Two weeks ago, a late-night attempt to abduct me from my home during the lead up to Uganda’s election failed. The 30-year Yoweri K. Museveni regime’s desperation was reaching new depths with disappearances and mass arrests, and I was beginning to feel it personally, as I scrambled to put better security measures in place for my loved ones.
Yet, my personal troubles are a laughable matter for those who faced much worse circumstances earlier this week when Ugandan authorities killed at least two people and arrested dozens in the capital city streets who were supporting the most popular opposition candidate, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change, or FDC. Besigye has been arrested more than 30 times since defecting from Museveni’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement, or NRM. During the recent presidential debate, he accused the incumbent of warmongering and plundering neighboring nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.
We all knew what to expect during this election cycle, really. Past elections, during which Besigye’s support was not as strong as it is now, have revealed that Museveni’s regime is very capable of instilling fear in the population, harassing and killing dissidents, bribing very poor voters and rigging elections. Besigye’s latest message has been that of defiance. He and his wife Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, have been encouraging Ugandans to stand up for their rights and protect their votes.
There is a weakness in FDC’s messaging, however, when it comes to nonviolent strategy. The term “defiance” carries a strong connotation and certainly interrupts the trivial, passive messaging of civil society organizations and foreign embassies in Uganda that are merely endorsing “peace” during this election period. It is not that Besigye and his party have not done enough in terms of explaining that there are peaceful ways of resisting dictatorship and militarization. Rather, their messaging may not have been explicit enough to ensure exclusively nonviolent means of struggle, which would be politically strategic, especially in a nation where the president’s pillars of support are so obvious: neoliberalism, foreign aid, corruption, patriarchy and the like. Sometimes, FDC supporters carry tree branches; other times they carry fake guns. A rhetoric of deliberately nonviolent resistance could have been useful, but most of the FDC leaders and supporters I have consulted have kept the option of violence in their back pocket as a “just in case,” much as Museveni himself did in the 1980s, when he took to the bush to fight against leaders who overstayed their terms in power. Of course, he went on to do the very same after seizing it.
Surely, throwing a stone is less violent than insulating a violent and oppressive dictatorship with heavy-duty war machines and corporate sponsors, but onlookers — including the foreign governments that have enjoyed Museveni’s lengthy tenure — are often glad to turn a blind eye to state violence, as long as there is the moderately forgivable excuse of “They struck us first.” Ugandan authorities are known for their ability to infiltrate social change movements with imposters, including those who incite violence to justify state repression toward nonviolent demonstrations.
This week, as FDC prepares to challenge the lie that Museveni has won elections, the party’s ability to distance itself from violence may be crucial (especially since the NRM secretary general has threatened to kill the children of protesters). During Thursday’s voting, much creativity was exercised that indicates opposition supporters are headed in the right direction with determination.
Majority opposition areas witnessed delays in the arrival of polling materials, forcing some to stand in the queue for seven or eight hours — even in the rain — to cast their votes. At one such polling station, voters seized the ballot boxes and dumped them to the ground. At another, voters made placards for Besigye and Museveni, and asked people to form queues behind each placard to visually depict the peoples’ will. One lone young man stood behind Museveni’s name while countless others gathered patiently in the Besigye queue to wait for materials to arrive. Electoral Commission officials and voting materials were delayed many hours in Namuwongo, a slum in the capital city of Kampala, causing residents to erect roadblocks in protest of the state’s attempts to deny their right to select their head of state. When police removed the roadblocks, they were simply reconstructed by FDC voters.
Ballot-stuffing and fraud was leaked in various areas such as Kiruhura, and some voters bused in from other countries to vote for Museveni were identified by local residents and arrested.
Amazingly, despite a capital city full of tear gas, live bullets and a social media blackout overseen by Uganda Communications Commission and private telecom companies under the directive of the Electoral Commission, Ugandans did indeed remain defiant Thursday. It has been an opportunity that has engendered creativity and offered practice for those who wish to build a new Uganda. If the crowds that follow Besigye wherever he goes are any indicator of his level of support among voters, he is set to be a clear winner.
But is the defiance strategy too little too late? Having worked closely with activists and organizers throughout Uganda, I fear that there is too much mobilizing and not enough organizing. Mobilizing is short-term, but organizing looks at a long-term strategy that builds momentum, escalates conflict and is not reliant on individual tactics.
Perhaps Ugandan activists could learn something from this week’s struggle of organizers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC is home to hundreds of tribes and an infrastructure more disorganized than that of Uganda, but they have been able to carefully plan and implement a nonviolent strategy about nine months ahead of their presidential elections. They expect president Joseph Kabila to extend his rule, which he began in 2001 and cannot legally extend without changing the constitution.
On Tuesday, the capital city of Kinshasa was nearly idle. A group of taxi drivers decided to pressure Kabila by pulling themselves off of their routes, which brought public institutions to a halt as government employees were not able to find a means of reaching their offices.
The strike’s effect also reached the DRC’s far eastern ends of Goma and Uvira, where activist groups were arrested for preparing leaflets announcing the action.
The actions of Congolese activists are not only useful for their media value and decentralized approach. Getting the gears of social change turning months ahead of the November presidential elections by implementing a tactic that cuts off Kabila’s power (tax revenue, political legitimacy, and work force) is also crucial. Uganda’s taxi drivers only recently held a meeting to plan a similar strike, but it was dispersed by authorities and Crime Preventers — an extralegal citizen militia trained and armed by the state, much like the Interahamwe of Rwanda prior to the 1994 genocide.
The resolve for defiance of the Ugandan population is commendable, but willpower must be supplemented by strategic organizing, clear messaging and effective internal coordination — not only with the aim of ousting a 30-year dictator, but also with the broader goal of cultivating systemic transformation of the nation’s governance system. Perhaps Ugandans and Congolese alike can provide a strategic roadmap for other neighboring nations such as Burundi and Congo Brazzaville, whose people are more than ready for a change.
Nice piece. Often when people are so involved in the daily hustle to earn a living they develop short horizon especially the youth I suspect, who see how disappointing adults have been. Clearly long run vision needed to transform Africa — workshops, seminars, training; then the next challenge is funding when the corrupted state has its finger in all revenue sources.
Dr Besigye fought a heroic battle and did a lot to highlight issues that are dear to the ordinary people. However, even if he has been rigged out of the presidency, he was at times too angry and scared many who would have voted for him.
That word ‘defiance’ did not go well with some Ugandans, including the writer. His confrontation with the police on the eve of the election when he was told to use an alternative route, was uncalled for. We all knew the police were acting on orders from above.
Phil,
What is happening in Uganda is very pathetic! I happen to have roots in Uganda even tho, I do not live there.
There is so much abuse of power and abuse of resources simply because the majority of those in power are not native Ugandans. To be sincere Uganda is ruled by rwandese, these guys at the top are rwanda people, so why should they care anyway. Just look at the boss!! Kalekyezi,, there is no native Uganda called Kalekyezi!!
They are just in transit,, migrant target workers,, ready to leave if things turn against them.
By the way rwanda is within spiting distance from Uganda and most importantly from western Uganda.
The big question, what is the solution?
Firstly, from now on the country will be ungovernable due to sabotage and corruption. The weight of massive corruption will bring the regime down. It is a question of time.
I noticed you advocate against violence. In Uganda’s case violence is soon to be the norm so we can see a change of power. At some point it will be inevitable. People now are now resigned to do doing whatever may change power. They only lack a charismatic leader to spark the flame, and this is it.
When passive sabotage fails, then this will be followed by violence in the longrun. Time is not on Uganda’s side!
They talk of steady progress,, slightly seen in Kampala with its clouds of dust. I was so touched when I saw how poverty is killing our people like cancer.
People are so poor in Uganda,,, it is a very pathetic situation.
Well,, we stay in touch.
Habyarimana
someone claims to have roots in Uganda but his name is ‘habyarimana’.
just like there might not be a Karekezi of ugandan origin, there cannot be a Habyarimana of Ugandan roots.
one thing i have seen common in “experts” like Habyarimana , when you have nothing to contribute to the such forums, you resort to call every person you hate ,a Rwandese.
its sad that every time there are elections in Uganda(since 1960’s )Rwandese have to be mentions despite the fact that even Ugandans of Rwandese origin have always stayed away from Ugandan politics
you need to come back and work for your country bro instead of hiding away only to claim a foreigner is running business in your own house.
these claims will never help you or anyone else in building your country
I agree with Collins. Habyarimana is a name of Rwandese/Burundian origin. That said, Ugandans do not want violence, we will let God’s will be but we will not go to war like Kenya.
Museveni would never admit defeat peacefully. he will do anything to remain in power. he is too much obsessed with power after claiming the very thing he is practicing was an african leaders problem. i waited that he attends the debates and if one could fire him with that question and see how he stammers and lose his temper. don not blame people for assasinatiing such dictators. sometime sits the only solution.
The dictatorial African regimes like one in Uganda only creates election ritual periodically to justify their stay in power. If only they can manipulate the actors to secure their declaration as winners, then will use all wrath of state machinery to ensure their stay and repress all forms of resentment by the population. Worse still, their long stay in power has enabled their country looting and have invested in all sectors to the extend that should you attempt to sad line say, transport sector, they will come in to enable their own do business with maximum protection. Their own will always infiltrate all sectors to avail them first hand intelligence for any planned move to paralyze business for the state.
It’s interesting what the Media portrays. Whereas I did not vote the truth is in Uganda, we are more afraid of violence erupting from the opposition than from the ruling party. In fact most of the supporters for Museveni, keep their views silent and wait for the ballot paper. The opposition already knew they would lose. For them it had to be they either win or the votes have been rigged. If they won then it would be fair and free otherwise the votes have been rigged. Even when a newspaper – Monitor that is often on the opposition wrote of independent polls before the elections that showed Museveni leading by over 55% they still cry foul. Besigye has had the tendency of often trying to cry and create scenes that unnecessarily call for attention from outsiders. The truth is his main support was only in the central – Kampala and Wakiso and a few other places. Concerning integrity and love for power, I don’t see him any different from Museveni. He said more than once it was the last time he was standing for presidency but has kept coming back. He’s not the chairperson for the FDC party but he still stood. He feels he’s the hero and so are his supporters deceived as they make loud noise. In fact, me posting this is a statement of courage because they will roar back and sting. The truth is he lost and he should learn to concede defeat and not enter politics on the basis of hatred for an individual due to personal differences but because of a love for his nation. All his supporters are driven by hate to the extent that there’s need to tighten up security. They are simply empty tins that make a lot of noise. I did not cast a vote but I would never vote a leader without a degree of humility and respect. If it was not hatred driving him he would be sane enough to notice, like the other candidates, that though Museveni has inadequacies just like him, there are things he has accomplished. It is foolishness and immaturity to try and build your empire upon the crumbling walls of others.
Frank your an illusionist, you cannot differentiate wrong from right
what Besigye highlights is common knowledge and its on every body’s lips. If you cannot see corruption, exploitation by the government, bribery, lack of rule of Law, compromising of state institutions like judicially and you call that hatred by Besigye then you have a very
big problem. If you’re able to articulate issues, its not difficult to differentiate right from wrong. Its been a problem with Africans, who
thinks they have made a few bucks and cannot be bothered with whats
going on. When it starts eating them in one way or another, they start making noise. You should have principles and conscience in your life.
Frank, I agree with most of what you say. Indeed, many have asked where the M7 supporters were to celebrate his win. Fact is in rural areas most people celebrate in the evening after the results are announced at their polling stations and into the night once they know the results of their districts. In Kampala and its environs, many M7 supporters are wary of openly declaring their support. It would be foolhardy for anyone to start jubilating on the streets given the seething anger many Besigye supporters had. On online platforms and social media one needs a really thick skin to post anything positive about M7. One will be met by insults, abuse, accusations of having been bribed by NRM, threats on how your day will come etc…..For most, after winning, there was a sense of relief given the tensions preceding the vote; people have no energy to engage in meaningless online battles with faceless strangers. The result is that Besigye sympathizers have taken over the internet and are having a field day – misinformation, outright lies, outrage and threats dominate.
For an outsider whose source of information is online, one would be forgiven to think that majority of Ugandans are seething with anger: no most are too busy preparing for their kids’ return to school starting tomorrow!
Its unfortunate to realize that such an international media like yahoo to luck credible reporters ,who mislead the masses over some issues especially the electoral process in Uganda . If you publish such a statement “Ugandans defy fraudulent elections” the right statement could have been the minority among the Ugandans. but not including in the patriotic s who do not believe in hooliganism and violence. why don’t you publish the slogan of Besigye “by defiance we we shall bring change to this nation ” can Us be tolerant with such kind of hooliganism!! next time you should reach the ground and don’t be bias .
I like to appreciate everyone’s views, but really people like you David put me off.
Firstly, you and your henchmen (state) always want to portray whoever fights for their rights as hooligans.
Secondly, the fact is that Uganda is now a military state. Don’t be deceived by these elections. You are either not on ground or you sold your soul never to see whats wrong.
Thirdly, if you didn’t understand the context in which the word “defiance” was used, please ask for clarity. Everyone knows that in Uganda, all state institutions work for Museveni. This means, they will always fail whoever tries to unseat the incumbent. If you are to follow even the unlawful orders from such institutions, then it would be unfortunate, thus Besigye says “defy unlawful orders according the constitution.”
Lastly, please even if you dont support opposition, appreciate the fact that Uganda would be worse off if we didnt have such people for checks and balances.
For God and my Country
This is exactly why many people are wary of posting anything critical of Besigye or supportive of M7. One is immediately branded a state operative. It is very possible to criticize Besigye without being on the government payroll and without selling one’s soul. Disagree with David without engaging in online intimidation.
CONSTITUTIONALISM AND THE RULE OF LAW IS THE BASIS OF DEMOCRACY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. HOWEVER IF OUR DEAR BESIGYE IS HAVING IT EASY TO BREAK THE LAW FOR THE VERY NATION HE WANT TO LEAD. WHAT KIND OF HOPE SHOULD WE TREASURE IN SUCH A CHARACTER
Thanks, Alinda.
I wish you could give instances of the law Besigye (who is now under house arrest plus several others) is breaking it would add much Value
The problem is that Besigye is a master manipulator and it is incredible to watch the gullible foreign press, urbanites, international do-gooders and the rest fall for it. Besigye LOST the election for several reasons: i) he did not have enough grassroots structures to mobilize support – when his own party president suggested that they needed this – he was brushed aside because Besigye has gained political mileage from his shenanigans. In case you did not know, 94 MP seats were uncontested and in many districts FDC does not even have candidates standing for LCV posts. Even where he had district offices, there were no mobilisers at the lower levels. As one person put it – it’s like having a Bishop at the district level without parish priests and expect to run a congregation in the whole diocese. ii) People are tired of the chaos and defiance without an end game. The FDC strategy was clear – we either win or they lose but we shall not accept if they win. Without investing too much into local mobilization, they knew they did not stand a chance. Their option was to cast doubt on every aspect of the process, create an environment of seeming chaos and intimidation. He knows exactly which buttons to push to elicit a (predictable) response from government and then play the martyr. The insistence to use a certain route 2 days before the election (a la the teargas incident during the walk to work), the inspection visit to the “rigging centre” international media in tow have only one aim. If he were honest, he would be the first to admit that he wins both ways – the shenanigans energize his supporters and discredit the government. For the Ugandan looking for an alternative though, the question is how would Besigye govern if he took power? Would he allow a free for all, where the opposition can do whatever they please without due consideration for other Ugandans or the law? Having stood four times (3 as party president and now with another party president in place), what makes him different from M7? Is he the only person with a vision to lead FDC (a la M7)?
Having spoken to many Ugandans on the ground, the international outrage is surprising to them. Which votes were stolen they ask? Yes, there were delays, but only 36 out of 28,000 polling stations voted the next day, the claim that M7 got more votes at a polling station in Kiruhura was debunked, in the course of 48 hours, FDC provided a single instance where their own tally differed from that of the EC (at Butabika hospital). Their much vaunted tally centre has not provided an update for 2 days – the last one shows Besigye leading M7 based on less than 1m votes. Pleas to provide a breakdown of these votes for outsiders to compare have fallen on deaf ears. Since he has vowed never to go to the courts again, we may never know what the FDC tally was apart from innuendo and speculation.
On the other side here is why M7 won – he had a massive organizational structure – almost 2m+, he held almost 3 times as many rallies as Besigye; while the latter attracted huge crowds wherever he went, M7 had sizeable crowds in many more places. Despite what people (elites) think, people can “eat” peace; people’s modest aspirations in life can be met by a new hoe; and 2000 Shs can make a difference for a day. Am I condoning voter bribery? No; I am just saying that majority of rural Ugandans make choices that they feel are best for them and their families; while we may sneer at those choices, we have no right to think we know better. The majority of Ugandans rejected Besigye, if I was NRM/M7 I would accept that international audit he is asking for.
For the FDC party going forward, they would be better served listening to Mugisha Muntu. There are many Ugandans tired of M7 who would embrace a more moderate voice of reason that has other tools in their repository other than “defiance”
A very well written piece and an accurate portrayal of a tense and difficult situation…
Like peace orientated people everywhere I hope that the situation in Uganda will be resolved and that the true wishes of the Ugandan people will be met – and that both sides will do what is right in a peaceful manner…
However, there is scope for violence if justice is not the central plank for both sides of the issue… Be brave but tread carefully…