I witnessed a demonstration that left me shaking and trembling that the shock prompted me to write this. I would like to say that I am a Ugandan who looks forward to having a transition of government from the NRM to new leadership. On Friday 28th February 2020, I was walking from my work place after a long week of staying long days on a hungry stomach trying to make ends meet and I fell in an ambush of striking People power mobs along Makerere hill road.
I should make it clear that whereas I am a violent free person, I have always sympathized with People Power and thinking that “we” have a good cause. That evening made me question my consciousness. I was beaten and just like the old days at Makerere University was being forced to join the demonstration that was heading towards Mulago.
As I was trying to resist and elope the chaos, I witnessed a young gentle man and lady who looked like a couple driving in a Subaru being beaten and tried to force them out the car. In the process the front tire of the car was hit and bust. You could see the frustration on the face of the guy but the lady was in tears. They managed to speed off with a flat tire and in the process, I managed to run into Ham towers opposite Makerere University Main gate.
My experience forced me to think hard about the change I am looking for. I re examined the words and propaganda that my icon Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert uses to inspire most of us. I later learnt that the demonstration was happening because Bobi wine had spread disturbing misinformation about the death of his supporter Ritah Nabukenya and an NRM supporter Kyeyune Daniel.
Meanwhile as Police and Kyadondo East member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi are accusing each other of releasing a false report regarding the death of Ritah Nabukenya and the death of Kyeyune Daniel in Nansana, as the public and my fellow youth we must examine the real cause that we must die for.
It reminded of the misleading propaganda that was surrounded by the demise of Zig Wine last year. The truth in my opinion is that a few people in the People power group are gaining from this chaos. The funding from anti Uganda forces is their cake. Ask yourself, why don’t they use the funding to do social responsibility activities like supporting the health care and starting up youth employment ventures. We are doomed if we don’t open our eyes.
The effects of Political motivated demonstrations are very dangerous and the victims are people who blindly follow thinking it is for a good cause. The architects of demonstrations always calculate the moves and are fully aware that at the end of the day, there will be collateral damage. They don’t care who it will be. It is from this collateral damage that they base on to politicize and wrap themselves in a victim shell to seek a vote of sympathy.
Let’s break it down, the death of Ritah Nabukenya in Nakawa was an accident which eye witnesses clearly described. I don’t want to sound political but the question is, why would then People power try to block post mortem for the deceased. The act of carrying the demonstration to Mulago Mortuary might look as anguish, but it’s a clearly a move to put things out of hands. That’s not the legitimate way of handling issues. That’s like adding salt to the wound and endangering the lives of the youth who are given petty coins to join the demonstrations.
The other day, the father to deceased Kyeyune Daniel who happens to be a Police officer came out and explained that the son is a staunch NRM supporter and met his death at the hands of the chaos by the People Power mob. I could have met my death on Friday 28th Feb 2020 evening just like Kyeyune became a victim. My appeal to my fellow youth is to use a sense of reason before they rally behind any politician. And for the Politicians, stop misleading us. We know that your visions don’t include us. If they did, you wouldn’t endanger our lives.
For God and my Country.