“Countrymen, Countrywomen and, especially the Bazzukulu, on Sunday 18th January, I formally received the declaration of my re-election as President of Uganda. I thank God, Maama Janet, the NRM members, our leaders, institutions, and all Ugandans who stood for peace and stability. In this new Kisanja, our priorities are clear: safeguard peace and security, eradicate household poverty, strengthen unity, enforce discipline in governance, and support wealth creators to grow our economy. Uganda will remain peaceful, stable and focused on progress. I thank you all and wish you a happy Liberation Day” (President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 26.01.2026).
Are we there yet? Are we or are we not?
We can ask this question because the peasants are not free from their overlords. The state and the authorities are still violating people’s rights and their ability to assemble. The National Resistance Army and the National Resistance Movement have failed. They won’t say it, but we all know it.
The rebels of the 1980s fought for themselves and that’s why they are lingering around. That’s why Jim Muhwezi is still finding his next new scheme to enrich himself. This is why the Museveni family is getting into offices and having elected roles. They are all encircling the state and they are the owners of the Republic. They fought so they can rule, and the rest can shut up. That’s the liberty and the freedom they brought.
For a long time, I have said it is a limited freedom and justice, by now it is even worse. As they are even more rampant and lack any sort of justification for their actions. The state can just target someone and make them gone. They don’t even try to make a case and find some criminal conspiracy before arraigning them in the courts. Now they are behind bars for years and without end, bail isn’t even used or an ability for the ones apprehended and kidnapped by the state. These people are just victims of circumstance and of affiliation. That’s why they are captured and losing their freedom.
Still, the Movement and the President want to celebrate 40 years in power. They have power and hold all the instruments of the state. The State House and the First Family have total control and absolute power. They can do whatever they want and misuse power as much as they want. That’s why they can swear-in the Chief Justice at the First Family Farm and holding the ceremony there. This shows how the Judiciary isn’t independent, but another part of the embedded power structure that is born out of the First Family.
So be aware, when the Head of State can do this and no one challenges it. That’s telling that everyone adheres to him and he has the leverage over them all. He can act on a whim and decide whatever he deems fit. President Museveni can do what he wants, and no one begs to differ. The same can his son who is in-charge of the army and is an army commander. He can also act with influence and prestige, because his one of them and has a say. Others just must listen and obey. That’s who these people are, and they think they can order people around like cattle.
People aren’t free. What they promised in January 1986 haven’t been fulfilled. The prisons are filled with political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. There are graveyards of people killed and hurt by the policies and orders of this government. Those lives was taken on accord of the ones in power. Therefore, to celebrate liberation is false. The nation isn’t free, but a limited few are and they are protecting their gains. These people aren’t protecting yours and they are even displaying for everyone to see. Peace.
MinBane 