I must have read this article 500 times over the last 40 years. It is only the names that change.
Alex Lekas
3 years ago
there is an irony here in how a nation like Uganda has a yearning for freedom while parts of the West work feverishly toward establishing far more intrusive and controlling govts. I guess when you have the luxury of hand-wringing over first-world problems, you also lack the self-awareness to realize the pettiness of the debate.
Kiran Grimm
3 years ago
Yet another worthy piece of journalist spiel telling us about African nations burdened with corrupt leaders and their cronies.
But wait(!) we are told. A new young leader rises up among the common people. He promises hope and change. A better future for Africa is possible if only the people have the courage to reach out and grasp it!
Haven’t we seen it all before? The new revolutionary, usually drawn from the creative classes, full of romantic vision and humanitarian ideals ““ always plays well with the Western MSM.
Yet, if he wins, who will administer his brave new nation? Will they be any less self-serving and corruption prone than the bunch who were ousted? What of the people themselves ““ do they long for a strongman to lead them because democracy is just so much talk.
Perhaps corrupt oppressive cronyism is the default mode of African politics ““ the only type of government that can actually survive.
If cronyism is the default mode of African politics, that would be extremely depressing. Actually, I don’t see much difference between the instincts of Western politicians and African. I would like to think that individuals within our institutions such as media, judiciary, police, armed forces etc. and the general lack of respect for politicians (ironically) make the worst symptoms impossible, but nevertheless, signs of reluctance to leave office still appear from time to time (Trump 2021, Brown 2010), and also that the people who run these institutions are steadily becoming less apolitical with each passing year (Maitlis, Bercow, Byrne). However, as far as I am aware, Botswana has avoided these kinds of problems, so there is hope that they don’t have to be the default mode.
Sorry Colin, but Botswana a tiny African country has less than 1.8 million people and is not wracked with Tribalism because beside for a small population of white people it has only one tribe, the Swana.
Not many African countries have this hegemony, maybe because of the colonial borders, they are always bereft with a major tribe of 45 – 65 % and a minority tribe or tribes, some have 20 tribes fighting over resources. Unlike the story book blm Wakanda version of history none of these tribes ever really got on and only stopped killing each other because they had to get rid of the colonialists, once the colonialists were gone they went back to hating each other and fighting over resources..
Yip the main problem with Africa is multiculturalism, where politicians use different tribes to get different emotional affects and then use them against each other, this is why these dictators can continually keep their office, unlike Europe (which seems hell bent on importing tribalism back), Africans have never gotten over tribalism and except for the 150 or so years Europeans broke up the party they have never lived in anything but a Feudal society with a king or a dictator..
Not a very convincing political equation Mr Elliot!
Trump 2021, Brown 2010 and (for those old enough to remember) Heath 1974 hanging on to office a few days longer than was decent.
Do you really think that kind of sulky behaviour is equivalent to the brutal grip on power exercised by the likes of: “¢ Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) “¢ Idi Amin (Uganda) “¢ Milton Obote (Uganda) “¢ Jean-Bedel (Emperor) Bokassa (Central African Republic) “¢ Charles Taylor (Liberia) “¢ Jean Kambanda (Rwanda) “¢ Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir (Sudan) Not to mention all those who had a vested interest in keeping those monsters in power. An obvious point I know, but no dictator rules a nation single-handed.
But hey, let’s not be complacent! Without our trusty MSM to keep Western politicians in check ““ well who knows what savagery they might indulge in.
By the way, Botwana’s economic boom is founded on mineral wealth. I’m no economist but that does suggest a vulnerablility to sudden changes in worldwide demand. A major slump could see a reversion to default mode. Like the man said: “It’s the economy, stupid”.
The issue is tribalism not cronyism. We need to understand how Africa works at a village level before we impose western democratic expectations. Uganda never asked for democracy. They had a system of government that worked well for them. Village elders, regional elders tribal chiefs etc. Outside of Kampala much of this system still exists and works well. land disputes etc are sorted out at a local level using systems that have served Uganda well from before the colonial days. We have now tried to impose western democracy over the top of this.
The reason why Botswana works well is that the democratic process there simply affirms the pre-existing tribal structure with a hereditary king who has become an elected hereditary president.
David McKee
3 years ago
Of course, it’s all the fault of colonialism. Britain departed the scene nearly sixty years ago, but to guilt-ridden liberals in the West, that is irrelevant. It cannot possibly be the fault of Africans themselves.
But then, savvy Africans like Museveni knew exactly what to do and say to get these silly Westerners to give them oodles of free money. Everyone a winner… apart from the Western taxpayers, and the ordinary Africans. But then, who cares about them?
Graham Dunn
3 years ago
Uganda – what a country, I love it. Full of huge potential and great resources but lacks good government. Of course Museveni has stayed too long but a big problem with Uganda politics is tribalism – regime change brings change of management all the way down the civil service to benefit the tribal heritage of the new leader. This happened under Obote 1 and 2, Amin, and Museveni.
I question how far Museveni has had to rig previous elections, I think the ordinary people fear regime change more than they fear another term from Museveni and have voted for a status quo they know and have come to live with.
For a Msungu I have had the privilege of getting to know Uganda reasonably well, sitting with old men under an equatorial sunset talking about the old days is a wonderful privilege but the stories are harrowing. Executions, wide scale government backed cattle theft, subtle government backing (turning a blind eye) to the Lords Resistance Army etc. Regime change always brings bloodshed is their experience. For over 3 decades Museveni with all his many faults has at least protected them from what they fear the most.
angelalangat
3 years ago
I think that Western commentators underestimate the appeal of dictators whether it be in Rwanda, Belarus or China. Most of the people the article quotes as supporting Bobi Wine cannot vote in Ugandan elections. It is possible that majority of Ugandans are pleased with the status quo.
I’m getting more concerned about the number of Western commentators who envy the appeal of dictators. These are people who have run cover for the likes of Castro and Chavez, who wear Lenin and Che t-shirts, and perpetually drone on about revolution
Colin Elliott
3 years ago
For the record, the UK taxpayer spent £96.3 million in Uganda in 2017. The main resistance to this has come not because the democracy in that country is faulty, but because it discriminates against LGBT.
Funny isn’t it, the white mans burden knows no end.. well I guess once the UK gets to 40% BAME you can tell all these 3rd world hell holes that you don’t owe them anything, of course by then you will have the same tribalism problems they do..
Robin Lambert
3 years ago
Shocking, voter fraud ,Intimidation,Vote harvesting ,bribes, Could not happen in USA? or uk ,Peterborough,birmingham etc..
Mark Lilly
3 years ago
So, two fanatically homophobic rivals do battle in Africa for possession of the loot; what’s new?
beniamino.rsa
3 years ago
Yes, all the trappings have yet to play out for pretender’s to the throne – but by this stage many Ugandans seem happy to roll the dice. Trading a successful music career for this perilous mess points towards some form of principle underpinning Bobi’s actions (?) and I’d be happier to go with that, in his defence, although the likelihood of some meaningful outcome short term appears so unlikely
I must have read this article 500 times over the last 40 years. It is only the names that change.
there is an irony here in how a nation like Uganda has a yearning for freedom while parts of the West work feverishly toward establishing far more intrusive and controlling govts. I guess when you have the luxury of hand-wringing over first-world problems, you also lack the self-awareness to realize the pettiness of the debate.
Yet another worthy piece of journalist spiel telling us about African nations burdened with corrupt leaders and their cronies.
But wait(!) we are told. A new young leader rises up among the common people. He promises hope and change. A better future for Africa is possible if only the people have the courage to reach out and grasp it!
Haven’t we seen it all before? The new revolutionary, usually drawn from the creative classes, full of romantic vision and humanitarian ideals ““ always plays well with the Western MSM.
Yet, if he wins, who will administer his brave new nation? Will they be any less self-serving and corruption prone than the bunch who were ousted? What of the people themselves ““ do they long for a strongman to lead them because democracy is just so much talk.
Perhaps corrupt oppressive cronyism is the default mode of African politics ““ the only type of government that can actually survive.
If cronyism is the default mode of African politics, that would be extremely depressing. Actually, I don’t see much difference between the instincts of Western politicians and African. I would like to think that individuals within our institutions such as media, judiciary, police, armed forces etc. and the general lack of respect for politicians (ironically) make the worst symptoms impossible, but nevertheless, signs of reluctance to leave office still appear from time to time (Trump 2021, Brown 2010), and also that the people who run these institutions are steadily becoming less apolitical with each passing year (Maitlis, Bercow, Byrne).
However, as far as I am aware, Botswana has avoided these kinds of problems, so there is hope that they don’t have to be the default mode.
Sorry Colin, but Botswana a tiny African country has less than 1.8 million people and is not wracked with Tribalism because beside for a small population of white people it has only one tribe, the Swana.
Not many African countries have this hegemony, maybe because of the colonial borders, they are always bereft with a major tribe of 45 – 65 % and a minority tribe or tribes, some have 20 tribes fighting over resources. Unlike the story book blm Wakanda version of history none of these tribes ever really got on and only stopped killing each other because they had to get rid of the colonialists, once the colonialists were gone they went back to hating each other and fighting over resources..
Yip the main problem with Africa is multiculturalism, where politicians use different tribes to get different emotional affects and then use them against each other, this is why these dictators can continually keep their office, unlike Europe (which seems hell bent on importing tribalism back), Africans have never gotten over tribalism and except for the 150 or so years Europeans broke up the party they have never lived in anything but a Feudal society with a king or a dictator..
Not a very convincing political equation Mr Elliot!
Trump 2021, Brown 2010 and (for those old enough to remember) Heath 1974 hanging on to office a few days longer than was decent.
Do you really think that kind of sulky behaviour is equivalent to the brutal grip on power exercised by the likes of:
“¢ Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
“¢ Idi Amin (Uganda)
“¢ Milton Obote (Uganda)
“¢ Jean-Bedel (Emperor) Bokassa (Central African Republic)
“¢ Charles Taylor (Liberia)
“¢ Jean Kambanda (Rwanda)
“¢ Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir (Sudan)
Not to mention all those who had a vested interest in keeping those monsters in power. An obvious point I know, but no dictator rules a nation single-handed.
But hey, let’s not be complacent! Without our trusty MSM to keep Western politicians in check ““ well who knows what savagery they might indulge in.
By the way, Botwana’s economic boom is founded on mineral wealth. I’m no economist but that does suggest a vulnerablility to sudden changes in worldwide demand. A major slump could see a reversion to default mode. Like the man said: “It’s the economy, stupid”.
Indeed-and by all means do not bring up: China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran-one must focus on the dangerous British and Americans.
The issue is tribalism not cronyism. We need to understand how Africa works at a village level before we impose western democratic expectations. Uganda never asked for democracy. They had a system of government that worked well for them. Village elders, regional elders tribal chiefs etc. Outside of Kampala much of this system still exists and works well. land disputes etc are sorted out at a local level using systems that have served Uganda well from before the colonial days. We have now tried to impose western democracy over the top of this.
The reason why Botswana works well is that the democratic process there simply affirms the pre-existing tribal structure with a hereditary king who has become an elected hereditary president.
Of course, it’s all the fault of colonialism. Britain departed the scene nearly sixty years ago, but to guilt-ridden liberals in the West, that is irrelevant. It cannot possibly be the fault of Africans themselves.
But then, savvy Africans like Museveni knew exactly what to do and say to get these silly Westerners to give them oodles of free money. Everyone a winner… apart from the Western taxpayers, and the ordinary Africans. But then, who cares about them?
Uganda – what a country, I love it. Full of huge potential and great resources but lacks good government. Of course Museveni has stayed too long but a big problem with Uganda politics is tribalism – regime change brings change of management all the way down the civil service to benefit the tribal heritage of the new leader. This happened under Obote 1 and 2, Amin, and Museveni.
I question how far Museveni has had to rig previous elections, I think the ordinary people fear regime change more than they fear another term from Museveni and have voted for a status quo they know and have come to live with.
For a Msungu I have had the privilege of getting to know Uganda reasonably well, sitting with old men under an equatorial sunset talking about the old days is a wonderful privilege but the stories are harrowing. Executions, wide scale government backed cattle theft, subtle government backing (turning a blind eye) to the Lords Resistance Army etc. Regime change always brings bloodshed is their experience. For over 3 decades Museveni with all his many faults has at least protected them from what they fear the most.
I think that Western commentators underestimate the appeal of dictators whether it be in Rwanda, Belarus or China. Most of the people the article quotes as supporting Bobi Wine cannot vote in Ugandan elections. It is possible that majority of Ugandans are pleased with the status quo.
I’m getting more concerned about the number of Western commentators who envy the appeal of dictators. These are people who have run cover for the likes of Castro and Chavez, who wear Lenin and Che t-shirts, and perpetually drone on about revolution
For the record, the UK taxpayer spent £96.3 million in Uganda in 2017. The main resistance to this has come not because the democracy in that country is faulty, but because it discriminates against LGBT.
Funny isn’t it, the white mans burden knows no end.. well I guess once the UK gets to 40% BAME you can tell all these 3rd world hell holes that you don’t owe them anything, of course by then you will have the same tribalism problems they do..
Shocking, voter fraud ,Intimidation,Vote harvesting ,bribes, Could not happen in USA? or uk ,Peterborough,birmingham etc..
So, two fanatically homophobic rivals do battle in Africa for possession of the loot; what’s new?
Yes, all the trappings have yet to play out for pretender’s to the throne – but by this stage many Ugandans seem happy to roll the dice. Trading a successful music career for this perilous mess points towards some form of principle underpinning Bobi’s actions (?) and I’d be happier to go with that, in his defence, although the likelihood of some meaningful outcome short term appears so unlikely