Museveni’s
Choice
by: The Editor, November 25,
2005
In 2006, Uganda is scheduled to hold its first multi-party democratic
election since President Yoweri Museveni took office 20-years ago. In
the last elections which was held under the Movement system in 2001, a
system in which individual candidates run based on individual merit,
President Museveni defeated his main rival, Dr. Kizza Besigye by
winning 69% of the vote in an election in which Dr. Besigye accused the
government of using force, intimidation, and violence. Dr. Besigye went
to court and challenged the result but lost. He fled Uganda after the
court decision claiming his life was in danger.
Arrested upon return
Dr. Besigye returned home on November 1, 2005 after 4 years in exile in
South Africa. He wasted no time after arrival at Entebbe before
attacking the Museveni administration. An action that may have
contributed to his arrest on November 14, 2005 for treason and rape
after the government had previously given assurances that “they had
nothing against him”.
The arrest of Dr. Besigye has turned politics in Uganda on its head.
The arrest has led to unfavorable comparisons between Uganda and
Zimbabwe where opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested ahead
of the March 2002 elections.
Decision to run
Until recently, President Museveni has been considered one of a new
breed of African leaders. During his 20-year rule, Uganda's economy has
grown steadily at an annual average growth of over 5%. His
administration’s commitment to tackle poverty, improve education, and
fight HIV has been applauded by many around the world. Achievements of
his administration in addition to economic improvement have included
the doubling of primary school education enrolment and reduction in HIV
cases.
Until recently, President Museveni had been fiercely critical of
African leaders who, he felt, overstayed their time in power. However,
last year at a national conference for senior members of the ruling
Movement grouping that gathered to discuss return to multiparty
politics, President Museveni proposed that term limits for the
presidency be revisited. As a result, earlier this year, Uganda’s
constitution was amended to lift term limits allowing President
Museveni to contest the 2006 elections.
Since the lifting of presidential term limits, the president has
declared his intention to stand for re-election in next March's polls.
President Museveni’s current stance is in direct contrast with what he
emphasized for so many years- that he is a new breed of African
president, one who will not overstay his welcome.
History repeating?
President Museveni’s remains one a comparatively good president,
although his increasing heavy handedness with which he deals with
opponents and supporters who speaks against him leaves much to be
desired. When the President’s friend, Eriya Kategaya, with whom he had
struggled against Idi Amin in 1970s opposed his campaign to amend the
constitution, Mr. Kategaya was removed from parliament.
But why did President Museveni seek to amend the constitution so that
he may contest the presidency in 2006? Is it to promote a “cause” as he
suggested when he responded to rumors that he not contest the
presidency and instead seek a UN position? In that instance, the
president was reported to have remarked, "I'm looking for a cause, not
a job.” But if it is “a cause” that President Museveni seeks, can
he not further that cause at the UN, in civil society or even in
government (but not as president)? Must he be the president to further
his cause?
At a press conference at the Commonwealth summit in Malta, President
Museveni remarked to the effect that as long as Ugandans have the power
to accept or reject a president, he does not see a need for a term
limit. This would suggest that President Museveni believes that if the
people of Uganda are willing to keep re-electing him, he should be
allowed to be president for life.
Successor
In President Museveni 2001 election manifesto, he claimed that he
wanted a second and last term in office and that one of his tasks
during that term would be to choose a successor. Is it possible that
President Museveni has been unable to find a successor amongst the 26
million inhabitants of Uganda? It is inconceivable that President
Museveni must remain as president if his cause is to be pursued? It
would seem that a carefully selected successor who shares his belief in
his cause should run for president instead.
I have been an admirer of President Museveni for many years. I still
believe he and the Ugandan people will make the right decisions. Let us
hope that if he contests the presidential elections in 2006 and wins,
he does not follow in the footsteps of others who initially governed
well but saw their governance decline. And, if he does not win the
election, we should hope that the president does not stand in the way
of Uganda’s first peaceful transition since independence. With luck,
the next administration will work to reinstate presidential term limit.
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