On Friday 17 October, President Yoweri Museveni presided over a function at Speke Resort Munyonyo where his campaign song entitled “Tubonga Naawe” was launched. The song overly praises Mr. Museveni and his NRM government. A number of prominent artists in Uganda attended the function and declared their support for President Museveni in the forthcoming elections and the president gave them a gratification of Uganda Shillings 400,000,000 (Four Hundred Millions).

Following the artists’ open declaration of their support to the president, quite a number of social media activists lambasted them (the artists). Two notable artists, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Maurice Kirya shunned the event. The two were showered with praises and assured of unbridled support to their music career.

Following the attacks from their fans, I saw two singers in particular Bebe Cool and Juliana Kanyomozi post statements on their Facebook pages explaining themselves but most importantly assuring their fans that they do have a right like any other citizen to support a candidate of their choice. Juliana in particular was very humble in her explanation but even Bebe Cool wasn’t abusive. While one would think that their fans would understand their (singer’s) point of view and lessen the attacks, the fans instead re-launched a more acerbic barrage of verbal diatribe against Bebe Cool and Juliana. 

While I would expect the singers to use their talents to educate and build the nation through decrying police brutality, corruption, egocentrism, prebendalism, neopatrimonialism, social marginalisation and impunity exhibited by the regime, I still maintain that the singers have a right to support whoever they want. But as a human rights defender, I know that human rights are not absolute.

I listened to Bob Marley and Lucky Dube's music when I was young. Their music was instructive but also liberating. Seeing Ugandan musicians singing "Tubongenawe" to prop up life presidency at a time when political activists are undressed, tortured and dehumanised, at a time when many Ugandans die out of sheer neglect for the healthcare system is not ill but kaput; at a time where criticism is branded sabotage and opposition treason, is a sad commentary for our dear country.

The unpalatable response from many people to these singers especially Bebe Cool, Juliana and Chameleon, which included being christened names that I find weird to write in this piece tells me that Ugandans especially the informed and/or relatively informed, are tired of the status quo.

The hostility that Museveni and his supporters are receiving is an indicator that a reasonable number of Ugandans will be defiant against him in the aftermath of the elections. Museveni will win the polls because the process is already flawed. We are already in the electoral process but Museveni’s opponents are not even allowed to consult the voters, registered parties are disallowed from addressing rallies and opening offices. Yet the incumbent has been campaigning since 2011 and all the contestants in the ongoing NRM party primaries are campaigning for themselves.
 
I implore all the aspiring candidates and their supporters opposed to Mr. Museveni to desist from working against each other opposed to Mr. Museveni to desist from working against each other because that plays in Museveni’s hands. Nobody should think Ugandans are cowards if they have a cause in which they believe. The September 10 – 12, 2009 “Kayunga riots” should have opened Mr. Museveni’s eyes. Let’s organise, let’s not agonise.

By Vincent Nuwagaba

The author   [email protected]  is a political scientist and human rights defender.