Like any other country, Uganda deserves forward-thinking leadership that focuses on the welfare of the people, respects the rule of law, and promotes sustainable development. However, under President Yoweri Museveni, the country has experienced widespread corruption, increasing human rights violations, and a decline in democratic governance. The inability to tackle these pressing problems indicates that Museveni is no longer fit to lead Uganda further.
Here’s why President Museveni is no longer fit to lead Uganda:
1. Failure to Combat Corruption
Corruption has become deeply entrenched in Uganda’s government institutions under Museveni’s leadership, despite repeated pledges to fight it.
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Embezzlement of Public Funds: Billions of shillings meant for healthcare, education, and infrastructure have been misappropriated with little or no accountability. Scandals like the mismanagement of COVID-19 relief funds and the iron sheets scandal (where relief materials were diverted to politicians) highlight systemic corruption.
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Weak Anti-Corruption Institutions: Bodies like the Inspectorate of Government and the Anti-Corruption Court have been rendered ineffective, with state-connected individuals (gamba nogu) escaping justice. An 80-year-old leader who has failed to fight corruption after 38 years in power clearly lacks the capacity to bring meaningful development to the country.
2. Increasing Violations of Human Rights
Uganda has witnessed a sharp decline in democratic freedoms and a disturbing escalation of human rights abuses. Security forces, particularly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Special Forces Command (SFC), have been implicated in abductions, torture, and extrajudicial killings—primarily targeting opposition supporters, activists, and journalists.
Prominent opposition figures such as Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), and the late Hon. Muhammad Segirinya, who died under questionable circumstances shortly after being released from prison, have all faced police brutality and illegal arrests. Additionally, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana endured two years in prison due to politically motivated accusations.
Many ordinary citizens—including John Bosco Kibalama, Eddie Mutwe, Bobi Young, Olivia Lutaya, and many others—have also experienced abductions and harsh treatment by security forces. Journalists like Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, Moses Bwayo, and Ashraf Kasirye have been severely tortured by security forces, highlighting the regime’s ruthless suppression of Ugandans.
Museveni’s government routinely bans opposition rallies, arrests activists, and deploys lethal force against protesters—such as during the November 2020 election period, where security forces killed over 50 unarmed civilians.
A leader who presides over torture, abductions, and killings of citizens has no moral right to govern. Ugandans deserve a government that respects human rights, upholds the rule of law, and allows democracy to thrive.
Ugandans can no longer afford to stay silent while President Museveni, after 38 years in power, schemes to hand over leadership to his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba—a move that many Ugandans reject.
If Ugandans do not resist now, the country risks sinking deeper into dictatorship under yet another unfit leader.
By Matsiko Chrispus, Former LCV Chairman Aspirant, Ntungamo District Local Government