Some ironies of Ugandan politics and history
During my quiet moments, I have reflected on matters which I wish had not happened in my life time, such as the despicable and unprecedented invasion and desecration of the Bunge or Parliament of Uganda on September 27, 2017 and the unwarranted amendment of Article 102(b) of the Constitution on December 20, 2017.
The damage done by these callous actions to the body politic, national image and prestige of Uganda is so humongous that it will take decades to repair and undo.
The Observer of December 27 – January 2, 2018, published a picture on its front page which captures the contradictions, ironies and tragedy which played out in the Bunge on December 20, 2017. The caption of the photograph reads: “NRM MPs celebrate passage of age limit removal Bill last week.” Among the MPs who celebrated that tragicomedy was Mr Ephraim Kamuntu, Minister for Tourism.
Mr Kamuntu is an esteemed friend, whom I have known for almost 50 years. We met as students at the University of East Africa, Makerere Campus, in 1968. He was a resident of Northcote Hall, renamed Nsibirwa Hall, while I was a resident of Nkrumah Hall. Kamuntu was one year behind me at university.
We met again in New York in the 1970s when I was First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the UN and Kamuntu was a graduate student together with a mutual friend, Dr Mwima Mudenya (RIP). Both were regular guests at my house during their vacation.
Our paths crossed again in the 1980s after I returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters. Kamuntu was one of the powerful figures of the second UPC government, commonly known as Obote II regime. Ambassador Kamuntu, as he was officially called, was the de facto Minister of Finance, while president Milton Obote was the de jure Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Obote’s inner cabinet included UPC secretary general, Dr Luwuliza Kirunda, Mr Chris Rwakasisisi, Mr Peter Otai and Ambassador Kamuntu, who was so close to the former president that I wonder what Obote would say if he were alive today! I imagine he would begin by lamenting: “Oh dear! We are stuck!”
I am writing this piece with a heavy heart, but hoping that each one of us can learn lessons from mistakes we make during our journey here on earth. Scriptures teach that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Much as people change with the times, a man of principle and substance should not change so drastically that he can swallow his own vomit, let alone eat leftovers from hyenas and vultures!
One can forgive the likes of [Ibrahim] Abiriga, [Raphael] Magyezi and Simeo Nsubuga, who do not know what they are doing, but I found it hard to believe that Kamuntu would campaign for, defend and vote for the removal of the presidential age limit. It is mindboggling because, unlike Abiriga, he knows that there is no rational basis and justification for amending Article 102(b).
What on earth drives men, especially politicians to stoop so low and do such awful things which soil their reputation? Why do anything which is not in one’s long term interests? Is it for the love of money or is it a means to protect much coveted ministerial appointments? In Uganda’s tribal politics, could it be a case of a man or woman supporting his or her kith and kin?
During the 1960s, when I was at Makerere University, it was considered an insult to label a person a “tribalist”; today, in some quarters, it is a badge of honour, which some people wear with pride. What a disgrace!
It is a sad commentary on the political elite, intellectuals and intelligentsia of Uganda that we have failed to provide leadership to the wananchi, who look to us for guidance and solutions to Uganda’s problems which can be solved.
As Chinua Achebe argued in 1983, Africa’s educated elite – including those of Uganda – “have stood too long on the sidelines and too many of us have adopted the cynical attitude that since you cannot beat them, you must join them.”
That is why MPs who know it is dishonest, treacherous and wrong to remove the age limit, but who desperately long to eat, are prepared to betray and defy the will of the overwhelming majority of Ugandans on this critical issue for our country.
May the Lord have mercy!
Mr Acemah is a political scientist and retired career diplomat.
