We should be more accountable â€" Byanyima
Dec 03, 2008
Question: Have you left politics completely or do you have plans to come back and stand? Answer: I am currently working in International development through my global work, I am learning different approaches that can be applied to fight poverty and inequality successfully. At some point, I will retu
Question: Have you left politics completely or do you have plans to come back and stand? Answer: I am currently working in International development through my global work, I am learning different approaches that can be applied to fight poverty and inequality successfully. At some point, I will return to serve my country.
In recent months, the issue of Minister Amama Mbabazi having sold his Temangalo land to NSSF attracted a hot debate in the country, what is your take on it?
What is important for a developing country like Uganda is to strengthen accountability in public institutions. That means zero tolerance to corruption both in the bureaucracy and among politicians.
How do you see Uganda in 2011 in terms of democracy, international relations with other countries and East African Federation?
For the East African Federation project to be successful, the five countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) should move steadily to establishing similar governance standards and norms both in politics and in the economy. For example, in terms of democratic development, some core principles of democracy should be adhered to, freedom of the press, regular free and fair elections, respect of the law by citizens and the state.
On the economic front — the role of the state in regulating the economy should be the same in the five countries for there to be one common market.
A common market means the executive branch would not have such a free hand in the management of the economy because some powers would be surrendered to the East African level. For instance, every government would be required to respect the independence of its central bank.
What do you think is the possible direction or outcome of the rebel leader Joseph Kony versus Uganda government peace deal?
In my opinion, the most important challenges the Government faces today are to end the Kony rebellion, restore security and reconstruct northern Uganda, including Teso.
Since the beginning of this rebellion, a whole generation of children has lost a future. This is not an Acholi issue but a serious issue of national concern. It is a regional problem and requires a regional solution that has strong support from the international community.
The press this week reported that political appointees are paid higher than technocrats in Uganda. What does this mean?
Since the 1990s, there have been several ways of public administration in Uganda, some of them successful some of them less so. For example, Uganda’s decentralisation was held up as a success in Africa. However, when it comes to pay reform, the country still faces some challenges.
When the FDC chairman Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu died, party envoy Betty Kamya asserted that the seat was for Buganda. What is your take on this?
It is not good to bring issues of ethnicity into national issues. A politician should not shroud bad behaviour with issues of national concern such as poverty, security, employment, access to education and health. Such behaviour polarises political discourse and leaves little room for compromise.
In Uganda we see murders, especially of children related to rituals, increasing. How can this be controlled? Uganda has a very progressive Constitution that protects the rights of children, people with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
The country has a Children’s Act and other laws that should be invoked to punish such horrendous crimes. Ending impunity is important but not enough; there is a need for outreach programmes to educate and sensitise people on human rights and, in particular, the rights of women and children.
Facts about Byanyima
-An aeronautic engineer
-Twice the MP for Mbarara
Municipality in the 6th and 7th Parliament
-She headed the Forum for Women in Development
Was a director of information at the NRM Secretariat
-She is the second born of the former national chairman of the Democratic Party, Boniface Byanyima
-Wife to president of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party, Dr Kizza Besigye
As told to Felix Basiime
In recent months, the issue of Minister Amama Mbabazi having sold his Temangalo land to NSSF attracted a hot debate in the country, what is your take on it?
What is important for a developing country like Uganda is to strengthen accountability in public institutions. That means zero tolerance to corruption both in the bureaucracy and among politicians.
How do you see Uganda in 2011 in terms of democracy, international relations with other countries and East African Federation?
For the East African Federation project to be successful, the five countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) should move steadily to establishing similar governance standards and norms both in politics and in the economy. For example, in terms of democratic development, some core principles of democracy should be adhered to, freedom of the press, regular free and fair elections, respect of the law by citizens and the state.
On the economic front — the role of the state in regulating the economy should be the same in the five countries for there to be one common market.
A common market means the executive branch would not have such a free hand in the management of the economy because some powers would be surrendered to the East African level. For instance, every government would be required to respect the independence of its central bank.
What do you think is the possible direction or outcome of the rebel leader Joseph Kony versus Uganda government peace deal?
In my opinion, the most important challenges the Government faces today are to end the Kony rebellion, restore security and reconstruct northern Uganda, including Teso.
Since the beginning of this rebellion, a whole generation of children has lost a future. This is not an Acholi issue but a serious issue of national concern. It is a regional problem and requires a regional solution that has strong support from the international community.
The press this week reported that political appointees are paid higher than technocrats in Uganda. What does this mean?
Since the 1990s, there have been several ways of public administration in Uganda, some of them successful some of them less so. For example, Uganda’s decentralisation was held up as a success in Africa. However, when it comes to pay reform, the country still faces some challenges.
When the FDC chairman Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu died, party envoy Betty Kamya asserted that the seat was for Buganda. What is your take on this?
It is not good to bring issues of ethnicity into national issues. A politician should not shroud bad behaviour with issues of national concern such as poverty, security, employment, access to education and health. Such behaviour polarises political discourse and leaves little room for compromise.
In Uganda we see murders, especially of children related to rituals, increasing. How can this be controlled? Uganda has a very progressive Constitution that protects the rights of children, people with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
The country has a Children’s Act and other laws that should be invoked to punish such horrendous crimes. Ending impunity is important but not enough; there is a need for outreach programmes to educate and sensitise people on human rights and, in particular, the rights of women and children.
Facts about Byanyima
-An aeronautic engineer
-Twice the MP for Mbarara
Municipality in the 6th and 7th Parliament
-She headed the Forum for Women in Development
Was a director of information at the NRM Secretariat
-She is the second born of the former national chairman of the Democratic Party, Boniface Byanyima
-Wife to president of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party, Dr Kizza Besigye
As told to Felix Basiime