Kinkizi calms down
THE Kinkizi-West nominations and by-elections that had pitted Defence Minister Amama Mbabazi and James Musinguzi passed off peacefully and gracefully with the former being returned unopposed.
Ofwono’s Option
THE Kinkizi-West nominations and by-elections that had pitted Defence Minister Amama Mbabazi and James Musinguzi passed off peacefully and gracefully with the former being returned unopposed.
In the fight that never was, as expected from a jittery opposition businessman-cum politician, Musinguzi of the Reform Agenda “chickened out†alleging un-substantiated massive fore rigging in favour of Mbabazi.
For Mbabazi, a man of measured steps in every sense, this is his third time to be returned un-challenged in Kinkizi West since Constituent Assembly (1994) elections and the 1996 parliamentary elections.
Open competition is good for democracy, but unfortunately when a challenger (Musinguzi) surfaced in 2001, unnecessary rivalry, lies, invectiveness and hatred were injected into Kinkizi West politics.
Arguably this invective politics and electioneering fuelled false suspicions through calculated and deliberate falsehoods to extract public sympathy, votes and above all undermine the credibility of the elections. Not surprisingly, its authors then singled out and targeted the UPDF for vicious and consistent but frivolous attacks because they know it is one of the credible institutions this government has built.
In singling out the UPDF, their intention was to set-up the army against civilians, undermine cooperation and jeopardise national security in the face of a hostile neighbouring environment.
As Mbabazi’s credibility that some people had tried to drag to the political gutters, only time will tell whether he is a voice of moderation or ruthless ambition as the public has been made to believe.
Mbabazi’s long career in public service as state Attorney, first Director General of the External Security Organisation, state minister for the presidency, regional co-operation, for defence, and now holding a full defence portfolio speak volumes in his favour. That aside, his career as FRONASA and NRM under-ground operator since 1972 add testimonies to his person.
Musinguzi complained to the Electoral Commission, while simultaneously petitioning the High Court to suspend nominations, claiming fore rigging of the process. It seems Musinguzi went to court with a mindset for a verdict in his favour; but when Justice Paul Mugamba dismissed his petition as speculation, he quit the race claiming, “I don’t see myself participating in shambled elections.†However, as the lawyers say, “Those who go to the altar of justice should do so with clean hands (conscience).†Musinguzi and other litigants should always expect rulings to go either way and accept it as such.
Now, Musinguzi ought to be serious here because he went to court to seek a judgement as to whether the process as it was then was shambled. It is not up to Musinguzi to determine whether or not the electoral process is already in a shambles!
Musinguzi also ought to recall the praises he and other Reform Agenda activists showered on earlier court rulings nullifying Mbabazi’s election. Furthermore, being a lawyer, he should recall their own adage that “the law is an ass!â€
And it seems that buoyed by earlier legal victories, Musinguzi has fallen prey to merchant lawyers who would like to line their pockets with part of his wealth.
Analysts argue that it is good-riddance that flamboyant lawyer-cum-businessman, Musinguzi, “chickened out†of the race. Although Musinguzi cited alleged fore rigging, the real reason for his running away is that the political ground in Kanungu district as whole is un-favourable for anti-Movement politics. He saw the obvious and humiliating electoral defeat staring him in the face and chose a dignified escape route.
This could be seen from all the frantic efforts he and his agents made to pro-claim his Movement credentials from the rooftops when he is among those who have been maligning the system to the extreme.
In fact, he and UPC’s Dr James Rwanyarare are co-petitioners against the Movement government over the Political Organisation and Parties Act. It would not have been easy, let alone possible, for Musinguzi to close the gap of about 13,700 votes by which Mbabazi defeated him in 2001.
It is not clear how quitting the race can bring justice to his so-called supporters who were allegedly battered either by soldiers or Mbabazi’s supporters during the 2001 elections.
Had Musinguzi been interested as he claims in a clean electoral process, the logical thing would be for him to stick in to end and put the political devils in Kinkizi to shame with incontrovertible evidence.
Otherwise he will surely go down the path of Dr James Rwanyarare and Paul Ssemogerere the self-acclaimed “conscientious objectors,†in our modern politics.
The other losers in Musinguzi’s quiting the race are his would-be supporters and political hangers-on who will now miss the “logistics†in form of free cash, booze, and other rural goodies candidates often offer to entice votes.
Kinkizi West and the new Kanungu district have an opportunity for a fresh start without political bickering. Kanungu can now collect its revenue from tea, tobacco, tourism and mineral exploitation for development.
Also by quitting, Musinguzi has presented Mbabazi with the first option of building mechanisms for reconciliation.
The writer is the Director of Information at the Movement Secretariat
THE Kinkizi-West nominations and by-elections that had pitted Defence Minister Amama Mbabazi and James Musinguzi passed off peacefully and gracefully with the former being returned unopposed.
In the fight that never was, as expected from a jittery opposition businessman-cum politician, Musinguzi of the Reform Agenda “chickened out†alleging un-substantiated massive fore rigging in favour of Mbabazi.
For Mbabazi, a man of measured steps in every sense, this is his third time to be returned un-challenged in Kinkizi West since Constituent Assembly (1994) elections and the 1996 parliamentary elections.
Open competition is good for democracy, but unfortunately when a challenger (Musinguzi) surfaced in 2001, unnecessary rivalry, lies, invectiveness and hatred were injected into Kinkizi West politics.
Arguably this invective politics and electioneering fuelled false suspicions through calculated and deliberate falsehoods to extract public sympathy, votes and above all undermine the credibility of the elections. Not surprisingly, its authors then singled out and targeted the UPDF for vicious and consistent but frivolous attacks because they know it is one of the credible institutions this government has built.
In singling out the UPDF, their intention was to set-up the army against civilians, undermine cooperation and jeopardise national security in the face of a hostile neighbouring environment.
As Mbabazi’s credibility that some people had tried to drag to the political gutters, only time will tell whether he is a voice of moderation or ruthless ambition as the public has been made to believe.
Mbabazi’s long career in public service as state Attorney, first Director General of the External Security Organisation, state minister for the presidency, regional co-operation, for defence, and now holding a full defence portfolio speak volumes in his favour. That aside, his career as FRONASA and NRM under-ground operator since 1972 add testimonies to his person.
Musinguzi complained to the Electoral Commission, while simultaneously petitioning the High Court to suspend nominations, claiming fore rigging of the process. It seems Musinguzi went to court with a mindset for a verdict in his favour; but when Justice Paul Mugamba dismissed his petition as speculation, he quit the race claiming, “I don’t see myself participating in shambled elections.†However, as the lawyers say, “Those who go to the altar of justice should do so with clean hands (conscience).†Musinguzi and other litigants should always expect rulings to go either way and accept it as such.
Now, Musinguzi ought to be serious here because he went to court to seek a judgement as to whether the process as it was then was shambled. It is not up to Musinguzi to determine whether or not the electoral process is already in a shambles!
Musinguzi also ought to recall the praises he and other Reform Agenda activists showered on earlier court rulings nullifying Mbabazi’s election. Furthermore, being a lawyer, he should recall their own adage that “the law is an ass!â€
And it seems that buoyed by earlier legal victories, Musinguzi has fallen prey to merchant lawyers who would like to line their pockets with part of his wealth.
Analysts argue that it is good-riddance that flamboyant lawyer-cum-businessman, Musinguzi, “chickened out†of the race. Although Musinguzi cited alleged fore rigging, the real reason for his running away is that the political ground in Kanungu district as whole is un-favourable for anti-Movement politics. He saw the obvious and humiliating electoral defeat staring him in the face and chose a dignified escape route.
This could be seen from all the frantic efforts he and his agents made to pro-claim his Movement credentials from the rooftops when he is among those who have been maligning the system to the extreme.
In fact, he and UPC’s Dr James Rwanyarare are co-petitioners against the Movement government over the Political Organisation and Parties Act. It would not have been easy, let alone possible, for Musinguzi to close the gap of about 13,700 votes by which Mbabazi defeated him in 2001.
It is not clear how quitting the race can bring justice to his so-called supporters who were allegedly battered either by soldiers or Mbabazi’s supporters during the 2001 elections.
Had Musinguzi been interested as he claims in a clean electoral process, the logical thing would be for him to stick in to end and put the political devils in Kinkizi to shame with incontrovertible evidence.
Otherwise he will surely go down the path of Dr James Rwanyarare and Paul Ssemogerere the self-acclaimed “conscientious objectors,†in our modern politics.
The other losers in Musinguzi’s quiting the race are his would-be supporters and political hangers-on who will now miss the “logistics†in form of free cash, booze, and other rural goodies candidates often offer to entice votes.
Kinkizi West and the new Kanungu district have an opportunity for a fresh start without political bickering. Kanungu can now collect its revenue from tea, tobacco, tourism and mineral exploitation for development.
Also by quitting, Musinguzi has presented Mbabazi with the first option of building mechanisms for reconciliation.
The writer is the Director of Information at the Movement Secretariat