Museveni, Mbabazi meet again with Mbabazi more powerful this time

President Yoweri Museveni and his former super minister, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi will meet again for the second time in two months, bringing up fresh signs that the two former allies could be warming up their relationship.

President Museveni last met Mbabazi at the Namugongo Anglican shrine on June 3, 2018, but the two men did not share much except a handshake and smile. They will now meet again today (Saturday 4^th August, 2018) at Mbabazi’s residence on Plot 1, Kololo, the event being; a Kuhingira ceremony for Mbabazi’s niece; Bridget Birungi and Andile Ramaphosa who is a son to South African president.

For all the previous meetings the two men have had, Mbabazi has been the lesser character, meeting the president a record 6 times in his capacity as a farmer ( he said he had joined farming) or presidential aspirant, or in the Namugongo case; chairperson organising committee of the event.

However, this time Mbabazi meets Museveni as owner of the home and father to the bride, the man who makes orders at the event (for those who have attended similar functions know the power a father wields at such) and Museveni comes as guest invited by another guest (Cyril Ramaphosa).

The first sign of Museveni’s submission to his position is the fact that he had no capacity to bring his own lists of media personnel, but a message sent out by his team indicated he would use the list provided by Mbabazi and family.

“HE the President Museveni and SA President Cyril Ramaphosa will both attend the kuhingira of Hon. Amama Mbabazi's daughter tomorrow. We are only using the list submitted by the family for accreditation,” reads a message from the presidency.

On many occasions, Museveni’s team always produces an extra list even when he is invited to your event. The closest scenario is yesterday at Kololo airstrip during Bebe Cool’s concert when organisers were stuck with two lists of journalists; One from Bebe Cool, and another from Museveni’s team, with the latter coming only hours to the event.

Now with Mbabazi holding the power to make anything happen at the event, cameras will be studying body language, eye directions and nonverbal behavior. Will Mbabazi unconvincingly try to behave that he is fine without Museveni, or will Museveni struggle once again show he is not missing Amama Mbabazi?

The two men’s behavior goes back into their different meetings that have been characterised by hiding emotions and silent treatment. The closest they went to speak was a friendly banter at Nyakatare play ground in March 2015.

During the event at Nyakatare, which was to mark 100 years of the introduction of Christianity, Museveni and Mbabazi sent the crowd into laughter when they exchanged friendly fire.

Mababazi took the lectern and said he will not be blamed for trying, he will keep trying (to make the country better by ridding people like Museveni). When Museveni got hold of the microphone he asked; “You keep trying, how long will you keep trying and failing?”

A few months later, the two men met at State House Entebbe, more seriously by the way but their meeting did not bring any resolutions as the host walked out on Mbabazi after an argument. Museveni would go shouting, "I wont talk to him (Mbabazi) ever again," while he hurried through the corridors of the white building.

The two meetings highlighted Museveni as the one with the power at the time of meeting.

Museveni again months later would meet Mbabazi, this time during the Presidential debate. As is his way of showing more power, the President walked in minutes late while the rest had already sat, expecting them to stand up and recognize him. He would then approach each one of them, stand meters away and extend his right for a handshake.

He reached Mbabazi and took a few more seconds on that handshake, looking straight into his eyes as if to write it in; “well we are here, I am president and you are…anyway never mind.”

Following the elections in which Mbabazi performed abysmally, he took on a low profile and the two men started avoiding each other deliberately.

The very first of the events where they did so was during the 50th wedding anniversary of James Zatwoshaho at Church of Uganda in Kabale Town. Zatwoshaho is Mbabazi’s former primary school teacher while his wife Joy is a sister to Mbabazi’s wife, Jacqueline.

At the anniversary, the two men had confirmed attendance, but when each of them realised the other would be there, they canceled, with Museveni sending Ruhakana Rugunda and Shs10m contribution.

Mbabazi also skipped the wedding ceremony of Amanya Katabrwa a son to the late Sam Katabarwa, a National Resistance Army rebel commander killed before Museveni took power in 1986. However, Museveni attended and indeed when he stood to speak, he said with surprise; “my brother (Mbabazi) who abandoned me is not here!”

Well another meeting is upon us, but Mbabazi has formerly insisted he has nothing wrong being before Museveni

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with meting President Museveni and I would meet him anytime,” this he said when he was confronted with reports he had been holding secret reconciliation meetings.