FDC may suffer same fate as DP in 1960s
Nov 23, 2006
HONOURABLE Prof. Ogenga Latigo should not feel embarrassed for being Leader of Opposition in Parliament when he is not the top leader of FDC. It is not his choice. He is a product of historical imperatives.
By Tarsis Kabwegyere
HONOURABLE Prof. Ogenga Latigo should not feel embarrassed for being Leader of Opposition in Parliament when he is not the top leader of FDC. It is not his choice. He is a product of historical imperatives.
Latigo was the obvious choice; anybody recognises that he can say what he wants clearly, never mind his style! His capacity to learn and perform in response to circumstances is above his peers in the opposition.
Latigo cannot have an easy time in Parliament because of the history of FDC and, therefore, conditions beyond his control. He won a seat in Parliament and Dr. Besigye, the top FDC leader, did not win the presidency. He sits outside Parliament. It is Latigo, not Besigye, who has the historical duty to talk and answer in Parliament. Latigo is not the type that can keep quiet or allow someone else to speak because he fears to make a mistake! For that, I regard him highly.
I don’t see him walking out to ring Besigye to consult him on what to say each time a matter arises for his intervention nor would this be advisable or practical. He therefore can only use his sixth sense. Besigye cannot be physically present to be Latigo’s guide in Parliament.
Like Besigye, President Museveni does not sit in Parliament. Do they suffer the same fate? No. Museveni has a state machinery to help him keep abreast with what the Leader of Government has to say and do. Much of the work in Parliament comes from government which he heads. Cabinet processes what is brought to Parliament. It is clear who is to do or defend what. The president can be in Parliament anytime he deems it necessary. Besigye does not have this right. Latigo is a bull in the kraal. Can he lead the herd?
The late Bazil Bataringaya was a very brilliant man. I invited him to Ntare School and he talked very effectively on the role of the opposition. I was president of the History Society. Soon after his Ntare visit he crossed to UPC. As a DP supporter at the time, I was surprised.
However, I soon learnt that he was a very frustrated man. As Leader of the Opposition, he didn’t get on well with the DP party boss, Ben Kiwanuka. The only political arena available at that time was Parliament unlike now when Besigye can go everywhere he wants and address the people (a good thing).
Never frustrate a brilliant person. He or she will rebel. It is very likely that Bazil Bantaringaya saw no future in being a dummy. Was he right to act the way he did? Was it good for Ugandan politics?
Give the answer you want. But remember every human being has to make a decision. He walked away. DP wobbled until it collapsed.
Boniface Byanyima and his group remained in Parliament on the DP ticket and kept the fort but were unable to save DP from collapsing.
Internal political party intolerance and top political party leadership outside Parliament cannot work for party durability. There was some suggestion that Besigye should get a seat from his stronghold areas by one giving it to him. That was socio-historically unworkable.
The dilemma that faces FDC, which yesterday faced DP, is how to get the party leader in Parliament, not a mere spokesperson. Suppose Ogenga resigns, who will be next? It can be Nandala Mafabi or someone else but the problem will still remain. Can anybody in Parliament be Besigye’s mind? Impossible.
What about Hon. Beti Kamya who wants to reach her people through projects that can tap a national budget, but by inviting ministers to her constituency she is accused of betrayal? What should she do? Just look on and do nothing? Hon. Kamya wants to leave a legacy.
Will FDC avoid the footsteps of DP? Only time will tell.
The writer is the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees
HONOURABLE Prof. Ogenga Latigo should not feel embarrassed for being Leader of Opposition in Parliament when he is not the top leader of FDC. It is not his choice. He is a product of historical imperatives.
Latigo was the obvious choice; anybody recognises that he can say what he wants clearly, never mind his style! His capacity to learn and perform in response to circumstances is above his peers in the opposition.
Latigo cannot have an easy time in Parliament because of the history of FDC and, therefore, conditions beyond his control. He won a seat in Parliament and Dr. Besigye, the top FDC leader, did not win the presidency. He sits outside Parliament. It is Latigo, not Besigye, who has the historical duty to talk and answer in Parliament. Latigo is not the type that can keep quiet or allow someone else to speak because he fears to make a mistake! For that, I regard him highly.
I don’t see him walking out to ring Besigye to consult him on what to say each time a matter arises for his intervention nor would this be advisable or practical. He therefore can only use his sixth sense. Besigye cannot be physically present to be Latigo’s guide in Parliament.
Like Besigye, President Museveni does not sit in Parliament. Do they suffer the same fate? No. Museveni has a state machinery to help him keep abreast with what the Leader of Government has to say and do. Much of the work in Parliament comes from government which he heads. Cabinet processes what is brought to Parliament. It is clear who is to do or defend what. The president can be in Parliament anytime he deems it necessary. Besigye does not have this right. Latigo is a bull in the kraal. Can he lead the herd?
The late Bazil Bataringaya was a very brilliant man. I invited him to Ntare School and he talked very effectively on the role of the opposition. I was president of the History Society. Soon after his Ntare visit he crossed to UPC. As a DP supporter at the time, I was surprised.
However, I soon learnt that he was a very frustrated man. As Leader of the Opposition, he didn’t get on well with the DP party boss, Ben Kiwanuka. The only political arena available at that time was Parliament unlike now when Besigye can go everywhere he wants and address the people (a good thing).
Never frustrate a brilliant person. He or she will rebel. It is very likely that Bazil Bantaringaya saw no future in being a dummy. Was he right to act the way he did? Was it good for Ugandan politics?
Give the answer you want. But remember every human being has to make a decision. He walked away. DP wobbled until it collapsed.
Boniface Byanyima and his group remained in Parliament on the DP ticket and kept the fort but were unable to save DP from collapsing.
Internal political party intolerance and top political party leadership outside Parliament cannot work for party durability. There was some suggestion that Besigye should get a seat from his stronghold areas by one giving it to him. That was socio-historically unworkable.
The dilemma that faces FDC, which yesterday faced DP, is how to get the party leader in Parliament, not a mere spokesperson. Suppose Ogenga resigns, who will be next? It can be Nandala Mafabi or someone else but the problem will still remain. Can anybody in Parliament be Besigye’s mind? Impossible.
What about Hon. Beti Kamya who wants to reach her people through projects that can tap a national budget, but by inviting ministers to her constituency she is accused of betrayal? What should she do? Just look on and do nothing? Hon. Kamya wants to leave a legacy.
Will FDC avoid the footsteps of DP? Only time will tell.
The writer is the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees