Distinguished Kenyan lawyer, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba has stressed that it is about the right time the National Resistance Movement (NRM) headed by Yoweri Museveni took charge of the East African agenda to ensure that not just Uganda but the whole region moves in the right direction.
Speaking on the NBS Frontline show, Lumumba stressed that the common problem of Africa is that countries around the continent are all poorly governed.
“I believe that this is the time I would love to see a President Museveni looking towards East Africa integration,” Lumumba said adding that upto now, he only sees the NRM as a freedom fighting movement trying so hard to become a political party.
“It is time that President Museveni takes on the East African agenda as the eldest in the region,” Lumumba emphasised.
Referring to deceased Tanzanian leader, Lumumba noted that John Pombe Magufuli came and captured the hearts of Tanzanians and Africans of goodwill.
He added that even after Magufuli’s death, he will still be remembered as an iconic Pan Africanist who showed the world that Africa can develop and it can be done with the very African natural and human resources.
“If you have a leader with a vision, you will see change within a short time. The beauty of Magufuli is that he came from a political party with a tradition. I hope the next Tanzanian President may have a different approach but with the same vision and direction,” Lumumba stated.
“The word democracy must be unpacked. Democracy is a buffet of ideas. I don’t expect that democracy in Uganda must be the same in Tanzania. Politics has become an enterprise. A typical Parliamentarian who didn’t have a house, car, or Rolex watch will have them within a year. This is why politics has become cutthroat where throats are actually cut,” he added.
“We now have thieves. A friend of mine told me there is no corruption in Africa but theft and I agreed with him,” he added.
To disagree with Lumumba, government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo argued that all MPs who have ill-gotten wealth are the ones that buy their way to Parliament. “In this country, we have people who say they want to be a minister, and indeed by next year, they are. They instead chase their petty issues instead of doing the work,” the government spokesperson explained.
Lumumba further stressed that any administration needs a responsible opposition to force results. Ha advised that It is up to the people of Uganda through their Constitution to create funds for the opposition.
Lumumba added that the problem with many African countries is if you have an alternative idea, you are immediately mistaken for an enemy by the government. He labeled it “sad and political immaturity
He noted that in many African countries, it is as if the opposition is dealing with a different country, and the ruling party is also dealing with a different party.
The government spokesperson partly agreed Lumumba’s claims on mishandling the opposition, but added that they (opposition) concentrates more on perceived failures of the government in power instead of formulating alternative policies.
“I admit the failure of the NRM to handle the opposition by arm twisting them. We have begun funding the opposition but they are a typical African opposition with bad manners, they mishandle the money. The opposition in Uganda has lost it for a long time,” Ofwono Opondo stated.
By Baron Kironde
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