Wasted Blood: The Price Uganda Paid for False Democracy

Uganda Today Edition: Wasted Blood: The Price Uganda Paid for False Democracy

By John Mary Odoy | Senior Citizen

In the early 1980s, Uganda was plunged into a bloody bush war, sparked by accusations of a stolen election and a collapsing democratic order. Guerrillas—derisively called “bandits” at the time—took up arms against President Milton Obote’s government, declaring their intent to restore democracy and political sanity to the country. At the helm of this insurgency was Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who would later assume power in 1986.

The war, like all wars, came at a terrible cost: thousands of lives lost, families destroyed, and communities ravaged. Ugandans were made to believe that this sacrifice would usher in a new era of transparency, democratic governance, and respect for human rights. Sadly, nearly four decades later, that promise remains unfulfilled.

Instead of a democratic dawn, Uganda has witnessed the entrenchment of authoritarianism cloaked in deceptive rhetoric. The very forces that claimed to fight for free and fair elections now preside over a political system riddled with electoral malpractice, state violence, and democratic decay. The dream of a better Uganda—one built on the blood of its sons and daughters—has become a nightmare of manipulation and betrayal.

The False Promise of Change

On the steps of Parliament in January 1986, Museveni declared, “This is not a mere change of guards but a fundamental change.” That statement gave hope to millions. Yet, history has shown it to be one of the most misleading political pronouncements in Uganda’s post-independence journey.

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The current political climate is one of disillusionment. The autocratic tendencies, rampant corruption, and state brutality that marked previous regimes have not only re-emerged but intensified. The infamous 10-Point Programme—once the beacon of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)—has been abandoned. Museveni’s once-commendable leadership has now overstayed its welcome, a scenario well captured in the Luganda proverb, “N’azzina obulungi ava muddiiro”—even the best dancer must leave the stage.

A Legacy of Violence and Intimidation

Nowhere is the betrayal more evident than in the conduct of elections. The recent by-election in Kawempe North stands as a chilling reminder of what Uganda’s electoral processes have become: state-orchestrated theatre marked by brutality, manipulation, and fear.

Following the ruling NRM party’s defeat in Kawempe, President Museveni issued a letter laden with falsehoods and misplaced blame. He accused civilians and the opposition of orchestrating violence, conveniently ignoring the state’s own role in the chaos. Armed forces—meant to defend Uganda from foreign aggression—were unleashed on unarmed civilians, journalists, and opposition figures. The resulting violence saw injuries, mutilation, and death, all in the name of electoral control.

Even more disturbing were government claims that supporters of the opposition carried tonnes of stones in their pockets—a ridiculous and insulting narrative peddled by a sitting minister who remains in office.

The Death of Credibility

Since the NRM took over, Uganda has never held elections that meet the global standards of being free, fair, and credible. Each cycle has been marred by voter bribery, ballot stuffing, intimidation, and biased Electoral Commission conduct. The very issues Museveni once took arms against are now central to his regime’s survival.

The deployment of armoured military vehicles and heavy artillery in civilian neighbourhoods during elections sends a clear message: the state sees its own citizens as enemies. But elections are not war. They are a cornerstone of democracy. When power is used not to protect, but to suppress, the nation loses its soul.

A Call for Reflection and Action

Uganda’s current leaders must remember the sacrifices made during the bush war. The mass graves in Luwero and elsewhere should be sacred reminders—not of triumph, but of obligation. Obligation to govern with integrity. Obligation to honour the blood spilled with good governance, transparency, and respect for human rights.

Ugandans must ask: was it worth it? Was the bush war worth the widows, orphans, and broken lives, only for the country to return to tyranny in a different uniform?

The most meaningful tribute to those who died is not hollow rhetoric or staged elections. It is a genuine transition of power. It is electoral reform. It is letting new, visionary leaders emerge—those with clean hands and fresh ideas.

Uganda deserves better. And those who once fought for change must not become the very thing they resisted.

John Mary Odoy is a senior citizen and advocate for democratic governance in Uganda.