Opinion : Museveni Clings to Power as Uganda Struggles for True Independence

As Uganda marks yet another year of independence, the question arises: are we truly independent? On October 9, 1962, Uganda freed itself from British colonial rule, only to be handed over to a succession of leaders who captured power not through democratic means but through violence and force. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 40 years, exemplifies the painful reality that Uganda has lost the essence of what independence truly means.

From the late 1800s, Uganda suffered under the oppressive rule of the British, who exploited the country’s natural resources, displaced people from their lands, and left lasting damage to the environment. The Nyamwamba River floods in Kasese, a direct result of colonial exploitation, continue to claim lives today. Uganda’s post-colonial leaders, however, have failed to heal the country’s wounds. Instead, we find ourselves under a new form of oppression, where political repression, corruption, poverty, and unemployment define the current regime.

The promise of independence was a democratic transition of power and prosperity for all Ugandans. However, eight presidents later, each of them rising to power through violence rather than ballots, Uganda is still waiting. Museveni’s rule, marked by political violence and blatant disregard for human rights, is the most recent example of how far the country has strayed from the ideals of independence. His 2021 re-election, marred by a violent campaign that claimed the lives of over 50 opposition supporters, is proof of how deeply entrenched Uganda is in political instability.

While some argue that there is much to celebrate, including the end of colonial exploitation, it is hard to ignore the political crisis Uganda is sliding into. Popular discontent is rising, not just because Museveni remains in power, but because the governance, economic performance, and security of the country continue to deteriorate under his rule. The government’s neglect of these priorities mirrors the failures of past colonial rulers. Uganda may not be on the verge of civil war, but the growing unrest threatens to undo the stability it has fought for since independence.

The solution lies in meaningful reforms, something the Museveni regime has persistently avoided. A national dialogue on presidential succession is long overdue, and Uganda needs an overhaul of its partisan police force and genuine efforts to address local governance issues. Without these reforms, Uganda’s so-called independence remains a hollow victory, devoid of the freedom and democracy that were once promised.

As political analyst Swaib Kaggwa aptly noted, Uganda is now governed by a new set of “black colonialists,” misruling the country as brutally as their white predecessors. Museveni’s legacy, characterized by corruption and repression, stands as the antithesis of the independence dream. We may have rid ourselves of British rule, but we are still far from achieving true independence under a regime that stifles democracy and clings to power at any cost.

Uganda deserves more than symbolic independence. It is time for Ugandans to rise and demand better services, true democracy, and leadership that reflects the will of the people, not the barrel of a gun.