Bazel Odeke is a political commentator (PHOTO/Courtesy)
After he took over power in 1986, the then 44-year-old President Kaguta Museveni said, “This isn’t a mere change of guard, this is fundamental change in the politics of our country” Indeed, It’s nearly 40 years, he is still the serving president. Whether his leadership has been commendable or tainted depends on which position, capacity, and circumstance you trying to assess. Of course, the disciples of the regime will choose it over and over due to the benefits attached and therefore, seem to enjoy ‘fundamental change’.
To the democrats, patriots, and opposition cadres, who, since then, have fallen apart with the regime, due to numerous atrocities, that have been executed in the name of clinging to power – abrogation of the Constitution, violation of human rights, corruption, mention them, have lost hope in the regime, hence compelling them to look for a premium strategy of dislodging the regime, which, surprisingly remain a dream despite the number of years.
It’s worth noting that, every ploy to oust NRM out of power has always ended up becoming a boomerang to the proponents. The regime, in many occasions, has orchestrated; divide, confuse, conquer, arrest, and intimidate, as a weapon of destroying the opposition, and the juicy one, through appointment.
In a letter to the Speaker dated 5th January 2024, President Museveni reappointed Byabakama and Hajat Aiisha Lubega to another seven-year term in office, together with other new entrants, I guess you know what that means!
This move has not settled well with opposition members, who since then, have been trying to advocate for reforms, because, engaging in an election without reforms is a clear victory to the regime, in other words, it’s fighting an already won battle!
To this effect, several meetings have been held(in the opposition camp), which saw the declaration of United Forces of Change (UFC), an umbrella that is envisioned to bring opposition political parties “together”, the notable ones being; NUP, FDC Katanga, DP and UPC remnants. To them, UFC will cause an impact, What a strategy so far!
Notably, it’s not the first time such a move has been championed, to cripple Mr. Museveni’s regime. Guess what, such a move has always remained on paper rather than reality, as members opt to pursue divergent agendas. With that said, what makes the opposition think, it will work this time around?
In my view, it’s more hypocritical to even imagine the union, if the factors that made the union a back-wrong-horse in the first place haven’t been addressed. Mathew 7:5 asserts, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”.
Opposition leaders need, not just a union but a deeper introspection into more pertinent and appealing issues.
Much as they (the opposition )seem to be okay with the strategy, to some gurus, the union conveys a resemblance to other unions before, and therefore, is bound to suffer the same, if not worse, ramifications
Firstly, the individual approach and strategy held by the henchmen, seem to differ, Dr. Kizza for example, in 2011 referred to elections as ‘useless’, and since then advocated for boycotting elections, an idea that wasn’t welcomed even within his cycle, since the approach requires maximum mobilization country-wide, and whether the majority of Ugandans accept it is another question. Further, whether the veteran politician accepts to abandon his strategy for the good of the union, is another issue.
On the other hand, Mr. Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), a musician turned politician, seems to pursue a radical approach, characterized by defiance, strikes, and demonstrations, the recent being “banana farming” However, such an approach requires a lot of cross-tabulation, since, most Ugandans seem not to kowtow due it’s direct negative impacts.
The approach, therefore, requires proper assessment, and whether Ugandans accept it is also another question!
On the contrary, Mr. Muntu on the other hand seems to pursue a more diplomatic approach, which entails building structures right from the grass level to counter-react and dislodge NRM. Much as this approach may have good intentions(positive), we are talking about a country that’s counting almost 40years of single leadership, so, to some people, patience might be too far from reality
As if that’s not enough, internal conflicts have been very central, a definite characteristic of opposition political parties, resulting in a break-off. The recent being FDC and DP.
This alone, has affected and damaged the image of the opposition before the masses since they(the opposition)seem to be seeking individual interests rather than a National course. No wonder, prominent leaders keep somersaulting from one block to another, dancing along lines of opportunism!
Owing to the above, opposition leaders must conduct self-introspection, clear public mistrust that, they have built over the years, and pay allegiance to a single strategy, other than unions and lengthy speeches that have no resultant impact on the liberation they seem to agitate for. If you can’t unite for a common course, then it’s obvious, you will remain a barking dog.
Odeke Bazel odekebazel2@gmail.com/0788620893
The author is a researcher/ political commentator/Social worker – Pallisa
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