In the 80s, to overthrow Milton Obote’s government, after losing in an election, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni formed the National Resistance Movement from which he launched the guerilla war which defeated Milton as Museveni took over government in 1986. He had overthrown Idi Amin in 1979 using the Front for National Salvation, which he led.
Revolutionaries are people who seek to change the course of doing things in a particular society against existing systems. They often rebel with clear intentions to enthrone good societal order or cause significant changes for good.
Many times the activists succeed and many times they fail. But some also fail at governance when they succeed in having power or have the proclivity to believe that they alone know what is good. It also depends on the level of vision or sincerity of the individual who rebels if there is no special interest.
Many years, since President Museveni took office, has sat tight in office with different Vice Presidents, changing the country’s constitution and scrapping term and age limits to accommodate his insatiable stay in office. The constitution had a two-term limit, but in 2005 it was removed and the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates was also removed in 2017 making president Museveni a life president.
Museveni may have stabilised Uganda economically and socially according to some reports. But what is the average income of Ugandans? “Of every 10 households in the country, six are financially struggling. As a result, 60 percent of the households can barely afford basic commodities.” Ismail Musa Ladu wrote in Monitor Uganda.
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“Tight fiscal policy contributed to slower economic growth, despite large investments in oil and gas. Consumer demand and foreign investment remain robust…the government continues its fiscal consolidation, focusing on reducing current and development expenditures more than on boosting domestic revenue.” AFDP writes on Uganda’s economy.
The economy can be analysed in many ways but how do real people experience the economy? “Uganda’s economy has shown resilience despite recent global economic pressures…the persistent deficit in human capital and the lack of a significant productive jobs agenda, given a growing working-age population, remain key challenges.” World Bank reports.
Regardless of the reports; positive and or negative, Museveni seems to believe that he alone knows what is good for the country. Unless he has become vulnerable and afraid of a life after office which could be depressing and lonely without the appurtenances and glamour of office. President Museveni may be really afraid of life after office. In satiating what seemed his personal vulnerabilities, Uganda may be looking for a change which may be long to come.
Just a few days ago, the 80 years – soon to be 81 in September, the president announced his intention to run for office again. In a video posted by the state broadcaster UBC on social media platform X, the chairperson of the ruling party’s electoral body Tanga Odoi said Museveni would pick up forms on June 28 to represent the party in the polls. When he is sworn-in for his seventh term, for the election coming up next year, he will stay for five more years for which he would be up to 86 years by the end of the term.
Photo Credit: yowerikmuseveni.com
You could ask when the revolutionary and battle tested General knows that it is a time to go home and rest.
Even though age may not be a factor, but competence and the will to do good for the governed, age could be a factor health-wise, as aging related ailments will stall the mental will and energy to govern. To be a president requires so much more as the life of millions of people depend on the daily decisions and actions of the president. Age could be an advantage for the associates who may exploit the weak man for their insidious interests.
It is incontrovertible and almost certain that should president Museveni be on the ballot, he will be confirmed a winner. He is entrenched as well as his associates having stayed in office for nearly 40 years.
Much could be said of the President who leads a pack of very old politicians seeking re-election including those who could no longer hold a pen. At a point in time, these veterans should show mercy on the people who may not be able to say enough, retire and guide the young who are said to be future leaders. Uganda’s government is an aging one where they need fresh minds in a fast-paced technology driven world. That will help Africa to compete.
The president and his veteran politicians may be celebrated revolutionaries, but their sit-tight in government is telling on Uganda’s society in particular and Africa in general.