We must all join true Ugandan patriots in IPC
By M. Suleman
18th Oct 2010
History repeats itself and Uganda has gone full circle. And after 31years, the country is where it was before the war to overthrow Iddi Amin begun in 1979. A few days ago, Principle Judge Justice James Ogola painfully lamented how Uganda is now bedevilled by lack of intellectuals, corruption, and maladministration.
Some critics have described Uganda as a country at cross-roads. Others have said it’s a monarchy, a state under foreign occupation, a garrison state, a failed state, etc. I feel the best description was given by Buganda’s former Katikiro Dan Muliika in the speech that heralded his entrance into active national politics. Muliika said from what he had read, seen, and heard, he concluded that it was no longer an option to remain on the fence.
Just as it was towards the end of Iddi Amin’s era, it is now an open secret that Uganda is in dire straits; in almost all aspects. It is now clear, even to a toddler that Uganda needs to be rescued sooner than later.
It was with full understanding of the grave situation Uganda is in now that the architects of the IPC transcended their partisan political loyalties, their individual ambitions, their tribal and religious biases, and decided to form the IPC as a nucleus around which Ugandans can unite with the prime objective of defeating and removing Museveni from power. The IPC is similar to the UNLF of 1979.
The IPC is not a political party and it is not about political parties or which political party should lead. Neither is it about political ideology or political posts. It’s also not about Besigye or FDC. It’s about uniting to save the nation from the burden of Museveni’s dictatorship. As the saying goes, Museveni is now like the proverbial ‘elephant in a china shop’; destroying anything and everything that we hold dear as a nation!
Looking at the calibre of politicians in IPC, one cannot doubt that these patriotic Ugandans fully understand the challenges facing the country. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hon Cecilia Ogwal, Hon. Mugisha Muntu, Hon. Ben Wacha, Hon. Reagan Okumu, Salaam Musumba, Hon Latigo, Yonna Kanyomozi, Amanya Mushega, His Highness Mulwanyamuli [and all Ssubi members], Hon. Betty Namboze, Hon. Erias Lukwago, Ken Lukyamuzi, and Hon. Mabikke to mention but a few.
All these are fine politicians. These are men and women whose patriotism and integrity cannot be doubted. These are men and women who are not looking for positions in government. They are patriotic Ugandans who are deeply concerned about the level our country has degenerated to.
By and large, the IPC is a reincarnation of the Moshi Spirit. It’s an expression of the mood in the country. And what is most comforting is that most ordinary Ugandans are not confused. They know what is required. All the people want is for politicians to join hands and remove Museveni for real change to come.
In 1996, many Ugandans voted for the change that Semwogerere represented without asking many questions. They voted in their millions for Dr. Besigye in 2001 and 2006 for the same reasons. All they wanted was to rid themselves of the belligerent Museveni; the man who imposed himself by force upon them.
We have to pay tribute to all the ordinary Ugandans who braved the harsh conditions unleashed by Museveni and his security operatives since 1996. Conditions in the 2011 elections are expected to be equally harsh if not worse. The only distinctive change is that Uganda has changed.
Corruption is endemic, core functions of the state have been privatized and the rest of the state, including lakes and rivers, have been put out for sale. Security forces have been relegated to being squads of ruthless, callous cut-throat guards guarding a conquered vassal state. They have spread their venomous fangs all over east and central Africa.
Ugandans as a whole now owe their existence to the nobility and they are obliged to maintain the nobility. It’s these abominable conditions that should inspire ordinary Ugandans to follow their brave patriotic brothers and sisters in IPC and to vote for real change.
Justifiably questions have been raised about the compatibility of the political forces in the IPC and the apparent dominance of the FDC. Yes, there seems to be some anxiety, but there is also some light at the end of the tunnel.
As a united patriotic people, there is nothing we cannot sort out in a National Democratic Convention after Museveni’s exit. The important point to note is that some of the contentious issues causing anxiety now are too sensitive to be dealt with before Museveni’s regime is defeated.
When people say the IPC’s only objective is to remove Museveni, I say yes, it is the most important objective. Yes because Museveni has turned himself into the State. One cannot therefore make any serious changes in his presence.
It is therefore prudent for the IPC to continue with its vigorous campaign to mobilise the population to not only vote out Museveni but to also prepare the young men and women of our country to get ready to reposes their country; just like the French did in 1879.
Uganda belongs to the youth and it’s their patriotic duty and responsibility to reposes it from the Museveni dictatorship; even if it means losing some lives in the process. It’s a price worth paying because the country is now wedged precariously between a hard rock and the deep sea.
Finally, I shall end by saying that regardless of the misgivings that some might have about the IPC, Besigye, or anyone else in IPC, if they are truly patriotic, then they must wake up, put all their misgivings aside, and join the IPC coalition for change. For every patriotic Ugandan, this must not be an option, it must be a must!
Our motherland is yearning for and deserves change. You either join the IPC and rescue Uganda or you prepare for total humiliation and perhaps even annihilation under Museveni. Aluta continua! END. If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent. Never miss out again!
