A memoir by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed why the powerful nation and others in the West respect Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni despite his shortfalls.
While many may take exception to Museveni’s human rights record and electoral democracy credentials, Boris Johnson reveals why Museveni is an important part of the regional security arrangement.
Museveni has been in power for nearly four decades and he is seeking to extend his rule beyond 2026, the end of his current five-year term of office.
Although the Ugandan opposition has over the years complained of human rights violations and the shrinking of the democratic space, Museveni has remained in power, and the opposition has kept complaining.
In his newly published memoir, Unleashed, Boris Johnson described Museveni as an “ancient bush fighter.”
Boris Johnson talked about the time he spent with President Museveni.
In his same memoir, Unleashed, Boris Johnson referred to Museveni as key for the region despite “some of his prejudices” that the West may be unhappy with.
“I spent happy hours talking to Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, that ancient bush fighter who is so important for the peace of the region, from Somalia to Congo to Sudan,” wrote Boris Johnson.
“He is crucial… although we may disapprove of some of his prejudices.”
This revelation by Johnson may come as bad news for the Ugandan opposition who are hoping that the West may support them remove Museveni.
Museveni is involved in peace efforts in the region and remains a key partner for the West when it comes to security matters.
In turn, countries like the US spend significant amounts on the national army, the UPDF. See how much money America gives Uganda’s army Here.
Museveni has previously told Western powers, especially in the US and Europe, to mind their business and stop lecturing him on how to run Uganda. (See Details Here and There).
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