In Solidarity With #WeAreRemovingADictator

Jan 14

Bobi Wine leading a protest against Uganda’s new social media tax. Credit: Bobi Wine.

On Thursday the 14th of January 2021 Uganda will hold their general elections. While the world is still suffering from a USA induced fever dream, Uganda is at the cusp of a revolution. The incumbent president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has been ruling the country since 1986, resorting to severe practices such as utilizing his political influence to conduct changes to the constitution, effectively maintaining a position of power. While his supporters have argued that Museveni has eradicated poverty and introduced important infrastructures, his regime remains an authoritarian one that is further accommodated by the influence of the West. This has become blatantly clear especially in light of the recent acts of violence against non-violent protesters perpetrated by the security forces, as well as the arrests of opposition.

There have been several reports of a nationwide internet shutdown including social media platforms, an act of censorship previously witnessed at the height of tensions in the Ethiopian Tigray region. This means of censorship is deeply worrying as not only Ugandans across the country, but the world at large, will have no way to monitor one of Africa’s most important elections. The opposition candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known by his stage name Bobi Wine has shown through social media that the current regime will do anything to throttle the opposition. Just recently it was reported that Bobi Wine’s security detail of 12 years have been forced to resign their post from a higher up power, leaving Bobi vulnerable in this critical time. Not to mention the countless physical altercations between Bobi and the authorities.

As a human rights organisation fighting for Eritreans who have suffered under our current regime, the executive team at One Day Seyoum believes that the fight against any dictator is also ours; against oppression, violence, human rights abuses and nepotism, allowing for only the wealthiest and most powerful to thrive. The harder the Ugandan government tries to silence its people and divert attention from the elections happening today, the louder we need to be. We urge our community to stay informed, vocal and turn to social media to stand in solidarity with the brave Ugandans standing up against Museveni's rule.

As Bobi Wine said, ‘The world is watching.’ #WeAreRemovingADictator.

Resources:

Vanessa Tsehaye

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