During an interview, Margaret A. Novicki of Africa Report asked Museveni “What advice would you give to your African colleagues who are resisting movement towards democracy?
Museveni responded that “I have no sympathy for those who resist democracy. Democracy should not be resisted. Power belongs to the people, not to an individual. Why should you want power for yourself? Who are you? You are a servant of the people. If the people don’t want you, then you go and do other things and they elect whom they want. I have no sympathy for them”(Africa Report July/August 1993).
The people of Uganda have rejected the 2011 presidential results because of massive rigging, disenfranchising voters, inflating voter register, allowing foreigners to vote, military intimidation, using public funds to bribe voters and relying on a partial electoral commission in Museveni’s favor. The people of Uganda want to exercise their natural right to demonstrate peacefully against the presidential results and convince Museveni to step down so that free and fair elections based on a level playing field are conducted.
A written word never dies! “If the people don’t want you, then you go…” That is what Museveni said in 1993. Museveni should therefore not obstruct the peoples’ natural right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression about whom they want to lead them through another round of presidential elections.
There is a wind of political change blowing across Africa that has started in the north. And Uganda will not be left behind. Just as Museveni expressed no sympathy for African leaders who resist democracy when he was interviewed by Margaret Novicki in 1993, the world will have no sympathy for Museveni when he obstructs peaceful demonstrations. The people of Uganda are going to demonstrate peacefully if they choose to do so. Museveni will be individually responsible and liable for punishment if peaceful demonstrators are killed or hurt by national security forces. The International Criminal Court is clear on this point. And there are no exceptions whether you are the darling of anybody or not!
We also request that Museveni does not put the Inspector General of Police or Army Commander in a difficult situation of unleashing security forces on peaceful demonstrators because they too will be individually responsible for casualties and liable for punishment by the ICC. Besides, Inspector General of Police and Army Commander are professionals who took oath to defend the state and the people of Uganda and not the president and his government. We advise Kayihura and Nakairima to take the right decision because when the chips are down, none will defend you including the Commander-in-Chief.
The people of Uganda are now enlightened and will not allow their rights to be trampled on.