THE JOURNEY TO 2011 START NOW
In the last two weeks, two momentous events happened in Uganda. The leading parties started what many people now view as political manouvuering to capture or retain power in 2011 Ugandan elections. First off the block was, Forum for Democratic Change FDC), whose name suggests that no change of democratic credentials has come to Uganda. Indeed its leadership is composed of leaders of NRM who have jumped ship.
FDC held a delegates conference in Mandela National Stadium east of Kampala where the party Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye defeated Lt. General Mugisha Muntu, former army commander of the UPDF to retain the party presidency. With over 800 delegates attendinjg this function, it is not lost on political watchers FDC has a powerful mobilization machinery.
Takinfg the cue, H.E President Yoweri finally made the cabinet reshuffle that had lingered in the grapvine for over six months. And what a reshuffle. We saw the appointment of a first lady, also MP for Ruhama county of Ntungamo district to the Karamoja portfolio. We saw Syda Bumba, transfered from Labour to the all important Finance docket. It is the first time in Uganda that a first lady is a Minister, forget that hers is a junior portfolio. It is also the first time that a women has been appointed a finance Minister.
These are not simple appointments. It is a political chess game where the master has his eye set on victory. There has been a lot of realighnment in this reshuffle. The removal of ex-officio MPs from cabinet vis Salim Saleh, Dr. Ham Mulira and Dr. Suruma; the demotion of vocal local government minister Lt.General Otafiire to Trade and Industry from Local government etc. The retention of Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and security minister Amama Mbabazi means that an electoral cabinet is complete.
The president has created a formidable machinery for other FDC, DP, UPC, JEEMA, PPP and other parties to contend with. And yet in the last two years, the present has promoted young officers in UPDF, and the police. There is yet another story on army reshuffles in today’s issue of The Daily Monitor . Whereas these are routine exercises that should not excite anybody, as the army spokesman has from time to time reaffirmed, a clear trend is forming. The older, tried if tired officers are not supple enough for the political dispensation. You need young and vigorous men who are in sync with the needs of the future.
The President could not allow FDC glow in the victory of a successful election. So in terms of the media capital, he has quickly placed NMRo in the limelight. Every talk show, newspaper, TV stations, bimeeza is giving the president valuable mileage over competition. This is important for sustaining the the momentum for the 2011 election and stifling the voices of espexcially FDC which had attempted to steal the show.
In some quarters, the first lady is expected to bring investment to Karamoja in a manner her predecessors could, She has the eyes and ears of the big man remember. That expectation has the potential of returning a huger Karamoja vote for the movement. But Karamoja has always voted movement, what could now be different? It is unclear now, though beyond the mystery, The EastAfrican’s magazine artcle this week by David Kaiza suggests - Keep the old lady in tow. She is known to defy her husband especially regarding her ambition to run for MP. She is also known to offer ideas on touchy topics contrary to the guidelines set by the party.
The most telling of all the appointment is the elevation of Syda Bumba to the powerful finance ministry. This move is a winner for the women vote. IT is a first in Uganda. This move will also change the mindset in Buganda. Buganda has more cabinet bost than any other region other than the west. To give the powerful post to a Muganda, coupled with improving relation between Museveni over the land bill, we are expecting a more favourable Buganda attitude to the movement.
It is important to win Buganda to win the country. To appoint Mrs Bumba, thought to be a sister to Ahmed Seguya, the bush war army commander of NRM will heal the haemorrhage and bring the region back in the NRMO fold, an important move to win any national election in the country.
Where is UPC, DP and others?
