It’s no secret: The Movement split began when Besigye stood for the presidency
May 20, 2003
THE debate on the lifting of the presidential two-term limit is heating up and becoming more interesting by the day
Midweek Opinion with John Kakande
THE debate on the lifting of the presidential two-term limit is heating up and becoming more interesting by the day.
Whatever the outcome, the saga may determine the country’s future political direction and whether the Movement will remain the dominant political force throughout this decade. It is crucial, therefore, that those in charge of Government, handle this matter in a sober and civil manner so as not to derail the democratisation process.
It is no secret any more that the Movement is split. The proposal to lift the presidential two-term limit, the so-called third term, is the immediate cause of the split, but should not be taken as the fundamental problem.
Uninterrupted, prolonged stay in power always has inherent problems. This split poses to the Movement a far more serious challenge than what it faced when Col. Dr Kizza Besigye decided to run against President Yoweri Museveni during the 2001 presidential elections.
Besigye’s move to contest against Museveni was the first major split in the Movement since 1986. Besigye failed in his bid because he did not get the endorsement of heavy-weights in the Movement. But by the 2001 elections, many Movement leaders and MPs were already unhappy with the direction the Movement was taking.
Besigye, it appears, thought that all the Movement dissenters would rally behind him and effect change of leadership.
Unfortunately for Besigye, many Movement dissenters chickened out at the critical hour. They instead opted to support Museveni’s re-election.
Movement cadres, including scores of MPs who earlier were very critical of Museveni, opportunistically chose, for their own political survival, either to lie low or to distance themselves from or even actively campaign against Besigye.
Ssenyondo (Besigye) ended up drawing much of his support from the traditional opposition, composed of multipartyists. Although his bid failed, Besigye shook the Movement.
Surprisingly, the Movement’s top leadership, after successfully emerging from the bruising fight with the Besigye group, never took stock of the situation and how to heal the widening internal division. The third-term row within the Movement is concrete proof of widening internal rift.
It is too early to tell how the matter will end, but indications appear to suggest that the Movement leadership may be facing an internal revolt, involving some senior cadres, including Eriya Kategaya, Bidandi Ssali, Amanya Mushega and scores of MPs.
The Movement leadership has two options. One option is to carry out a purge of the Movement to get rid of dissenters. The other is to yield to the demands of the dissenters, which includes dropping the third term proposal.
Judging from the recent statements by President Yoweri Museveni and some loyalists in the Movement, a purge within the Movement ranks is on the horizon.
But remember, there will be a price to pay!
THE debate on the lifting of the presidential two-term limit is heating up and becoming more interesting by the day.
Whatever the outcome, the saga may determine the country’s future political direction and whether the Movement will remain the dominant political force throughout this decade. It is crucial, therefore, that those in charge of Government, handle this matter in a sober and civil manner so as not to derail the democratisation process.
It is no secret any more that the Movement is split. The proposal to lift the presidential two-term limit, the so-called third term, is the immediate cause of the split, but should not be taken as the fundamental problem.
Uninterrupted, prolonged stay in power always has inherent problems. This split poses to the Movement a far more serious challenge than what it faced when Col. Dr Kizza Besigye decided to run against President Yoweri Museveni during the 2001 presidential elections.
Besigye’s move to contest against Museveni was the first major split in the Movement since 1986. Besigye failed in his bid because he did not get the endorsement of heavy-weights in the Movement. But by the 2001 elections, many Movement leaders and MPs were already unhappy with the direction the Movement was taking.
Besigye, it appears, thought that all the Movement dissenters would rally behind him and effect change of leadership.
Unfortunately for Besigye, many Movement dissenters chickened out at the critical hour. They instead opted to support Museveni’s re-election.
Movement cadres, including scores of MPs who earlier were very critical of Museveni, opportunistically chose, for their own political survival, either to lie low or to distance themselves from or even actively campaign against Besigye.
Ssenyondo (Besigye) ended up drawing much of his support from the traditional opposition, composed of multipartyists. Although his bid failed, Besigye shook the Movement.
Surprisingly, the Movement’s top leadership, after successfully emerging from the bruising fight with the Besigye group, never took stock of the situation and how to heal the widening internal division. The third-term row within the Movement is concrete proof of widening internal rift.
It is too early to tell how the matter will end, but indications appear to suggest that the Movement leadership may be facing an internal revolt, involving some senior cadres, including Eriya Kategaya, Bidandi Ssali, Amanya Mushega and scores of MPs.
The Movement leadership has two options. One option is to carry out a purge of the Movement to get rid of dissenters. The other is to yield to the demands of the dissenters, which includes dropping the third term proposal.
Judging from the recent statements by President Yoweri Museveni and some loyalists in the Movement, a purge within the Movement ranks is on the horizon.
But remember, there will be a price to pay!