The ABC Of Students’ Politics in Uganda

Open Campaigns (Questions)

In my first year I earned myself some political enemies that became very hard on me on my turn, simply because of a question I asked one of the candidates in the race of our law students’ society presidency.

Seeing that the Candidates’ manifesto profile had something peculiar about it, where the gentleman was born in a certain region, and its where he got his primary, secondary and now university education, I asked him if he was exposed enough to defend our interests at the national level especially in the national law students’ society, since that role had a national character, now that yours faithfully had received all training from one region!

Lo! The question was not received in good faith, some people clapped, others jeering, others murmuring, and the confusion went on until when the Candidate killed it the more,
He stood up, and without composing himself, all attention on him, avered thst he believed he would handle because he was a scout and had traveled to as far as Mombasa outside Uganda! Hahahaha
Guess what followed. ..

After this my security was not guaranteed as his supporters attacked me questioning my intentions, and asking how much I had been paid to fail their darling, believing I was purposed to fail their candidate. The fella himself was no longer friends with me.

However, from such experiences, my own, and from the different political rallies I have attended, there are aspects I have observed which can sort this issue of tricky questions on political rallies.

One it should be understood that you do not have to answer the questions at political rallies correctly, only smartly, not showing any slight wave of fear.

Most of the questions asked at political rallies are challenging and intentionally daunting, thus the candidate must be not only careful but thoughtful in responding to them.

The question puts you in a corner, and everyone waits to see how intelligently you come out of it. You do not have to bear the right answer I repeat.

For instance if the question above was put to me, I would not have any trouble with it…this would be my response (not reaction)

“My brother Matanda has raised a very important concern about being exposed, which I will not spare my highly exposed answer…” A round of applause
(Always appreciate, and repeat the question ; it gives you time to compose yourself, and prepare the answer, and also shows you are not moved)
“…Counsel” I would proceed,
“we are now in the dot com era, and one no longer has to travel physically to every place like the case was during the years of P O BOX to be exposed, I’m an individual who is well read, and connected not only nationally but globally.”

I want to assure you that much as the response above does not actually address the question adequately, the applause and uproar, would be enough to dustbin the question. The people are not necessarily interested in your being informed, these are masses, mobs only interested in your smartness up scale, how craftly do you get yourself out of the awkard situation.

When he was asked whether he is fit to be the President of Country one, whose greatest challenge was drug abuse, given that he himself had abused drugs in the past, candidate A much as everybody thought he was finished, responded,

“Set a thief to catch a thief, with my history of drug abuse no one s placed to avert this problem like myself. I know the challenge from 0 to 9 and will quickly have it sorted.”
The competitor who had asked the question hoping for political capital lost the race.

Go face those questions
Alinde…