After a long political hiatus, former presidential candidate and government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali is back in the fray—with a word of caution for President Museveni: Leave power peacefully.
Bidandi Ssali joins an ever-growing list of Museveni's former allies and opposition figures who want the president to end his nearly four-decade rule peacefully before he is pushed.
In a rare public appearance and media interview last week, Ssali urged his former ally and boss to consider a peaceful transition. Asked what he thinks President Museveni will offer in his new term of office, Bidandi Ssali "Uganda will remain the same but my appeal to the president is to consider a peaceful succession. I feel the president has generally done well but there should be a peaceful succession plan."
Museveni was sworn in on May 12 for a sixth consecutive term of office, which expires in 2026. However, Museveni's victory in the January 14 general election was widely discredited due to the pre-poll campaign violence meted out on his main challengers; Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu a.k.a Bobi Wine, the former presidential candidate for the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and Patrict Oboi Amuriat, the candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change.
"If the president does not consider that [peaceful succession], he risks the country sliding into chaos," Ssali, who contested against Museveni in the 2011 presidential election, warned.
The 83-year-old spoke to The Observer before a dinner hosted in honour of People's Progressive Party (PPP) first–ever member of parliament Santa Okot at his Kiwatule Recreation Centre on May 20.
Despite his retirement from active politics in 2013 due to ill-health, Bidandi Ssali remains a key elder and influential opinion leader in PPP. He is the party chairman emeritus and continues to mentor young leaders.
Dr Dick Odur, the former Constituent Assembly (CA) delegate for Dokolo, took over from Bidandi Ssali as the PPP national chairman. However, he also fell sick a few years back, handing the baton to Saddam Gayira in acting capacity. The party members are expected to elect a substantive national chairman during their delegates' conference later this year.
NO REGRETS
Like in the past, Bidandi Ssali insists Museveni has made tremendous contribution towards Uganda's progress. "I cannot say he [Museveni] has done nothing for this country. My main issue is to reintroduce governance based on the Constitution where institutions perform," he told The Observer in November 2010.
Asked then whether he regretted some of his previous pro-Museveni actions such as the campaign catch phrase 'olina kewekoleddewo?' used to mobilize support for the president in the run-up to the 2001 elections he said, "I don't have any regrets; I am only appreciative of life."
Back then, Bidandi explained that he decided to back the president because there was a possibility of plunging the country into conflict. He said: "I had the privilege, then, of being in one of the top NRM meetings where the army vowed not to accept [former presidential candidate Kizza] Besigye to take power if he won the election; so, that meant there could be bloodshed again."
"As a responsible leader, I decided to back Museveni so that there's stability in the country since the president had promised to make way for a peaceful handover if he got another five years in office. Unfortunately, he went against his promise after that and that's why I quit the NRM."
PARTY MILESTONE
Speaking to the PPP's success in getting its maiden legislator (Santa Okot, Aruu North) in the eleventh parliament, Bidandi Ssali described it as a milestone in his efforts to promote democratic governance.
"I feel happy for this milestone in our party but also for Honourable Santa Okot because I have worked hard to promote the principles of democracy. My appeal is that she and other people I have mentored should never lose sight of that," Ssali said.
He also reiterated his stance on practicing cool-headed politics. "I tell young leaders who come to me from all other parties to engage in non-confrontational politics because even when I was personally active, I never attacked my competitors. My politics was not confrontational; so, I tell them 'don't attack people – argue on issues'."
Ssali declined to comment on the prevailing political tension sparked by the election violence, abductions, arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of President Museveni's opponents. "As a retired [political] actor, I just watch and observer but don't comment," he said.
Apart from the occasional advisory and mentorship role in PPP, Ssali is enjoying life in retirement.
"I am now in private business and, as you can see, I'm okay and fit," he said.
Indeed, he looked physically fit; walking without help as he freely mingled with the few PPP members who attended Okot's dinner at Kiwatule. He spoke briefly but sat through the evening speeches of more than three-and-half hours.
The speakers, who included MP Richard Lumu (Mityana South), National Convention Party for Democracy chief Degaul Kawuma and several PPP leaders from Pader district, praised Ssali for his wise counsel.
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