
The death of Gen. Elly Tumwine at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya this week only shows what sort of sentiments are out there these days. The original 27 “freedom fighters” or “liberators” of 1981 will not be celebrated or be acknowledged in the manner that they wish they did. The “we fought” tribe has been entitled, gotten wealth and estates to live lavish one. They are a part of the new elite, which came up after the 1986 coup d’etat. Since then the “we fought” tribe has held power and lived beyond ordinary means.
The arrogance and the expecting it all is showing itself. The families of the “liberators” and “freedom fighters” expect to honour their memory and absolve them of all their actions. While they had over 30 years in power. Alas, the new elite has had over 3 decades in power, but they cannot die in hospitals or even trust the Kings Hospital, Mulago to get treatment. Heck, the person they toppled Milton Obote even could trust it at his second reign. Therefore, you know the 27 guns and their families has lost the plot.
The 27 guns, the NRA liberators and freedom fighters has lost their way. They expect glory and fanfare. However, they liberated themselves and their own tribe, but they didn’t make it happen for the rest of the Republic. That’s why maids are exported in massive ways to the Middle East. This is why there is known brain-drain and lack of development. The state is crippled and the schemes are only self-destroying itself. While the braggadocios and hubris of 27 guns still thinks they deserve credit.
The 27 guns deserves credits for buying into the lies and the deception. They traded their integrity and their soul for power and wealth. The NRA promised a lot of things and the 10 Point Programme was a vital part of their era. However, now in 2022 we can say that is a utter failure. In addition, to the hallow promises of Museveni himself; which has been so soulless and recklessly forgotten about. Like the NRA promised the end of extra judicial killings and other pockets of insecurity, but their own security organizations has ever since perfected these techniques and used them to incite fear. Therefore, the freedom and liberation they promised… is far from the truth and only for the chosen few.
That’s why in the year of 2022… there won’t be as much love for the 27 guns as it was in the end of the 1980s or in the 1990s. Heck, the same men would have been legends if they all retired and stepped down from being high ranking officials in the 2000s. The NRA/NRM could have been a game-changer, if they had earlier on and after the re-launching of multi-party elections to retire and let someone else be the head of state. However, we know that Museveni never intended to give up on power and had to revise or amend the 1995 Constitution twice to fit the bill or fit his self-styled President for life.
That’s why the NRA or the 27 guns won’t be as admired or looked up too. Even if the NRM and the ones in government has tried to make them heroic. It is hard to admire or look up to people who has ushered in a regime, which is violent, oppressive and brutal to it’s dissidents. A ruler who has no issues with silencing, intimidating or use force against the ones who opposes him. The man has no trouble monitor, wire-tap or keep people incommunicado without trial or conviction. Therefore, the liberators or freedom fighters fought for their liberty and freedom; but they seemingly didn’t fight for everyone’s rights. That right has only gotten to them and the ones in the inner circles. The rest has to beg or hope they don’t get caught in the web of deception or be bystanders to anyone rebelling the actual power of the state.
Like I said earlier, if the NRA/M had given way and been actually more democratic. The public would have validated them and believed their causes. They would have forgiven them for their mischief and violations earlier in their reign. However, with time the trust has withered and they have disregarded them over so long time. The men who “fought” for them has neglected them and the nation as a whole. The liberators has been in-charged and violated the public with impunity. That sort of acts was supposed to be over because of this bush-war. However, it was done under another name and with another head of state. Nevertheless, even with all of this in mind.
The families, the ones left behind and close associates of he 27 guns still expects glorification. They were vital and one part of the “revolution” that ushered in a new beginning. A new beginning that has turned into a false start. When you do that and linger on…
You cannot expect or think that people will show you or your cause any love. They start to despise you and want to distance themselves from you. That’s what is happening and they have seen what your kind was willing to do. The 27 guns and the NRA waged a war… that they claimed was legit and had the people in mind. Though we can say after all these years. The 27 guns got the best deal and got all the possible perks. Meanwhile the ones who they liberated never got the bargain they asked for. The sons and daughters, well, even the grandchildren of the 27 guns never got to see the promised land. They only got hear about it and the empty promises, which comes out on the regular. Peace.











