The NRM vice chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Capt Mike Mukula, courted controversy when he addressed a caucus of lawmakers from eastern Uganda.
Sulaiman Kakaire and David Tash Lumu talked to him about how he envisages this caucusing panning out.
Last week you convened a meeting of MPs from eastern Uganda… What exactly transpired at the meeting?
As lawmakers from eastern Uganda, we want to have a platform that will help us come up with a common agenda for our development. First, we want to review the presidential pledges that were made during the campaigns.
Secondly, we are following up on the NRM manifesto, which is currently under implementation. As the region’s MPs we want to know whether the promises that were made to the region are being implemented.
Thirdly, we want to follow up on the implementation of government programmes at national level by focusing on the eastern region. This monitoring will involve both local and central government programmes. Why are we looking at the regional level? We understand that most of these programmes like roads impact on the entire region.
So, we find it vital to lobby as a region. Some of the sub-regions like Sebei, Elgon and Bukedi have limited capacity to lobby. So, if we assist one another by lobbying as a bloc, it becomes easy to get what we want.
Fifth, we want to ensure that we always have a common position on the budget and some other issues of common importance.
However, we have to [understand] that the eastern region has a problem of failing to return Members to Parliament. In 2006, over 50% of MPs from the region didn’t come back to Parliament. The trend continued [in] 2011. Besides, we recorded the poorest performance at the local level. What does this mean? That as a region we have to lobby for services for the people if we are to retain our leadership positions. So, our meeting was about development agenda.
Why is this coming now?
This is a second meeting we are holding. The first was in 2011/12. Last year we failed to make progress because we had a big number of MPs being new and they were trying to settle in the House.
By the way, we are not the only region caucusing. Last month the Buganda caucus, which has close to 92 MPs, sat in Katomi and [some] people thought that they were discussing Gilbert Bukenya, but they realised that they were discussing developmental ideas.
Some people contend that your group has hidden motives…
What is important for the country is to know that our agenda is about development. I know that some people are uncomfortable that I have ambitions, which I have not declared right now, but I would like them to know that there is no vacancy right now in State House.
Right now what the country should do is harmonise on a common agenda.
But since you declared your ambitions to run for president, are people wrong to look at this as full-blown lobbying?
Well, you cannot stop people from having perception about what you are doing. But what I know is that I am [an NRM] member and I have a strong allegiance to the party and the President. I am not intending to undermine his power and I don’t want my party to lose its support because what I am doing strengthens him and the party at large.
So, why is security probing your meetings?
It’s important that security [agents] continue to monitor the actions of all citizens and not only Mukula. I have one telephone, home, a common meeting point and I am available, so there is no secrecy and hiding of my activities.
When [Joseph] Kony invaded Teso in 2003, I stood up to be counted as one of the patriots who stood by the side of UPDF to confront the rebels. I cannot be a traitor or subversive.
However, even if I am to have ambitions, there is nobody in this country that does not have them and it is what propels this country. Besides, people should know that there are no permanent positions for people in this country although there is always a constant Uganda.
Among the groups that are worried of your activities is the Busoga Parliamentary group…
Well, it is not true that we have any disagreements with the Busoga group. When the media reported about the misunderstanding we had, I called ndugu Milton Muwuma [Busoga group vice chairperson] and asked him about this. I provided him together with other members all the information they lacked and we reached a common agreement. We are planning to meet on Tuesday [this week].
By the way, it’s also true that the Right Honorable Speaker [Rebecca Kadaga] led the Busoga team to the President to lobby for Busoga’s projects. There is no doubt about that.
We understand that the Busoga group has members who plan to front Kadaga for president and they see you as disorganising their plan.
The point is that they have no doubt about my capacity. It was in broad daylight in 2005 when I won with 93% of the votes to become national vice chairperson. In 2010, I was voted unopposed, which means I have a vote of confidence from the region.
However, my work is not about disorganising anyone’s plan. I am trying to beef up the work of the secretariat, which has also failed to trace and monitor the government programmes.
History suggests that political organisations come from socio-economic organizations…
It will not be constitutionally wrong for the East to launch [a] presidential bid and it will not be unfair for the region in future to organise in that particular direction. [But] eastern Uganda cannot win the presidency if we are not united. If you check the figures, you realise that we have biggest percentage of voters and if one concentrates on mobilising, he/she can win the national poll. It is not about mobilising Busoga alone.
So, what kind of relationship do you share with Kadaga?
We have a cordial and understanding relationship. You see the contradiction is coming from people who want her to stand for president, which she has not responded to. I have no problem with [Kadaga] or Amama Mbabazi who is among the people suspected to [have ambitions] for the presidency.
Critics say the Jinja East by-elections, which NRM resoundingly lost, was a protest vote against Museveni.
It is a wakeup call…people want services. As leaders we need to unite and address this before it’s too late. If Museveni is to leave, who else in the NRM can get the support he has enjoyed if we don’t help him implement the manifesto?
During last week’s meeting, the Butaleja Woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda, and the Kumi County MP, Amuriat Oboi, said that the only way to revamp the region is through taking power…
I think it is not the time to talk about that. We shall cross the bridge when we reach there. I know that there are many people who are interested in taking the presidency both in and out of [NRM]. Some are being shy. That’s why they are waiting for the right time because we want to give the President time to do his work. However, we must remind him of his promises.
Some people have likened you to a joker. How do you respond?
I am not a joker. People should know that I am one of the longest serving MPs, and if I was a joker I would not be here. I have gone through the ranks of party structures from village level to where I am today. I have been a minister before.
Really, how can one dismiss me as a joker? I led the Arrow Boys. Can you do that? Is that a picnic? As [junior Health] minister we kicked out polio, we had the best immunisation performance, as well as setting up 689 health centres. My loyalty should not be taken to be weakness.
So, will you contest for the presidency in 2016?
Yes, if my party endorses me. I know that I will get the support when time comes.
Don’t you think the Global Fund saga will hurt your chances?
I am not the first person to be accused. For instance, Raila Odinga and Jacob Zuma have been accused before, but they have been propelled to the highest offices in their countries. What I can say is that the appropriate organs will adjudicate on that. It is also important that I go through the right process before I stand for president.
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