{UAH} LUKWAGO’S PROBLEM WAS ABSENCE OF VISION-CLASSROOM SESSION FOR ELECTED LEADERS

Now that Kampala's voters are 'orphaned' with their Lord Mayor Erias
Lukwago predictably, but unbelievably, pushed out of 'things', some
crisp, handy lessons arise. One, that democracy is multi-faceted, with
may tiers to it. Two, that democratic mandate isn't all. The full
course goes with control. Third, and, for this article's sake,
beneficiaries of democracy must have a "vision" to be stable and
dependable.

In 2011 when Mr. Lukwago faced a line of opponents vying for Kampala's
top political job, he was not an upstart, having been MP and a
high-riding lawyer. His profile swelled as DP's legal specialist. With
acclamation thus earned, Lukwago picked inspiration to join politics
where he floored veteran Francis Babu. As Kampala Central MP, Lukwago
arguably excelled hence outgrowing the small constituency for the
larger Authority in only five years.

Recalling, however, that Lukwago made a name as a lawyer and joined
politics out of choice, it's no surprise he took his new field of play
for granted. He placed all faith in legal expedience, neglecting
political adaptability. During pre-campaign season, he neglected his
old home (DP) which eventually ended up backing Mr. Michael Mabikke of
a rival party (SDP).

During campaigns, Lukwago's team decampaigned DP candidates to the
council, leading the majority of seats to fall to the NRM while he won
as an Independent and DP has silently been cursing him. The day he was
outsmarted at council level is the day the pillars of his tenure
cracked. In fact, he has served longer than expected. The Lord Mayor
should have changed tact otherwise he was bound to be the loser. He
left DP, was not in FDC of his bossom buddy, Dr. Kizza Besigye; had
severed links with Mabikke and Al Haji Ssebaggala who inspired him to
join politics, not knowing that he needed the foundation of his DP
godfathers and their network. Mr. Lukwago with no political home has
been like a football; anyone pulled and kicked.

On several occasions, Lukwago materialized as overwhelmed, unconfident
how to go about things and with a toothy KCCA Act grinning at him.
Matters took a turn for the bizarre when city managers realized that
indulging him with a fair cheque and costly car wouldn't stabilize him
enough since he really had no lasting alliances with anyone. Then they
recalled how the KCCA law which he enacted as MP provided a political
sniper vantage point and from ensuing developments, the law has been
the law but with political ramifications.

When the Lord Mayor-elect declared that he had defeated a man he
wasn't contesting with (the President), that was a barbed political
statement but baseless in law and meaningless for tenure of office.
Then he chose a DP councilor (Mr. Sulaiman Kidandala) as his deputy
while the NRM still wondered at the mismatch of having majority seats
without the top positions. So the ambush was set and a showdown
booked. By the time Dr. Besigye came on the scene to add insult to
injury in his unique style, a small box was already engulfing Lukwago.

In that state, he was absolutely surrounded by a cocoon of political
foes with very powerful links. He was left with measly space to
manouvre as his executive got empowered and politically fueled to
erode his power base. In totality, he was a lone figure, surviving on
moral support and a constituency with shifting priorities and there is
no way he would firmly hold the status quo like that.

This could be about wanting to frustrate opposition leadership in the
city but more about how individuals, favoured with public office,
position themselves to understand their constituencies and how to run
the full length of their term, whether the whole world is against them
or not; a basic duty. How they do is another matter! Take it or leave
it, there are a number of leaders in this country against whom such
moves have been attempted (including the President) and others who
will soon face the same test but few get booted. Mr. Lukwago may have
been unlucky, therefore, but more lacking in survival plan.

The other day, seeing Lukwago lamenting at a press conference how
"they" were conspiring to throw him out (and he did seem abreast of
the timeline), made me feel sorry for his electors. A man with 230,
000 "urban" votes behind him! That was far beneath him. In the next
life, such should never be heard of again.

Look! He could have signed a memorandum of co-operation with holders
of majority seats and their "gods", and at least turbulence would have
subsided. It's paramount for leaders to have a mental picture of where
they are headed, day and night, seeing through comfort zones, making
oneself indispensable with rivals, and mutually beneficial with
supporters. Being "Independent" is a prestigious ticket of free
conscience but it takes no less than a solid vision to survive on it.
Too bad what has happened!

Robert Atuhairwe

--
"TRY TO GROW UP!"