
You would think someone who has ruled a nation for 38 years would have more to celebrate. Someone that has been in-charge and been in office for close to 40 years should be settled. The President and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) should have been revered and popular. However, the only thing keeping it afloat and in office is the total control of the state apparatus. The NRM and the President runs things by force and by decree. That’s why his still there after all these years…
President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni could have retired in grace a long time ago. Then people would have given way and been more forgiving to his shortcomings. They would have seen him as a victor and someone who brought proper change. However, as time moves on, the pain is becoming more dire and the wasted time is evident too.
As the Fountain of Honor and His Excellency, the President has had the ability to make significant difference. He could have made vast policy changes and state programs that would affect society for decades after his reign. Nevertheless, a man who is self-serving and pro-himself. That’s why his wealth and riches are more vital than the needs of the republic.
Museveni and the NRM has had their chances, and they could have done a lot of more. Especially, in the era of being donor darling and being the “new breed” of leaders. That’s when Museveni could have ushered in a new era for the Republic.
Now we see that didn’t matter and he spoilt it all. The lessons and lectures over the years is showing that the President knows what is wrong, but his not willingly dealing with it. Instead, he has institutionalized the problems, bottlenecks and rather looks away from the crippling duplications of the state. While there is a tendency to siphon funds and they go “missing”. The words of “missing funds” have become a proverb in his time. Just like it is common knowledge that ghosts appears on paper across government entities. It doesn’t matter sort of ghost there is, but we know they are there, and someone is eating because of it.
We have seen all sorts of plans, pledges and promises. While the West Nile is left in the dark. The education sector is hurting. The Ministry of Health isn’t in a better state either. Neither is the road networks or anything else the state is supposed to deliver. Unless it is involving the army and the law enforcement. Then it is left behind and that’s what the NRM has prioritized over the years.
Museveni knows he needs LDUs, Soldiers and Police Officers to survive in office. That’s the men and woman who is at his backing-call. They are there in the moments of need and can stifle whoever stands up to him. The authorities and the state deliberately block, intervene, and ensures fear is in the air. They are using violence and brutality to show who is ruling. This is why it is either the “NRM Way” or the possible demise of someone who dares to challenge that.
Museveni and his people can act like this isn’t the case. We have all seen this. The Ten Point Program and all the other fancy plans have been thwarted. They are all in the dust-bin of history and only made to foil donors or the ones willing to cover the tab. That’s how it looks like in 2024.
38 years and Museveni have little to show for it. Unless, he wants to speak about Presidential Advisors, huge cabinet and the amounts of staff at the State House or the Office of the Presidency. I am sure he could say that has ballooned over the years. Just like the number of districts and counties over the years. There is so many and still… there is little to nothing delivered to the communities at large. That’s why you know the system is rotten from the top and it’s a deliberate act from His Excellency.
We can act surprised and shocked, but this man promised to leave after 8 years and never to alter the 1995 constitution. However, he did so twice for his own benefit and ability to rule for life. That’s who he is and his speeches means little when his action is obviously in stark contrast to how he rules the nation.
This is who Museveni is and we can all see it. He isn’t a savior or a man who really liberated the nation. He liberated himself and his inner circle, but the rest of republic is living under his mercy. It is his decision and choices that allows or blocks their liberties. They are either under his wings or in danger of being crucified. That’s who Museveni is and we all have seen it.
He came with massive promises, and he didn’t deliver. His stock has dwindled over the years and he cannot control the masses like he did in the past. Neither can the flow of information be controlled either. That’s why he could be silent about the conflict in the north that persisted for years after taking office in the 1980s. However, he couldn’t have been able to do the same now. We would see, hear or get snippets of evidence of what is going down, which is something His Excellency don’t want you to know.
Museveni has lived on a lie, defended the lie and extended the lie. We can just wonder if he would ever dare to say the truth and be blunt about what he has done. As time goes by and the acts of mischief is clear. We can just wonder if Museveni would care or be concerned about the true legacy he leaves behind.
He won’t beloved or be a hero. For some he will be, but for plenty who has been scorned and felt the iron-fist. They will never forgive a man who wielded the sword the way he did and he could have avoided doing so. Peace.