Vincent Nuwagaba
My friend ABETO’s Moses Musana recently gave President Yoweri Museveni a peace award. ABETO stands for Always Be Tolerant and Museveni was awarded for promoting peace and tolerance in Africa. I won’t question Musana’s criterion for the choice of Museveni as a promoter of peace although I know of many Africans who view (and rightly so) President Museveni as a war-monger. As a political science scholar, I know that tolerance and toleration are key tenets and pillars of peace-building and democracy. Ironically, soon after winning the peace award, Museveni declared war against anybody who doesn’t agree that part of Mabira forest should be given away for sugar production. One of the foremost enlightenment philosophers, Voltaire said, “I disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. The President cannot be a promoter of peace if he only listens to and believes in himself. Instead, he will be a harbinger of chaos, instability, violence, virulence and regression.
President Museveni must know that unlike men who are most times iniquitous, our God is a just God. Accordingly, God created multi-talented Ugandans. Museveni might be a good mobiliser and warrior but he is not necessarily a good thinker. Even if he were a good thinker, he cannot be the most knowledgeable in every field. At least I am not sure that the President got distinctions throughout at O level, straight A’s at A level and a first class or super second class upper (Dean’s List) degree at the university. I listened to the shadow minister for environment Hon John Ken Lukyamuzi when he was addressing the press at parliament. Hon Lukyamuzi said by destroying Mabira, we shall lose convectional rainfall hence leading to the reduction of water levels in Lake Victoria and River Nile, hence the reduction on hydro-electricity power. Sadly, I also heard Hon Adolph Mwesige on Capital Gang arguing that by giving away part of Mabira forest, electricity generation will improve. While Lukyamuzi’s assertion is technical, Adolph Mwesige’s argument is merely political and technically wanting.
Some of us have consistently given free advice to the president using all forms of media but unfortunately instead of appreciating our wise counsel, we have been labelled saboteurs and treated inhumanely. That’s not why Musana gave President Museveni a peace award. I will assume that Comrade Musana didn’t know Museveni’s belligerent side, now that he has opened war against those who believe in non-violence and peaceful means of resolving disagreements, is Musana considering withdrawing his award? The press reported that guests shunned Museveni’s Peace Award ceremony, could the organisers have asked themselves why?
Museveni has in the recent past won two controversial awards – this one and the Makerere University honorary PhD award ostensibly for statesmanship and boosting agriculture never mind that agriculture is among the least funded sectors and that farmers’ cooperatives died during his regime. I personally wrote to the vice chancellor over the PhD award but received no response. I remember when I was a fresher at Makerere University in 2001/2002, President Museveni, while addressing parliament said, he no longer cares about Makerere University but prioritises Mbarara University which he calls his very own. Indeed Makerere University has been starved of funds. Lecturer’s remunerations are meager and they don’t access funds from government to conduct academic research. Thus, they have opted for consultancy research and moonlighting both of which are inimical to academic advancement. Right now, a university professor can hardly sponsor his children for prestigious courses such as law at Makerere University because in 2009 fees were hiked up to 126%. Those who opposed the heartless fees hike led by yours truly faced the wrath of the state thanks to the flawed criminal justice system. Surely, one cannot promote peace by denying the underdogs the right to education which is enshrined in article 30 of our constitution and other international legal and human rights instruments that Uganda has ratified.
As a politician and political science graduate Museveni should know that all revolts have had both underlying and immediate causes. There are many Ugandans who have wounds on their hearts in regard to the manner in which the ruling party has managed (read mismanaged) the state. Unfortunately, by declaring war against those opposed to the giveaway of Mabira, Museveni is giving them justification to fight him. Ultimately, Museveni has waged war against himself and it is a war that he will surely lose. Mr President don’t abuse ABETO’s award; always be tolerant.
Mr. Nuwagaba is a human rights defender
mpvessynuwagaba@gmail.com
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