The Crossroads Of Leadership: A Tale Of Mathias Mpuuga, If I Were Him:
Chris Kato
Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba cutting the figure of authority during the reigns of his occupation of Leader of Opposition office in 11th parliament of Uganda.
Uganda Today Edition: The Crossroads of Leadership: A Tale of Mathias Mpuuga
In the dimly lit office of Mathias Mpuuga, the embattled National Unity Platform (NUP) commissioner of Parliament, the glow of a computer screen illuminates his weary face. His eyes traverse the lines of a heartfelt letter, penned by a concerned citizen, ERL. Each word feels like a weighted stone, striking at the core of his conscience.
“May the risen Lord give you the grace and composure to read my letter to the end and take it to heart,” the letter began, setting the tone for a poignant discourse.
The letter dredges up memories of Mpuuga’s youth, a time when his name reverberated with promise and hope. From his days as a minister in the Buganda Kingdom cabinet to his role as the spokesperson of the defunct Activists for Change (A4C), Mpuuga had been seen as a beacon of integrity and righteousness. But as time marched on, the realities of politics had blurred the lines between principle and compromise.
Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu the President of National Unity Platform whom Mpuuga claims to be currently besieged. This Was during campaign days.
ERL’s words cut through the fog of disillusionment that had settled over Mpuuga’s mind. They remind him of the ideals he had once championed and the promises he had made to the people who had placed their trust in him. The juxtaposition of his past and present selves is stark and unforgiving.
The letter dissects Mpuuga’s actions with surgical precision, highlighting instances where he had strayed from the path of righteousness. From accepting the trappings of power with complacency to partaking in meetings to determine self-serving “service awards,” Mpuuga had become a symbol of the very corruption and moral decay he once fought against.
But amidst the reproach, there is a glimmer of redemption. ERL implores Mpuuga to heed the wisdom of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” and know when to walk away. The path of honor, though solitary and arduous, offers a chance at redemption. It is a call to reclaim his lost integrity and pave the way for a brighter future.
As Mpuuga ponders the letter’s contents, a sense of clarity must wash over him. He should realize that his journey with NUP shouldn’t come to an impasse. The bridges he had built are crumbling under the weight of compromise and betrayal. But it isn’t too late to change course, to retrace his steps and forge a new path forward.
With a newfound resolve, Mpuuga should rise from his chair, the weight of indecision should lift him from his shoulders. He ought to know what he has to do. Stepping out into the harsh light of day, he should embrace the long and solitary walk of shame, guided by the flickering beacon of integrity.
As he embarks on this journey, Mpuuga should know that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties. But he also knows that it is the only way to reclaim his honor and integrity. And so, with each step he takes, he shouldn’t leave behind the shadows and achievements of his past, moving towards a future defined by courage, conviction, and unwavering principle.
For discernment of our readers, below the letter is reproduced.
Dear Rt.Hon. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba,
Allow me to be among the first Ugandans to bring you the glad tidings of the resurrection of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. May the risen Lord give you the grace and composure to read my letter to the end and take it to heart.
I first heard about your name in my teenage when you were a young and vibrant minister in the Buganda Kingdom cabinet. In those days (mubudde buli), I admired you, Medard Ssegona and Owek. @cpmayiga because of your oratory. I am not so sure there is any reverence left for any of you because the passage of time has made me wiser and required you to walk the talk. Have you? Read on…
For the purpose of this letter, I will highlight two examples; first, @cpmayiga used to tell us on Friday evenings on CBS that a leader of people ought not to be driven around at breakneck speed in convoys as though he is a thief. In the fullness of time, he became the proud beneficiary of @KagutaMuseveni’s benevolence in these things and he started cruising around in a convoy complete with lead and chase cars yet he is the much loved Katikiro of Buganda and not a thief!
Adorable sculpture by the catholic Church which Kyagulanyi and Mpuuga profess their faiths to.
Secondly, you, @MathiasMpuuga, the spokesperson of the defunct Activists for Change (A4C) and 4GC who campaigned against corruption, electoral theft and other ills of the reign of @KagutaMuseveni has become the best bad example of trusting politicians. It is profoundly shocking that you see nothing immoral about sitting in a meeting, less than a year into your service as a Leader of Opposition to determine the ‘service awards’ that would be given to yourselves at the end of your tenure as LOP! Elder brother, when did you lose your conscience?
I have it on good authority that you had accepted to take responsibility and step down, but your friend and former employee that happens to be your boss at Parliament laid siege around you and convinced you that your resignation would be akin to throwing her under the bus. In fact, I was shocked when I read your letter accusing @HEBobiwine of what you know very well to be the predicament of good self sir( being under siege).
By failing to walk the talk, you have diminished the hopes of two generations i.e. your own & the one following yours. You are now not any different from the bush war ‘liberators’ that ended up liberating only their families from poverty & not the national liberation rhetoric that they fed us with in our school years.
Newly appointed State Minister for youth and children under Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development Balaam Baruhagara is taking advantage of the unnecessary impasse between NUP President and Mpuuga to lure some NUP die hard from Masaka to NRM the ruling party whom both want to unseat.
I sympathise with you, but then I hasten to remind you that no matter how far you travel in a wrong direction, you can always retrace your steps and move in the right direction.
Before I sign out, let me now look at the bigger picture and agree with you that @HEBobiwine is under siege and is being manipulated by forces that want to throw you out of the party. If that is the case, I would then expect a mature and seasoned person like you to know that it is never do or die. You have to recall the words of The Gambler by Kenny Rogers and know when it is time to take a walk, fold them or run.
I think your journey in the @NUP_Ug has come to an end. You should not burn bridges or seek to destroy the party because you might want an alliance with it in future. I respectfully urge you to take the long and solitary walk of shame for the service award, rest assured that you will be a victor in the bigger scheme of things.
This battle can be lost for you to win a war. Obsessing yourself with winning the battle will most likely make you lose the war. Remember the words of Sun Tzu that strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory and tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat!
I beseech you to watch your thoughts and those of your closest friends. Please heed the advice of neutrals like yours truly because it is devoid of bias. Omuganda agamba nti ensowera ekwagala y’ekuggwa ku bbwa.
