President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is the longest serving leader in Africa. Barring President Paul Biya.
Museveni, who fought a nasty guerilla war to dismantle the remnants of Milton Obote has defied age to emerge a powerful figure in world politics.
The rebellion started here in Kenya. He is said to have covertly operated in Nairobi alongside hus comrade in arms Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Since 1985, when Museveni deposed Tito Okelo, he has ruled Uganda with an iron fist.
Not even the HIV pandemic that ravaged Uganda could stop the strong man of East Africa.
He stabilised Uganda economically. And politically.
Under him, Ugandans began to appreciate peace. And live it. He gave Uganda its pearl back.
He didn’t do it the soft way. Museven has crashed anybody who audacious attempted to topple his rule.
The likes of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his wife Winnie Byanyima have tested the Museveni brutality.
Besigye was a Colonel in NRM, trusted personal physician.
Winnie was Museveni Secretary and a close friend. A mistress of sorts.
But when they began to show ambition to topple the general, they were quickly profiled and ruthlessly delt with.
Besigye is in Prison over treason charges. Trumped up or otherwise. He was arrested (abducted) in Nairobi during a book launch.
Kenya was accused of complicity in the abduction and deportation of Besigye. But Museveneni never once commended on the matter.
So whst makes Museveni tick?
The people of Uganda had before Museveni been ruled by clowns. Uganda became a failed state during the reign of Idi Amin Dada who ruled with the barrel of a gun.
Stories abound of the excesses Amin authored in Uganda. And the looting by President Milton Obote- he is said to have looted the Uganda Central Bank dry.carting away foreign currency into his exile abode in Kenya.
The move angered Ugandans- brilliant abd proud citizens with the highest rated Makerere University. That is why Museveni is viewed as a saivior in Uganda-because he brought the country back to its senses.
But now Ugandans appear to have lost appetite for Museveni.
They are yearning change. But Museveni has made it clear that this will not be given in a silver platter.
Museveni appears to be grooming his son General Muhoozi Museveni for a role in politics.
Muhoozi is both an Army and social media General. He frequently pens controversial tweets on war, inheritance and state of the economy.
He may soon tweet about the next political dispensation…because Museveni has announced retirement in 5 years…
