GRASSROOTS
One of the
challenges of African society is the fortification of elders - those considered of high
repute and advanced age - from scrutiny. However, democracy sets aside this cumbersome
tradition and demands for transparency as well as accountability in social discourses. For
instance, the Kyadondo East by-elections is about to expose a generational
fallacy that FDC is building structures!
First, I have doubted the argument that FDC is building
grassroot structures. If it is, Kyadondo East would by now be coloUred blue. In
reading Hon. Nandala-Mafabi’s interview in the Observer of June 12, 2017 (Refer
to: Nandala-Mafabi: FDC shall not work with Mao’s DP), it downed on me that
this pep talk of building party structure is hypothetical. Hon. Nandala-Mafabi confirms that FDC is
unable to form and sustain grassroot structures because NRM "invaginates" such a
structure with bribery and coercion. Nandala-Mafabi’s explanation speaks
against the credential of current FDC Party President, the amiable and
respected Gen. Muntu that is cultivated around this building party structures
mantra. These days, every Party uses this cliché to sound busy and present at
the periphery, whereas they are ensconced in the capital.
At least, Uncle Muniini Mulera, on numerous occasions,
praised Gen Muntu for working towards building grassroot structures. This
emerging discourse is intended to legitimize FDC power and brands around gen Muntu. In
essence, hasten the alienation of, and a
focus on Dr Besigye.
This “structure” hyperperbole reminds me of the
fierce debate in the 90s between Ministry of Agriculture under Hon. Specioza
Kazibwe and Parliament. The scandal was about some dams built in the cattle
corridor somewhere in Western Uganda. When the MPs went to inspect the Dam,
they could not see any. Incidentally, an Agriculture Ministry officials was
quoted to have opined that if MPs could not see the dam, at least the cows were
able to.
The 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections exposed
FDC’s lack of grassroot structure. Therefore, there is legitimacy in entertaining
the discussion around the same. However, Gen Muntu was FDC’s Secretary for mobilization
prior and he should know better. Without a real structure, winning a 34 years
old establisment will require divine providence. The ingeniousness of Dr Kizza
Besigye and his minders, with support from the diaspora allowed the P10 matrix
system to fill this gap in 2016. FDC cannot therefore remain wishful about
structures, or depend on the good will of resentful Ugandans exhausted with the
antics of the tyranny.
This, by no means, is anindictment, nor intended to
undermine Gen.Muntu’s vision of building party structures. It is only to
reiterate that there is a lapse in its realization, as if the cart is placed before the horse.
In hindset, the Aruu South MP, Hon Odonga Otto once
stated on his facebook page that FDC did not have polling agents in nearly
22,000 polling stations around the country, most of them in Western Uganda and
Karamoja. This figure is startling, especially to know that these agents were
there but coerced, jailed, or compromised.
This fate may be an FDC trademark, which will render
its efforts minimalist, even in Kyadondo East. Their inability to read the
constituency well may cost the party here. Mr. Kyagulanyi is a man of the
people, a grassroot mobilizer who rarely wears shiny suits, or speaks polished “Brexit”,
“Donald Trump” and modern English on TV. He speaks the language of the unwashed
peri-urban dwellers and employs the people he aspires to represent in
Parliament.
The dilamma is that Mr. Kyagulanyi’s nascent support
for Dr. Besigye during past hardships endears him to opposition politics. Mr. Kyagulanyi
was in courts, visited jail, and at KB’s
home amidst confinement. He paid his dues to the cause when some MPs-elect
were denying KB like Peter did to Jesus. Bobi’s star power, organic local
support, history of concrete community development initiatives and leadership
credentials makes his candidature appealing!
END
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