Do we as Ugandans realise how much work goes into keeping us safe and secure on a daily basis, seven days a week, four weeks a month, 366 days a year? Here, we are talking of regular, “normal” days when nothing notable is taking place. Yet on the security front, even “nothing happening” days are busy days. How about on days of heightened activity and special occasions? That’s very busy for security teams as they are out to ensure that wrong elements do not mix with the free, law-abiding and celebratory Ugandans to sow mayhem.
Then, there are tense days involving civil action or protest, or outright confrontation.
Lastly, we have times when active acts of terror and general distabilisation have been plotted and the security network has detected those moves. During such times, security is on highest alert, with alertness levels determined according to the magnitude of the threat such as when advisories have been issued.
As we close in on heightened political season which commences with the 2026 election roadmap rolling out fast, it matters that our hearts and minds gravitate towards having a peaceable electoral season and remove any idea of confrontation with security from our heads. Let’s go into it in one piece and emerge the same. It’s just a season, remember, and not a war!
2021 is still fresh in our memories! We lost a number of people needlessly. There was a real plot, or many of them, to burn Uganda and cause bloody regime change. Whereas it was an election open to all players, the competition knew they had little chance at winning over Ugandans and, henceforth, decided that they would subvert the elections, deny Ugandans a chance to go to the polls (the way Members of Parliament were almost denied a chance to vote on the “age limit” Bill when Parliament was put under lockdown by a section of dissenting legislators until security teams swung in to liberate the Legislature) and, accordingly, use that excuse to claim that democracy had been overthrown and then rally their allies and gullible youths to active armed insurrection. It was a well calculated move, coordinated locally and internationally, and well facilitated logistically.
Luckily, the plotters had overestimated their strength and the alertness of the Ugandan security network. In the end, they lost on all fronts, albeit after causing untold suffering to the ordinary Ugandan. Many of our people are yet to heal, while others died, as already said.
Unfortunately, innocent Ugandans, more so the youths, were misled and incited to their deaths, leaving so many unanswered questions yet the perpetrators are at large and enjoying “untouchable” celebrity status. When we talk of accountability, it should be a two-way process.
As we gear up for 2026, the task is on us to prepare a more tranquil and satisfactory election season that will not leave regrets.
However, seeing the Bulindo incident (in which NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was wounded), there is reason to predict a difficult exercise despite the wishes and appeals of right-thinking human beings. As long as we have politicians unwilling to maintain peace and calm, to heed lawful orders and to mind how their actions affect the ordinary person, then we have to brace for a difficult time ahead.
As long as we have politicians eager to introduce children of others in the area of confrontation while their own are safely away enjoying, then we have to fear the limits that they are prepared to break.
Already, on May 22, 2024, in Jinja we witnessed a bloodbath when crowds mobilised around the NUP leader blocked the Jinja-Kamuli road at Mutai-Busibe, causing accidents which took the lives of a number of people including an LC 1 Chairman Mwami Wilson, who I knew personally.
We are hoping that such dreadful scenes do not reoccur but Bulindo almost “occurred”. The Bulindo incident shouldn’t have happened and, in the spirit of oneness, we ought to sympathise with Bobi Wine and whoever else may have been affected, but on condition that we all take it as a warning to act responsibly.
On the side, we have a population hearing different versions of the “truth”, which is another unfortunate outcome of the raw politics some of our friends are comfortable with. “Bobi Wine shot!” was the first (and faster) information most of us encountered, as aides and supporters quickly punched out on social media in a bid to create anxiety in the public and, perhaps, spark off something “uncontainable”. One would think that it’s what they wished for their principal but on the other hand, we know that fearmongering and incitement is how they create a following while seeking sympathy as a political card. While the theory of having been targeted specifically has been debunked, out there some fans will continue holding on and spreading that claim. They are willing to manufacture more such claims fashioned to attract sympathy and cause anger and despair, while claiming persecution and grave oppressive tendencies by the Ugandan Government.
How many citizens attend functions on a daily basis in the country, including those attended by politicians? How come only a select few are associated with violent outbreaks and prone to harm? It has to do with the attitude and tendencies of the concerned and the interests they are pushing.
Anybody with the interests of Ugandans at heart would know when and where to hold gatherings. It shouldn’t be where the poor old woman is selling her chakala (low cost merchandise) or where some youths that have recently benefited from PDM, Emyooga or YLP money are investing to grow their enterprises. Who will shoulder the losses that will accrue to these groups if Uganda becomes “Bulindolike” every day, all because people want votes? Politicians, please, behave!
The author is the Deputy Press Secretary to the President of Uganda
Contact: kirundaf2@gmail.com
0776980486/0783990861
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