The reasons why President Museveni is the deal

What would keep a long-serving leader stable in leadership when newly ascended ones are living on the edge? Is it luck, timing, personal shrewdness, force, mass appeal or magic? 

It may be some or all of that and more, but the chance to provide leadership over extended periods of time is a rare gift, which must be celebrated and studied critically. 

In the case of President Yoweri Museveni, he has distinguished himself with a unique set of qualities not common among current and former political leaders that make him the most qualified to lead Uganda to the next stage of self-actualisation. The political playing field is crowded, but there are very few leaders of Museveni's breed. In fact, others have not yet been born, perhaps. 

In terms of expertise and seniority, Museveni is a shining light in Uganda and indeed the whole of Africa and world. 

He has been around long enough to have a nearly complete overview of the socio-economic, political, security and general challenges of society. Juxtaposed against newcomers and perennial losers, Museveni's seniority is an asset and not a liability. 

Our nation is young; it cannot be handed over to juniors and mature mediocres. Museveni is the only experienced and talented leader available at this juncture. 

Museveni has strived and guaranteed Uganda's democratic inventory to the extent that freedom, human rights and participation in decision-making at all levels are a given for all Ugandans. Where previously decisions were reached at in a sergeants' mess or on the balcony of a bar, today all Ugandans are called, directly and indirectly, to determine who leads them and how, through regular fair and free elections. Museveni is so adept at balancing his military side with civilian culture in that regard. 

The only reward, as well as challenge, is to entrust him with the duty of seeing democratisation with all its attendant rituals reach full fruition. Why should he quit when there is still work to do? Why should he be discriminated against when he has created an environment condusive for everyone to participate?

Museveni has proved himself to be a strong and effective leader, an important quality that has been critical in pulling the country together after years of political confusion, chaos, violence and lack of direction. This quality is important as we move into the next phase of development and transformation.

Furthermore, Museveni's leadership style is that of clean leadership and defensible pretexts. 

The ability to think strategically is not common among many leaders. Most think of today and tomorrow. Museveni always looks ahead and thinks of where Uganda and Africa in general, need to be in the next 50 years and works out what should be done to get there. He bears Uganda's vision which must not be extinguished prematurely. 

In Africa today, President Museveni stands out as a living son of the continent with a deep understanding of Uganda's, as well as Africa's problems and their origin. This has equipped him with the ability to come up with appropriate solutions to current problems. 

He is the staunchest voice of African sovereignty and equality with other blocs in the geopolitics of the world where he commands respect even when he speaks to the world powers. The future of Africa is anchored in Uganda with Museveni at the helm for he has all these issues at his fingertips. 

It is no secret that Museveni is head over heels in for East African integration. It is his incessant lobbying that keeps the dream on track. In light of COVID-19, we have witnessed how an integrated approach to the pandemic has saved us from a catastrophe. 

Aquick scan of the Great Lakes region shows that stability is under threat. The current level of peace and security is largely thanks to Museveni's efforts and skills, and his ability to correctly analyse 

the issues at hand and bring protagonists to a better understanding. The situations in Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and DRC are of concern. Museveni's input regarding the resolution of these situations continues to be critical and Uganda is a primary beneficiary.

At 76 years of age, President Museveni is still physically and mentally viable, much to the chagrin of younger players whose mental faculties and physicality are questionable. In January, Museveni trekked a mindboggling 195km from Galamba in Wakiso to Bireembo in Kibaale as part of the Afrika Kwetu Trek to celebrate the memory and heroism of the NRA fighters who liberated Uganda using that corridor.

On the mental front, Museveni's abilities to condense and verbalise issues needs no emphasis. In 2016, he attended only one of the two presidential debates and took the other contestants to the cleaners, hence winning the hearts of Ugandans afresh.

President Museveni is a leader who fits in with all age groups. While he belongs among senior citizens, Bazzukulu (grandchildren) are fond of him as their Jjajja (grandfather) who speaks the language they relate with.

Museveni is excellent at evolving with the times. He has meticulously embraced the digital revolution to effectively keep in touch with and receive feedback from the people. He is ranked among the most interactive world leaders, engaging both formally and informally with all kinds of people. 

Uganda's Opposition has failed to provide a viable, credible and practical alternative programme clearly laying out what they would do differently to transform Uganda into a fully modern country. The Opposition's main programme revolves around the slogan "Museveni must go!", "he is old", etc! Therefore, in the absence of a meaningful opposition, in whose place we see a mixture of unprincipled fortune-seekers, promoters of sectarianism and enemies of progress, Museveni should stay around some more. In fact, it is his duty to groom the Opposition until it graduates to a level where it can sustain a viable political programme. They are fragmented, often quarrelling over petty issues and have lost credibility among the majority of Uganda.

As of now, handing power to them is to betray the "Pearl of Africa" and throwing it to the winds. There are more reasons why Museveni is still the deal but Ugandans are wise and can appreciate the "few" condensed arguments above. As Baganda would say, 

"Bwoova ku Museveni, awo nga Uganda ogituunze" (If you ignore Museveni, you will have sold Uganda).

The writer is a Private Assistant to H.E. the President in charge of Media Management

kirundaf2@gmail.com