President Museveni claims no opposition in Uganda can’t be defeated

In a show of unwavering confidence, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has asserted that his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), reigns supreme in the country’s political landscape. He boldly proclaimed that there is no opposition force in Uganda that can rival the influence wielded by the NRM.
Museveni’s self-assurance stems from his belief that the opposition has not yet proven their worth in the realm of Ugandan politics. He argues that they lack a track record of accomplishments on important national issues, questioning their credibility and ability to challenge the ruling party.
“What are they opposing?” Museveni rhetorically asks, as he dismisses the opposition’s stance. He contends that the opposition has yet to present a coherent and effective alternative to the NRM’s political agenda. In his eyes, their inability to formulate a compelling position makes their attempts to defeat the NRM futile.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni speaks during a Reuters interview at his farm in Kisozi settlement of Gomba district, in the Central Region of Uganda, January 16, 2022. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa
The president’s assertions come in response to recent comments made by Kizza Besigye, former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and a five-time candidate for the Ugandan presidency. Besigye accused Museveni of capturing the state and deliberately undermining the opposition’s power and influence.
Museveni, however, remains undeterred by such allegations. He exudes an aura of dominance, suggesting that no opposition force can stand against the might of the NRM. It is this unwavering belief in his party’s superiority that has driven Museveni to claim unlimited dominance in Ugandan politics.
The president’s confidence is further bolstered by the fact that the NRM has held power for over three decades, a remarkable feat in a region characterised by political instability. Museveni has managed to consolidate his control through a combination of political manoeuvring, constitutional amendments, and the mobilisation of state resources.
Critics argue that Museveni’s iron grip on power has stifled political pluralism and democratic competition in Uganda. They claim that the ruling party’s dominance has created an uneven playing field, making it nearly impossible for the opposition to mount a credible challenge.
Nevertheless, Museveni’s defiance remains unyielding. He sees himself as the guardian of stability and progress, dismissing the opposition’s claims as baseless and lacking substance. In his eyes, the NRM represents the true voice of the Ugandan people and the party that can lead the nation towards prosperity.
“The issue at hand is the State capture that our country is currently grappling with. Museveni was the one who initiated this capture by gaining control over the military, which then took control of the State. As a result, all institutions were also captured in this process,” Besigye explained during a press conference on Wednesday, as reported by Pulse Uganda.
“In addition to that, there has been a capture of politics through the commercialization of political activities. This has been done intentionally and it involves a patronage system that grants favours to the political elite. The larger problem lies in the failure of political parties to adapt to the reality of State capture.”