----- Original Message ----- 
From: Elum Aniap Godfrey Ayoo 
To: [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] 
Cc: Edward Mulindwa 
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 9:30 PM
Subject: M-7's Third-Term Talk is Undoing 18 Years of Movement 


Regional  
Monday, January 26, 2004  
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M-7's Third-Term Talk is Undoing 18 Years of Movement 
 Bidandi Ssali served in the National Resistance Movement government as minister for 17 years before being dropped in a Cabinet reshuffle in May 2003. He opposes a third term for President Yoweri Museveni and has publicly spoken out against attempts to amend the constitution to remove term limits for presidents. LILLIAN NSUBUGA and MICHAEL WAKABI interviewed him about the NRM's 18-year tenure and its legacy. Excerpts:
President Museveni said in 1986 that his government was not a mere change of guard but a fundamental change. To what extent has this come to pass?  

The Movement has done away with all sectarian sentiments in the political terrain of Uganda to the extent that if Museveni were to leave office today, the country would still be stable. The current talk in support of or in opposition to a third term for the president cuts across religion, tribe and region. So the political change has been fundamental.  

Would you say there has been a fundamental change in the economic side as well? 

Yes. Political leaders tended to see the economy in terms of capitalism and socialism and the state was heavily involved in the management of the economy. Today, the private sector is predominantly managing the industries and other sectors. The government's role now is fighting corruption and creating a conducive economic environment. 

Doesn't the fact that we are still discussing how to manage the change from one system to another suggest that Ugandan politics have not changed? 

 This is a problem that has arisen out of the fundamental changes we have achieved. We have moved from the question of disunity and backward political practices to dealing with real issues. The fighting is for streamlining of the management of power and operations of democracy. 

In which areas would you want to see further changes?  

We still have a problem with the definition of leadership. We are not clear in distinguishing between leadership for a cause that is associated with the country and the people, and leadership for one's personal gain. Unfortunately, the trend now is that most leaders are occupying leadership positions for pecuniary reasons and lack a national outlook.  

Is that what the president was alluding to when he said there was nobody with a vision for Uganda among the people clamouring to replace him? 

I don't think so. Otherwise it would mean that according to the president no other person has a vision, be it a politician or tribal leader. All serious politicians have a vision.  

What is your assessment of the country's economic performance in the past 18 years? 

 I am not an economist but the change of policy, where the state stopped playing a key role in the economy, has been a big boost. Secondly, the sustained peace and security in most areas has been a welcome incentive.  

For instance, as an investor, the government has provided security for me to do business and I have used its withdrawal from business - where it would have competed with me - to compete with my fellow investors. 

Could it have been better than that? 

I think we have failed in supporting and encouraging local investors who, despite economic changes, would remain in this country. 

What exactly then is ailing the economy?  

In my opinion, the collapse of local investors' ventures has been due to lack of specific incentives.  

Secondly, I think the debate of Uganda after 2006 has gone on for too long and is eroding foreign investors' confidence. There is need, especially by the president, to realise this and put a stop to this debate. 

Do you think that the Movement in its quest to attract foreign investors has actually ended up pushing out the indigenous people from some sectors of the economy? 

I think the biggest factor has been corruption. So many decisions have been taken in the name of encouraging foreign investments that have been based on pecuniary gains.  

Countries like Malaysia and Mauritius have achieved high economic growth performance in the same period that the NRM government has been in power. Why couldn't Uganda do the same? 

The number of years are the same but you have to consider the starting points. Malaysia and Mauritius were stable countries being run by competent democratic governments while Uganda was in ruins politically and economically.  

So in the first 7 to 8 years, Museveni's government was grappling with restoration. On the other hand, we are talking of manufacturing and building an economy that is based on industrialisation, and yet the base for industrialising is non-existent.  

Would you say Ugandans have benefited from being a one-party state for 18 years? 

I don't think we have been under a one-party state. We have been under the Movement system where everybody has been participating. 

But it lasted 18 years. Was that necessary?  

Our constitution was clear that after its making, the first five years would be under the Movement system and then a referendum would be held to decide whether to have multiparty or not and that is exactly what is happening now.  

What is your take on the war in northern Uganda? 

It is unfortunate that it was allowed to happen and I think we all have to take responsibility. There have been efforts by many in and out of government to push for talks with Joseph Kony. But no one can specifically say what Kony wants, making it very difficult to concretise the basis for talks.  

On the other hand, the government has been extending an olive branch to Kony and giving conditions at the same time. I think this was a mistake and has lent credibility to those who are saying we are not serious in wanting to resolve the war. 

What do you consider to be Museveni's greatest contribution to the country ?  

He laid the foundation for reconciliation and forgiveness among the people of Uganda after the bloody reigns of Milton Obote and Idi Amin. 

What do you consider as Museveni's failure? 

The destruction of his own legacy and that of the Movement. I think Museveni does not appreciate the value of his legacy to this country. He is responsible for reconstructing Uganda, re-establishing human rights, giving a constitution and putting Uganda back on the international scene.  

It is therefore very unfortunate that some people are now pushing for a constitutional amendment for him to remain in power.  

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"And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, 'When will you be satisfied?' We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities (.) No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream". (Martin Luther King, 1964 Nobel Peace prize laureate, assassinated for his struggle)

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