The other day, I read on social media, to be specific on a Facebook group of Ugandans in the diaspora.
The Ugandan writer based in Colorado used very harsh language to address the President after the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi. He wondered why, and I quote “a senile Museveni shouldn’t be removed from power. He has aged and lost sense of leadership.”
It is true the NRM candidate Yoweri Museveni sealed 75 years on September 15. It is also true that he has been in power for 34 years- 24 years of which he has been voted by an overwhelming majority of adult reasonable Ugandans.
But how forgetful would this angry Ugandan living in Colorado be?
On January 20, 2021, a 78-year-old Joseph Robinette Biden will be inaugurated. Making him the oldest President to be elected into office.
Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors in the world and one of the top 5 richest men in the world is 90 years old and has a net worth of $86 billion.
In 1952 at the age of 65, Harland David Sanders began Kentucky Fried Chicken, the USD8.3 billion global food chain.
Back at home, James Mulwana (RIP) one of Uganda’s well-known businessmen; an entrepreneur, and industrialist in Uganda died aged 76 years and was still running his empire.
Sikander Lalani, Uganda’s steel magnate and founder of the Roofings Group is 76 years old and still runs his multi-billion empire.
To therefore refer to Museveni as old, senile and lacking sense of leadership is an indication that this Ugandan in Colorado had scientifically proven that at 75 an African/ Ugandan is too old to lead a society and at 78, an American has all the qualities of a sensible leader?
In fact, this Colorado resident is not alone. Several leaders in the opposition, including Mr Kyagulanyi are adamant that their mission is to remove the 75-year-old Museveni.
Many times I have watched a clip of Kyagulanyi’s interview when he appeared on NTV sometime last year and the interviewer asked the MP (then) about his fiscal policy if he became President.
Kyagulanyi replied that Museveni is Uganda’s fiscal problem.
Did Kyagulanyi understand the question?
Several times, Mr Kyagulanyi has landed on opportunities to speak to the world through international media and just like the Colorado resident, Kyagulanyi never articulates issues but rotates around Museveni and his old age.
Well, whereas I think the international media is obsessed with Kyagulanyi, deep down the interviewers always wonder what caliber of opposition is in Uganda.
Suppose you, remove him and his old age from power? What next? Uganda stops existing?
Therefore, it is evident that the novice in Kyagulanyi and many others he inspires need a lot more time to delve into matters of leadership. Come up with very convincing ideas and win hearts of Ugandans and therefore they could be looked at as alternatives.
Yes, there are Ugandans who would want to see change like yesterday, but the crop of opposition leaders we have, have not sowed a message of hope which keeps these Ugandans clinging on the old man.
America, which Kyagulanyi and cohort look up to as a democracy, its incoming President indicated that he would seek a reelection after four years.
Once re-elected, Biden would finish his second term of office at 86 years of age.
If Museveni wins this election, he will be 80. And in 2026, Museveni, if he chooses to seek a reelection, he will be 81, three years younger than Biden.
However, Museveni has proved wrong his critics who front the age issue rather than ideas.
The world is full of young wise as well as not-so-intelligent people, just like there are intelligent and not-so-smart old people. Age is only a number.
We should instead be discussing the plans that the presidential candidates have for Uganda as espoused in their manifestos- for those who have them.
At this point, I can’t hesitate to use the saying: “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
