Let’s honour our un-sung heroes by voting for change
By M. Suleman
14th Feb 2011
Like expired food, little can be done to it to make it palatable after the expiry date. The more it stays, the more it becomes toxic. Similarly, I think Museveni expired (exhausted his wisdom) at the end of his first 10 years in power. He has now become toxic. Only self seekers still listen to and admire him.
Judging from the crowds and the overwhelming support showed by ordinary Ugandans to opposition parties, if these elections were to be free and fair, then Museveni will surely join the annals of history as one of the former Presidents of Uganda.
As we wait for the day and hour to celebrate the end of what has been a traumatic 25 years of Museveni’s rule, I also think it would be inappropriate to celebrate without paying homage to the sons and daughters of Uganda who have dedicated their lives to the struggle against Museveni’s dictatorship.
At the fore front of the struggle against Museveni’s dictatorship is the enigmatic Andrew Kayira [RIP]. Kayira is definitely one of Uganda’s greatest heroes. He was a selfless nationalist who sacrificed all for the sake of Uganda; beginning with the struggle against Amin’s dictatorship.
After Amin’s fall, Kayira never lost the vision he had for Uganda. Indeed in the early days of the post-Amin era, he repeatedly told Ugandans that they had sacrificed their lives for democracy. He also warned that he would not hesitate to return to the bush if anyone ever tampered with Uganda’s freedom again. True to his word, in 1980, he went back to the bush for the second time.
After the fall of Obote and Okello, Kayira joined hands with Museveni’s NRA/M in a transition government which was meant to usher in a new democratic dispensation. He however kept his steadfastness and strong principles and that meant that he couldn’t fit into the NRM which had its own agenda. For his principles, he was slaughtered in cold blood.
As Uganda now seeks to turn a new leaf, I think it is most fitting to pay homage to this gallant son of Uganda by reminding Ugandan voters that they owe it to comrade Andrew Kayira to vote for change this Friday. Kayira will remain an inspiration to many Ugandans. So will comrade Nkwanga whose death remains a mystery to this present day.
We should also remember the many compatriots who have been slaughtered at demonstrations and campaigns during Museveni’s 25 year rule. They were killed in cold blood simply because they refused to submit to Museveni’s dictatorship. Also on the same list are our other heroes, men, women and children in Luwero, eastern and northern Uganda and across the country who were mercilessly massacred during the numerous political upheavals we have had.
These are ordinary citizens who never aspired for any office but still paid the ultimate price for merely being patriotic Ugandans. We cannot, and should never ever forget them. We must also remember all those who, with God’s grace, managed to escape from Uganda and have continued, from wherever they are, to fight for a free Uganda.
They have become the voice of the voiceless. I will therefore say this to Ugandan voters. As you walk to the voting booths, remember these gallant sons and daughters of Uganda who are with you in spirit and waiting for the right time to join you in the struggle to liberate our country.
In the same breath, we should also be proud of our esteemed opposition leaders across the board like Cecilia Ogwal, Sebana Kizito, and the young fire brands scattered in various opposition formations and civil society organizations. For our freedom, they withstood Museveni’s intimidation, coercion, and economic marginalization and harassment.
They have remained steadfast and focused on nothing but a better Uganda; the Uganda we inherited from our fathers. It is now our responsibility to leave it a better place for our children and grandchildren. The impending victory against Museveni’s dictatorship should be dedicated to these comrades too.
Equally deserving are the ordinary citizens across our land who realized from the word go that Museveni’s NRM had no patriotic vision for our country. These ordinary citizens have stood by our opposition leaders during tough struggles and walked long distances alongside them. They paid their hard earned money to go and attend rallies and to give support and encouragement to our leaders.
These people have not asked for any government posts, and they don’t expect to be rewarded with new districts; all they want is a democratic, free, and progressive Uganda. These are our un-sung heroes and we must honour them by voting for change this Friday 18th February.
