By Joshua Walakira
Veteran journalist Charles Onyango-Obbo is seemingly having a field day off the latest political skirmishes befallinsg Uganda. In his Wednesday “Ear to the Ground” column in Daily Monitor, the much revered scribe advises President Museveni to do what ex-Kenyan dictator Daniel Arap Moi did in his last days. Obbo says that, whether he realizes/likes it or not, M7 in the evening of his rule. And should therefore act magnanimously towards his foes just like Moi did as his reign came to an end. “Instead of the increased violence, one would expect he (M7) would have learnt from people like former Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi who in his last year’s brought rivals into the tent and eased off on the koboko,” writes Obbo.
He adds that the alternative for Museveni is to invest in increased violence which will make his ending look pretty similar to that of the pre-genocide leaders of Rwanda who invested in violence which eroded all they had for their legacy. He says after 32 years in power, the veteran Ugandan leader should relax and stop being involved in by-elections to avoid direct confrontation with his stone-throwing grand children (Bazukulu) as was the case in Arua. Obbo further argues that with a solid 300 NRM MPs, 66 friendly independents & easily bribable opposition MPs, Museveni can still rule comfortably even if his NRM were to lose all upcoming by-elections.
He says it’s because M7 fears being seen as losing grip, otherwise there is no reason why a well accomplished old man at his age wouldn’t leave the NRM leadership to on their own go out and fight it out with the opposition without him personally having to get involved. He says the fact that many regime vocal supporters are lately quiet is proof they recognize the unstoppability of the Bobi Wine generational movement and it’s possible”their conscience is troubled.”
