Ogong got it very wrong
SIR — I would like to comment on Mr. Okot Ogong’s letter of April 20 in which he tried to explain why President Museveni lost in the northern Uganda.
SIR — I would like to comment on Mr. Okot Ogong’s letter of April 20 in which he tried to explain why President Museveni lost in the northern Uganda. Ogong explains that Museveni did not win in Teso and northern Uganda because he failed to restore peace in the latter region and people in Teso were not given big political posts.
I do not agree with him. Ogong glosses over the real issues. I have visited many parts of Uganda and I have rubbed shoulders with the local political elite from LC1 executives up to LC5 including the wananchi. I met ordinary people in health centres, bars, markets and discussed politics with them. There are vital issues we have to address to ensure the NRM performs better in future. Firstly, we have to understand the people we are dealing with before any approach is taken. For instance, Mbale people are generally not tribalistic. So to win the Mbale vote one should be conscious of the historical performance of Semei Kakungulu, a Muganda administrator. In Teso, people are still remembering their cows which were lost during the insurgency.
The blame has not been put on their sons who perpetuated the war but on the Government which is equated to Museveni. The President may appoint a Teso son or daughter to a big government post, which is good but this appointment will not bring any benefits to the appointing authority and the country in general unless Teso has been restocked. Some prominent Teso sons, who the NRM expected to stand on party tickets came as independents. The main issue to be addressed in Teso is cows.
Although Ogong wants us to believe to the contrary, this part of Uganda has ministers in the current government. Ministers, I believe, earn equal emoluments although their assignments are different. Despite this, the majority of voters did not vote the NRM. Why? Because these ministers did not advise the appointing authority on the people’s real concerns.
In Lira and Apac, Ogong should tell us that the Langi are still mourning the fall of their son Milton Obote from power instead of hiding behind the so-called lack of juicy political appointments. This fall is blamed on Museveni and the Baganda.
Our Acholi and West Nile brothers strongly believe that President Museveni caused the fall of their sons, Idi Amin, Milton Obote and Tito Okello.
That loss is the main reason why they have never publicly condemned the LRA and other rebel groups in north.
Cosmas Busima Mafabi
Budadiri
I do not agree with him. Ogong glosses over the real issues. I have visited many parts of Uganda and I have rubbed shoulders with the local political elite from LC1 executives up to LC5 including the wananchi. I met ordinary people in health centres, bars, markets and discussed politics with them. There are vital issues we have to address to ensure the NRM performs better in future. Firstly, we have to understand the people we are dealing with before any approach is taken. For instance, Mbale people are generally not tribalistic. So to win the Mbale vote one should be conscious of the historical performance of Semei Kakungulu, a Muganda administrator. In Teso, people are still remembering their cows which were lost during the insurgency.
The blame has not been put on their sons who perpetuated the war but on the Government which is equated to Museveni. The President may appoint a Teso son or daughter to a big government post, which is good but this appointment will not bring any benefits to the appointing authority and the country in general unless Teso has been restocked. Some prominent Teso sons, who the NRM expected to stand on party tickets came as independents. The main issue to be addressed in Teso is cows.
Although Ogong wants us to believe to the contrary, this part of Uganda has ministers in the current government. Ministers, I believe, earn equal emoluments although their assignments are different. Despite this, the majority of voters did not vote the NRM. Why? Because these ministers did not advise the appointing authority on the people’s real concerns.
In Lira and Apac, Ogong should tell us that the Langi are still mourning the fall of their son Milton Obote from power instead of hiding behind the so-called lack of juicy political appointments. This fall is blamed on Museveni and the Baganda.
Our Acholi and West Nile brothers strongly believe that President Museveni caused the fall of their sons, Idi Amin, Milton Obote and Tito Okello.
That loss is the main reason why they have never publicly condemned the LRA and other rebel groups in north.
Cosmas Busima Mafabi
Budadiri