‘Museveni successor should be youthful’

1. Why are you championing the idea of Museveni running for another term when many others are calling for his retirement?
I want to first correct the impression that it’s me championing the idea of the fifth term. We are many MPs who are in for the fifth term. It’s not Ogwang as an individual. We are about 152 MPs who are behind this idea. There are issues which we feel must be addressed by President Museveni. Some of us in NRM feel that the only unifying factor in NRM is our President. He should help us build a party and guide young party members. As NRM, we need to lead and exist for long.

2. Isn’t it a sign of weakness within your party to say he is the only unifying factor?
When I say, he is the only unifying factor, it’s because NRM was formed under his leadership. He was the chairman of FRONASA, NRA and others that later formed NRM. All party members respect him as the chairman of the party. But if there are others who want to contest against him during party elections, they are free to do so. Within our party, members are free to contest as presidential flag bearers as long as they have the qualifications.
But for us, we still believe President Museveni should remain around to help us build a strong party. Apparently all the party structures are not functioning. That’s why we have been losing by-elections. We need a stronger and strategic mobilisation plan and that’s why some of us believe it is the President who can guide us get to what we want.

3. Have you been sent by President Museveni to prepare the minds of Ugandans for the fifth term?
I don’t remember when I last talked to the President. Honestly, I have never talked to him and he has never called me over this issue. Nobody has ever sent me to talk about fifth term. As far as we are concerned, we are looking at where we want to go as country. It has been because of the leadership of President Museveni that we no longer have load shedding. He used to talk about need to have Bujagali and Karuma dams, but some of us were against it. We no longer have demonstrations because of lack of power. Traders in Katwe and Nasser Road are operating normally.

4. But is President Museveni the only man in NRM who can see all this?
The fact is, I have not seen anybody coming out strongly to say they want to be president. But in opposition, we have seen them. If there are those who feel they want to contest within NRM, let them come up and contest. But for me and other MPs, we are saying we are for Museveni even if others came up. We also feel that to win the game, you must have the best team.

5. You and your colleagues are behaving as if President Museveni is NRM and NRM is Museveni. Do you see NRM existing after President Museveni?
I’m 100 per cent sure that it will exist after him because we, the young generation in NRM, will make it stronger. If you look at the new Cabinet, there is a mix of generations. This shows there is a gradual process to bring up young ones close to the system to understand how a government runs. I’m not saying that the old ones should go but they must be there to guide the young because we need to tap their wisdom.

6. In 2016, President Museveni will be in power for 30 years. What do you think he will do between 2016 and 2021 that he has not done in 30 years?
When we are talking about science innovations, a young oil industry and others, these are long term plans. He will also have to build infrastructure, energy and oil industry. These are the key areas as NRM we will focus on, and if added more time, he will be able to conclude his plans. How do we create employment opportunities for the mushrooming numbers of unemployed youth?
We need to have Karuma, Agago and other energy projects implemented. He has been influential in the regional peace initiatives. South Sudan didn’t get independence by mistake. It was because of President Museveni. You know what is going on in DR Congo. UPDF is doing wonders in Somalia. Therefore, these are some of the projects that need to be concluded. Any leader can come in now, but what will be his priorities? We don’t know. For us, we think these are the main issues that he should work on and finalise.

7. How sure are you that he will retire in 2021 and if he retires who do you think has the potential to replace him?
If you can critically analyse, what would be the essence of giving Richard Todwong, an office of political mobilisation? What would be the reason why Frank Tumwebaze was given the docket of presidency? This shows he is preparing the youth to take over. The government of 2016-2021 should be a government of young people. I have heard people saying that we are doing this because Ogwang and group want to be rewarded. I want to say that I’m comfortable where I am. I represent 34 districts and hundreds of sub-counties. So, what bigger position do I want? My constituency is bigger than being a minister.

What recognition do I need from Museveni, when I control a quarter of his country? Even if he appointed me a minister, I would say; thank you very much and I turn it down. For replacement, my honourable Speaker [Rebecca Kadaga] can make a good president, even the Prime Minister [Amama Mbabazi] can be a good president. Tororo Municipality MP Mike Mukula has shown interest and can make a good president. They are many. But I have a feeling that President Museveni should hand over power to a youthful generation. If not, at least it should be a person between 40 and 50 years.