“When thunder is wet, it’s mistaken for a dove”

For general information I have read world history from the earliest to the present. I also watch movies about nature. One thing is common to all creatures. They all defend their territory – broadly defined – and protect their young. When conditions are right all creatures live in peace with one another – they are peaceful like doves. But when disturbed disproportionately, all creatures strike like thunder, witness the French Revolution. Ugandans are no exception.

Sad events in Kenya in the 1950s and 2007 and in Rwanda in 1959 and 1994 should serve as a wakeup call that when people long considered docile are very disturbed and fear suffering heavy losses they can switch from dove to thunder behavior – with heavy destruction in the end.

The African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa had vowed to effect political change and gain majority rule by peaceful means. But after the bloody shooting at Sharpeville in 1960 in which many peaceful demonstrators were killed and others injured ANC changed from dove to thunder tactics.

Those who underestimated the determination of ANC members thought that they were committing suicide by launching guerrilla attacks against the mighty apartheid regime. They did not realize that ANC was a wet thunder. When water evaporated off its body it struck so hard that F. W. de Klerk then president of apartheid South Africa had no choice but to release Mandela from prison and begin preparation for majority rule. The Portuguese who lacked de Klerk’s vision lost everything in Africa. Mozambique even became a member of British Commonwealth.

Back to Uganda: Uganda ruling leaders need a vision like de Klerk’s to save territory and protect the young. Continuing to behave like Portuguese in African colonies won’t serve their interests. Ugandans are not afraid of the gun as NRM would want us and the rest of the world to believe. But we in the opposition prefer peaceful regime change in the first instance. Unfortunately that situation is changing.

Those who have been listening to debates and music and reading about Uganda lately with open ears and eyes the message is very clear – there is an increasing shift from peaceful to revolutionary means of regime change and clarity of demands. Ugandans are finally and firmly demanding in clear terms restoration of liberty, justice and dignity without further delay. The minority military dictatorial governance system led by Museveni with support of mercenaries in the police and the military as reports (to be confirmed) indicate is resented by indigenous Ugandans. The use of mercenaries and the damage they have caused in Uganda is not new. And that is why Ugandans do not want to hear presence of mercenaries in our midst.

As noted above advocacy for regime change is beginning to shift from peaceful to revolutionary tactics. And we know what that means – the dove is being replaced by thunder. Those who are unemployed especially the youth, those who have lost their jobs and those who cannot go home for fear of being arrested or worse are becoming impatient with peaceful means of ending NRM regime especially when they hear Museveni vowing to crush voices demanding restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Signs that things are going terribly wrong in Uganda are everywhere for all to see. For instance, when a society resorts to human trafficking and sacrifice for whatever reason as in Uganda that society is desperate and in danger of disintegration.

Reports coming out of Uganda from credible sources like those by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have confirmed massive abuse of human rights. Peaceful demonstrators have been charged with treason punishable by death on conviction. Uganda is quickly drifting towards an explosive stage.

Many Ugandans have ruled out waiting for 2016 to unseat NRM through the ballot box. NRM won’t be defeated democratically because it has perfected the art of stealing elections. Other means preferably peaceful ones will have to be used. We appeal to the international community to join hands with us in the opposition in this peaceful endeavor for regime change. Prevention is better than cure.

We are grateful that some countries have begun to discuss the plight of Uganda and some have issued statements expressing concern about the deteriorating situation. In this regard we thank the United States government for issuing a statement on November 2, 2011 in which it criticized the deterioration of human rights situation in Uganda. We hope other governments including African leaders especially in neighboring countries will do the same.

Ugandans are coming together through coalitions and umbrella organizations like United Democratic Ugandans (UDU) to coordinate activities for maximum, quick and peaceful effect. Together with our partners we shall bring about a peaceful regime change in the “Pearl of Africa” thereby avoid the destructive power of thunder.