By Mahir Balunywa
Center for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis
Andrew Mwenda’s article reminds me of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart. In the book, Achebe explores the complex impact of colonialism on the Igbo society in Nigeria. The phrase “the center cannot hold,” borrowed from W.B. Yeats and echoed by Achebe, describes a state where control has been lost, where no one is safe, and where institutions collapse under their own weight.
So I ask: is Mwenda among those who feel unsafe in Uganda today? Or is he part of the drivers steering this country toward collapse? Is he truly honest and worried about Uganda’s state of affairs?
Frankly, I pity anyone who takes Mwenda at face value. He knows exactly what he is saying—but his readers might not. Mwenda and his MK project have consistently provoked, instigated, and longed for a revolution—not for Uganda’s redemption, but to justify ushering in a new regime under MK. Realizing they cannot succeed through democratic elections, their interest lies in creating a national crisis they can exploit to declare a new government.
These individuals know what they want and how to get it. When they stoke tribal sentiments, it is not by accident—it is to justify a purge, eliminate rivals during the chaos, and re-emerge as saviors of the nation.
This strategy is reminiscent of colonialists who, after plundering resources, justified their conquest by delivering railways, roads, and colonial schools.
When abductions increase, torture intensifies, and court processes are influenced—judges and magistrates terrified—it is all part of a larger strategy. The aim is to push people into rebellion, crush opponents, and ensure that, by the time the dust settles, many of Uganda’s brightest minds are either buried or in exile.
Mwenda and his “advocates” seek to sow fear, panic, and confusion to pave way for an eventual power shift. Thus, responding to Mwenda’s articles may actually serve to advance his deeper political ambitions.
When Satan begins preaching against hell—where he reigns as king—you, who longs for heaven, must question whether he truly means what he says. The peace-lover must tread carefully, lest Satan convinces them that hell is actually heaven.
You may want to read a little book, The Political Economy of Heaven by Dr. Charles Prempeh (University of Ghana), for which I was privileged to write the foreword.
I urge readers to approach Mwenda’s works with dual lenses. Interrogate the hidden transcripts before joining the bandwagon—for the journey may be as disastrous as the destination you are running from. Even the late Prof. Tumusiime-Mutebile once warned us about Mwenda’s misleading articles.
To help you reflect more deeply on Mwenda’s agenda, consider the following questions:
- What is the difference between Mwenda’s MK and Museveni’s NRM?
- Is there a relationship between MK and the NRM?
- Do you see a thesis or an antithesis between the two?
- Whom does Mwenda speak for—Satan or the angels?
- Where do you locate Mwenda’s allegiance—in present-day Uganda or in a post-Museveni era?
- Is Mwenda honest in his writings—or deceptive?
- Do we really need to read Mwenda to understand contemporary Uganda?
Personally, I believe Mwenda should be the last person to be trusted when he critiques Museveni or the NRM. When he speaks about the president’s age or institutional collapse, one might assume the bold Mwenda of the 1990s has returned—the one once known for integrity and professional journalism.
But as Achebe once wrote: “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” Is Mwenda still that solid man we once knew? Or is this the same Mwenda who once endorsed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill?
Conclusion
We must learn to read not just the author’s words but also their mind, history, and political context. In today’s Uganda, it is often difficult to distinguish Saul from Paul. Not everyone who writes powerfully is sincere.
Could we be facing a synoptic political deception, similar to the biblical narratives of Mark, Matthew, and Luke—each telling a similar story but with survival as the central theme?
Is it about survival of the fittest—or about nationalism? Is it about patriotism—or calculated selfishness? Is it love of country—or self-love?
Should we interpret Mwenda’s words as a change of heart—or a change of strategy?
Is it truly “For God and My Country”—or simply, “For Myself”?