Bobi Wine, consultative meetings, President Museveni, internal democracy

Two major events happened this week in our internal democracy and political front which have presented two stark contrasts to each other in their intended message. On one hand, the NRA great trek to retrace the Bush War in the Luweero Triangle ended on Thursday and, the other is the blocking of presidential hopeful, Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, during his attempt to hold consultative meetings.
President Museveni ventured out to re-enact the Bush War struggle that spanned five years, relating what happened as they planned for the battles and final onslaught on the UPC-led government under Milton Obote. The war stories are narrations of epic episodes of the daring nature of the gallant NRA soldiers who endured the hardships in the bush to liberate Uganda from the claws of tyranny.
During the trek, President Museveni honoured the Bush War fighters as he personally flagged off the 195km trek and went ahead to participate in it. The trek started from the Galamba Forests in Wakiso District destined for Bireembo in Kakumiro District. Galamba is said to have been the first tactical headquarters for the NRA fighters in the 1981-1986 war as they launched the attack on the Kabamba Military Barracks in Mubende District.
The trek is also intended to celebrate the freedom fighters’ professed patriotism and contribution to restoring democracy and rule of law.
On the other front during the same week, Bobi Wine, the Kyadondo East MP, was trying to launch the consultative meetings for his 2021 presidential bid. His first meeting scheduled for Gayaza was blocked by police, citing a number of guidelines and laws that the legislator had not allegedly abided by. Similar meetings by Bobi Wine were blocked, with police citing violation of the Public Order Management Act.
The two scenarios, of the re-enacting of the Bush War fight and police blocking Bobi Wine who is seeking to compete for power against Museveni should he stand again, are ironical contrasts of the ideals for which NRM claims to have fought to sanitise Uganda’s politics.
Some of the scenes playing out during Bobi Wine’s attempt to consult the electorate are the same ideals and tenets for which the Bush War was intended and it’s, therefore, ironical that the two played out at the same time, with one episode watering down the other.
If it was okay for Mr Museveni to have fought to right the wrongs in society which he perceived to be happening, it would be wrong to block someone else who has a different perception and wants to offer alternative leadership. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

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