The Tale Of Disappointment: 38 Years Under President Museveni’s Rule
It All Began With The Empty Promise Of Change, A Glimmer Of Hope For A Nation Weary Of Instability And Strife.
Uganda Today Edition: The Tale of Disappointment: 38 Years Under President Museveni’s Rule
In the annals of Uganda’s history, President Yoweri Museveni’s 38-year tenure stands as a saga of unfulfilled promises, broken trust, and missed opportunities. As the nation reflects on its journey under his leadership, it’s crucial to unravel the threads of disappointment that have woven through his rule, leaving behind a tapestry of shattered hopes and unmet aspirations.
It all began with the empty promise of change, a glimmer of hope for a nation weary of instability and strife. In his early days, Museveni came with a 10 point programme encapsulating economic social, economic and political reforms. He advocated for barter trade, envisioning a path to economic prosperity. However, this vision faltered amidst the harsh realities of governance, as the country’s economic woes persisted, leaving many disillusioned.
One of the most glaring betrayals of trust came with Museveni’s pledge to lead Uganda for only three years, followed by general elections. Instead, he clung to power, citing the need for a constitution. While the Constituent Assembly convened and the constitution was promulgated in 1995, it became clear that Museveni’s commitment to democracy was wavering.
His subsequent maneuvers to amend the constitution, removing term and age limit caps in 1995 and 2017, respectively, further eroded faith in his leadership. These changes were not driven by a genuine desire for progress but rather by a thirst for power, narcissism, obscurantism, egocentric tendencies (exemplified by the apparent rhetoric of “I am the only one with a vision to lead Uganda”.
The saga continued with the controversial proposal to give away the country’s natural forests to the Mehta Group for sugar plantation—a move met with widespread condemnation. Similarly, Museveni’s efforts to weaken traditional authorities, such as recognizing Kooki, Bululi, and Bugerere chiefdom as independent entities, aimed to consolidate his grip on power at the expense of cultural heritage.His blatant refusal to restore the Obugabe Bwa Ankore that set him in direct confrontation with General Sejusa who even attempted to install the late Barigye as Omugabe of Ankore is yet another aspect where Museveni’s unscrupulous use of cultural institutions to entrench his dominance loomed large.
Economic mismanagement also marred Museveni’s reign, epitomized by the incorporation of Danze Company, which systematically evaded taxes, crippling Uganda’s economic progress. This shortsightedness left a trail of devastation in its wake, undermining the nation’s prospects for sustainable development.
Amidst allegations of involvement in the burning of Kasubi Tombs, the sacred burial grounds for Buganda’s erstwhile kings, Museveni’s administration faced scrutiny and distrust. Indeed giving credence to these allegations, in 2009, 4 people who confronted Museveni resisting his entry at the burnt Kasubi Tombs before the tour of the Kabaka, were gunned down by Museveni’s army. Similarly, the clandestine elevation of his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, within the military hierarchy raised concerns about nepotism and abuse of power.
The refusal to disengage the army from politics, exemplified by the presence of 10 army representatives in the National Assembly, further entrenched Museveni’s grip on power. This brazen disregard for democratic norms and institutional integrity cast a long shadow over Uganda’s political landscape.
Despite court orders to institute electoral reforms, Museveni remained steadfast in his resistance, fearing any changes that could threaten his hold on power. The suppression of dissent, exemplified by the persecution of Dr. Besigye, his erstwhile ally turned political rival, underscored Museveni’s determination to silence opposition at any cost.
Athough the video below shows a small boy maiming a Sawyer felling a tree, in the same measure, it portrays the decadence of morals to protect the environment.
In delving into President Museveni’s tenure, one is confronted with a tapestry of nepotism woven into the fabric of Uganda’s governance. The president’s appointments, outlined, have consistently favored familial ties over meritocracy, undermining the principles of fair representation and accountability. Such blatant nepotism is not only morally reprehensible but also undermines public trust in the government’s ability to serve the interests of the nation over personal agendas.
The appointment of his wife as Minister of Education, his brother to oversee Operation Wealth Creation, and his son-in-law tasked with promoting Uganda’s exports and investments abroad not only smacks of cronyism but also raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and impartial decision-making. Moreover, the pervasive influence of Museveni’s kin and kith across ministries and government bodies designated for public service further erodes the credibility of Uganda’s governance structures.
The deliberate prolongation of the Kony war in the north, mentioned, is a dark stain on Museveni’s legacy. The revelation by his own current Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, regarding the manipulation of events to discredit political opponents underscores the depths of ruthlessness and deception employed by the regime to maintain its grip on power.
The brutal suppression of opposition voices, particularly during electoral periods, has become a hallmark of Museveni’s rule. From the charade presidential elections since 1996 to the unprecedented atrocities witnessed during Kyagulanyi’s campaign trail, where lives were lost and dissent was met with political incarceration, the regime’s heavy-handed tactics have cast a shadow over Uganda’s democratic aspirations.
The massacre of citizens in Kampala in November on 18th and 19th 2020, following fiercest presidential rival ever, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s arrest, the Bijambiya massacre of citizens in greater Masaka environs and the subsequent abductions of his supporters during the aftermath of the 2021 elections, are chilling reminders of the lengths to which Museveni’s regime will go to quash dissent and maintain its stranglehold on power.
The destruction of Omusinga wa Rwenzururu palace and the massacre of his subjects in 2016 further illustrate the regime’s willingness to resort to violence to suppress any challenge to its authority.
Amidst these human rights abuses, corruption has flourished, orchestrated by the president himself, right from 1995 bribery of the 7th parliament to remove the term limits, his nonchalant warning to the ombudsman to “go slow on the corrupt, because when they steal public funds, they don’t take it abroad, but they invest it here in building hotels” is, in no small measure corroding Uganda’s institutions and fostering disillusionment among its citizens. The general shutting down of businesses by traders in protest reflects the growing frustration with a government that prioritizes self-enrichment and gaining sham rented support over the welfare of its people.
As Uganda looks back at its past and lingers into the future, the legacy of President Museveni’s rule serves as a cautionary tale. It is a reminder of the perils of unchecked power, the fragility of democracy, and the enduring struggle for accountability and justice. President Museveni’s tenure has been marred by nepotism, repression, and corruption, eroding the fabric of Uganda’s democracy and leaving a trail of suffering and disillusionment in its wake. Only through collective reflection and concerted action can Uganda hope to overcome the shadows of its past and forge a path towards a more just and inclusive future
