SSEMUNJU NGANDA: Muntu is good but Besigye is better Print E-mail
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Written by Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda   
Wednesday, 03 February 2010 17:53

I first interacted with Maj. Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu about seven years ago when I was a Parliament reporter. We met at Grand Imperial Hotel during one of the many workshops.
At lunch time, we all formed one queue at the buffet table. Many MPs, including those who came last, jumped the queue and joined their colleagues at the front. Two classes were immediately created: the MPs in front and journalists at the back.

When Gen. Muntu arrived in the company of other MPs who proceeded to get ahead of us, he surprisingly refused to jump the queue. Because of the respect we gave him as a former Army commander, we pleaded with him to join his fellow MPs but the General flatly refused.

The humility he exhibited that day struck me. Here was an Army General and Member of Parliament lining up behind journalists yet the Army commanders we have always known drive their big vehicles on pavements and hardly observe any traffic rules!

I have since that time been following Gen. Muntu and interacting with him. I find him to be a highly disciplined and very respectful human being.

In fact, when I interviewed retired Buganda Prime Minister, Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, last year, he compared Gen. Muntu to military officers he had only seen in Tanzania.

Mulwanyamuli was one time summoned to State House Nakasero over security related matters in Masaka District where he was the District Administrator (DA). He met Muntu who was the Army commander then at State House.

The kind of respect the Army commander accorded a DA struck a responsive chord with Mulwanyamuli, like it did with me at Grand Imperial Hotel.

I recently interviewed retired Supreme Court judge, Prof. Dr. George Kanyeihamba, and he also passed a similar verdict on Gen. Muntu.

In a country like Uganda, it is very difficult to find a person who has a military background and behaves like Muntu does. Even people who have no military background but have been appointed to oversee defence matters tend to throw a lot of weight around.

In spite of Muntu’s qualities, I still sincerely think Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye will make the best opposition presidential candidate come 2011. This is partly because our politics has been ruined by the NRM Chairman, Yoweri Museveni.

The reason by the way, Besigye has an edge over Muntu is not because the Colonel is rough and abrasive and the General is gentle and soft. I don’t believe Muntu is as soft as some people make him out to be.

Col. Besigye, I don’t know whether it is by his character or intellect, has studied the Ugandan opposition politics more than anyone else. The hatred for Museveni in the country has grown so much so that anybody who laughs with him, risks being branded a mole.

Besigye has never shaken hands with Museveni, something that keeps the hostility growing. The more Museveni has terrorised Besigye, the more the public has gained confidence in the latter. He’s now a more tested political fighter than Muntu.

As a country, we should be moving away from this kind of politics but unfortunately with Museveni still interested in clinging on power, we are still a long way from it.
What people don’t know about Col. Besigye is that he is as humane as Muntu is and has a good heart.

He has sometimes reacted angrily to nasty situations and his tormentors have decided, like they usually do, to concentrate on his reactions and not what he is reacting to. Given the same treatment, I believe all of us would react the same way.

Imagine the state arresting your brother, charging him with terrorism, treason, murder and all sorts of things in order to keep him in jail. Then he’s released only to die. Besigye himself has been subjected to the worst humiliation by people he treated and nursed back to health when they were in the bush fighting against bad leadership.

Both Besigye and Muntu are very good choices but unfortunately the FDC has to choose one. It’s also not true that Muntu will bring in new votes. Despite the massive rigging, Besigye scored 27% in 2001 and 37% in 2006. Besigye’s votes can only grow while Museveni’s will certainly reduce, except if he has devised new rigging tricks.

All I am saying is that the Ugandan situation leaves us with no option but to vote Besigye. However, personally, I will forever admire and respect Gen. Muntu.

The author is a journalist and aspiring politician
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Comments (19)add comment
wrong side semujju
written by solo , February 03, 2010

well mr.semujju,i think you have gone back on your word here....if we are going to get rid of the old generaion we cant be voting Dr.Besigye,his had his chance and in the spirit of two term limits we cant have him stand again.

uganda has so many bright people and as such muntu is the right person.Obama vs clinton, clinton was more seasonal but obama turned out to be better,will vote FDC because of change and not because i fancy besigye.muntu resonates with us,am 24 have to vote and convince 10 otherpeople totaly strange to me to vote for change too.


...
written by kimera mulagwe , February 04, 2010

ibrahim am out of uganda bt thank allah who gave u the talent. what u a writing is what i thnk bt try to convice FDC leaders and surporters as u can to go with that. hon. kimera mulagwe from butambala mpigi


Nitubareba...
written by Ian , February 04, 2010

I am in total agreement with you Mr Semujju on that.I sometimes wonder at the people who claim that Besigye is too angry!! Who wouldn't if after sacrificing so much,you get here and some buffoon renegades on the reason that led to your own individual sacrifices.Go Colnel!!!


General Muntu is Very Humble
written by Ivo , February 04, 2010

One time Gen. Muntu had a furniture shop on Bombo road. One day I found a friend just in-front of the General's shop and engaged each other in a lengthy talk lasting slightly over 15 minutes.

In between, the General's convoy arrived and we quickly moved on the side a distance away from the entrance..., of course shaking to give way to the Army Commander.

Next was one of the sweetest moments of my life....., the Gen. in full combat walked to us a distance of 8 metres away from the door and greeted us with of course a firm handshake...., I will never forget the extent of Gen. Muntu's humility.

Gen. Kazini (RIP) and Gen. Jeje were flamboyant and often closed Kampala road because they were buying air time from Blitz Video BUT...., Gen Muntu never did this sort of stuff.

So Ssemujju is spot on with this story. Ssemujju is right to say that Besigye stands a better chance than Muntu given the reasons he presents eloquently in this article. This time round Besigye will have to hit above the 50% mark.


The verdict will be passed by ugandans!
written by MABO , February 04, 2010

Its nice to dream & enjoy. Its waking up that makes one to realise the difference. As a politician in the making process there are more suprises for you soon.For God & my country.


...
written by Zziwa K , February 04, 2010

Ssemujju as usual you are spot on. Lets for only 2010, vote massively for the Colonel. He has seen all the tabulations metted on him by his former boss.

He has all the qualities required of a leader for our country Uganda which is not so simple to govern. He is not an angry man as some people portray him.

Mugisha Muntu on the other hand can come to polish after Besigye's stint in power.
Eh !! Banange it looks very far fetched, but it is soon coming to pass. GOD BLESS UGANDA


besigye
written by solomon base , February 04, 2010

there is no way semujju cant surport besigye,even a kid can see that.semujju never went throug primaries tocntes for the kyadondo seat,he was hand picked by besigye so he has to return the favour,petronage at its best.fdc always has a way of making me laugh like there is no tommorrow.


...
written by Kalanzi Leilah , February 04, 2010

Mr. Ssemujju, you should not think that you are foolings Ugandans that there's a contest between Muntu and Besigye.

This is a stage-managed poll to give Besigye some bit of legitimacy. Even the two candidates have repeatedly appealed to their supporters not to take the contest real because it a mock.

They are mocking democracy. The figures you quote for Besigye's results in the previous elections are nothing but a protest vote that could have gone to any one.The only thing that could make Besigye relevant in 2011 elections is if he could win at his polling station in Rukungiri.

Short of that let him not waste out time. Secondly we are fed of militarism in our politics. We can't replace one dictator with another in the name of Besigye. One wonders whether in Uganda now, there's a new class of rulers all from one region? In FDC if it is not Besigye, it is Muntu and if not Muntu it is Mushega. Is this what Ssemujju calls a national party? It is a shame


...
written by steven kazibwe , February 04, 2010

Mr semujju all along you have been critcising NRM that they have one person who has avision you know idont know english well you feared to use the word vision and you used the word good why are U shooting your self in your feet so polictics is game you are doing the same thing you have been critsing your future in politics is not bright .


I couldn't agree more with Ssemujju
written by Charles Ochen Okwir, FDC Ext. Country Coordinator [UK] 2005-2009 , February 04, 2010

Sir, you are right on the money with your analysis. I think FDC is extremely privileged to have two very formidable candidates vying to lead it.

Like you, I have nothing I can seriously hold against General Muntu's candidature; largely because I don't him that well and have not interacted with him as much as I would have liked.

On the other hand, I have interacted with and had very lengthy conversations with Dr. Besigye about the socio-economic and political future of our country. To be very, very honest, I find Dr. Besigye's all round appreciation of Uganda's challenges to be second to none within FDC; and perhaps, in Uganda as a whole.

Secondly, and purely on the strength of my decade long interaction with Dr. Besigye at a very personal level, I totally agree with Ssemujju that when it comes to humility, they are virtual twins with Muntu.

Besigye worships institutionalism and in fact recognises his mortality as a human being. To that end, he has consistently stated, in no uncertain terms, that if he wins, he would be serving his final term as FDC President.

Note the "IF" in Besigye's statement. It speaks volumes about the character of the man. Muntu's only political deficit that struck me on the one occassion I listened to him talk, [a deficit I am sure he will overcome with time] is his inability to connect with and inspire his audience. Some call it charisma; I personally don't know.

So for now, and considering the challenges facing us as a country, I would unreservadely throw my very humble kilogrammes of political weight behind Dr. Besigye's candidature. That of course, is not the same thing as discrediting Gen. Muntu; far from it!

All said and done, should FDC's delegates choose to elect Gen. Muntu, then, as democrats professing allegiance to the most democratic party in Uganda today, we will fully rally behind Gen. Muntu and give him our full support. May the best man win!


Kigundu will determine the outcome.
written by R.N. M , February 04, 2010

No matter what you do the system has already prepared to win and Kigundu is only waiting to announce. The rest is what we call political gymnastics. end of story.


Democracy should triump
written by Dr Anthony Ntaate USA , February 04, 2010

The issue is not the candidacy of Muntu or Besigye, but the triumph of true democratic principles and respect for human rights in Uganda.

You should realise that the path of democracy in Uganda is ladden with booby traps. I personally believe that all parties should know that there is no long term solution to Uganda's problems without true democratic principles being practiced by any sitting Govt.


FDC primaries a hope of democracy
written by Bazibu , February 05, 2010

I love the level of maturity most commentators have displayed in this article. It’s healthy politically for people to have differing opinion & preferences on candidates. Express it openly like Ssemujju & others have done. Present reasons for ones preference and those with differing views do the same. But in the end accept that the final verdict as determined by the majority binds all members. In this case as an FDC supporter you should be ready to accept whoever is chosen between Besigye & Muntu. Give the winning candidate all your support to carry the flag and eventually win over the presidency. It’s unfortunate that while the majority of Ugandans know where they want to head, M7 and NRM are suffocating this political environment with their political thuggery. Ugandans need to demand the right to choose leaders of their own choice without threats, bribery, intimidation and vote rigging.
Long live FDC. Long live Muntu and Besigye. You are giving Ugandans a new hope of democracy. We appeal to NRN to wake up from their enslaved trenches and begin to be themselves. M7 does not own Uganda it belongs to all of us all with equal stake.



Biased
written by Hillary , February 05, 2010

U could not approve my comments why??????


lets enhance continuity not individuals
written by Jonah , February 05, 2010

Ibrahim,thanks 4 ur analysis, As usual,i admire ur opinions. But i want 2 draw ur attention 2 a statement i vividly remember Dr Besigye made while addressing us, the student community in UCU Mukono 2 the effect that one of the mistakes they made while in NRM was 2 adore M7 like God. They trusted,defended and empowered him so much at the expense of strengthening structures and institutions that when things got out of hand, the only practical option they had was 2 quit the system. FDC risks the same path if it does not promote other individuals 2 raise a team of competent members thus ensuring continuity in the party in case some members fall out or even die(God 4bid). To this end, i support Muntu's candidature. I also believe that the level that Dr KB has put opposition politics in our country is so high and irreversible that even if he quit, he would have already played his part in the game. It is not about Besigye in power but a change 4 the better that in my humble opinion, Muntu can equally deliver.


Bafurusi only
written by Nkuba Kyeyo , February 06, 2010

Uganda was ruled by Amin whose parents come from Sudan . Uganda is now ruled by Museveni whose real father was a munyarwanda . Muntu Mugisa is a nice guy, but his father also come from Rwanda . When will Uganda be led by a Ugandan whith real Uganda roots ?

Just asking


Divided and conquered: lack of trust of indigenous Ugandans
written by omwouganda , February 06, 2010

It is easy for foreign interests to penetrate societies that are divided. Because ugandans are brought up to distrust each other along tribal lines it makes it that easy for outsiders to dominate, to the shameless extent that some see it as a better and preferable alternative.

It is sad to see, read and hear Ugandans extolling how enlightened and virtuous the leadership of foreigners, as better than any indigenous Ugandans could offer. Even in high paying skilled jobs, Ugandans would rather hire a foreigner and pay through their noses, just so as to spite their own, who would often be glad with less for the same work. It, the price of distrust, is totally moronic.


Reply to Nkuba Kyeyo
written by Seezi Sewagaba , February 07, 2010

The father of the President of France Nikolas Sarkozy came from Hungary.Sarkozy came to France when he was 5 years, but this did not bar or deter him from becoming French President.

So one can have a Munyarwanda father or mother and still be counted a Ugandan.A person's citizenship is determined by the nation's laws rather than his ancestry.So Muntu is a Ugandan.

Betty Kamya's mother is a Kikuyu from Kenya, but because her father is a Úgandan, she is regarded as a Ugandan.I personally have great respect for Kiiza Besigye and Muntu,because they are both very principled men who refused to be bought by Museveni.Muntu turned down a ministerial job offer from Museveni and Kiiza Besigye jumped off Museveni's bandwagon,when he realised that he had all along backed the wrong man.

Being Westerners,both Besigye and Muntu would by now be in very high political places in this corrupt regime,but they chose to side with people in their suffering and daily struggles.For me personally, I find it difficult to choose between the two men.

All I want is Museven out of power.We have had enough about this corrupt regime, which only serves the interests of a few.I do rather vote for Besigye or Muntu than Mao.Concerning a Muganda President,I think our time has not yet come.

At the moment,it is difficult to sell a Muganda DP candidate like ,Lubega, to voters outside Buganda.Obote sowed so much hatred against Baganda in the hearts of the other tribes,that it will take a generation to purge the anti-Baganda feelings from peoples' hearts.

So,I can not see a Muganda ruling Uganda at least in my life time.The best we can get is federalism.


SEEZI SEWAGABA: YOU'RE WRONG ON MUNTU AND BESIGYE.
written by DAVID , February 07, 2010

I completely differ from you about your opinion of Besigye and Muntu's opposition to the NRM.

The opposition of the duo military comrades to the latter is driven by hatred arising from their undeployment for a couple of years following their sacking from the juicy positions in the UPDF and the the government echelon posts.

In around 1997,Besigye after being dropped as the Chief of Logistics and Engineering(CLE) in the UPDF,he was left undeployed for around two years which prompted him to pen a treatise scathingly attacking the NRM and the UPDF.All this was driven by anger NOT the prevailing ills in the government then because even when he was still in active deployment,these ills were there in his vicinity!!!!

In January 1998,Muntu was sacked as the Army Commander and this sack rendered him undeployed till 2003 when he together with Matembe and Bidandi broke ranks with the NRM at Kyankwazi during the NRM NEC Meeting due to the attempts by the NRM cadres to offer M7 a third term in power NOT the prevailing ills in the government then!!!!

In his veiled attempts of posturing himself that he was still of substance in the Movement,he utters blatant lies that M7 was offering him a ministerial job!!!!,which is indeed a fallacy.

The radio-call messages from the CIC to all army units about high profile military transfers,demotions,sacking and so on usually bear the victims next duty station as was the case for his predecessors and some of his successors but for Muntu,this wasn't the case.

Thus this renders Muntu's claims as mere concoctions for the consumption of his ill informed and gullible fans.

So Besigye and his political side-kick Muntu should tell the world why their divorce from the NRM wasn't earlier while they were still in the juicy responsible positions as NPC and Army Commander respectively rather than being the Johnnies-come-lately into the futile opposition struggles.



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