Following a week of protests in Uganda’s capital Kampala in which Police has arrested over 70 of the youthful protestors commonly referred to as Gen Z, Professor Jimmy Spire Sentongo, a renowned cartoonist and activist has written a deep letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni asking him to look introspectively at the government’s reaction to the protests.
Below is Spire’s full letter that he posted on his twitter handle
Baganda say, “ne gwozadde, akukubira engoma n’ozina” (even your child can drum for you and you dance). I am here to drum for you, Mr. President, and I hope you dance.
Mr. Kaguta Museveni, did you ever anticipate that a time would come in your life when, at age 80, you would imprison children in their 20s for asking you to address the theft of their money?
Did you ever imagine that a time would come when you would have to find something to accuse young children of so that you jail them in order to keep thieves safe and happy?
My primary school books are full of pictures of you, which I drew in reverence and awe at your personality and patriotic composure. I did not ever imagine that I would grow into an old man to watch you become a proud patron of thieves and a persecutor of those against thieves.
As an African elder, do you care what example you are setting for young people as you pull out all force to defend thieves in broad daylight?
Do you get surprised or bothered when young people start denouncing you, saying they are not your bazzukulu (grandchildren)?
You said that now you are working for heaven in the time you have left.
I hope that this violent defence of people stealing from the underprivileged wins you a hug from Jesus. Matthew 25:40 says, “protect my dear thieves, and I will reward you 100 fold.”
As I grow, I realize every day that age is humbling and sobering. But I have failed to understand what old age is doing to you, Mr. President. The defence of thieves looks very ugly on an elder. May I not grow to be seen as an old man staggering around, chasing my grandchildren with a big stick for standing up to defend the right thing—claiming that they are being spoiled by neighbors!
Mr. President, you need to have a candid conversation with your conscience. Thank you.
Yours in disbelief,
Jimmy Spire Ssentongo
