{UAH} RESPONSE to MUNIINI: Honor Vice President Edward Ssekandi at UNAA@25

Dr Muniini,

I am hopeful that you wrote that email in your capacity as a member of UNAA rather than a Chairman of the Board of Trustees (despite your signature as such). The choice of a UNAA speaker is obviously beyond the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees. 

I am also hopeful that you are not trying to shield Mr Senoga from answering my questions. As I wait for the UNAA President to answer my questions, I can respond to what you wrote:

1. I am not aware of anyone that has opposed the presence of politicians at the convention. 

2. as a member of UNAA, I'd like to know who invited him.

3. as a member, I'd like to know how much he is donating to UNAA...many people have spent time discussing the issue of UNAA funds and how we can't find details. Now that we know a historically big donor (government of Uganda) is going to donate again, it would help us to know how much they are donating.  We have also been reading about commissions earned by UNAA Executives to bring "donors".  In the spirit of transparency, we should not wait for next year's financial report before we find out how much is Saturday speaking slot goes for. e.g we know that government of Uganda has been donating 20k every year but last year's financial report shows 15k.  Someone must have taken 25% or the financial report is wrong.

This info can also help us know if there was a bidding process or if the government reserved the Saturday slot for itself. We'd also know if any politician (any country) can outbid the government and speak on Saturday. In addition, we can also know if one has to be a politician to speak on Saturday in Dallas.

thanks

 

For a faster response please contact me at 415.789.6427

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From: Muniini Mulera <muniinikmulera@aol.com>
To: joseph.musoke@ymail.com
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2013 11:25 AM
Subject: UNAALIST Honor Vice President Edward Ssekandi at UNAA@25

Vice President Edward Ssekandi at UNAA@25 in Dallas

The news that Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, the Vice President of Uganda, will be attending UNAA@25 in Dallas, Texas has generated understandable debate.  There are some who have expressed their displeasure upon learning that the Ugandan Vice President will be an honored guest at the Saturday Lunch.

 

In fact Mr. Ssekandi's presence at UNAA@25 will be a great honor to our Association, for it will affirm our longstanding role as a non-partisan bridge that joins Ugandans in the Diaspora and Ugandans at home. 

 

Those who are opposed to the presence or honoring of the Ugandan vice-president should recall that it is just over a decade ago that we asserted our rights of Ugandan citizenship by fighting for dual citizenship. One of the key achievements of UNAA, dual citizenship would never have been possible without a partnership with the Uganda Government of the day. 

 

Such engagement with the government leaders was not an endorsement of the ruling party, but recognition that the Ugandan State had a leadership that we had to work with in order to serve the interests of UNAA and the Ugandan Diaspora.

 

Likewise, Uganda, our country regardless of who is in power, offers us very many opportunities for trade and investment, service and retirement.  It is in Uganda's interest to fully and respectfully engage the Diaspora. It is in UNAA's interest to fully and respectfully engage the Ugandan Government, regardless of the individual UNAA members' political leanings.

 

Just as there are many UNAA members who strongly oppose the NRM party, there are many who support the NRM.  Just as there are many who are monarchists, there are many who are anti-monarchists.

That does not mean that UNAA must not host the leaders of Uganda's kingdoms.

 

Our Association is non-partisan. This does not mean that our Association must shun politicians.  Item (d) in the Preamble of the UNAA Constitution clearly describes one of our goals as being "to build partnerships with key stakeholders that will facilitate the growth of cultural, philanthropic, economic and educational interests between the peoples of Uganda and North America."

How do we do this by shunning those who hold the keys to the dual lock that we must open to enable mutual benefit for the people of Uganda and North America?

 

Indeed one wishes that Dallas had been graced by the presence of President Yoweri K. Museveni himself, for UNAA, the oldest and best known Ugandan organization outside our motherland, represents a very powerful development partner with the Ugandan government, namely, Ugandans in the Diaspora.

 

It is my hope that the organizers of UNAA@25 will allot Mr. Ssekandi ample time to address the delegates in his capacity as Vice President of our motherland.  It will not be enough for him to say "hello" and retire to a hearty lunch. 

 

Mr. Ssekandi, of course, will not be the first senior Ugandan politician to address UNAA. Off the top of my head, I recall that the following have been special guests, with ample time to speak, at UNAA conventions: Vice President Samson Kisekka (1993), Minister Basoga Nsadhu (1998), Prime Minister Paul Nsibambi (1999), President Yoweri K. Museveni (2000), Dr. Kizza Besigye (2001), President Yoweri K. Museveni (2004), Mrs. Janet Museveni (2009), FDC President Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu (2012), DP President Norbert Mao (2012). 

 

I am happy to note that UNAA@25 will have, among others, the following Ugandan politicians who have confirmed that they will attend and speak at the convention: Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, President of FDC; Mr. Norbert Mao, President of DP; Ms. Betty Kamya, President of UFA; Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Minister of Health; Mr. John M. Nasasira, Minister of Information Technology; Mr. Henry Banyenzaki, Minister of State for Economic Monitoring; and Ms. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Minister of State for Northern Uganda.

 

I have always found the presence of such a cross-section of Ugandan leaders very enjoyable and informative. It has always given me an opportunity to engage them both publicly and privately on matters that I consider important. Some of our conversations have been passionate. We have agreed on some issues and disagreed on others.  However, we have always respected one another and I have always come away enriched by their comments and observations.

 

This year's Ugandan Government delegation will also include Mr. John Byabagambi, Minister of State for Works;

Mr. Vincent Makumbi Nyanzi, Minister of State, Vice President's Office and Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, Senior Presidential Advisor, Politics and Mobilization.  

 

I understand that the Omukama of Bunyoro may also attend UNAA@25. What an honor and opportunity that will be for us to engage the Omukama, not only because he represents a section of our people, but also presides over what may well be the most lucrative investment destination over the next few decades!

 

I also know that FDC President Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu will be holding a Town Hall Meeting in Dallas (similar to ones planned for Boston, Minneapolis and Toronto) to engage in political dialogue with Ugandans. Surely if it is OK for the FDC leader to speak to us, it must be OK for the Vice President of Uganda to do likewise.

 

I am aware that there is an honest difference of opinion on the question of inviting politicians to UNAA conventions. That debate is healthy and must continue.   However, until the Membership decides to ban all politicians from our conventions, we must continue to do what Ugandans do well, namely, hospitality and courtesy extended to visitors. That these visitors are our brothers and sisters should encourage us to go the extra mile to welcome them in our midst and give them a most memorable reason for them to attend future UNAA conventions.

 

On a personal note, it is not those I agree with that I want to hear from. It is always those I disagree with I like to engage in order to exchange ideas and visions. Perhaps I might help them change their views, attitudes and practices. However, I must always be willing to have my views changed as well.

 

I look forward to seeing you all in Dallas, and to receiving and honoring the Vice President of Uganda and his delegation.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Dr. Muniini K. Mulera

Chairman, UNAA Board of Trustees

 

 

 

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