{UAH} Uganda's 'dictator in a suit' Yoweri Museveni holds power, but at what cost?

Uganda's 'dictator in a suit' Yoweri Museveni holds power, but at what cost?

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The president resorted to "rented crowds" attracted by freebies and handouts, said Sewanyana, and could rely on the support of an Electoral Commission that is widely regarded as partisan.

During three decades in charge, Museveni has melded state and party, bending institutions to his will, from the security forces to the judiciary. "Museveni controls all aspects of our life," said Sewanyana.

Doing others' dirty work abroad has won him gratitude and a free pass.

Uganda's army is the core of the US and European-backed fight against Islamic militants in Somalia and its soldiers are deployed in various UN peacekeeping missions.

"Uganda is punching above its weight in the region in terms of security matters, and a number of players both in the region and outside would be keen to have continuity," said Busingye.

"Museveni has very shrewdly worked this into his calculations."

Government spokesman Shaban Bantariza said Museveni is simply showing himself to be the "regional leader" he is, a "brand" with support "right from the grassroots upwards".

Even Museveni's critics offer grudging admiration. "He's not smart, he's extremely smart," said Busingye who compared Museveni to two other rebels-turned-rulers, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Ethiopia's late leader, Meles Zenawi.

But while Meles never lost his grip, opposition to Museveni is growing.

"A dictator, whether it's the crude one like Amin, or the sophisticated one like Museveni, can only go as far as the people let him," Busingye said, adding it was "a question of when, not if" Ugandans will have had enough.

Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, Besigye's much in demand lawyer, said that time might come soon. "Museveni has exhausted the good will he had from the people," he said.

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H.OGWAPITI
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"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that  we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic  and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
---Theodore Roosevelt

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