Museveni’s gross mismanagement of Uganda, He Must Be Fired Like KCCA ED Kisaka

The recent dismissal of Dorothy Kisaka from her role as Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is not an isolated event but rather symptomatic of a broader leadership crisis in Uganda under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Kisaka was appointed in 2020 with the mandate to transform Kampala into a modern, efficient, and well-managed city. While her tenure saw modest progress, Kampala remains crippled by long-standing issues such as traffic congestion, poor waste management, and a crumbling infrastructure. Her dismissal allegedly stems from these unresolved problems, yet it also raises a broader question: if Kisaka, tasked with managing one city, is being dismissed for inefficiency, why should Museveni, who is responsible for managing the entire country, remain in office?

Uganda, under Museveni’s rule, has suffered gross mismanagement on many fronts, far surpassing the challenges Kisaka faced in Kampala. Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is the root cause of many of the systemic failures in Uganda. It is time he follows Kisaka’s example and resigns due to his inability to lead Uganda effectively. Below are the key failures under his leadership:

1. Human Rights Violations

Uganda has seen an alarming deterioration in human rights under Museveni’s regime. The government routinely suppresses opposition parties, jails activists, and violently cracks down on peaceful protests. The 2020 election cycle saw widespread violence, with security forces killing over 50 people during protests sparked by the arrest of opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine). Torture, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances are common tactics used against anyone who dares to criticize the government. Museveni has eroded civil liberties, making Uganda one of the most repressive states in the region. According to Amnesty International, these violations are symptomatic of an autocratic regime clinging to power at the expense of its citizens’ fundamental rights.

2. Land Grabbing

The rampant problem of land grabbing has become a significant issue under Museveni’s leadership. Powerful individuals linked to the regime have been accused of forcibly taking land from ordinary Ugandans, leaving them homeless and destitute. The most infamous case is the proposed giveaway of Mabira Forest to foreign investors, which sparked massive protests. While the plan was shelved, it exposed how Museveni’s regime prioritizes private business interests over national heritage and the rights of citizens. The president’s silence on numerous cases of land grabbing across the country suggests complicity or, at best, gross negligence.

3. Killing Business and the Economy

Museveni’s economic policies have failed to benefit the majority of Ugandans. The country has experienced widespread business closures, particularly in the private sector, due to high taxes, corruption, and an unpredictable business environment. For instance, the hospitality and retail industries have been hard hit by over-regulation, with many business owners blaming the government’s arbitrary tax policies for their losses. Uganda’s youth unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world, and many Ugandans have sought opportunities abroad, fleeing the economic stagnation at home. Museveni’s government has killed business innovation and entrepreneurship through a web of bureaucracy and corruption.

4. Nepotism and Cronyism

Museveni’s government has increasingly relied on nepotism to maintain power, appointing family members and close allies to key positions. His wife, Janet Museveni, serves as the Minister of Education and Sports, and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is a high-ranking military officer with significant political influence. Such appointments have sparked widespread outrage, as they reflect the entrenchment of a ruling family dynasty rather than a merit-based government. Nepotism has hindered Uganda’s ability to create an inclusive and transparent government, exacerbating the divide between the ruling elite and ordinary citizens.

5. Corruption

Corruption in Uganda has reached endemic levels under Museveni’s regime. From top government officials to local district leaders, public office has been used as a means of self-enrichment rather than public service. In the Global Corruption Barometer Africa 2019, Uganda was ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the region, with citizens regularly facing bribery and extortion when accessing public services. This culture of corruption has permeated every level of government, stifling economic development and eroding public trust in institutions.

6. Suppression of the Media and Free Speech

Uganda has a long history of restricting press freedom, and Museveni’s government has consistently used draconian laws to silence journalists and control the media. Media houses critical of the government face censorship, fines, and, in extreme cases, closure. Journalists who report on corruption, human rights violations, or electoral fraud are harassed, arrested, or even assaulted by security forces. This suppression of free speech has created an environment where the truth is obscured, and the government controls the narrative, further entrenching its power.

President Museveni’s gross mismanagement of Uganda—evident in the human rights violations, economic stagnation, corruption, land grabbing, and nepotism—has led the country into a state of decline. Like Dorothy Kisaka, who has been dismissed for failing to transform Kampala, Museveni should be held accountable for his failures on a national scale. The leadership change at KCCA should serve as a model for the nation: when a leader cannot deliver on their promises or ensure the well-being of the people, it is time for them to step aside. Museveni’s continued rule will only exacerbate the issues facing Uganda. To allow the country to heal and progress, he must resign.