Kamya’s UFA putting cart before the horse
28.06.2010
By Chantal Kembabazi
Beti O. Kamya
Allow me react to a story [Uganda’s problems are bigger than Museveni] that appeared in the Daily Monitor newspaper of June 24th. In that story, the Chief Mobiliser of Uganda Federal Alliance [UFA] Yusuf Mukwata is quoted to have said that, “…as UFA, our plan is to change the system of governance to favour Ugandans because removing President Museveni from power is not enough to bring change”. And then, before the ink had even dried on Mukwata’s statement, his boss Beti Olive Kamya weighed in and completely contradicted her own Chief Mobiliser Mukwata [see: What if Tamale Mirundi replaces EC’s Kiggundu, Daily Monitor, June 25th].
In her opinion piece, a condescending “grow up girls” advice to IPC’s Women for Peace, Kamya said, “I admire your stamina, drive, commitment, patriotism and focus, my sisters, but who do you think will appoint Kiggundu’s replacement”. That, for my money, is a very clear indication that unlike her Chief Mobiliser, Kamya, deep down, knows that Museveni is Uganda’s biggest problem at the moment. What that also tells me is that her UFA is merely engaged in a dishonest and futile attempt to manufacture non-existent policy differences between itself and the IPC in the hope of gaining some credibility.
On the other hand, if Kamya’s Chief Mobiliser Yusuf Mukwata was indeed speaking for UFA, then with respect, I think Kamya and her UFA are being too simplistic in their analysis of Uganda’s current political problems. On this particular issue, they have shown Ugandans that they are terribly naïve and poor political thinkers and strategists. And because of that, they are arriving at the wrong conclusion. Federalism is the answer to all Uganda’s problems, Kamya says in her article! In my opinion, UFA is simply putting the cart before the horse.
Yes, I agree that an entire overhaul of Museveni’s dictatorial system of governance must be the end result of the current political struggle that patriotic Ugandans are involved in. However, the most obvious fact that Kamya’s UFA has sadly failed to appreciate is that it would be completely fallacious for anyone to even think about changing Museveni’s present system of governance while Museveni himself still has a say in the affairs of state. Let me give Kamya’s UFA a few examples. Perhaps they will finally see sense and mature into credible politicians.
Almost every single Ugandan today, including members of the international community, agree that the present Electoral Commission is fatally compromised, biased, and almost overtly pro-NRM. It is totally incompetent. That much has twice been confirmed by the Supreme Court of Uganda; no less! And yet, one man, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the one that Kamya’s UFA thinks is not Ugandans main problem, is the only one who has out-rightly rejected all proposals to disband the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission and replace it with one that is competent, impartial, and therefore enjoys public confidence. A recent survey conducted by the Daily Monitor for example, showed that Ugandans have no faith in Kiggundu’s Electoral Commission and believe that the 2011 general elections “will” [not even “may”] be rigged again. How could someone like Beti Kamya who likes to sing about her national political credentials at every opportunity not see and appreciate that most pedestrian reality?
Secondly, we have all seen how Maj. Gen Kayihura has, under Museveni’s very watch, transformed the Uganda Police Force into a bunch of hooligans who have absolutely no respect for human rights and the rule of law. The now infamous “Kiboko Squad” even operate alongside Kayihura’s hooligans and Museveni, yes Museveni, the one Kamya’s UFA think is not the problem, says absolutely nothing to condemn them. On the contrary, Museveni has in the past that that the “Kiboko Squad” “were well-meaning civilians protecting their property from looters”. The same Museveni, on the other hand, is quick to issue orders that UPC President Dr. Olara Otunnu and FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye should be investigated for some verbal statements that they allegedly made on some radio stations.
I have to hammer this point home: The “Kiboko Squad” beats up the leader of the biggest opposition party in the country in front of the police, and Museveni says nothing. When a politician like Beti Kamya points out the unprecedented nepotism and tribalism in Museveni’s government, [as she indeed is alleged to have done some time back] she is immediately summoned by police to go and record a statement; all to intimidate her and force her to shut up. The same Museveni that Kamya’s UFA think is not Uganda’s problem says absolutely nothing about Kamya’s harassment.
What more evidence does Kamya’s UFA need to finally appreciate that Museveni is the greatest obstacle to Uganda’s forward march into a free and democratic society? And the simple reason Museveni cannot and will never change the present system of governance is because he has never really believed in democracy. Autocracy is his preferred system of governance. Without it, he will be history. It is the discredited systems and institutions [like the police, army, and Kiggundu’s Electoral Commission] that keep him in power. So does Kamya’s UFA really think that such a despot can allow anyone to tamper with such systems if he still retains monopoly over the legitimate use of force? Come on! Grow up UFA if you want to be taken seriously.
