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âThe evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones.â
As parliament starts the second week of debating the long-awaited Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, its individual members should reflect on the tragedy of Julius Caesar, which is universally regarded as the most politically charged literary work of all times.
Strange but true, the relevant Scene is set at the "Forum". Explaining why he personally delivered the fatal stab wound, which prompted his erstwhile political hero and personal friend, "Emperor" Julius Caesar to cry out as he died, âEt tu, Brute?â [Even you Brutus?], a respected Roman Senator Marcus Brutus, told the crowd that gathered after the assassination:
"If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." (See. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Act Three, Scene Two, the Forum).
Although the tragedy of Julius Caesar was written more than 400 years ago, its moral is so pertinent to our present situation, particularly with regard to the third term project, that one would be forgiven for thinking that Shakespeare had Uganda in mind when he set about writing the play. In fact, Cassius, one of the leading dramatis personae predicted thus:
"How many ages hence shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn and accents yet unknown!"
Fast forward to 2005. To set the tragedy in our present context, let us substitute Eriya Kategaya for "Marcus Brutus", Museveni for "Julius Caesar", [Uganda] for Rome and the ballots for "daggers".
"If there be anyone in Uganda, any dear friend of [Museveni's], to him I say, that [Kateyaga's] love to [Museveni] was no less than his. If then that friend demand why [Kateyaga] rose against [Museveni], this is my answer: Not that I loved [Museveni] less, but that I loved [Uganda] more."
I say long live Kategaya and all other patriotic Ugandans who think like him, especially those in and outside the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Senator Brutus continued, as Eriya Kategaya may do today:
âHad you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?"
"As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. "
Certainly, the 1.8 million men, women, and children and other vulnerable people living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, are indeed slaves or worse; and so are the 20 million Ugandans or 85% of the population, which is trapped in an unremitting poverty; and the tens of thousands of university graduates who cannot find jobs. The so-called employed UPDF foot soldiers and other ancillary militias, police constables, prison warders and all junior office workers, are slaves too.
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| SMARTLY ATTIRED: Are all these marching soldiers and the wananchi in the background bondmen? |
Just as Marcus Brutus did with Caesar, and many Ugandans will, I too, will react to Museveni's political and biological passage at two levels: At a personal level, I will regard him as a former president who did his bit, someone's beloved son, husband, father and uncle; and express my deepest and sincere sadness.
At a political level, however, I would regard Museveni as someone who lived with a death-wish and prepared his on political death certificate by promoting the kisanja.
For, just like Julius Caesar was driven by personal ambition to accept the crown as Emperor, President Museveni's naked ambition is driving him to amend the constitution in order to become life president.
In conclusion, Brutus asked the crowd, just as Kategaya would do today:
"Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended."
"Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman/Ugandan? If any, speak; for him have I offended."
"Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply."
These are the questions, which are facing the members of the 7th Parliament as they consider whether to support or reject the proposal to amend Article 105 (2) of the constitution. It is only a willing bondman, a non-Ugandan and a vile Member of Parliament who does not love Uganda who would vote to lift the presidential term limit.
The similarities between Emperor Julius Caesar and President [Emperor] Museveni are limitless. Just like Julius Caesar's supporters and opponents went to war; the third term question may lead Uganda the same way.
And just as Caesar called his trusted confidant and Aide de Camp, Markus Antonius [Antony] to bring only sycophants around him, President Museveni is today doing the same thing with Mayombo, saying:
Mayombo; "Let me have men about me that are fat; sleek-headed men [the Otafiires, Moses Alis and Jovino Akakis] and such as sleep over nights: Yond Cassius [Majors John Kazoora and Rwaboni Okwir and CO Okwir] has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerousâI do not know the man I should avoid so soon as that spare Cassius [John Kazoora, Rwaboni Okwir, OC Okwir and the like].
He reads much; he is a great observer and he looks quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays, as thou dost, Antony [Mayombo]; he hears no music; seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort as if he mocks himself and scorns his spirit that could be moved to smile at any thing. Such men be never at heart's ease. Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous."
To cap it all, Mark Antony made this poignant statement at Julius Caesar's funeral:
"The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones. So let it be with Caesar".
This applies to President Museveni as it does to all the Members of the 7th Parliament.
The only difference is that while William Shakespeare's "tragedy" of Julius Caesar was theatrical, the one facing Uganda is real, very real.
The writer is Interim Chairman, FDC UK Director, International Lobby for Reform in Uganda (ILORU), London
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