|
 The Uganda Political Awards (UPA) on the 14.02.2009 at Durning Hall, Forest Gate, London saw General Idi Amin Dada voted as the best nationalist Ugandan president of all time. The award for the late president was picked up by his former wife Sarah Amin who thanked Ugandans for recognising what her late husband did for the nation which included fighting corruption, developing modern infrastructure and maintained a good healthy care system. When Amin's name was announced by the UPA chairman Dr Kasaato the crowd shouted yes yes yes' while others clapped profoundly as a few young men shouted Museveni (current Uganda president since 1986) is corrupt.
The new awards were presided over by Owek. Farouk Muwanga a well respected Ugandan and religious leaders in London which included; Father Gerald Balinya of the catholic church in Holloway, Sheik Kalantani - leader of the Uganda Muslim Association UK and Reveland Nathan Ntenge. All the the three religious leaders received the awards for best community leaders. Each of them prayed for good governance and expressed concerns over the increasing corruption, poverty and the poor standards of living in Uganda. Father Balinya advised that politicians need to be more open and transparent.
Rev. Ntege who had just returned from Uganda argued that fellow Ugandans need to stop hatred directed at their fellow country men especially while living abroad. This was in reference to some Ugandans who deny others of opportunities to get asylum in the UK by sending fabricated stories to the Home Office to incriminate their friends in numerous crimes. He also warned gay activists against spreading their sexual acts in Uganda. 'God created a man and a woman for a reason' he said.
Among the political parties represented were the Democratic Party UK (represented by Mr Lwetute), JEEMA by Dr Kasaato and Liberal Democratic Transparency party by Mr Hood Sempebwa.
Sheik Kalantani yet again excited the crowds by suggesting that God never rewards those who do not pester Him. The UMA leader commented that Ugandans should always pray to God for good leaders who can economically, socially and politically advance the nation.
 The Uganda Citizen has learnt that the UPA awards are part of the Uganda Federo Confederates (UFC) an umbrella pressure group which aims to unite groups and individuals seeking a Federal political system for Uganda. It is expected that groups under UFC will maintain their identity and beliefs. However the quest for a federal Uganda and good governance are the unifying factors and the common agendas. It intends to be a power block that will screen, fund and groom future Uganda leaders.
Dr Rashid Kasaato said that it was a great day in Uganda's history because for the first time ordinary Ugandans are able to vote and decide on how they want history to be written as opposed to the government deciding on who should be the hero or villain. He reminded the gathering that it is their responsibility to be more nationalist and respond whenever they are needed to champion democratic values. 'Obama is now an ideology which as Africans we are proud of - however our fore fathers fought that - therefore freedom does not come cheap' he  said. This was after Dr Henry Gombya received the late Andrew Kayiira's award as the best democratic military leader Uganda has ever had. Gombya commented that 'Uganda is not safe, i know that those responsible for killing Andrew are in government today'.
The King of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi received the best role model leader award. On receiving the award on behalf of the Kabaka the gathering asked Mr Farouk Muwanga to convey their greetings to the Buganda king and thank him for his leadership especially during the contentious land bill 2007.
The guest of honour Mr Muwanga decried the level of poor public services and corruption. Armed with a Uganda newspaper he said some Uganda government officials are wasting tax payers money in bribes to secure ilegal contracts with foreign governments. Major Mukiibi commented that the NRM's honey moon is over. We have been patient enough....put up with election riggings and the abuse of human rights .......the international community must understand now that regime change is eminent'.
 The interim chair of UFC Mr. Mustapha Semanda excited the crowds when he announced that Dr Henry Gombya is back in business and has volunteered to take over as the chief editor of the Uganda Citizen newspaper which features Ngoma Radio among other online radio stations. 'There is no doubt that having Gombya a well respected and experienced journalist with us is great news for Uganda as a whole. We the young are ready to bring about peace and democracy in our country but we need your guidance. UFC respects diversity and there's no room for tribalism' Mustapha said. Dr Gombya was the friend of Andrew Kayira (former leader of Uganda Freedom Movement) who was gunned down at his home.  His death still remains unsolved atleast to many opposition parties who believe that the current Uganda government assasinated him.
Mustapha the founder of Ngoma Radio and the Uganda Citizen newspaper was awarded the best young political thinker of 2007/8.
Other dignitaries included the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Transparency party Mr H. Sempebwa, Mr Roy Nsereko, Ms Maria Namukasa and Mr Godfrey Sekisonge (chair of Sagaala Agalamidde). Mr Sempebwa narrated how he was whisked away and dumped in Uganda prisons without trial or being given an explanation for his arrest.
On asking to comment on how he saw the event, Mr Sekisonge described it as ‘very progressive' thinking.
Mr Roy Nsereko of the former Coffee Marketing Board urged parents to continue bringing their children to community events. 'They are the future so please bring them so that they can learn more about their country' he said.
 Mr Muyimba Lawrence of the Buganda Centre was among the well dressed men; dressed in a kanzu and a coat - with a dazzling walking stick. However the coverage of the awards would not be complete without mentioning mukyala Kamulali who called on former soldiers to wake up and do what they are good at. She requested Major Mukiibi and others to start mobilising for a Return Home Campaign. Needless to say - she was the best well dressed female in a reddish Gomasi.
Below are some of the categories and winners
The 2008/09 UK Uganda National Political Awards
1. The Uganda's best Leader of the year 2008/09
Ssabasajja Kabaka Ronald Mutebi.-------------------------------------- Winner
Lt Gen Yoweri Museven.
Dr Kiiza Besigye.
Hon Kibirige Mayanja.
Hon Sebaana Kizito
2. The people's best Military Service Man of all times.
Major Wamala Katumba.
Major Amama Mbabazi
Brigadier Kasirye Gwanga
Major Elly Kigozi.----------------------------------------------------------- Winner
General Tito Okello.
3. The Uganda's best Young political thinker of the year 2008/09
Hon Sarah Nampijja
Hon Michael Mabikke
Hon Mustapha Semanda------------------------------------------------------ Winner
Hon Mukasa Mbidde
Hon Agaba Sam
4. The peoples' best woman political activist of the year 2008/09
1. Hon Betty Nambooze.
2. Hon Betty Namisango Kamya.
3. Omumbejja Sarah Male (Kamulari)--------------------------------------- Winner
4. Hon Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire
5. Hon Salam Musumba.
5. The Uganda's best political Mobilizer of the year 2008/09
1. Hon Betty Nambooze
2. Mr Michael Senyonjo.----------------------------------------------------- Winner
3. Hon Sam Lubega.
4. Hon Muwanga Kivumbi
5. Hon Nyombi Thembo
6. The people's best Young Political Leader of all times.
Prince Wasajja Dickson----------------------------------------------------- Winner
Hon Elias Lukwago
Hon Norbert Mao.
Hon Otto
Â
7. The best political and cultural activist of all times
1. Mr Semugera Fred.---------------------------------------------------------- Winner
2. Dr Luyombya
3. Mr Selukeera.
4. Hon Nadduri
5.
8. Uganda's best female role model of the year 2008/09
1. Hon Janet Museven
2. Maama Sylivia Nagginda------------------------------------------------- Winner
3. Hon Betty Nambooze
4. Hon Winnie Byanyima
5. Hajjat Zida
9. Uganda's best UK religious and community leader of the year 2008/09
1. Pastor Ery Kayanja
2. Reverend Ntege Lubwami------------------------------------------------------ Winner
3. Sheikh Qasim Kaddu
4. Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje
5. Sheikh Abdur Rahman Iga (Kalantani).--------------------------------------- Winner
6. Father Gerald Balinya.....................................................................................Winner
10. Uganda's best nationalistic leader of all times
Lt Gen Yoweri Museven
Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada------------------------------------------- --- Winner
Dr Militon Obote
Mr Binaisa
Late Yusufu Kironde Lule.
11. The people's most reliable and honest leader of the decade
1. Owekitiibwa David Muliika---------------------------------------------------- Winner
2. Hon Naser Ntege Ssebaggala.
3. Prince Bensweeri Mulundo.
4. Owekiitbwa Mulwanya Mmuli Ssemogerere.
5. Hon Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.
12. The people's world best political father of all times
Nelson Mandela.------------------------------------------------------------- Winner
Mr George Bush
Mao Tse Tung
Mr Huggo Chavez
Mahtama Ghandi
13. The people's best inspirational politician of all times.
1. Iginius Musaazi
2. Baraka H Obama.---------------------------------------------------------- Winner
3. Lev Martin Luther the King
4. Nelson Mandela.
5. Patrice Lumumba.
14. The peoples' bravest political Hero and Nationalist of our times.
Hon Betty Nambooze
Hon Sebaana Kizito
Dr Kiiza Besigye.
Hon Elias Lukwago
Dr Kasaato Rashid---------------------------------------------------------- Winner
15. The people's friendliest Magazine writer
Catherine Kuteesa
Caroline Isoto
Robert Walakira-------------------------------------------------------------- Winner
Suzan Mirembe
Mr Muteenza
16. The people's most irreplaceable political & military leader of all times
1. Dr Andrew Kayiira----------------------------------------------------------- Winner
Lt Selwanga lwanga
Major Drago
Major Mayombo
Major Mustafa Adrisi
17. The best people's political journalist of the year 2008/09
1. Mr Katerega Muhammad
2. Mr Adrew Mwenda
3. Mr Semujju Nganda----------------------------------------------------------- Winner
4. Mr Izama Angello
5. Mr Kato Kiyaga--------------------------------------------------------------- Winner
18. The best people's political aide of the year 2008/09
1. Mr Mukasa
2. Hon Sekisonge-------------------------------------------------------------- Winner
3. Hon Habib Kagimu
4.
19. Uganda's best living military hero of our times.
1. Major Twaha M Mukibi......................................................................... Winner
2. Major Salim Saleh Akandwanaho
3.
20. Best female MP of the year 2008/09
1. Hon Nabiira
2. Hon Betty Kamya
3. Maama Mabira........................................................................................ Winner
21. Best male MP of the year 2008/09
1. Hon Abdu Katuntu
2. Hon Kaddunabi Lubega
3. Hon Elias Lukwago.................................................................................. Winner
5. Hon
21. Best over all Ugandan MP of the year 2008/09
Hon Hussein Kyanjo.--------------------------------------------------------Winner
Hon Latigo
Hon Elias Lukwago
Hon Luhindi Fredrick
Hon Latif Sebaggala
22. Uganda's best male Democracy activist (senior citizen) 2008/9
Mzee Roy Nsereko...............................................................................................Winner
23. Uganda's best female Federo campaigner
Mrs Betty Nambooze Bakireke..............................................................................Winner
Ms Betty Kamya
24. Uganda's best female Democracy activist (senior citizen) 2008/9
Ms Mary Namukasa..............................................................................................Winner
.
|
Its Federal or the bullet!! (1)
