General Kahinda Otafiire, once a prominent figure in Uganda’s political arena, now stands as a glaring symbol of rampant hypocrisy and unrestrained corruption. The Njeru stock farm debacle exemplifies Otafiire’s insatiable greed. Here is a man, audaciously claiming ownership of land, while serving as Minister of Internal Affairs in a government that asserts the land belongs to the National Animal Genetic Research Institute and Data Bank (NAGRC & DB). This blatant conflict of interest reveals Otafiire’s shameless and corrupt nature.
Otafiire’s entire career is a sordid tale of scandal and corruption. From brandishing a gun at Sam Kutesa’s wife to being implicated in the plundering of Congo’s resources, his tenure is marked by theft and impunity. His involvement in the 2011 sugar hoarding scandal further cements his image as a profiteer exploiting Uganda’s economic vulnerabilities. This man, who shamelessly hoarded sugar to inflate prices, has the audacity to lecture others about corruption.
Otafiire’s disdain for parliamentary duties and his condescending remarks about representing his people through Cabinet, rather than the elected parliament, highlight his utter detachment from democratic values. At 73, he openly scorns the very institution meant to hold the government accountable, preferring to operate within the confines of an unaccountable executive. His recent hypocritical calls for youth to rise against corruption are laughable, given his own tainted record.
His humiliating defeat in 2016, losing the Ruhinda County seat to the relatively unknown Capt Donozio Kahonda, was a clear message from the electorate. However, Otafiire’s unscrupulous return to power in 2021, through blatant electoral gerrymandering, underscores his relentless pursuit of personal power at the expense of genuine democracy. This gerrymandering is a testament to his willingness to manipulate democratic processes to maintain his grip on power.
Otafiire’s history of violence and intimidation is notorious. In 1988, he became the first NRA minister to resign after brandishing a gun at a woman, an act of blatant aggression that should have ended his career. Instead, he has continued to thrive in a regime that rewards such behavior. His participation in the plundering of Congo’s resources, alongside other senior UPDF officers, reveals a man driven by greed and willing to exploit even war-torn regions for personal gain.
General Kahinda Otafiire is not a champion of the people but a despised symbol of Uganda’s entrenched corruption and autocracy. He represents everything that is wrong with Uganda’s political system: a ruthless pursuit of power, a blatant disregard for democratic values, and an insatiable greed that prioritizes personal gain over national interest. It is time for Uganda to reject such relics of a dark political past and pave the way for genuine leadership and accountability. Uganda deserves leaders who are committed to democracy, transparency, and the well-being of its citizens, not self-serving autocrats like Otafiire.
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