NRM Liberation Struggle Should Concentrate on Ideological Re-orientation, Not Statutory Coercion

OPINION

By Paul Edotu

 

(NRM Cadre, Governance expert and Paralegal.)

 

Whenever a head of state is sworn in, instruments of power are handed to him/her and these include, the Constitution to embody all laws and their application, National flag, the Court of arms, Shield and Spear all of which imply defense.

 

The Head of State by law is also Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Uganda. All other institutions of government are run on his or her behalf by authorities delegated to do so by law. Therefore it goes without any doubt that a government in power is a very powerful institution that must be respected by all.

 

It is against that background that, we want to examine the current emerging confrontation between members of the opposition or political activists on one hand and the government or individuals in government on the other hand.

 

Apparently the opposition has adopted disruptive methods of engagement namely demonstrations and use of media to provoke state actors. On the other hand, the State which by law is given coercive instruments of power has been put in a very tempting situation of self-defense sometimes registering excesses.

 

From the look of events, the current opposition actions of verbal attacks and provocations in the media are just but actions likened to an indisciplined child who breaks glass cups and plates to annoy the parents in order to see the reactions to their love for him/her. This kind of conduct is not only dangerous to the individuals doing so but it puts those mandated to protect the legal regime in a tempting situation to use force which sometimes regrettably goes to higher limits.

 

 

The above scenario calls for mindset change of all actors but most importantly citizens to realize that, a government in power is their government. Therefore any attempt to unlawfully disrupt its continuity during the tenure of its existence is treasonable and citizens in their own right under the constitution should invoke their power under Article 1 of the 1995 Constitution which provides that power belongs to the people of Uganda.

 

On the other hand, I wish to offer unsolicited advice to members of the opposition and any activists, to the effect that going forward, we would expect the opposition to constructively engage government through its available legal spaces for example, oversight in Parliament and publish or disseminate their findings so that citizens are informed.

 

Number two, the Leader of Opposition and Secretariat are funded from the consolidated fund and by law opposition is running a shadow government which is expected to come up with alternative government policies and disseminate them but hardly is this done.

 

Number three, there are also activities which are not offensive like planting trees to address environmental degradation in Uganda, am sure any political party worth its salt should be able to engage citizens in restoring their environment for posterity .These among other activities should be what constitutes constructive political engagement.

 

In the past, I have also heard one of the leaders in opposition that is Hon. Mugisha Muntu advise the FDC, that the best approach of capturing power in Uganda is to conduct grassroots mobilisation, and build structures. I believe, this was real mindset change. Whether or not this is what opposition may want to adopt as opposed to unlawful confrontation is something of their choice but certainly there is need for mindset change, to look at the country first, the people, before we priorities our interests as leaders in the opposition.

 

Whoever aspires to lead this country should have a mindset change towards and in favour of peaceful transition, Uganda and Africa has had a lot of its underdevelopment attributed to political instability and insecurity and at this point in time, violence should not be an option.

The author is Cadre, Governance expert and Paralegal.

edotupaul21@gmail.com

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