1. Origin and Foundation
     Taking a stand    The Museveni Amendment  

2. Structure and Organization

3. Momentum in Uganda
     Political support    Youth involvement    Role of social media    Role of music    Messages    Breaking the trend  

4. Opposition and NRM dealings
     Arua elections    Two Eras    Return to Uganda  

5. References

6. External links

The People Power, Our Power movement (also known as the People Power Movement) is a resistance pressure group in Uganda.^[1] The movement seeks to unite Ugandans on issues such as ending human rights abuse, corruption and redefining the rule of law, with a focus on young Ugandans.^[1] In large part, the movement precipitated through civil unrest with Yoweri Museveni's extended presidency, as the leader with the third-longest tenure in Africa has announced plans for re-election in 2021.^[2]They commonly use the RED colour.

Origin and Foundation

Taking a stand

People Power, Our Power first came into the international spotlight in 2017, when singer and social influencer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (otherwise known as Bobi Wine) announced his candidacy for the Kyadondo East seat of the Ugandan parliament.^[3]

After the main opposition to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), declined Kyagulanyi's outreach to run on their ticket, he finalized his candidacy as an independent.^[3] Kyagulanyi went on to defeat opposition from both parties in the by-election, more than quadrupling the vote total of his NRM opponent.^[4]

"When our leaders have become misleaders and mentors have become tormentors. When freedom of expression becomes the target of oppression, opposition becomes our position."^[5]

The Museveni Amendment

After coming out victorious yet again in 2016, Museveni began to lay the foundation for a 2021 run early. After a bill crafted by an aligned legislator sought to extend the presidential term limit was brought to the floor in October 2017, the Ugandan Constitution was eventually amended with an overwhelming 315-62 vote.^[6]

The unrest with the bill first became visible within the parliament itself. In December, violence broke out of the parliament floor during debates over the amendment and its provisions.^[2] By the end of the affairs, NRM security forces had been deployed to detain lawmakers involved, and six opposition legislators were arrested and suspended from parliament.^[2]

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) officially banned all live broadcasts of the debates over the amendment abolishing presidential age limits.^[7]

Structure and Organization

Key players of the movement have not shied away from criticism that the movement lacks structure and policy goals. Without a hierarchy or policy portfolio, People Power seeks to unite citizens on current issues rather than on one side of policy.^[1]

"People Power is not a political party or political organization for that matter. We’re aware that the state is so scared of the people who come together regardless of their political affiliations, regardless of tribe or religion but people who envision an idea of having power back in their hands. And I want to emphasize that every Ugandan has equal stake in the idea of people power."^[1]

Part of the reason for a lack of structure within the movement is speculated to be due to the NRM's surveillance over opposition activity. In response to rumors of the government plan to require formal registration of the movement as a political party, Kyagulanyi again reminded Uganda that the movement was continuing to accept members from all parties.^[11]

Despite People Power, Our Power's ability to mobilize, many critics insist further entering the political sphere is necessary for a true shot at presidency in 2021. A stronger political message, more organization along the campaign trail, and stronger outreach beyond youth populations are among the list of improvements of the movement's structure to be made.^[12]

Momentum in Uganda

Political support

By 2018, just one year after Kyagulanyi's winning MP election, People Power had gained significant political momentum elsewhere in the country. In the Jinja, Bugiri, and Arua municipalities, the People Power-pioneer endorsed candidates in opposition to the NRM with one hundred percent success.^[1] Of note, the candidates endorsed were of different party alignment in opposition to the NRM, consistent to the movement's plan of openness.

A victor of the Bugiri municipality MP position with Kyagulanyi 's endorsement, Asuman Basalirwa of the Justice Forum (JEEMA) credited Ssentamu for being a changemaker who has used demographics to his advantage in ways undiscovered throughout traditional Ugandan politics.^[3]

While FDC leadership, such as former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye, and People Power have not joined forces in the political sphere often, individual FDC politicians, such as Makindye East MP Ibrahim Kasozi have put their own spin on the movement's message of accountability for the people.^[3]

Youth involvement

Professor Sabiti Makara, a lecturer of political science and public administration at Makerere University in Uganda, sees more of a policy focus within the movement than many of its critics. "They speak to the aspirations of the voters in 2021; it shows that the issues will be employment and not NRM transitional politics like it has been the case in recent elections.”^[3]

Contributing to the effectiveness of People Power's youth focus, the Ugandans under 30 years of age comprise almost 80 percent of the country's population.^[13] While this age group consists of those legally able to vote and many not yet of age, People Power seeks to begin youth activism at all ages.

With Museveni in rule since 1986, People Power unites those who feel out of touch with plans for Uganda's future. Political analyst Robert Kirunda believes the sensation around People Power and new leadership comes from a desire for citizens to relate to their lawmakers.^[5]

"There are many young people who are not interested in the historical struggle that brought NRM to power, nor with the radical defiance of the main opposition (FDC). Most of them want jobs and they feel the economy is not working for them."^[5]

Role of social media

With a focus on youth participation, People Power has implemented social media strategy as a main source of their organization. In response to the movement's social media activism, President and NRM leader Yoweri Museveni put forth a social media tax to be implemented on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.^[5] While many saw this legislation as a direct shot at Kyagulanyi and the emerging movement, Museveni claimed it was time to end "gossip' that could harm public discourse.^[5]

The blackout came at the dawn of the February 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, and was reaffirmed as a security measure by the Ugandan Communications Commission, who also added that the matter was deferred to the commission from Uganda's Electoral Commission.^[14] Acclimating themselves to the possibility of such blackouts, Kyagulanyi and other Ugandan resistance influencers have promoted the use of VPN's as a response to government censorship.^[14]

Role of music

Messages

Aside from Wine's aforementioned Situka single that was developed into a socially-charged film, such messages have prevailed through his music since the start of his career, long before the start of People Power.^[15] The nicknamed "Ghetto President" spoke from his upbringing in the 2007 song Ghetto, advocating for the better treatment of Ugandan slums, such as the ones he was raised in in Kampala.^[15]

“I never really got into trouble with Museveni, because for a long time there was a disconnect between the common people and the elite...I was not important to them, and that was advantageous for me.”^[15]

Breaking the trend

In an era where other Ugandan artists and musicians have seemingly endorsed President Museveni's rule through music, Kyagulanyi has changed the rhetoric as Bobi Wine. As a song titled Tubonga Naawe (We are with you) gained traction throughout Uganda in support of Museveni, Wine timely released his single Dembe (Peace).^[27] Here, he continued directing his unrest toward the president, citing his political greed after Museveni erased Ugandan term limits in order to extend his presidency.^[27]

Opposition and NRM dealings

Arua elections

As they gained momentum in social and political spheres, Kyagulanyi and other People Power protesters have faced the troubles with gaining a larger platform in opposition to the NRM.

In August 2018, he and approximately 30 other opposition lawmakers were arrested while on the campaign trail alongside Kassiano Wadri in Arua, Uganda.^[18] While the initial charges released were identified as illegal firearms possession by he and others on the trail, such charges were eventually dropped and changed to treason.^[15] The charges stemmed from an accusation that Kyagulanyi's group had been stoning the nearby motorcade of President Museveni, who was also participating in campaign activities for the NRM that day.^[18] People Power has denied any involvement in the stoning, and it came into question whether Museveni was still in Arua at the time of the apparent harassment.^[19]

While still denying any involvement with the incident, Kyagulanyi claims his driver in Arua was shot and killed by NRM security forces set out to capture Kyagulanyi himself, as he was arrested in a raid of his hotel thereafter.^[19]

Two Eras

"We call upon the U.S. to immediately suspend military funding to Uganda and launch an investigation into the use of military equipment to torture Ugandans."^[10]

Return to Uganda

As Kyagulanyi returned from the United States with plans to mobilize People Power immediately, NRM security forces prepared for the events. After thousands of extra forces were deployed across the country, especially in Kyagulanyi's municipality, four of his concerts were cancelled by the government.^[15]

References

External links

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