Netters, I wonder what dictator Museveni has given all these people. They are all brain-dead. Ooops! I mean if anyone may dare remeber out there when we were in Primary 3; and you would struggle to copy written sentences (and convince yourself that you were even better than Ogundipe). All of them do not have any idea to write but just keep rehearsing about who the dictator is, why he came to be, his so called mission. And none of them pauses just to ask about what it is they are saying. Please just read below one of the most abominating articles by some man trying to defend a dictator. They just do not see how the dictator-murderer has misserably let them down.
Bwambuga. ONAPITO EKOMOLOIT to the point THE WRITER: Onapito Museveni Too Loves Uganda MANY, if not all Ugandans, imagine they mean well for our dear motherland. It is, therefore, amazing that some people want to rig President Yoweri Museveni out of this list. Never mind that he is, arguably, one Ugandan who has (practically) demonstrated the greatest concern for the country, throughout his adult life. The President’s recent comment that he should not be pushed over leaving office was a fitting appeal to those who purport to mourn more than the bereaved. Many Ugandans are no strangers to the reckless leadership we had in the past. The scars of the terrible consequences are still visible. The President’s call for more focus on the vision for the country was made in this context. The point is that Uganda has always had and will always have presidents. What should worry us more is what the President does. Given that we have in the past gambled badly on the presidency, we need to be extra careful. The President said it was important that Ugandans were assured of what to expect in the person who comes after him. This is a life-and-death matter — presidents of the past personally occasioned killings — and we should not gloss over it. President Museveni’s concern was that instead of giving Ugandans a crystal clear picture of what to expect under them, his critics were dwelling on his departure. They seem to forget that Museveni still has two plus years on his popular mandate. In politics, a day is too long, so we are reminded. We should let the President do the job he was elected to, rather than turn him into a lame duck. More significantly, the President in questioning attempts “to push” him was worried about the democratic credentials of people clamouring to succeed him. Their actions are suspicious because they behave as if we have no constitution. As some one who has pioneered struggles against dictatorship in the country, the President was right to indicate that he may have to stand up against unconstitutional designs — if need be. The critics of the President are more disturbing in their insinuation that he wants to hold the country to his own whims. This argument falls flat on its face because the entire history of the President’s rise and stay in power shows that he has relied on the good will of the people. It is obvious that without popular support, the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush struggle would not have succeeded. This is validated by the fact that all copy-cat rebellions since 1986 have failed in capturing state power because they have lacked popular backing. And once in office in 1986, Museveni had the choice of ruling by the barrel of the gun for better or worse. But he knew it would be costly to the country. This meaning well for the country propelled him and his NRA compatriots — without being pushed — to ditch raw gun-rule and set the country on the democratic path. The long and well-calculated process resulted in the landmark adult suffrage presidential elections of 1996. This was the first time Ugandans got the chance and power to determine the occupant of State House. At this point, the President virtually lost any power to decide his stay in office. It now rests squarely with Ugandans. Come 2001, Ugandans again had the chance to decide whether Museveni or someone else would stay in State House — the rest is history. How can a president who chose to subject himself to the risk of losing power — he had to work extra hard — not be trusted to care for the future of the country? One cannot even say that Museveni is no longer clear on what he wants for the country. His vision, which he re-emphasised during the 41st Independence Anniversary, was very clear: After helping Uganda achieve minimum recovery and diversify its revenue, he now wants to see it transformed into an industrial country. He wants the country to stop relying on cheap unprocessed raw materials — coffee, et al — and instead process them into high-value exports. This is the only way our people can decisively be lifted out of poverty. The thousands of youth out of school would have jobs in the factories. The farmers would have ready market in the factories since they need raw materials. Government would collect more taxes and hence provide better social care. It would be a sure win-win formula for us all. You couldn’t get a clearer vision. Over to you who are “pushing” the President. Ends Published on: Friday, 17th October, 2003 Email this article to a friend. -- "President Museveni has reached a stage where he is incapable of differentiating between the demands of the people and his own interests." Dr. Apollo Milton Obote. Michael Bwambuga. __________________________________________________________________ McAfee VirusScan Online from the Netscape Network. Comprehensive protection for your entire computer. Get your free trial today! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/computing/mcafee/index.jsp?promo=393397 Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge. Download Now! http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455 -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
