Uganda reflects on 40 years of Yoweri Museveni’s rule, liberation and controversy

Key Concepts

• National Resistance Army (NRA): The rebel army led by Yoweri Museveni that seized power in Uganda in 1986.
• Extrajudicial Killings: The killing of people by government forces without due process of law.
• Liberation Struggle: The armed conflict led by Museveni and the NRA against the previous Ugandan government, framed as a fight for freedom and justice.
• Treason: The crime of betraying one's country, specifically the charge against Kiza Besigye.
• Disputed Election: The recent Ugandan election results contested due to allegations of violence and irregularities.

The Erosion of Uganda’s Liberation Promise

This report by Al Jazeera’s Katherine Soy details the perceived betrayal of the initial promises made by Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Army (NRA) upon seizing power in Uganda on January 26th, 1986. The initial entry into Kampala was met with “so much excitement and hope,” with Museveni himself promising to prevent future subjugation under a “bad government.” However, recent disputed elections, marked by violence, and Museveni’s continued rule have led many Ugandans to believe that this promise has been broken.

From Revolutionary Ideals to Entrenched Power

The core tenets of the NRA’s initial platform, as stated by Museveni in his early address, centered on establishing “a disciplined army which would not kill people, no extrajudicial killings.” This resonated with a populace previously suffering from “social injustice and human rights abuses.” Winnie Banima, a contemporary of the liberation struggle, emphasizes that the initial catalyst for the war wasn’t simply bad governance, but a “stolen election.”

However, the report highlights a significant shift in Museveni’s leadership. Banima argues that Museveni’s “love of power to stay in power” has led to the abandonment of the democratic mission. This has manifested in the building of a “personal army that’s headed by his son,” suggesting a dynastic succession. The report points to the imprisonment of Kiza Besigye, formerly Museveni’s personal doctor and now a leading opposition politician, on charges of treason as evidence of this authoritarian turn.

Economic Progress and Persistent Fear

While acknowledging that Uganda’s economy is “stronger” and the country is “largely at peace,” the report underscores that many Ugandans “still live in fear.” This fear stems from Museveni’s suppression of dissent, illustrated by a chilling account of his treatment of former allies. One interviewee states that Museveni “waged a war on all those colleagues who would call he call comrade…and all got finished.” This suggests a pattern of eliminating political rivals, extending beyond contemporaries to now targeting “our children” who have been “scattered…abroad” and now even “our grandchildren.”

The Unfulfilled Promise of Liberation Day

The annual commemoration of National Liberation Day, marking the NRA’s takeover of Kampala, serves as a stark reminder of the unfulfilled promises of “freedom and change.” The report concludes that for many Ugandans, the vision of a just and democratic Uganda that fueled the liberation struggle remains a distant reality. As stated by the interviewee, the initial hope has become “hard to be.”

Notable Quote

“What we have today is somebody who has broken the promise because of love of power to stay in power.” – Winnie Banima, reflecting the widespread disillusionment with Museveni’s leadership.