7^th February 2011

Left: Col. Samson Mande at an international conference

Col. Samson Mande, the man who was accused by Museveni’s government of involvement with the shadowy People’s Redemption Army [PRA] after the 2001 elections has advised President Yoweri Museveni to step down from power immediately.  He talked Uganda Correspondent’s John Stephen Katende in an exclusive interview.

Katende: You have been off the headlines for a few years now.  Where are you up to?

Col. Mande: Yes, the last interview I had with The Monitor’s Gerald Bareebe was in 2009.  I made it clear then that I was going stop partisan politics in order to concentrate on my education, promotion of African culture to highlight Africa’s values, challenges and opportunities to foreigners and many Africans who are detached from realities on the ground in Africa.

Katende: Do you have plans to return to Uganda anytime soon?

Col. Mande: Definitely returning to Uganda remains my daily dream and objective.  I am going to Uganda soon.  Arrangements are underway.  I am just waiting for the election fever to cool down.  I am returning come what may.  Ten years of exile is not a joke!  I have a lot of love and feelings for my people; they have the same for me.  I also have a lot of unaccomplished business to do and I still have a lot to contribute to my country.

I am now loaded with education, experience, technology, contacts and connections that will solve problems for millions of my people in the East, West, North, Central and Southern Uganda.  I and some friends started creating jobs for the youth and farmers in many areas.  Some have survived, others have collapsed, and some are still limping.  They all need our help.  There are some fearless ones who have maintained communication with us and they will become giants.

Katende: Do you think you still have a role to play in shaping Uganda’s political destiny?  If so, then what role do you envisage for yourself and when do you intend to start?

Col. Mande: Every Ugandan has value to add, a role to play, and is obliged to contribute to shaping the political and socio-economic destiny of our motherland.  I started mine in the sixties [in primary five in Ndama School in Rukungiri district] when I organised the first strike in schools against “Kiboko” [caning of pupils].  In the early 1970s, Mugisha Muntu and I were behind the strikes in Kintunga High School [now named Muntuyera High School] against the injustices of the collapsing Amin regime.  In the late 1970s, I joined FRONASA to topple Idi Amini.

Then in early 1980, I was among the first people [not the Kabamba 27] to form the NRA to fight against the dictatorial regime of the Late Milton Obote.  And in 2001, I was one of the first members of the NRM regime to openly advocate for a return of competitive democracy in Uganda.  In fact, I helped launch the Elect Kizza Besigye Task Force in Rukungiri and Bushenyi.  So I started long time ago.  You should actually have asked when I intend to stop.

Katende: The NRM government that you helped bring to power celebrates its 25yr rule this month.  What is your assessment of how Museveni’s government has done regarding the things you fought to restore in Uganda in 1986?

Col. Mande: The period 1986 to 1990 reflected the values we fought for.  The unilateral extension of NRM/NRA rule [in the second term] was the beginning of the reverse gear.

Nepotism, tribalism and cronyism [the breeding ground for this chronic corruption] were born.  Mayhem, plunder and neglect were witnessed in Northern and Eastern Uganda.  Between 1995 and 1999, [after institutionalising the NRM single party state] symptoms of dictatorship, human rights abuses, and election rigging had become clear.  Between 2001 and 2006 we were back to square one.

Exiles, death squads and repression against people opposed to the NRM regime were part of the daily news.  Between 2006 and 2011, [the fifth NRM term] a multi party State was re-introduced; but we are yet to see a multi party democracy!  The NRM has only consolidated its rigging skills and excelled in corruption.  We are yet to see what will happen in the 6th term.

On the economy, the reforms we embarked on in 1986 would have created an enabling environment for economic growth.  But economic reforms alone without political reforms cannot yield good management of public resources and affairs.

On the question of peace and security, of course there is no war in most parts of the country.  But poverty can create insecurity again.  In fact if there is anything that has been evenly distributed in Museveni’s Uganda then it is poverty.  This was confirmed by Dr. Olara Otunnu when he visited Nyabushozi.  He found that there were people there who were poorer than the poorest in Acholiland!!

The poor are dying of poverty while the rich are drowning in riches.  This is the dilemma that can see Uganda erupt into war and insecurity more than the Haiti volcano.

Finally, we also fought for national unity.  But I have never seen Ugandans as divided as they are this time.  Everyone looks at everyone as an enemy; even in the NRM party itself.  So where is the good leadership, unity, and peace that we shed our blood for?  Until that good leadership is in place, there will be no “fundamental change”; only “fundamental problems”.

Katende: How do you think the 2011 campaigns are going so far?

Col. Mande: The campaigns are the same.  The ground is not levelled.  I have not seen candidates articulating solutions to Uganda’s problems.  The incumbents have nothing new to offer and the opposition is spending more time on lamentations.  The campaigns are not ideological.  When you look at their manifestos, you get lost.  They are offering the same things.  These guys are just in a power struggle.  The campaigns are more “moneycratic” than democratic.  Secondly, although people are not yet being beaten like before, there is high intimidation and that is creating apathy amongst voters.

Katende: Is President Museveni right to seek another term in office?

Col. Mande: I have never advised President Museveni wrongly and I want to repeat my advice to him.  It’s time for him to either quit wilfully and peacefully or forcefully.   He should not subject himself to a situation when the next opposition leader standing against him will be Muhoozi Keinerugaba.

He should be contented with what he has achieved, retire, and benefit from the fruits of his efforts.  This is a big offer he must not lose.  A good parent is that one who feels happy to see his or her children taking over the family estate before he or she dies.  A good teacher is that one who is happy to see his or her students graduate and get better paying jobs than themselves.  75% of Tanzanians wanted the late Mwalim Julius Nyerere to continue leading them but he said no.  That’s what statesmen do.  That’s what people with a heart full of concern for the future of their country do.

Katende: Which of the eight presidential candidates do you support or wish to see win the February elections?

Col. Mande: Any leader, no matter which political party they come from, can do better.  Do not under estimate any of them.  Museveni could not even win a parliamentary seat in 1980s.  His party got only one Member of Parliament.  But hasn’t he become the longest serving President?

Katende: Finally, what do you make of the collapse of the PRA treason case?  Are prepared to go back to Uganda to clear your name since the government linked you to the PRA?

Col. Mande: In the first place, there was no PRA.  That also means there was no case.  Time has told the truth.  But Uganda still needs redemption.  You know the late Mayombo who baptised us PRA was a brilliant chap.  He had a vision and was beginning to walk the presidential walk.  I wish he had lived to make the PRA a reality.

Those who will redeem Uganda don’t even need to pick another name. The PRA was reserved for them by Mayombo.  It’s a good name and a good thought.  I pray in the Redemption churches in Sweden.  Whose name needs clearing?

If PRA existed, then it’s its owners who need to clear their names.  Shouldn’t it be those who killed Patrick Mamenero, Baronda, Higenyi, Kayiira etc who need to clear their names?  END.  Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.