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Because Ugandanet might not be able to post this
posting we are going to try and post it into 2 sections this is one and two is
imedietly following.
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Netters
Dr. Milton
Obote, my man of the year, every year man of the century. Since joining active politics in the 1950s the man has been consistent, objective and clear minded. Guided by ideals of democratic socialism, Obote has always believed that it is possible for African countries to mobile their resources, to plan in partnership with industry, a people centred economic and social destiny that befits a continent riddled by centuries of slavery, decades of colonialism, neo-colonialism, apartheid and dictatorship. Armed with this zeal, Obote the nationalist managed in the two short periods he served as president of Uganda, to provide the people not only with the only institutions worth of mention - ever, whether in health, education, transport, agriculture, tourism or industry and commerce but an exemplary personal conduct typical of a true Pan Africanist. He created the fastest growing economy in tropical Africa in just 8 years, so much that Uganda would today be over and above the league of South Korea and Singapore. What a shame. Ensured the standard of living of every individual Ugandan grew year on year, every year he was president. Best health service, best civil service, best education system, best transport (East Africa) network, name it! Interestingly, Britain's current finance minister (Chancellor) Gordon Brown, considered the most successful post war British Chancellor, happens to hold a similar view. That he has managed to make full employment in his country a real possibility while ensuring that the British economy remains the most economically stable within five years is a clear manifestation of my point. I first saw Dr.Obote in 1980 when he visited my high school, Busoga College Mwiri. He had just return from exile in Tanzania and was now touring the country. Prior to his visit, we had previously been blessed with the presence of Paul Ssemwogerere, the leader of the Democratic Party and Lt. Gen. Yoweri Museveni, then leader of UPM and minister of defence in the UNLF government. Ssemwogerere had been flanked by the late Prof. Kyesimira, whom, clinching his fist, we could hardly tell what he was saying. The visit was a non event, and I cannot honestly tell what either men had to tell us. When Museveni's turn came, he was flanked by Dr. Ruhakana Rukunda, then health minister. On this visit, I remember two things. First, Museveni said that if he were to become president, he would ensure Uganda was energy efficient by making transforming cow dung into energy. To illustrate his point, he made sure that he bent forwards, his hands backwards, while pointing where the dung comes from. Second, I recall that after their speech, the few students who wanted fun chanted OB, OB, to Rukunda, who apparently said that he was an OB - not sure for how long. Later, students were furious. Most of them complained that Museveni treated them like nursery school kids, at best Mwiri Primary School kids. For something I am yet to explain, days leading to Obote's visit were all treated like pending Christmas. Gossip, rumours, fan - but above all excitement. And it was the case with every student I recall meeting, in classrooms, library, sports fields, in the mess (dining hall), halls of residence, in Kakira - yes, everywhere. When the time came, no one was disappointed. The entourage, the colours, the humility but above all, the man. Flanked by several senior members of UPC and introduced by Bishop Bamwoze as Senior Old Boy, I now knew, that Obote was in fact an OB! And we were excited. In the course of his speech, Obote addressed the head teacher, the teachers, our parents (who were not there), the nation and above all, the man talked to us students in a language that we all understood. But that was not all, he talked to us like a parent, a concerned parent. More so, his humility sent most of us to tears - and I mean most of us - yes, most students, regardless of our political leanings at the time. And I will never forget this. " I went a proud man, I have come back humble...."Obote told the cheering students. Mwiri student support for UPC/DP were split in a manner that almost mirrored the county at large, perhaps 60/40 respectively at the time. On his departure, if an election were to have been held, the man would have won 95% of the votes, unreservedly. We never slept, the UPC membership swelled, the rally in the main hall the following day was full. Since then, to me, it was a journey of no return. But these are personal, perhaps biased assessment of brief events, over twenty years ago, when I was a little boy in lower secondary school. Obote, my man of the year, every year has other significant reasons for me to regard him and I may cite just a few. Prior to independence, it was Obote and the UPC that argued for free and fair competitive elections under the universal adult suffrage. For instance, in the first ever elections under adult suffrage was the Legislative Council (LEGICO) elections in 1958. The colonial government, for the reasons that Ugandans can guess-why, had decreed that these elections would be held only in those districts that wanted them. Some districts did and so did the Buganda Lukiiko. Obote led the UPC in the campaigns in favour of elections and by the time of pre independence elections of 1961, the whole country, except Buganda, was for free elections. As a result of this, the 1961 elections saw only 36,006 registered voters in Buganda ( (4/5%), while in the rest of the country the figures ranged between 75/85%. To illustrate this further, in the constituency of Paul Ssemwogerere, only 358 votes were cast. In other words, 358 votes for both Paul and his opponent. Two other constituencies did worse, with 132 and 133 total votes cast respectively. It is a fact that there was no constituency in Buganda were total votes cast reached 2000. True to his words, Obote has since ensured that the UPC never participated in any militarist governments, whether Amins of for that matter, Museveni's NRA. He has so much entrenched democracy and the principles of democracy in mind, that every day these days, like a mission, I believe that Africa will in my life time and generation, be a continent free of dictators, where power lies in the hands of the people, attained by the ballots not via the bullent where our people freely determine their destiny be it in education, health, their oil, friendship (certainly not with Sivimbi) - yes, regional integration or otherwise. Please do not forget that he in fact had time for the Biafran conflict, attempted to arbitrate and to sponsor mediation talks at the OAU. Everyday, there is no conflict in Africa that I do not feel a party to, every day, there is no death, useless death in Africa that I do not associate with, every day, there is no time I do not wish my continent were a true success story, an envy to the world. Everyday, I believe that if we all took that lesson, it would be possible that we would be living in a different Africa as a result. He entrenched the concept of democracy in my mind. This man, my man of the year, every year. Africa needs role models you know!!!!!!! Obote, while campaigning on the UPC slogan of independence now, while other Ugandans believed that we were not yet ready for self rule in 1962! When independence negotiations hit a deadlock in London over the federal status of Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole, Busoga and, the "Lost Counties" in Buganda, he broke the deadlock. As a result, all were resolved and as for the lost counties, a referendum was agreed to be held within two years of independence. It happened. Obote led UPC in negotiations for a post independence government of national unity. Contrary to reports, he in fact approached DP first, as the largest party after UPC. Ben Kiwanuka was approached, at tea time, in Parliament Buildings, Kampala, Obote recalls. He told Kiwanuka that he wanted a meeting to discuss the desirability of a National Coalition government leading to independence and that he would formally put it in writing, should he consider the idea worthy pursuing. Kiwanuka supposedly said that he would be in contact later but he never did. Obote kept reminding him until one day Kiwanuka said he was not interested. It was only then and after then that Obote approached Mengo. They readily accepted the idea but only became later concerned, when it became apparent that DP, using their position in government (pre independence) to restrict the registration of new members (KY was now formed as a political party), they now said that they would only go ahead with the arrangement only if DP was not part of it (assuming that they later came back and said yes). Part two continues..................... The
Mulindwas communication group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" |
