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Will ex-PM’s past affect his future?

Saturday June 20 2015
EAMBABAZIII

Former Ugandan prime minister Amama Mbabazi. AFP PHOTO | MICHELE SIBILONI

Just how much of a liability will Amama Mbabazi’s long association with President Yoweri Museveni turn out to be for his presidential bid?

As the ally-turned-foe moves to challenge Museveni for the ruling National Resistance Movement’s ticket, some people in the Museveni camp believe that, even if he had his way, Mr Mbabazi would still lose the 2016 race, because he, too, is mired in the failures he promises to address.

Although some analysts say this is unlikely to be a major issue for the former premier, even President Museveni appeared to be gravitating towards this line of defence in his Monday response to the eight-point statement Mr Mbabazi had released on social media.

In his televised response later that day, the president said as PM, Mr Mbabazi had the opportunity and power to correct those ills.

President Museveni, who has closely worked with Mr Mbabazi since 1972 during the Front for National Salvation (Fronasa) days fighting dictator Idi Amin, was quick to point out that the former premier had a chance to fight corruption and ensure equity in delivery of social services, democracy and good governance — some of the things that Mr Mbabazi promises to deliver if Ugandans elect him president.

President Museveni made a similar argument against Dr Kizza Besigye when he left the NRM.

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Huge powers

As prime minister, attorney general and minister of justice, defence, security and foreign affairs among other dockets, Mr Mbabazi wielded huge powers.

He was instrumental in the push that made possible the passing of the Public Order Management Act, which is seen to curtail the freedom of association.

As security minister, he also led the passing of a law that allows the government to listen in on private conversations.

Supporters of President Museveni say Mr Mbabazi should be scrutinised, now that he has announced his bid for the top seat.
Stephen Tashobya, author of a 2008 minority report that exonerated Mr Mbabazi of corruption in a Ush11 billion ($3.4 million) land deal with the National Social Security Fund, says the two reports on the scandal should be debated in the public arena.

A majority report from the Committee on Commissions’ Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises accused Mr Mbabazi and former minister of finance and economic development Ezra Suruma of conflict of interest and influence peddling for their role in the transaction.

Mr Mbabazi and Amos Nzeyi, a business partner, sold land to NSSF and used the money to recapitalise the National Bank of Commerce, which they both owned with Mr Suruma, who, as finance minister, was the fund’s political supervisor. 

Mr Tashobya’s report accused his colleagues of tampering with evidence and bending the rules, so that the two ministers were punished for a wrong they didn’t commit. Parliament adopted the minority report, after an NRM caucus meeting called by the president.

“The fact that parliament debated these reports and adopted one doesn’t mean you cannot ask him about the issues brought forward in the majority report,” Mr Tashobya said.

But Gerald Karuhanga, the Western Uganda youth MP who in 2011 accused Mr Mbabazi, alongside foreign minister Sam Kutesa and their energy counterpart Hillary Onek of taking bribes from oil companies, said he is “seriously considering supporting Mr Mbabazi, because he represents a chance for Uganda to kick out Museveni and get a peaceful transition.”

Prof John Jean Barya, associate professor at the Makerere University Law School, argued that Mr Mbabazi is a sinner who has repented, and such an individual would do well fighting corruption.

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