I'm not grooming Muhoozi, he's just doing his work at the right time - Museveni

The people of Uganda have been struggling to unite. In 1952, Ignatius Kangave Musaazi formed the Uganda National Congress (UNC) to unite all Ugandans. It was torn apart by sectarian tendencies. DP for Catholics, UPC for Protestants, and Kabaka Yekka for the Baganda.

That is where Uganda’s problems started. Failing to have a united force like Tanzania had. When we got rid of Idi Amin [former president of Uganda], we formed the UNLF (Uganda National Liberation Front) uniting Ugandans but again some groups broke it up. Again when we went to fight, we formed the NRM.

The NRM united everybody. Some left but not many. We have never gone for the second round of voting because we always win in the first round. The NRM has been able to unite all the people but we aim to increase the unity.

By bringing in an opposition leader?

Yes.

I would suggest an alternative theory. By so doing, you are neutralizing the opposition.

What is the opposition? Is it for a show or what?

It is to hold the government accountable.

Those are just childish theories of some people. They are just extrapolating a small situation into a general situation.

What do you mean, Mr President?

The evolution of capitalism in Western Europe and liberal democracy did not mean the whole of humanity evolved in the same way. This is the mistake they make. During the French Revolution of 1789, they already had four social classes by that time. We didn’t have that structure of society here. Even now, it has not evolved like that yet.

What about the NRM party that you lead?

NRM is a party for everybody because we didn’t have those polarizations.

But does it recognize that the times have changed and Ugandans want to dissent? President Museveni has been in power for almost 40 years and we need to be able to express ourselves and say Mr President, we do not agree with the direction you are taking. We need to take a different one.

You see that is what you call trying to transplant. You cannot transplant the social structure of Europe But there are dissenting voices in the country.

Some people do not disagree with your politics. Some people would like to find different information.

Fine. We are handling them politically.

By bringing them into the fold?

By saying what are you dissenting about? I convince him [dissenter] and he sees my point.

What about Bobi Wine; would you give him a job as well?

We have no problem, but for what interests?

Would you tell him please come and take up the minister of Foreign Affairs (portfolio)? Is that something you are willing to do?

Trying to transplant the polarization of Europe into Africa is a mistake. Those who are trying to do it are simply mimicking the European way of life. But because some people insist on transplanting artificially, we said okay, you go ahead but we shall continue showing you that you were wrong. What we need is a common analysis to cause metamorphosis.

Are you then willing to work with any opposition leader?

No problem. Our best way was the UNLF where we were all under one roof.

People like Kizza Besigye, and Bobi Wine are people you are willing to work with?

No problem.

I have just been looking around and I realized that the speaker of parliament is less than 50 years [old]. I think she is either 49 years or 48 years. The deputy speaker is 42 years, the prime minister is in her early 50s, and the vice president is 48 years or thereabout. Am I witnessing a transition from your older generation to the younger generation? Do you think it is a transition happening?

Yes. No problem. Because of democracy, these people are coming up. They are coming up with the strategy and ideology of the NRM.

Lt. Gen Muhoozi, your son, commander of the Land Forces has been to Rwanda and helped to solve the standoff between Uganda and Rwanda. I have also seen him visiting the presidents of Egypt and Kenya. He has been very visible. I wonder, is he increasingly involved in the running of the state? What sort of instructions are you giving him, sir?

No, Muhoozi was born in the struggle. He is one of the earliest Kadogos, young children of the revolution. He has those linkages to the struggle. It is good for him to use them for Uganda. He was born in Tanzania, lived in Kenya, and trained in Egypt.

So, would you like to see him taking a greater role in the running of the country?

No, act as appropriate. For instance, if the Egyptians say you come, you were one of our students here and he goes and he relates with them, it is very good. It is not a problem at all.

Are you priming him?

No! He is just doing his work at the right time.

So, you are not priming him to take over?

What is priming?

Preparing him.

Instead of preparing the NRM, I should prepare an individual! I prepare the NRM and the army. They will know how to lead us when the time comes.