“I’m not your usual president. I speak with action and let me remind you that I’m not going to show any mercy to anyone who is Found guilty of killing my people. We are not here to joke, Uganda is able to protect itself from people who think that they’re better than us. We have already Gunned down several ISIS leaders and now they know that I’m not a man who you should play with. The sheikh who ordered his men to kill my people should run because I’m also ordering my men to go after them, it’s fire for fire don’t confuse power and authority” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (20.11.2021).
Everything that General Museveni touches has to be violent. There is no peace and no sort of resolve. That’s how General solves things and not in a manner of which is with protocol. Yesterday he defended extra judicial-killings. He has no issues with it and seems to order it. This is not a warning, but a stern realization that the President believes he has the right of people’s life and death.
This national address on COVID-19 and National Security isn’t anything new. Very little was said that was striking or game changing. We have heard these things before and the state just shows intelligence in speeches, but without further proof. The President just speaks of intent and violent force. Because, that is how you strike fear and not how you generate peace. However, this is all that Museveni have after over 30 years in power. He cannot have love or care, neither concern or ability to read the room. No, he just have to blaze the guns and thinking that this is the manner of which terrorists will fear him.
As he continues…
“If ADF had remained quiet and not attacked Gen Katumba we wouldn’t have known them.They are overestimating themselves. They wanted to kill Gen Katumba because he is a big government person to show they are there. Although Jamilu Mukulu was arrested, they wanted to show they are still there (in existence). They also thought that Katumba being the Minister of Works and was to work on road in DRC which is their territory, how dear he” (Museveni, 20.11.2021).
“I have heard some arguments about Kirevu and how he was a good person. The attempt to kill Gen Katumba landed them in trap. All these incidents are linked. Our security was lax but when you provoke them, they wake up. We were able to use technology to identify some of them. It is a matter of time we got them” (Museveni, 20.11.2021).
It is strange how these things goes and how these things are connected. As the state claims it is ADF behind it all. While, there is no court trial or any evidence gathered for a court case. No, it is just empty statements in speeches. The Minister and General Katumba should be insulted of being used this way after surviving an assassination attempt and his daughter lost her life there together with his driver. They have not gotten justice or peace. Just like all the people in Kampala who lost their lives in the bombs.
The President is just showing his fierceness, but it is just a flex. This isn’t strength or ability to show control or have systems to ensure people’s safety. Instead it is boosting his own ego and his troops. They are just trigger-happy soldiers and officers who kills. Just like the terrorists does and without proof of alleged crimes or terrorist activity.
We should with certainty… but we cannot be happy with this. The President isn’t showing any sort of character or ability to govern here. Only that he can order people deaths and destroy lives. It is not like can secure or ensure anyone. That is missing here.. and he cannot regain that trust. Since he believes his guns and army can fix everything. That is evident here and parts of it is true. Because, we know he is only ruling because of it. If it wasn’t for the army and the soldiers, he wouldn’t have an office to go to. The President needs the UPDF and Intelligence Agencies to secure his political life. While, that will not give peace to the general public or secure their lives. As the President cannot find ways to make things peaceful and justifiable. If he did, he wouldn’t be speaking like this and be such an inactive person at the same time. Peace.
MinBane 