By Haji Faruk Kirunda
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
