It’s No Picnic Being the Political Opposition in Uganda · Global Voices
Prudence Nyamishana

The former Ugandan prime minister presents a gift to former US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz. Mbabazi intends to challenge president Museveni. Public domain. Photo by the US Federal Government.
When Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni took office in 1986, he declared plainly that Africa's problems were mainly the result of leaders clinging too long to power. However, 29 years later, Museveni still hasn't gone. Now he's seeking a sixth presidential term.
Every year Museveni remains in office, the space in Uganda for political engagement contracts a bit more. In 2001, Colonel Kizza Besigye, a former military officer with the Uganda's People's Defence, declared his intentions to run for the presidency. Ever since, Besigye has been in and out of prison.
There are signs that Museveni's grip on power is waning. Several old guards from his own National Resistance Movement have come out openly to oppose him. Most recently, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi declared that he will run in the 2016 presidential election. (Last year, Museveni sacked Mbabazi.)
While he was prime minister, Mbabazi engineered the Public Order Management Act, a law later used against him. On 9 July 2015, as he was beginning regional consultative meetings, Mbabazi was arrested and detained for 10 hours for supposedly violating this new law. Kizza Besigye, a leading opposition figure, was also arrested at his home in Kasangati.
Online, Ugandans have speculated about the reasons for the arrest:
My suspicion @AmamaMbabazi will be stopped in the middle of no where at a less crowded spot
— fortune hunter (@JZiras) July 9, 2015
So, your telling me #JPAM moved out of his house this morning not expecting to be arrested? pic.twitter.com/AqDa05aJh9
— Kyeyune William (@KyeyuneWilliam) July 9, 2015
Grace Natabaalo couldn't hold back her sarcasm:
I wish I lived in Besigye's neighborhood. It must be safe with all that 24/7 surveillance by Police.
— Grace Natabaalo (@Natabaalo) July 9, 2015
The national and international media were also buzzing about the arrests:
Uganda's inevitable pre-election crackdown begins: Opposition pol Besigye just been thrown in squalid jail. pic.twitter.com/d7CVCOHHGv
— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) July 9, 2015
Uganda Radio Network reported:
Police fire teargas in Kasangati as @kizzabesigye1 @FDCOfficial1 supporters demonstrate agst his arrest @ugandaupf
— Uganda Radio Network (@ugandarn) July 9, 2015
The BBC tweeted:
BBC News – Uganda's Amama Mbabazi and Kizza Besigye arrested http://t.co/qLCOcxB5th
— ddumba lawrence (@ddumbalawrenc) July 9, 2015
In solidarity with Ugandans, Kenyans launched the hashtag #FreeBesigye:
I don't have to be Ugandan to demand the release of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Isn't that the spirit of EAC? #FreeBesigye pic.twitter.com/R9NtuzD82D
— Mr. B (@Benogola) July 9, 2015
(The EAC is the East African Community.)
Some Ugandan Twitter users soon started showed signs of fatigue:
KOT say #FreeBesigye I guess he might get a night in for exporting his rebellion across to #Kenya. #Uganda tweeps seem fatigued!
— Rosebell Kagumire (@RosebellK) July 9, 2015
In Uganda, many observed, only President Museveni is allowed to hold events that look like rallies:
The only supporters allowed on the streets. No country for opposition. #Uganda pic.twitter.com/pyWlk3I46H
— Grace Natabaalo (@Natabaalo) July 9, 2015
As long as you are for the President, Internet users joked, you can freely shake your posterior and the police won't lift a finger:
Pro-Museveni yellow girls shaking their booty in the tropical sun. #KadodiBeats pic.twitter.com/r741pVcyD6
— Allan Ssenyonga (@ssojo81) July 6, 2015