Uganda’s 62nd Independence Anniversary is a grotesque charade, an opportunity for Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) to parade their empty rhetoric while ignoring the blood-soaked history that stains their rise to power. Rather than a celebration of freedom, this day should serve as a grim reminder of the countless sacrifices made by those who dared to fight for a truly democratic Uganda. Among these sacrifices is the shocking and brutal murder of nine officials from the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU) in 1989—a horrific crime that the Museveni regime has tried to erase from the nation’s collective memory.
On October 9, 1989, instead of basking in the spirit of independence, Ugandans in Busyangwa village, Khitholhu Sub-county, were met with a vicious attack by gunmen posing as soldiers of the NRA, now the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF). This orchestrated massacre was not just an act of violence; it was a deliberate message sent to anyone foolish enough to support President Museveni’s NRM. The nine Resistance Council (RC) officials—now termed Local Council (LC) officials—were brutally executed because they believed in the promise of liberation that Museveni has long since abandoned for corruption and despotism. Their deaths have been met with nothing but cold indifference from the very regime that should have honored their sacrifice.
For over thirty years, the families of these fallen heroes have languished in despair, demanding recognition for their loved ones’ ultimate sacrifice. Their cries have been drowned out by Museveni’s regime, a group notorious for its complete disregard for human life unless it serves their insatiable lust for power. The hypocrisy of a government that presents itself as the guardian of peace while ignoring the blood on its hands is staggering. Museveni’s NRM has reveled in self-congratulation for any trivial achievement that bolsters its grip on power, yet it remains criminally silent on the suffering inflicted on those who were once its staunchest supporters.
The brutal massacre in Kasese was not merely a tragic event; it was a calculated act of terror aimed at anyone who dared to stand with Museveni in the hope of a better Uganda. The fact that the attack was carried out by men disguised as NRA soldiers, who fled without consequence, raises disturbing questions about the complicity of Museveni’s regime in quashing dissent. This chilling reality reveals a regime willing to commit the most heinous acts against its own people to maintain its tyrannical hold on power.
Despite the passing years, Museveni has remained shockingly mute about the sacrifices made by these officials. Charles Muhindo Musema, a survivor of this travesty, continues to grapple with the regime’s utter failure to acknowledge their deaths as acts of heroism. This unforgivable neglect is not just a betrayal of these men; it is an affront to every Ugandan who yearns for justice and accountability. Museveni and his lackeys are the embodiment of shamelessness, devoid of any semblance of honor or humanity.
Rather than marking Independence Day with hollow platitudes, Museveni should publicly confront this atrocity and take responsibility for the blood on his hands. But that would require a level of empathy and integrity that he completely lacks. By turning a blind eye to the deaths of those who fought for his regime, Museveni has disrespected their memory and demonstrated that the only sacrifice he values is that which reinforces his power.
Uganda’s history is a narrative riddled with the sacrifices of unrecognized heroes, and Museveni’s refusal to honor them is not just an insult but a glaring testament to the moral rot that has pervaded the NRM. If Uganda is to genuinely celebrate its independence, it must confront the uncomfortable truth: true honor lies in acknowledging all those who gave their lives for it—not just those who conform to Museveni’s twisted ideology. The blood of these martyrs cries out for justice, and it is high time that Uganda remembers, honors, and seeks accountability for their sacrifice.
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