Uganda’s democracy in reverse - Kanyeihamba

Kampala Supreme Court judge George Wilson Kanyeihamba yesterday said the country’s democratic journey had taken reverse strides for the worse and cited examples of the Executive’s overbearing influence on Parliament as evidence to back his assertion. Officiating at the launch of a watchdog report that assess the overall individual performance of Members of Parliament in Kampala, Justice Kanyeihamba tore into President Museveni’s democratic credentials after he charged the ruling NRM regime of not only undermining Parliament, but usurping the Legislature’s power. Justice Kanyeihamba, who was once Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in President Museveni’s first post-bush war government, said the framers of the 1995 Constitution, including himself, had deliberately given Parliament enormous power to act as a check on government excesses, but recent events had shown that Parliament had failed in executing its oversight role. “We made sure that no government policy can pass without debate and sanction of Parliament, no judge, no minister, no ambassador can be appointed without Parliament actually saying so. What has happened over the years? The reverse has occurred.” The judge added: “Today Parliament waits for the word of the Executive and when the President has spoken, let he who speaks be condemned....For goodness sake what has happened to this country?” The judge, who retires from the Supreme Court in November, questioned the system of caucusing under a multiparty parliament, picking issue with the ruling NRM which boasts a majority in the House, discusses and debates national issues behind closed doors of the party’s parliamentary caucus, and suggested that the requirement to toe party lines was hurting the growth of democracy in the country. “If you look at the British Parliament, they go in the lobby when there is a controversial measure and people who spoke for it or against that measure are known that very evening. In Uganda we don’t know how many members of the movement opposed or supported a particular proposal because they are told to keep silent when they are in Parliament,” he said. Addressing himself to the contents of the scorecard report compiled by a leading think tank, the Africa Leadership Institute (Afli), Justice Kanyeihamba said while the report had suggested that the performance of Parliament had improved the past year, there “is a general perception in the country that this Parliament has let us down.” Afli chairman Elly Karuhanga said democracy and accountability in the country is often undermined because the electorate is usually not informed about the function and processes of Parliament, let alone the performance of individual MPs. However, with the publication of the scorecard which shows how MPs have fared, Mr Karuhanga said the Ugandan electorate now has a new window in which to hold their MPs accountable. He also said the “innovation of the scorecard” will not only stop at assessing Parliament, but that torch will be shot at the Executive and the Judiciary as well. Attendance by MPs was dismal, with less than 10 MPs showing face, even though the entire House had been invited for the event. Their absence reflected the dread and apprehension that MPs have greeted the release of the report. NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda, Mr Mike Mukula, who represented the Chief Whip Daudi Migereko, said the scorecard offered the “an opportunity to deepen democracy and uphold constitutionalism in this country.”

WHAT HAS EAST AFRICA PREPARED FOR 2010, CHECK ZIMBABWE

2010: Making Zimbabwe a Marketable Brand THIS week Tourism minister Walter Mzembi was on a trip courting Brazil to set base in Zimbabwe for 2010. Quite noble considering Brazil is one of the premier teams and will not only feature in the 2010 Fifa World Cup but also in the Confederations Cup next month. There are huge financial rewards for South Africa’s neighbours if they can position themselves to reap benefits from these tournaments. Mzembi said: “If it can happen that they (the Brazilian team) come and camp in Zimbabwe, together with their contingent, that would be a boost for tourism.” The state coffers could use the forex and the media attention would be a chance for Zimbabwe to showcase itself as a safe destination. While the marketing junket to Brazil may be an honourable intention, the minister’s sweet words and coaxing alone are not enough. There are fundamentals that need to be made right if tourists and soccer fans are to set foot in Zimbabwe come 2010. The real work is at home. Efforts to get service delivery back on track are taking too long and may not bear fruit in time for 2010. While the 10 million euro grant extended by Germany may go some way in purifying water, there has to be a long-term plan to put to an end to the water woes. Harare’s proximity to Johannesburg means it’s only about 90 minutes by air — but upon landing, the dilemma of potholes that seem only to increase in width and depth confronts visitors. The politics of outstanding issues, disagreements and haggling that continues to dog the new government also do not augur well for image cosmetics; it makes Zimbabwe stand out like a sore thumb in the region. If the violence of the last elections is anything to go by, then there is trouble on the horizon. Bad news travels fast and it stays long in people’s minds. Lawlessness must not be allowed to reign in any sector of the society, including the media, but the recent arrest of Independent editor Vincent Kahiya, news editor Constantine Chimakure, human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama, and the re-arrest of civil society worker Jestina Mukoko and 17 other MDC activists is bad news. Admissions by the Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono that he dipped his hands into other people’s cookie jars have been well publicised abroad and in neighbouring countries. The credit crunch is not a joke. Money is scarce out there. Ask Finance minister Tendai Biti what he experienced with his begging bowl in Europe and the United States. Fans and their teams need to know that their precious pennies for living expenses will be secure if they transfer them to Zimbabwe. They can’t take chances with money. In attracting takers, the brand-building concept of product associations must apply. Who does Zimbabwe associate with? Does getting into bed and massaging the egos of human rights abusers, in particular North Korea, align well with the envisioned customer experience? The reported continuation of land invasions does not promote the Zimbabwe brand. Property violations based on racial lines raise questions for visitors of other races. Atop a tourists list is safety. That needs to be guaranteed with no question marks. South Africa has started the process to legalise the oldest profession, prostitution. The three main reasons being the safety of sex workers who protest harassment and rape at the hands of police officers. Second, the state also wants a share, in the form of taxes, from that multi-million dollar industry. And lastly, to accommodate and ensure the safety of fans who will venture out for that service during their stay come 2010. Zimbabwe, a more conservative society, may not necessarily need to go the same route, but visitors will ask questions such as how will they be treated on that side of the border. What about bisexual and gay people? Are they welcome? What’s the plan? These may be uncomfortable questions but are issues that affect the brand and need addressing. Also, attributed to the minister were disturbing comments that Zimbabwe is targeting Brazil because it is the “best woman”. He was further quoted by media as having said: “We have managed to position our case very very well. If you are looking for the most beautiful woman in the village, even if she says ‘no’ to your overtures… you will eventually get a woman next to her in terms of beauty…” Is he serious? There is increasingly little approval the world over for comments that seek to commodify women. His comment is an extremely poor example that will not sit well with those working to advance the rights of women so that they are viewed for their fair contribution to societies, not just as objects of beauty. And women make up a sizeable number of fans that he is begging to put up in Zimbabwe in 2010. Soccer fans and teams need concrete reasons to convince them that Zimbabwe will be the best brand and place to stay. Tourism is not a product free of issues of service delivery, safety and the rule of law. If a customer does not believe in a brand promise, then it’s marketing will be useless. If the issues affecting the Zimbabwe brand are not addressed in time for 2010, Mzembi’s energy will be wasted. lMawarire is a senior sub-editor at the M&G in South Africa.

NOTHING BEATS HOMEGROWN SOLUTIONS

We welcome plans for the establishment of an African Standby Force and a Central Bank of Africa to guarantee territorial and financial independence. We call on African leaders to ensure that all these plans reach fruition so that the continent cannot continue relying on outsiders for the resolution of its challenges. We in Zimbabwe, however, celebrate the lead taken by Sadc in resolving the political standoff that gripped our country over the past 10 years. This is a template the AU should use to resolve the multifaceted challenges confronting our continent. Nothing beats homegrown solutions.