The past few years a trend for peaceful change of power is dominating African Politics with a few exceptions countries like DRC, Angola, Gambia, Senegal, Liberia and Nigeria, Ghana are some of our success stories for peaceful transition.
African history on governments changing is not a rosy one starting from colonial times few imperial governments left peacefully Africans had to rebel remember the various rebellions after attaining independence there came a time of Military Coups in fact within five years of gaining independence most African countries had coups this was followed with civil wars or revolutionary wars with our very own NRA war and many more violent changes of governments that have been happening
Uganda has not yet had the chance to witness a peaceful transition of power this has left many citizens only imagining how it would feel when the time comes I am a true believer and definitely support for peaceful change which all political parties, civilians and non-civilians must embrace and fight for and of which Most Ugandans if not all believe peaceful change should be the way to go am not saying it’s happening today or tomorrow but all I know when the time comes for change of government it will be in the best interest of NRM and the incumbent to leave power peacefully.
- The Backdoor Opposition Leader Agreement
The Hope for such an agreement comes from the events that occurred in DRC remember the unpredictable outcome where the current president Flex Tshisekedi become president for those who followed these elections know that the odds looked to be in favor of flamboyant Martin Fayulu but becoming president is different from being the favorite candidate. Yes Martin Fayulu was the favored candidate most polls gave him a lead ahead of Tshisekediin fact according to foreign diplomatic sources, the Catholic Church had claimed that Fayulu was the winner, and both the SADC and African Union observation missions had also believed him to have been the winner but in the end the back door agreement won yes it’s an allegation but following African politics and the way the way President kabilas party won majority of the sits in the national assembly and governor sits something fishy happened for HE Tshisekedi to become president.
This brings me to our very own founder of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) General Muntu he’s the kind that can pull off such a deal with his silent calm way of playing politics in fact he fits the personality. But would such a deal work for us in my opinion YES. Major General Gregory Mugisha Muntuyera is a retired Military officer and joined guerilla National Resistance Army when the NRA finally took power in 1986 he emerged as the head of Military Intelligence he went on to step up in ranks later becoming the Commander of UPDF. Gen Muntu understands and relates with the “bush Men” cause he was one of them this makes him a favorite among the opposition leaders to cut such a deal. I do know of another opposition leader who’s a former “bush man” yes Retired Colonel Kizza Besigye has done his part and deserves to sit back and watch a peaceful transition happen in Uganda. President Museveni will need a person who relates to the struggles they went through, a person respected by the army making Gen Muntu a perfect Match or any other Opposition leader that may come who MUST be a former “bush man” for this agreement to happen.
This brings me to our very own founder of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) General Muntu he’s the kind that can pull off such a deal with his silent calm way of playing politics in fact he fits the personality. But would such a deal work for us in my opinion YES. Major General Gregory Mugisha Muntuyera is a retired Military officer and joined guerilla National Resistance Army when the NRA finally took power in 1986 he emerged as the head of Military Intelligence he went on to step up in ranks later becoming the Commander of UPDF. Gen Muntu understands and relates with the “bush Men” cause he was one of them this makes him a favorite among the opposition leaders to cut such a deal. I do know of another opposition leader who’s a former “bush man” yes Retired Colonel Kizza Besigye has done his part and deserves to sit back and watch a peaceful transition happen in Uganda. President Museveni will need a person who relates to the struggles they went through, a person respected by the army making Gen Muntu a perfect Match or any other Opposition leader that may come who MUST be a former “bush man” for this agreement to happen.
2. The Selected Cabinet Member Agreement.
The next possibility for a peaceful transition will be within the cabinet where the president will have to choose a successor among his own cabinet ministers. This comes from the Angolan Legislative election of 2017. The current President Joao Lourenco was Minister of Defence 2014 to 2017 and MPLA (Ruling party since 1975) Secretary General 1998 to 2003 when the then incumbent H.E Jose Eduardo dos Santos decided to step down he designated Joao to be the chairman and later become President for Angola. After 38 years of Eduardo dos Santos Angola had peaceful Transition through a cabinet select agreement where the President endorsed his very own Minister to succeed him.
In Uganda such an event would have probable happening it may not be among the current cabinet ministers or no necessary a serving Minister but former. This brings me to the time this was likely to happen remember Rt. Hon Amama Mbabazi who was then then Prime Minister and Secretary General of NRM (ruling party to date) but for his case he may have rushed into things or maybe something else is about to happen anyway leaving speculations a side for such an agreement to happen the President should of course chose among his close allies in cabinet I wouldn’t want to mention names for fear of contradictions but some Cabinet Ministers have been in their positions for ten years plus probably may have the trust of the President and someday become the next Leader after an agreement with the President.
3. The Popularity Agreement
This is one that baffles me and requires much hope and belief to happen it relates to the different events where talented and popular persons become Presidents through votes. This occurred in Ukraine, Liberia and Madagascar although it had some controversy and violence but since we are talking peaceful let’s focus on Liberia general elections of 2017. Liberia has had its ups and down in politics but after the end second Liberian civil war H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf become the president from 2005 to 2017. In 2005 George Weah after forming the Congress for Democratic Change decided to run for presidency but lost to Sirleaf. Critics blamed Weah for lack of formal education and thus couldn’t be fit to become president but in 2014 he ran for elections to senate which he won overwhelmingly. His popularity was based on his talent has a football icon which helped him politically from being senator to later becoming the current President of Liberia.
Hon Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamualias Bobi wine popularly known for his music and now one of the strong Opposition leaders. He was an MP for Kyandondo East Constituency and now presidential Flag bearer of National Unity Platform (NUP) like his counterpart George Weah they have both been representatives and later step it up to Presidential level the later lost the first and won the second election to the top sit but for Bobi wine it may be a different I find it hard to be believe he can win this coming election and probably the next one but I do believe he maybe the next leader and strongman of opposition in Uganda replacing Colonel Kizza Besigye.
Article is by Augustine Ntare. A budding political enthusiast and patriot at heart. He’s (@ordinaryguy) on Twitter.
