Hard-hitting anti-Museveni book launched in London
By Timothy Nsubuga
16th May 2011:
Front cover of "Portrait of a Despot"
Portrait of a Despot, a new hard hitting book written by London based Ugandan Lawyer and Journalist Charles Ochen Okwir, has been launched in London at a colourful function that took place on Saturday 14th May.
The ‘anti-Museveni’ book, a soft copy of which Uganda Correspondent has seen, audaciously describes President Museveni as “…no more than a modern despot, a slightly more sophisticated version of Idi Amin; the type who lives and thrives in that grey area of politics beyond which you either become a democrat or an autocratic dictator”.
Key highlights in Portrait of a Despot
The book has new and interesting revelations about why Museveni was forced to abandon his threat to drag his main political rival Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye to the military court martial after the latter published a stinging critique of Museveni’s ruling NRM government in 1999.
It also has fresh details of the experiences of two ex-People’s Redemption Army [PRA] “rebel” suspects; the group whose treason trial shattered Museveni’s “rule of law” credentials.
Although Museveni is “The Star” of the show in Portrait of a Despot, the book also offers broader insights into how modern despots across the world use the law as a tool of political oppression, public relations, disenfranchisement, patronage, and nepotism to get their way. “…See if there is such a despot quietly flourishing within their midst”, the author challenges his readers
In addition, the book examines how modern despots like Museveni undermine and ultimately usurp all powers that ought to be exercised by State institutions; the crucial pillars of the State that appear to have cracked under Museveni’s despotic weight on the cover of Portrait of a Despot.
The author’s ‘book launch’ speech
Standing under a life-size poster of the book’s front cover, and wearing a T-Shirt [under a black jacket] carrying the same image, Okwir delivered a passionate and powerful speech that lasted just over 30 minutes to his guests. He challenged Ugandans to review their obsession with the pursuit of wealth at the expense of more important things like the pursuit of liberty, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
“…As a people, we need to seriously review our obsession with the pursuit of wealth. Of course we all love nice cars and houses, but I don’t believe that the foundations of our beloved mansions are made of concrete alone. In my view, the strongest ingredient in a foundation is peace, freedom, and democracy. Without these, our beloved mansions are like convicts on death row”, the author warned.
In what appears to have been a deliberate departure from literally tradition by the author, Portrait of a Despot is sarcastically dedicated to President Museveni, the very man whose leadership style is attacked most ferociously in the book. “…To General Yoweri K. Museveni whose egregious rule inspired this book”, the dedication reads.
Portrait of a Despot is now available for bookshops and retail outlets to order from Authorhouse at a special 40% “Channel Sales” discount by calling a toll free telephone number 0800 197 4150 or from publishers website www.authorhouse.co.uk. Members of the public can also order from the same website, from www.whsmith.co.uk, and from www.waterstones.com.
Those in Nairobi-Kenya can purchase copies of the book from Bookstop at Yaya Centre. Arrangements are underway for Portrait of a Despot to be launched in Kampala as soon as possible. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
