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What Did Museveni Deviate From?

The Monitor (Kampala)
OPINION
November 7, 2004
Posted to the web November 8, 2004

By Frank Tumwebaze
Kampala
I need to put right some of the deliberate distortions contained in the
interview of Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Asuman Bisika in Sunday Vision on
October 31.
I will concentrate on Muntu's concern that President Museveni deviated from the
original principles of the NRM struggle and abandoned the sprit of teamwork and
comradeship.
Museveni: On course?
This is an interesting subject of debate if approached with all the objectivity
it deserves rather than prejudicing it with the sentiments of the political
season.
These are exactly the same allegations of deviation and derailment that Col.
Kizza Besigye alluded to in the last presidential elections without also being
particular on what original points of the struggle Museveni is departing from.
For Besigye, however, it was later understood that he wanted to make a case for
himself, justify it with all sorts of allegations and then get grounds for his
presidential bid. I don't want to believe for now that it is the same trick at
play.
Fortunately, these principles of NRM struggle they talk about are not only
known to a few such as Muntu or Besigye, but to many - both those who
participated in the struggle as armed combatants and the external wing backers
and even those who came on board in the long run.
It is these same principles that have ably guided the Movement for the last 18
years, kept its leadership focused, boosted its support massively and enabled
it to triumph over its adversaries in the very many past elections.
This forward march would not have been possible if indeed these principles were
abandoned in the early nineties as Muntu claims in his interview.
The major principle of the NRM Revolution from which its leadership has never
deviated was to liberate Ugandans, defend them and their property at all times
and make it possible for them to fully participate in deciding their own
affairs.
Over the years alternate power centres have been created and equipped with all
the decision-making instruments to enable them carry out independent
programmes. This is the first cardinal requirement of building a democratic
culture.
The Ten Point Programme, which acted as a guiding manifesto for the NRM has
been effectively implemented, save for a few inevitable challenges such as the
northern terrorism, which is also being adequately handled.
Perhaps what Muntu calls deviation is the broadening of the Movement principles
and structures to bring on board people of different sheds, opinion and
interest groups, which in the long run could have brought about a few changes.
In principle the Muntus never wanted to open up their bush war fighters'
clique. This is how some of them started advancing this infamous claim that
historicals were forgotten and took offence when new people were brought on
board.
But these changes were unavoidable in order to forge unity that Ugandans badly
needed at that time.
First of all, when the NRM/A took over power in 1986, there was a lot of
suspicion from different classes of people.
Others construed the actions of the NRM fighters as just mere militant power
takeovers that would only collapse after a short period of political honeymoon,
which hitherto was the norm with past regimes.
To the members of the fallen fascist regimes, they immediately expected revenge
from the NRA/M. So, all these doubting minds surrounded the NRM takeover and it
was inevitable to broaden and bring everybody on board.
The team sprit and comradeship, which Muntu claims was abandoned, also took a
different angle since the legitimate players were now many.
The NRC or high command, for example, could have taken a different trend with
the creation of the various legitimate organs of government such as the CA,
Parliament and the National Security Council that brought together all heads of
the security agencies irrespective of their rank or position in the historical
line up as Muntu and group tend to emphasise.
The institutions, which Muntu claims have not been built, to the contrary, are
the ones that have enabled different individuals and groups to come on board.
Some of us are a creation of the youth councils, which gave us a platform to
participate and be heard.
The women politicians, most of them either emerged through the women councils
or through the affirmative action principle deliberately put in place to
empower them. I do not know what this means for Muntu but it is precisely
institution building.
There is no doubt that the strong ideas of President Museveni as a person have
greatly shaped these institutions, but that shouldn't be taken to mean
personalising them.
Good leaders create good systems and build long-lasting institutions while bad
ones such as Hitler, Mussolini and others stifle growth of these systems.
The other issue Muntu raises in his interview is this idea of saying that most
members of the Museveni government are not happy with the status quo but cannot
freely speak out. Why can't they speak out?
In my view, this is a bad tendency of undermining other people and actually the
highest form of intolerance.
Besigye alleged the same when he claimed 90% support of the army and of the top
Movement leadership. His intention of course was to divide the army as well as
the entire Movement. Fortunately, Ugandans later witnessed the "support" he
claimed.
Not even the same Muntu, who is now doing a replica of Besigye, came out openly
to stand and second his views.
The 90% of the army he claimed is the same that he later on, during and after
the elections, accused of harassing him and his supporters.
Interestingly, when Besigye recently called into the Andrew Mwenda talk show to
ask President Museveni a question, his line of argument was totally different.
In a rather apologetic tone, he said his opposition to the President was on the
fact that Museveni took on the liberalism approach in managing our economics.
Besigye revealed his true nature of being a power hungry realist. Realists'
main pre-occupation is nothing else but power. To them power defines economics
and to survive you must maximise political power.
His commentary in fact explained his angry character that he exhibited
throughout the campaigns.
So, let Muntu or Besigye comprehensively come out to state clearly the points
from which Museveni has deviated.
Making allegations for the sake of deriving cheap political capital to prepare
for their political contests will not help Ugandans.
The writer is a special presidential assistant in charge of research &
information

   

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