Scholar Mahmood Mamdani argues that President Yoweri Museveni surpassed his predecessor, Idi Amin, in damaging Uganda through systematic corruption and tribal division, as noted in his book, Slow Poison. The Columbia University professor met Museveni in Tanzania in 1973 and tracked how revolutionary ideals eroded after nearly four decades in power.
Amin sought national unity despite brutal tactics, while Museveni fragmented society by multiplying ethnic divisions for political control. The current administration normalized state violence and converted peace promises into permanent rule rather than a democratic transition.
Western governments praised economic growth figures that masked wealth concentration among elites while most citizens remained impoverished. Museveni deployed troops to regional conflicts and labeled domestic opponents as terrorists to secure international support and maintain authority.
The president abandoned promised land reforms after 36 years in office. Institutional decay and normalized coercion distinguish Museveni's extended tenure from Amin's shorter, yet chaotic, rule.
Amin sought national unity despite brutal tactics, while Museveni fragmented society by multiplying ethnic divisions for political control. The current administration normalized state violence and converted peace promises into permanent rule rather than a democratic transition.
Western governments praised economic growth figures that masked wealth concentration among elites while most citizens remained impoverished. Museveni deployed troops to regional conflicts and labeled domestic opponents as terrorists to secure international support and maintain authority.
The president abandoned promised land reforms after 36 years in office. Institutional decay and normalized coercion distinguish Museveni's extended tenure from Amin's shorter, yet chaotic, rule.
