By our reporter in Buikwe;
“Dr. Lulume brought Democratic Party in Buikwe district out of the wilderness, to its best
election result in 2021 general election”.
They say all political careers end in failure, but Dr. Bayigga Michael Phillips Lulume is an
exception,’ said one admiring senior DP member as his Buikwe district chairman
dropped his resignation bombshell at the Buikwe District delegates conference on
Saturday which was organized to renew DP district leadership ahead of the party’s
national delegates conference. ‘He’s gone at time of his own choosing, and he goes out
as a success.
Even non-loyalists, or the mischievous political opponents who groan dramatically
when Dr. Lulume stands up in the parliament to debate on many pressing issues in
Buikwe South, could say little to contradict that view.
Admittedly, the man who affects to hate – but secretly rather likes – Dr. Lulume started
his 17-year reign as the DP Chairperson for Buikwe District when the opposition in
Buikwe District was wandering in the political wilderness, but the distance travelled is
no less for that.
When then a young trained medical doctor took over the helm of the newly-created
Buikwe district sometime back in 2007, the NRM party was virtually dominating all
political space in Buikwe.
Today the Democratic Party is one of the leading opposition political parties leading
local politics in Buikwe district with a sizeable number of DP councilors and sub-
county chairpersons.
When he steps down as leader, Dt. Lulume will leave DP at the forefront on local
government politics in Buikwe where many social development programs including the
elevation of Ngogwe Health Centre to level IV status that can accommodate over 15,
000 patients covering Najja, Ssi, Ngogwe and many hard-to-reach sub-counties and
many other programs implemented courtesy of Dr. Lulume and his party support at the
district council.
The nature of his resignation announcement was regarded as typical seasoned
politician, he’s always been on top,’ said one ally last night.
His many party fans respect his enthusiasm and constant ideas, though others –
including a surprising number of his own supporters – are irritated by his irrepressible
zeal and a perceived smugness.
Dr Lulume’s public image as an honorable politician was demonstrated when he
became one of the DP MPs – let alone the one among other DP members who started
People Power, that declined to join Bobi Wine’s NUP party – to survive the red wave that
swept many DP politicians in Buganda.
While he may have developed his highest public profile – and polls show he is the
leading incumbent in Buikwe South constituency – through interventions to save Mabira
Forest depletion, Dr. Lulume will be judged on how far his leadership has reshaped DP
and the face of opposition politics in Buikwe district.
Despite criticism from some elements of the party, he stuck by his policy of
‘constructive opposition’.
He also leaves his DP leadership in Buikwe before winning his battle to redeem DP from
Mao’s captivity that would see DP reclaim its past lost glory.
Dr. Lulume is emphasizing a fluid and iterative nature of political leadership in DP. His
message to all members of DP as they warm for the next National Delegates
Conference is that, political service is a continuous cycle of leadership. Any politician
can take up a role, contribute to the party, and then leave office, allowing the next
leader to build upon their legacy, ensuring the ongoing progress of the party. This was
done by many other DP predecessors including the late Matayo Mugwanya who left
office to allow Ben Kiwanuka to continue with the DP legacy.
Dr. Lulume will step down as the DP District leader in Buikwe district to focus on the
Democratic Party national leadership, and somehow his continued representation to
the people of Buikwe South constituency in the 12th Parliament.
