<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>The harrassement of 3rd term opponents has begun in our "shriving democracy". The article below by Alex Atuhire gives us some detail. In another article entitled "Museveni successor need not be sought" (Monitor 28 January 2003), Emmanuel D.Kavuma told us that President Museveni was "unequivocally clear" when he said that the constitution gave the incumbent no more than two consecutive terms.
The president seems to believe that his pledge to "follow the constitution" would take away suggestions for his re-election and discourage arguments for a bonus term. Unfortunately, the conversation has just begun and critics of this government should be prepared for harrassement if the 3rd term talk does not stop.
Arresting people or detaining them may not stop the debate, therefore I suggest that the president be more clear than he has been. Anyone who wants to hear an "unequivocally clear" message ought to listen to former US president Lyndon Baines Johnson who said in 1968, at the height of an unpopular war in Vietnam, that: "I shall not seek the nomination of my party, I shall not accept the nomination of my party and shall not serve as president ".
On the other hand, when Bill Clinton was asked, during the 1992 presidential election primaries, if he had ever smoked marijuana, always as sleek as a shark, he said that he had never broken any federal laws of the United States. Museveni`s technical answer to the question of succession is similar to Bill Clinton's answer on marijuana and in my opinion there is nothing unequivocal about these answers.
The president has demanded that we focus on the real issues of development instead of speculating on his intentions for 2006. Well, I recognize that this president is a patriarch in Uganda's politics, but I don't believe that he can nor should tell citizens of a free country what they should not be talking about.
First, to be fair to the president we must entertain the possibility that he is serious about retiring, and that being a skilled politician he recognizes that in order to continue to command and demand compliance from his subservient team, he needs to keep the possibility of a third term open.
Parliament which would have offered opportunities to develop leadership is largely composed of people who cannot tie their shoes unless they are "guided" by the president.
It is therefore smart politics for the president to remain vague because if he announced "unequivocally" that he would not be around after 2006, members of his team would begin to ignore his "guidance" as they would be too busy shopping for another "guide".
Second, not even critics of the president think that he will issue some dictatorial decree to suspend "obstructive" articles in the constitution in order to extend his tenure. The issue, or fear among his critics, has been the possibility of amending the constitution to allow him another term.
The critics believe that Museveni wants another term and is quietly working the movement structure to manufacture a "massive and overwhelming" wanainchi support for the amendment.
When the amendment to change the presidential term of office comes before parliament, critics believe that the "honorables" will offer as much resistance to seduction as a "sex-worker" on a Wednesday night. Museveni will take the oath of office in 2006 and invite the nation to celebrate the triumph of democracy. He will have been "faithful" to the constitution (as amended) and therefore the event would not be inconsistent with thestatements he keeps making.
If the president has already made up his mind not to seek or accept the presidency after 2006, he should unequivocally declare, Lyndon B. Johnson style, his decision. If on the other hand, he thinks that such a declaration would paralyze the smooth running of the country, then this suggests a lack of faith in our "democracy", an absence of patriotism in our people, and a lackluster commitment of his team to a president whose departure from office is certain. Either way, the conversation about meaningful democracy has just begun.
M.Muwanga Batuuka
<<<<<<<<<<<article below>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>Rukungiri cops quiz 3rd term opponent
>By Alex B. Atuhaire >Police in Rukungiri yesterday questioned a youth who officiated at a debate that opposed another five-year term for the Movement. >Robert Darius Tweyambe was questioned for more than two hours on the orders of the officer in charge of CID, Enoch Ndyomugyenyi. >Tweyambe said on phone that he was asked about the Jan. 19 debate at Nyakitabata PS, Bugangari in Rujumbura. >The debate, organised by Kakindo Student's Association, opposed the extension of the Movement and a third term for President Yoweri Museveni. >Rukungiri OC Station Abu Kalule declined to comment on the issue, while Ndyomugenyi was not in office. Tweyambe is not new to controversy. >On Dec. 16, 2002 he was discontinued from a three-week Chakamchaka (cadre training) course for opposing a third term for Museveni. >Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Emmanuel Nuwamanya gave the orders. >Yesterday Tweyambe said the officers asked him what had been discussed at the debate. >He said his remarks centered on corruption, the current wave of illegal arrests giving an example of Eng. Pascal Gakyaro, the Civil Aviation Authority official who is at Kigo Prison on treason charges. >He accused Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mary Kemerwa for engineering the harassment. But Kemerwa denied the allegations. >"I am fed up with that boy. He is such a nuisance in the district," she said. > > >February 07, 2003 11:24:53 >Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
