Ibrahim Semujju Nganda may not know it but he made Museveni sweat on July 12, 2009! According impeccable sources close to Mr. Museveni’s state house, this young man is the first person to make President Museveni sweat in his pants since he took over government by the barrel of the gun. And this happened during the infamous WBS TV debate where Museveni declared: “I can never allow Federo for Buganda”.

On July 12, 2009 Museveni participated in a debate with Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, political editor at The Observer news paper and John Kakande, news editor at the government’s New Vision. The moderator was one Peter Kibazo.  Despite the warm temperatures in Kampala, the Uganda strongman came clad in European winter clothing, including head gear, winter gloves, winter boots and a combed wool neck scarf. Seemingly awed by the presence of the president, Kibazo gave Mr. Museveni the opportunity to make a brief opening statement. Mr. Museveni characteristically attempted to belittle his debating opponents by saying that the came to WBS TV because after listening debates about the Teso famine, he felt, “[I am very] sorry that you could see these young people just speaking about things they don’t care to find out about or just viciously telling lies. I felt sad.”

Later in debate things got tough for Mr. Museveni attempted to patronize Mr. Semujju when the Observer editor asked the president why his government is perennially unable to plan for disasters like the ongoing Teso famine.  Semujju argued: “Mr. President, but if we did not see this as a country it means there is a big structural failure: that we cannot predict there will be a problem. Now that we have to go back to the budget and begin re-allocating, it is a failure on the part of government.”  Unable to effectively respond to Semujju, Mr. Museveni made what, according to our sources, was the fatal mistake. In response to another Ssemujju statement, “[Mr. President] there are now [Teso] people who come to you asking for food”, Museveni disjointedly responded, “Of course when they are distributing, Mr. Ssemujju Nganda who specializes in writing biased articles in The Observer, now you have extended your confusion to WBS…”. Semujju then fired the shot which reportedly made Mr. Museveni sweat in his winter clothing.

Semujju directly looked at Museveni and asked, “Are you threatening me Mr. President?” Museveni had no immediate answer.

According to our sources, Mr. Museveni felt so embarrassed and angry that this “small boy” had publicly challenged him. “Museveni had never had any Ugandan look him in the eye and asked him, ‘What is the bottom line?’ since, maybe Muliika. But even with Muliika it was a bit indirect. Whether it is Bukenya or Nsibambi or JB Walusimbi or Tinyefuza, everyone speaks in parables when talking to Museveni. To make things worse, the anger caused by Semujju got Mr. Museveni to unintentionally let out the secret that he would never allow Federo for Buganda.

After getting back to statehouse the president consulted Tamale Mirundi, Byaruhanga, Kobushenga, Mafabi, Mwesigye, Wabudeya and, I think, even Karooro Okurut. He  seemed to be really humbled and asking for opinions. That how it was decided that people like Tamale Mirundi and Wabudeya should issue statements saying that the Museveni was only expressing his current thoughts but it is the NRM to take official positions and he could also change his thoughts.”

The debate transcript made by Edris Kiggundu left out the critical “Are you threatening me Mr. President?” question. However, it includes a part where Mr. Museveni says to Semujju in connection with another subject: “I am going to ask the lawyers to look at it. I am not threatening you, you have got rights and other citizens have rights.”

When asked to comment on this story before publication, a leading Muganda analyst based in New York commented: “Semujju may not know it but he gave Museveni his first real ‘Emperor has no clothes’ moment.  Museveni has been playing lion for so long, chasing various Nsibambis, Bukenyas and Bidandis to feast on.  It is clear that the man panicked when a Semujju chased him, even if for a 20 seconds.  What we Baganda are praying for is a Mengo which can understand and properly utilize our power to be lion and chase. Because,  the off-the-calf, inconsistent and sometimes apologist statements from Mengo on Bafuruki, Bukedde boycott, Federo and other major issues leave us wondering…”

Click here to read the full debate transcript made by Edris Kiggundu on the Observer newspaper site.