{UAH} Generals’ power fight controllable

Trending reports of a supposed power fight between two generals, Kale
Kayihura (IGP) and Henry Tumukunde (Minister for Security), may be
accurate or not but something can be done about it. Both senior
officers are important forthe NRM government. Both are needed. They
played a heroic part in the bush struggle, have served different
responsibilities and earned their ranks on merit. Now is not the time
to undo the record.

The endless reported rift which is now a public secret is worrying. If
it was background bickering that would be okay because these things
happen. But when they spill into the public forum people are anxious
and may misunderstand what's going on.

Historically, both men have made their contribution;they are respected
and should be appreciated in life. Each has a following, composed of
armed personnel and mobilisers who engage the civilian population. A
persistent and escalating split may draw in innocent people whose work
is compromised by the mixed signals they get. Bad blood at that level
affects government operations and NRM's reputation. Already, I have
seen some taking it as a sign that NRM is on the way out yet in
reality, the generals are not leaders of NRM (the organization). Their
issues have a political cost, nevertheless, and the situation should
be arrested in good time.

People are failing to work with this uncertainty. Like for me in
public relations, it makes my work difficult because I can't tell
which position holds at any one time and what's correct or false. We
may be mistaken to belong to camps where as not. People could lose
their jobs (and lives). It's that serious while out there it may seem
like a small misunderstanding or poor communication and interactive
skills.

There is something to pick from the political front and dully, I would
like to congratulate my superior boss, the president of Uganda, Gen.
YoweriKagutaMuseveni. In his capacity as National Chairman, last week
he reconciled two politicians, Moses Balyeku (MP Jinja West) and
IgemeNabeta (ex-MP JInja East).Their squabbling has been affecting the
whole Busoga and creating difficulty for top leadership to decide who
to work with or how to deal with both. Now NRM is assured of a good
run at the by-election and I hope the two former antagonists truly
find in their hearts to think big failure of which they will both go
down and new blood will surface.

I have never doubted my President's abilities when it comes to
bringing people together and deploying anyone effectively. He is a
legend in that regard in the region and on the continent of Africa.
Taking care of the generals should be like drinking a nice cup of
milk. Remember, it's easier to manage officers than civilians since
their rules of engagement are rather self-explanatory.

While some of the differences can be ironed out by the individuals
concerned, being that they are seniors and they are expected to
understand the importance of teamwork and the idea of protecting the
revolution at all costs, a prolonged or irreversible fall-out should
be avoided. The commander-in-chief would have to step in clarify the
working relationship and set boundaries of duty and reporting. From
the outside, these demarcations and structures are obvious but in
practice it's not the case and political responsibility lies with the
NRM which people will think is in disarray whereas the larger section
of state agencies is in complete harmony and mechanical shape.

It's not an issue of dismissing or redeploying but resolving
differences and ensuring that portfolio holders are comfortable and up
to the task or they express their true intentions in case they feel a
need to shift station. Experience should be drawn from the time in the
bush when effort was always made to minimize unprincipled ego and
witch-hunt for best results. We are not at war (in the Luweero
triangle sense) but much more is at stake in terms of responsibility
carried over all affairs of the country.

Security-wise, with arms in various hands under different command and
power centers, it's a delicate situation where the antagonists bear
the mark and burden of proving their credential so as to maintain
their respect and moral authority over juniors and the larger
populace. An idea is being inadvertently propagated that the country
would be in turmoil without Museveni's intervention in any situation
yet his primary goal and responsibility is to have functioning systems
and clear rules by which office holders run affairs of government.

As always, uncertainty causes Ugandans, so used to freedom and peace,
to worry. Investors, too, are scared; our enemies are in overdrive,
con artists are busy ripping off the situation while politicians think
they have scored free marks after losing out elsewhere. For such, I
wish to inform them that there is nothing to celebrate.

By Kirunda Faruk
The author is Private Secretary to H.E the President in Charge of
Media Management

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