By Prince Gora
Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) took the African political landscape by storm late last year such that by the time that the Ugandans went to polls on January 14, many democrats, particularly my fellow Zimbabweans, had fallen in love with him. His bravery and style was rightly lauded and many prophesised his victory.
I too added my plaudits to Bobi Wine as I couldn’t help but marvel at his inspiring bid for the Ugandan state house but I was very sceptical about him actually taking over state power. That belief is very unpopular and considered pessimistic by most of my peers but I had and still have solid points to back it up.
For starters, Uganda has been virtually ruled by dictators since its independence in 1966 including a 9-year calamitous rule of Field Marshall Idi Amin Dada, one of the world’s worst ever dictators. Dictators, as you all know, generally don’t respect nor care about the voice and wishes of the people. Secondly and perhaps most importantly, Bobi’s case is not an isolated one. Nigeria had Atiku Abubakar in 2019 while we had our very own Nelson Chamisa in 2018. All these three men inspired a generation and had most of us believing that change had indeed arrived but in the end it was all too little too late for them because even though they garnered massive votes in the general elections, state power still proved to be elusive owing to one reason or another (that is just me politely saying they were RIGGED out of the presidency).
AU - Authoritarians Union?
The violence - which has been well publicised - instigated on Bobi Wine and his supporters by the Ugandan government has been shocking and the internet blackout of the country is known as well. It is for these reasons that one finds it mind-boggling that the EAC (East African Community) and the AU (African Union) never uttered a single word condemning the actions of M7 and his cabal. But then, again… this is not an isolated case, the dictators’ club kept quite too when Buhari switched off street lights to shoot unarmed civilians and they turned a blind eye during the shenanigans of August 01, 2018 in Zimbabwe.
When you take a much closer look, the silence of the African Union and its regional blocks on critical issues becomes less surprising. In a way, it in fact begins to make sense. These authoritarians lead these organisations after all and it is only natural that they watch over each other’s backs. They are united against change and determined to stay in power.
A democratic Africa, therefore, will not be fronted by the AU or any of the old guard, we - the young people - will have to do it and for that we need to be united and well-coordinated. If we’re not well coordinated as we currently are, then our quest for a democratic Africa will be a very long one.
Should we quit contesting elections?
My generation is understandably frustrated. They want change as soon as yesterday and they want it instantly. Talk about elections to my fellow citizenry and they will immediately tell you about the last rigged one and why they will never vote again.
Many have started calling for a change of tactics and are encouraging activists and opposition figures alike to take a more militant approach. Some have even gone to the extent of declaring that we need to go to war to democratise Zimbabwe.
I want change too but I believe that taking the path that we’re advised to take is to err. Waging a war is not only wrong but it is almost not executable. “ZANU and ZAPU launched a war against Smith so we have to do the same,” they argue. Well, I don`t think so. Firstly, such an action is against democratic values and secondly, while Kaunda and Machel welcomed Zimbabwean soldiers into their lands back then, I doubt that Edgar Lungu and Phillip Nyusi will do likewise today, for example.
Way Forward: Should we just resign to fate then?
The answer is NO. We need to keep fighting but we need to forge new strategies, strengthen our ties with other democratic forces, be realistic and patient. I believe that democracy will eventually prevail but it won’t be instant and instant doesn’t last anyway...look at the November coup for example.
I will end by quoting Bill Gates who said, “Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate what they can achieve in ten years.’’
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