Nabwiso doesn’t have to walk to Parliament anymore

Oct 05, 2005

There is excitement in Jinja town. People converge at the roadside like nimbus clouds gather before a downpour. Excitement fills the atmosphere with dozens of boda bodas leading a procession.

By Robert Kanusu

There is excitement in Jinja town. People converge at the roadside like nimbus clouds gather before a downpour. Excitement fills the atmosphere with dozens of boda bodas leading a procession.

Bells are ringing, people waving tree branches and others whistling. There was a traffic jam in the town.

“Dr. Frank Nabwiso has acquired a bicycle,” one of the boda bodas shouted.

“Bambi! He has left the parliamentary habitual pedestrians’ club and can now reach parliament in time,” a spectator sympathised.

As the procession approaches, Nabwiso, donning a suit, rides a new heavy-duty Jupiter bicycle. He carries his political assistant and waves at his fans and would-be sympathisers. He is not bothered by the critics. “How can an MP ride a bicycle?” a shocked onlooker asks.

Nabwiso was given the bicycle during a press conference at the The First African Bicycle Information Office (FABIO) headquarters, to ease his mobility. With his usual composure, he sparkled with amazement as the speaker praised him for persistently footing to parliament.

The speaker described him as poor, an advocate of non-motorised means of transport and the most successful MP. “We take pleasure in recognising the Kagoma county MP for his continuous support of non-motorised transport,” the FABIO programme manager, Patrick Kayemba, remarked.

No sooner had the hand-over ceremony ended than Nabwiso jumped onto the bicycle for a test ride. The moment he gained balance, boda bodas joined him along the streets, displaying his achievement.

“This is a big achievement. I am going to ride the bicycle to the Inspector General of Government, declare it and ask her to allow me use it,” he said. Nabwiso said the bicycle would make it easier for him to consult his constituents on house matters.

He had been walking to parliament and using public means for long distances, a habit that many term as ‘conservatism’. For him, championing the problems of the poor matters most.

In a country where superiority is associated with accumulating wealth, Nabwiso’s example is a challenge to African leaders. He is famous for castigating them for spending more time on improving living conditions for the already rich people.

“We have to change our mentality if we are to take our country a step ahead by sacrificing some of the privileges.

“For instance, cabinet ministers acquiring posh vehicles, the recruitment of a 10,000 presidential guard brigade and duplication of services salvaged in appointing many people with titles to do the same job,” the holder of a doctorate of Philosophy remarks.

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