
To be frank and honest, it is depressing. To assess yet another speech by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. A man who has been in office since 26th January 1986. It feels like forever and it is. The repeated sloganeering and usage of rhetoric goes old on a man. Just like the old age on Museveni who needs caine now or a staff as shown in pictures from Kitgum and Boma Grounds today.
I won’t dwell to much on the speech actually, because its a repetitive narrative and stories, which are only made to make himself and his administration look good. There are just as much a man can take and seldom has I felt so fatigued. It is just like the man will never stop and has no idea of when to retire. His just showing it and endlessly will take power and reign until his final breath. That’s why I am sure plenty didn’t listen to it or even care that it was forced on their radios. Because, why should they?
He has said the same-old same-old, again and again. There is no new knowledge or insights that will change their lives. There isn’t a formula or a trick in the speech that haven’t really been mentioned by him before. No, he continues to use scripture and act holier than thou. Even though he mercilessly abduct, detain and kills his opposition. Therefore, his faith is hallow and used as a shield for his autocratic behaviour.
Like it is hard to believe him when he says things like this: “The ideology of patriotism and Pan-Africanism, also promotes harmony among the People. That is why we no longer have a refugee problem while by 1986, Uganda was among the 4 top – Countries in the World, in Refugees’ generation. 500,000 Ugandans (mainly peasants) and a large group of exiles (mainly the elite) in the USA, UK, Sweden, Kenya, South Africa, etc. There were so many Ugandan doctors that had fled and working abroad. All the Refugees came back and the Ugandans who are still outside, are there voluntarily. The ideology of emphasizing interests rather than opportunistically manipulating identity, has, therefore, created more opportunity for prosperity, created stability and created capable institutions of State. It is one of the necessary ingredients for success” (Museveni, 09.10.2023).
It’s like we don’t know about people fleeing into exile and fearing prosecution or torture by his authorities. We know this and not all have left the nation voluntarily. That’s yet another lie and maybe not as high as under previous administrations, but certainly a brain-drain that has hit the economy and possible educated fields over time. Which means the lack of progress and development is hurting the republic long-term. That’s the “Unity” that he has created and certainly shows how he tries to portray himself in a perfect light. Even when its grim and dark.
Later in the speech his trying to act clever: “Ugandans, should not waste time worrying about aid, loans, etc. We do not need most of these loans. We happily work with all the Countries in the World that respect our Sovereignty. That is how the UN system should operate. No Country should interfere in the internal affairs of another Country. That is why we separate “Foreign” Affairs from “Internal” Affairs. Why should anybody catapult his values, through foreign affairs, into the internal affairs of another country? Human needs are similar – food, shelter, clothing, mobility, poverty, etc. However, their management evolves differently and at different speeds in the different Countries. It is wrong to try to export systems and values or to export Revolution (new ideas) or counter-revolution (old ideas)” (Museveni, 09.10.2023).
This is an retort to the World Bank ceasing funds after the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was enacted this year. That in retaliation to that, the World Bank stopped funding and wouldn’t continue certain development funds. Meaning that the state would have to find other sources for fiscal funds for these or cease operating on them. That has hurt the state coffers and the planned efforts of the state. That’s why the President is so salty, because he feels the ramifications now and his government needs the funding. This is why sovereignty in his regard is important, but not that the World Bank is it’s own sovereign and work after their own mandate themselves. They have to responsible for their donors and the ones who forks out the money that Uganda was supposed to spend. Therefore, the principals in both aspects are fine, but Museveni wants it his way and not the other way around. No one is surprised by that in 2023 and if you are that, well… it was about time that you found out.
In the end of the speech he says: “With these 8 ingredients, Uganda is unstoppable. With these eight, talk of aid is laughable. We do not need aid” (Museveni, 09.10.2023).
These are the words of a donor darling in the 1990s and that’s years ago. It is compelling however to see and understand this sentiment. That’s because the aid and the grants are coming with strings attached. Those strings are blocking, stopping or interfering in the actions of the President. A President that doesn’t want to be accountable or transparent. Therefore, it is easier to stop aid or getting grants, than answering to the ones giving and following the guidelines for getting it. That’s easy to assess and understand.
It will be a long time before Uganda doesn’t need aid. Especially, after all the years of deficit financing and the lack of fiscal responsibility. The state needs fiscal stimulus and it isn’t grower a bigger tax-base or GDP to ever compete with the rising expenses. Meaning someone has to cover the shortfall. In the short term that is either loans or aid. That’s up to the President to decide, but overtaxing people won’t be golden bullet either. Just so that is said… and that will only hurt the economy even further, as the spending power is weakened by that and it will stop money from circulating in the economy.
So, the last laugh is for everyone else and not Mzee. Peace.









