Ankole's Omugabe: The Key to Unseating NRM's Dominance?

Recent events, including the lavish gifting of a luxury vehicle to Speaker Anita Among, have reignited discussions about the nature of power and expenditure within Uganda’s ruling elite.

Historically, political rivals within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have faced scrutiny and downfall, often linked to controversial procurements, as seen with former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya and ex-Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. The recent gift to Speaker Among, while seemingly a birthday present, has drawn parallels to these past incidents and could potentially cause political “indigestion.”

The article posits that beyond the internal power struggles of the NRM, a new political aristocracy is emerging. Ironically, the author, a republican, suggests that a monarchy could serve as a counterweight to this growing oligarchy, given Uganda’s “paternalistic streak” and inclination towards strong leadership.

While Buganda Kingdom is the largest and most influential, its historical trajectory saw its Kabakas shift from divine emissaries to those serving colonial and subsequent national leaders, ultimately becoming cultural emissaries of the NRM. The author argues this historical accommodation makes it ill-suited to challenge the NRM’s dominance.

Instead, the commentary points to the Ankole Kingdom as the potential force to “nullify the NRM’s overlordship.” It recalls a historical moment in 1962 when “Omugabe Wenka” (the Omugabe only) sentiment emerged in Ankole, with the Omugabe himself ultimately declaring himself above politics, fostering a culture of resistance rather than submission.

Scholars note that the Omugabe’s power was historically checked by various groups, suggesting a more democratic, bottom-up approach to leadership, unlike the top-down NRM style. This, the author suggests, might be why the Ankole Kingdom has been “kept in a death grip” by the presidency.

Source: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/restore-omugabe-end-the-nrm-rule-5462518