Some Of The Most Intelligent Politicians In The Uganda Opposition

There are many types of intelligent and charming politicians. One is the kind that is so self-centered that they deftly move where the winds blow and use whatever speech and emotion is necessary to win.

Other types of intelligent politicians are the ones who actually work for the betterment of their constituents, have strong empathy, and know how to surround themselves with people who understand the subjects they’re governing.

The measure of the breadth and depth of intelligence for a politician is mostly measured in how well he/she can understand and make informed decisions about the issues and demands of the job.

SSEMUJU
Ssemujju Nganda is one of the most intelligent politicians in the opposition. The way he speaks is a maddeningly durable genre, recognizable to pretty much everyone who has lived in Uganda the last 15 years. He is a good writer, too—his articles in the observer were always informative. He was among the original founders of the ‘PEOPLE POWER’ movement and the ‘red dressing’, while opposing the removal of the presidential age limit(TOGIKWATAKO) Those in Kira municipality are lucky to have him as their MP and should do everything possible to ensure that he comes back.

MPUUGA AND SEGONA
Hon. Mathias Mpuuga and Hon. Ssegona are both intelligent and would definitely make better politicians/presidential candidates than Robert Kyagulanyi, but the latter edges them on one thing: humour.

Humour is one of the most impressive quality/skill one can possess. Those who can make others laugh out loud are often liked and loved by others. It's important in politics and any human relations.

For instance, I recently saw a video where Kyagulanyi was funnily displaying his palm on a rally; like he was going to read out something - it made laugh though he ended up not using to his advantage. I thought he was gonna read his regional manifesto, but he ended up saying some useless stuff, but he still made people laugh.

A lot of people in Buganda vote for a politician solely based on their charm or gimmicks or speeches or marketing. Nevertheless, charm may not get Kyagulanyi out of the pain he has caused on some Baganda by visiting Obote’s grave recently.

Charm also doesn't work so much on Northerners unless it's logical and valid. They would rather vote for anybody who does work for their areas and its people. They are not at all concerned about popularism. They also love candidates with formidable educational backgrounds and good CVs.

Being a likeable person can be easy if you understand what people expect from you.For some people, being charming and likeable comes naturally.

Im afraid that Ssegona and Mpuuga come across as boring, passive, or dull despite being so experienced in our politics. I recently saw a video of Ssegona miming a song, and that was great. I hope he keeps going because it would be great to keep him in parliament. He's definitely better than Walukagga for parliament.

Secondly, I have never understood why Mpuuga and Mbidde use big words while trying to speak to people. It doesn't necessarily make you smarter or sophisticated. I tell my kids that they should never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice.

The late US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart had a famous line when it came to the definition of hardcore pornography: “I know it when I see it.” The same could be said of people who are using “big words” out of pretension: we all know when we are listening to such people or reading their work.

On the other hand, it’s sometimes the case that a particular big word hits the bullseye in terms of what one is trying to say, and a simpler synonym doesn’t quite do the job or even misses the mark. That, to me, is the way to judge one’s choice of words: do the big words improve the message, make it clearer, or do they do nothing, or worse, make the message tougher to understand?

I just hope that the people of Masaka don't drop Mpuuga for anybody else due to the above weaknesses. He's among the few Buganda politicians who speak sense. His electoral reforms should have been supported by NUP and Kyagulanyi.

KIIZA BESIGYE
Personally, Kiiza Besigye is my favourite politician, though I find Museveni more charming than him. Museveni remembers almost everyone's names despite old age, and that gives him a connection with a lot of people.

Besigye is definitely intelligent, and he's among the few leaders who apply some values to politics. Everyone who ever dealt with him was awe-struck at his ability to master the details of every issue. He has the distinction of being in prison several times over politically related charges. He comes across as someone honest and with integrity. It's unfortunate that he's likely to die without leading the country.

There is the argument that If you are really bright you should become a lobbyist, either of conscience or corporations, so you can advocate and strategize for politicians who have no time to study policy, only time to listen to people who understand policy, in order to voice the talking points put in their hands. If you are exceptionally intelligent, stay the hell away from politics, and if politics is thrust upon you, be very canny about what you say and how you say it.

Abbey .K. Semuwemba