[UAH] PORTRAIT OF A DESPOT

Portrait of a Despot, a new hard hitting book written by London based Ugandan Lawyer and Journalist Charles Ochen Okwir, was launched in London on Saturday May.14(2011)

The 'anti-Museveni' book, a soft copy of which Uganda Correspondent has seen, audaciously describes President Museveni as "…no more than a modern despot, a slightly more sophisticated version of Idi Amin; the type who lives and thrives in that grey area of politics beyond which you either become a democrat or an autocratic dictator".

Highlights in Portrait of a Despot

The book has new and interesting revelations about why Museveni was forced to abandon his threat to drag his main political rival Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye to the military court martial after the latter published a stinging critique of Museveni's ruling NRM government in 1999.

It also has fresh details of the experiences of two ex-People's Redemption Army [PRA] "rebel" suspects; the group whose treason trial shattered Museveni's "rule of law" credentials.

Although Museveni is "The Star" of the show in Portrait of a Despot, the book also offers broader insights into how modern despots across the world use the law as a tool of political oppression, public relations, disenfranchisement, patronage, and nepotism to get their way. "…See if there is such a despot quietly flourishing within their midst", the author challenges his readers

In addition, the book examines how modern despots like Museveni undermine and ultimately usurp all powers that ought to be exercised by State institutions; the crucial pillars of the State that appear to have cracked under Museveni's despotic weight on the cover of Portrait of a Despot.

The author's 'book launch' speech

Standing under a life-size poster of the book's front cover, and wearing a T-Shirt [under a black jacket] carrying the same image, Okwir delivered a passionate and powerful speech that lasted just over 30 minutes to his guests.  He challenged Ugandans to review their obsession with the pursuit of wealth at the expense of more important things like the pursuit of liberty, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

"…As a people, we need to seriously review our obsession with the pursuit of wealth.  Of course we all love nice cars and houses, but I don't believe that the foundations of our beloved mansions are made of concrete alone.  In my view, the strongest ingredient in a foundation is peace, freedom, and democracy.  Without these, our beloved mansions are like convicts on death row", the author warned.

In what appears to have been a deliberate departure from literally tradition by the author, Portrait of a Despot is sarcastically dedicated to President Museveni, the very man whose leadership style is attacked most ferociously in the book.  "…To General Yoweri K. Museveni whose egregious rule inspired this book", the dedication reads.

Viele GruBe

Robukui

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