Miria is a God-send
Jan 16, 2006
In the past years I was silent because other political parties were not allowed to participate in politics. We were literally shut out of the political arena. Sometimes I wasn’t completely silent though. I would write in the newspapers when I felt there was something to respond to. I didn’t have
By Adoko Nekyon
In the past years I was silent because other political parties were not allowed to participate in politics. We were literally shut out of the political arena. Sometimes I wasn’t completely silent though. I would write in the newspapers when I felt there was something to respond to. I didn’t have a platform to speak out on.
I am now active. The campaign for our (UPC) candidate, Miria Obote is going on fine. We are not yet talking about our chances. We want members to concentrate on campaigning.
The UPC Members of Parliament that are standing as independent candidates are a negligible number. It’s just six out of the whole country. Interestingly, some stood against Miria and were defeated. Under a democratic system when you lose, accept defeat and work with the winning candidate. Why are UPC supporters standing as independents only from Lango?
Dr Obote is no more. Miria as a member of the party was free to stand. She was elected in a free election before press cameras and on an open table. In electing her, members were thinking about unifying the party and reviving it after many years in limbo. There was need for someone who has not participated in the wrangles that rocked the party. And having moved with her across the country, she is a God send as the best bridge to link Buganda and the rest of the country. Secondly, her candidature gives the first opportunity to the women of Uganda. They have been complaining and now they get a real leader. It’s up to the women to pick up this opportunity or not.
About an alliance by parties, the G-6 was formed for purposes of fighting the incumbent government in order to remove illegal obstacles. We did that by going to court together and registered several victories. There was no agreement that after those battles we would go into elections together as one party. In other words, the G-6 was a ‘Co-operative Movement’ founded for a limited purpose.
Dr Kizza Besigye came to my house before he was arrested and put the idea of a single candidate to me. After he was arrested G-6 co-ordinator, Chapaa Karuhanga, came over and posed the same question. I said we have no problem with that except they should remember that in 1996 UPC didn’t field a candidate. We supported DP’s Dr Paul Ssemogerere (under IPFC) who didn’t win. In 2001 we also didn’t field a candidate and supported Besigye under Reform Agenda. In rural areas we cultivate gardens in turns called alea (labour cooperation). I told Besigye UPC has already done alea for DP, Reform Agenda (or FDC) and it is their turn to do alea for us. He said he had no problem with that but they have never come back to me. We don’t want UPC to become a voting party. It was formed to go to power and form government. DP has not reciprocated our gesture. They have fielded Sebaana Kizito.
Discrimination against poor candidates is disturbing us. When you have a degree from outside Uganda it has to be verified by the NCHE. It costs sh750,000. This has caused a number of candidates to drop off. On top of that you need sh200,000 for nomination. It’s expensive. What is the money for. Is it not for pushing out some people. Elections should not be for the rich only. The poor should also afford to participate in the management of their country. During our time, ‘O’ Level was called Cambridge Overseas School Certificate and everybody knows that. But it has to be verified. The huge sum of money favours political parties which have a lot of money to sponsor their candidates.
I am perturbed because I feel all newspapers including New Vision are against us (UPC). When Miria is campaigning they photograph her to give the impression that she is alone. Even the press is trying to rig the elections. In Kitgum, Gulu, Nebbi and Lango region, the crowds were incredible. The whole tour in Teso was hardly reported. When they (journalists) go they capture her standing as if she is in a beauty contest. And they write “Miria meets Teso people.†She is contesting, not meeting people. We believe national newspapers should give a balanced reporting of all candidates. We are not asking for favours but fair reporting.
In Amuria Miria broke down because it was her first contact with IDP camps. It’s deplorable. But she has been brave. She went to Karamoja even where brave men would fear. Our campaign programme is rolling on well.
The author is a UPC official
As told to Henry Mukasa
In the past years I was silent because other political parties were not allowed to participate in politics. We were literally shut out of the political arena. Sometimes I wasn’t completely silent though. I would write in the newspapers when I felt there was something to respond to. I didn’t have a platform to speak out on.
I am now active. The campaign for our (UPC) candidate, Miria Obote is going on fine. We are not yet talking about our chances. We want members to concentrate on campaigning.
The UPC Members of Parliament that are standing as independent candidates are a negligible number. It’s just six out of the whole country. Interestingly, some stood against Miria and were defeated. Under a democratic system when you lose, accept defeat and work with the winning candidate. Why are UPC supporters standing as independents only from Lango?
Dr Obote is no more. Miria as a member of the party was free to stand. She was elected in a free election before press cameras and on an open table. In electing her, members were thinking about unifying the party and reviving it after many years in limbo. There was need for someone who has not participated in the wrangles that rocked the party. And having moved with her across the country, she is a God send as the best bridge to link Buganda and the rest of the country. Secondly, her candidature gives the first opportunity to the women of Uganda. They have been complaining and now they get a real leader. It’s up to the women to pick up this opportunity or not.
About an alliance by parties, the G-6 was formed for purposes of fighting the incumbent government in order to remove illegal obstacles. We did that by going to court together and registered several victories. There was no agreement that after those battles we would go into elections together as one party. In other words, the G-6 was a ‘Co-operative Movement’ founded for a limited purpose.
Dr Kizza Besigye came to my house before he was arrested and put the idea of a single candidate to me. After he was arrested G-6 co-ordinator, Chapaa Karuhanga, came over and posed the same question. I said we have no problem with that except they should remember that in 1996 UPC didn’t field a candidate. We supported DP’s Dr Paul Ssemogerere (under IPFC) who didn’t win. In 2001 we also didn’t field a candidate and supported Besigye under Reform Agenda. In rural areas we cultivate gardens in turns called alea (labour cooperation). I told Besigye UPC has already done alea for DP, Reform Agenda (or FDC) and it is their turn to do alea for us. He said he had no problem with that but they have never come back to me. We don’t want UPC to become a voting party. It was formed to go to power and form government. DP has not reciprocated our gesture. They have fielded Sebaana Kizito.
Discrimination against poor candidates is disturbing us. When you have a degree from outside Uganda it has to be verified by the NCHE. It costs sh750,000. This has caused a number of candidates to drop off. On top of that you need sh200,000 for nomination. It’s expensive. What is the money for. Is it not for pushing out some people. Elections should not be for the rich only. The poor should also afford to participate in the management of their country. During our time, ‘O’ Level was called Cambridge Overseas School Certificate and everybody knows that. But it has to be verified. The huge sum of money favours political parties which have a lot of money to sponsor their candidates.
I am perturbed because I feel all newspapers including New Vision are against us (UPC). When Miria is campaigning they photograph her to give the impression that she is alone. Even the press is trying to rig the elections. In Kitgum, Gulu, Nebbi and Lango region, the crowds were incredible. The whole tour in Teso was hardly reported. When they (journalists) go they capture her standing as if she is in a beauty contest. And they write “Miria meets Teso people.†She is contesting, not meeting people. We believe national newspapers should give a balanced reporting of all candidates. We are not asking for favours but fair reporting.
In Amuria Miria broke down because it was her first contact with IDP camps. It’s deplorable. But she has been brave. She went to Karamoja even where brave men would fear. Our campaign programme is rolling on well.
The author is a UPC official
As told to Henry Mukasa