Nsibambi’s Remarks On Bidandi’s Conduct Were Deliberately Distorted
Feb 05, 2003
Sir— When a New Vision reporter asked the Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, to respond to Bidandi Ssali’s comments on restoring multi-party politics, succession of President Museveni and other issues, he remarked that Bidandi Ssali was indisciplined because he had frequently violated Cabinet
Sir— When a New Vision reporter asked the Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, to respond to Bidandi Ssali’s comments on restoring multi-party politics, succession of President Museveni and other issues, he remarked that Bidandi Ssali was indisciplined because he had frequently violated Cabinet procedures. Since then, several MPs, writers like Humphrey Rugambanengwe (Monitor of February 3, page 15) and other political agitators have deliberately distorted Nsibambi’s position by, among other things, portraying him as having supported giving President Museveni a third term and the choking of public discussion on constitutional issues.
Those who understood the front-page story of The New Vision of January 23 must have noted that he did not take any stand on these issues because, according to him, Cabinet has not taken an official position. Nsibambi’s major concern was about Bidandi Ssali’s wrong procedure. Indeed, his concern was directed to all ministers who know that in order to avoid ministers giving conflicting views to the public, Cabinet appointed a sub-committee, chaired by the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs— to put together all the views of the Ministers which will be discussed by the Cabinet under the chairmanship of the President. Henceforth an agreed position will be communicated to the public.
In addition, it was widely circulated in the media that the President appointed a NEC committee, of which Bidandi Ssali is a member, to critically study the same issues and report to him its recommendations. When ministers like Bidandi Ssali frequently flout these procedures, they confuse the public and also weaken the Executive, because it is reflected as being a divided and an indisciplined organ of the State.
I wish to encourage the public to revisit The New Vision of January 23, where the Prime Minister was calling upon Bidandi Ssali to respect collective responsibility and proper procedure. In my view, this call applies to other ministers as well.
John Ochieng
Bugiri
Those who understood the front-page story of The New Vision of January 23 must have noted that he did not take any stand on these issues because, according to him, Cabinet has not taken an official position. Nsibambi’s major concern was about Bidandi Ssali’s wrong procedure. Indeed, his concern was directed to all ministers who know that in order to avoid ministers giving conflicting views to the public, Cabinet appointed a sub-committee, chaired by the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs— to put together all the views of the Ministers which will be discussed by the Cabinet under the chairmanship of the President. Henceforth an agreed position will be communicated to the public.
In addition, it was widely circulated in the media that the President appointed a NEC committee, of which Bidandi Ssali is a member, to critically study the same issues and report to him its recommendations. When ministers like Bidandi Ssali frequently flout these procedures, they confuse the public and also weaken the Executive, because it is reflected as being a divided and an indisciplined organ of the State.
I wish to encourage the public to revisit The New Vision of January 23, where the Prime Minister was calling upon Bidandi Ssali to respect collective responsibility and proper procedure. In my view, this call applies to other ministers as well.
John Ochieng
Bugiri