In a striking and reflective statement, former Ethics Minister Miria Matembe offered a candid assessment of leadership, loyalty, and political history in Uganda, drawing from decades of lived experience.
Matembe described President Museveni not as an enemy, but as a brother—someone she wishes long life for, even as she firmly believes it is time for him to relinquish leadership of the country. Her message was not rooted in hatred, but in historical perspective. Having witnessed multiple regime changes, she recalled the moments when once-powerful leaders exited the stage, only for the streets of Kampala to erupt in celebration.
She pointed to the fall of Idi Amin, remembering the spontaneous dancing and joy that filled the city. She spoke of the Obote era, when loud chants of loyalty echoed while he was in power, only to be replaced by songs and celebrations the moment he left. To Matembe, these scenes reveal an uncomfortable truth about political followership.
According to her, the same crowds that passionately rally behind President Museveni today—dressed in yellow, singing his praises—would be the very ones to flood the streets of Kampala and Mbarara in song and dance if he were to step aside tomorrow. Not out of betrayal, but out of political habit.
What troubles her most is not the possibility of transition, but the deception surrounding power. She warned that leaders are often misled by praise-singers who portray them as indispensable, even god-like, only to quickly abandon that narrative when circumstances change. In her view, such false loyalty does more harm than honest counsel.
Matembe’s words stand as a sobering reminder: power is temporary, crowds are fickle, and genuine legacy is built not on chants and colors, but on knowing when to lead—and when to let go.
