Mockery? With a muzzled opposition, Museveni says ready to concede if defeated

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 13 – Ugandans are set to go to the polls on Thursday amidst credibility concerns.

The ghost of violence during elections continue to haunt the once pearl of Africa as has occurred several times in previous political elections, threatening the country’s democracy and the peoples’ right to a free and fair election.

Though the political landscape in the country is fast-changing, energized by a youthful population yearning for change, one thing remains constant, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Uganda’s long-serving president is now seeking a record sixth term in office as the East African nation’s head of state.

His near 35-year rule as president has been characterized by contradictions of the ideals he held as a former rebel leader, who came to power on the back of an armed uprising and went on to defy the political laws of gravity.

Museveni shortly after coming into power in 1986 once said, “the problem of Africa in general and Uganda, in particular, is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power.”

In the mind of many Ugandans he has gone on to do the exact same thing, ironically borrowing a playbook from many leaders particularly those he sought to distinguish himself from, in his own country.

In recent years, Museveni through his political party the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has gone on to change the constitutional two-term limit a president is obligated to serve.

In 2017, he signed a bill into law removing the presidential age limit of 75, which allowed him to seek re-election in 2021.

During an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday night, Museveni was quick to defend his past utterances.

”Now, regarding the politics, the management of a society, yes, I said staying in power for a long time without democracy, mark those words, but if it is the democratic will of the people because we have things to deal with, if we need all hands on board then it is correct that we have all hands on board,” Ugandan ruler said.

-People Power – Our power-

President Museveni still regards himself as a freedom fighter even as the opposition calls him a dictator who they seek to break the yoke of oppression from.

Unseating Museveni from power has been described as a herculean task by many, particularly those who have dared do so, his closest opponent in previous elections Kizza Besigye, however, thought that it could be done.

His former ally turn foe however was gagged, harassed, assaulted, and even at one time put under “preventive arrest” during the 2016 presidential election in which Museveni emerged ‘victorious’.

Renewed efforts, however, this time spearheaded by a youthful and formidable challenger, has Ugandans buzzing for the first time in a long time.

Self-proclaimed ‘Ghetto President’ and first-time member of parliament Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine believes he is the right man to lead Uganda to the future.

“What was the purpose of liberation when we can’t have a peaceful transition? Freedom fighters become dictators,” said Boni Wine in his critically acclaimed song, ‘FREEDOM’ in 2018.

Museveni however denounced the claim on Amanpour saying elections being conducted every five years was a sign of transition and that people have the power to vote him out if they wish to exercise their democratic right through voting.

Kyagulangi, after tossing his hat in the race for president under the National Unity Platform (NUP) has accused the Ugandan security forces of intimidating and assaulting him at his private home and even on the campaign trail.

-Defying COVID-19 Regulations? –

A clear contrast where President Museveni has been conducting political rallies and moving freely across the country as his rivals are accused of flouting the COVID -19 regulations and allegedly putting the lives of Ugandans in danger.

His political opponents are asking, is it fair? As they seek a level playing field for contesting the elections, but they got none.

“First of all, we have saved our people from dying in big numbers from the corona virus. Have you heard of Corona? It has been killing people in Europe and the United States. In Uganda, we have only lost 300 people and we have managed to do that by stopping public gatherings,” Museveni said.

He accused Bobi Wine of defying government regulations and causing deaths by spreading the virus. 

Further, he accuses him of blackmailing the country by rioting.

-Insurrection or Human Rights violations? –

According to Human Rights watchers, 54 people have so far been killed in Uganda majority of whom were killed in November 2020.

Museveni however defended his government saying 32 out of the 54 who died were rioters who attacked security forces, making reference to the domestic terrorists who attacked the US capitol building and termed the situation in Uganda as a form of insurrection.

“There are others, 22 who died under circumstances we are still investigating,” the Ugandan president said without offering details of the alleged probe and who is being targeted.

The United Nations has since expressed concerns over the security and human rights violations in Uganda calling for a smooth election where every candidate is respected, and citizen’s rights protected.

“We have cameras all over the place. If security forces are the ones making mistakes, it is easy to see, capture, and identify. In any case, no one knows more about Uganda than us. We are here, I have a lot of experience and I can tell you who is in the wrong and who is in the right. So, the UN has got enough trouble spots in the world to deal with,” President Museveni said.

Bobi Wine has since called on the International Criminal Court to investigate Museveni and other senior government officials following a directive to, “shoot to kill”, beatings and other violent acts.

“We have no problem, we have nothing to hide,” Museveni on the question of whether he was willing to provide evidence on Human rights violations said.

Museveni further said that if he lost the election, he would accept the result.

“Uganda is not my house; I have got my house. I will go to my house and do my own things if the people of Uganda do not want me to help them with their issues, I will go deal with my personal issues very happily,” he said.

Museveni once sought to remove leaders he said, “overstay in power” breeding impunity, corruption, and promote patronage.

His political nemesis’ now say they too will do the same to him on the ballot.