By Dennis Otim – 9^th-15^th Aug 2010

NRM Campaign Bus

When news broke last week that Museveni’s government was going to pay $14.2 million [approx Shs31.3 billion] to the government of Burundi “as compensation for material and financial support it had offered to the National Resistance Army [NRA] before the rebel group seized power in 1986”, alarm bells rang immediately.

A US based Ugandan called Robert Ojwang, for example, wildly suggested in an email to Uganda Correspondent that “…the Shs31.3billion Burundi war debt is actually money that the NRM is taking from the treasury to fund its campaigns in 2011”.

Uganda’s Deputy Chief Secretary to the Treasury Mr. Keith Muhankanizi, a man who is said to have been deeply involved in this Burundi war debt deal, is however reported to have said that, “…we had a debt with Burundi and we paid it like all other debts that we have paid”.

Uganda Correspondent, of course, dutifully decided to test Robert Ojwang’s conspiracy theory on the streets of Kampala.  It is Friday evening in Wandegeya; a famous Kampala suburb.  Just outside a bar called “Queens” on Bombo Road, Uganda Correspondent approached three young men in their mid 20s to early 30s and engaged them on this Burundi war debt subject.

What do you make of the news that Uganda is going to pay Burundi Shs30billion as compensation for the assistance it [Burundi] gave to the NRA; our reporter asked?  “What do you think” was the swift response [or should I say question] that greeted the question.  The respondent, a clean shaven handsome looking chap, never spoke again.

“You Journalists need to grow up.  You behave like you live on mars and yet you are here with us every day seeing what’s going on”; said the youngest looking one among them.  Not to be out done, the third guy weighed into the developing roadside political debate cum interview with his own lengthy tirade.  Looking straight into his friend’s eyes, he said:

“Joshua, why do you think Museveni has chosen this particular time when elections are round the corner to start raising money from every possible avenue?  State House asked for billions of extra cash; Kayihura [Inspector General of Police, Ed] asked for billions of extra cash to police the elections; Nyakairima [Uganda’s army commander, Ed] asked for billions of extra cash; and now this Burundi war debt scam.  Do you really think the NRM won’t get a “cut” from all that to fund its campaigns”?

Next stop, Ntinda, another busy Kampala suburb!  Uganda Correspondent again approached a smartly dressed middle-aged couple standing next to a white Toyota Camry on UAM plates.  They looked undecided on where to settle for the evening.  Uganda Correspondent put the same question it had put to the lads in Wandegeya to this couple.

“You must be the only one in this town who doesn’t know that that money is for NRM campaigns”; the gentleman said, before grabbing the lady’s hand and marching off into nearby bar.

Obviously, Uganda Correspondent doesn’t know if the allegations made by the interviewees have any substance.  But there is another twist to this murky Burundi war dept deal.  Some Lawyers have disputed it and even called it illegal.  According to the Shadow Attorney General Erias Lukwago, even if individuals and companies from Burundi supported NRA, payment to them would still be illegal because whatever contract they signed with the NRA is “null and void” in law.

What is clear is that there has been a fundamental breakdown of trust between the rulers of our land and the governed.  A lot of people seem to have lost their “innocence” or gullibility.  They are simply unprepared to accept anything for what it is said to be; especially if it’s coming from Museveni’s government.