In the aftermath of Uganda’s 2021 General Election, President Museveni declared his intention to form a ‘Cabinet of fishermen.’
Drawing a biblical parallel, he likened himself to Jesus and his appointees to the disciples who carried the gospel long after his death. But deep beneath the theatrics lied a political message of a calculated response to an electorate that had rejected his preferred seasoned politicians in key constituencies.
In this defiant vote for change, Ugandans had overwhelmingly spoken of a fatigue with old politicians who refuse to go.
Since the elections of Members of Parliament in urban centre has a semblance for being free and fair, it is the right measure of the temperate across board, and in this one, polished technocrats and career politicians were rejected.
Instead, the masses opted for musicians, activists, and political newcomers, a rebuke of the status quo and a cry for relatable leadership and tangible service delivery. The President’s ‘fishermen’ metaphor was a subtle warning cloaked in satire.
As is the case that every after an election, he modifies the NRM’s five-year term manifesto with Opposition wants, he truly did the same by delivering amateurs lacking experience or temperament for high office.
As we conclude this term, the consequences of the President’s decision are painfully clear that while he chose a populist view, it is important to use meritocratic principles to choose leaders.
This is not to say that political outsiders should be excluded from leadership, as, on the contrary, democracy thrives when diverse voices are represented. But ambition must be matched with preparation, and leadership is not a performance but a responsibility.
Developed economies have built institutions that weather such storms and keep excited, amateurish decision makers in check. If we had term limits and a trusted, a well-guarded election system would have self-checked us from the inexperience, insecurity, and the outright abuse of power.
Five years later, we find ourselves exhausted and fatigued from the pariah that we have become, yet we shall not apologize for our choices in 2021.
What we now face is the cost of inexperience and corruption at the heart of our legislature. Yes, its okay to harbour great political ambitions even for the highest office of the land, but a great politician is one who prepares for the position way before they ascend to it.
Throwing in half-baked deputies into an already corrupt and compromised system has only deepened dysfunction.
We must, therefore, demand this government of higher standards and ask of the NRM leaning Opposition parties to articulate clear expectations of who we want to lead such a young and vibrant generation.
They should care to imagine the chaos that would befall us all if another senior leader like the president left the office mid-term, to an unprepared leader selected on loyalty on a regional strategic basis.
As the NRM prepares to stage another election to protect their gains, the least we should expect is for them to steady the ship, for a just transition demands more than loyalty and symbolism.
It requires competence, integrity, and readiness. They should stop the sulking over who doesn’t vote for them and instead rein in the ‘fishermen’ or remove them entirely.
We are a nation bigger than just an election cycle, and rather deserve a leadership that reflects the dignity and seriousness of our challenges. We deserve better.