Political Amateurs Like Bobi Wine Are Uganda’s Real Problem

By Gerald Baganzi

The idea that President Museveni’s ambitions are no longer compatible with pursuing good public policy is rather annoying. He is still by far the best option for Uganda

Do many Ugandans think what we need now as a country is casting the NRM government out and infusing political leadership with new blood, with people who know life outside of the profession of politics? People who have lived in the ghetto etc.

This might sound like good news to a particular group but it’s rather very dangerous to us as a country. The emergence of many political amateurs poses a very big threat to our democracy and development.

People who know more about politics like President Museveni are more likely to embrace democratic values like political tolerance. From the time a political amateur has used populism to appeal to the population, we have seen the level of intolerance that has been instilled and practiced by his followers towards those that disagree with them. This group doesn’t welcome open criticism as well.

Again it’s good to have leaders who have wide knowledge on policy, and legislative procedures.

It’s true that Museveni’s government has some issues. The public confidence in institutions is at its lowest. We still have issues to do with economic inequality and our parliament seems stuck and is unable to address some of these key issues. Reason lots of young people feel President Museveni hasn’t given them much of a political voice.

But the idea of surrendering a lot of power in the hands of a group of people led by Hon Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi wine who don’t know what they are doing isn’t going to lead Uganda any way forward.

As a country, we need someone with expertise, some who understand the tensions inherent in democratic governance. Much as these are not enough to fix our current troubles, they can’t be ruled out. That’s why for now President Museveni still serves as the best option for Ugandans in the next elections 2021 – 2026. Until then we can have a discussion and see how far the political amateurs would have mastered the game of politics and governance.