Great expectations of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja
I felt sorry for Ms. Robinah Nabanja. The video on social media of a downcast Prime Minister, a stricken look on her face, brought out the liberal leadership values` instinct of rushing to the side of the underdog. It was the look of a woman at the exact moment when it dawns on her that she is being had royalty. She looked shocked and misplaced.
In another life, I was in a situation where two people exchanged a fleeting pregnant look, which I can describe this way. You are Kabalega`s right hand woman in his African food expeditions. You have delivered a full load at Bulisa and you are there, the three of you: the grain sacks, the carrying-men and you, the handy Bantu.
Then, from the depths of the hold, the many sacks gaggle so, there is no more room for the eunuch. And, you have a only few hours to catch a fast cart to Hoima. A quick meaningful look catches between the right hand woman and the heavy weight men. You have one-tenth of a second to decide; a life-saving loot to the starving Karuzika palace or gamble your life. Flight is out of question: There is no wing anyway to take you ten meters high. The arrow will heal with the damage of the gelding — or not.
At that moment in that video, the P.M Robinah looked like a deer caught in the headlights; blink and you are the existential crisis like climate change. I didn`t indulge the pity for too long. I went and read a fictional book until the feeling passed.
Now that the farms are planted, the rains are here and there is nothing to do until it’s time to weed, we can indulge in some delicious speculation. Think of this as the five rules of deception (keeping in mind that I am using deception because I cannot think of a better term). What I mean is the game of surviving and winning in a vicious political context.
First, a Prime Minister can never unpack her political bags. If you look secure as if you have a certificate, the boss becomes insecure. And, with good reason. Political security accompanied by full time ineptness about even the most obvious societal issue discernment, are not strange bedfellows with scams to replace her, and even more necessarily an angler. Unless you are the big boss, only a fool is happy and secure in a big office. You will be begging for it.
Secondly, absolutely no sentiment. Regard for institutions and how they work has no place in the higher tiers of her working system. I remember Ms. Nabanja saying that Uganda`s system of administration is so much structured and these processes are not necessary. And, since that is how being a Representative of the President in a district works, then you are better off an RDC.
Very Limiting
Taking this view is very limiting. When you are making important decisions, you want to open up all your options. I am willing to bet that when President Museveni appoints non-deserving people to jobs he knows they cannot do, it is not because of the gratitude he feels. It is because he wants to establish the reputation of a leader who is grateful; which works to glue his follower to him.
If it made good political calculus to dump the whole lot of them, I would be very surprised if he hesitated on account of feelings.
Similarly, Ms. Nabanja should not bet her Kikumi-Kikumi house on feelings such as loyalty, gratitude and love. If she cannot manipulate her mind to step up and have the premier pose, she should sit back and take it the way it comes.
Thirdly, a clever being never wears their feelings on the face. She throws a blanket of steel over her unconsciousness to drive decisions — comfortably — deny without a flutter of the gauge on the floor of parliament when asked to give accountability.
Fourth, read the game with ruthless honesty. Do not spare yourself. I do hope that Ms. Nabanja knows that Mr. Museveni does not expect much from her unlike the former premiers.
No intention
Lastly, a clever man or woman must weigh their options with obsessive care, inspiration be damned. If a killer punch is coming your way, you can decide to roll with it — if you have Floyd Mayweather`s footwork — and stay in the game. Or you can decide to take it square and fair in the face — if you have Mohammed Ali`s chin — for a chance to get in and punch back, or a respectable political funeral. You never walk in a political punch without a good reason and a funeral plan.
So, is Ms. Nabanja the clueless village bumpkin or the Kakumiro heroin? Pass the tea…no sugar, please.
