{UAH} It's time for stocktaking in Uganda opposition politics

We have some Ugandans and non-Ugandans posing as Ugandans actively participating in opposition politics. Some of these are travelling to all parts of the world at anytime. Some are facilitated to secure visas without any difficulties. Some are travelling on diplomatic passports. If you follow what is going on in a dialectical manner (by focusing on that which is not said and you need to develop a skill to do this) you see some operate under cover: they don't want to be interviewed and even worse don't want to be photographed. Some are using fake names. And as you dig deeper you find they were closely and possibly still closely connected to the center of power in Uganda. Some of the organizations being formed are funded and nursed by the NRM machinery.  That is why when we make a move forward, it is followed by a step or two backward. That is why opposition parties are unable to join forces. That is why some in the opposition are doing very well economically and are helped by the NRM machinery in many other ways to get them compromised. When you are compromised you can't bite the hand that is feeding you. NRM is still in power not because it is strong but because the opposition is compromised and weak.

Then we have those who see themselves as the only leaders to replace the NRM regime. Anybody who surfaces will be blocked regardless of the ideas they put forward, their expertise and experience and above all their character. They attack them for their age and physical make up because they have nothing else to say. They forget their actions are discriminatory and go against the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals.

There are those who will use any means to get power, no matter the cost. These are the Machiavellian type of individuals who don't care about the human costs provided they get what they want. To them the end justifies the means. They don't care about a repeat of what happened in the Luwero Triangle or in Northern and Eastern and Western parts of Uganda. These are the people pushing for war because they are unable to mobilize civilian population simply because they have no good message to sell.

Let us therefore take stock of the players in Uganda opposition at home and in the Diaspora and identify genuine opponents of the NRM regime. Let us focus on those with real and practical ideas – not those who spend time abusing others without offering alternative ideas; let us focus on Ugandans with expertise and experience in governance and with impeccable record. Let us separate Ugandans from those who are not. Let us focus on those that have been consistent in their policy and strategy positions. Let us scrutinize those who worked with NRM until recently. Let them tell us why they stayed so long with NRM while terrible things were happening to Uganda people. Ugandans must not be taken for a ride again. None will do it for us. God helps those who help themselves. These suggestions should be used as a basis for evaluating the Uganda opposition conference taking place in Europe this weekend.

Eric Kashambuzi    

 

 

 

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