The sacking of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi

On 20^th September 2014, panelists appeared on HITS FM to discuss the sacking of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. “Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is one of the founders of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). He is someone who has served this country for some long time. Sacking him from his position as Prime Minister does not mean that he is no longer a secretary general of the NRM Party. Article 108 of the Ugandan Constitution gives authority to the president to appoint and reshuffle a Prime Minister”, said Hon Mashuhuko Joseph, a district councilor of Karambi Sub County, in Kabarole District.

The panelist was discussing on ToroDev’s live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’, a 2hr weekly radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00 – 10:00) pm.

Hon Amama Mbabazi

The live radio discussion was also attended by Hon Prosper Businge, the District Councilor for West Division in Fort Portal Municipality who commented about the sacking of Amama as being time bound. “The time in which Hon Amama Mbabazi has been sacked is a time when we are approaching elections. All events that have been occurring in the NRM Party such as the Kyankwanzi retreat were enough to show that Hon Mbabazi had intentions of contesting for presidency. If Hon Mbabazi had resigned immediately after the Kyankwanzi resolution, he would have been a hero, but he wanted to maintain loyalty with the president”.

The two hours live radio discussion was also attended by members of Kabarole District Association of the Blind who discussed how they formed their association so as to raise their voices, lobby better services and also exploit the available opportunities.  “The Uganda Constitution gives us a right to enjoy freedom like any other normal person. We also have to be represented by leaders at every Government level, and also be recognized in government programs. Forming such associations has helped us to raise our voices to the government and leaders, and also improve on our house hold incomes”, said Mr. Paul Katiisa, the councilor for the disabled in Kabarole District.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “I am happy that Hon Amama Mbabazi has been sacked because he has been giving wrong information to the president”, said Mwanguhya from Kyenjojo District, “The issue of disappointing the Prime Minister is associated with many things like corruption”, said a caller from Kyegegwa, “Amama Mbabazi was and is still a close person to the president, the president’s sacking him is just a political game that is intended to confuse Ugandans”, said Amanyire from Kyenjojo.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto and is supported by SIDA/CIPESA and SPIDER/Stockholm University on a project aimed at using appropriate ICT tools to promote democratic engagement in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.