It might have occurred to you as you notice hate speech on different social media platforms that Uganda has a bit of a admiration problem.
But when it comes to countries with the biggest media freedom, Uganda doesn’t even make the top 50.
This is all manifested in the manner with which an elected member of the 3rd East African Legislative Assembly representing the republic of Uganda, Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde attached the persona of President Museveni to the South Sudan leadership disputes.
Mr Mbidde while appearing on NBS TV on Tuesday alleged President Museveni was the custodian of the ‘partisan politics gone wrong’ in the world’s youngest state. He was answering questions on the impact tensions in Juba have on Uganda.
“President Museveni lacks the moral authority to intervene in South Sudan right now because he partly helped bring in the power the current leaders who are fighting,” Mbidde said.
He hastened to add that that doesn’t mean the Great Lakes region’s longest serving leader has no experience if he wished.
The staunch Democratic Party member claimed that the deployment of Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) in South Sudan in December 2013 to safeguard the country’s interests was a bad move yet government said it was specifically guarding key installations in Juba and also protecting the strategic town of Bor against being over-run by the rebels.
Mr Mbidde said: “Given its silence, Uganda is perhaps beginning to recollect its initial stand on South Sudan. Remember we fled the country.
“The problem with President Museveni is that he acts alone; Congo, South Sudan. He is deaf to western threats.
“In East Africa, what we have are individuals (Museveni, Kagame) or parties (CCM in Tanzania) that want to remain in power forever.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has apologised to the people of South Sudan for the conflict caused by the leaders of the country, according to a transcript of a speech from Radio Tamazuj.
He was speaking after the swearing in of Riek Machar as the country’s First Vice President in a new unity government.
In a key passage he said: “Though the road ahead will still continue to have challenges… we are committed and determined to move our country forward.Thank you for the long patience and I ask you to to continue to endure with us. I also ask you to join me and my brother Riek Machar in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation as our people are tired of war and they need peace now.”
