Ugandans love charismatic leaders
Aug 05, 2010
<b>Reactions of the opposition, demonstrate weakness in national security<br></b><br>As we continue to grapple with the aftermath of the July 11 (7/11) bombings, Ugandans have elevated national security to the number one issue voters will base their decision to choose the next leader of governmen
By Awel Uwihanganye
As we continue to grapple with the aftermath of the July 11 (7/11) bombings, Ugandans have elevated national security to the number one issue voters will base their decision to choose the next leader of government in the 2011 elections.
The perception then, is that national security credentials of the likely leading candidates, Gen. Yoweri Museveni, and Col. Kiiza Besigye, will be an issue on voters’ minds.
Difference in opinion between the two on the deployment of UPDF peacekeeping troops in Somalia has become a yard stick in this debate, and will form the basis for public judgment of which leader will provide effective security guarantees.
Already there are indications that the opposition, through the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) will use the peacekeeping troop deployment in Somalia as a campaign issue. They argue that Uganda’s involvement in the AU mission to Somalia undermines rather than enhances national security. Ken Lukyamuzi and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, both of IPC, called for the immediate withdrawal of Ugandan troops from the AU mission after the July 11 bombings. There have also been disappointing statements from the official spokesperson of the Inter-Party Cooperation, Semujju Nganda, accusing the President of complicity in the attacks arguing that it is intended to curtail political freedoms. Nganda alleged that those around the President sacrificed innocent lives to justify his stay in power.
Unfortunately, for the opposition, this sentiment is out of tune with the public, and also with the key Western governments, who have been a focus in their anti-Museveni lobby.
The only progressive statement from the opposition came from the Democratic Party, through their spokesperson who called for a sober review of the AU mission, and declared solidarity with the Government and our troops.
The overall reactions of opposition leaders demonstrate weakness in matters of national security, and a limited understanding of security threats of this nature.
To preserve our peace and prosperity, Uganda requires a leader who is decisive, has a good grasp of the new forms of security challenges, and a good command of unconventional smart methods of war that will help to deter future terrorist attacks.
Besigye, the president of the Forum for Democratic Change, and also the likely candidate for the IPC, commands national security credentials by virtue of his background in the army, but has largely failed to command leadership of the opposition under the IPC framework to come out with a firm unified position on the state of our security, and how best to protect our country from the threat of terrorism. His statements since the tragedy do not give confidence of a steadfast leader in times of crisis. He initially offered support to the troops, expressed solidarity with the Government, only to flip flop on the issue, demanding that Uganda should withdraw from a conflict he characterised as a civil war, without giving clear solutions to the regional terrorist threat.
To his credit, President Museveni’s positions are consistent with his record as a pan-Africanist, and revolutionary leader committed to the liberation of Africa from any form of subjugation. His position in Somalia is no different from the position he took in 1989 giving sanctuary to ANC fighters where no other country was willing to risk bombardment by the apartheid South African airforce, as was the case in Angola where they forced the ANC to relocate.
Where a nation is yearning to restore national confidence, and a sense of security, President Museveni’s declaration of war against the al-Shabaab, and support from other AU member states to send in more troops, plays well in the prevailing public sentiment and projects him as a decisive leader the public looks to in a state of crisis.
Whether this public sentiment remains prevalent in favour of government will depend on how it remains accountable to the public, in terms of counter measures against any future threats, and intelligence services demonstrating capacity to protect.
It is important that opposition leaders desist from making statements that can undermine and expose our troops to attacks, or compromise our security at home.
The writer is a public relations and communications consultant
As we continue to grapple with the aftermath of the July 11 (7/11) bombings, Ugandans have elevated national security to the number one issue voters will base their decision to choose the next leader of government in the 2011 elections.
The perception then, is that national security credentials of the likely leading candidates, Gen. Yoweri Museveni, and Col. Kiiza Besigye, will be an issue on voters’ minds.
Difference in opinion between the two on the deployment of UPDF peacekeeping troops in Somalia has become a yard stick in this debate, and will form the basis for public judgment of which leader will provide effective security guarantees.
Already there are indications that the opposition, through the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) will use the peacekeeping troop deployment in Somalia as a campaign issue. They argue that Uganda’s involvement in the AU mission to Somalia undermines rather than enhances national security. Ken Lukyamuzi and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, both of IPC, called for the immediate withdrawal of Ugandan troops from the AU mission after the July 11 bombings. There have also been disappointing statements from the official spokesperson of the Inter-Party Cooperation, Semujju Nganda, accusing the President of complicity in the attacks arguing that it is intended to curtail political freedoms. Nganda alleged that those around the President sacrificed innocent lives to justify his stay in power.
Unfortunately, for the opposition, this sentiment is out of tune with the public, and also with the key Western governments, who have been a focus in their anti-Museveni lobby.
The only progressive statement from the opposition came from the Democratic Party, through their spokesperson who called for a sober review of the AU mission, and declared solidarity with the Government and our troops.
The overall reactions of opposition leaders demonstrate weakness in matters of national security, and a limited understanding of security threats of this nature.
To preserve our peace and prosperity, Uganda requires a leader who is decisive, has a good grasp of the new forms of security challenges, and a good command of unconventional smart methods of war that will help to deter future terrorist attacks.
Besigye, the president of the Forum for Democratic Change, and also the likely candidate for the IPC, commands national security credentials by virtue of his background in the army, but has largely failed to command leadership of the opposition under the IPC framework to come out with a firm unified position on the state of our security, and how best to protect our country from the threat of terrorism. His statements since the tragedy do not give confidence of a steadfast leader in times of crisis. He initially offered support to the troops, expressed solidarity with the Government, only to flip flop on the issue, demanding that Uganda should withdraw from a conflict he characterised as a civil war, without giving clear solutions to the regional terrorist threat.
To his credit, President Museveni’s positions are consistent with his record as a pan-Africanist, and revolutionary leader committed to the liberation of Africa from any form of subjugation. His position in Somalia is no different from the position he took in 1989 giving sanctuary to ANC fighters where no other country was willing to risk bombardment by the apartheid South African airforce, as was the case in Angola where they forced the ANC to relocate.
Where a nation is yearning to restore national confidence, and a sense of security, President Museveni’s declaration of war against the al-Shabaab, and support from other AU member states to send in more troops, plays well in the prevailing public sentiment and projects him as a decisive leader the public looks to in a state of crisis.
Whether this public sentiment remains prevalent in favour of government will depend on how it remains accountable to the public, in terms of counter measures against any future threats, and intelligence services demonstrating capacity to protect.
It is important that opposition leaders desist from making statements that can undermine and expose our troops to attacks, or compromise our security at home.
The writer is a public relations and communications consultant