Pure Good Governance

We are fortunate to live in Uganda, a country where it is easy to take the right to vote for granted. Uganda has conducted eight direct general elections at both presidential and parliamentary levels from 1961. Elections conducted between 1961 and 1980 all had a common red thread – perceptions or realities of vote rigging.   The perceived or reality of rigging in the December 1980 elections was the key reason for the five year guerilla war fare.  Though relatively calm, the post 1980 elections of 1996; 2001; 2006 and 2011 have all been marred by allegations or realities of military interference, bribery, coercion, manipulation, violence and a host of other electoral malpractices – all of which have subsequently negatively impacted on citizens’ right to freely express themselves through the power of the vote.   In reflection this brings to mind a statement once made by former Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin who said:   It is enough that the people know there was an election.   The p

I spent my eid el fitr reading literature on some of the world’s one time powerful men – Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.   This was not because they are my inspiration figures in any way but because I wanted to have a clear understanding of how they maneuvered to become the world’s most powerful leaders of their time; and why they later one earned themselves a position as the most hated men who have ever lived on earth till today.   Interestingly, both men rose to power as uncontested darlings of Europe and the world at large but were later stoned to death like chicken thieves by their very own citizens.   Borrowing from William Shakespeare’s description of the seven stages of human life,   I think there are also seven ages of a leader – the first being that where a leader is more or less an embodiment of fresh ideas, charisma, action, strength, focus and drive.   The seventh stage then describes a time where a leader is exhausted, has lost focus of long term goals, communicates

When President Museveni first proposed the scrapping of Bail for specific categories of people, I thought it was one of the usual political jokes that he throws around to crack people up during his long speeches.  Little did I know that his move was real and would raise such extraordinary national dust as has been witnessed in the past couple of months.   Nevertheless, in the event that the President continues to passionately push for the passing of this ironic Bill, we will need to thoroughly debate the definitional issues embedded in some of the concepts that the Bill carries.  My personal views would be, while defining economic saboteurs, the Bill should broaden its definition to also focus on individuals who are suspects of committing economic crimes of omission.  The Bill should provide for no Bail for public office holders who demonstrate reluctance in responding to serious public economic questions.  Actually, I think as a country, we would require a corresponding law under whi