By Peter Okello Maber

30^th April 2012:

Did NRM bus bring 'progress upon progress'?

I am writing this piece to highlight the great achievements Uganda has made and continues to make under the leadership of President Museveni and NRM since 1986. The objective, being to counter the lies and falsehoods that critics of NRM have been spreading in a vain effort to deny and in some cases to reverse these glaring achievements.

We acknowledge and are not blind to the fact that in spite of these great achievements, there have also been some challenges such as corruption, poor public infrastructure, and service delivery in some areas etc.

However, my assessment is that overall, NRM and Museveni have largely fulfilled their promises to the people of Uganda and this is why Museveni has won election after election. Below are just a few examples of these achievements.

Prior to Museveni’s ascendency to power, Uganda was a country in which insecurity was the order of the day, either being perpetuated by state agents, non state actors, or both. The situations during Obote I, Amin, Lule, Binaisa, Obote II, Lutwa bears witness.

National Security

However, since the NRM came to power, state agents and the army have been brought under control of the civilian authorities. Non state actors who used to torment Ugandans like the LRA, ADF, Lakwena rebel groups have all be defeated.

Even the Karimojong cattle rustlers who used to be a menace to people in eastern and northern eastern Uganda have been largely disarmed. Under NRM, the state is in full control of the country.  The restoration of security by NRM has allowed the people of Uganda to exploit their potential to achieve development.

Arising from the security ushered in by NRM and Museveni, the country has enjoyed an unbroken run of stability for the last 26 years. Uganda, for those in know, used be a country wracked by instability in the government and the country. Military coups were the order of the day, the state was not in full control of its territory and it was under challenge by all sorts of forces.

National Stability

But thanks to Museveni, Uganda has enjoyed stability to the point that some groups are now beginning to take it for granted! Because of the stable environment existing in the country, citizens and investors have gotten the assurance to engage in meaningful activities knowing that what they are doing will not be destroyed tomorrow by some political adventurers intent on causing instability. Ensuring and guaranteeing stability in Uganda can perhaps pass as one of Museveni’s and NRM’s greatest achievements.

A Strong State

NRM and Museveni have also gifted Uganda with a strong state which is felt in and outside the country.  You may remember that when the Ugandan state was weak, Uganda used to the “sick man of East Africa!” The country used to be a net exporter of refugees but today it is instead a net recipient of refugees. Uganda used to be mocked and Ugandans were harassed in neighboring states like Kenya.

But since Museveni set upon rebuilding the Ugandan state, Uganda is now a respected country in the region and beyond. Uganda’s opinion internationally is high, respected, and sought after. Ugandans who during Amin’s and Obote regimes were ashamed to be identified as Ugandans are now proud to do so.

Because of the strength of the Ugandan state, Uganda has become a regional hegemony ahead of countries like Kenya and Tanzania. As a patriot, I am very proud of this. In fact, the footprints of Uganda and Ugandans, whether positive or negative, are to be found all over the region these days – thanks to Museveni.

The Economy

When NRM and Museveni came to power in 1986, Uganda’s economy was small and weak.  The country imported virtually everything.  Soap, cooking oil, sodas, sugar, beer, sweets, toilet paper etc, all came from Kenya and other places. Most of the infrastructure was broken down etc.

But today, not only does Uganda produce most of these items, it is now also a leading exporter within the region and beyond. NRM and Museveni have superintended over the twentyfold expansion of the Ugandan economy in the last 26 years.

Education

The social services sector such as education has also expanded tremendously. From having one University in 1986, today there are about 20 Universities.  They are not only providing education to Ugandans, but to East Africans and beyond.

For instance, there are over 30,000 Kenyan students in Ugandan institutions of higher and lower learning. In the past the reverse was the case. All these represent a very strong vote of confidence in NRM and Museveni.

Museveni’s great vision

President Museveni has given his vision for the country in writing. His vision is that Uganda should have an “integrated and self sustaining economy”. This vision has since been upgraded to see Uganda becoming a “middle income and a middle level industrial power”.  It is this vision which has seen Uganda pursue the development path it has followed this far, and that has seen the country make considerable progress.

When President Museveni criticized his opponents for lacking a vision for the country, he was severely criticized for allegedly saying that he is the only one with a vision!  The president never said that he is the only one with a vision, but rather challenged his opponents to give their visions for the country. However, the lie was repeated so many times by his opponents, that it was finally believed to be the truth as Hitler’s propaganda chief Goebbels once said.

What is the opposition’s vision?

What is Besigye’s vision for Uganda anyway? How often is it stated for Ugandans to know and own?  What about Mao’s, Otunnu’s, Kamya’s, and Lukyamuzi’s etc?  Do these leaders really have visions for the country?  If so, what are they?  Was President Museveni wrong to wonder whether the opposition politicians have visions for the country – apart from seeking power for its own sake?

Soft governance issues

In the end, all the hyped criticism of Museveni and NRM is based on disagreements on soft issues: democracy, human rights, over staying in power etc, but not on concrete issues of development, peace and security.   In spite of some of the challenges of the last 26 years, it is only fair that the achievements of Museveni and NRM must be recognized by all including opponents.

After all, even the opponents of Museveni and NRM will want to build on the current successes if they ever come to power. END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.

Peter Okello Maber is a Political Commentator and Activist based in Kampala