UGANDA: JUST 7 DEATHS IS NOTHING TO MUSEVENI?

 

By CHANGE OF GUARDS

"They have entered an area of fighting we know well. Whoever started it will regret. Some of these groups are being used by outsiders who don't like the stability and independence of Uganda but will discover what they are looking for. Those who have attacked NRM people will soon lose that appetite........they want to create that appetite so that elections are not held, however, elections will continue and those fighting will lose. They will answer for the crimes they have committed."
Museveni - reacting to the protests.

Violent protests spontaneously broke out in different parts of the country yesterday, November 18, 2020, following the brutal arrest of presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Boni Wine. Museveni ordered his security forces to brutally suppress the protests and consequently seven people were reportedly shot dead while hundreds were badly injured. The magnitude of the protests and more so the spontaneous nature took him by surprise. All along he had believed that he so.much suppressed dissent and instilled so much fear that the masses could not come out to express their anger. The anger, bravery, courage and resolve demonstrated by the rioters has sent shock waves within his security machinery. Most disturbing is the fact that despite his public scapegoating of 'groups backed by outsiders', he very well knows that the protests had not been organised by anyone but just broke out as a natural response to his arrogant arrest of his fellow contestant. Had they been organised and well coordinated, the situation would have been different. 

Whatever the case, when it comes to Museveni's pursuit of and defence of his hold on power, the casualty figures and level of destruction to property does not matter to him. He has a track record of brutally suppressing any challenge that threatens his political agenda. From his violent clandestine actions aimed at discrediting the Iddi Amin regime in the 1970s, the brutal suppression of the Twagala Lule protests of 1979, the mass killings during his Bush War aimed at discrediting the Obote and Okello governments, his mass killings in northern and eastern regions during the 20 years insurgency, the killings during the 2009 Kayunga protests, the killings during the Kasubi Tombs protests, the wanton shooting dead of political dissenters in Kampala and the most recent massacres of more than 100 people in the Rwenzori region leaves no doubt that yesterday's killing of seven people is nothing to Museveni. 

However, it is also very clear that what he fears most is organised and well coordinated countrywide mass protests. This is because much as he has the resolve to brutally suppress dissent he is also mindful of creating an impression of being a popular leader. That is why he is scapegoating the so-called outsiders and issuing empty threats. Otherwise, Ugandans are fed up of his authoritarian hold on power and determined to go the Arab Spring way if only they can be offered proper guidance. KASUKALI KEKO.

INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM