Imagine my pleasant conscious awakening, this morning, in learning and realizing that in the 1960s the late Daudi Ochieng was Owekitibwa in the Buganda Lukiiko; a member of the Kabaka Yekka political party; as well as the honourable member of the National Assembly (Parliament of Uganda) representing Mityana; and that he did serve as the Katikkiro of Buganda.
History is indeed a great teacher. Listening to popular discourse in Uganda today, on tribalism specifically, you may find it difficult to believe that in the 1960s a Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom, Daudi Ochieng, was the son of an Acholi Chief, Rwot Lacito Oketch; and whose remains are interred at Aworanga Village in Ongako Sub-County in Gulu District. But that is a story for another day.
Yes, this morning, I picked up and began to read a copy of “Uganda Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), Second Series – Volume 55, National Assembly Official Report, Fourth Session 1965-6, Part Two of the 1st Meeting – 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th January, 1966.” It is among publications in the library of my late father, Engineer George William Obityo Owaraga.
This is because I wanted to fact-check my thesis that the quality of debate in the Uganda Parliament current is far inferior to that which prevailed in the August House in the 1960s. I was also in the quest for wisdom from our ancestors as to how we may reclaim the glory of fact-based, constructive and courteous parliamentary debate.
I kid you not, the universe aligned for what are the odds that the first recorded submission in the Hansard on Tuesday, 4th January, 1966 was an “Address in reply to the Presidential Speech” by Mr. Ochieng, the Hon. Member representing Mityana. An exciting coincidence considering the on-going sagas surrounding the participation of Hon. Francis Zake, Member of Parliament representing Mityana Municipality and the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party in the 11th Parliament.
Here is an extract from Hon. Ochieng’s address that present us with an excellent example of good parliamentary debate by a member of the opposition:
“We are told that there is a possibility of elections, we hope that those … (interruptions) … Mr. Speaker, there is a tactic of trying to extract some information from your opponent. I have just used that and I am sure we are all glad to note from hon. Members opposite that they dare not stand the prospect of an election in 1966 (Hear, hear!)”
“This country was hit by a nation-wide epidemic of smallpox – something that not one of us here, except perhaps the hon. The Deputy Speaker, has ever seen in our lifetime – an epidemic of smallpox such as we saw in the UPC Government’s time in 1964. (Laughter) In the Bible, Mr. Speaker, it is said that when the Israelites deviated from their path away from God, He used to rebuke them by bringing down plagues and famine.
The UPC Government was deviating from its path of leading this country and of advancing the well-being of the people and the good Lord rightly rebuked them; unfortunately, the whole country suffered as a result of this, and we were hit terribly by this epidemic of small pox …
It is possible, Mr. Speaker, that this epidemic of smallpox was imported into the country because of the UPC Government meddling into the affairs of other countries. It is possible that this was imported from the Congo. If only we had left Congolese gold on its own, it is possible we would not have been afflicted with the smallpox (laughter).”
Member of National Assembly – The Hon. D. O. Ochieng, Mityana, 1966
From Hon. Ochieng’s address, we learn that there are creative ways in which a member of parliament can elicit reaction from the ruling party, in particular the executive, without resorting to abuse and making confrontational demands.
We also learn that effective communication is an art which all members of parliament and all other kinds of representatives must learn and equip themselves. In the case of Hon. Ochieng, he had mastered the art of effectively using storytelling to carry and to deliver an argument.
His use of biblical stories, furthermore, demonstrates another important skill that effective communicators must have – reading and empirical research. In the rest of his address, indeed, Hon. Ochieng referenced available reports and statistics from diverse authorities in order to support his speech. And he did so in such a manner that did not intimidate the listener at the time and the reader now.
Throughout his address it is indicated with laughter in brackets that his audience did enjoy listening to him. Another skill that effective communicators must have is mustering how to keep the audience engaged. In his case, Hon. Ochieng used humour.
Taking the time to read the Hansard in order to familiarize how great representatives conducted debate in the August House in the past should be the norm for all members of parliament – new and old. It is fascinating how the debates of years gone past are the same debates today.
Most importantly also, members of parliament should invest in researchers, communication experts and public relations gurus to assist them to enhance their abilities and knowledge to better perform their duties as representatives of the people.
Profiled photo source: Embozi teba nkade on Facebook – Owekitibwa Daudi Ochieng with Kabaka Mutesa II.
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