Written by Eric Kashambuzi
There are examples from time immemorial which demonstrate that when
people can't take it any more they draw a line beyond which they
revolt regardless of consequences. The peasants in feudal Europe had
been taught by priests that they should tolerate suffering on earth
because their rewards were in heaven. But when the burden of food
insecurity and taxation among others became unbearable, they revolted.
Since Uganda is basically a rural country of peasants, let us look at
some examples of peasant revolts in Europe and one example in Kenya.
The examples in Europe are drawn from Historical Facts by Robert
Stewart (2002).
The Britons revolted against the Roman rule. The most serious revolt
came in A.D. 61. One of the British tribes in East Anglia revolted
because it was angered by loss of land to Roman soldiers and heavy
tribute imposed on them. Thirteen years earlier, they had revolted
because they were deprived of their right to bear arms.
In A.D. 220 there were revolts against China's Han dynasty. The
oppression of peasants by landlords and bureaucracy led to a series of
revolts that ended the dynasty and left China with no central
government for 350 years.
In A.D. 1358 French peasants revolted against payment of feudal dues
and tithes to the clergy which had been rising. Many nobles and
peasants were murdered and property destroyed in six weeks of bloody
confrontation.
In A.D. 1381 came the English peasant revolt in Essex, Kent and East
Anglia of southern England. The plague had reduced population but the
surviving peasants did not benefit economically in terms of higher
wage as a result of demand exceeding labor supply while the rents they
paid to landlords remained high.
Discontent peaked in 1380 by imposing a series of taxes including the
harsh poll tax of one shilling a head. The peasants evaded payment and
attempts to force them resulted in the revolt of 1381. Led by peasant
Wat Tyler and priest John Ball, the revolt in towns including London
and counties was very destructive of lives and property. Rural
insurrection was not subdued until the end of the year. The
authorities were forced to withdraw the unpopular poll tax.
A combination of factors such as bad harvests and rising prices in the
early 16th century caused landlords to squeeze peasants in Europe by
raising rents and feudal dues as well as cutting them off from common
lands. In A.D. 1525 German peasants inspired by Lutheran's idea of
social justice and encouraged by priest Thomas Munzer revolted against
their oppressors.
Closer to home, until December 2007, Kenya was considered the most
politically stable country in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes
region. Consequently, the brewing anger in the Rift Valley and Coast
provinces regarding land grabbing was not factored into Kenya's
political economy. When the revolt erupted, it took everyone by
surprise. It was destructive of lives and property and healing isn't
complete yet.
The above lessons should serve as a warning to NRM government and its
foreign backers that the situation in Uganda represents calm before
the storm. Metaphorically, Ugandans should not be seen as an extinct
but a dormant volcano that will erupt when triggered by tectonic
movements.
Ugandans are beginning to see and understand why they are in a mess
all around. Now they know they are not cursed by God. They are being
deliberately dragged down by the NRM regime that is grabbing
everything for the enrichment of Tutsi families as described by Sam
Njuba during an interview with Observer (Uganda) reporter. It is
important to note that Tutsi came into Uganda as refugees starting in
1959 but have now taken over the country and are oppressing indigenous
people who are being killed, jailed and pushed into exile where they
are being hunted down by NRM spies.
Grabbing land and property, ignoring youth unemployment and school
dropout and sprawling urban slums as well as starving Ugandans to
export food and earn foreign exchange to cater for the rich etc are
being noticed. Foreign experts that praised Uganda as an economic
success story have vanished following abandonment of structural
adjustment program in 2009 as a socially and environmentally costly
experiment that failed.
Museveni's totalitarian dictatorship including its associated
intolerance of any form of dissent including by Members of Parliament
is pushing Ugandans against the wall. Museveni needs to remember that
dictators end up in a mess: Hitler committed suicide. Mussolini was
arrested as he tried to flee the country and was summarily executed.
It is reported that Stalin was poisoned. And Diaz of Mexico was thrown
out and died in exile.
As Museveni's Ntare School Old Boy, I have tried to advise him that
his method of governing Uganda is setting a stage for confrontation. I
have in many ways indicated that no situation is permanent. And when
the current situation in Uganda changes and the security forces and
religious leaders and development partners and the youth say enough is
enough, Museveni may end up like the dictators before him. President
Museveni you need to reflect on where you are driving Uganda before it
is too late. Two thousand and thirteen should be a watershed year for
you and for other Ugandans.
--
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