|
Mary Karooro Okurut
KEEN readers of this column
know that every first Sunday of the year I make predictions of what
we should expect to see on the political, social and economic scene
in the next 365 days locally and globally.
Most of these
predictions have come to pass. But I am taking exception to my own
rule this time round, to excuse myself from the predictions till
next week or so. Reason is that my mind is still cloudy â no doubt
due to a hectic festive season â and my seer powers have therefore
taken a due break. Make no mistake though, they (powers) will be
right back after this break.
As I look back at what 2004 has
been like, I will recall that one columnist whose name I do not care
to mention was all over me. Her problem? I seem to be obsessed with
President Yoweri Museveni and the Movement, and my writings were
seldom on anything else.
Now, now, now! Am I not the deputy
spokesperson of the Movement? And is President Museveni not the
chairman of the Movement? So what is surprising if my column is
never far from the Movement and its chairman?
The funny bit
about this whole thing is that the one who is on my case cannot stop
talking about Reform Agenda, PAFO and the, what is it called
again...? ... Ah, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) or something
like that.
And she wonât stop talking â or writing if you
please â about Col. Kizza Besigye and some other names I canât
recall just now. When was the last time you heard the pot calling
the kettle black, or a frog making fun of the toadâs eyes?
That
aside, 2004 has been another excellent year for the Movement. It is
still very strong on the ground in terms of structures and sheer
numbers.
Only the other day I saw ripples of excitement in
some quarters when it was announced that the opposition parties â
the G6 as they call themselves â have agreed to field a single
candidate for the 2006 presidential elections. The reading of these
people is that the opposition now has a strong chance of beating the
Movement to State House.
I have asked before, but I will ask
this again: what is new about this single candidate thing? Have they
not always joined hands to fight President Museveni?
For
those of you who thrive on statistics and data, I will remind you
that in 1996 they fielded Dr. Paul Ssemogerere of the Democratic
Party. President Museveni beat him with 75% of the vote.
Five years later in 2001 when they fielded Besigye,
President Museveni had no trouble scooping 69% of the vote. What and
where is the magic about the opposition this time round? There will
be nothing like an election upset, I can assure you.
The
kisanja movement is well on course and you can be sure President
Museveni, in accordance with the will and wishes of the people, will
be given another term in law (Constitution), and this verdict will
be confirmed with another strong electoral victory.
Contrary
to what some opposition leaders are trying to preach, the donor
community is not opposed to lifting of term limits, or specifically,
another term for President Museveni. All they want is that it all
must be done according to the law.
Talking of which, there has
been some noise made about the inappropriateness of the motion in
Parliament that seeks to kill off voting by secret ballot in the
House on constitutional amendments.
Protagonists of this
motion want MPs to be seen voting for a particular side of an issue,
in the open; instead of restricting their sentiments to a piece of
paper that no one else will know about.
Why should there be
a secret ballot? People ought to stand up and be counted in crucial
times as these. There should be no grey area and certainly no
hiding.
Anybody who is too ashamed or shy of their position to
openly stand by it is not fit to be an MP.
There are two
other highlights of 2004. One is the music industry whose artistes I
salute with passion. They have come out with beautiful, rich and
symbolic songs. Kudos to the likes of Julianna Kanyomozi and Bobi
Wine (Taata wa baana), Haruna Mubiru (Ekitooke), Jose
Chameleone (Jamila), Sheila Nvannungi and many others who
have made our music such a joy to listen to.
Two is that by
Godâs grace we have witnessed a happy ending to 2004 â the signing
of a peace accord with the Lordâs Resistance Army. This will end a
war that has plagued us for two decades and brought untold misery to
our people. This is an excellent way to start a new year, which is
clearly full of peace, promise and fresh hope. Happy New Year to you
all!
The writer is the Woman MP for Bushenyi
District
Published on: Sunday, 9th January, 2005 |
