Politics 11 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Slide into Repressive Rule Echoes Dark Past Under NRM
Uganda is experiencing unprecedented state repression under the NRM regime, drawing comparisons to Idi Amin's era despite initial promises of liberation. The gradual erosion of principled leadership and open debate has led to rampant abuses like kidnappings, torture, and impunity. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/the-making-of-a-repressive-rulership-5419890
Uganda today faces a level of state repression that rivals the worst periods of its history, with scholars like Prof. Mahmood Mamdani arguing in his book Slow Poison that the NRM’s rule under President Museveni surpasses even Gen. Idi Amin’s fascism in some ways.
For decades, the NRM positioned itself as liberators from Amin’s brutal 1970s regime, capturing power on January 26, 1986, deliberately avoiding the coup anniversary date. NRA fighters despised Amin’s unprofessional army, yet now similar criticisms apply to current forces amid widespread kidnappings, illegal detentions, torture, and judicial abuses.
The decline has been gradual. Early NRM leaders, including prime ministers, vice presidents, and security chiefs, commanded respect and engaged in open debate, even among critics. Today, sycophancy dominates a cabinet lacking gravitas, with no strong voices checking excesses.
The NRM’s revolutionary ideals of debate and professionalism have eroded into impunity and raw power. Uganda has come full circle, reliving an ugly past once used to justify supporting the current rulers.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)