By Sekimpi John
For a couple of years, the opposition in Uganda have called for a peaceful transition of power from Gen Museveni to another leader. This is based on our experience for the past 62 years where every leader has come by the barrel of a gun and went the same way.
Despite the Constitutional provisions like regular elections or Incase a President dies where a Vice President takes over immediately, the opposition have insisted that all safeguards have been removed and therefore there is no guarantee for a peaceful transition.
Now an opportunity has come, there is another Ugandan who if elected can be declared and takes over from Gen Museveni, and he is called Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and then some Ugandans are up in arms! What do they want exactly?
I think Ugandans need to understand why Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Should be the next President and why he will usher in a peaceful transition of power!
First, NRM has achieved a lot in the last 38 years especially in areas of security, political stability, infrastructure development (roads, electricity etc.), tourism, regional Co-operation and human capital development. There is no doubt that an average Ugandan lives a better life than an average citizen in many of our neighboring countries.
However despite the achievements, NRM has its weakness eg corruption, unemployment, poverty and gaps in the service delivery.
So what kind of a leader do Ugandans want or deserve? Whereas we need a leader who can address challenges like corruption, unemployment, poverty and poor service delivery among others, we can only achieve that by building on what we have already achieved.
Therefore Ugandans deserve a leader who can consolidate (not destroy) what NRM has done. A leader who can maintain peace, security and political stability. A leader who can maintain our diplomatic and influence on the African Continent, infrastructure, etc. that’s sustainable development.
We need a leader who doesn’t threaten the life or future of President Museveni, his family and people around him. The current crop of opposition leaders have always been radical extremists, they have displayed anger and hate, so why would Museveni hand over power to people who would want him dead or arrested? Why would he hand over power to people who don’t value his contribution? No sane leader would do it if he has the power. That’s why Obama campaigned for Joe Biden, why George Bush campaigned for John McCain etc.
So in a situation where nobody in NRM has shown interest in taking over from Gen Museveni, if Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba offers himself whether through NRM or any political formation and is endorsed by Gen Museveni who is the father of the nation, why not?
So in conclusion, the Patriotic League of Uganda offers an opportunity for a peaceful transition and Gen Muhoozi is the only hope for a peaceful transition for Uganda and we should support him for the good of the country!
