President Yoweri Museveni’s performance as the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces and chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been satisfactory and his statesmanship is respected. He is the most suited statesman to lead Uganda come 2011.
For Ugandans who are conversant with the turbulent history of our country, any change of president at this particular time may not be a worthwhile venture. I urge Ugandans to support someone with a practical revolutionary track record and has been directly involved in solving people’s problems and resolving the problems created by colonialists. Problems like land wrangles and a few owning the resource at the expense of the poor.
At this infant level of democracy and weak economy without a strong foundation, Uganda needs an experienced and tested leadership without vengeance intentions and who is not a puppet of imperialists.
Museveni’s successful revolution became evidently clear when he became president of Uganda on January, 29 1986. He went to the bush with 26 young men and organised the NRM/A that toppled the six months old military junta of Tito Okello and his gangs. Since that time, he has won people’s admiration and confidence in his leadership. Peace and stability, freedom of press and expression and other democratic attributes are being enjoyed by every Ugandan although sometimes abused.
There has also been an improvement in the promotion of human rights. For instance, women rights. His endeavour to create a middle class citizenry and industrialisation of the country which is rooted in the NRM ideology are part of the reasons he should remain president.
The discovery of oil in our country, which has attracted interest from various players means Ugandans must not take the presidential elections in 2011 for granted and install a weak president who will follow instructions from foreign capitals at the expense of ordinary citizens. We should not accept any donor imposed president to take charge of our country. President Museveni has made it categorically clear to the world that “the NRM is neither pro-west nor pro-east — it is pro-Uganda†and this may have not gone well with those interested in exploiting the country.
Museveni’s right policy mix has been systematically put in place to address Ugandans’ concerns across all divides.
For instance, his emphasis on education is aimed at improving productivity through highly educated and skilled workforce, while his value addition call is geared towards export-led industrialisation and specialisation where Uganda has a comparative advantage.
The writer is the former acting resident district commissioner, Pader district
Museveni is performing well
