DNK International By Dr. Joseph Musasizi, PhD.
Dear Mr President, Gen. Kainerugaba, I must call you so, although you haven’t assumed the seat. (Of course, you have exhibited immense presidential powers already).
Sometimes, our parents still see us as children even when they have themselves become children – you know that Shakespearean cycle, “The Seven Ages of Man”! Even as several critical Ugandans abhor your ascendancy to the throne, most have come to appreciate their limitations.
A number of us have realised so quickly that (a) We are unable to stop your rise as your father worked tremendously well to ensure all opposition groups were thoroughly weakened; and that (b) – and this might shock you – that you are actually the best candidate for this transitional phase and could potentially save Uganda from going the direction of Sudan or Libya.
In light of this, I came to fully accept the fact that you are my next president and have religiously pushed your agenda in Kenya and abroad being the General Secretary of your founding pressure group, The MK Project, as voted by Ugandans living in Kenya.
THE BIG THINGS
Procrastination is not just a thief of time, but is also a thief of opportunity. I will say one more time, Mayor Erias Lukwago, LoP Joel Ssenyonyi, Bobi Wine, Miria Matembe, Nation Media Group or my friends Dr Sarah Bireete, and journalist Timothy Karyegira are unable – even if they so badly wanted – to stop you from ascending to the presidency.
You are wasting valuable energy on small things. Our father and grandfather, H.E Gen. YK Museveni did just well enough to clear your path. Look at us, no organisation, no nothing! We have all but submitted.
Thus, embrace your window like a “planned kid,” and don’t flex with these small people. Dear General, the only and actual stumbling block you face, ironically, is the same man who has enabled you to rise.
Don’t allow his doubts about you to eat into your time. Just be smart about it. At this point, if your father still has some dirty work to do, you should not be the one to do it for him.
Good soldier, you are wrong or being misled that just exhibiting power cements a presidency.
Sadly, the “small people” over whom this exhibition is happening are darlings of the country.
Paul Ssemwogere “lost the election” in 1980, but your father could only work with him, not isolate or threaten him.
Bobi Wine, Erias Lukwago, Joel Ssenyonyi, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, Miria Matembe, Dr Bireete, have major constituencies behind them.
You have to change course entirely and seek alliance.
These are not your enemies – but rather could help you bring you close to the people.
The same applies to Nation Media Group (Daily Monitor, NTV, and their sister channels).
These are the eyes and ears of the people.
Nation Media Group Uganda has so superbly performed the function of government oversight way better than our overpaid parliament.
I struggle to understand why you have chosen to court unnecessary bad press – local and international – focusing on small things, which are actually useful to the country!
POWER FOR POWER’S SAKE?
As soon as you finish taking care of your father – and securing the support of the people – you will have to form a government. No, you cannot use Museveni’s government.
At least, you might have to reappoint them, and sign them appointment letters.
But forming government means vetting the people you want to run the government.
I want to propose that you spend more time thinking about what you will do differently.
Are you thinking ideologically or just power for power’s sake?
You need to help us understand, we your foot soldiers, a number of us who willingly decided to support you several years back and the others who have been beaten into submission over the years (after all…if you can’t beat them…join them);
- Which questions is our incoming government seeking to ask and answer? How are we going to make sure the country can generate its own revenue and not be entirely reliant on donor money? How are we going to fight corruption? etc.
Can we instead dedicate some energy in helping Ugandans understand what PLU/MK ideologically is? Are there any political economic questions we are seeking to respond to?
The point I am labouring to make is that even if we incarcerate all supposedly antagonistic groups (pundits, civil society, activists, critical media), new and angrier voices will definitely emerge. History shows that violence against civil criticism begets even angrier criticism. It is my prayer sir, my dear incoming President of the Republic of Uganda that we re-evaluate our current agenda, court the masses, be more tolerant to criticism, and push our ideology to the grassroots as our ascension to the presidency is nigh.
jmusasizilaw@gmail.com
The author is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Researcher, and an International Relations Expert.
[DNK-International@July 3,2026]
