On Uganda’s failure to learn lessons of history

There is a saying that people learn nothing from history. Ongoing events in Uganda are proof of that saying. Our country appears to have a short institutional memory, bordering on none. Otherwise, why would Ugandan leaders since independence keep making the same mistakes over and over? Grave mistakes were made in 1966, 1971, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1996, 2005, 2011, 2016 and 2017.

Looks like no lessons have been learnt. It is lamentable, mindboggling and a disgrace.

This opinion is based on Isaiah chapter 42 in which the prophet laments about the situation in Israel and the scenario Isaiah depicts is similar to what is prevailing in Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and many African countries.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults and giving instruction for right living,” writes St Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16 (GNB)

Israel’s failure to learn
Isaiah 42 is titled: “The Lord’s servant” and the section which I refer to is titled: “Israel’s failure to learn.” After keeping quiet for a long time, God decides to break His silence.

“The Lord says, listen you deaf people! Look closely, you that are blind; is anyone more blind than my servant, more deaf than the messenger I send? Israel you have seen so much, but what has it meant to you? You have ears to hear with, but have you really heard?” Isaiah 42 v 18-20 (GNB)

If one substitutes Uganda for Israel, the Lord may as well be speaking to Ugandans. Uganda’s political elite have been traversing the country and trying, in vain, to convince citizens about the benefits and merits of amending article 102(b) of the Constitution, as if wananchi are not aware of the enormous damage and dire consequences of the treacherous and unpatriotic act of removing presidential term limits in 2005. I am glad Ms Hope Mwesigye has finally apologised for the central role she played in that unmitigated tragedy.

What is happening in Uganda reminds me of what the philosopher wrote in Ecclesiastes 8:10: “Yes, I have seen wicked men buried and in their graves, but on the way back from the cemetery people praise them in the very city they did their evil. It is useless.”

Isaiah laments: “The Lord is a God who is eager to save, so he exalted his laws and teachings and he wanted his people to honour them, but now his people have been plundered; they are locked up in dungeons and hidden away in prisons. They were robbed and plundered with no one to come to their rescue! Will any of you listen to this? From now on will you listen with care?” Isaiah 42 v 21-23 (GNB)

Ugandans don’t seem to listen. On January 26, Sabalwanyi bragged openly at a public event in Masindi that: “I am not a servant of anybody. I am a freedom fighter. I am not your servant. I am fighting for myself, for my belief…”

I am told Sabalwanyi is now so powerful that he can afford to insult, mislead, ridicule and threaten millions of Ugandans who have been cowed and are living in constant fear with many hiding under their beds, as a General once taunted Canon Justice James Ogoola.

Why on earth would anybody in his right mind support efforts to amend the Constitution to enable one man to pursue his personal agenda at public expense and lord it over wananchi indefinitely? What’s happening in Uganda is absurd, despicable, irresponsible and self-defeating!

Too many Ugandans have given up hope for a better future for our country and have surrendered to the corrupt and decadent regime! For them, the only option is to make the best of a very bad situation.

God is watching. My crystal ball tells me the Lord will soon break His silence and take appropriate action about the outrageous and unacceptable situation in Uganda. One hopes that Africa’s notorious dictators will learn some lessons from Robert Mugabe’s long overdue downfall.

Ambassador Acemah is a political scientist and retired career diplomat.