Ugandans have this week enjoyed the bitter exchange (real or stage managed) between two key members of Uganda’s first family.
First from the first son,Chief Of Defence Forces and Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda General Muhoozi Kainerugaba accusing his father and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Forces, Gen.(Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of wrongful onslaught on the ‘Innocent’ Micheal Mawanda while dining with the ‘corrupt’ Odrek Rwabwogo.
Second, the response from the President’s son-in-law and head of the PACEID, Odrek Rwabwogo accusing his ‘Muko’ of misdirected anger and mischief. One widely backed by PLU supporters led by the group’s secretary General Daudi Kabanda(MP) and another of the Disciples of Odrek Rwabwogo.
The unfortunate gesture has attracted murmurs from across with some believing and others doubting.
I belong to the side of the doubting Thomases, Is it real? Can it happen under Museveni’s watch? Is it intended to cover up and therefore deny publicity and visibility to Besigye’s Katonga developments? Is it not what my friend Joseph Tamale Mirundi(RIP) has been advancing? So was it real that it even manifested before he was buried? Is it that complex or actually very simple?
On which side would a wise political actor belong or is it possible for one to remain neutral in the face of a time bomb yet to explode?
The MK – Odrek outburst highlights the major succession battle that is likely to plung the country into turmoil in the immediate post. Museveni era? Imagine fire from the palace and confusion from the neighbourhood(read other political agitators).
It is certainly one complex puzzle that even those close to the bigman have feared to comment about atleast not openly. That is battle one in Museveni’s backyard.
Slowly growing but seriously troubling is the complexity of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a pressure group that many have predicted would grow into a political party or will it? At the NRM Secretariat i overheard an old woman(mobilizer) from Acholi consulting one of the top leaders on how they should explore the two NRM & PLU to their yellow supporters.
She talked of the likely confusion. She’s one of a million NRM loyalists lost for choice as well. To them its reading Mzee’s cards? Is Museveni in support of PLU or he hates that’s why he withdrew his only begotten and beloved son so he may not get lost but take grip of the most important organ of state power of the army?
At public functions,government officials are struggling to buttress advances of PLU promoters who insist its MK’S time now and hope he will be on the Presidential ballot in 2026 while cadres assure voters Mzee is still around and able. Is it Namyalo Uzeiye, Richard Todwong or VP Jessica Alupo to believe or Daudi Kabanda, Micheal Toyota Nuwagira, Frank Gashumba, Pr.Aloysius Bujingo and Balaam Barugahara to believe? Certainly I can’t tell. This is war two in Museveni’s backyard.
The most silent yet critical one is the understanding of Uganda’s key challenges today. Are there big political questions for Uganda now or Economic ones? Mr. Museveni and his advisor on defence and National head of Operation Wealth Creation Gen(Rtd) Salim Saleh believe there is no big political puzzle in Uganda but economic challenges, the war on poverty and unemployment. The political noise is alive only in a radius of 80km from Kampala and so is the confusion. Elsewhere the question is economic, survival and income generation.
Both, Museveni and Saleh are not worried of this, it’s a settled matter of ideological understanding that between the economic forms of capitalization and socialism is a unique ideology, the Musevenomics. Both economists and opposition politicians are still scared of antagonizing,criticizing or endorsing the Musevenomics.
But a few close people to Museveni and Saleh have tested the enthusiasm with which the Musevenomics is growing. And truth be told outside central and near East, the population seems less bothered about politics but money making.
I will dismantle the Musevenomics in the coming weeks. It is the latest monster or magic bullet likely to determine the conclusion of Museveni’s reign. Its an interesting subject to explore before its late.This is war three in Museveni’s backyard. Will Ssaabalwanyi win these latest battles?
Watch the space.
About the Author
Sir Simon Muyanga Lutaaya is a journalist whose career spans over two decades. He is passionate about business, social – economic transformation, and neonatal health. He can be reached on 0703700309 or Email: smlmediac@gmail.com