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Uganda: Why Change of Heart, Capt. Mukula?
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The Weekly Observer (Kampala)
OPINION
16 July 2008
Posted to the web 17 July 2008
Dismas Nkunda
These days whenever I meet someone who seems to have changed for the better, I keep jesting by asking whether they work for the Global Fund. Most of them laugh it off.
That is understandable, given that this particular matter might be the defining moment for the political changes ahead of our next elections in 2011.
I have written before about the lessons I learnt from Captain Mike Mukula before he joined politics.
He was a constant visitor to The Monitor newspaper where I worked then. He had business at Bimbo Ice cream and a shop that sold men's clothes near the first Monitor offices on Dewinton Road.
One day as we chatted, he told me that there were three things he would never want to fight against. In no particular order, he mentioned; a government in power, the press, and taxation.
His thesis was that you would never win if you engaged these three. I tended to agree with him, except on the government. My view was that fighting a government does not mean taking up arms or going to the bush, but rather any engagement for the good of the country was worth a try.
But now, many years down the road, it seems Mike has changed his views. The three no go areas can actually be fought, if they impede your progress or regress, depending on which side of the coin you find yourself.
Yes, you can fight a government in power, taxes and the press.
A week ago I watched on television (NTV) as Mike Mukula lambasted the ruling NRM-O leadership for failing the party. He just fell short of calling for an overhaul.
I began wondering, why at this time? Was it because Mike is against the wall with charges of corruption over the Global Fund?
Is it because there is truth that actually the NRM-O is on the brink of collapse? If there is an iota of truth in any of these, then Mike must have grown from the original man I used to know, or is it the case of the Swahili saying, "kikulacho kiko nguoni mwako", which means that "what is biting you is hidden in your clothes"?
Mike, I agree you cannot live in fear forever. Indefinite fear is no fodder for seasoned politicians like those who have pervaded our corridors or delivered this country to its rightful owners.
If you want to know what politics means, do one thing; ask these good men and women that make our lives hell what their profession is. If you do not get chilled by their answer, then you are for sure in the wrong profession. You should join politics.
I recently met a former Member of Parliament who lost the last elections to a novice. As we exchanged pleasantries, I asked him what he was doing these days.
"I am a professional politician," he answered. I stammered, not knowing whether my response would be misconstrued or make him look silly.
Literary, he meant that he practices politics everyday.
Daft me had never known that people can be qualified full time politicians, like engineers or lawyers!
I had this illusion that joining politics happened when someone reached that point of self- actualisation, when the person has had it all and wanted to make a positive or negative contribution to the well-being of his country.
But after this encounter, I have changed my mind. Politics is a calling; it's like someone who is a mason; the more you remain at your job the better you become. It is only when you cannot find any more jobs because new entrants into the market are outcompeting you that you decide to go into another field!
So yes, all who have tasted the bitter sweetness of power will always find their way back into this very old occupation that is only comparable to prostitution. The means to achieving that does not matter. Even rubbing salt in the eyes of those who you were in bed with is a means.
I thought we could professionalise the Army, Police, Prisons, Kiboko Squad, the arsonists that are burning schools, NRM cadres, etc., but not politicians. However, since this is a learning curve that we are fast approaching, then probably it's about time that we stared in the eyes of the only bull in the kraal.
That, however, comes at a cost.
Unpolished politicians infer that you must have a starting point if good things are to come your way. The dividends might be good for those who can persevere. Who knows, with this courage from Mike Mukula, we might - just might - have the first President from Eastern Uganda for a change.
Just for advice; prepare for harsher times ahead for as far as I know, no one lets go of power easily just because some "disgruntled" element is out of step with realty.
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Dismas Nkunda, The author is a human rights expert and specialist on refugee issues.
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