Uganda’s history since colonial days is characterized by forceful relations between the government and people – with the government applying instruments of force on the governed to get what it wants. Resistance to colonial rule ended through the use of force and foreign troops. Other examples of force used on Ugandans during colonial rule include the following:
1. Taxes in cash which were imposed to force Ugandans to become migrant laborers in areas growing export crops. 2. Uganda was forced to abandon industries and to grow cotton, coffee, tea and tobacco for export. 3. Labor reserve areas were forced to not grow export crops. 4. Different tribes with very little or nothing in common were forced into administrative units.
5. Indirect rule chiefs and advisers were imposed on the people. 6. Strict law and order was imposed through an elaborate system of police, prisons and the judiciary. 7. Ugandans were forced to abandon their gods and their traditions including medicine and culture. 8. Ugandans were forced to sell their raw produce cheaply to Asians who processed them and enjoyed the benefits of value addition and higher world market prices.
This use of force led to increased opposition to colonial rule. Some Ugandan leaders who opposed colonial rule were jailed and others sent into exile. Prince Igumira of Ankole was exiled to Kisumu in Kenya. The Kabaka of Buganda was exiled to the United Kingdom. The king of Bunyoro was exiled to Seychelles and died on his way back to his kingdom. In spite of these forceful actions, resistance to the use of force continued and the demand for freedom intensified. Governor Andrew Cohen tried to introduce reforms and to establish harmonious relations between the government and the people of Uganda but it was too late. Independence arrived on October 9, 1962.
To avoid arrest on President Obote’s instructions before he left for the commonwealth summit in Singapore, Amin used force, foreign troops and advisers and captured power in 1971. For a very brief period, his government established harmonious relations with the people of Uganda and gained popularity. However, like colonial rulers, he turned to the use of force in dealing with Uganda people and neighbors to get what he wanted. Many Ugandans were killed and others went into exile or moved from urban to rural areas. Those who survived put up resistance and Amin and his government staffed with foreigners was booted out. Museveni was among those who organized politically and militarily to get military dictator Amin out of power and out of Uganda.
In 1986 Museveni and his national resistance army together with Batutsi from around the world and other sources of foreign support entered Kampala, formed a government and became president, minister of defense and commander-in-chief of Uganda armed forces. Initially, like Amin before him, he introduced a populist and patriotic agenda that endeared him to the people of Uganda. However, he too later realized that the instruments of force and fear would get him what he wants including staying in power longer. He forced Ugandans to vote for him and his NRM party in 1996, 2001 and 2006. He is expected to do so again in 2011. He has sent troops where there is resistance to his rule. He has forced opposition voters to surrender their cards. “When a constituency in which Museveni got 99.9 percent of the vote in the 1996 election was perceived to have switched to home-boy Besigye, Museveni’s elite guard, which included his son, stepped in to wreak terror and grab voters’ cards in a house-to-house operation. One man was killed and several injured. Museveni got the vote” (Business in Africa April 2001). For those who want to know why Besigye has never won in his home area, here is the answer. Opponents have been forced to shut their mouth, others jailed, expelled from cabinet, forced to return to the NRM fold or have met early death. Others have been forced into exile and denied their inalienable rights.
The use of military force has been supplemented by political, economic and social force to bring Ugandans to their knees. Parliament has been forced to pass unpopular laws such as amendments to the constitution or establishment of some municipalities and districts. The draconian economic and social policies have been implemented such as selective dismissal of public servants, removal of subsidies on agriculture, health care and education, introduction of fees on social sectors, refusal to provide school lunches while forcing peasants to sell food disguised as introducing commercial agriculture and refusal to address rampant unemployment. People are forced to sell their assets such as land and livestock or marry off their daughters at tender ages to make ends meet. These actions have produced results similar to the use of force – people are displaced and others suffer or die needlessly.
What is clear, as during the colonial and Amin rule, is that Ugandans are resisting the use of force. The debates in the media in Uganda and abroad represent collective opposition which is growing stronger by the day. If Museveni, his NRM government and foreign backers continue along the path of force, the end result is clear – Museveni and his government will go, hopefully democratically – no matter how long it takes. The forces of democracy will defeat the barrel of the gun. There are examples which show that dialogue can end war faster than military force alone. Museveni is aware of these examples.
The time has come for Museveni to begin to interact genuinely and harmoniously with the people of Uganda including those who oppose his policies in order to bring about freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity.