There is a story about a meeting at Najjanankumbi before the 2011 elections where Gen Mugisha Muntu, then head of mobilization at FDC took on Dr Kizza Besigye and for a minute some party officials thought the two would fight.
What sparked the debate was the question: What do we do with corrupt individuals when we take power? Do we imprison them? Do we give them amnesty? Do we confiscate their properties?
Muntu favoured the option of imprisoning them. Gesturing and speaking passionately, he said the corrupt should be jailed without any question and be made to pay for their sins.
Besigye countered that Muntu’s stance was tough and would lead to friction. He told Muntu “to cool down.”
Besigye was of the view that a commission be established to investigate public officials accused of engaging in corruption. Thereafter, he argued, legal processes would begin and the law would take its course.
The debate animated other members, notably Alice Alaso, the then secretary general and Jack Sabiiti, the former party treasurer. Sabiiti took Muntu’s side but Alaso was persuaded by Besigye’s view. Two party elders, Augustine Luzindana and Amanya Mushega looked on quietly but anxiously.
Sam Kalega Njuba, Prof Ogenga Latigo and Wafula Oguttu were in the meeting then leader of the opposition. The meeting ended without consensus but it was agreed that the matter would be revisited.
Yet the key issue was the quality of the politicians in the meeting. They were experienced, mature and highly independent. Even though there were sharp differences among members, mutual respect was maintained.
They spoke with facts and vigour. But most importantly, they were free to express themselves without fear of reprisal or being denied the party ticket at the next election.
However, over the years, these differences led to a split and when Besigye stepped down as party president in 2012, the rifts widened.
Which brings us to the National Unity Platform (NUP). If there was such a debate within NUP, which qualitative leaders would sit on either hand of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine?
Who would challenge Kyagulanyi’s opinion? Would it be Lewis Rubongoya, the secretary general or Fred Nyanzi, the head of mobilisation? Would Joel Ssenyonyi openly taken on Kyagulanyi without any repercussions?
Would Dr Lina Zedriga, NUP’s deputy president for Northern Uganda be the calming influence in such a meeting?
Would the experienced politicians in NUP like Betty Nambooze, Muwanga Kivumbi and Medard Sseggona ber able to stand up to Kyagulanyi?
There is already a popular saying often trumpeted by NUP supporters that “Principal Tasobya” meaning that Kyagulanyi is beyond reproach.
Many analysts have already pointed out that this has killed the spirit of debate within the biggest opposition party. The way Mathias Mpuuga’s case was swiftly handled has helped reinforce this belief.
Worse, it has also attracted the calibre of politicians, preoccupied with getting the NUP ticket not building a qualitative organisation.
It speaks volumes that NUP’s poster boys are Francis Zaake, Derrick Nyeko and Patrick Nsamba.
FDC, too, had radical activists like Sam Mugumya, Ingrid Turinawe, Sarah Eperu but they were never in key decision-making positions. They were cheerleaders.
So the question remains: Was Besigye’s FDC more qualitative than Kyagulanyi’s NUP or is it vice verser?
