Mpuuga Joins A US High-Level Conversation On Democracy Across Africa

The former Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga on November 13, 2024, joined a high-level conversation on democracy in Africa at the prestigious Wilson Center for Africa Program in Washington DC.

Themed series on Trendlines and Transformations in African Democratic Governance, the first esteemed event brought together “thought leaders” and experts to share insights on democratic governance trends across Africa and their implications for US-Africa relations.

In his powerful 2:22-minute powerful presentation, the Commissioner of Parliament Mpuuga who travelled to the US alongside Counsel Ivan Bwowe to observe the November 5^th US elections, emphasized the importance of universal democratic values and the need for international cooperation to promote democracy in Africa.

He noted, “I initially came here (USA) at the invitation of the Maryland Elections Board to observe the US elections and the lessons are eternal.”

Mpuuga’s presentation was provoked by Peter Lewis’s contributions, which highlighted the rise of autocratic regimes and the need to focus on domestic drivers, youth, social movements, civil society, and new information and communication infrastructure to strengthen democracy.

“I have been very intrigued by the submissions of Peter on Africa and in his submission; I could see Uganda in front of him,” Mpuuga said, “for instance, the values of democracy as we know them that you observed across Africa are still aspirational.”

“And for me, that is really the issue because does Africa consider these values as universal and therefore Africa must as a part of Universal global family of democracy really ensure that it does comply?” Mpuuga questioned.

Considering that the first event also delved into the challenges to democracy posed by what the West prefers to call autocratic regimes and the influence of external actors, such as China, in undermining democratic progress in Africa, Mpuuga had this to say;

“And his [Peter’s] observation of the critical external actors is very important to it. The way the US was observed as a big brother of Africa is a bit changing lately because of the entry of China,” Mpuuga noted.

He explained, “the US would condition support across Africa to democracy and particular values. China hardly questions these values and for them, it is a transactional relationship and that is where the global family of democracy is losing across Africa.”

Mpuuga used the global platform to advocate for the reopening of Facebook in Uganda, banned for four years, highlighting its potential to enable the achievement of the much-desired democracy.

“My sister Latifah [Kasozi Namutebi] is talking about the digital dividend across Africa. In Uganda, Facebook is banned for four years [now]. We are supposed to enlist the young people to communicate and influence democracy across Africa, how does Big Brother still play a role in ensuring that these values of democracy are universal and therefore, Africa copies and follows them strictly?”

Apart from Mpuuga, the event featured prominent speakers, including: Dafna Hochman Rand, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, US Department of State,  Dr. Charles Ukeje, Professor of International Relations at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Latifah Kasozi Namutebi, Southern Voice Network for Peacebuilding Scholar and Strategic Partnership and Advocacy Officer, Women’s International Peace Centre, and Rawia Tawfik, Visiting Associate Professor, Council on African Studies, MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University, etc.

Mpuuga’s participation in high-level activities in the US enhances his reputation as a thought leader and strengthens his connections with international stakeholders. This contrasts with National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, who has not engaged in formal discussions despite regular travels to the US for Film festivals, and musical show performances.

Whenever he gets an opportunity, Bobi has been ranting against the Western countries, including the US, for funding the Museveni regime and has called for sanctions on perceived political enemies, sometimes without substantial facts.

Mpuuga’s constructive engagements at high-level forums may negatively affect Bobi Wine’s ratings in the US and among Western allies.

The Wilson Center Africa Program works to address critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, promoting mutually beneficial relations and enhancing knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States