{UAH} The problem is not the Opposition, but a docile, ignorant and passive electorate

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The problem is not the Opposition, but a docile, ignorant and passive electorate

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By Harold Acemah

Posted  Sunday, June 7   2015 at  01:00

In Summary

In 2010, the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) commissioned a survey which revealed that only 30 per cent of Ugandans belong to or regularly support a political party, which means the vast majority of Ugandans are what political scientists call "floating voters" who do not owe allegiance to any particular party and hence vote according issues, personalities or other factors.

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Bashing Uganda's political Opposition has become a hobby and a national pastime for Ugandan columnists, ruling party apologists and all sorts of opportunists, who love to ridicule or unfairly attack Opposition political parties and their leaders in order to catch the eye of the man with brown envelopes and sacks of Uganda Shillings. Many have in the process "eaten" or feasted in the kavuyo, which passes for politics in Uganda.
The Opposition has been labelled weak, confused, devoid of alternative policies to those of the NRM regime, deeply divided by internal bickering and power struggles and hence incapable of defeating the "NRM colossus" at Uganda's next general elections due in February 2016.

If you ask me for my take on this negative portrayal of the Opposition in the media, I would say without any hesitation that much of it is hogwash, disinformation and outright lies aimed at demoralising loyal and potential members of Opposition political parties, which are united and determined to peacefully bring an end to NRM's 29-year rule of Uganda since 1986.
Like all organisations, Opposition parties have their share of challenges and problems, but these are not insurmountable.

A fellow political scientist, who has done a comparative study and analysis of the 2011 elections, has told me that among Uganda's major political parties, the manifestos of FDC and UPC were objectively the best, followed by that of DP and finally NRM. The allegation one often hears on Kampala's radio talk shows that the Opposition is only obsessed with regime change and has nothing useful to offer in terms of good policies for Ugandans is, therefore, not borne by facts and empirical evidence on the ground.
The truth of the matter is that the Opposition is capable, motivated and ready to provide better, effective and honest leadership for the people of Uganda who are yearning for change and an end to mega corruption, greed, mediocrity, tribalism and incompetent leadership.

In an opinion titled, 'Killing' Mugisha Muntu will bury the Opposition, Daily Monitor columnist Karoli Ssemogerere lamented: "It is tough business to be an effective Opposition politician in Uganda" and I concur with him. It is, in fact, dangerous and virtually a crime to support an Opposition party in Uganda today!
He argued in the opinion published on May 28, that based on the official results of the 2011 elections "it is abundantly clear that political parties would do themselves a lot of favour by coalescing around a new message and new leadership" and here I partially agree with Mr Ssemogerere, but where we part ways is when he argues that "the Opposition cannot win by trying to look like the incumbent party (i.e. NRM).

It needs a new message that goes beyond sloganeering and soaring rhetoric. The parties have to build anew from the grassroots or they risk being swept away in a tsunami of untold proportions".
For the information of all and sundry, the Opposition and certainly the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC), has not and will never try to look like NRM.

UPC, FDC, DP and most Opposition parties have not attempted to emulate NRM. Why would UPC, DP and FDC seek to resemble an organisation whose raison d'etre is "no change" in the mismanagement of the public affairs of Uganda? The Opposition parties are diametrically opposed to the NRM in every respect.
With regard to the message of UPC, DP, FDC and JEEMA, it is quite evident from their 2011 manifestos that what the Opposition parties offered the people of Uganda in the past and will offer in the future is substantive and goes far and well beyond mere sloganeering and empty rhetoric.

An idea for 2016
In 2010, the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) commissioned a survey, which revealed that only 30 per cent of Ugandans belong to or regularly support a political party, which means the vast majority of Ugandans are what political scientists call "floating voters" who do not owe allegiance to any particular party and hence vote according to issues, personalities or other factors, such as kitu kidogo! The figure may have gone up, but I would be surprised if it exceeds 35 per cent.

This scenario provides a golden opportunity to form a strategic and short-term alliance to challenge the so-called colossus at the 2016 elections akin to the CORD and Jubilee alliances of Kenya which consist of a number of political parties and civil society organisations.
I propose that all Opposition parties, civil society organisations, religious organisations and all patriotic Ugandans who are fed up with endemic and systemic corruption and who desire peaceful political change join hands to form a political alliance, organise politically and reclaim our beloved country from those who treat Uganda like food or emere for the insatiable appetite of the ruling class.

The future of Uganda belongs to all her citizens and nobody should arrogate to himself or herself the sole responsibility of shepherding Ugandans, who are the children of God. Ugandans, especially the youth, must play an active role in national politics and stop behaving like mere spectators at a football match! It is their future which is at stake!
As a God-fearing nation, Ugandans must rise to the challenge and defend, without fear or favour, their dignity, human rights and natural resources which are the gifts of God for the people of God.
May the Lord have mercy!

Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat.

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