Nepotism Has Always Been A Problem In NRM!

Friends,
I do not deny for a moment that enforcing discipline was a key part of the Luwero Bush war as, indeed, it is in all wars. Nor do I deny that there is a real need for guerrilla fighters to detach themselves from their families while they are fighting for a cause. However, it seems to me that things got pretty out of hand during the time in question and I wonder seriously why all those that were in the bush are just realising how nepotistic Museveni is.

For instance, while in the bush, Museveni ordered for all non-combatant women to leave but he selectively allowed his brother, Salim Saleh, to keep his wife with him. Pecos Kutesa was also allowed to keep his woman, and I wonder why?

There was another rule that “captured war bounty like money and equipment should be given to Operation Commanders to give out". But, whenever Saleh captured something, it was his to keep. He used to give bounty to his ADC Mayanja for safe keeping, and Museveni never questioned it.

It was also apparently a rule that “if any combatant killed another deliberately, then they would get a death sentence ". However, when Jack Muchunguzi did it, he was spared.

Museveni's s acts can be characterized as those of an unauthorized bully. Nepotism started all the way from the bush and it remained unchecked up to now. That’s why I told Hajji Hussein Kyanjo a few days ago in one whatsapp group that nobody has power in Museveni’s government unless if you’re directly related to him. The rest are just on borrowed power, and would be forgotten as soon as he sacks them. On this evidence, I’m pretty convinced that either Gen.Saleh or his son, Mr.Muhoozi, one of them is our defacto vice president. His wife, who is now our minister of Education, is powerful too, but Uganda being a chauvinistic society, I can’t see her going far after her husband. Anybody who wants to get a quick meeting with Museveni quickly, those are the guys to see, and get the deal done. The ‘bako’(in-laws) also have some powers but the Saleh brother; first son and first lady are the real deal!

When one reads most of the books by NRM historicals, there's the feeling that they hoped for the better after the war. They looked at Museveni as someone who genuinely represented their political views or mentality regardless of his obvious weaknesses. But was it really him? Or was it the tenor of the times and the majority's genuine fear of subversion?

I have always defended the Luwero war as a 'legitimate' cause and i probably will continue to do so, but it has become apparent that all Museveni's campaign against Obote and UPC had been a matter of posturing and grandstanding and pushing only his personal ambitions to rule Uganda for life, and did not reflect any of national convictions. And I think he totally understands people's animosity toward him; he let a lot of people down who had higher hopes in him. To me, this is the most disgusting aspect of the whole affair.

*Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba*
Stalk my blog at: http://semuwemba.wordpress.com
"Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive." - Henry Steele Commager 1902-98