I recently jumped onto a boda boda on my way from work, one of those busy evenings from Bukoto to Kyanja. I sat on this boda boda and later learned that the rider’s name was Haruna. As usual, boda boda riders have many stories to tell because, through their work, they encounter a wide range of people.
One of the topics that often comes up while riding with boda boda riders is politics, because politics affects almost every aspect of our lives—socially, politically, and economically. Phrase it how you want, but politics will always affect how you live. That is why it is not always good to distance yourself from it. You need to know what is going on and be conscious.
So Haruna and I started a conversation, and of course, we talked about the ruling government led by President Yoweri Museveni and the National Platform under Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. We discussed a wide variety of topics, and Haruna told me that Museveni, in all the years he has ruled, has definitely done nothing.
This is common rhetoric among most boda boda riders, especially in urban areas, more so in the central region. One of the topics he raised was the incarceration of former presidential candidate Dr. Kiza Besigye. Haruna said that Besigye is behind bars because of his own making.
He told me that when Besigye went to run against Museveni in 2001, he struck a deal with the president: Museveni would rule for some terms and then let Besigye take over. Quite interesting, isn’t it? Haruna went on to say that this time, Besigye is behind bars because Museveni went against his word and now wants to put his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in power instead. In retaliation, Besigye allegedly tried to stage a coup.
Haruna also thinks the conflict between the two NRA 1986 war veterans stems from their linkages to Winnie Byanyima, who is currently Dr. Besigye’s wife.
Our conversation drifted to Tanzania, where Haruna said he believes President Samia Suluhu has been a very poor president and even claimed that she had a hand in the death of her “husband”, John Pombe Magufuli. According to him, Magufuli’s death allowed Samia Suluhu to take over as president. He further said that Museveni and Samia Suluhu collaborated to kill Magufuli because of oil deals. Haruna argued that Magufuli rejected Museveni’s proposed oil deals, and when he seemed incorruptible, they allegedly conspired to eliminate him.
He also questioned why Museveni wants to construct an oil pipeline to Tanzania instead of refining the oil in Uganda, citing the Lubigi wetland as a potential site for refining.
We also discussed the 2021 general elections. Haruna believes that Museveni stole all elections, from presidential to parliamentary, and claimed that even in his own district of Kiruhura, all seats were won by the National Unity Platform.
Sadly, this is how most people in the informal sector—boda boda riders, taxi drivers—think. They have been programmed by their leaders, predominantly the opposition. Questioning is discouraged; they are told what to think, and that becomes their reality. Leaders today do not care about the information they provide to the public or its effects.
We’ve seen some presidential candidates use tribal rhetoric. I watched Bobi Wine in Mbarara telling a policeman, “You, Mchibi, a Muganda, are spearheading this brutality against us.” This shows how Bobi Wine, a Muganda himself, has planted seeds of tribal hatred. Instead of condemning actions, he frames them through ethnicity.
Uganda has over 50 ethnicities, making it a beautiful but delicate country. Mismanagement of these divisions can lead to catastrophic consequences, as we have seen in Rwanda, Congo, Kenya, and Sudan. African countries embraced democracy—a concept foreign to our systems—but it has its challenges. Unlike the U.S., which has fewer ethnic and religious divides, Uganda is far more complex.
A good leader does not focus on tribe or religion but on what he can provide and the genuine support citizens offer. Museveni has managed to govern for decades despite numerous internal conflicts, external pressures, and post-conflict challenges. While his government has shortcomings, steering Uganda for 40 years deserves recognition.
We must also recognize that one day Museveni will not be here. Are we ready to continue without him? Whether we agree with him or not, Museveni is a very intelligent man and has earned respect worldwide. Any future leader, whether from the NRM or opposition, must have a clear manifesto and concrete ideas.
Africa lacks leaders who articulate facts and solutions. They rely on emotion rather than vision. Take former U.S. President Barack Obama (despite his unpopular foreign policy especially towards Africa) could/can articulate and leave you applauding. Or even newly elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani—when he speaks, people listen because they have ideas. Africa needs leaders who can do the same.
Most informal workers like Haruna do not critically analyze these matters. They focus on money and a good life, unaware of the complexities of governance and economics. Spreading misinformation, disinformation, character assassination, threats have now become the manifesto of the National Unity Platform despite being full of young people who should have the best interests of their country at heart. They expect Uganda to be like Dubai just decades after independence regardless of many factors at play.
Leaders like Bobi Wine should educate these people: even if we want change, we need to build with ideas. Destroying what exists is not leadership. Even a one percent foundation is better than zero. Leaders who rely purely on emotion without facts are not leaders—they are weevils who must be plucked out.
