Analysis: A closer look at the Kawuma-Musisi UNAA Presidency coalition

With the UNAA (Ugandans in North America) Presidential elections fast approaching, it is key to look into the different aspects that have shaped up the highly financed, full of intrigue and coalition filled campaigns.

Most importantly however, it would be improper to discuss the UNAA elections, let alone the campaigns without special highlight to a one Daniel Kawuma, whose 'misfortunes' have shaped way forward for UNAA and its political environment, culminating into what our diaspora sources refer to as, a marriage of convenience with former Association president- Frank Musisi.

Kawuma is not new in the political environs of UNAA, his presence has been announced before, albeit in the 'dirty' books of the Association arguably; First as one who dragged the association to court for denying him his ‘go at the helm’ and also for conniving with the Association’s Board of Trustees (BOT) to organise alternative online polls, which granted him tentative illegal presidency (As heard by court in case filed by himself).

Kawuma would later return to seek redemption with another go at the high office, only to be ejected out of the race and revocation of his membership for violating several of the Organisation’s constitution Clauses after he lost the 2017 UNAA election in Miami.

With Kawuma thin on options, he ran into the welcoming arms of  Frank Musisi, a former president of the association and serving military officer in the US Army.

So what is in it for Kawuma?

Kawuma’s coalition with Musisi is not one that raises eyebrows according to different analysts in the diaspora, but one which is seen as the former’s last cast of die to snatch the seal of presidency in an association he has yearned to control for over half a decade.

Musisi also comes with his own flaws, having lost a second bid in office in 2009 for what members said was down to his habitual absenteeism, owing to the fact that he had other masters in the army to appease primarily.

Now Musisi returns at even a higher rank, which means that he still has work to do with the army, which leaves a void of leadership should he win the presidential race. With Musisi in charge but absent, this leaves Kawuma seated in the right place to govern.

How then?

Nile Post contacted a number of people in the diaspora on promise of anonymity, many of whom alleged that the coalition can only stand if Kawuma is appointed in a director position. This will then give him enough weight to stand in for Musisi while he carries on his army duties.

“It’s expected that if Frank Musisi wins the Chicago elections, he will disband the BOT and Electoral Commission, then create new positions in the organization that will see Daniel Kawuma head the Operations because Frank Musisi is very busy with his US Military assignments similar to his previous stint as UNAA President in (2007 - 2009),” a source revealed to Nile Post.

Alliance of Revenge?

This alliance is interesting because of the similarities between the two Principals, after loosing the election in Miami, Daniel Kawuma sued UNAA and wanted the courts to endorse his Online elections, that saw him swear himself in, but he lost the Court battle to out going UNAA President Monday Atigo.

Similarly in the 2009 Chicago elections, then incumbent UNAA President (Frank Musisi) got word that he had lost the Chicago elections to Eng. Moses Wilson, in a battle to hold on to power Captain Musisi allegedly presented a fictitious Court injunction order, purportedly stopping the then Electoral Commission from announcing and certifying the results,

This would have allowed Musisi to stay on for another year, since UNAA elections can only be organized during the annual general meeting, that takes place only in September. This gimmick and legal ploy was rejected by then Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Muniini Mulera.

Musisi then moved on in protest with his supporters, it is alleged that Musisi gave his blessings to a splinter group dubbed UADA that flopped miserably in 2010 in Boston, UNAA never recovered and Musisi boycotted the next four UNAA Conventions.

Future Aspirations come to play

Another source pointed to the allure of controlling the over $150,000 (Shs554m) government donation from State house as the motivating factor behind the alliance. Both Kawuma and Frank Musisi harbor Political ambitions in Uganda.

Kawuma was accused by his opponent Henrieta Wamala in a Facebook post for trying to use UNAA as a platform to launch his Political career in Uganda and run for Member of Parliament in one of the Gomba constituencies, the ability to travel using UNAA funds is an attractive incentive. Frank Musisi is also thought to harbour Political ambitions in his native Kalangala.

What do they say?

According to a join statement released by Kawuma and Musisi's team, their partnership will focus on 'unity, re-branding UNAA, expanding UNAA’s role beyond conventions by sowing the seeds of investment and entrepreneurship, growing the membership, opening an office branch in Boston, building UNAA’s financial base, advocating for policies that empower our community in the Diaspora and at home among other programs that we shall be outlining in the coming days.'

'Our goal is to re-brand and reform UNAA into an entity which has a meaningful presence and impacts the lives of our members all year round. The challenges facing the Ugandan community require an economic solution. We are putting in place in partnership with Major Frank Musisi the policy tools and structures to uplift our community," the statement reads.