Do you ever envision the dethronement of African tyrants? If Ugandan president is one of them then too bad for you because President Yoweri Museveni has told opposition parties that he is not about to leave power and they should totally stop dreaming of seeing the day.
He spoke during an inter-party dialogue summit, which brought together leaders of parties represented in Parliament, in the capital Kampala.
Mr Museveni, who said he enjoyed the dialogue, told his opponents that he will not think of relinquishing power until he is satisfied that the “prosperity and strategic security of Africa have been achieved”.
“I hear people like Mao talking about transition, how they would like to sit in the audience and see Museveni handing over power. That is the most important thing for him. I do not think that is the most important and it is good he is saying that,” Mr Museveni said on Thursday.
“So, the political class, instead of talking about the destiny of Africa, you are talking about petty things elections, who becomes who. That is why I have said if I still have strength, I will continue,” he continued.
“This is my point of view: not to retire when the original issues of why Africa nearly perished have not been addressed. And you are just addressing small things elections. The ones you are electing, you elect them to do what exactly? (sic) That is what you should answer. I have no other interest in politics because I am a cattle keeper.”
Mr Museveni, whose grip on power will hit 33 years on by January 26, 2019, was responding to a statement by Democratic Party president-general Norbert Mao
In his speech, Mr Mao had said that they dream of a day the strongman would go to Kololo Independence Grounds to witness the swearing-in of another person as president of Uganda and officially hand over power.
Mr Museveni told the leaders that if they are still thinking of him leaving State House soon, “they should better start dreaming of other alternatives”.
In an unscripted remark during his three-hour State of the Nation address awhile back, President Museveni said 30 years in power have helped him get the necessary experience and knowledge to steer the country in the best direction.
“Being president for a very long time is not a bad thing. That is why I am experienced…. Even if you woke me up at night, I will tell you what is happening,” Museveni said in response to taunts from MPs over his longevity in power.