ugnet_: RE: [FedsNet] UPC: A personal view

[J Ssemakula]

Mr Kyijomanyi:
 
Here are the results of the 1961 & 1962 elections. Probably only the 1962 can be said to have been free and fair. The 1961 election was free but Buganda boycotted it for a variety of reasons. 
 




RESULTS OF  1961 & 1962  ELECTIONS IN UGANDA


PARTY

1961

1962


VOTES

% OF ALL VOTES

SEAT WON

VOTES

% OF ALL VOTES

SEATS WON


    DP

437,212

42.3%

44

566,347

32.2%

24


    UPC

512,386

49.5%

35

544,682

30.9%

37


    KY

Boycott

Boycott

Boycott

625,710

35.6%

21


    All Others

84,142

8.1%

3

23,332

1.3%

0


    TOTal

1,034,194

 

82

1,760,071

 

82
 
Comparing the vote 1961 to 1962, one can see that DP garnered  nearly 30% more votes in one year; while the UPC managed only a lukewarm 6% increase.  DP definitely gained from Buganda's participation in 1962. In all fairness UPC did not field any candidates in Buganda in 1962, per then existing  UPC - KY alliance.
 
However when one looks at the 1980 elections which were "won" by UPC via rigging:
CP        70,181
DP   1,966,273
UPC 1,966,759
UPM   171,189
 
one sees that even massive rigging -- especially in West Nile, the UPC do not command the overwhelming majorities  claimed by their supporters. 
 
(Recent events in Lira would indicate to me that now the UPC can pretty much forget Acholi, without even so much as a goodbye-kiss!)
 
And, in constituencies located in Buganda, the UPC were throughly trounced by the DP. The only close race  in Buganda came from Mukono North:
CP     2.1%
DP   48.1%
UPC 43.1%
UPM  0.0%
 
Otherwise, in Buganda, the returns were mostly like this:
                    CP     DP        UPC     UPM
Luwero N     1.2%   65.7%  10.5%  8.8%
Luwero S     5.6%   78.1%  11.1%  0.7%
Luwero SE   6.7%   70.0%  14.9%  1.0%
Luwero C     6.6%   71.6%    7.9%  0.9%
 
As for the other issues, well ...
 
Ssemakula
----Original Message Follows---- 
From: "WB Kyijomanyi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Subject: [FedsNet] UPC: A personal view 
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 17:31:19 +0000 

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Listers:
 
I agree with both Mr. Golooba and Mr. Oryema and I do not old brief for Mr. Ssemakula, but before he is condemned, why can't our leaders apologize?
 
The cases cited in Canada, USA, Germany, name it, leaders have apologized or tried to say so. Have you seen that in Uganda?  Instead many write as if they are communicating with idiots who never lived through the hell of their brutality.  
 
It is up to UPC leaders to ponder whether an apology is necessary and not only to Buganda or the people of Buganda, but also to the people of West Nile and yes Acholi. I can say it right here: Acholi is burning because UPC simply wanted to use them without giving them their due.  Now some UPC members even on this list just mock them.
 
Chances are, Dr. Obote will go to his grave without atoning for his sins and you want the people of Uganda to simply do otherwise.  Let Dr Obote issue an apology to the people or regions that suffered and continues to suffer because of his failed policies. When is he going to accept some personal responsibility? He was Commander-in Chief yet when it comes to the atrocities he is silent? What kind of leadership is that?   He thought he would be the one to run the clock on Uganda, and boy, was he wrong. 
 
UPC and Dr Obote should realize that YKM will continue to run the clock against him. Obote. We are in the 4th Quarter beyond the two minute warning, and UPC has no time outs left.  They need a first down to continue the play, but are fourth and 10, at their own 10 and trailing by a touchdown; staring at a very stingy defense.  They can still convert and get the first down and continue play or hand over the ball at their own 10.  
 
Forget all the bravado from Akena, UPC has never been in such a bad shape before. I hear Rwanyarare and Kanyomozi are among the contenders. That is the dilemma UPC faces. Will a Langi peasant in Dokolo, an Itesot from Katakwi or an Adhola from Nagongera continue to sing Nyamurunga when the party is led by a Westerner?  And will a peasant from Mparo or Kabale continue with the party if one of their own is rebuffed?  That is the mother of all questions and explains why Dr Obote hangs on and will continue to do until otherwise.  UPC will have to play catch from a much weakened position. That is not a bad thing for once. 
 
The point is that UPC has never won a fair election. It relied on violence and other tactics to scarp through in 1980. It stacked the decks from constituency meandering favoring UPC to outright rigging. Since I may be challenged to prove it by some here are a few cases:  Sam Mugwisa in Mubende defeated but declared the winner, the mad man from Busiki, Luwulizza Magoola Kirunda defeated by Paulo Wangoola, yet declared the winner.  Twino Katama in Kabale defeated by Mr. Robert Kitariko, declared the winner.  
UPC�s brutal tactics of killing DP candidates in particular is what gave the country the accidental MP by the name of Dr. Kiyonga in Bukonjo. Without UPC�s tactics, chances are Kiyonga would not have come to be who he is. He is a product and a beneficiary of UPC�s tactics of murder. 
 
All seats in West Nile uncontested and UPC declared the winner (it was not for lack of opposition but Opon Acak�s tactics and one begin to understand why he had to be rewarded later on). 
 
Can UPC replicate such a friendly environment under the current circumstances?  I actually agree with YKM that 1986 marked a decisive moment in Karl Polanyi�s terms. Certain things will never, ever, again be the same, and one of them is that UPC a bully used to rigging elections now finds itself on the outside pleading to be listened to.  That folks whether you agree with YKM or not is a fundamental change. Whether it is good or bad you are the judge.
 
Once again, let us move away from too much political correctness and say as it is. The memories are still fresh so spare us the historical revisions.  Political correctness is what stands in the way of genuine forgiveness and reconciliation in Uganda.  We need a national version of mato put.
 
Kyijomanyi
 
 
 
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