Baryamureeba further argued that current political developments have created a perception that the Executive arm of government is under the command of the NRM chairman, while the military and Legislature are under the influence of the PLU chairman.
Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor and former presidential candidate Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba has urged President Yoweri Museveni to reflect on the legacy he intends to leave behind, arguing that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) will largely define how history judges his presidency.
In a statement shared on social media, Baryamureeba observed that since Uganda attained independence, only three presidents—Milton Obote, Idi Amin and Yoweri Museveni—have served for at least five years, making them the leaders whose legacies are most frequently scrutinized by Ugandans.
“The two institutions that are going to define Pres. Museveni’s continuing legacy even when he is gone are NRM and PLU,” Baryamureeba wrote.
He said that, in his view, many Ugandans perceive NRM Chairman President Museveni and PLU Chairman Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba as representing the country’s current and future centres of political influence.
“As of today, the majority of Ugandans think that the Chairman of NRM and the Chairman of PLU are one and the same and they happen to be father and son,” he said.
Baryamureeba further argued that current political developments have created a perception that the Executive arm of government is under the command of the NRM chairman, while the military and Legislature are under the influence of the PLU chairman.
He claimed that more than two-fifths of Members of Parliament and more than half of Cabinet owe allegiance to Gen. Kainerugaba, adding that President Museveni’s legacy would inevitably be shaped by both the successes and shortcomings of key actors within NRM and PLU.
“There is no doubt that Pres. Museveni’s legacy is being defined and shall be defined by the good and the bad of NRM and PLU key organs and actors,” he stated.
Addressing President Museveni directly, Baryamureeba appealed for reflection on the legacy he will leave for future generations.
“For those of us who unconditionally love Pres. Museveni, time has come for you to think about the legacy you want to leave behind,” he wrote.
He added that the President’s legacy would be discussed for generations, expressing hope that Museveni’s descendants would be proud of the family name.
“I would wish that your great-grandchildren would all want to use the name Museveni instead of running away from it,” he said.
Baryamureeba concluded by urging the President, as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, to remain focused on the promise of “fundamental change” made when the NRM took power on January 29, 1986.
“All is still under your control as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief to decide. But most importantly, let us (NRM) not lose track of the fundamental change you promised Ugandans on 29th January 1986,” he said.
