Corridors of Power

Jun 01, 2010

<b>Otafiire vows</b><br>Some people believe that when you stay in a position long enough, it becomes an inheritance. If you thought that is the way to go, please give the trade and tourism minister, Kahinda Otafiire, a break. Realising that the NRM party needs organisation, he wants to take up “t

Otafiire vows
Some people believe that when you stay in a position long enough, it becomes an inheritance. If you thought that is the way to go, please give the trade and tourism minister, Kahinda Otafiire, a break. Realising that the NRM party needs organisation, he wants to take up “the burden”. “Being a party leader is not an inheritance. I want to carry the burden of organising it. I have been there and I can do it again,” Otafiire said on Monday.

New Nambooze
Being a leader is one good thing that the newly-elected MP for Mukono North, Betty Nambooze, is trying to come to terms with. She cannot believe that her “terrorist”, the Police, is now her friend. Addressing her supporters recently, she said: “Ha, the Police have been terrorising me but now, they look at me and salute. At last, I have got a platform where I can advocate my people’s issues.” We hope the new relationship lasts and our dear MP does not get caught on the wrong side of the law.

Quiet Ssekikubo
Sembabule MP Theodore Ssekikubo was the first politician to declare his intention to stand for the post of Secretary General in the NRM party. He set the pace but some members thought he was just joking. Some reached an extent of telling him that he was just clearing some other people’s way. However, he insisted that he wants the seat. But now it seems the zeal is waning, making fellow MPs wonder whether the man is still in the race now that bigwigs have also shown interest. One NRM MP was overheard asking a colleague at parliament on Monday: “But is Honourable Ssekikubo still in the race? He is very quiet!”

Tough times
MPs were always at Parliament alleging to be doing a lot of work yet back in their constituencies, their electorate kept accusing them of absenteeism. However, as general elections draw near, many of them have dashed back to the villages to look for votes as if there is no more work at Parliament! When an MP shows up, journalists ask what is happening back home. To their amusement, almost all the MPs have the same response. “Things are hot. I am fighting over seven people. So you know why my concentration is in the constituency,” an NRM MP in Kasese said.

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