Today, Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde has unleashed his will and determination to stand as a Presidential aspirant in the upcoming election of 2021. This is not new that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have some big-men falling out. However, they have usually gotten back into the fold and gotten new chairs to fill..
Lt. Gen. Tumukunde is a long-term NRA/M, who has served in various of positions and held a high regard in the circles around the President. He has failed, gotten sacked and gotten into trouble. However, always had the ability to return and get in the good graces. In May 2018 with his latest role was being the Minister of Security. Also, we know something is up, when the aide to Tumukunde is releasing the information of him loosing military guards at his house in Kololo. That happened about a week ahead of the letter to the Electoral Commission on the 28th February 2020.
With regards to this, I’m not fooled. There been plenty of decoys in the past too. Even NRA historical of John Nagenda have been critical of the President, but still in good graces in the end. Surely, Tumukunde following a long line of Presidential candidates, who in the end looking for a new avenue for work after the elections. We are even seeing Amama Mbabazi returning to Museveni and getting closer like kin. Surely, Tumukunde wants those perks too.
In 2011, the former Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali was a Presidential Candidate as an opposition candidate. His the father of Bebe Cool, so we know that the NRM loyalties aren’t far from each other. Even as Ssali was known for talking against Museveni for never retiring, still he wasn’t anything the President feared in the polls. He was a former Minister who wouldn’t dare to insult his former master.
In 2015, there was two former high ranking NRM leaders who suddenly stood as Independents. This being Gilbert Bukenya and Amama Mbabazi. Both of these we’re high ranking officials. Bukenya went straight independent and even tried to swing the The Democratic Alliance (TDA) his way. Mbabazi tried to get a position in the Primaries in 2015. However, that is not how the game in the NRM works. That is why Mbabazi was clipped of his wings, both as the Secretary General of the NRM and also of his powerful role as the Prime Minister.
Now, Tumukunde is doing the same, as Ssali, Bukenya and Mbabazi has done. Some says its daring and inspiring. Some says its special for these men to aim at the king. Well, there is no succession and no parts to play internally. So, they got to be loose canons to ever try. However, these gentlemen knows that the President rigs and they will never achieve the goal. It is a battle they are bound to loose.
So, why do it? Is it to get the attention and possible be a part of the NRM NEC or something? Do they want a perky position and get back in the good graces? Is that it all?
Does Tumukunde want the cool headlines, that he visited the President at his farm? Is that all he wants out of life?
We all know, he has no shot to win. There is no winning in this, unless he wants to become the next Beti Kamya or something. If he wants a minor role in a mushrooming cabinet after 2021 elections. To be paid-off handsomely…
Well, this is not a drill, but is a curiosity. It will be bloody, it will be tested and he will be in trouble. However, in the end, he will kiss the ring and go back to his master. That is what they do.
Lt. Gen. will need to eat after 2021. He will return, it is just a matter of time and what he is on the menu. Peace.
MinBane 