, 2009 will be the year to find a successor to Besigye. Beti Kamya will still be a factor in the party. Voices of opposition to Besigye`s leadership will continue from within the party this year.
During the planned delegates conference in February 2009, new names to replace him will be fronted, but given the man he is, he will still be the party candidate, come 2011.