{UAH} Why President Museveni is contesting against his own shadowin the “sham elections”?

By Amos Ssemalulu  ·

Why President Museveni is contesting against his own shadow in the "sham elections"?

Fellow Ugandans,

I have always said that keeping silent about Uganda's politics is the biggest betrayal I will ever make. I cannot be an accomplice in the conspiracy of silence just because I want to keep harmony under the mighty dictatorship. Therefore, silence in the face of oppression is the most evil I cannot handle and this is why I share my opinions and thoughts on Social media, streets, mountains and hard to reach areas about the incessant violations and abuse of human rights in the Pearl of Africa.

Many Ugandans especially youth have false hope and confidence that a new President shall be declared by Justice Simon Byabakama and sworn in at Kololo come May 2021. I do share the same feelings and pain with you BUT I write this message with great experience in electoral democracy of Uganda since 1996 when Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere stood against the incumbent.

The day President Museveni began his official campaigns for his sixth term of Office was December 2017 when he twisted the removal of age limit from the constitution to allow him cling to power till deaths. He personally orchestrated the removal of age limit from the constitution to allow him for unprecedented rule and become president for life. After the removal of this cap from this constitution, Museveni knew that elections he personally organizes can't remove him from Office other than formalization hence becoming a ritual to please donors and the International community. Museveni is the Chairman of electoral commission himself wearing a Halloween's mask to hoodwink Ugandans that there will be free and fair elections. He is the same person that decides where, when and how to get the highest votes. Although some people argue that Ugandans can always vote him out of Power, this can't happen in an election that is not free and fair. In 1996, Dr. Paul Semwogerere polled nearly 87% from  19 districts which is a composition of Lango and Acholi Sub region. Likewise, in 2001, Doctor Kiiza Besigye polled 91% from 23 Districts of Northern Uganda (Northern and North Eastern parts of Lango and Acholi Sub region after Kony insurgency in 2001-2006 but victory ended up In Museveni's hands.

Therefore, the forthcoming presidential elections is ritual to formalize and account for grants and donations but not leadership. The high-handedness of the armed personnel is a clear manifestation that the dictator is not relenting. The continuation of Gov't injustice in power clearly tells the direction where our beloved country is destined. I hope that you are all familiar with the unfortunate events although the worse is yet to come. The security forces have grossly   become partisan working for the incumbent in power. The arrest of opposition members with reckless abandon is enough justification that these are "lawful acts" perpetuated by the army and police. The despicable attack on democracy by the security forces especially the Army and NRM Police clearly tells where the Pearl of Africa is destined. The repressive regime has put the nation in a miserable state by using public order management to stifle dissent and rein on opponents hence leading the nation to go down the drain. We have all witnessed the regime that is using sheer violence only to be in power.

Lastly, this is how NRM is using the power of the presidency, patronage, state resources and intimidation to cling to power and ensure that every outcome of elections turn in their favor. Although some opposition candidates are waiting for guidelines from electoral commission, the incumbent is using state machinery to campaign for his NRM party and himself. Economically, Museveni has grossly misused tax payers money to buy yellow bicycles for LC1 Chairpersons across the Country with an intention of reaching every household to campaign for him. He has further purchased Motorbikes with fuel for every Sub-county chairpersons across the country to campaign for him and his party. Relatedly, he has bought Double cabin pickups 4 wheel drive for every NRM District Chairpersons across Uganda so that they campaign for him to stay in power. Besides transport, these so called chairpersons are facilitated with allowances and fuel as motivation of campaign.

Relatedly, President Museveni is using other existing structures apart from the list highlighted above that he created to entrench himself in power which include;

The Parish Internal Security Officers (PISO), Sub County Internal Security Officers commonly known as (GISO), District Internal Security Officers (DISO), The Police and the Army who all report to the Resident Districts Commissioners and their Deputies across Uganda (RDC or D/RDCs). None of the above structures is working to improve people's livelihood but rather to entrench the regime in power. The TV and all Radio owners across the country have been issued with instructions NEVER to host other opposition candidates rather than the incumbent and his NRM party or risk revoking their licenses by the regime. Museveni is so much keen about rural masses accessing current information and on going gross injustices in the country hence curtailing information against his Government. Unless most of you have forgotten Uganda's history, but this is how Dr. Kiiza Besigye has been grossly mistreated over the past elections (2001-2016). I have witnessed all his life in campaigns and am very optimistic that nothing is going to change with new candidates. So, how is your Presidential candidate going to campaign in Kabong, Kisoro, Kibaale, Kanungu and Adjuman when they are being blocked and restricted to their houses and Offices?

The truth of the matter is, Museveni shall not be defeated in a sham election that he is actually organizing himself. We should rather find options of dislodging the junta as a combined force in opposition but not through this ritual.

For God and my Country!!

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"When a man is stung by a bee, he doesn't set off to destroy all beehives"

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