Two Movement historicals: Jaberi Bidandi Ssali

Mar 09, 2003

In the last few months, Movement Vice-Chairman Al-hajji Moses Kigongo and <b>Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali</b> have been calling for change in the Movement. Kigongo is on a country-wide tour to purify it, while Bidandi has consistently called for the Movement to become a party.

In the last few months, Movement Vice-Chairman Al-hajji Moses Kigongo and Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali have been calling for change in the Movement. Kigongo is on a country-wide tour to purify it, while Bidandi has consistently called for the Movement to become a party. Joshua Kato profiles the two Movement historicals

Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali
Ssekanyolya (the grey crane) has one of the tallest necks among the bird species. It uses this neck to locate its prey far away. It also uses this neck to see its enemies from a distance, before taking evasive action.

Both friends and foe have christened Jaberi Bidandi Ssali ‘Ssekanyolya.’ The soft-spoken politician is reputed for seeing danger from a distance and prophesying it. Like ssekanyolya, he is willing to take on his enemies, including snakes. His very tall neck combines with his more than 40 years’ experience in politics to create a resoundingly principled man.

Bidandi is a politician who has danced in the jaws of controversy, while yet steering away from the light of confrontation. Because of this he is one of the most misunderstood politicians in Uganda today: “Because he always speaks out his mind on controversial issues many people tend to misunderstand him, thus judging whatever he is saying with suspicion,” a friend of his says.

Along with Eriya Kategaya, he began a campaign two years ago. He has been louder. Now that President Museveni has hinted at opening up the political space, ‘Ssekanyolya,’ saw it years ago.

In 2002 Bidandi complained of intrigue and malice from people in the Movement who wanted him to resign, because of what they called his ‘disorganisation of the Movement elections.’

Earlier, he had been selected by President Yoweri Museveni to head the National Elections committee for Movement district chairmen and councillors.

“They are creating stories left, right and centre,” he complained. Apparently, the group wanted to destroy his image in the eyes of the President. But he remained focussed because “the President knew the truth.” He knew that his colleagues had not understood him. His was a matter of principle.

When thousands of Baganda marched to the International Conference Centre to demand for federalism, Bidandi said he was not going to support federo in Parliament: “As a father of the decentralisation system, there is no way I can kill it by supporting federo,” he says, but promised not to fight against it in the house either: “I would rather go to the toilet and allow it to pass so that by the time I come back, it is over,” he said.

During the 1994-95 Constitution debate, Bidandi introduced decentralisation as an alternative to federo. Many Baganda were angered. Among them was Yusuf Nsubuga Nsambu, member of the Conservative Party: “Until Bidandi is dead, Buganda will never get federo,” Nsambu said, before adding, “ It is a pity that God collected all the hatred and jealousies that he would have given to 5,000 people and put it in Bidandi’s head.”

Such fiery statements have not affected his principles and his pride in his child, decentralisation: “Everyone is proud of his own children. I am proud of my own child too,” he says.

He adds: “No body, no force can reverse decentralisation.”

At the peak of the tender conflict in St. Balikuddembe and Nakasero markets, Bidandi sided with the traders against KCC, openly criticising the manner in which the tender was awarded.

Bidandi prophesied that problems lie ahead if the tender was awarded in that manner. Only two months later, the winners of the tenders are complaining that they cannot pay the money in the agreement. Bidandi saw this coming.

Bidandi is one of the oldest politicians in Uganda today. He started as a member of the Uganda Peoples Congress in the 60s. During his time in UPC, he was one of the most vocal youth.

When Obote was overthrown in 1971, Bidandi joined the struggle to overthrow Amin.

Towards the 1980 elections he joined Yoweri Museveni and others to start the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) for which he was Secretary General. He campaigned for Uganda Patriotic Movement throughout the elections. When they were rigged, Museveni went to the bush.

Bidandi was one of the people who supported the struggle to remove Obote. He mobilised finances and encouraged recruits into the NRA.

Because of Bidandi’s opposition to some of the views other Movement leaders are expressing, he has been refereed to as disgruntled by people like Kakooza Mutale. In reply, he says he has enough to live on for the rest of his life; that has lived by his hands and would continue doing so. He says he has no regrets being a politician.

Would he run for President? Bidandi has consistently said no: “I did not contest for the parliamentary seat because I felt that I did not have the energy to continue with elective politics. If I cannot be a Member of Parliament, how can I be the President?” he asks every time this question is posed. “There are so many other people in the Movement; one of them can be a good leader.”

A holder of a Bachelor of Science degree (Agriculture), Bidandi was Minister of Local Government in the post-Amin government of 1979-80. After the 1986 war, he once again became Minister of Local Government and Energy from 1986-89. He was an NRC member from 1989-96 and member of the Constituent Assembly 1994-95.

As one of the historicals, Bidandi is of the view that the 17 years the Movement has been in power have been the most peaceful ever in Uganda. This, he says, has built up a positive image towards politics, hence the possibility of a change back to multipartyism.

“The 17 years of our leadership of the country have shifted the political awareness of the people of Uganda to a much higher level beyond primitive parochialism under which parties operated,” he says.

Like in politics, Bidandi Ssali has achieved a lot in sports. He was manager of the Uganda Cranes when they reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations in 1978 in Ghana. He is a passionate supporter of KCC football club.

“He is like a father to me. He made me what I am today,” says Jackson Mayanja, one of few Ugandans ever to play professional soccer and current coach of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) FC.

A staunch Muslim from Butambala, Bidandi is a farmer and entertainer. He spends most of his free time at Kiwatule, where he has one of the most popular resting places in Uganda. There he ponders what to say next, consolidating the achievements of his principles.

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