UgandaToday: President Museveni’s Politics Without “Political Lollipops” Is Just Not As Sweet. Anita Among Too Will Be Licked to Emptiness
By Norman Tumuhimbise
Not too long ago, Rebecca Kadaga was a complete “political lollipop”—full of sweetness and political life. Just like the late Gen. James Kazini, who in Uganda’s history remains the only Army Commander ever to ride in President Museveni’s official motorcade during his peak.
I know this first-hand. When Kazini stormed Bombo Barracks with the presidential convoy in 2001, I was in Senior Two at Bombo Army Secondary School—curious, alert, and paying attention to every detail.
On that day, Col. Husein Ada, then the Camp Commandant of Bombo Barracks, was stunned to receive radio communication that the presidential convoy had arrived at the Quarter Guard—without his knowledge. By military protocol, every General’s visit is communicated in advance, so that a parade salute is prepared at the Quarter Guard. For the Commander-in-Chief, the protocol is even stricter: his motorcade cannot move from point A to B without coordination with several high-ranking officers. If Museveni were to be in Bombo or simply driving past Bombo road en route to Luwero or Nakasongola, the Camp Commandant had to be informed.
But when Gen. Kazini rolled into Bombo Barracks with Museveni’s convoy, the Barracks froze. His long motorcade was denied entry until Col. Ada personally rushed to the gate—only to find a boastful yet jolly Kazini seated in Museveni’s official car. For anyone watching, it was the ultimate symbol of Army Commander power. But like a lollipop savored until nothing is left, Kazini too was licked to emptiness—and eventually lifelessness.
Col. Ada’s immediate suspicion was that Kazini might be staging a coup, since Bombo served as both the UPDF headquarters and the Ministry of Defence. That explained why Kazini lingered at the gate until Salim Saleh’s intervention gave clearance.
I use Kazini’s story to illustrate a pattern: every season has its “political lollipops.” They appear complete, sweet, and irresistible—but inevitably, they are licked to emptiness.
Kadaga was once such a lollipop. At the height of her political influence, she could access Museveni at any time, and sometimes rode alone with him around his Kisozi ranch. But like any lollipop that cannot tell how long it will last in the mouth of its consumer, Kadaga too never realized she was being licked to political emptiness. Today, all that remains of her career is the empty stick—discarded to the political museum or dustbin.
Now, Anita Among is the latest brightly wrapped lollipop. No one can deny that she is sweet, loyal, and complete—just as Kadaga once was. But the fate is inevitable. Kadaga’s political journey, which began in 1989 as LC1, ends in 2025 after 36 years. Among, who shares much with Kadaga—Women MP, Deputy Speaker, Speaker, and soon-to-be National Vice Chairperson (Female) in CEC—will not escape the same licking to emptiness. Only hers will be more abrupt. If the political winds shift, she may not even return as Speaker after May 2026.
Yet like every fresh lollipop, Among blames her predecessor’s demise on foolishness—forgetting that she too is already deep in the same greedy mouth.
Call me:
Norman Tumuhimbise
A four-time state abductee
Author of seven books
Son of RA 013490 Sgt. Nuwagaba Patrick (1988–2022), who taught me to speak truth to power. At least, I am trying.
📧 teamleader@alternativeuganda.org
Publisher
