{UAH} Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Museveni’s mastery of divide and rule politics

Divide and rule in these sham political democracies before we are yet again to be entertained with mock elections come 2010.

"Museveni is like Eshu - the god of confusion. In a bid to sow discord between two farmers, Eshu decides to walk down the path which divides their farms. He painted one side of his body white and the other side black. After Eshu passes by, the two friends quarrel about the colour of the stranger."

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Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Museveni's mastery of divide and rule

He has insisted that he will practice his musical calling. But his growing political influence is not music to Museveni's ears. In a country where democracy only exists in form but not substance, his

Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Museveni's mastery of divide and rule politics

He has insisted that he will practice his musical calling. But his growing political influence is not music to Museveni's ears. In a country where democracy only exists in form but not substance, his musical performances are being targeted and systematically disorganised by the State

    

 

From way back, both Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool showed political allegiances. Bobi Wine gravitated towards the Opposition, Besigye in particular. Bebe Cool cast his lot with Museveni. The former calls Besigye his friend and mentor. The latter says it matter of fact that "of course I am a friend of the President".

The former has been a frequent visitor to Kasangati where the self-proclaimed "People's President" holds court. The latter boasts of a presidential hospital visit in Nsambya after a policeman opened fire at him in 2010.

Then irate fans molested Bebe during Tarrus Riley's show. They accused him of mocking Bobi Wine's injuries following his torture in Arua. Bebe found a ready shoulder to lean on in Museveni. He was invited to Rwakitura and airlifted back in the presidential helicopter.

As for Bobi, he made a momentous decision to join active politics. When the Kyadondo East seat fell vacant, he joined the fray as an independent candidate and captured a seat previously held by the FDC.

His rallying call for unity of Opposition forces, his star power and youthful appeal galvanised a population disenchanted with the logjam in our politics, gave him the momentum he continues to ride to-date.

The political platform he gained as a Member of Parliament has allowed him to act in line with the convictions he has espoused in his music.

He has insisted that he will practice his musical calling. But his growing political influence is not music to Museveni's ears. In a country where democracy only exists in form but not substance, his musical performances are being targeted and systematically disorganised by the State.

Any venue he is to appear in is cordoned off by the Police and military. Even a small graduation ceremony in Kasese was halted by Police because of a rumour that Bobi Wine was to appear.

A distracted media has skewed the debate. It is no longer about legal rights to perform by Bobi Wine but rather about the politicisation of music. It is now about compliance with the law. Bebe Cool wears a yellow beret and the regime thinks he's not politicking. Bobi Wine wears a red beret and calls upon the people to register to vote and the State is all over him.

Of course, he is as political as ever and whatever ambitions he may be nursing have evoked paranoia in the regime whose legitimacy is threadbare. Bebe Cool rightly says Bobi Wine should rein in his fans who have turned him into a pariah.

On the other hand, Bebe Cool has now been weaponised by Museveni. But in reality both Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool are victims.

Museveni is doing what he does best - divide and rule. Museveni knows that collectively, the Ugandan population can successfully oppose and oust him. So where there are no divisions, he creates them. Where there's division, he fans the flames.

This is an old trick of acquiring and keeping power, by breaking up larger concentrations of power into pieces that individually have less power than the dictator. It is about breaking up existing structures, and preventing groups from uniting. It relies on causing rivalries and fomenting discord among the people.

Museveni has used divide and rule to weaken religious bodies and cultural leaders. He has balkanised regions, districts and even constituencies, based on ethnicity.

Museveni is like Eshu - the god of confusion. In a bid to sow discord between two farmers, Eshu decides to walk down the path which divides their farms. He painted one side of his body white and the other side black. After Eshu passes by, the two friends quarrel about the colour of the stranger.

Eshu then turns back and passes again. Each farmer now sees a different colour and agrees with the other that they were mistaken earlier.

This only causes more confusion as each farmer insists on what they saw last. The quarrel becomes so intense that the king intervenes. Each farmer accuses the other of lying. Then Eshu comes and tells the king that neither is a liar but that both are fools.

mpmao@yahoo.com

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