Lack of diplomacy killing the political game

By Apollo Mukhwana

In the Movie, “The Mask of Zoro”, in which Antonio Banderas starred, ” his trainer advises him to think as a diplomat” describing a diplomat as one who acts differently from what he is thinking.

This is what we are yet to see in Ugandan politics especially in the opposition, when you look at the current events on the political scene.

According to a recent analysis by the former FDC Chairperson Sironko and former Chairperson Elder’s Farmers Forum under Bugisu Cooperative Union – BCU, Polly Mugoya, “the intolerance of diversity in ideas and personal power rivalry has played a big role in dividing, Forum for Democratic – FDC”. This is not any different, from what we are seeing happening in the National Unity Platform – NUP.

Drawing from recent events in NUP between the Party President Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and ousted Leader of Opposition in Parliament – LOP Mathias Mapunga. Which are not any different from the break up of FDC into two factions “Najjanakumbi and Katonga”. The two scenarios are an indication that the absence of effective diplomacy can indeed have a negative impact on the political landscape of any political entity in this case. A sign that Diplomacy plays a crucial role in maintaining relationships with different actors regardless of divergent views and opinions.

On the 27th of March 2024, as the current LOP Joel Senyonyi paid a visit to the Katikiro “Prime Minister” of Buganda, Peter Charles Mayega, the latter advised the NUP fraternity to act diplomatically. Advising them to sort their indifferences in the background and tolerate one another’s views by drawing a middle ground.

“We urge political players to be very keen on the observance of human rights starting with yourselves. You need to be patient, respect and talk to one another,” he said.

The Katikiro’s message is a wake up call to the Ugandan Opposition and all other political actors to think beyond individual aspirations and ego if we are to have a levelled political ground.

Uganda has embarked on its road map to the 2026 general elections, but do you see the opposition attaining its desired goal of taking over power from the National Resistance Movement – NRM, with this kind of mix of issues?