By John Stephen Katende

12^th Sept 2011:

NRM-UK Chief Asiimwe at Oslo conference

The National Resistance Movement [NRM] United Kingdom Chapter Chairman Mr. Patrick Asiimwe has been accused of ‘gate-crashing’ into a conference in Oslo-Norway.  The conference was organised by the Norwegian Council for Africa to discuss the ‘Post-election Violence by Government Forces and the Prospect for Democracy in Uganda’.

Uganda Correspondent has seen a video recording of the conference on facebook in which Mr Robert Egwea, the Secretary for Research and Political Affairs – NRM UK and Ireland Chapter confirmed that he was the only NRM official from London who had been invited to the conference.  His boss Patrick Asiimwe, Egwea said, “…sponsored himself”.

Mr Asiimwe allegedly ‘forced’ his way into the meeting, and demanded that he be included on the panel.  Out of embarrassment, and perhaps to avoid any ugly scenes unfolding at the conference, the Norwegian Council for Africa, we understand, succumbed and granted Asiimwe’s demands.  The NRM-UK Chapter boss is also accused of “inviting himself” to a dinner that was only meant for invited guests.

Uganda is now a ‘Fool’s Paradise’

A participant at the conference told this reporter that, “…the only positive outcome that can be squeezed from Asiimwe’s disgraceful behaviour is that it actually corroborated FDC Envoy Sam Akaki’s central message to the seminar that Uganda is a ‘Fool’s Paradise’.  Museveni is using violence to impose himself on Uganda.  Asiimwe’s self invitation to the conference is proof of that”, the source added.

Earlier in his presentation, Mr. Sam Akaki had declared that Uganda was now a ‘Fool’s Paradise’ because General Museveni is the State, and the State is General Museveni, the mortal man who will die sooner or later, leaving Uganda a failed State like Somalia, the DRC and the Ivory Coast which collapsed when their respective strongmen rulers died.

“…He [Museveni] is the law and the final arbitrator in every national and individual dispute.  He decides who gets which job or market stall.  This raises one fundamental question – what happens to Uganda as a country when General Museveni the man dies as all of us must”, Akaki is reported to have asked.

Akaki also said the ruling NRM party is legally fused with Uganda’s state institutions including the army, police, the civil service, and Judges; some of whom underwent training at the NRM’s ideological school in Kyankwanzi.  Asiimwe on the other hand is reported to have said that Kyankwanzi was “necessary to de-toxicate” some minds.

Western donor countries come under attack

In his concluding remarks, Akaki is reported to have predicted that the donor countries that blessed and in fact took direct military action against deposed Libyan leader Col Gaddafi will never countenance any such action against Museveni because “…he is their reliable foreign policy tool in the region”.

Akaki also said Western donor countries have three policies on Uganda: Hear no evil; see no evil, and speak no evil. “…It would be very unfair and indeed a tragedy if the Norwegian people who have for almost fifty years been giving their hard-earned money to reduce poverty in Uganda were to be called upon to feed starving Ugandans in 10-20 years times”, Akaki warned.

Museveni’s men defend NRM record on corruption

At the same conference, NRM’s Robert Egwea fought hard on the floor to defend his government’s questionable commitment to the fight against corruption.  Egwea said his ruling NRM government had established institutions like the office of the Inspector General of Government [IGG] and the Anti-Corruption Court to fight corruption.

He also said the NRM government had empowered many women, to which Ugandan Journalist Dr Magombe retorted:  Does that include the Minister for Karamoja Affairs?  It was a veiled reference to First Lady Janet Museveni that attracted prolonged laughter from the audience.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.