By Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi.
Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda almost became one country in a fast tracking deal of political federation and infrastructure development of East Africa.
This was the time of President Mwai Kibaki , then President of Kenya, working hand in hand with President Yoweri Museveni and President Paul Kagame.
Hadn’t Tanzania and Burundi, who were opposed to fast trucking, complained that they had been left out, by now, from Mombasa to Kigali, may have been at least, a confederation if not a federation.
So, last week has been significant with demise of Kenya’s third President and the private visit of President Paul Kagame, cerebrating the 48th birth day of the First Son and Commander of Land Forces, UPDF, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Kibaki has been a peace maker compared to his student he lectured at Makerere University of East Africa, Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, a retired Democratic Party President General.
No wonder, Kibaki also formed DP which later made coalitions that helped him yo win 2002 elections when he defeated, former First Son Uhuru Muighai Kenyatta who had been endorsed by the outgoing President, Daniel arab Toroitich Moi.
During the campaign, Kibaki was involved in accident and was flown to London for treatment, where his runningmate Kijana Wamalwa was also admitted suffering from natural causes.
Moi flew yo London, made a deal with them, to hand over power yo them so longer as they dont revenge to him or avenge to people served under his government, and hence a first smooth hand of power in Kenya.
Uganda Young Democrats, had also announced that they would go to Kenya to campaign for Kibaki. After his victory, they claimed to have contributed significantly. When challenged, a veteran journalist and my friend, John Kakande, while appearing kn Radio Simba’s Gasimbagane ne Bannamawulire program moderated by Peter Kibazo, cited “akadodi” dance used by Haji Nasser Ssebaggala to win Kampala mayoral race in 1998.
What Mr. Kakande forgot was that, akadodi is not a traditionsl dance for Bagisu of colonial and post colonial Uganda, but also of a wider Baluhya community of Western Kenya, where Kibaki’s runningmate, Kijana Wamalwa hailed from.
In his two terms, Kibakj was never heard as fraternising with UYD or DP of Uganda.
The birth day festivities of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba may have been under estimated. But the storm they raized in Masaka, Bushenyi, Kasese, and elsewhere where young people of different political divide, organised and participated, shows that Muhoozi has capacity to catch the young generation.
However, the most important is the visit of President Kagame, who was welcomed and hosted by President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports Mrs. Janet Museveni, and the discussions the two leaders had on bilateral and regional issues especially East Africa Community which, if it is the will of God, will soon become a confederation, and eradicating negative forces in DR Congo.
Therefore, l join others in paying tribute to the late Kibaki for the role he played in transforming Kenya and regional integration , congratulating Gen. Muhoozi for his 48th birth day which has been a double blessing, when the celebrations were honoured and attended by President Kagame. Baganda say: Ettutu lifumita likyali tto. They also say: Akaliba akendo okalabira ku nkoona. Aluta continua.
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