PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS
The nostalgia
that shrouds the Nation prior to a new cabinet or RDC announcements in Uganda remains
an enigma. Such characteristic nostalgia lacks excessively after the reading of
the budget. One would imagine that issues of taxes should naturally concern
Ugandans more than political appointments.
Why do Ugandans
still respond with this strange nostalgia following Presidential appointments?
In the close to
30 years of President Museveni’s rule in Uganda, he has carried out so many
reshuffles, appointments and disappointments, both in cabinet, public service
heads and among RDCs with their deputies or assistants. There are many lessons one
can learn by critically observing the guerilla tactics and strategies of
President Museveni. How he deploys these skillfully over unsuspecting civilians
reveals his mastery of survival overall.
First, there are
people that he has recycled at every level, as ministers, the likes of Honourable
Sam Kutesa, Moses Ali, Kahinda Otafiire, Ruhakana Rugunda, Jim Muhwezi, John
Nassasira, Amama Mbabazi, Crispus Kiyonga and others. In his list of recycled
Ministers, the people from his part of the country have bounced back to cabinet
even when they have presided over financial misappropriations in their line
Ministries, or botched up special tasks under their dockets. In comparison, individuals
from other regions, once fallen even on mere suspicion, are never recycled – in
fact, they are alienated even further from government.
President
Museveni has determined that some individuals are made of ministerial genetic
materials, while others are befitting of occasional roles as ministers. As
such, he chooses those who will remain foundational at each level of political
appointment; Ministers, Ministers of state, RDC, deputy or Assistant RDC.
Likewise, if your
genes are suited for the task of an RDC, then you will be sure enough to
perform at that level and recycled at the same level until your absolute relevance
is depleted then you are dumped.
A major feature
is that the “Museveni way” is the fusion of patriotism with Musevenism, - a
sub-ideology that promotes the life Presidency for a man heralded as a divine gift
to Uganda.
Musevenism as an
ideology is the false teaching that loving your country (Patriotism) is akin
with loving the person of Museveni and his family. Patriots are those who tow
the Museveni line, those indoctrinated with bush-era ideology under the custody
of NRA/UPDF political commissars, and taught that Museveni is a God’s gift to
Uganda. For him, it is about longevity that endears him to youthful leaders.
They help him bridge the intergenerational gap to remain relevant, and when
reduced by nature to install his Prince as a successor.
Therefore, enthusiasts
like Honourables; David Bahati, Frank Tumwebaze, Richard Todwong, Evelyn Anite,
Aida Nantaba etc do not nourish Museveni’s intellect one bit. They reaffirm it.
They are concurrently a means and an outcome of his ideology of self-perpetuating.
These individuals are no longer merely “Patriots”, they have attained the
highest levels of accomplishments as Musevenists, who profess Musevenism.
Some analysts have argued that President Museveni
has ideal Ministers in those he recycles. These people are never worried for a
night of not featuring in Museveni’s cabinet. So, why is there so much
nostalgia when each cabinet reshuffle or RDC appointments occur?
One possible
explanation is that being a Minister of Museveni has lost value. To be a
Minister, you have to become a Musevenist like Hon Evelyn Anite, be a
celebrated thief (corrupt), or act as an object of appeasement to electorates.
Competence, vision, authenticity, and independence of mind are considered subversive
requirement for this job.
Second, because Presidential appointee are associated
with fleecing on the country’s resources – given the spate of public theft by
ministers, many of whom end up being recycled – some people have worked so hard
to attain the status of being a Musevenists to win a Presidential appointment.
Each ministerial or RDC appointment time therefore, is looked at fervently as a
window of opportunity to ascend to a public office for self-aggrandizement.
Otherwise, I
contend that being a Minister, Presidential Advisor or an RDC now has no
bearing on how President Museveni governs Uganda.
END
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