Museveni has clearly told the people of Uganda in no uncertain language that the Movement (a code name for Museveni) will continue ruling Uganda irrespective of the referendum. The referendum is his way of ferreting out the opposition with bait for political pluralism then liquidating them. At the same time he is ensuring that anyone that remains in the NRM must follow what he Museveni wants. Anytime you disagree with him, Museveni, you will be kicked out the NRM, and subsequently out of political power. You will then be subjected to the machination of the NRM who are dubbed 'the people' in the referendum exercise.
To choose a side in the referendum, there are two symbols: The Tree and the Hut with a closed door. Museveni is leading the team campaigning for the Tree and other Movement supporters or die-hard are campaigning for the Hut. So, if you vote for the Tree, you vote for Museveni. If you vote for the Hut, then you vote for maintaining the current system, which is being lead by Museveni himself. That is why so many people find the exercise meaningless.
In a newspaper report:
Museveni said that the referendum is not a contest between political parties and the Movement insisting that it was important to free those who feel conscripted into the Movement, disarm those that have been spreading damaging propaganda against his government in the international community and to allow the minority that have refused to embrace the Movement ideology to belong to their own home.
"We are not asking you to vote on what is better between the Movement and political parties; that one we decided a long time ago. The Movement wants to rid itself of those people," Museveni said. "There is nothing wrong with the Movement; it is the best. The question is how long should we wrestle with people who have persistently refused to join us for the last 19 years?" he said. End of newspaper report.
Looking at it another way, political parties have already been registered by an act of Parliament. So, if the notion that the majority of Ugandans are already NRM members is true, why waste money on a referendum that makes no sense anyway? The majority will simply vote for the NRM and save the 22 billion for other urgent projects.
Last month MPs backed a controversial amendment to the draft constitution, which would scrap limit on presidential terms. And now the referendum is going to be used to stifle multiparty and entrench the NRM as the only political system. And Museveni will rule as long as his system stands. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. No Change or Kisanja wins.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
Museveni Lays The Last Straw on Uganda's Back
IRAQ is rapidly approaching a watershed moment: the unveiling of its new constitution. This event will probably be seen in retrospect as either the moment that the leaders of Iraq reconsecrated their troubled nation, or as the opening act of the country's descent into civil war. It is troubling, then, that events are proceeding with undue haste and a lack of public input, either of which might doom the process and invite a conflagration that would make the insurgency look like a garden party.
Excerpt from NY Times by
J Alexander Their
Published: July 14, 2005
Stanford, Calif.
In a similar vein, events unfolding in Uganda parallel that of Iraq as it attempts to form a government of national unity. There are more serious issues that demand the actions of the Uganda Parliament more than this vain referendum exercise in which the people have no idea what is required of them. People in Acholi and other parts are living in camps and the children have known no peace. Every night they trek to the town for safety. This matter should be on the referendum but it is not even considered in parliament.
The dramatic change in the constitution for the benefit of one man marks a watershed in Uganda history. This event was not reached through consensus but bribery.
Not every time a leader dreams of new ideas should the people be approached go through a referendum exercise. Such actions are very costly and do not reflect the free choice of an informed populace. Instead it could only reflect the response of the sycophants and those benefiting directly from maintaining the current status quo. Forcing a referendum down the peoples throat is the surest way of entrenching dictatorship under the guise that “the people has spoken.” We know that the ordinary people have neither the means nor the cohesion to spontaneously come together in such an important topic.
When the matter of changing the constitution was first brought to parliament, it was defeated. But Museveni would have none of that. He manipulated the parliament to have his way. Subsequent votes show that the Museveni clique won. Why did this happen? Because voting was not necessary to achieve this aim and many members simply complied with Museveni’s wish. Parliament is rubberstamp. Museveni would get what he wanted irrespective of the voting. And there were/are MPs that are considered Museveni’s property. These people have no way to avoid doing the Museveni jig. Everything was done in a great hurry without giving people time to build consensus and trust.
Kony has been a convenient scapegoat but what is going to happen will make Kony insurgency look like ‘a garden party.’ This is neither a threat nor a prophecy. It is merely an observed fact of life under dictatorial regimes.
Excerpt from NY Times by
J Alexander Their
Published: July 14, 2005
Stanford, Calif.
In a similar vein, events unfolding in Uganda parallel that of Iraq as it attempts to form a government of national unity. There are more serious issues that demand the actions of the Uganda Parliament more than this vain referendum exercise in which the people have no idea what is required of them. People in Acholi and other parts are living in camps and the children have known no peace. Every night they trek to the town for safety. This matter should be on the referendum but it is not even considered in parliament.
The dramatic change in the constitution for the benefit of one man marks a watershed in Uganda history. This event was not reached through consensus but bribery.
Not every time a leader dreams of new ideas should the people be approached go through a referendum exercise. Such actions are very costly and do not reflect the free choice of an informed populace. Instead it could only reflect the response of the sycophants and those benefiting directly from maintaining the current status quo. Forcing a referendum down the peoples throat is the surest way of entrenching dictatorship under the guise that “the people has spoken.” We know that the ordinary people have neither the means nor the cohesion to spontaneously come together in such an important topic.
When the matter of changing the constitution was first brought to parliament, it was defeated. But Museveni would have none of that. He manipulated the parliament to have his way. Subsequent votes show that the Museveni clique won. Why did this happen? Because voting was not necessary to achieve this aim and many members simply complied with Museveni’s wish. Parliament is rubberstamp. Museveni would get what he wanted irrespective of the voting. And there were/are MPs that are considered Museveni’s property. These people have no way to avoid doing the Museveni jig. Everything was done in a great hurry without giving people time to build consensus and trust.
Kony has been a convenient scapegoat but what is going to happen will make Kony insurgency look like ‘a garden party.’ This is neither a threat nor a prophecy. It is merely an observed fact of life under dictatorial regimes.
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