HOW MUSEVENI AND MUHOOZI HAVE BECOME SYMBOLS OF LAWLESS AND IMPUNITY

By Guest Writer

OPINION: The other day in Bukedea district, a mystery got recorded before our own eyes. Observably, however, many focused more on the monumentally palatial palace, which, according to those who know, is owned by our speaker of parliament (my former friend) Annet Anita Among.

The house was so towering that it overshadowed even the sober discussion on the implications of Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa involvement in the illegality of a serving army officer meddling into Parthian politics.

The obvious path to hell, the legal crisis it creates, and the lawless impunity created by the custodians of our law-making institution, together with a network of patronized members of parliament, gathered in their hundreds to carelessly walk the politically fragile Uganda at this very critical junction of its checkered history.

Of course, all in mere a bid to impress and catch the eyes of the chief lawbreaker (Muhoozi), backed by his double standard player-father (Museveni), who without shame has won himself accolades for being a signpost, symbol, and unquestionable protector of lawlessness and impunity. Muhoozi to walk in his footsteps.

Law students in their year one ‘’introduction to law course unit” are taught that one of the qualities of a good law is that it should be non-discriminatory, i.e., should not have eyes.

Article 208 (b) of the Constitution of Uganda mandates a member of the UPDF to be nonpartisan and subservient to civilian authorities.

The Political Parties and Organizations Act is even more elaborative. Sec. 16: A member of the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prison Services, or any public officer, traditional or cultural leader, or a person employed in a company wholly owned by the government shall not;

a). Be a founder, promoter, or member of a political party or political organization,

b). Hold office in a political party or political organization.

c). Speak in public or publish anything involving matters involving political parties or organizations,

d). Engage in canvassing support for a political party or political organization or for a candidate sponsored by a political party or organization.

Of course, I don’t like the light sanctions created under Sec. 16 (20).

For law-abiding persons, Sec. 99 of the UPDF Act is very liberating to the law-abiding officer, for it tells officers who wish to participate in politics to retire.

These are provisions of the law, most of which were promulgated under Mr. Museveni as president. But because Mr. Museveni and his son think they are above the law. They have acted without regard.

Walking in his father’s footsteps, Muhoozi now acts and does politics, something no other office of the UPDF, Uganda Police, or a member of any body can do except if they are doing it for Museveni, his son, or a close family member of Museveni.

When operation “Shujja” was declared, Andrew Mwenda was pictured in a UPDF military chopper in full army combat at the time when hundreds of opposition supporters were being rounded up for court Marshall for wearing red berets. Many have never been seen today. Muhoozi, in total disregard of the processes of law, unilaterally declared Andrew Mwenda innocent.

Thieves of public funds have been caught by inquiries, some physically, but because they are either related to Museveni or acting in his interest or that of his son, the law has exempted them.

The current land grab in the country, which is now at crisis level, is caused by people in Museveni and Muhoozi circles. We must agree that the massive land crisis is a political question, and its persistence is due to either a lack of political will or political support the protagonists are getting from members of plot 1.

People related to Museveni and Muhoozi have become a nuisance on our roads. They drive in numberless cars with military jackets on the car seats, drawing guns on anyone, including traffic police officers on the roads, as they disrespect simple traffic rules with impunity.

If you moved on our roads today, the boda boda cyclists who cause mayhem on the roads would only display big portraits of either Museveni or Muhoozi as a sign of untouchability. They will disobey the rules with impunity.

Overall, the basic way of telling a connected person in Uganda today is impunity, lawlessness, arrogance, and intransigence, with which they conduct themselves. The phrase Gaga nooggu” is now understood by even Amy Karamojong’s brother because of the sense of entitlement associated with it.

Our consolation is that the sign of the end of the empire is written all over it. My duty and yours are to speed the process even more.

The author is Odaka Asuman, the secretary general for the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED).

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