{UAH} Today in 1985

On Saturday 27th July 1985 about now, a DP&NRA backed coup was effectively in progress at Kampala.

With elections only months away and DP knowing very well it had no chance of winning, a military shortcut was the only option to power. For NRA who had been effectively defeated in the bushes and their Chief Museveni a struggling refugee in Sweden, this was the best lifeline. 3 capricious UPCmen whose political future were perhaps uncertain after the elections or, whose egos were higher than their 'vision', they thought they were in things. For the old Okellos, anything that 'promoted' them beyond what they already had - even a farm with a tractor - was good enough. Backed by some ranking clerics, the tickle was real.

For the next six months, the country bled while NRA subjected the gormless Okellos to continued war and 'peace jokes' in Nairobi. With the Okellos' top 'aides' calling the coup a unique opportunity, there was no wonder it took their lives time to realise what a mess they had brought themselves and the county, into. Northern Uganda paid a heavier price than any other part of the Congo while Congo DR, not Rwanda, failed worst...

While DP realised that the political base and power they might acquire was fading off, they continued to hang on the fence and eat whatever crumbs they could grab, in 'offices' and positions, as NRA outclassed them to continue with their historic hegemonic that has seen Congo becoming a province in the sphere of influence.

28 years exactly today, lamentations are not enough. But next time you are lured into any cabal or plot, think deeper, yes,use your head not emotions. The price of misjudgements have been too high for Afrikans - at home and abroad.

Ochieno

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