Ugandans headed to the polls on 14 January 2021 beneath an unprecedented and full web shutdown. Earlier than the blackout, movies of rows of army automobiles and safety forces marching down streets had been circulated on social media in an ominous indication of issues to come back. Uganda has by no means identified a peaceable transition of energy and there have been many irregularities present in previous elections, however this 12 months has been particularly violent. The election, or what Nic Cheeseman has referred to as ‘a staged occasion to attempt to respectable Museveni’s presidency,’ has drawn criticism from the world over. It has been marred by rising violence, arrests, kidnappings, and extreme limitations on freedom of expression. As in different authoritarian international locations, coronavirus restrictions have been used to justify varied excesses, together with the usage of lethal drive, by the federal government. The federal government securitized the election and created exceptionalities, together with one of the stringent COVID-19 lockdowns on the continent, for the aim of justifying their violent actions in opposition to its residents, because it engaged within the seemingly liberal technique of electing a brand new president.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who ran in opposition to ten opposition candidates, was as soon as admired for proclaiming that the issue in Africa is one in all leaders who overstay their welcome. Now this quote is getting used to underscore the hypocrisy of the claimant. In 2021 he contested for his sixth time period in workplace. He entered the race after altering the structure twice, as soon as to increase time period limits and as soon as to raise age limits, regardless of well-liked opposition in parliament and the final inhabitants. Whereas accusing the opposition of being misguided and supported by unidentified international actors and homosexuals, Museveni has touted his distinctive expertise and knowledge as chief of Uganda. And it’s certainly tough to argue in opposition to the truth that there is no such thing as a one within the nation with extra expertise of being head of state than he has, since he has been president for 35 years.
The principle contender, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, additionally identified by his stage title Bobi Wine, has risen to worldwide fame not solely as a musician however as a formidable opposition chief. All through his marketing campaign, which was livestreamed on social media, he has been arrested a number of instances and his marketing campaign employees has been killed, injured, and arrested in massive numbers. In November the lethal violence employed by the federal government grew to become worldwide information as protests and riots started following one other arrest of Kyagulanyi. Protestors lit fires and tore down Museveni’s marketing campaign posters, first in Kampala, after which in different main city and cities. Safety forces and police responded with tear fuel, rubber bullets, and reside ammunition killing over 50 folks.
That Museveni was declared winner has come as no shock. In an election with the bottom reported end up ever recorded (regardless of the best variety of registered voters), the Electoral Fee introduced that Museveni got here away with 58% of the vote, whereas Kyagualnyi bought 34%. Little data has been launched about how these outcomes had been tallied. Tensions stay excessive as Kyagulanyi has repeatedly stated that his get together wouldn’t settle for the rigged outcomes, spurring accusations by the federal government of inciting violence. Kyagulanyi’s property surrounded by safety forces since earlier than the announcement of outcomes, in line with the federal government, for his safety and to stop protests. Journalists, together with high-ranking diplomats such because the US ambassador to Uganda, had been being denied entry to his house. Kyagulanyi reported that meals deliveries had been additionally denied. This unlawful home arrest remained in place till legal professionals had been in a position to file a petition with the court docket to have Kyabulanyi launched. Following a ruling by the court docket, after 11 days, the safety forces had been withdrawn, permitting Kyagualnyi to carry a press convention and meet along with his get together representatives.
Whereas on the floor the elections appear to have been among the most peaceable Uganda has ever seen, arrests, violence, kidnappings, and different irregularities proceed to be reported as communications are restored. The web blackout helped hold violence hidden in some locations and people election observers who had been allowed into the nation have questioned its validity and transparency. The nation now seems to be simmering beneath a blanket of ongoing heavy army and police deployment as the federal government waits for its residents to develop drained and quit any concepts of protest.
Whereas the web blackout lasted 5 days, social media continues to be blocked. The eyes of the media and governments the world over are already shifting away from Uganda, consideration spans are quick and simply distracted. But as Kyagulanyi and others have famous, Western donors, and the US particularly, have an vital position to play right here as they’ve lengthy supported Museveni’s regime.
Within the meantime, Kyagulanyi has stated that he will probably be contesting the election final result, by peaceable protests and presumably authorized means. It’s possible that the authorized avenues will probably be met with the same old dismissal by the courts which have previously acknowledged irregularities however held up the election outcomes noting that the result would have been the identical even when the irregularities didn’t occur. Contemplating the big variety of parliamentary seats NUP gained in these elections regardless of solely being 6 months outdated, and Kyagulanyi’s worldwide recognition, he arguably presents a larger hazard to the regime than very long time former opposition chief Kizza Besigye, who has been arrested numerous instances. As runner up within the presidential elections, Kyagualnyi is left with no position within the authorities, but has a big following. Museveni has to tread rigorously, as a revolution could also be coming. The query the federal government have to be asking itself is, what’s the finest technique of coping with Kyagulanyi to maintain the nation at a gradual simmer for so long as doable. In the meantime, Museveni will do what he does finest; legitimise oppression by manipulating the narrative, use carrots to distract, and a few very huge sticks to maintain folks in line for so long as he can, as he plans for a successor he can abdomen.
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