Uganda has had various governments headed by presidents with different virtues but at a time when Uganda is ready to take off, it is important to acknowledge that the participation of the NRM presidential candidate in the 2016 elections is a sign of accountability to Ugandans and the entire world given his virtues and ideologies which are pro-development.
First it is good to recognise that under the past governments (pre-1986), civilians played only a minor role in politics, as politics was dominated by a small elite segment.
In accordance with the 1995 Constitution, which was promulgated on October 8, 1995 under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda embarked on an ambitious programme of government decentralisation, which aimed at increasing the role of civilians at all levels of Government. In the process of decentralisation, local governments assumed some control over local taxation and development funds, an important mechanism of empowerment.
The 1997 Local Government Act, which refines the five-level council system originally established (as “Resistance Councils”) when the NRM came to power, is the centrepiece of this of decentralisation. The council system allows significant civilian participation in the conduct of local government and that is why some of the current Members of Parliament rose through ranks from a mere district councillor.
To show more significance, the people who regard Museveni’s plans as unwise are the same people who have greatly benefited from his wise decisions. Such wisdom is rare. The NRM has empowered women, who were for a long period traditionally marginalised at all levels of government.
The NRM administration has put into action strong affirmative action programmes which aim to raise the level of participation of women in government and women are represented in significant numbers at both the local and national level.
Private initiatives such as those carried out by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) undertake programmes to prepare women to aspire for political leadership. President Museveni has appointed women to important positions of leadership. This system is a true manifestation of accountability in the history of Uganda.
One cannot talk about the Museveni administration and fails to mention the respect for human rights; the government has taken important steps towards establishing a human rights culture and marked a clear break with the abusive dictatorships which preceded it.
The widespread atrocities committed during the time of Idi Amin and Obote represent a traumatic past which Uganda wishes to avoid repeating and some of the institutional reforms put into place by the NRM administration have indeed fostered a more accountable and representative government.
For the first time, it is under NRM’s regime that institutions, such as the Uganda Human Rights Commission came into existence and it has played an important role in fostering a viable human rights culture in Uganda.
The general human rights climate in Uganda has improved significantly because of these institutional changes introduced by the NRM administration. It should be noted that these developments were out of the commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in May 1986, which was instituted soon after NRM had come to power and it investigated the human rights record of all governments since independence until the seizure of power hence the establishment of a permanent human rights commission in November 1996 with Margaret Sekaggya being appointed as its chairperson.
More so, with the results of adhering to democracy and governance, the presence of more vibrant NGOs in Uganda whose number is above 12,000 is a true demonstration that people have more confidence in the regime.
It should be noted that NGOs support government work in the areas of human rights and one can mention of Human Rights Network (HURINET) which has played a fundamental role of supplementing government work in a bid to develop Uganda together. All these developments have been able to exist and be sustained due to the steady leadership of the revolutionary leader.
Museveni has also been a pillar to the youth. This resonates on the fact that youth are major stakeholders of development whose involvement cannot be disregarded given their growing population. According to the Population Report of Dec 2012 and published in The New Vision of February 26, 2013, Uganda had the youngest population in the world, with over 78% below the age of 30 years. With such population in mind, the NRM government came with a sustainable approach of Youth Livelihood Programme that has helped the young people to access money in a bid to set up income generating activities.
Therefore, having a Head of state being subjected to the power of people through an election since 1996 which was hardly heard of in Uganda, presents a rare opportunity that President Museveni will lead this country towards the attainment of vision 2040 which he ably championed.
Lastly, President Museveni while presiding over the National Jubilee Prayers at Namboole in Oct 2012 said that “We pray for national unity. Unite us as Ugandans and eliminate all forms of conflict, sectarianism and tribalism. Help us to see that we are all your children, children of the same Father. Help us to love and respect one another and to appreciate unity in diversity”. I pray that these words remain on our hearts as we head for 2016 elections.
