Of Money, Uganda's Activism, and The Liberation Struggle

There is no time in Ugandan politics where tyranny has ever been in its comfort zone than it is today; where those who claim to oust it are blunt—more verbal than action-oriented, ideologically wanting, more authoritative, thirstier for material wealth, myopic and vulgar, and worst of all, ignorant of the country’s political index.

But one might argue—can one engage in a moneyless struggle? How will one survive if money is not their priority, too?

Of course, activists and freedom fighters, too, have lives, bills to pay, workshops on democracy to attend, and other basic necessities—and it is impossible for them to live in this monetary-driven country without thinking of money.

However, in this suffocating country, a country that labours from Museveni’s dysfunctional governance—one of mediocrity and dictatorship, finding a genuine activist or freedom fighter is like chasing after the wind.

 In Uganda, an activist or freedom fighter is either a hungry person looking for their saviour, or a man/woman chasing fame. So the world can recognise them and easily have a table at which they can eat opportunities or an angry citizen, who previously was a staunch supporter of the regime until he missed out on a certain contract that his boss rewarded another person. So he rebels so they can reconsider him. Activism is a means to a better financial life—getting a gate pass to the statehouse after the government construes your activities as a threat.

It is easier for activists to mobilise funds than stand up against a potential paedophile, who comes out in public, to salivate about a teenager’s buttocks—these people always shy away when it comes to active engagements—storming the streets in demand for a corrupt officer’s resignation, walking to a ministry for explanations about its failure to execute its responsibilities and, those who are true to the cause and determined to stand up for what they believe in are always a handful.

Those who have been following Ugandan politics can bear me witness—many dissenting voices have joined their once-oppressor, the same person they detested and labelled a dictator—perhaps they are now more just and democratic—only God knows, and now these patriotic citizens drive latest cars, own apartments, and have access to the dictator whenever they want; others continue to fight each other because of money—perhaps a certain NGO gave them some dollars and they now want their share, so for the meantime, they have shifted their attention from liberating the country to finding more answers about the money.

This has been an eye-opener for Museveni. He has eventually found out that present-day activism is not about kicking his ass out of power but having a bite of the honey and milk he presides over. And since activists have learnt to shoot without missing, the old man has mastered flying without perching—he throws crumbs at whoever shouts—he knows it is only noise resulting from hunger.

Of course, it is unfair to entirely exhume the efforts of our comrades, those who call themselves activists. Some are focused on liberating the nation or championing a cause without expecting any returns on investment; these could be advocates of women's or children’s rights, LGBTQ, education, health, change, etc., and these are the true heroes of this country.

Let me substantiate my argument; during the parliamentary march on July 23, 2024, many activists were unsettled—their voices were all over social media—and we thought that indeed these patriots loved the nation, they detested the disease that was consuming the parliament.

However, everything started falling apart when money started coming in—one group of activists began accusing others, and we later realised a certain group of patriots had participated in the march to attract international attention, get money and perhaps a visa, and flee this miserable country—these are our activists.

As of today, another group of individuals focused on fighting Museveni and his corruption, has come up and for almost a week, has been seeking explanations regarding ‘their money’; they believe everything collected during their participation in the parliamentary march should be given to them. Unfortunately, the people who collected the money spent it on bailouts, food for prisoners, communication, tracing victims of the situation, etc., something our activists care less about.

Activism has changed so much from what it used to be—the Nelson Mandelas, Dedan Kimathis, Musevenis, Nyereres, and many more who thought their countries were captured, had no desire for money as we see it today—these people knew that liberation meant sacrifice above self, to them activism and liberation meant losing everything in the quest of something; they didn’t want to sit at the table with those they were fighting, they didn’t want good houses, what they wanted was to free themselves from the shackles of their oppressors.

It is sad to see a freedom fighter driving the latest car in times of political and economic chaos in a country; it is illogical for a freedom fighter to condemn the regime’s security brutality while the same person is escorted by the same brutal military—true activism and liberation are about detesting a system and everything that comes with it; walking the talk—not a means of financial freedom. But, if there wasn't money in the struggle, would there be activism in this country?