Discordant views should be handled now or never!

SIR— The call on lifting the ban on political party activities acquired more vigour recently, when First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Eriya Kategaya spoke out, for opening up for free political party activity in the country. “I think we should open up and if you are defeated on fair ground, it’s okay,” he was quoted as saying, in the story “Free parties, says Kategaya” in The New Vision, November 20. He was speaking as chief guest at a party to congratulate Maj-Gen Mugisha Muntu and UPC’s Yona Kanyomozi who were recently elected to the E.A. Legislative Assembly. Kategaya has since been joined by some Movement heavy weights Bidandi Ssali, James Wapakhabulo, Maj John Kazoora and now Francis Babu and former Prime Minister Kintu Musoke, among others. What is rather disappointing is how their remarks seem to bring discord in what they have previously said about the same subject when it was raised by confessed pluralists like Aggrey Awori. Furthermore, it suggests that there is internal disagreement within the Movement leadership over this principle, let alone that cabinet does not even meet to discuss such pertinent issues to come out with government position. For not any of the heavy weights who have spoken, claims his remarks about parties reflect government position. This leaves the rest of us “the voiceless” with a lot of questions, especially when the former national political commissars of the Movement sounds the bells in this manner. lCan we think that, like former national political commissar Dr Kiiza Besigye, Messrs Kategaya, Wapakhabulo and Bidandi have lacked forum at which to air out these views? l Why not wait for NEC to discuss the position of the Movement, as this is an issue which should not be handled carelessly since it is causing panic in society? Debating the political future of our country is such a good thing that should be given priority. There is no doubt that time for considering the return to party politics may have come. But if it is mishandled, be sure there are people in Uganda who are good at fishing in troubled waters. It’s not impossible to return to the old order. The Constitution empowers the people to decide on major issues, including the way they want to be governed, and precisely they have done this (The June 2000 referendum). Ugandans chose the Movement for the next five years. Is this the way, (through the media) Ugandans are going to be consulted over whether to return to parties? If this is the time to debate the return to political parties, our leaders know it and the cabinet is capable of coming out with guidelines on how to go about it, and possibly they are doing this. Kategaya has always believed in consultation. It is hoped that this will be the trend, and that the remarks that have hitherto been made by honourables are out of conviction, rather than personal grievance. As it were, discordant remarks start coming when one feels his or her views are not being taken seriously. It is not too late. Basiima Mukiga Makerere University