Humanist

Continuing to “reflect on the scourge of dishonest individualism,” the story, “MP Nsereko on spot over alleged take over of Ecological Party (EPU),” by Benson Tumusiime and published in the Monitor is an interesting and thought provoking read. Before getting into why I think so, a bit of context helps carry my thesis.

Ironically, the floodgates for political party trading and buying, in substantial commercial transactions, was seemingly opened up by Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who hijacked and killed the People Power Movement.

Hon. Kyagulanyi transmogrifying the People Power Movement into a political party, via commercial acquisition of the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party (NURDP), thereafter, re-branded National Unity Platform (NUP).

Around about the 2021 general election, murmurings of those who raised eyebrows, where swiftly silenced, for such a commercial transaction was branded for the greater good. There was a need for a political party led by Hon. Kyagulanyi that would be effective in unseating the incumbent, so went the propaganda.

The bitter pill, watering down of democratic principles, was coated in smokescreen explanations speculating the impossibility of success if Hon. Kyagulanyi went through the more ethical procedure of registering a new political party.

He would be frustrated by the State and would not be ‘allowed’ to court the requisite initial members, the lamentation went. Therein was the first red flag for me.

In order for a new political party to be registered in Uganda, the promoters must obtain initial membership that is composed of “at least 50 members from each of at least two thirds of all districts in the traditional regions of Uganda who must be resident or registered voters in the district.”

If a politician vying for the presidency of the nation and or a political party is unable to obtain initial members located in at least two thirds of the country, it certainly raises eyebrows.

And, indeed, in the aftermath of the 2021 elections, when Hon. Kyagulanyi’s supporters claimed he was cheated out of an election, the so-called ‘silent majority’ used NUP’s coming into being to defuse and deflate.

By the way, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and more recently, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) political parties registered anew and fulfilled the requirement of obtaining initial membership located in two thirds of the country.

Among the promoters of ANT, retired Major General Mugisha Muntu; and among those of PFF, retired Colonel Kiiza Besigye. Let that sink in.

That ANT and PFF were able to do so, certainly weakens NUP’s narrative that it would have been impossible for it to register a political party anew. It, in fact, strengthens the perception of how political parties, these days, are viewed a source of income – transactional commercialization of politics for personal gain.

The behaviour of those who buy political parties, in terms of being accountable to members of those parties, is predictably counter indicated. Circling back to Hon. Nsereko and the EPU saga. It is reported the 80 million shillings deal has backfired on EPU founder, Charles Baale.

First, the buyer has not yet fully honored the deal. He has only paid 12 million shillings of the agreed party sales price, it is reported. It is thus befuddling that irrespective, Hon. Nsereko has already been unveiled as the new EPU party president.

But who is now claimed by party members to be “running it outside its principles.” What did they expect unveiling him president before the deal is fully executed? Reportedly, he has also not fulfilled the part of sales agreement, which conditioned organizing and holding a delegate’s conference.

Furthermore, it is reported that part of the sales agreement, re-brand and party name change to “Green Forum” is also yet to be done. Apparently, the new owner is not making it happen, to the worry of the old owner. I wonder why?

Might it be fear by old owner that his donors will easily put two and two together and realizing new leader lacks historical acumen as ‘green-oriented’?

It is within this context that I take issue with Tumusiime’s characterization in victim language, “vulnerability of smaller parties to hostile takeovers,” of EPU and other parties whose founders put them up for sale to the highest bidder.

EPU founder knew to whom he sold his party. Senior Counsel Isaac Ssemakadde, on live television, described Hon. Nsereko as a “conman, stupid and a dimwit.”

Such parties that can be put up for sale; change membership, leadership, image, ideology, etc.; and the new formation not having to go through the required ethical process of registering new parties, are a loophole in the country’s electoral laws that needs to be plugged urgently.

I submit, while thanking you for dropping by and engaging with my content. Please don’t hesitate to share to your wider network and to leave a comment.