In any true democracy, the streets are filled with rejoicing upon a popular candidate’s electoral victory. The majority are excited and satisfied for a new beginning. In Uganda, the only things filling the streets after the February 18 voting day were military machinery and silence. General Yoweri Museveni’s continued stranglehold on his 30 years in power was underway.
It was a scene from the dictator’s handbook: tear gas, police brutality, disappearances and arrests. The opposition-supported, would-be president elect Dr. Kizza Besigye was placed on house arrest for nearly two months.
No one expected the court petition declaring the presidential election illegitimate to succeed. Those presiding over the matter of fraudulent elections in the Supreme Court unanimously decided — under rumors of death threats and reports of millions of dollars used by Museveni’s closest allies to influence their decision — that Museveni indeed defeated Besigye at the polls despite allegations from virtually all observing entities (apart from the Museveni-appointed Electoral Commission) that the process was not free and fair.
One group of former political prisoners and other concerned citizens from various tribes and regions of the nation visited the U.N. High Commission for Human Rights office in Kampala, hoping to raise their concern over the rapidly escalating insecurity in the country. Police fully equipped with protest-disrupting weapons and anti-riot gear dispersed the group despite their peaceful visit to an international institution with an open-door policy.
My wife — Suzan Abong Wilmot, also a former political prisoner — happened to be among the group. She was arrested with organizer Johncation Muhindo and forcefully marched through Kampala’s streets under the watch of armed guards to Kira Road police station. The district police commander heading the forced dispersal of the group of a few dozen people angrily asked me, an onlooker, what human rights concern the group could possibly have in the “democratic” environment of Uganda. Fully clad with shin guards, a bulletproof vest, a helmet, grenades, and a gun, the irony of his question made it so laughable.
In one massively pro-opposition corner of the Rwenzori mountains — a region over 200 miles west of Kampala on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo — police opened fire, killing six people. Shortly thereafter, guards at the royal palace of the Bakonzo were killed in broad daylight. The death toll in the region has reached at least 90, and Museveni continues to exacerbate the crisis by sending tanks and troops — bitter over what was an electoral loss in a region where he failed to steal a significant number of votes.
Angered over electoral theft, a group of young activists in Kampala tied themselves to individual poles throughout the city, sporting shirts that read, “Break the chain – free my vote.” Indeed, police broke their chains, though they placed them behind new ones. The activists are currently remanded in Luzira prison until their next court date on April 18.
If these incidents and others were not enough to signify the deteriorating political space in Uganda, Museveni drew his lines clearly in a statement on Saturday, promising to crush protesters, even using the term “kill.”
Uganda’s genocidal, dangerous environment begs one to consider the role of external actors amidst the madness. What are foreign stakeholders doing to help – or hurt – the chances of Ugandans dreaming of a day when they might discover freedom and wholeness?
During a recent visit to Kampala, Katherine Hughes-Fraitekh, associate director of field initiatives for the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, said she could see the fear and trauma in the eyes of Ugandans. Having lived through various circumstances of unrest in the Middle East, she noted, “There’s a kind of anger boiling in Ugandans from the hurt. People are deeply suspicious of others.”
So what are those who are afforded a far greater measure of safety doing about the living nightmare confronting Ugandans?
The diaspora
For perhaps the first time during Museveni’s three-decade rule, Ugandans in the diaspora are organizing themselves for substantial public action.
Groups have gathered across Asia, Europe and North America to advocate for their friends and relatives back home. Their concerns vary widely. A protester at the United Nations in New York mourned the dismantling of cooperatives. Others simply want the electoral victory of their candidate Besigye to be upheld. Refugee LGBTI Ugandans have brought their own messages on placards to strategic places, like Ugandan embassies and other points of international diplomacy and influence. The common thread these diaspora members share is their disdain for Museveni’s military coup.
Ugandans abroad called for Canadian, American and European governments to place travel bans on Museveni and his key allies, such as ruling party secretary general Kasule Lumumba (who threatened to open fire on protesters contesting election results weeks before the actual voting day), Kale Kayihura and Katumba Wamala (both vicious security operatives trained by the United States).
Diaspora members also leveraged their influence in the sphere of performing arts. Bebe Cool, one of the musicians featured in Museveni’s campaign theme song “Tubonga Nawe,” was pressured by Ugandans living in Dubai to leave the stage. Many Ugandans in the diaspora heeded the call of the Forum for Democratic Change opposition party to boycott performances of artists aligned with the regime.
Milton Allimadi, editor for Black Star News, wrote an open letter to President Barack Obama that said, “In whichever country they reside, Ugandans should make it clear that the international community can’t continue business as usual with an illegitimate ruler. The United States, Uganda’s principal sponsor, is even barred by the Leahy amendment from working with the Museveni regime whose army has been used for violent repression.” A group of Ugandans residing in America are exploring the possibility of suing the Obama administration for continued illegal military relations with Museveni.
The U.S. government
The United States is Uganda’s largest bilateral funder, annually offering hundreds of millions of dollars in known military financial support alone. The United States also places heavy investments in Uganda’s health sector, much of which is ultimately embezzled. Museveni’s anti-terrorism rhetoric and neoliberal policies have long captured the support of the western powers.
For this reason, it was rather shocking that the U.S. Embassy of Kampala denounced Museveni’s use of security forces to repress Ugandans before and during voting day. It was probably the strongest human rights statements Ugandans could have received from a foreign diplomatic mission. Nevertheless, the United States — in keeping with its support of the Musevini regime — was quick to recognize the Supreme Court’s ruling on the fairness of the election. What’s more, newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador Deborah R. Malac submitted her credentials to Museveni just days after the election, symbolically recognizing him as head of state — this despite the fact that she condemned Uganda’s government for human rights abuses upon first stepping foot in the country.
While it would be easy to draw conclusions about her mixed support for Museveni — given her position representing what is arguably the largest military relationship in Africa — the truth is that the United States isn’t alone. According to Muhindo, the aforementioned organizer who attempted to meet with UNHCR staff, “The world outside of Uganda legitimizes the dictatorship through its funding and support.”
Perceived roles of external actors
There are many international agencies, NGOs and Ugandan citizens raising their alarms, but there also seems to be little communication between various stakeholders to ascertain which institutions play which roles in times of violence and political upheaval.
There are efforts underway to map this complex terrain. The Atlantic Council, Open Society Foundation and Rhize have partnered with activists in Uganda, Sudan and 10 other countries around the world currently in conflict in order to collect views on the roles of outside supporters in relation to those struggling to cultivate democracy through social change movements. While the data has not yet been fully collected and analyzed, it may produce some quantitative and qualitative insights to inform institutions in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere what others are expecting from them.
One thing is clear, however: Superpowers usually like to be on the side of the winning team. Therefore, external actors might not play the roles they are mandated to play unless they witness massive in-country support for those striving to change the system. For the time being, Ugandans should probably expect less from foreign governments and more from their diaspora members who, though constrained by numbers and resources, have a personal stake in the struggle.
ACTUALLY THE EXECUTIVE AND THE OTHER TWO ARMS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE ALREADY PULLED APART FROM THE PEOPLE AND IT IS A QUESTION OF TIME FOR THE UMBILICUS TO BREAK! THEN THE SUPER POWERS WILL PROBABLY NOT CONTAIN THE ENSUING ANARCHY. IT MAY BE WORSE THAN BURUNDI. BUT GOD WILL DELIVER UGANDA.
Objectivity is required on all parties concerned. I draw a parallel from President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and the actions called into play against this nation. The opposition has been in and out of government in this nation but the economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have not removed President Robert Mugabe from power but have left the country and people poorer.
Any sitting government has the responsibility to protect the people and the opposition should responsive in pushing their agenda too. The call for use of force and any means possible to oust President Museveni are a call for a blood bath which is not good for any humane understanding person.
Sanctions of any form against Uganda will continue to worsen the current economic condition in the country and her citizens. So my call is for reconciliation and tolerance on all parties. The differences between the individuals in government and the opposition are personal that have found way into the public domain and have turned into political rhetoric.
Not all countries must be ruled the way United States of America does it. We are Africans, more over Ugandans. Much as one may assume Ugandans are not happy with 30years president Museveni rule, I have reservations. Having seen 7presidents, and bloody wars over 44years of my age I am very comfortable with some African leaders like president Museveni. president late Gadafi, president Robert Mugabe. Democracy, is not Term limits so long as its done by the people, of the people and for the people! Some countries need a little dictators and a little democracy, and every family has its style of leadership. God bless president Museveni. Uganda opposition has a big problem of selfish ness that is why TDA flopped. Dr. Kizza may not necessarily be a good leader. Ugandans biggest challenge is a moral issue, certainly world interest. Even USA, has always emphasized American interest. Much as president Obama says, “Museveni is a risk to Uganda security”, America is a risk to world peace example, Iraq’s Saddam assassinated hence ISIS, Libya’s Gadafi the same, they are pursuing Syria’s Assad,… what a confused world. The world needs Jesus the king of kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of peace to come. But before Jesus comes back to establish God’s kingdom (minus democracy, because majority is not always right by bible standards) there must be serious wars, hard times, famine, earth quakes, moral decay, evil on increase… which are the birth pains
Eric Anguyo , You are very naïve… There should be smooth transfer of power from one president to another for democratic dispensation. What you are saying about wars in past shouldn’t be used as a yard stick to determine the current democratic will of the people of Uganda. Ugandans have had enough of Museveni and his monarchy; you can’t take that away from them. You said “Dr. Kizza may not necessarily be a good leader”. You are a fool who doesn’t believe in change but CHANGE MUST ALWAYS PREVAIL, UGANDA NEEDS CHANGE.
Some but not all Ugandans have had enough, that’s what you need to accept. Until the majority of Ugandans say enough is enough, yours is just wishful thinking. The opposition has failed to organize, failed to convince the majority to join and not they think they can overturn the will of the majority by crying foul and threatening chaos. They have failed to heed all manner of advice (even from within their own party) to organize, mobilize through grassroots structures and somehow they expect that people will magically vote for them. A smooth transfer of power will happen, but not a losing unpopular candidate just because we must have a transfer.
Yes, you are entitled to your description, ” I am naive!” but I have wisdom which to you is foolishness from scripture backing, note the Scripture is born before you and this nation! You remember the story of the 10 spies to Jericho where only Joshua and Caleb the two minority came back with changing decisive impact, which had God’s backing? God has plan for Uganda who had seen nearly 8presidents (among highest number after Independence..)! The bible says, God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom? An amazing truth! I have no time to check for you! Do you know you are commended to submit to authority even if they may be shrewd for the Lord’s sake? 1Peter 2:13-21; Romans 13;1-8. My prayer is, have time and read for your self, and understand the times! Do you believe the world is getting to destruction just before Jesus comes back? Do you believe in some time soon there shall be times of turmoil, wars, rebellions, great tribulations including world currency system disorders, etc??? Mathew 24:21-44 (in fact read the whole chapter for your self…)! Do you know why there are rebellions everywhere in the Governments, families, divorce, street children, corruption of all forms but not limited to homes, companies, NGOs, selective employments, civil service, fake manufactured goods, ghost names on payrolls, prostitution between as young as 13years +, etc? Because you reject the BOOK OF WISDOM i.e. THE BIBLE and so God says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are perishing for lack of knowledge!” Whether you believe it or not if you and me do not watch out we are perishing! Note, Ugandans in the diaspora can do nothing – only make the situation worse! I ask what do you think they can do? incite demonstrations, fuel a rebellion from outside, or from within? I advise do not! Why? Read Isaiah 45:1-5 please! Everything in this world has its time, work hard, mind your business in LOVE, MERCY & JUSTICE. Sometimes I pity those opposition prayers, do they know the God they are praying to? He is a patient, merciful, loving God, giving time for people to repent and submit to authority in love, forgiveness and justice. Sometime I am tempted to believe God loves sinners? (Jeremiah 12). Even I caught Pope Francis praying when some countries in Europe blocked refugees access, the anointed man of God said, “Oh God where are you? I do not understand you…” He is patient God. I expected opposition to talk forgiveness, submission, compliance, not only rights but both rights and obligations, instead of “Bring my vote campaign of defiance!” When we do it our self, God recoils! He says, relax, trust Him (Psalms 37:1-12). He says, “Do not be envious of those who do wrong, soon they will be no more…!” NB: This does not even give me permit to curse, condemn, defy public order…! Oh yes, the tear gas will always be there. Let the Police do there job. Everybody has a calling to an office, and God gives the very anointing for you and me to excel in that office, ok? Be it a president, lawyer, soldier, police office, logistics, banker, accountant, Doctor, Nurse, Priest, Apostle, Teacher, Pastor, Prophet, Home maker, peasant farmer, business man, etc! That office has power! My brother, I may be naive but I think you are narrow minded! Read the scriptures, meditate, and RESPOND or ACT ON THE WORD, who will have a different, excellent, victorious, successful mind set or creative world view! Romans 12:1-2 Do not conform to world standards, renew your mind, then you will know the perfect, pleasing and acceptable will of God! If we differ on this point, its not a surprise to either because you are different and I am different (1John 4;4, and John 14:14-17). God bless you, God bless our leaders and as well as the opposition (because God is for us all), God bless Uganda for God and my Country!
Yes, you are entitled to your description, ” I am naive!” but I have wisdom which to you is foolishness from scripture backing, note the Scripture is born before you and this nation! You remember the story of the 10 spies to Jericho where only Joshua and Caleb the two minority came back with changing decisive impact, which had God’s backing? God has plan for Uganda who had seen nearly 8presidents (among highest number after Independence..)! The bible says, God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom? An amazing truth! I have no time to check for you! Do you know you are commended to submit to authority even if they may be shrewd for the Lord’s sake? 1Peter 2:13-21; Romans 13;1-8. My prayer is, have time and read for your self, and understand the times! Do you believe the world is getting to destruction just before Jesus comes back? Do you believe in some time soon there shall be times of turmoil, wars, rebellions, great tribulations including world currency system disorders, etc??? Mathew 24:21-44 (in fact read the whole chapter for your self…)! Do you know why there are rebellions everywhere in the Governments, families, divorce, street children, corruption of all forms but not limited to homes, companies, NGOs, selective employments, civil service, fake manufactured goods, ghost names on payrolls, prostitution between as young as 13years +, etc? Because you reject the BOOK OF WISDOM i.e. THE BIBLE and so God says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are perishing for lack of knowledge!” Whether you believe it or not if you and me do not watch out we are perishing! Note, Ugandans in the diaspora can do nothing – only make the situation worse! I ask what do you think they can do? incite demonstrations, fuel a rebellion from outside, or from within? I advise do not! Why? Read Isaiah 45:1-5 please! Everything in this world has its time, work hard, mind your business in LOVE, MERCY & JUSTICE. Sometimes I pity those opposition prayers, do they know the God they are praying to? He is a patient, merciful, loving God, giving time for people to repent and submit to authority in love, forgiveness and justice. Sometime I am tempted to believe God loves sinners? (Jeremiah 12). Even I caught Pope Francis praying when some countries in Europe blocked refugees access, the anointed man of God said, “Oh God where are you? I do not understand you…” He is patient God. I expected opposition to talk forgiveness, submission, compliance, not only rights but both rights and obligations, instead of “Bring my vote campaign of defiance!” When we do it our self, God recoils! He says, relax, trust Him (Psalms 37:1-12). He says, “Do not be envious of those who do wrong, soon they will be no more…!” NB: This does not even give me permit to curse, condemn, defy public order…! Oh yes, the tear gas will always be there. Let the Police do there job. Everybody has a calling to an office, and God gives the very anointing for you and me to excel in that office, ok? Be it a president, lawyer, soldier, police office, logistics, banker, accountant, Doctor, Nurse, Priest, Apostle, Teacher, Pastor, Prophet, Home maker, peasant farmer, business man, etc! That office has power! My brother, I may be naive but I think you are narrow minded! Read the scriptures, meditate, and RESPOND or ACT ON THE WORD, who will have a different, excellent, victorious, successful mind set or creative world view! Romans 12:1-2 Do not conform to world standards, renew your mind, then you will know the perfect, pleasing and acceptable will of God! If we differ on this point, its not a surprise to either because you are different and I am different (1John 4;4, and John 14:14-17). God bless you, God bless our leaders and as well as the opposition (because God is for us all), God bless Uganda for God and my Country!
What CHANGE my brother IK? Change of FACE, or CHANGE of Ugandans replaced with another generation from where, groomed or up bringing from heaven? The change Uganda needs is embrace JESUS and RESPOND to HIS WORD in Spirit and Truth! Then all will be well right in our families, schools, job market, places of worship, morally, physically, spiritually, financially Joshua 1:8; Mathew 6:33; Palms 23: 1-6; Jeremiah 29:11-12; 2Chronicles 7:14-15.
Dear IK,
I call you my brother, you call me naive and a fool! Fine, I can only be moved by THE WORD OF GOD not man, ok? Hi, go a head effect the change if you can FIX Uganda’s so called CHANGE over night like God said, “Let there be light!” and there was! You are talking ideal situation which may only exist in other countries but I am speaking reality! You generalize Ugandans want change but what change? Yet I and many others do not even flow with Dr. Kizza simply based on his unfortunate utterances of hate, crave for popular rebellion. I can guess your age and mind set…; hitherto am not surprised!
Yes I believe in CHANGE, fine what change? Even you have not changed in your mind set! How come you just insult, and say “Eric is a fool?” I wanted to know more about your self, track record, career, lifestyle single or married, if you believe God is love, tolerance, justice, mercy and forgiveness, if you understand trend of events in world compare with holy book (Romans 12:1-2), if you study the holy book daily with power of holy ghost ministering to you or you know HIM not! (John 14:17), how many regimes you have witnessed in Uganda…, then I would find your grade! Okay brother, lets talk maturely! If I say Dr. Kizza lacks credibility of a leader Uganda of today needs I am entitled to my opinion; and I could lecture for pages!
Let’s learn to “wash one another feet as Jesus did” if you are a Christian. And you will be blessed John 13:1-20.
In 2014 and 2015, we had many Ugandans die from treatable and preventable diseases.
This past week we witnessed pictures of the radiotherapy cancer treatment machine breaking down in the National Referral hospital (aka teaching hospital for Medical students) die a long awaited death.
There has been a joke running around about one man going to Mulago for diagnosis. It says he got an Xray and Mulago told him he had a cockroach in his chest. Ouch. Then apparently the man decided to seek a second opinion in India and he was told that he had no cockroach in his chest but the Xray machine in Uganda had a cockroach in it.
As Karma would do the needful, the radiotherapy machine broke down while there was a video of cancer patients circulating on Youtube and social media.
It is not so much that we suddenly have one machine (the only one in the country plastered with band aids) die but it is that the medical system is broken and needs much repair.Mind u it was donated in 1996.
Uganda cannot even treat malaria, TB and ships out tonnes of ARVs to other countries while the people die.
What is needed is a comprehensive evaluation of the entire medical system and service delivery. Even The Global Fund for Malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB has been ripped off through various audits.
You cannot claim to care for Ugandans if you ignore the health care. The VHT clinics are even being shut down due to lack of equipment and medicine. In fact, the staff who were hired for these village health centers left to go rear goats because they were not being paid.
The good news on this one is those centers have been turned into police stations or shelter for the homeless thugs or beautiful places for spiders, mice, rats and wolves.
And u call that steady progress.
The person who write this article is a fool and ignorant about Uganda or are just money make who are being used by western countries, because before u talk nonsense tell us which polling station you voted from or you are like OTUNU and MOA who also alleged about vote rigging yet they did not vote to be logical tell us how many member of parliament do FDC have before saying that NRM rigged you out, the only thing your sponsor have to understand is that their is no way Ugandan will accept another person from western uganda into power after the long stay by one of their own since they were the same people who made it clear to ugandan that every thing was taken by them so even if you talk your nonsense Besigye or Mbabazi will not get power after M7 believe it or not
This is pure propaganda by the west. Museveni was elected in a free and fair election save for a few electoral malpractices as expected. Kiiza Besigye his runner up had promised he would start a defiance campaign and make the country ungovernable. he refused to go to court to challenge the election. the one who came third went to court and challenged the election but he lost the case because he could not produce any evidence despite court compelling the Electoral Commission to give them all Tally sheets and declaration forms used in declaring the elections. Calling Museveni names will not help. He was elected with above 80% parliamentarians. So the West can go hang.
long live Y.K Museveni…..the situation in Uganda calls for a leadership of Musevenis type
Oh yes, I concur with you in total! Uganda of today needs the brands of Museveni, the Mbambazi quite diplomatic – look how he went to Court and admit results. Why are they not followed; unlike Dr. Kizza who want to go with mob, idlers (some have not experienced war, last 30 years…), Why? The government is also intelligent!
Look, Dr. Kizza in the very beginning uttered statements like “this is going to be an election of defiance not compliance…” In another occasion, he said “either he is going to be the president or no president at all…” yet in another I caught him say, “Uganda will go either Libyan or Kenyan style” and further still he said, ” I have no confidence in the rule of law, the Judiciary…!” I think such statements were unfortunate indeed for a SERVANT LEADER! This could have been the reason why he is highly monitored! Let us not copy, we are Ugandans, not Kenyans, Libyans, nor Americans! Remember, America also has weaknesses, racism issues still stiff in Chicago and other parts, often statements such as “protecting Americas interest…” When will Africa learn to appreciate and embrace their very own…! A pity!
See those of madam Kyalia, General Biraro, the professor, Honorable Amama.. they are free! May God bless you indeed for embracing peace, God will call you “Sons of God” Mathew 5:9. Why Dr. Kizza? Some time back he says he is not going to stand! At another we miserably saw TDA splitting and fall apart. Sincerely, Ugandans what does that tell you about inner desires of the opposition? I rather go with the “Devil I know than the Angel not yet seen!”
I have problem with some of those Pastors misleading the opposition, I feel let them read the bible again with UNDERSTANDING and ACT ON THE WORK! God will keep them accountable! Mathew 5:11_12 I would have expected them to preach love, humility but not defiance, forgiveness, long suffering for just course, yet submissiveness to authority, be light and salt.
The youth should work hard, take advantage of the peace! Couples and parents stop over producing children like rabbits without taking care. President Obama, president Clinton and even George Bush had all less than 3 children yet they had all the resources! Ugandans should reduce number of children to three maximum for 40 years, then relax to four…!
Majority of those running after the Politicians, especially including Dr. Kizza are the UN-employed youth loitering in cities, towns and many are below 30 years of age who have not seen the true color of this Uganda when hell or wars breaks lose, can be worse than before in late seventies to late eighties! I am 44 years now! I thank God for good leadership of president Yoweri Museveni and the entire Ugandans who had the prayer and will to make it so. I thank God for Army discipline, peace even at night, the numerous rebellious factions in North West West Nile all silenced, at last my area seen tarmac road, economy grown to a wide extend from Coffee, Cotton, Copper! Many structures emerged including m permanent and semi-permanent ones not only in towns but villages because of dividend of peace where people can work, do business, pay children to school of their choice, although poverty will still bite some others! Even in Jesus time there were poor people and so will be when HE comes back!
Phil, what plunge are you talking about? I am seated here in Kampala and every one is going about their business as normal as they can. I am also yet to travel to Karamoja, North eastern Uganda and the only thing I am worried about is the long distance. After reading this article, I am so disappointed in you and your writing skills and your poor wife. Clearly you can’t wait to see her country plunged into civil one because you actually see one even when the nationals don’t. Why can’t you just get it that a good majority of Ugandans love Museveni and are not planning any civil unrest? I have never seen this much interest in Uganda’s politics from the outside world. Not even when Amin murdered relentlessly but because Museveni won’t bat an eyelid about homosexual rights, you are after him like a pack of wolves. I can’t wait for that lesbian bitch to enter the white house, invade Iran and plunge the world into even more darkness. Then maybe Phil will know what a plunge really looks like.
My comment is that, Ugandans should know that its under the coverage of those powerful countries and sectors we trust, Museven is getting power to torture and abuse us. They make him more powerful and wealth for their benefits. We dont expect any help from them. My appeal is to those Ugandans who are abroad and oversees, let them stop giving support to such people who cant see our tears, they should come and join efforts with us, if God is willing we will gain our freedom.
Jack
which freedom are you talking about? Did the Libyans gain it as you say? don’t be fooled, you think democracy is making barks at leaders and making chaos thru supports of foreigners who don’t like your countries to develop.
Thanks Phil for such an article that is elaborate and to the ground. It has really touched the issues here.
Don’t be discouraged by the negative comments posted here, just know the regime has so many people benefiting from it, and i can only say that “every dog has its day.”
I will leave this favourite quote of mine from Martin to those who support the repressive regime
”
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
A true war monger if there was one! It angers me how some people sit miles away watching YouTube videos and reading vitriol on social media from like-minded people can make conclusions about a whole country. The narrative about how these were the most terrible elections this side of the century has been perpetuated by Phil and others with access to platforms such as these which they abuse with impunity.
It does not take a rocket science to decipher why there was no jubilation on the streets of Kampala: i) majority of voters in the city voted Besigye; ii) After winning four times, one cannot expect people to break into frenzied dance after yet another totally expected win. Unlike what the likes of Phil expected, for most of M7 supporters there was no anxiety as to whether they would win or not and so it was just another and nothing to jubilate about; iii) there were and still are threats on SM to anyone who dares identify themselves as M7 supporters. The well-known public figures can put up with it but no ordinary person want to incur the wrath of angry losers, so even those who would have celebrated (in Kampala) were afraid. Just because there were no cameras to capture the moment does not mean that millions of people did not celebrate in their own small way.
I shudder at how people hell bent on destroying the country and pursuing other agendas can twist every piece of information and interpret it through their rose-tinted lenses. I can bet my last UGShs that all these international do-gooders have never spoken to a single M7 supporter on the ground to detect “fear in their eyes”. A handful of protesters in the diaspora (most of whom have been anti M7 for ages anyway) are thought to represent what the whole diaspora thinks.
As a Ugandan in the diaspora, I refuse to be party to efforts to malign my country. Ours in not a perfect democracy and neither is any democracy on this earth. The elections were not perfect, but it does not mean they did not reflect the will of the majority. The day Phil meets and talks to my 75-year old mother, a diehard M7 supporter, and respectfully seeks her opinion about why she does, is the day I will treat such drivel with a little more respect.
The man who have written this article is not sincere at all he does not wish Ugandans life instead he want them to keep in revolts and dead why revolt against leader of the peoples choice aren’t you satisfied with Libyans blood, destruction and confusion or else where?
See the language you use to instigate violence “Genocidal”, president said Kill” , everyone who is not blind folded should see that the writer of this article does not need peace for others he takes pleasure in hate, death and destruction
You need to check his other pursuits like “solidarity Uganda” – which by the way should be renamed “Solidarity FDC” – to know how insincere he is.
Self-determination by us/Ugandan’s is the only thing pending to have the required change. The terminology of determination is a clear indicator that the repression levels are beyond and the expected freedom of the people is laden.
All tyrant features and actions have manifested in Uganda and this has kept many Ugandans under fear and perhaps frightened to undertake any action appropriate to free from the stale situation.
Even when pressure is mounted on the regime, the dynamics applied by the regime to bring it down keeps many of the Ugandans under fear and only hopeful of the external powers intervention by and large by cutting down on the bi/multi-lateral relations. The effect of which would be felt by the regime sycophants limiting on their future potential to stay hence concede to the change long awaited.
Self determination my foot…….the prevailing dynamics in the Great lakes and horn of Africa call for a leadership calibre and personality of the likes of YK M7, the proactive and professional UPDF and the police under KK. No good Ugandan in his correct state of mind will sit and relax to see our beloved country degenerate into another Burundi, Libya……..in the name of “self determination”, politics of defiance under the leadership of a handful of disgrantled officers who fell out with the incumbent over emotional and ideological differences…..and have now resorted to counting hooligans (who follow them without any iota of analytical capacity) as votes. Instead Uganda should pick a leaf from Tanzania where whatever the Independent Electoral Commission declares is final, no academic and legal contestations, a looser is a looser. Let them continue using their party offices as prayer centres where they not only weep and cry, but account for monies received from their funders.
People should learn to respect the majority ! If FDC FLAG BEARER WON,how come he has less than 40 MPs,only 5 LC V councillors in the whole country?Comparing our young democracy with the USA one is not only unfair,but shows how the West does not wish developing nations a chance . See what is happening in the USA primaries?If Trump was in an African country or the Middle East what would they be saying? All they want the un-informed is to think that America (USA), is the best thing the world has ever had! Pardon me,but Vietnam,Libya,Afganastan, Iraq,and many others may want to differ!
The truth is that we are fed up of Museveni. Even the best dancer reaches a time and leaves the stage but our leaders want to die on the stage. We have no option now since we are being ruled on gunpoint but we are praying and Iam sure when God’s timing comes he will have nothing to do but join his predecessors I.e Idi Amin who called himself life president, Milton Obote, Gadaffi, e.t.c.
what do you mean by self determination, external powers intervention? you man you are just like a man who leaves his house open and goes by telling the street that he ha gone on a long journey. you can imagine what thieves will do to that silly man’s house !!!!
That’s what you are doing when you say “only hopeful of the external powers intervention”
This is an interesting depiction of a diaspora’s role as a stepping stone to increased international involvement. I have just unearthed this 55 page pdf which expands the list of potential support activities.
http://bit.ly/1SFsqqV
It goes without saying that this analysis can be applied to other countries such as Thailand as well as Uganda.
Dear Moses, you have very good points except do not generalize! ok? “Good or bad people” are everywhere but before God we are all sinners, no big sin and no small sin before Him! Sin is disobedience to God! And God says, what so ever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me!
I love your point “Museveni enjoys the support of majority of Ugandans.” Very true by the way! You know these journalist have not really traversed the villages even the foreign diplomats (US envoy), I have not even seen them in my village either. I voted in my village, and the man man was winning every where…! Every thing was peaceful! UGANDANS WILL ONLY WAKE UP TO SEE THE GOODNESS OF PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI AFTER HE IS GONE! And this is the nature of Africans, they love dead bodies more, talking the good after one has passed on! What a pity. Will he hear anything? Tell me my goodness now, and also advise me where am wrong now… Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, learn to appreciate one or two things first then, suggest a better one later.
This is the problem I have with Dr. Kizza, there is no single appreciation he utters about president Museveni, why? Is he sure totally nothing GOOD MUSEVENI regime has achieved in Uganda really? And he will bring HEAVEN ON EARTH, BY FICTION JUST!!! Like president once said in the last debate, the opposition when they come to power they think its simply, “Let there be NO CORRUPTION…” and corruption silent! Forgetting they are working with people with moral weaknesses right from grass roots to Parliament? The biggest problem of Uganda is MORAL DECAY! Can I illustrate? Next time.
Again Ugandans in the diaspora, come home and see for your self because some of you simply do not experience the reality on ground!
I am proud to be a Ugandan in this regime by the way! Leadership comes from God i.e. BY NATURE and NATURE. Read ISAIAH 45:1-5 again! GOD ANOINTS them, EMPOWERS them for a PURPOSE, CALLS them by NAME even if they may not know HIM (like king Cyrus of Persia) for the sake of HIS people! (You may ask who are His people….? Next time, I want score this point of leadership yet). If you force premature, you will dance the music as God watches because you will have defied God’s choice for a specific time!
READ these VERSES again with understanding for your self! Also Romans 13:1-8; and 1Peter 2:13-20 especially REBELLION or DEFIANCE Campaign advocates from within Uganda and in the diaspora! Uganda has a vow, as a Christian nation, see: “FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY” This will judge Uganda as well as USA, in the dollar “IN GOD WE TRUST” okay take care!
You think some of those countries suffering in the diaspora are more sinners than you…? Luke 13:2-5! Jesus, asks, “Repent or you too will all perish” Some of those in the diaspora think like these people Jesus was referring to. Whether we like it or not GOD is SOVEREIGN, His will will always prevail for better or for worse! HE assures us that, “We know all are working for our own good, if we love Him and are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28. Even our president Museveni is in office for our own good, as well is President Obama, Assad, Mugabe, etc as well as was Gadaffi, Mubarak, Saddam, Sharon, etc!
Thank God for your leaders, servants, jobs, families, health, times, gift of one another and for everything. God bless president Yoweri K. Museveni, God bless Uganda and all aliens living in this great nation, God bless Africa.
During the colonial time and until now Uganda has not had the will of its citizens through a credible & transparent electrol process honored by the rulers. The independence transition was manipulated by the colonialists through an alliance between UPC and the Buganda monarch to shut out the catholic DP. Subsequently, it has been alliances of politicians without a credible democratic process,(mark you this is not just an election) remember 1966,67,80,89,Constituent Assembly,96,2001,06,11,16 . Stalin of USSR is quoted to have stated that in an election it is those who count the votes not the voters that matter. The practice of election malpractices in Uganda has been worsening since the 60s but evidence was documented in Supreme court rulings in 2001 &2006. So how can we break this trend and honor the choice of the voter citizens