To understand why corruption has reached an unprecedented level in Uganda’s history and there are no signs that it is subsiding, Ugandans and their development partners need to understand the pastoral culture of Uganda’s present leaders. From time immemorial pastoralists including Batutsi, Bahima and Bahororo (Batutsi from Rwanda) live in hostile environments marked by shortages of pasture and water, droughts, epidemics like the 1890s rinderpest, bovine diseases and cattle theft.
In the Great Lakes Region pastoralists lived in fragile ecosystems which rendered them vulnerable and forced them to engage in fighting for survival. Most of the wars in the region since the arrival, in the 16th century, of the Nilotic Luo-speaking Bahima and their Batutsi and Bahororo cousins have been related to land and cattle. They have fought to expand territory and increase their herds, dispossessing the losers. Accordingly, they developed a mentality of winner takes all which has been carried over into governments in Uganda and Rwanda.
When Batutsi pastoralists defeated Bahutu mixed farmers in pre-colonial times in Rwanda “The Batutsi declared that all land was the property of their Mwami, or King, and that he would apportion it out among his chiefs and sub-chiefs, while retaining title to it, as his fief” (Tom Marvel1948). The defeated Bahutu became serfs on land that was theirs. During the second half of the 19th century, Mwami (King) Rwabugiri Kigeri IV of Rwanda terrorized his neighbors and ruthlessly acquired territory, prestige and cattle (Robert I. Rotberg 1965).
Since Batutsi returned to power in Rwanda in 1994 after defeating Bahutu again, they have dominated government, towns, and the monetized economy. Bahutu have been mostly forced back into subsistence agriculture (Michael Mann 2005). Batutsi have vowed to do everything possible to keep Bahutu down for ever (Stephen Kinser 2008).
In former Ankole district, Bahima defeated Bairu who had occupied the area for centuries. Henceforth, Bairu have been treated as a subordinate race on land that was theirs (Kenneth Ingham 1965). As enslaved people Bairu did all the production, domestic and public work. Food and drinks were extracted from them for Bahima consumption (D. W. Nabudere1980). The Ankole king was the ultimate owner of all cattle which he could give or take away at any time (Aylward Shorter 1974).
When Bahororo arrived in Rujumbura around 1800, they found Bantu communities who had lived there for centuries. They grazed short horn cattle, goats and sheep besides growing a wide range of food crops and manufacturing many products. The indigenous people were defeated, subjugated and their pasture taken away for grazing long horn cattle that Bahororo brought with them resulting in the disappearance of short horn cattle. The defeated communities subsequently dubbed Bairu (slaves) produced all the food, drinks and labor for Bahororo needs.
The common lesson to be drawn from the three examples of Batutsi in Rwanda, Bahima in former Ankole and Bahororo in Rujumbura presented above is that the victor believes he has the right to strip the loser of all his property and rights. In other words the winner takes all. Victory confers prestige, power and wealth and there is nothing to be ashamed of. And these habits die hard!
Since Bahororo and Bahima came to power in Uganda in 1986 led by President Museveni, the level of corruption and impoverishment has increased at a speed never before experienced in the history of the country. Apart from lining their pockets with public funds, they have taken all the important and strategic jobs in government, own the most lucrative businesses and control the army, police and other security organs. There are stories that they are positioning themselves to dominate if not own the oil industry. If you look at Rujumbura people holding key positions in central government and presidential advisers you will not fail to see who is reaping big.
Bahima and Bahororo feel very strongly that they fought the Luwero war and won and have every right to take or do whatever they want in Uganda. Some are censured, come back and continue to loot! They fought and have a right to do as they please. Some one told me that most of key political and administrative jobs in former Ankole district are firmly in Bahima hands with a few held by Catholics for their support during the 1981-85 bush war.
Therefore as long as Batutsi, Bahima and Bahororo are in power in the Great Lakes Region, we shall have to accept their winner take all culture or else.