Uganda Today: When Principle Meets Power — The Divergent Political Paths of Beatrice Anywar and Wasswa Biriggwa
By Uganda Today Political Desk | www.ugandatoday.co.ug
In Uganda’s evolving multiparty democracy, political realignment is not uncommon. But it is often principle, or the absence of it, that defines a politician’s legacy. Two prominent former members of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party—Beatrice Atim Anywar and Ambassador Wasswa Biriggwa—stand today as contrasting examples of how political ambition and personal conviction interact under the weight of Uganda’s dominant political regime.
From ‘Save Mabira’ Heroine to Museveni Cabinet: The Case of Anywar
Beatrice Atim Anywar, once a celebrated environmental crusader and a bold opposition voice, rose to political fame after leading the famous Save Mabira Forest campaign in 2007. Her activism against the sale of Mabira Forest to SCOUL was not without personal cost—her home was besieged, and she was arrested and charged with terrorism. She was elected to Parliament in 2006 on the FDC ticket, defeating NRM’s Santa Okot, and served as shadow environment minister.
But her commitment to opposition politics began to falter with time. After losing the FDC primaries in 2016, Anywar ran as an independent and won the Kitgum Municipality seat. In 2017, she broke ranks with the opposition by voting ‘Yes’ to the contentious presidential age limit removal, a constitutional amendment that paved the way for President Museveni’s indefinite rule.
Her political trajectory became clear when she was appointed Minister of State for Environment in Museveni’s cabinet in December 2019. While Anywar insists she is “not for sale,” as declared in her 2019 interview, critics argue that her political shift reflects a deeper compromise of principle for personal gain.
Biriggwa: A Loyal Oppositionist in the Age of Opportunism
In sharp contrast stands Ambassador Wasswa Biriggwa, a diplomat, entrepreneur, and former national chairman of FDC. While Anywar found comfort in the folds of NRM, Biriggwa resisted overtures to cross over. In a 2019 interview, Biriggwa candidly revealed that ‘sycophancy discouraged [him] from joining NRM.’
Biriggwa’s background is varied—he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan and Ethiopia, and is remembered for pioneering Celtel Uganda. Upon returning to Uganda, he immersed himself in opposition politics. Unlike Anywar, Biriggwa has remained steadfast even as the FDC imploded due to internal wrangles. He is currently aligned with People’s Front for Transition (PFT), a new formation led by Kizza Besigye that upholds the original ideals of the opposition.
His refusal to join NRM, despite the likelihood of diplomatic appointments being linked to loyalty, underscores a commitment to democratic values over political convenience.
Unprincipled Defection or Strategic Realignment?
While Anywar has defended her proximity to Museveni as being rooted in constituency needs and national service, her critics—particularly from within the opposition—see her as a classic example of “eating with both hands.” Her “Yes” vote on age limits was a betrayal many have not forgotten. In politics, motives matter, but so do optics—and for Anywar, the optics are damning.
On the other hand, Biriggwa’s consistent opposition stance, even when opportunities in the ruling regime could have been more lucrative, has earned him respect among opposition faithful. His position is that joining NRM would compromise his moral integrity—something he has not been willing to do.
What This Means for Uganda’s Opposition Politics
The contrast between Anywar and Biriggwa is more than personal—it reflects the broader challenges facing Uganda’s opposition. Co-optation by the ruling party remains a strategic tool in Museveni’s political playbook. For those like Anywar, state power offers incentives that can neutralize formerly defiant voices. For principled oppositionists like Biriggwa, survival lies in maintaining ideological clarity even when the costs are high.
As Uganda inches toward future elections, the fate of the opposition may hinge on which model becomes more attractive to its members: the path of loyalty and sacrifice embodied by Biriggwa, or the route of opportunistic collaboration exemplified by Anywar.
Conclusion:
In the tug of war between integrity and influence, Beatrice Anywar and Wasswa Biriggwa remind us that in Uganda’s political arena, not all who start the journey of resistance reach the same destination. Some are bought, others bend, and a few remain—undaunted.
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