Photos: Wikimedia Commons
I have witnessed the political and economic landscape of our country, and at the same time seen or read about how other countries transformed from third to first world due to competent and patriotic leadership that espouses honesty, meritocracy and pragmatism. It is with great concern that I address you, Mr. President, who has spent 37-years ruling a country that is still grappling with problems that you promised to solve when you came into office.
It is time for you to answer the question that is on everyone’s mind: what have you not done in the 37 years and hope to achieve in the remaining years?
When you first came into power, you promised to bring democracy. You had taken part in the democratic election which you also partook in organizing since you were the second in command of the military commission that oversaw the same. However, over the years, you have failed to deliver on that promise. The elections, since 1996, have been marred by violence, intimidation, and vote-rigging, and opposition leaders are routinely harassed and arrested. The media is not free to report on the government’s criminal activities, and those who do are often arrested or threatened with violence. The writers like me who mirror such in books, are tortured and forced into exile half-dead.
You have been in power for so long that you have become complacent, and you no longer feel the need to answer to the people but your greed for power and self enrichment. You have forgotten that the office of the president is there to serve the people of Uganda, not to rule over them with guns and intimidation.
Insecurity has become rampant, and the people are living in fear. Kidnappings, armed robberies, and mass murders are common occurrences, and the government seems to be unable or unwilling to do anything about it.
The police force is underfunded and understaffed, and the military has taken on a role that is not its own. The military is meant to defend the country from external aggression, not to run institutions and torture its own citizens. Your decision to militarize the institutions has only served to make matters worse.
Very many of us have fled the country after being tortured in military dungeons. Your government has a long history of human rights abuses, and those who speak out against the government are often targeted. People are fleeing the country in droves, and it is a clear sign that your government has failed to provide a safe and secure environment for its citizens.
Human rights abuses have increased under your leadership, surpassing that of your predecessors. Opposition leaders and other critics are routinely arrested, tortured, financially and judiciary harassed. Torture and extrajudicial killings have become commonplace, and those who speak out against the government are often targeted. The government has also passed laws that restrict the rights of citizens, such as the Public Order Management Act.
When you first came into power, you promised to build an independent self-sustaining economy. However, over the years, you have failed to deliver on that promise. Uganda is still heavily reliant on foreign aid, and the economy is not growing at the rate that it should be. Why would the largest chunk of the budget go to paying off debts and governance? If the debts were reducing and we were not embedded in governance problems, I would understand.
Your government has failed to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Corruption is rampant, and government officials demand bribes and or kickbacks before they can offer any services. The bureaucracy is slow and inefficient, and it takes several months to get anything done. Corruption and the misuse of power have become endemic, and your government has done absolutely nothing to address the issue. That is why we call it a criminal government.
The judiciary is not independent, and judges are often intimidated to make decisions in favor of the government. Your cadre judges have failed to administer justice with impartiality because they fear that their careers might get stalled if they do not kowtow to keeping you in power.
You have weakened the arms of the government by deploying cadres who are subservient to you and a small circle of crooks bankrolled by you.
The parliament is also weakened, and members are often intimidated or bribed to vote in favor of the government. That one needs no explanation because we have seen them during term, age limits debate and other pro-impunity bills.
There is no rule of law in Uganda based on the ingredients that define the same, and the government prides on operating with impunity.
You are coddling and enabling your son to get involved in politics, yet he is a serving military officer barred by law from politicking. This is a clear violation of the law, and it shows that you have no respect for the rule of law.
Your son’s involvement in politics is also a conflict of interest, as he is using his position in the military to further his political ambitions. This is unacceptable and illegal.
When God wanted Ugandans to exonerate the past leaders, he sent us Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
